Intertwined || Percabeth Hogwarts AU

Chapter 71

"It wouldn't be the first time, now would it... Brandon?"

There, on the ledge right outside of the glowing cavern, stood a tall Middle Eastern man with dark hair and a neatly trimmed beard, draped in black robes with gold lining and his wand casually held in his left hand. This was Brandon O'Tell. His gunslinger back on his old Auror team.

"No it wouldn't," Brandon agreed with a little smirk. "It's been quite some time since I've seen your Avatar magic firsthand. And it's still as impressive. You should be proud, Poseidon. You're one of only two wizards to have achieved such a thing."

"I'd say thank you if that were genuine," Poseidon said, pocketing his hands. "I do wonder on what occasion the other person would have had to use it. Knowing him, it was the full avatar too."

Brandon grew pensive, looking away. "It was... a long time ago. Gruesome, truth be told."

"I'd expect no less."

For a moment, they were at a standstill, staring at the other with veiled antsiness. Waiting to see who would strike first. That was until a set of footsteps sounded from behind Brandon. Another figure stepped out of the cavern, a cloth bag in his right hand.

So they have it, Poseidon thought grimly. I can't let them harness the amulet.

The shadows shifted and the figure was in full view now.

Seeing his face again was like a brass knuckled sucker punch. His red hair was streaked with gray now, slicked back with the sides cut short and a few strands messy on his forehead, and those once bright brown eyes were so dull. And if possible, his skin had become paler.

Poseidon schooled his emotions once more. "Seth Abner." His once right hand man. The greatest upcoming Auror in the Ministry. If things had gone right, Poseidon would've had him take over the Head Auror position after he retired. "My, my, what a reunion this is."

Brandon and Seth stood side by side, imposing twin ghosts of his past.

Seth's breath caught. "It's you..."

"Missed me?"

"I'd be lying if I said I didn't," Seth breathed a little laugh. Hoarse, like he hadn't laughed in a while. "It seems you've been keeping busy. Not a moment out of Azkaban and already hot on our tails."

Poseidon smirked. "Oh, you know how it is. I'm never one to sit still."

"It seems that way. How did you track us here? This island is veiled."

"Is it? I hadn't noticed."

Seth laughed again. "Isolation didn't ruin your sense of humor then. That's good."

"Isolation never left me truly alone," Poseidon hummed, looking at his palm and smiling. "The Patronus Charm is truly a marvelous thing. I was always in the know for most things and able to look over my family. However, I have to ask. Where are Damon and Matt? Surely you lot have stuck together."

"Otherwise preoccupied," Brandon answered shortly. "Not that it's your concern."

"Of course, of course," he placated, lax and unbothered. "Loyal like dogs to your master. Being at his beck and call does it for you then?"

Seth cracked a grin. "Now, that's not very nice."

Poseidon's eyes turned fathomless.

"Yes, well, all pretense of my kindness is no more given how you stabbed me in the back."

Within a second, the atmosphere became charged and heated, like the calm before a thunderstorm. Any falsities in their expressions were gone.

Brandon, always the most impulsive, was the first to break. "You killed Ian and Hector."