Intertwined || Percabeth Hogwarts AU

Chapter 36

A previously silent voice entered the fray. "This entire thing is a waste of time."

Shacklebolt turned to one Ronald Weasley. "Do you have something to say, Mr. Weasley?"

"What I'm understanding is that you bunch of sissies want to imprison one of our wizards for being powerful?! At the end of it all, he single handedly eliminated a dangerous threat. And we're sitting on our asses discussing something as idiotic as this when those who actually oppose us are ruining lives of the innocent!"

"Idiotic?! The murder of two of our wizards is idiotic?" Madam Sol stood up, glaring daggers at him.

"What proof is there that Poseidon was the one to kill them?" Ron shot back vehemently. "Casualties happen and there's no telling what could've happened in a crossfire like that. It could have very well been the work of Donovan Laroda and his group."

Shacklebolt nodded to his point but gestured for him to sit down. "Mr. Weasley, please calm down. We are here to discuss this in a civil manner."

"Rubbish!" He exclaimed, standing his ground. "With the new surge of dark wizards running amuck, we need all the help we can get! Poseidon Jackson is one of our greatest allies."

His voice sparked some initiative among the council, but with the beginning of the final vote, Ron's voice was ultimately subdued. Poseidon caught his eye gave him an appreciative nod which made the redhead perk up immensely.

He had initially scared Ron, but once he got to know him after a few missions together, Poseidon Jackson had quickly become an idol for him to live up to. The man was one of the most skilled wizards Ron had the pleasure of working with.

While the council worked to write down their votes, Poseidon's gaze traveled to Athena. He had ignored her presence during the entire evening, but it would be frugal to continue to do so. She looked up from writing, feeling someone's gaze, and his eyes locked onto hers.

She tried for a compassionate smile but froze. There was no doubt in Poseidon's mind that she was also voting for his imprisonment as he looked at her with pure loathing. Athena had never been as frightened in her life as she had in that moment.

Shacklebolt's voice shattered the silence. "The council and I have voted," he said with a hint of regret. "Poseidon Jackson, you have been determined to be guilty. You are stripped of your status as Head Auror; the public shall be told that you have retired. Any details of this trial or the contents of the mission are hereby sealed. Anyone found to have divulged these details shall be tried on grounds for treason."

There was a pause as the Minister took a breath. He shuffled the papers containing the council members' votes and looked at Poseidon with sad eyes.

"Mr. Jackson, with legal exception for the use of the Cruciatus curse and breach of protocol resulting in the death of your comrades, you are sentenced to twenty years in Azkaban. As such, your wand will be confiscated and snapped. You are barred from practicing magic once the sentence is complete. You will be given twenty four hours under surveillance to set your affairs in order."

It was like time itself went still. Everything hung in the air on the brink of collapse as all eyes in the room locked onto Poseidon.

"Twenty years..." Harry whispered to himself in shock.