It is amazing how complete the delusion that beauty is goodness.
The Purpose, Rewritten, Chapter 35 Poison
Hogwarts, June 23rd, 1964
Seth entered the office, curiously noticing a concealing charm as he went through. He then saw Nicholas Flamel and Alastor Maugrey in front of Albus's desk. Fumseck made a chirp in greeting. Did Dumbledore really need that much privacy to put up that charm? He shrugged it off and greeted Dumbledore.
''I'll wait in the main hall.'' Said Maugrey before shooting to Seth a nasty glare on his way out.
Maugrey had gone to his island the week before, saying he needed to inspect how the muggles lived there. He had not cared since he never had anything to hide, and his muggles were happy enough. He was sure his mechanical eye looked at Seth until the door closed.
Seth had mixed feelings upon seeing Nicholas again. He had never forgiven him for what he did to vampires with his parents. To those supposed Zeliths.
''Seth. I'm glad you came. You want to take a seat?'' Asked Albus.
Seth went up the four stairs and held his hands together behind his back.
''I'll… stand. I am pretty busy, Albus.'' Said Seth, wanting to leave as soon as possible.
''No doubt about that. I will be direct. I'm expressing concerns… towards my old friends, the Scamander, or rather Newt's wife, Porpentina. She is the head of the MACUSA, as you know, and she has been changing many things within the ministry over there.'' Said Albus.
''You approved of them, Albus. What exactly is the problem?'' Asked Seth.
''I know. My main concern is those changes were previously Grindelwald's ideas and he has been the… USA president, of all things he could be, and I know for a fact that, that is not normal.'' Said Dumbledore.
''You speak about Porpentina, then of Gellert… why?'' Said Seth.
Albus sighed.
''Tina would have never sided with Grindelwald, no matter what he did or changed. She tells me she's fine… I would suspect the Imperius curse, but it has been almost two years… she knows how to fight it, and I would have thought it was the Imperius, but all of the aurors sided with him, and many others…'' Said Dumbledore.
''You can't control that many people over a long period of time. I know, you know, everybody knows. Can't you just accept that people actually wanted those changes?'' Said Seth with a bit of irritation to have been brought just to speak about that.
Dumbledore's hand twitched. He seemed to hold an object in his hand.
''You were not there, Seth. In 1927, or even in 1932.'' Said Nicholas, referring to the times Gellert had killed many aurors and almost all Paris with fire and on the election day where he tried to be the supreme Mugwump.
''And? I do know he had many followers, who still, to this day, went back to him without hesitating. He is doing a fine job at keeping our world safe, slowly making the muggles see their place, where their wars and weapons will no longer be a threat to us. If you fail to see that…'' Said Seth but Flamel interrupted him.
''Killing muggles. Is that not a reason to not do what he does?'' Said Nicholas.
''Right. Because killing vampires who were annoying to muggles was better?'' Said Seth with a sneer.
''They were endangering our world, your world!'' Cried Nicholas.
''NO! Muggles know now what we are, and they know about wizards! Are you seeing a war coming anytime soon? No! Because Gellert is the president and knows what is going on everywhere and anytime.'' Said Seth.
He was glad he had found the remaining vampires and soon the whole world would know, not just the USA.
''And you think organising events, fighting events between muggles, is a good way to rule?'' Said Albus.
''What?'' Asked Seth, confused. He had not known that detail, but… it was only muggles. ''Whatever Gellert does for fun with muggles, I would not care. What I do care about are vampires and the magical community.'' Said Seth, looking at Flamel. ''And you know that.''
''I refuse to believe you think a life is better than another one simply because they don't have magic.'' Said Flamel, shakily. ''Kathleen would…''
Seth moved his wand that slid to his hand towards Flamel and closed his mouth shut with a silent Silencio.
''Don't you dare even speak about her.'' Hissed Seth. ''Kathleen knew her place and did everything we ever asked, like EVERY MUGGLE SHOULD BE DOING! Not only to vampires, but to every damn wizard on this planet!''
A floating artefact chimed above them.
''Seth, please, wand down.'' Said Albus.
Nicholas waited and nodded at Seth. Seth's wand went back to his sleeve, although he had not removed the spell on Nicholas.
''Would it be so hard to accept that Miss Scamander likes what Gellert finally did?'' Said Seth, lying through his teeth.
A red light shone between Dumbledore's fingers. He had been holding an artefact. Albus lifted the object in front of him and shook his head. The artefact shattered and became dust.
''And here I thought, with all my might, that what you were saying was true, Seth. And the biggest lie comes with flying red color.'' Said Dumbledore.
The air became dense as Seth realised what was said. A second later, Dumbledore and Seth were pointing their wands at each other. That had been why there was concealment charms in his office. Albus had hidden artefacts in the room, blocking his senses beforehand.
''You want me to come to you?'' Asked Corban urgently.
''No. He can't do anything against me.'' Assured Seth. ''You will never be able to land a spell on me, Albus.''
He had never seen Dumbledore's eyes show anger and sadness at the same time, and those emotions were directed at him. Dumbledore moved down his wand arm.
''I have a proposal. A duel. If I win, you will help me stop Grindelwald and put an end to all this, forever.'' Said Albus.
Seth blinked.
''What? You want to duel me?'' Asked Seth.
It had been some time since he had dueled with Corban, or anyone, but knowing that his vampires skills would outmatch any wizards, he wondered why Albus would even suggest something he would lose at.
''If you are so confident…'' Asked Albus.
''So, if I win, you will not do anything?'' Said Seth.
''If it's your terms of the duel, then yes.'' Said Albus.
''Why does it feel like a trap?'' Asked Danyck.
''I'm coming no matter what you say.'' Said Corban.
OoOoO
Hogwarts, Quidditch pitch
They had gone to the Quidditch pitch where some took place in the stands. To Seth's surprise, he saw Minerva McGonagall beside Alastor Maugrey. Nicholas was a few seats further. Corban had arrived a few minutes after and took place on the other side, still standing and nervous, his hands on the handrail.
''How did Mr. Yaxley know about this encounter?'' Asked Albus after looking at Corban.
''It's Vulken, not Yaxley.'' Said Seth. ''He's my husband. He knows what I know.''
''Pardon me. I did forget. Shall we proceed?'' Asked Albus.
''I'm telling you it's a trap. Why would he look so confident?'' Asked Corban.
''He's not. I can feel his aura, somewhat, despite that we can't hear his heart due to concealment charms he placed now.'' Said Seth in thoughts. ''You placed concealment charms on yourself.'' Noted Seth.
''You can't have all the advantages here, Seth. You are a vampire, after all.'' Said Albus.
''Then knowing this, I am still suspicious about this duel.'' Said Seth.
''I would not expect it otherwise from you. Do you want to change the terms of this duel?'' Asked Albus.
What if he did lose? If after all that is improbable, should he fall and bring Gellert in this?
''If I do lose…'' Began Seth. He thought about what mattered most to him. ''You have to promise you will not lose faith in what I have done for vampires and that I shall continue to do so, even if Gellert is out of the picture. All we ever wanted, was to protect the wizarding world, and if you don't allow us to do as we want it to, then you let me continue what I do for my nation.''
Albus smiled.
''You are truly a king, Seth. I mean it. And I see what Grindelwald did, was not something of your first intentions. Was it not?'' Asked Albus.
''No. I did not want it this way.'' Said Seth.
Which was true. Grindelwald's idea of the Triune was not something he was fond of, as he believed the loyalty of others, once you had it, was something more precious than something that is forced. Thought Gellert may have many allies, his enemies were by the thousands, if not millions with the muggles.
Albus lifted his wand and placed it in front of him. Seth did the same and they bowed to each other. They turned and counted ten steps. On the tenth step, Seth turned quickly and cast a quick protego, but Albus had done just the same.
Seth snickered and stopped the spell, as did the Headmaster. Albus lifted his wand and Seth noticed the movement of the wand. A fiery wave moved fast towards Seth and only way to dodge that was to cut through it with a freezing spell, which Seth did. Three fast hexing curses flew after. Seth dodged easily, as he could still feel the magic going towards him and he was naturally faster than any wizards.
Albus changed tactics and went to move the ground, which reminded Seth of his duel with Blackwell. Spikes erupted from the earth under his feet. Seth jumped out of the way and made quick steps right before the earth spiked through.
Albus conjured several blobs of water and made them go fast towards Seth again. Seth smiled and made his move, turning his wand in circles rapidly, changing the water into ice, then the blobs exploded into shards. He pushed the thousands of ice shards towards Albus who made a shield which converted the shards into ice dust. As Albus was blinded by the dust temporarily, Seth used his vampiric speed to move behind Albus. As a mere few seconds passed, Seth thought about how just easy it would be to end this duel. Why would Dumbledore all bet his drive on this duel? Would he really stop trying to stop Grindelwald?
Seth moved forward as Albus was looking for Seth while the ice dust began to fade. Seth gripped Albus from behind, not without knocking his wand off his hand first and blocking his arms. The memories of drinking Blackwell's blood filled his mind. Blood from powerful wizards were the best thing he had ever tasted, and thinking about Albus's blood made his inner vampire go crazy and do just that.
Albus struggled heavily against him, pulsing his magic trying to get away. Seth's eyes turned black a second before he sank his teeth in the Headmaster's neck. Blood poured down his throat, and he thought he had won the duel after all.
Suddenly, a fire erupted inside of him. Excruciating pain fired all his veins and he let go of Albus before falling on the ground. Black veins appeared on his face, and he could not think as the pain was worse than what he had ever felt before. His body churned and he vomited the blood he had just drank, or at least he tried to as he was on all fours. He heard someone screaming. He thought… he was dying.
His heartbeat was extremely fast. He had difficulty breathing. He could not think. Someone was battering against his mind. He would not be able to continue to fight the pain any longer. He felt weaker by the second and his arms gave up, his face fell on the grass.
As his mind was slipping away, somebody turned his body and shoved a liquid down his throat. The immense pain fell to a dull, but he had no more energy to speak or even lift a finger. He was completely at anyone's mercy. He began to hear the previously muffled voices, but also Corban in his mind, sick with worry, anger, and pain. Danyck was in no better mental state as he kept repeating, he was coming as fast as he could.
He had lost the duel, Seth realised before falling into desired slumber.
OoOoO
Seth's bedroom, Vulken isle, July 5th, 1964
Laying down on a soft mattress, he felt a hand stroking him gently, and consistently on his arm. A smell of fresh coffee and hazelnut filled his nose. He tried to move, but instantly regretted it as he ached all over. Even opening his eyes was a chore, so he let them closed.
''Seth?'' Asked Corban softly.
''I hear you.'' Answered Seth through thoughts.
A wave of relief went through him coming from his husband, but also from Danyck. Corban moved to kiss him, being careful as to not move his body.
''Ni mel cin-, Ni mel cin-. I was so scared… I did not know what was happening to you. They used a cursed potion created specifically against vampires, and…'' Began Corban.
''I figured so.''
''I wanted to kill them… and I could have… Danyck almost did, but Dumbledore had won the duel and the magic prevented us from doing anything, apart of taking care of you, and bringing you back here.'' Said Corban.
Seth felt so tired, barely hearing Corban.
''Tired…''
''You can sleep. I'll give you different potions now that I… I-I know…''
Seth drifted back into slumber.
He doesn't know how long he slept more, but he heard Corban speaking with Lazarus.
''Word spread fast about his wellbeing.'' Said Lazarus.
''How many, Lazarus? Does Gellert know?'' Asked Corban.
''No. Not that far.'' Said Lazarus.
''Good. Let it be as small as possible.'' Said Corban.
''I don't know if it's related… but the wands I had kept from the Maugrey family… they are gone.'' Said Lazarus.
Corban was in shock and received a mental nudge from Seth.
''He's awake.'' Said Corban before they both entered Seth's bedroom.
Seth had been strong enough to sit in bed and ask for water, which Corban promptly gave him.
''The auror Alastor did come here.'' Said Seth softly.
His throat was hurting so bad, and his insides felt like molten lava.
''Is… is it my fault you got hurt, Nin Aran-?'' Asked Lazarus.
Seth shook his head, but Corban answered for him.
''No, Lazarus, but it probably gave ideas to Maugrey to get his revenge and also at the same time expose the truth that Dumbledore might have suspected.'' Said Corban.
''What… what is going to happen, then?'' Asked Lazarus.
''It won't change anything here. Dumbledore must honor the terms of the duel even if I lost.'' Seth paused, taking his breath. ''I need to get better before I see Gellert, which is on my birthday…''
''I'll give you my blood for as long as you need. I'm sure Merebelle would want you to, too.'' Said Corban.
''Where's Ruma?'' Asked Seth, as he could not feel her aura around.
''She's with Mer and Snow.'' Said Corban.
''It hurts.'' Said Seth in thoughts.
Corban sat quickly beside Seth and opened his wrist with a sharp nail. Seth drank the offered blood avidly, feeling the pain dull away as magical blood gave him much needed energy.
''I'm so sorry.'' Said Lazarus with a broken voice.
When Seth was done, he stood up with Corban's help and walked to Lazarus who knelt down.
''Lazarus. We told you it was not your fault. The work you do here is important and I would not have you punished for a trap I fell in. Alastor Maugrey is a very smart auror who drives on placing every law-breaking wizard in Azkaban because I placed that pressuring enchantment on him, years ago. I was also the one who let you keep the wands of his parents. Rise, and be forgiven.'' Said Seth.
Lazarus stood, bowing his head.
''Thank you.'' Said Lazarus.
''I need some air.'' Mumbled Seth.
He walked with Corban holding him as his muscles ached from being still for a long time. He learned he had been unconscious for two long weeks. The black veins on his face had faded but were still there. The cursed potion had never been used on anyone and the aftereffects were unknown. He had been given the antidote, just like Dumbledore, but the curse had been destined and brewed for him.
''You are getting better though. If it takes a while for you to be healed completely… it's better than the alternative.'' Said Corban.
''Yeah. How am I supposed to confront Gellert?'' Asked Seth.
''Dumbledore did speak to me. He came here a few days after the duel. He wants you to make a portkey and a protean charm to warn him when it is time.'' Said Corban. ''You should have seen Ruma… she looked at the Headmaster and said in parseltongue… : You hurt my dada. You are a bad man. He actually said he was sorry. I think he understands Parseltongue, can you imagine?''
A bitter taste rolled on his tongue. Thinking about Dumbledore made him nauseous. Seth sat by the weeping willows where his parents were buried. Trusting wizards was getting more and more difficult. His parents had been killed by a wizard who had known a secret he was never supposed to know, and that was Tom's fault.
His own parents tried to protect him against wizards and invented the Zelith lie through others he trusted: the Flamels.
He had not been fond of Gellert's plans either and he had trusted in himself to win the duel easily and even then, he had failed himself.
This time, it was going to be himself, the deceiver. He had to somehow paralyze Gellert so he would not do anything against the ones having the Triune inside of them… if only it had been just muggles, he would not have cared much, but many wizards were under his control.
Corban sat beside him and grabbed his hand in his.
''I don't care what happens. I care that you are alive, and beside me.'' Said Corban.
Seth made a snort.
''If only everything was that easy.'' Said Seth.