Disclaimer: One Piece and Harry Potter does not belong to me, each belongs to their respective author.

Challenge by TheBlackSeaReaper.

-.- Mudbloods and Murmurs

He didn't like Lockhart, not even a little, and knew that his opinion was not so wrong seeing Professor McGonagall treat him so coldly and sarcastically.

One morning when she handed Hermione (the only responsible one in the group) the potions with Ace's medicine, Lockhart approached Minerva with an eagerness to say hello, and asked a specific question: "I have not seen Harry Potter in my classes, Is it that he is sick?"

"But he have entered each of your classes, he have signed the attendance sheet in each and every one of them" replied the teacher, while turning to Ace.

"Ace please take your medicine, the last thing I need in another drama like the one the first day of school".

The theory was that Lockhart wanted to meet Harry Potter, and who did not want to. After the first week, everyone on first year knew that Harry Potter was Portgas D Ace, and had learned not to call him by that name, after recommendations from those who had suffered last year, so the chances that Lockhart found Ace had become very, very low.

The only lost case had been Colin who seemed to have memorized Ace's schedule and appear out of nowhere just to say "Hello, Ace". It was cute, but it was becoming creepy, even for Ace.

So at the end of the week, Ace was excited, his plans on Saturday were simply to visit Hagrid and then sneak away in the direction of Fluffy. However Ace found himself being shaken several hours earlier.

"Out, hen. I don't have to wash the deck today," he murmured in his sleep, clinging to the pillow.

"No, Ace," said Oliver Wood, Gryffindor Quidditch Captain, pulling the sheets. "Quidditch practice! Come on!"

Uncovering his head of the pillow, Ace watched as the light began to illuminate the sky "Damn it, it's just dawning"

"Exactly," said Wood. He was a tall and burly sixth year and, at the moment, his eyes were gleaming with a crazed enthusiasm. "It's part of our new training program. Come on, grab your broom, and let's go," said Wood heartily. "None of the other teams have started training yet; we're going to be first off the mark this year…"

Yawning and shivering slightly, Ace climbed out of bed and tried to find his Quidditch robes.

"Good man," said Wood. "Meet you on the field in fifteen minutes."

Ace descended the stairs, thinking that at least the Twins would suffer with him, only to find himself face-to-face with Ginny Weasley, who watched Ace startled, her bag in her hand.

"What are you doing here so early?" Asked Ace, in a tone of annoyance for the hour and surprise to find her there at that time "You can go and still sleep"

An inaudible moan escaped her lips and from simple inertia she turned her gaze from side to side, before looking at Ace, and trying to articulate an answer, opened her mouth but no sound came out of it, and simply closed it again.

"Go back to sleep," said the boy. "Not even breakfast is ready at this hour" and as if to emphasize his point, his stomach at that moment resounded in protest.

The girl looked surprised at the point where the sound had come, only to quickly begin to look for something in her bag, and extract a bag of cellophane, and offered it to Ace.

The boy simply looked at the bag curiously before saying "For me?" The girl simply nodded, her face the same color as her hair, her hands trembled as one held the bag of treats and another on her handbag, her eyes fixed on the bag, unable to look at the boy in front of him, and then he saw a hand move toward hers and silently take the bag she tentatively released before his hand touched hers, and then she looked up, while he I said a simple "Thank you" as I opened the bag.

"Cookies," exclaimed the boy in surprise as he took one "and homemade ... your mother prepared them?" The girl looked down, and opened her mouth a bit to respond, but nothing came out. And Ace looked intrigued by this, seeing everything except a girl's crush. Surely he saw a shy girl who did not know how to act in the spot light. "Did you prepared them?" The girl blushed more, if that was possible, and gathering strength finally said:

"Yes" and feeling that it was very simple, and since it was in that, added "Although I am still learning"

"The best chefs started learning, you just need practice" and then he came up with an idea "Hey, then I'll show you where the kitchen is, so if you want to practice you can do it without waiting for summer"

Ginny could not speak now, simply nodded.

"Good" and advancing toward the exit he added "See you later" and went out to the Quiddith fields.

When he reached the dressing room the rest of the team was already there, and Wood was the only one who seemed really awake. Fred and George Weasley were sitting, puffy-eyed and tousle haired, next to fourth year Alicia Spinnet, who seemed to be nodding off against the wall behind her. Her fellow Chasers, Katie Bell and Angelina Johnson, were yawning side by side opposite them.

"Well, we're all here," Wood said, " Now, I wanted a quick talk with you all before we actually get onto the field, because I spent the summer devising a whole new training program, which I really think will make all the difference…"

Wood was holding up a large diagram of a Quidditch field, on which were drawn many lines, arrows, and crosses in different colored inks. He took out his wand, tapped the board, and the arrows began to wiggle over the diagram like caterpillars. As Wood launched into a speech about his new tactics, Fred Weasley's head drooped right onto Alicia Spinnet's shoulder and he began to snore.

The first board took nearly twenty minutes to explain, but there was another board under that, and a third under that one. Ace sank into a stupor as Wood droned on and on.

"So," said Wood, at long last, jerking Ace from a wistful fantasy about what he could be eating for breakfast at this very moment up at the castle. "Is that clear? Any questions?"

"I've got a question, Oliver," said George, who had woken with a start. "Why couldn't you have told us all this yesterday when we were awake?"

Wood wasn't pleased.

"As our captain shouldn't you be consider more our health and well-being?" Said Alicia.

"Right now I wonder what they thought when they made you captain," Katie added.

"Come on, lads, Oliver is our captain and we have to follow the captain's orders," Ace said, "no matter how tempting the idea of a mutiny is right now"

"Thanks, Ace, at least somebody understands," said Wood. "So this year, we train harder than ever before. . . . Okay, let's go and put our new theories into practice!" Wood shouted, seizing his broomstick and leading the way out of the locker rooms. Stiff legged and still yawning, his team followed.

They had been in the locker room so long that the sun was up completely now, although remnants of mist hung over the grass in the stadium. As Ace and the Twins walked onto the field, they saw Ron, Neville and Hermione sitting in the stands.

"Aren't you finished yet?" called Ron incredulously.

"Haven't even started," said Fred, looking jealously at the toast and marmalade Ron and Hermione had brought out of the Great Hall. "Wood's been teaching us new moves."

Ace mounted his broomstick and kicked at the ground, soaring up into the air. The cool morning air whipped his face, waking him far more effectively than Wood's long talk. He soared right around the stadium at full speed, racing Fred and George.

"What's that funny clicking noise?" called Fred as they hurtled around the corner.

Harry looked into the stands. Colin was sitting in one of the highest seats, his camera raised, taking picture after picture, the sound strangely magnified in the deserted stadium.

"Look this way, Ace! This way!" he cried shrilly.

"Oh! The fan" said Fred.

"What's going on?" said Wood, frowning, as he skimmed through the air toward them. "Why's that first year taking pictures? I don't like it. He could be a Slytherin spy, trying to find out about our new training program."

"He's in Gryffindor," said Ace.

"And the Slytherins don't need a spy, Oliver," said George.

"What makes you say that?" said Wood testily.

"Because they're here in person," said George, pointing.

Several people in green robes were walking onto the field, broomsticks in their hands.

"I don't believe it!" Wood hissed in outrage. "I booked the field for today! We'll see about this!"

Wood shot toward the ground, landing rather harder than he meant to in his anger, staggering slightly as he dismounted. Ace, Fred, and George followed.

"Flint!" Wood bellowed at the Slytherin Captain. "This is our practice time! We got up specially! You can clear off now!"

Marcus Flint was even larger than Wood. He had a look of trollish cunning on his face as he replied, "Plenty of room for all of us, Wood."

Angelina, Alicia, and Katie had come over, too. There were no girls on the Slytherin team, who stood shoulder to shoulder, facing the Gryffindors, leering to a man.

"But I booked the field!" said Wood, positively spitting with rage. "I booked it!"

"Ah," said Flint. "But I've got a specially signed note here from Professor Snape. 'I, Professor S. Snape, give the Slytherin team permission to practice today on the Quidditch field owing to the need to train their new Seeker.' "

"You've got a new Seeker?" said Wood, distracted. "Where?"

And from behind the six large figures before them came a seventh, smaller boy, smirking all over his pale, pointed face. It was Draco Malfoy.

"Oh, how's your father's eye?" Said Fred, looking at Malfoy, remembering what had happened in the bookstore.

"Funny you should mention Draco's father," said Flint as the whole Slytherin team smiled still more broadly. "Let me show you the generous gift he's made to the Slytherin team."

All seven of them held out their broomsticks. Seven highly polished, brand-new handles and seven sets of fine gold lettering spelling the words Nimbus Two Thousand and One gleamed under the Gryffindors' noses in the early morning sun.

"Very latest model. Only came out last month," said Flint carelessly, flicking a speck of dust from the end of his own. "I believe it outstrips the old Two Thousand series by a considerable amount. As for the old Cleansweeps" — he smiled nastily at Fred and George, who were both clutching Cleansweep Fives — "sweeps the board with them."

None of the Gryffindor team could think of anything to say for a moment. Malfoy was smirking so broadly his cold eyes were reduced to slits.

"Oh, look," said Flint. "A field invasion."

Neville, Ron and Hermione were crossing the grass to see what was going on.

"What's happening?" Ron asked Ace. "Why aren't you playing? And what's he doing here?"

He was looking at Malfoy, taking in his Slytherin Quidditch robes.

"I'm the new Slytherin Seeker, Weasley," said Malfoy, smugly. "Everyone's just been admiring the brooms my father's bought our team."

Ron gaped, openmouthed, at the seven superb broomsticks in front of him.

"Good, aren't they?" said Malfoy smoothly. "But perhaps the Gryffindor team will be able to raise some gold and get new brooms, too. You could raffle off those Cleansweep Fives; I expect a museum would bid for them."

The Slytherin team howled with laughter.

"At least no one on the Gryffindor team had to buy their way in," said Hermione sharply. "They got in on pure talent."

The smug look on Malfoy's face flickered.

"No one asked your opinion, you filthy little Mudblood," he spat.

The word was new, completely different for Ace, but whatever it was, it had not been pretty, if everyone's expressions said the right thing. Fred and George tried to jump at Malfoy's neck, only to be stopped by Wood, and by Flint who had been placed between them. Alicia exclaimed: "How dare you" and Ron had extracted from his tunic his wand, only to be stopped by Neville who like Wood did not want to get in trouble.

And Hermione, she had an unreadable expression, which he recognized as an attempt to stay neutral, but pressed her lips tightly to control herself. Whatever that word had been, Hermione had affected by it.

Wood, still retaining Fred and George, couldn't stop Ace too who advanced to Malfoy, who swallowed as he saw Ace, surely he still remembered the confrontation of last year (when Norbert was in between). Flint had never had a confrontation with Ace, and it was very simple to him to raise his hand to grab him by the shoulder. Obviously Ace's hand was faster, and without any effort he held the older boy's hand.

It was a disturbing image; Flint clenched his teeth tightly in pain. While Ace, staring at Malfoy, held the hand without break a sweat; A hand much larger than his and more robust than him. But that was not what kept the whole Slytherin team fixed on their point, not wanting to get close, but his eyes. Hermione was certain that they were those cold, calculating, and commanding eyes that Ace had at certain moments. That look that froze the blood and challenged anyone to approach.

Flint began to stifle sobs, and it was when Hermione finally reacted and after three steps reached Ace and placed her hand on his shoulder.

Ace did not even look at her, just released Flint, who dropped to the floor holding his wrist, and only gave his a quick glance. Slowly the skin of the wrist grew a reddish hue at the points where Ace had held him.

"Next time won't be a mark on the wrist" and with that he turned around, taking Hermione with him while the rest: Neville, Ron and the twins followed.

Once they were out of the Quidditch camp, each with their thoughts, and unable to articulate word, it was Ace who first talked.

"Let's go with Hagrid," Ace murmured.

And everyone was still very stunned with everything to say yes or no.

They were within twenty feet of Hagrid's house when the front door opened, but it wasn't Hagrid who emerged. Gilderoy Lockhart, wearing robes of palest mauve today, came striding out.

"It's a simple matter if you know what you're doing!" Lockhart was saying loudly to Hagrid. "If you need help, you know where I am! I'll let you have a copy of my book. I'm surprised you haven't already got one…"

"Ace!" Exclaimed the giant from the doorway as they watched the group arrive, and as if Lockhart was not at the entrance he invited them in. Once inside the cabin, with the door closed, Hagrid began to speak: "You do not know in what a good time you all came here, for a moment I thought he would never end"

It was at that moment that he noticed the strange stupor in which the children were, as if they were lost in a dream, or if they had just awakened of one a moment ago.

"And what is wrong with you?"

They turned to see each other, unsure how to express what had happened, but it was Ron who finally decided to speak. "We had ... an argument with Malfoy"

"There is nothing new in that "

"Well, it's just ..." The younger redhead's gaze fell on Hermione for a moment, that pretended to look intently at the fire in the fireplace as if it were the most interesting thing.

"She called me mudblood," the girl said in a choked voice.

Hagrid looked outraged.

"He didn'!" he growled at Hermione.

"By the way, what is that?" Ace asked.

"Really?" Ron asked. "You nearly ripped Flint's wrist and did not know why?"

The pirate's eyes fell on his friend. "He was making her cry" and with those words he awoke everyone from his strange stupor "No one gets his way after making cry one of my..." and there he stopped, clenching his fists and looking through the window.

"It's about the most insulting thing I could think of," Fred said, interpreting the cut of phrase as a flow of anger against Malfoy. "Mudblood's really foul name for someone who is Muggle-born - you know, non-magic parents."

"There are some wizards" continue Hagrid to Ace "- like Malfoy's families - who think they're better than everyone else because they're what people call pure-blood." He said with displeasure "Which is a nonsense. There is not a single wizard with pure blood now, "and then he looked at Hermione, who was staring at him. The man smiled with affection. "An 'they have not invented a spell our Hermione can' do," said Hagrid proudly, making Hermione a brilliant shade of magenta.

The giant then extended his giant hand in invitation, "Come here," he said to the girl, smiling as she took his hand as she went. "Do not think about it," he said softly. "Do not think about it for a moment." And with that, he gave the little hand a little pat.

"What it is a fortune is that Ace wounded Flint instead of Malfoy. Spect Lucius Malfoy would have marchin 'up to have school if yeh'd hit his son. Least yer not in trouble. "

Ace only made a disapproving sound, indicating that he listened to the conversation, but his eyes remained in the window.

"Come on, see what I've bin growin '," said Hagrid as he led everyone in the small vegetable patch behind Hagrid's house where dozen of the largest pumpkins were that anyone had ever seen.

Ace stood inside the house, staring out the window at the group as they admired Hagrid's work, the boy still surprised at his words.

A few days earlier he had been bothered by the suggestion they had made, only to have found himself at the end of the week for a moment to call them all his crew. He could not let this happen again. They were not a crew, never would be.

-.-

That afternoon, Ace found himself fulfilling the last part of his punishment. Unfortunately it was more difficult than the student cabinet, after all, and as expected, the ingredients in Snape's personal hold were more. The advantage was that most of them were in their respective flask or box, and Ace found himself only four hours later, watching Professor Snape inspect his freshly finished work.

With a grimace the man inspected the place and finally turned in the direction of the boy. "Alphabetically?"

Ace just shrugged, as if to say with that, "Any problem?"

"Well, you can leave"

And without waiting for a word, the boy left the place as quickly as possible, he did not want to wait for Snape to change his mind or some unwanted comment, today had been a really complicated day, he just wanted to go and lie down to sleep, with a little luck he would not dream of anything.

Unfortunately, luck wasn't at his side.

"Portgas, what are you doing here so late?" Exclaimed a voice, waiting for him at the foot of the stairs "Of course, first week and you are already in detention"

Very tired, Ace thought, clinging to that idea, he was still upset with Malfoy and the last thing he wanted was to have to deal with him.

"If I were you, I would not get in trouble, after all, what will your stay cats do without you?"

A fist clattering against the wall was what stopped Malfoy, it was the second time this happened to him and still seemed surprising the effect that had that fist on the stone walls.

"If you have any problems with me, solve it with me, but stop putting the others in this"

"They are Big boys and a girl, they can take care of themselves," murmured the blonde. "They don't require your constant attention and care"

"Hn, what? Are you jealous of all the attention I give them? "

Malfoy's face took on a slight reddish hue, and Ace could not help but laugh as he saw it, and as soon as Draco saw it, he turned even redder.

"You're an Idiot"

"You should have seen your face" said Ace "it seems you've never joked with anyone, you should have fun more often, so you would not have trouble knowing when to joke and when you're serious."

"I do not have problems and I do not need help from you"

"Of course," Ace said sarcastically. "Then, why all the attention to us" the pirate folded his arms, leaning toward the boy. "After all, you probably did not stop talking about us in all summer"

"Shut up," the boy exploded, probably because he was discovered "If for a moment you think ..."

But Ace stopped him, he heard something ... something quite apart from the voice of Draco. It was a voice, a voice to chill the bone marrow, the voice of breath taking, ice-cold venom.

"Come . . . come to me. . . . Let me rip you. . . . Let me tear you. . . . Let me kill you. . . ."

"Did you hear that?" Ace murmured, coming down the few steps he had climbed and standing in the cold, damp hallway, lighting his burning hand.

Draco followed, staring in fascination at the flame in his hand. "What the hell? How did you do…?"

"There's something here," Ace interrupted, looking from side to side. "A voice that spoke of killing"

If Ace had seen Malfoy's expression instead of looking for the owner of the voice, he would have seen the boy look at the pirate in terror, before controlling himself and understanding something that Ace did not.

"All that fame has risen in your head, you hear things," said the boy in a tone of mockery. "If I were you I would get out of here," and with that he started to move on to what Ace figured was way to the Slytherin Common Room. "Also," he added as he walked away, "I'd take care of those Stray Cats of yours" and finally faded into the shadows.

When Ace was finally in his bed, he came to a conclusion; Draco had returned to his normal mockery, but something in his voice in that last remark to his friends had sounded different from the others.

-.-

Author's Notes.

I always liked the dialogue that Hagrid said to Hermione in the film, it is a scene so tender and with so much meaning, and for that reason I decided to add it in here.

We are still looking for crew names, send me your magical name ideas of pirate crew, either for review or PM.