Luffy came to sit at the table to eat, overexcited.
-Nami! Nami! Nami! I know what you need!
-What is it, Luffy? Asked Nami glancing above her newspaper, which the Front Page showed a man with a spotted hat.
-We need a Niffler!
Luffy had this huge idiotic grin and star in his eyes as he said that, while his classmates sat at the table.
-You do whatever you want, Luffy, but I don't want it in my infirmary! Pointed Chopper who was passing behind his captain at this instant.
-You're looking for someone, Chopper? Asked Zoro turning to see the little doctor.
-The flaming narcoleptic.
Sabo almost choked on his glass of water, because of his laughter.
-Stop! Niffler. What is that? I don't take Care of Magical Creatures, contrary to some… cut Nami bumping her fist on the table.
-A creature who easily spot shining objects and gold, answered Hermione. Unadvised to have one in the house, it seems.
-Of course, it breaks everything, muttered Chopper sitting in a fit of spite on Zoro's knees.
Nami looked at a still grinning Luffy. In her head, she was weighing up the possible gain by the Niffler, against the break caused by the creature. Seeing the palping vein on her forehead, she must have remembered the cost of the Adam Wood. She raised her fist, trying to control herself and hit Luffy on his head.
-You dumb moron! Sabo!
-Iiih! I didn't do anything! The revolutionary defended himself, with the face of a deer caught in the headlights.
-How do you do with those idiotics D.!?
Sabo breathed deeply. Nami wasn't going to kill him.
-I tamed them. Take them young, and you can tame them anyway you want. Proof in image.
Ace walked up the alley, not having followed the conversation.
-Ace! Barked Sabo. Sit!
Ace looked at him puzzled and came to sit beside his brother.
-You see… smiled Sabo toward Nami.
-What is it? Asked Ace.
He glanced at everyone around the table who were laughing hard, more and more puzzled, with the impression of having been tricked.
-Happy to see that you can be tamed, Portgas! Kidd mocked holding his ribs.
-Nanda?! Oi! Oi! Oi tteba, Sabo!
Sabo fell over laughing in front of his brother.
-Don't worry, Ace! Assured the blond.
-I'm going to kill you… I don't know what you did, but I will shoot you down.
Sabo hiccupped still laughing and ran away.
-SABO!
Ace threw himself after him.
-Ace! Wait! Called Chopper standing up.
Ace turned around and received in his hand a box of pills. Recognizing the med for his narcolepsy, Ace raised his thumb, before going back to the chase of his brother.
-You're crazy… giggled Hermione, whipping her eyes.
-We are pirates, we never claimed to be sane! Smiled Zoro.
At half past eight at night, toward the end of May, Harry left Ron and Hermione in the common room of the Gryffindors and walked down the stairs toward the place of the appointment he and the others champions had with Bagman on the Quidditch field. When he arrived at the hall, Cedric appeared himself, coming out of Hufflepuff. Not far, Ace was leaning against a column, reading a newspaper.
-Woof! Mocked Cedric.
-Such spirituality, Diggory… Ace said between his grind teeth throwing a glare at him. Should I remind you that I'm armed and so, dangerous?
-Ace… Harry said.
Harry showed the marines with his finger.
-Tch, look at that.
Ace fold the paper and walked toward one of the marines who held his rifle in answer. Ace came so near the man that the man began to shake like a leaf in fear, a direct view under the fedora of the pirate.
-Boo!
-Aaaaaaah!
And the marine ran away.
The other two shared a glance, and shook their head exasperated. Ace joined them and unfold his paper, allowing Harry to see the Front Page. A missing person report with Rita Skeeter's name.
-Skeeter disappeared? Wondered Diggory.
-She tried to mind what wasn't her business. She is still alive, just cooling down… Ace said with a smirk.
-I don't want to know, and you? Harry asked Cedric.
-Neither do I.
-That's good, you will live a long life, commented Ace.
They went together to the Quidditch field, under the dark sky charged with clouds.
-What will it be, you think? Cedric asked. Fleur is sure that we will need to find a treasure hidden underground.
-It wouldn't be too bad, Harry said thinking that he would only need to ask Hagrid to lend him a Niffler to do the job for him.
-Don't say that when Nami is close, or I won't come out of this alive, sighed Ace throwing the paper over his shoulder, where it burned, ash to the wind.
They crossed the grass in the dark and entered the Quidditch field passing between two ranks of stands.
-What did they do? Cedric asked offended stopping net.
The field wasn't flat and smooth anymore. He was swirling with long wall which were meandering and crossed in every direction.
-That's hedges, said Harry who had bend to have a closer look.
-Hello! Said a happy voice.
-Konbanwa… Ace answered yawning bored.
Ludo Bagman was standing in the middle of the field, in the company of Krum and Fleur. Harry, Cedric, and Ace walked toward them striding over the hedges and Fleur gave Harry a big smile. Her attitude had done a big turnover since he had pulled her sister out of the lake.
-So, what do you think? Said Bagman happily as the last three champions crossed the last hedge. They grow well, don't they? One month more, and under the good care of Hagrid, they will be six meters tall. Don't worry, he added seeing the downcast expression of the players, your Quidditch field will be made as new as soon as the task is over! I imagine that you guessed already what we are putting in place?
For a moment, everyone stayed silent. Then…
-A maze, grunted Krum.
Ace began to hum something with a smile.
Everyone looked at him with a closed face.
-What? You don't know?
-Pan's Labyrinth, Portgas? Wondered Fleur.
-Aye! Film, Potter. Film. Guillermo del Torro. Magnificent.
-Oh, understood Harry.
-Euh… Yes, exact it's a maze, Bagman said (what was this digression which no Pure Blood understood the meaning). The goal of the Third Task is simple. The Cup of the Tournament will be placed in the center of the maze. The first champion to reach it will receive the maximum grade.
-You just have to find your way into a maze? asked Fleur.
-Oh, of course, there will be obstacles, answered Bagman happily swaying back and forth. Hagrid will give us some creatures to spice the task up a little… There will be some hexes too… a lot of things like that. The champion who has the most point will enter the maze first.
Bagman gave a big grin to Ace.
-Harry and Cedric, it will be your turn next, followed by Mr. Krum… then Miss Delacour. But each will have their chance, it will all depend on how you will face your obstacles. It should be fun, shouldn't it?
Harry who knew very well what sort of creature Hagrid was liable to give in those sort of circumstances, was doubting that he could find fun in this task.
-Ne, can we destroy the bushes? Ace asked picking his nose with his little finger.
-No, the goal is to find your way in the maze, not to destroy it.
-That's boring, you removed all the fun. Can we pass above it?
-Neither.
Ace gave a pout.
-Perfect… if you don't have questions to ask, we can go back to the castle right now. It's a little cold, outside…
Everyone took the way toward the exit and Bagman rushed at Harry's side. He was expecting Bagman to help him again but, at the same time, he sensed someone pat his shoulder. It was Krum.
-Harrry, could I talk to you?
-Yes, of course, answered Harry slightly surprised.
-Let's take a walk, if you'rrre alrrright with it?
-Okay, Harry said with some curiosity.
Bagman made a disappointed face.
-I'm waiting for you, Harry, alright?
-Oh, you don't have to, Mr Bagman, Harry answered holding back a smile, I think I'll be able to find my way toward the castle alone.
Ace stared at Harry with a raised eyebrow, but he shook his head, telling him that everything would be alright. Shrugging, Ace caught up to Bagman and passed a firm arm around his shoulder.
-I heard that you had to bring the money to reimburse the twins today, no?
-Mmmmh… I don't see what you are talking about, Portgas…
-Don't be an idiot. I saw worse than deadbeat and losers in my career. You bet with the Weasley twins under the rules and they won. You cheated them with leprechaun's gold. As you refused to hear them out, they called their relations… my crew. Thatch came to see you, and he gave you the limit date of today. So… Where is this money…?
-We can… find an arrangement, no?! What would you say of a career in the Ministry, and to leave behind you the piracy.
Ace grabbed Bagman by the throat and pressed him against the wall of the castle.
-It's an honor to be the Commander of one of Shirohige's float. I don't have the intention to lower myself to suck it up to some guys behind a desk to make myself a place in my life! I stay on the Sea, where is my life, and nothing you could propose could equal the value of my actual life. And make me forget the debt. Since it's need, I will teach you how we play, with dumb guys like you.
The next morning, Bagman was found in his underwear, locked into a broom closet. He refused to say who had stolen his clothes and locked him there.
Some noted too an important withdrawal in the Bagman's account. So important that he didn't have any knut left in his vault.
Ace had just finished with Bagman when he sensed the killing intent in the direction of the Forbidden Forest. Swearing, he rushed toward the place and arrived at the same time as Smoker on the place, to see an unconscious Krum and a dead Crouch.
-Shikushou… swore Ace.
He rennervated Krum as Smoker began to examine the body.
-The death is recent… The culprit isn't far… growled the marine.
-Hotarubi…
The fireflies'of fire cleared up their surroundings, but everything was calm.
-You saw something, Portgas?
-No, I was at the other end of the park. I sensed the killing intent and rushed there right after.
It was at this instant that Harry showed up with Dumbledore and Moody. Ace glance impassive at Mad-Eye, but he sensed something fishy in this case.
-So, you couldn't stop yourself from killing, eh, the pirate? Grunted Moody.
-It's not Portgas, muttered Smoker. It isn't his modus operandi. If it was him, the body would have some trace of burn. No, this guy is showing signs of the avada kedavra.
-Happy to know that I'm not a suspect. Thanks, Smokey.
-I hate making a pirate happy.
-Kidd? I saw him searching trouble with everyone…grunted Moody.
-Not him either… Kidd is more for bloody shows… and we would have found some metal. The pirates don't use the avada kedavra. Potter, what are you doing here?
-Krum and me were chatting when Crouch showed up, and he began to mumble incoherently about his son. One time, he was acting like he was still alive, the next one, he was crying saying that everything was his fault…
Ace frowned. The son? And if it was the lead they were searching for?
-Portgas, entrust Potter and Krum to Tashigi, then go see Hina. I want your depositions.
-Just because you were nice for Luffy's birthday, I will do as you said. However, Potter is a minor, he must be in the presence of his Legal guardian or a lawyer, according to the magical law.
-If you have one around, or someone who can act like it, do as you please.
-Marco, is that alright?
The growl of Smoker meant everything.
-Ja ne!
Portgas signaled the two others champions to follow him.
-You know a lot about the laws, remarked Krum.
-Name the rules for us to break. Maybe you should warn Karkaroff, Krum.
-I don't need my headmasterr for a simple deposition.
-Your choice.
They arrived in the castle when Marco and Rayleigh arrived. All the pirates were in the hall, perfectly awake, with a big group of marines which was dividing himself into two. The first one ran in the night to join Smoker, the second guarded under watch the pirates with Tashigi and Hina.
-Who is dead, Ace? Demanded Marco.
-Crouch. Smoker want their deposition, but Potter is underage. They must be questioned by Tashigi. Hina-Taisa, I have to give you mine, as much as the testimony of a pirate can be useful.
-I have some knowledge of the laws, I can act as a lawyer for Potter, Sabo walked forward.
-Thank you, Harry told him.
The two women shared a glance.
-Very well, you three, with Tashigi. You, you follow Hina, Portgas, said the Taîsa.
-Ace, in my office when you're finished with this, yoi, asked Marco.
-No problem, Marco, assured Ace.
Later, Sabo and Ace gathered in Marco's office to see him with Rayleigh leaning over the Marauder's Map.
- Do I want to know why Bagman seems to be in a broom closet, yoi? Asked Marco.
-He didn't have the money, like he agreed, answered Ace shrugging. He can't denounce me, because I have the proof that he is trying to influence the results of the Tournament so that Harry win, add to this an amazing number of tax evasion and I pass his number of fraud.
-If you are covered, everything is alright, commented Rayleigh, not raising his eyes from the Map.
-I recorded Potter's testimony, announced Sabo letting a Tone Dial fall on the desk.
Marco picked it up and activated it. All listened silently to what Harry was saying and the precise questions of Tashigi. Sabo didn't have to intervene a lot, positive point for the marine.
-I don't like what this boy is saying, sighed Rayleigh. If Riddle make his big come back, it will be very bad.
-What do we know of Crouch's son, he was insisting a lot about this subject with Potter? Asked Ace.
-Other than that he died in Azkaban? Asked Sabo.
-Ace… Crouch had a pulse when you examined him? Asked Marco frowning.
-I didn't examine him, he didn't have a voice. The wizards don't know how to hide their voice to the Haki. However, Smoker examined him, and as straight as he is, unless Crouch had something very bad about him, he wouldn't help him to pass as dead. Why this question?
Marco pointed with his finger a point walking around the Forbidden Forest with Smoker and the Marines.
-Well, well, Barty Crouch… said Sabo raising his eyebrows.
Someone knocked on the door.
Marco rolled quickly the Map to hide it and went to open the door, frowning when he saw Tashigi.
-Can I come in?
Marco stepped aside and Tashigi walked in.
-I just received the orders from Sengoku, after I reported to him of the situation. Even if he conceives that no pirate was for anything in this situation, he has to take some measures. All pirates not attending or working at this school must leave the place tomorrow at dawn. Portgas can stay. A shichibukai will represent the pirates in the jury.
-I see, sighed Rayleigh. I'll warn the others. We will be gone at dawn.
Ace looked sadly at Rayleigh, but masked it quickly when Sabo crushed his foot.
-If you're not gone tomorrow, we will have to signal your presence to Genkotsu no Garp, actually in a long-time mission in the Shin Sekai.
-It won't be needed. Marco… I hope you'll enjoy yourself…
Marco nodded.
-It was nice meeting you, young men. I wish you luck for the Tournament, Portgas.
And in a swirl of his cloak, Rayleigh walked away.
-Who did you choose as a Shichibukai, yoi? Marco asked.
-We didn't choose yet. But you will be warned quickly when it will be done. Good evening, and I would be thankful if you don't loiter in the hallways.
And Tashigi went away.
-If it's Jimbe, more than one purist will complain, sighed Sabo.
-As if we didn't have enough problem like that, Ace breathed out.
He punched the desk violently and took his head in his hands. Marco pulled him against his chest and the younger man hide his face into the older's neck.
-I will call some friends, to see if we have anything on the Crouch case… assured Sabo. Good night.
Harry was surprised the next morning to see that all the invited pirates were gone. Ace, his mood dark, at the table, slid toward him the Marauder's Map.
-Don't give it to anyone else, we risk to need it, whispered Ace.
Harry put it in his pocket.
-Where are the others? Inquired Hermione.
-Gone. Everyone. Packed up before dawn, except those that worked here or were schooled here originally, sighed Sabo. Ray-san will be substituted by a Shichibukai.
-So long as they don't take out the wani-ossan of prison, or that the giant eggplant doesn't come, I don't care… mumbled Luffy. I would have liked for them to stay more…
Ace squeezed his brother's shoulder for answer.
-Crocodile is a muggle Lu', and he was stripped of his title of Shichibukai by Smoker himself, remind Nami sipping his orange juice.
Ace stood up.
-Where are you going? asked Zoro.
-Annoy Kemuri-chan.
And Ace continued on his way.
He found Smoker exhausted coming back from a night search of the Forbidden Forest.
-Oi! Smoker!
Smoker gave a tired glance toward Ace.
-I need a training partner. If you want to run wild, come search me.
-You don't have someone else to bother? Deadpanned Smoker.
-Who? Chopper work in the infirmary. The others are in class, and Robin and Marco are teachers. With who can I train if not a marine? You are the one who made my training comrades go! Assume!
Harry stayed intentionally behind at the Natural Magic class to be able to talk with Marco.
-What is it, Potter? Asked Marco.
-I… I have a question, but I'm not sure that it will be taken well… confessed Harry.
-About what?
-It's a remark that the Commodore did, about the avada kedavra… that you didn't use it, you the pirates.
-So ka. The answer is simple, Potter. It's because we are aware, more or less, what it means to take a life, yoi. The only pirates who will use this spell, will be those who don't have balls, to talk vulgarly, to assume their actions and the consequences psychological which come with it. I killed people, Potter, and I don't know the names of a quarter of them. Their faces became blurred, with the time, but I still have unpleasant sensations in exchange, and I still woke up sometimes to empty my stomach when I dream about those I killed, like at the first day, yoi. The avada kedavra is painless. I know because my power as a Phoenix save me from it too… I learned it the worst way possible, true. But it's also a very clean way to kill which won't leave any bad taste after. When you put a sword in someone's guts, it's another thing altogether. It's that simple. I answered your question?
-Yes, professor.
-All the young who went away killed at least once in their life, as short as they are. The only crew who still has any member who didn't kill anyone, and that I know of is Luffy-kun's, yoi. Some killed, others didn't. It's not something you generally ask someone. We aren't in an arcade game where you have to shoot everything that move. If there is a Game Over, we won't be able to play again. We only have one life, and to take one is still something we carry, as heavy as it is, until Davy jones come to claim our debt, yoi.
Marco rubbed his head sighing.
-Go back to the castle, it isn't prudent to stay outside, right now. But an advice by the way, Potter. Avoid Mad-Eye in any possible way.
-I'll do it, professor. You saved my life, after all.
Harry didn't believe it. He had to stay in the library to study some curses, when the others were having fun in the park.
He glanced at Ace leaning over some papers, at the other side of the table, having one of his attack, under Sabo's look who was raising his eyes sometimes from his revisions for the NEWTs, to look at his sleeping brother.
-He's bored, he isn't made for such a lack of activity, Sabo explained to him.
Ace woke up with a start, lone in the library, a horrible headache plowing his temples after the strange dream he just had.
-Chopper here I come, I hope you have some aspirin for logia, grumbled Ace.
He put his book away, and rushed out of the room, going toward the infirmary… to find a pale Luffy, lying on a bed, Chopper at his bedside.
-Careful when you walk, Ace… moaned Luffy putting a cushion on his head.
- What is it? Chopper and Ace asked at the same time.
-You first, if you need some healing, insisted Chopper to Ace.
-Aspirin effective on logia.
-Nonexistent. I have kairoseki and a simple headache potion, if you want. How bad?
-Garp dancing in my skull…
-I see. You're pale, go rest a little.
Chopper showed him a bed and Ace let himself fall on it groaning. He took out his shoes from the bed and put his hat on the nightstand. The little reindeer pulled some wall to isolate them from the rest of the infirmary, and went to pick up the kairoseki and a potion for the headache. He gave it all to Ace who kept the bracelet to his wrist, the time for the potion to have an effect.
-You did something exceptional? Asked Chopper examining Ace's eyes.
-Nothing… I was reading… and I find myself brusquely making a strange dream with Pettigrew, an owl and the most misshapen baby I ever saw. Without forgetting the snake. I wake up and I have a headache.
-I had the same thing… whispered Luffy. Same dream…
The two brothers shared a pained laugh.
-Mysterious dream, mysterious headache… they said.
Ace held his hand on the side and Luffy stretched weakly his arm to take it.
-Take some rest. I'll say to Marco that you're here, Ace.
And Chopper left them there.
Ace closed his eyes releasing the hand of his brother, and began to ignore the world, particularly the Jiji who was dancing the zouk in his head.
He heard the spring of his brother's bed creak, little step on the ground, and a hesitating finger tickle his ribs. Ace smiled and moved a little aside. Luffy came to lean into his arms, his mugiwara boshi between them, and curled up in a ball, the head on his sibling's chest.
They ended up falling asleep, forgetting the pain in their sleep, ignoring the eye on the wall above them who found it adorable.
Hina and Tashigi almost melt when they saw the two brothers like this, when they searched for Portgas to tell him who had been chosen for the jury.
-We could almost forget that they are pirates, smiled Tashigi.
-Hina surprised, commented Hina. And going soft. Hina hate them for being so cute.
-Oi, women… there are pirates with headaches who are trying to sleep here, groaned Ace.
-Of course, Portgas, of course, Hina told him.
-Dracule Mihawk was chosen for the jury, stated Tashigi.
-It's Zoro who will be happy, whispered Luffy snuggling a little more with his brother. Can we go back to sleep?
-It's normal that you end up in the same bed? Hina demanded, puzzled.
Ace opened offended eye and glared at Hina.
-Luffy is my little brother. Keep your dirty thought to yourself. We sleep like that since we were kid. It's a habit. Point.
-They need rest, go away, please! Demanded Chopper growing up to seem more intimidating.
The two women looked at him and left.
-Chopper… called Luffy in a dying voice, as he closed his eye.
-What Luffy? Sighed Chopper taking a blanket.
-You could warn Zoro…
-Yes. Go back to sleep. You'll eat here, you are in hypothermia.
-Aye, answered the two brothers.
And the blanket landed on them.
Chopper made sure to move the furniture and chair between the bed of the two brothers, and the one that was originally Luffy's, knowing that a certain Ravenclaw would probably come crash here and would move the two beds closer.
-Tony?
Chopper stopped moving to see Madam Pomfrey coming out of her office.
-They went back to sleep?
-I think so. I'm preparing the arrival of Sabo, so he doesn't wake them up when he wants to settle in.
The woman nodded, and looked at the two brothers pensively.
-I never saw Portgas here with a temperature under forty, and here he come with his brother with a temperature of thirty-one… I will have seen everything with pirates here. I would like to avoid having to call Cassandra here again, so I'm counting on you, Tony.
-You can count on me. I would never fail my captain, assured Chopper finishing the moving. Luffy saw worst. A good night of sleep and something warm in the stomach, and they will be better.
When Madam Pomfrey went back to her office, Chopper swore:
-Damn magic. Damn Haki. What are you doing to my friends?
He knew that it wasn't the conventional treatment for the hypothermia, but he couldn't do anything more, a transfusion would be risky with their strange body. He delicately removed the kairoseki of Ace, hoping to see his akuma no mi react and make his temperature rise. Luffy would profit from it.
Marco stayed pensive when Harry told him what happened.
There wasn't any doubt, the Hocruxe was there, and was waking up with the rise in power of Voldemort.
-You have an idea of why I have these dreams, professor? Asked Harry.
-Unfortunately, yes, Potter.
Harry found that Marco seemed very sad, brusquely.
-You have more than a link with Voldemort, Potter. Be the most wary of your mind. I… I can't… it's not possible to tell that at a fourteen years old kid, even less when it's one of your student, yoi…
-It's serious…?
-To make it simple… without going into the details… you have… something in you, which make that Voldemort can't die. So long as you live, he will have a chance to come back, yoi.
Harry stayed standing stunned, not believing his ears.
-I would understand if you refuse to believe me, Potter. I would like to ignore it myself, unfortunately, the facts are there.
-How is it possible? Asked Harry. How?! Why?!
-I don't have the answers to these questions. I know what it is, because it has a name, but to keep Granger from overworking herself in the library, because she won't find anything there, I won't tell you it, yoi.
-Is there a way for me to….
-If there was, I would have told you earlier, Potter. The only solution, it's the destruction of the envelop who contain the fragment. So, your death, thing that neither you nor me want, yoi.
Harry rubbed his head.
What a good news! His life was a true shit! And now he was helping his worst enemy to stay alive!
-Do you remember the state of Voldemort, once you had finished with Quirrel?
-I… I vaguely remember a sort of smoke…
-Voldemort is damned to this life, Potter. In his state, death would be better I think, yoi. If you stay alive, and that his body is destroyed again, he will go back to this state. You are the anchor keeping him from sinking. For him to come back, he would need people to accomplish rituals of very black magic, yoi. I don't think that he was originally planning to link himself to you in this way. There is something which went wrong, and we are there now. But there is a way he did it in another way, voluntarily. Riddle's diary is a good example… the Diadem too, yoi.
-So… I'm like that?
-Yes and no. You're alive. Everything change. And you are magical.
Harry sighed. What could he do about all of this…
Marco stood up and walked around his desk to crouch down in front of Harry's chair.
-I know it's hard to take in, Potter. Very hard. But you have the right to know. So long as I am in Hogwarts, you will have an ally in my person. Wakkatta?
-Thank you, sir.
-Will you be alright?
-I… I think that I need to lie down.
-Be quiet, if you go to the infirmary, I think I saw three brothers sleeping there. Luffy and Ace are in hypothermia. Their Haki and their magic made their temperature drop for an unknown reason, yoi.
-I'll be careful. Thank you again, professor.
Harry stood up and went to the infirmary.
While he was sound asleep, Dumbledore came to see him.
-You know too much.
He took out his wand, pointed it toward him and stole Harry's memories of his talk with Marco, before going back to his office.
Some smoke gathered on a chair and Smoker appeared.
What game was the Headmaster of this school playing?