A/N: Ok this chapter will have similarities and everything afterwards will be changing very fast.
"Just Ollivanders left now — only place fer wands, Ollivanders, and yeh gotta have the best wand."
A magic wand… This was something at Ace had been wondering about all day.
He was surprised to say the least when they came to the last shop. It was very narrow and shabby looking. He thought that since they have magic at least the person would keep their store looking nice. The gold letters over the door reading Ollivanders: Makers of Fine Wands since 382 B.C. were peeling. A single wand lay on a faded purple cushion in the dusty window.
Ace saw Hagrid walking into the store and quickly followed him.
Chapter Five
To Hogwarts
Ace walked into the store and saw that there was dust every were. He looked around seeing that it was a very dusty store that had very high ceilings. He noticed that all the bookshelves are filled with small boxes. Which he was sure were filled with wands. Many that there was easily hundreds if not thousands of wands in this shop. Looks at the bookshelves he was starting to wonder just how high they were. Ace noticed Hagrid sitting down on a old chair. Ace was about to hit the bell at the desk. When the hairs all over his body stood up. His hands were ready to have a fire ball at any notice.
He turned looking at the shadows and smirked seeing the old man, walk out of the shadows. Hagrid must have jumped, because there was a loud crunching noise and he got quickly off the spindly chair. An old man was standing before them, his wide, pale eyes shining like moons through the gloom of the shop.
"Hello," said Ace.
"Ah yes," said the man. "Yes, yes. I thought I'd be seeing you soon. Harry Potter." It wasn't a question. "You have your mother's eyes. It seems only yesterday she was in here herself, buying her first wand. Ten and a quarter inches long, swishy, made of willow. Nice wand for charm work."
Mr. Ollivander moved closer to Ace. Ace wished he would blink. Those silvery eyes were a bit creepy.
"Actually I go by Ace D Portgas sir."
Mr. Ollivander eyes seemed to sparkle as he looked at him smiling. "Alright Ace. Now your father, on the other hand, favored a mahogany wand. Eleven inches. Pliable. A little more power and excellent for transfiguration. Well, I say your father favored it — it's really the wand that chooses the wizard, of course." He looked at the boy. Ollivander did not think of a child who saved the wizarding world would be like this. He smiled liking how interesting the boy was turning out to be.
Mr. Ollivander moved in close to Ace to the point they were almost nose to nose. Ace could see himself reflected in those misty eyes. Ace was not feeling comfortable as Ollivander leaned in.
"And that's where…" Mr. Ollivander touched the lightning scar on Ace's forehead with a long, white finger. "I'm sorry to say I sold the wand that did it," he said softly. "Thirteen-and-a-half inches. Yew. Powerful wand, very powerful, and in the wrong hands… well, if I'd known what that wand was going out into the world to do…"
He shook his head and then, to Ace's relief, spotted Hagrid. "Rubeus! Rubeus Hagrid! How nice to see you again… Oak, sixteen inches, rather bendy, wasn't it?"
"It was, sir, yes," said Hagrid.
"Good wand, that one. But I suppose they snapped it in half when you got expelled?" said Mr. Ollivander, suddenly stern.
"Er — yes, they did, yes," said Hagrid, shuffling his feet. "I've still got the pieces, though," he added brightly.
"But you don't use them?" said Mr. Ollivander sharply.
"Oh, no, sir," said Hagrid quickly. Ace noticed he gripped his pink umbrella very tightly as he spoke.
"Hmmm," said Mr. Ollivander, giving Hagrid a piercing look. "Well, now — Mr. Portgas. Let me see." He said while giving Ace a smile that sent chills down his spine. He pulled a long tape measure with silver markings out of his pocket. "Which is your wand arm?"
"Er — well, I'm not sure. I always used both hands," said Ace. He never really relied on one hand over another in the fights.
"Really now. Alright hold out both of your arms. That's it." He measured Ace from shoulder to finger, then wrist to elbow, shoulder to floor, knee to armpit and round his head. Ace felt the fire starting to tingle on his skin.
As he measured, Ollivander said, "Every Ollivander wand has a core of a powerful magical substance, Mr. Portgas. We use unicorn hairs, phoenix tail feathers, and the heartstrings of dragons. No two Ollivander wands are the same, just as no two unicorns, dragons, or phoenixes are quite the same. And of course, you will never get such good results with another wizard's wand."
Ace suddenly realized that the tape measure, which was measuring between his nostrils, was doing this on its own. He rolled his eyes wondering what Luffy would do if he saw him right now. Or Marco, they would never let him live this down having the tape measure. Measuring all the different parts of him.
Mr. Ollivander was flitting around the shelves, taking down boxes. "That will do," he said, and the tape measure crumpled into a heap on the floor. "Right then, Mr. Portgas. Try this one. Beachwood and dragon heartstring. Nine inches. Nice and flexible. just take it and give it a wave."
Ace took the wand and feeling like a fool, how could a wand really do anything. It felt so weak in his hand. Feeling foolish he waved it around a bit, but Mr. Ollivander snatched it out of his hand almost at once.
"Maple and phoenix feather. Seven inches. Quite whippy. Try —"
Ace tried — but he had hardly raised the wand when it, too, was snatched back by Mr. Ollivander.
"No, no — here, ebony and unicorn hair, eight and a half inches, springy. Go on, go on, try it out." This one when he tried it his devil fruit power reacted to it and his hand light with fire. Ollivander grabbed his wand to go to save the boy's hand. But was surprised when he made the flames vanish himself and he put the wand down.
Ollivander looked to him, "you are a unique one Mister Portgas." He took the burnt wand and put it down. He handed Ace another and he tried. And tried. He had no idea what Mr. Ollivander was waiting for. The pile of tried wands was mounting higher and higher on the spindly chair, but the more wands Mr. Ollivander pulled from the shelves, the happier he seemed to become. There also had more things happen with his devil fruit. Ace started to wonder if he ever be able leave the shop.
"Tricky customer, eh? Not to worry, we'll find the perfect match here somewhere — I wonder, now — yes, why not — unusual combination — holly and phoenix feather, eleven inches, nice and supple."
Ace looked at it not thinking that the wand would be anything special. Though when he took it he all of a sudden felt warmth in his fingers.
"Well wave the wand Ace." Ollivander said smiling.
Ace raised the wand above his head, brought it swishing down through the dusty air and a stream of red and gold sparks shot to form the image of symbol of jolly roger. He swore that it was pops symbol. Which brought a smile to his face. As it erupted into a display of fireworks, making what looked like embers dancing on the way to the ground to vanish.
Hagrid whooped and clapped and Mr. Ollivander cried, "Oh, bravo! Yes, indeed, oh, very good. Well, well, well… how curious… how very curious…"
He put Ace's wand back into its box and wrapped it in brown paper, still muttering, "Curious… curious…"
Ace looked to the man, "What?"
Mr. Ollivander fixed Ace with his pale stare. "I remember every wand I've ever sold, Mr. Portgas. Every single wand. It so happens that the phoenix whose tail feather is in your wand, gave another feather — just one other. It is very curious indeed that you should be destined for this wand when its brother — why, its brother gave you that scar."
Ace shrugged his shoulders. But Ollivander did not see that he didn't care.
"Yes, thirteen-and-a-half inches. Yew. Curious indeed how these things happen. The wand chooses the wizard, remember… I think we must expect great things from you, Mr. Portgas … After all, He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named did great things — terrible, yes, but great."
Ace nodded he was starting to not like Mr. Ollivander too much. He paid seven gold Galleons for his wand, and Mr. Ollivander nodded and went to get all the wands, and waved them out.
Ace looked up at the sky knowing it was late in the afternoon since the sun hung low in the sky as Ace and Hagrid made their way back down Diagon Alley, back through the wall, back through the Leaky Cauldron. Ace looked around and noticed that it was almost empty. He noticed an old man there with an elderly woman and a plump woman with red hair. For a brief moment she reminded him of Dadan. He smiled and saw Hagrid wave to the man.
"Ace that is Albus Dumbledore."
Albus got up walking over he looked at Harry and smiled thinking back to James. He was surprised how healthy the child looked for living on his own. His talk with the Dursleys made him believe that they might have another Tom Riddle in the making. But looking at the child he couldn't see it. He walked over only to see the child bow to them.
"Hello, my name is Ace D Portgas, it is a pleasure to meet you." He said and stood up smiling.
Albus smiled "hello my dear boy. Why don't you come and sit down. And we can have Tom bring some food for a late lunch or an early dinner." He walked Hagrid and Ace to the table.
Ace looked too see a very stern elderly looking woman with a funny hat on her head. He was introduced to Augusta Longbottom and he smiled and bowed introducing himself to her. Then to Molly Weasley, Molly though grab him and pulled him into a hug. "My Harry you have gotten so big."
Ace had to restrain himself from setting her on fire.
"Thank you." He said smiling. Only his brother ever hugged him often. He always thought it was strange. Ace sat down. "By the way Mrs. Weasley I go by Ace, Ace D Portgas." He said smiling.
Tom walked over. "Hello Albus, Molly, Augusta, Hagrid, and Ace." He looked to Ace, "want the normal."
Ace nodded smiling "yes please."
Albus looked at Ace surprised and wanted to know about that.
Once Tom had taken their orders and left Albus looked to Ace. "my boy how have you been?"
"Umm fine and call me Ace."
Albus nodded and looked at him, "I was wondering about were you live."
Ace knew were this was leading now he wasn't stupid like some people he knew. He looked at them, "I live in a place of my own in the forest."
Albus sighed, "I wanted to know why you didn't go to any one when you were kicked out of your Aunts house."
Molly sat there looking upset. She had heard what happen, and how horrible the muggles were. Albus had wanted to see if her or Augusta would be willing to take him in for the rest of the summer. When she found out what happen she was more than happy to help.
Ace shrugged his shoulder, "I decided to live on my own. I know how to hunt, I built my place I stay in." He smiled looking at them. "I also did some odd jobs for money when I needed it."
"What about school my boy?" Albus said looking at him.
"Well I found the school boring." Truth was he found it simple and wanted to do something fun. He wanted to sail the seas and explore. And he couldn't so he had spent a lot of time trying to figure a way home.
Albus nodded looking at him, "you known that you need to educa-"
"Don't worry I plan to come to Hogwarts Sir. It is just adding and subtraction and what happen in World war one and two not my thing. Or about the fall of Rome." Ace smiled when he had gone to school he had gotten straight A's he loved gym. But truth was he would have gone back but had more fun exploring London.
Albus looked at him feeling the boy was more and more like James which will be a problem. He could see Lilly too which was a problem.
"Well Mrs. Weasley and Mrs. Longbottom both have offered a place for you to live in till school starts. And I talked to the Dursley's and they said they be willing to take you back next summer."
Ace glared at him knowing what was going on. H was not going to be told what to do. He never listened to Gramps why would he listen to this man who just came out of no were and never seemed to care about him before. He wasn't family so he had no right to tell him what to do. He stood up glaring at him surprising the two woman. "What right do you have to tell me to go back there? They hate me, call me a freak. Did they tell you that I should have never been born. Truth is I should have never been born." He whispered the last bit while thinking about his brothers.
Albus sighed thinking back to earlier that day.
Petuina froze in fear seeing Albus standing there looking at her smiling. "May I come in."
She was worried and wanted to tell him leave but knew the neighbors would be seeing everything. She told Vernon getting rid of the boy would haunt them later on.
"Sure come on in. Dudley go to your room." Dudley ran off to his room. Planning to sneak back down in a bit. That moment Vernon walked out of the kitchen. Five years ago he would have yelled at this man demanding him to leave. But seeing the boy who controlled fire as if fire was him made him freeze in fear.
"What do you want?" He demanded.
Albus smiled at him "I was just wanting to sit down and talk.
The two lead him into there living room. Vernon took a deep breath looking at the man, "I would like to know why you showed up here unannounced."
Albus looked at him. "It is about your nephew Harry."
Petunia paled and Vernon looked purple, "what about that boy."
"Well Harry was left in your care to raise. Why is it you left him in the middle of no were."
Vernon stood glaring at the man "We never asked for him or his kind." He would protect his family. "We took him in raised him and he was ungrateful. He is a danger to my son. And we gave him food and clothes only to get nothing. Nothing in turn. So I did the thing any man would do."
Albus stood, "DID YOU NOT READ THE LETTER I LEFT YOU! That boy was not only being kept safe here but kept you safe from people who would do your family harm. AND YOU COULDN'T drop him off at an orphanage. You know Lilly and James would have cared for your child."
Vernon stood, "Dudley would have never gone to them. Look that boy is a monster. He is a horrible child." He said looking at Albus.
Albus sighed, "look I need you to take him back, Dangers are still out there in the world. It is because of Petunia and her son that protect this home with magic. And it is Lilly who set the magic when she died to save her son. Now because you are her sister I can make wards that link to the magic that keeps Harry safe and you."
Petunia looked to Vernon who was red in the face. "I WILL NOT HAVE THAT BOY IN OUR HOME AGAIN!" he shouted and stood up.
Albus gave him a cold look, a memory of his sister when she was a child having been hurt by muggles flashed in his mind. He could not believe there was still people like this. And to there own family.
Albus had sent the next hour talking with the Dursley's for Harry to be allowed to come back next summer. With the fact they will be paid for the food and housing of the child.
He looked at the child before him and had to keep him safe, "My boy there are people out there that still wish you harm. Which is why Augusta and Molly are here. They sad you can stay at there place till school starts. And your Aunt and Uncle will let you go back to their home in the summer."
Ace looked pissed but took a deep breath. Something that looked strange on an elven year old boy. "Look I have no problems with Mrs. Weasley or Mrs. Longbottom. But I will never go back to the Dursley's. And I am just fine living on my own. Have been for the past few years. And no one has found me. You didn't even know that I was some where else. That was till Hagrid sent you a letter." Ace said very politely but in a tone that sad I will not be pushed around.
Augusta had listen to Albus and the Potter boy talk. And was getting very annoyed. She could tell the way the boy held him self he could take care of himself. And he didn't look underfed or anything. And Albus was getting on her last nerves really thinking about sending the boy back to the horrible muggles. "Look Albus you stay Quite while I talk." She turned to Ace. "My dear boy we are trying to find you a safe place to live. Living in the forest is not safe. And we need to make sure you get to school in time. So before you say anything please just listen to me and say nothing until I am done."
Albus nodded about to say something but was cut off. "I have my grandson who will be starting your year living with me. You are more that welcomed in my home to visit and stay there. And you can get to know Neville. But I am sorry I must take my leave. I have to get back to make sure Neville hasn't burned the house down yet."
She looked at Albus having known him for a long time. She knew he was trying to mold the boy. She knew though he also worried for the boys heath and hoped. If the man really did care he be careful knowing that he may push him away. She looked to the young boy, in his eyes she did not see a child. Or a child who been abused she saw a man who has seen so much. Which made her wonder about the boy. " Ace I still stand by what I said. My place is open to you to visit any time. It would be nice for Neville to get to know others." She smiled and left him her address. "Good day everyone." She said leaving not going to be a pawn in Albus plans.
Ace was shocked to say the least and smiled as she left. He looked at her and found her to be a strong woman. Looking at her leaving he knew she be a dam strong pirate or a very annoying Marine back home. He started to think she be a marine no way a woman that up tight could be a pirate.. He smirked thinking of her holding a sword and fighting some marines. He liked the woman but would not want to stay with her.
Molly looked to Albus "I am sorry to Albus. I must go I left Percy in charge and who knows what the twins have been up to since I left. I left them a ton of chores to keep out of trouble but you know how those trouble makers are." She stood and smiled to Ace. "You are more than welcome to my home any time. Also since it is your first time to Hogwarts if you want a ride to the train station. I be more than happy to take you with us. We will stop by to see if you're here around 9'oclock."
Albus smiled "thank you Mrs. Weasley."
She smiled walked to Ace and gave him a hug having the young boy surprised. "Take care dear." She then walked off.
Ace was taken back and looked to Albus. "So you don't want me in the forest do you." Ace said with waves of haki coming off this boy.
The air felt tight and Albus looked at Harry worried for a moment he may be the next Tom, "My boy, I am looking out for your safety." He needed to mold this child for the good.
Albus and Ace spent the next two hours talking and it was starting to get dark outside. It had finally come to an agreement because Ace keep telling him if he is forced to stay at anyone's home he run away. If it was the Dursley's he knew he burn that dam place down. At that thought he smirked and knew he was still going to burn that home down. He just couldn't do it this soon, he do it next summer. Yep next summer seemed like a good idea. He looked back to Albus who both come to an agreement for Harry to stay in the Leaky Cauldron tonight. Harry knew that Albus would try and get him tomorrow. But what he didn't know is he had different plans tomorrow.
Ace walked up to his room and had all of his stuff down and looked to the owl he had yet to name. Only for Hagrid to walk in, "Hello Ace." He looked to see the owl.
"So have you thought of a name for her."
Ace looked to the Owl and thought of two names that came to the mind. Makino and Dadan. He smiled "I have a name for her Dadan Makino." He smiled. Dadan looked to Ace looked happy with her name, as if she knew how important those women were to him.
Hagrid looked at the boy "were did you get the names."
Ace smiled, "Name of two women who were very kind to me when I was younger."
Hagrid smiled "I think it is a great name. So you going to call her Dadan for short." Ace nodded his head.
Hagrid looked to the boy and smiled.
Ace looked and smiled at Hagrid, "thank you for the birthday outing Hagrid."
Hagrid smiled at him "no problem Ace." He pulled out an envelop. "In it is yer ticket fer Hogwarts, " he said. "First o' September — King's Cross — it's all on yer ticket. Now I know that Albus said someone will be here to pick you up at 9 in the morning that day." He smiled and started to leave "see you at Hogwarts Ace."
Ace jumped on his bed and fell fast asleep.
Ace was walking on the Moby-Dick. He looked around and saw all of his brothers crying. Walking over he heard some of the men complaining how the dam Marines hide Ace's body and they couldn't even give there brother a proper burial place. He walked over to see Marco walking towards the kitchen. Marco went to sit down at a table and laid his head down. Ace jumped up on the table and looked at the man. He started to poke him in the face.
Marco looked up seeing Ace well a child version of Ace sitting in front of him. "Ace?!"
Ace smiled "who else?"
"Why are you a kid? How are you even here?" He said and reached forward and touched the boy only for his hand to go through him.
Ace frowned "I am in a different world right now, why I am a kid I don't want to talk about it."
Marco had tears in his eyes. His younger brother was here but not really.
"So how is life there Ace."
"Sucks everyone treats me like a child. And the fact I am short right now. I don't like it. And there is no good fighting here. I also miss all of you. But I will be looking into a way for me to come back to you guys." He said looking at Marco who smiled at him.
"Well try to get back here soon, I saw your brother he needs you man." He wouldn't say to much about him. He was surprised to see Ace as a child since it been just a few hours since they left the war.
Ace looked at him "I will get back here soon. I promise."
Ace sat up to see he was in the Leaky Cauldron, Ace jumped out of bed and sighed knowing it had just been a dream.
That morning Ace had quickly gotten ready taken the money he had left over and bought some books about hexs and pranks to pull on people. He found a book about security wards. He then looked around and saw a book that caught his interests about different dimensions. He walked over paying for the stack of books then went and bought the golden cauldron he wanted to get yesterday. Though he had thought of stealing it, but stopped since he did not know what spells they had against it. But once he finds a way around it. Though some reason the Cauldron was not that expensive.
Ace had made his way back to his room. He laid down before thinking of what to do. He had money so he didn't need to steal anything. He sighed and went and opened the book about different dimensions to start reading. Unkown to him was had quickly made his was back to his room and dropped his stuff off made his way to Gringotts. Walking in he saw many people were running around. There was a bunch of men in red robes talking to goblins.
Ace made his way to one Goblin. "Whats with all the chaos?" He asked.
The Goblin looked at Ace, "nothing to worry about. Now what do you need?"
Ace smiled "I need to change my name." He knew he was told to come back in a few days but he couldn't wait any longer.
The Goblin nodded and smiled at the boy.
Ace had spent the day filling out papers and found he was able to emancipation himself which he filed for in a heart beat. He spent a good proportion of the day there. So later that day Ace had grabbed his things and left heading to the forest. He knew to come back to the Leaky Cauldron the day before school started to meet the man to take him to school.
The rest of the summer went by pretty fast. The reason Ace had left was so no one could force him to go anywhere. He wasn't going to let anyone tell him what to do. Before he had left he had asked someone to shrink his stuff for him. When he got there he spent his time training and once and awhile, but was spending time reading about dimensions traveling to see it was all theory.
Ace woke at five o'clock the next morning and yawned he grabbed his things and started to make his way to the Leaky Cauldron.
Ace decided to wear his normal cloths not wanting to wear the robes at all. He just wanted to burn them they were not easy to move in. And if he ad to get away they make it harder to move. He walked over to his owl smiling. "Hey Dadan fly to the leaky Cauldron. I have to meet someone there in a few hours." He said smiling.
Makino nodded and took off flying. He watched his snow white owl take off.
Two hours later, Ace's was walking into the Leaky Cauldron with his huge, heavy trunk. Looking around he saw Tom and walked over and sat down. "Can I get some food Tom?"
Tom smiled and went to get Ace his normal. At that moment Dadan landed on his shoulder and hooted. He smiled and when his food was brought to him he handed her some bacon before eating himself. It wasn't long before the man came walking into the pub looking around. Albus had sent a letter to Ace after he found the boy missing. Telling him someone with red hair named Arthur would pick him up at the Leaky Cauldron. And show him were to go.
Arthur smiled looking around he saw Ace sitting at the bar eating. He walked over and saw at least twenty stacks of plates. 'how much does this boy eat.' He thought, and saw that the child was face down in his food. He was about to get worried when Tom smiled.
"Don't worry Arthur he does that time to time. He is just tired. And will be up in a bit." At that moment Ace sat straight up and looked around to stop with his gaze on the red headed man.
"Hello are you Harry?"
"Nope Ace. Ace D Portgas, I don't go by Harry." He knew even though his name was changed everyone would call him Harry which bothered him a bit.
Arthur smiled at Ace, "Alright Ace I am Arthur Weasley. You can call me Arthur. We better get going don't want you to be late for school now do we."
With that he went outside and they saw a black car.
"Ministry is lending me the car to take you to school."
"Why would they do that?"
"Because I work there and Albus pulled a few favors. Come on then lets get your things into the trunk." He said moving to help Ace. To be surprised the boy picked it up. And put it in the car with ease.
They reached King's Cross at half past ten. Arthur put Ace's trunk onto a cart and wheeled it into the station for him. Ace smiled walking with Arthur listening to the man talk about rubber ducks and different inventions. He looked to Ace and smiled, "Now the Platform is hidden so muggles wont find it." He smiled walking Ace. "Though a couple years back a girl who was muggle born stumbled upon the entrance when she was only five. Her parents had thought she been kidnapped. That was a big mess. They had so many of the police out. Everyone was freaking out. Lots of work for the Ministry. "
Ace noticed he was starting to attract a lot of funny looks, because of Dadan.
According to the large clock over the arrivals board, he had ten minutes left to get on the train to Hogwarts and he looked to Arthur wondering how the man wasn't worried they were going to soon be late.
"Arthur, Arthur over here." Ace turned to see a woman he meet in the Leaky Cauldron. At that moment a group of people walked up to them. "Packed with Muggles, more so than last year." Ace looked at the plump woman who had four boys and a girl next to her, all with flaming red hair. Each of them was pushing a trunk like Ace's in front of him.
Molly turned to Ace "Hello Ace, I do hope you have been taking care of your-self."
Ace nodded. "Yes mam I have been well."
"Well these are some of my children. Percy, Fred, George, Ron who will be your year too." He was tall, thin, and gangling, with freckles, big hands and feet, and a long nose. She smiled "And Ginny she will be joining you next year."
Ace smiled and bowed getting a eyebrow raised from the children.
"Well we better hurry." She said. Some of the boys were talking to there father who was messing Rons hair up.
"Mom, can't I go…" Ginny asked when they stopped walking.
"You're not old enough, Ginny, now be quiet. All right, Percy, you go first." What looked like the oldest boy marched toward platforms nine and ten.
Ace watched, careful not to blink in case he missed it — but just as the boy reached the dividing barrier between the two platforms, a large crowd of tourists came swarming in front of him and by the time the last backpack had cleared away, the boy had vanished.
"Oh come on!"
"Fred, you next," the plump woman said.
"I'm not Fred, I'm George," said the boy. "Honestly, woman, you call yourself our mother? Can't you tell I'm George?"
"Sorry, George, dear."
"Only joking, I am Fred," said the boy, and off he went. His twin called after him to hurry up, and he must have done so, because a second later, he had gone — but how had he done it?
Arthur put his hand on Ace's shoulder, "Ok Ace it is your turn. All you need to do is walked towards the barrier. There is a nothing to worry about." He smiled at him. "Now don't worry, and remember all you have to do is walk straight at the barrier between platforms nine and ten. Don't stop and don't be scared you'll crash into it, that's very important. Just like my sons nothing to worry about. We will be right behind you." He said smiling.
Ace nodded He pushed his trolley around and stared at the barrier. It looked very solid. But it didn't bother him he face many things in this life and his life on the sea.
He started to walk toward it. People jostled him on their way to platforms nine and ten. Ace walked more quickly. He was going to smash right into that barrier and then he'd be in trouble, he smirked and broke into a fast run coming to the barrier and ran right on through the barrier.
Ace looked around and saw scarlet steam engine was waiting next to a platform packed with people. A sign overhead said Hogwarts' Express, eleven o'clock. Ace looked behind him and saw a wrought-iron archway where the barrier had been, with the words Platform Nine and Three-Quarters on it. He noticed that Arthur was walking through. Then Ron and his mom and sister.
Smoke from the engine drifted over the heads of the chattering crowd, while cats of every color wound here and there between their legs. Owls hooted to one another in a disgruntled sort of way over the babble and the scraping of heavy trunks. He looked and Arthur walked over "Come on lets get you on the train."
Ace looked to Arthur and smiled. "I will be fine spend time with your kids." He picked up his trunk with on hand had it thrown over his shoulder. Getting looks from everyone. He held Dadan in his left hand.
Arthur sighed seeing the boy walk away "he is such a kind boy."
Molly nodded, "yes I know."
The first few carriages were already packed with students, some hanging out of the window to talk to their families, some fighting over seats. Ace pushed his cart off down the platform in search of an empty seat. He passed a round-faced boy who was saying, "Gran, I've lost my toad again."
Turning he noticed that it was Mrs. Longbottom who was his Gran "Oh, Neville," he heard the old woman sigh.
A boy with dreadlocks was surrounded by a small crowd.
"Give us a look, Lee, go on."
The boy lifted the lid of a box in his arms, and the people around him shrieked and yelled as something inside poked out a long, hairy leg. Ace pressed on through the crowd until he found an empty compartment near the end of the train. He put Dadan inside first and then started to shove and heave his trunk toward the train door. He lifted it up the steps.
"Want a hand?" It was one of the red-haired twins he'd followed through the barrier.
"No need I have it. " Ace said and lifted it up with ease.
"Oy, Fred! C'mere."
The twins walked in smiling. "I am Ace." He said and held out his hand to them. They took it smiling.
"Fred, and he is George."
"Your not Fred I am Fred your George."
"No I am Fred." This mad Ace laugh and smile.
"Thanks," said Ace, pushing his sweaty hair out of his eyes.
"What for?" said one of the twins suddenly.
"Making me laugh." He said and he brushed his hair back and his scar was in view.
"Blimey," said the other twin. "Are you —?"
"He is," said the first twin. "Aren't you?" he added to Ace.
"What?" said Ace.
"Harry Potter." chorused the twins.
"Oh, him nope I am Ace D Portgas. Don't go by that name." He said smirking. Twins smiled.
Then two burst out laughing "Alright Ace see you around" they said.
Then, to his relief, a voice came floating in through the train's open door.
"Fred? George? Are you there?"
"Coming, Mom."
With a last look at Ace, the twins hopped off the train. Ace sat down next to the window where, half hidden, he could watch the red-haired family on the platform and hear what they were saying.
Their mother had just taken out her handkerchief. "Ron, you've got something on your nose." The youngest boy tried to jerk out of the way, but she grabbed him and began rubbing the end of his nose.
"Mom— geroff" He wriggled free.
"Poor kid."
"Aaah, has ickle Ronnie got somefink on his nosie?" said one of the twins.
"Shut up," said Ron.
"Where's Percy?" said their mother.
"He's coming now."
The oldest boy came striding into sight. He had already changed into his billowing black Hogwarts robes, and Ace noticed a red and gold badge on his chest with the letter P on it.
"Can't stay long, Mother," he said. "I'm up front; the prefects have got two compartments to themselves —"
"Oh, are you a prefect, Percy?" said one of the twins, with an air of great surprise. "You should have said something, we had no idea."
"Hang on, I think I remember him saying something about it," said the other twin. "Once —"
"Or twice —"
"A minute —"
"All summer —"
"Oh, shut up," said Percy the Prefect.
Despite the feud going on his Percy and the rest of his family they laughed at the twins antics.
"How come Percy gets new robes, anyway?" said one of the twins.
"Because he's a prefect," said their mother fondly. "All right, dear, well, have a good term — send me an owl when you get there." She kissed Percy on the cheek and he left. Then she turned to the twins.
"Now, you two — this year, you behave yourselves. If I get one more owl telling me you've — you've blown up a toilet or —"
"Blown up a toilet? We've never blown up a toilet."
"Great idea though, thanks, Mum."
"It's not funny. And look after Ron."
"Don't worry, ickle Ronniekins is safe with us."
"Shut up," said Ron again. He was almost as tall as the twins already and his nose was still pink where his mother had rubbed it.
"Hey, Mum, guess what? Guess who we just met on the train?"
"You know that black-haired boy who was near us in the station? Know who he is?"
"Who?" Ron asked.
"Harry Potter! But he goes by Ace."
Ace heard the little girl's voice. "Oh, Mom, can I go on the train and see him, Mom, eh please…"
"You've already seen him, Ginny, and the poor boy isn't something you goggle at in a zoo. Now you be nice and leave him be. He doesn't need you bothering him." She thought of the boy she saw behave so polite to her and Augusta Longbottom.
"Never mind that, do you think he remembers what You-Know-Who looks like?" Their mother suddenly became very stern.
"I forbid you to ask him, Fred. No, don't you dare. As though he needs reminding of that on his first day at school."
"All right, keep your hair on." A whistle sounded.
"Hurry up!" their mother said, and the three boys clambered onto the train. They leaned out of the window for her to kiss them good-bye, and their younger sister began to cry.
"Don't, Ginny, we'll send you loads of owls."
"We'll send you a Hogwarts' toilet seat."
"George!"
"Only joking, Mum."
The train began to move. Ace saw the boys' mother waving and their sister, half laughing, half crying, running to keep up with the train until it gathered too much speed, then she fell back and waved. He thought what it be like to have his family there waving at him. Images of the war at marineford past in his mind. His thoughts of Pops fighting to save his life.
Ace watched the girl and her mother disappear as the train rounded the corner. He started to wonder what it be like if he had a family back there waving goodbye. A younger brother keeping his straw hat from flying away back there waving while trying not to cry. He thought of Sabo if he be with him heading to school. Or if his parents from this world had not kicked the bucket maybe they would have been there. Waving at him, a dad telling him to make them proud. Mom telling him to be careful. He thought of Dadan and the bandits what it be like with them there causing a scene, brought a smile to his face.
Ace was brought out of his thoughts, as the door of the compartment slid open and the youngest redheaded boy came in. "Anyone sitting there?" he asked, pointing at the seat opposite Ace. "Everywhere else is full."
"I would assume so."
Ace shook his head and noticed the boy having trouble putting his trunk up. So Ace got up and went to help put the trunk up. Ron turned at him in amazement as he lifted the trunk with ease. He glanced at Ace and then looked quickly out of the window, pretending he hadn't looked. Ace saw he still had a black mark on his nose.
"Hey, Ron." The twins were back in the room.
"Listen, we're going down the middle of the train — Lee Jordan's got a giant tarantula down there."
Ace noticed the younger boy shutter.
"Right," mumbled Ron.
"Ace," said the other twin, "did we introduce ourselves? Fred and George Weasley. And this is Ron, our brother. See you later, then."
"Bye," said Ace and Ron. The twins slid the compartment door shut behind them.
"Are you really Harry Potter?" Ron blurted out.
Ace looked at him "I go by Ace Portgas."
"Why?"
"Because I feel like it."
"But your famous why change your name. And your parents gave you that name."
"I have my own reasons for changing my name. And I don't plan to go by Harry ever again" This ended up making the rest of the train ride quite. Until Ron decided to keep opening his mouth.
"So do you remember anything about You-Know-Who."
He looked at him, "Do you want to know what I remember." He remembered the night the man came into his home and killed his second parents. "I remember it was a dark night wind howling my parents and me were in the living room. We were playing and then something was outsided. He yelled for my mother to take me and run. She ran to my room blocking the door and I remember their screams. My mom begging him not to kill me. Him telling her to get out of the way. Then his red eyes and a bright green light." He said and looked out the window. He had gained his memories of everything the day he remembered who he was.
"Wow," said Ron. He sat and stared at Ace for a few moments, then, as though he had suddenly realized what he was doing, he looked quickly out of the window again.
"I heard you went to live with Muggles," said Ron. "What are they like?"
"Horrible — well, not all of them. My aunt and uncle and cousin are. They kicked me out of the house when I was younger. So since then I have lived on my own." He said more and more not liking this boy.
"I'm sorry, I'm the sixth in our family to go to Hogwarts. You could say I've got a lot to live up to. Bill and Charlie have already left — Bill was head boy and Charlie was captain of Quidditch. Now Percy's a prefect. Fred and George mess around a lot, but they still get really good marks and everyone thinks they're really funny. Everyone expects me to do as well as the others, but if I do, it's no big deal, because they did it first. You never get anything new, either, with five brothers. I've got Bill's old robes, Charlie's old wand, and Percy's old rat."
Ace looked at him getting annoyed he looked else were.
Around half past twelve there was a great clattering outside in the corridor and a smiling, dimpled woman slid back their door and said, "Anything off the cart, dears?"
Ace, who hadn't had any food since the leaky cauldron, leapt to his feet, but Ron's ears went pink again and he muttered that he'd brought sandwiches. Ace went out into the corridor. He smiled and bought a ton of food and swiped some extra when she was not looking. He smiled walking in and brought as much food as he could.
Ron watched as Ace walked in with his Arms filled with food. "Hungry, are you?"
"Starving," said Ace, taking a large bite out of a pumpkin pasty.
Ron had taken out a lumpy package and unwrapped it. There were four sandwiches inside. He pulled one of them apart and said, "She always forgets I don't like corned beef…"
"Swap you for one of these," said Ace, holding up a pasty. "Go on —" He said and took the sandwich and ate it with haste. He then feel asleep.
Ron jumped up and freaked out thinking his mums cooking killed him. He knew it tasted good but good enough to kill someone.
Ron then stopped thinking that then thought was she trying to kill him for not cleaning his room. He was worried and took off running and soon found Fred and George.
"ACE IS DEAD!"
The older boys looked up. "What Ron? Not funny –"
"if you wanna pranks us-"
"Try something else." Fred said and looked to Lee who looked dumb founded.
Ron grabbed Fred's arm and dragged him off to his compartment for them to see Ace on the ground.
When they walked over and poked Ace with there wands they were pale. "Is he dead?" Lee asked poking his head in.
Ace yawned sitting up and looked around. "Who… Oh hello." He said then went back to eating.
The twins glared at Ron thinking he been trying to prank them. "You went to far Ron." They walked out.
Ron looked at Ace "your ok."
"Oh yeah sometimes I just fall asleep."
Ace went to eating his food.
Ace opened a bag of Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans. And tossed a bean in his mouth and smiled as it tasted like Rum his next one was meat. He smiled linking them till the next one he had.
"Bleaaargh - Sprouts."
The countryside now flying past the window was becoming wilder. The neat fields had gone. Now there were woods, twisting rivers, and dark green hills. There was a knock on the door of their compartment and the round-faced boy Ace had passed on platform nine and three-quarters came in. He looked tearful.
"Sorry," he said, "but have you seen a toad at all?" When they shook their heads, he wailed, "I've lost him! He keeps getting away from me!"
"He'll turn up," said Ace smiling at him. He thought of Luffy as a little kid lost. "Why don't you come in and sit down. If you calm down it should be easier to find your toad faster."
"Yes," said the boy miserably. "Well, I."
"Come on sit down. With a clear head it be easier to spot him."
Neville nodded "Alright" he sat down. Ace handed him a candy bar and went back to eating.
"Why are you so bothered," said Ron. "If I'd brought a toad I'd lose it as quick as I could. Mind you, I brought Scabbers," he said pointing to the fat rat. "So I can't talk." The rat was still snoozing on Ron's lap.
"He might have died and you wouldn't know the difference," said Ron in disgust. "I tried to turn him yellow yesterday to make him more interesting, but the spell didn't work. I'll show you, look…"
Neville looked at the ground. "Well it was a gift from my Uncle… And I don't want anything to happen to him."
Ron rummaged around in his trunk and pulled out a very battered-looking wand. It was chipped in places and something white was glinting at the end.
"Unicorn hair's nearly poking out. Anyway —"
He had just raised his wand when the compartment door slid open again. A girl was standing there wearing her Hogwarts robes.
"Has anyone seen a toad? A boy named Neville lost one," she said. Then noticed Neville. She had a bossy sort of voice, lots of bushy brown hair, and rather large front teeth.
"We've already told him we haven't seen it," said Ron, but the girl wasn't listening, she was looking at the wand in his hand.
Ace looked at her "I told him to sit down. And if he calmed down he should be able to hind his toad faster."
Hermione looked like she wanted to argue. But stayed quite then her eyes landed on Ron with his wand."Oh, are you doing magic? Let's see it, then." She sat down. Ron looked taken aback.
"Er — all right."
He cleared his throat. "Sunshine, daisies, butter mellow, Turn this stupid, fat rat yellow."
He waved his wand, but nothing happened. Scabbers stayed gray and fast asleep.
"Are you sure that's a real spell?" said the girl. "Well, it's not very good, is it?
"I've tried a few simple spells just for practice and it's all worked for me. Nobody in my family's magic at all, it was ever such a surprise when I got my letter, but I was ever so pleased, of course, I mean, it's the very best school of witchcraft there is, I've heard — I've learned all our course books by heart, of course, I just hope it will be enough — I'm Hermione Granger, by the way, who are you?"
She said all this very fast.
Ace looked at them and could only think of the Noble brats acting all high and mighty. He thought they be perfect for each other.
'Good lord! Did you just say that all in one breath?!' Ace thought to himself.
"I'm Ron Weasley," Ron muttered.
"Ace Portgas" said Ace.
"Do either of you know what house you'll be in? I've been asking around, and I hope I'm in Gryffindor, it sounds by far the best; I hear Dumbledore himself was in it, but I suppose Ravenclaw wouldn't be too bad… Anyway, we'd better go and look for Neville's toad. You two had better change, you know, I expect we'll be there soon." And she left, then motioned for Neville to follow her.
"Whatever house I'm in, I hope she's not in it," said Ron.
He threw his wand back into his trunk. "Stupid spell — George gave it to me, bet he knew it was a dud."
"What house are your brothers in?" asked Ace. He said thinking about how he liked what he saw of the twins.
"Gryffindor," said Ron. Gloom seemed to be settling on him again. "Mom and Dad were in it, too. I don't know what they'll say if I'm not. I don't suppose Ravenclaw would be too bad, but imagine if they put me in Slytherin."
Ace went to look out the window thinking about his brother Luffy and his fellow Whitebeard pirates. Ron looked to Ace trying to talk "So did you hear about Gringotts? It's been all over the Daily Prophet, but I don't suppose you get that with the Muggles — someone tried to rob a high security vault."
Ace smiled thinking about how he started his plans but needed to learn more first. "Really? What happened to them?"
"Nothing, that's why it's such big news. They haven't been caught. My dad says it must've been a powerful Dark wizard to get round Gringotts, but they don't think they took anything, that's what's odd. 'Course, everyone gets scared when something like this happens in case You-Know-Who's behind it."
Ace turned this news over in his mind.
"What's your Quidditch team?" Ron asked.
"Er — I don't know any." Ace confessed.
"What!" Ron looked dumbfounded. "Oh, you wait, it's the best game in the world —" And he was off, explaining all about the four balls and the positions of the seven players, describing famous games he'd been to with his brothers and the broomstick he'd like to get if he had the money. He was just taking Ace through the finer points of the game when the compartment door slid open yet again, but it wasn't Neville the toadless boy, or Hermione Granger this time.
Three boys entered, and Ace recognized the middle one at once: it was the pale boy from Madam Malkin's robe shop.
He was looking at Ace with a lot more interest than he'd shown back in Diagon Alley.
"Is it true?" he said. "They're saying all down the train that Harry Potter's in this compartment. So it's you, is it?"
"Sorry name is Ace Portgas," said Ace. He was looking at the other boys. Both of them were thickset and looked extremely mean. Standing on either side of the pale boy, they looked like bodyguards.
"Oh." That was when he noticed the lighting bolt scar. He smiled "Well, this is Crabbe and this is Goyle," said the pale boy carelessly, noticing where Ace was looking. "And my name's Malfoy, Draco Malfoy."
Ron gave a slight cough, which might have been hiding a snigger. Draco Malfoy looked at him.
"Think my name's funny, do you? No need to ask who you are. My father told me all the Weasleys have red hair, freckles, and more children than they can afford." He turned back to Ace. "You'll soon find out some wizarding families are much better than others, Potter. You don't want to go making friends with the wrong sort. I can help you there."
He held out his hand to shake Ace's.
Ace just smiled at him, "You know I never knew so many would try and be friends with me." 'I am a devils child in one world only for here people want to be my friend.' "Look I need no one to tell me what to do. I don't let any one tell me whats what. Why would I let you say who I should hang out with." Truth was he found Ron to be annoying. But he would not stand for nobles high and mighty act. It was what got his brother killed.
"I can tell who not to be around."
Draco Malfoy didn't go red, but a pink tinge appeared in his pale cheeks. "I'd be careful if I were you, Potter," he said slowly. "Unless you're a bit politer you'll go the same way as your parents.
Ace turned to glare at him he moved so fast the other boys didn't see it. Ace held Draco by his throat. "I rather go out like my parents any day than be like trash like you." He thought of all the people he cared for. "You're the garbage. And don't you ever call me Potter again. Name is Ace D Portgas. Got it."
Draco was nodding quickly and was soon thrown out of the compartment.
Ace grabbed his robes and took off walking before Ron could stop him.
A voice echoed through the train: "We will be reaching Hogwarts in five minutes' time. Please leave your luggage on the train, it will be taken to the school separately."
Ace's stomach lurched he was still hungry.
The train slowed right down and finally stopped. People pushed their way toward the door and out on to a tiny, dark platform. Ace noticed some of the students shivering because of the cold night. He keep walking not even feeling the cold. That was when he noticed Hagrid with a lamp held over the students heads. He had a huge grin on his face as he called for the first year students. "Firs' years! Firs' years over here! C'mon, follow me — any more firs' years? Mind yer step, now! Firs' years follow me!" Ace noticed the twins climbing into a carriage being pulled by strange horses.
Ace followed Hagrid down the slippery path with ease. Some of the other first years though slipped. Ace was enjoying the dark path that is thick with tree, not able to see were anyone is going.
"Yeh'll get yer firs' sight o' Hogwarts in a sec," Hagrid called over his shoulder, "jus' round this bend here."
Ace could hear the splashing of water as he walked past the bend. He noticed a great black lake. A smile was on his face as he noticed all the row boats. He looked and saw the school, perched atop a high mountain on the other side, its windows sparkling in the starry sky, was a vast castle with many turrets and towers. He smiled he seen many castles in his world. But he never been in one.
"Now no more'n four to a boat!" Hagrid called, pointing to a fleet of little boats sitting in the water by the shore. Ace climbed into a boat for Ron, Neville and Hermione to follow him.
"Everyone in?" shouted Hagrid, who had a boat to himself. "Right then — FORWARD!" He raised his pink umbrella.
And the fleet of little boats moved off all at once, gliding across the lake, which was as smooth as glass. Ace put his hand into the water smiling as he watched the ripples. Everyone else was staring up at the great castle overhead. While Ace was looking at the giant squid playing in the water.
"Heads down!" yelled Hagrid as the first boats reached the cliff; they all bent their heads and the little boats carried them through a curtain of ivy that hid a wide opening in the cliff face. They were carried along a dark tunnel, which seemed to be taking them right underneath the castle, until they reached a kind of underground harbor, where they clambered out onto rocks and pebbles. They walked up a flight of stone steps and crowded around the huge, oak front door.
"Everyone here?"
Hagrid raised a gigantic fist and knocked three times on the castle door.
The door swung open at once. A tall, black-haired witch in emerald-green robes stood there. She had a very stern face and Ace's first thought was that this was not someone to cross.
"The firs' years, Professor McGonagall," said Hagrid.
"Thank you, Hagrid. I will take them from here." She pulled the door wide. The entrance hall was so big you could have fit his whole tree house in it along with the tree and there still be lots of room. He looked at the stone walls that were lit by torches, then the ceiling was too high too even see, then there was the marble staircase facing them led to the upper floors.
They followed Professor McGonagall across the flagged stone floor. Ace could hear the drone of hundreds of voices from a doorway to the right — the rest of the school must already be here — but Professor McGonagall showed the first years into a small, empty chamber off the hall. They crowded in, standing rather closer together than they would usually have done, peering about nervously.
"Welcome to Hogwarts," said Professor McGonagall. "The start-of-term banquet will begin shortly, but before you take your seats in the Great Hall, you will be sorted into your houses. The Sorting is a very important ceremony because, while you are here, your house will be something like your family within Hogwarts. You will have classes with the rest of your house, sleep in your house dormitory, and spend free time in your house common room. You will be living with the students you are shorted with for the next seven years."
"The four houses are called Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin. Each house has its own noble history and each has produced outstanding witches and wizards. While you are at Hogwarts, your triumphs will earn your house points, while any rule breaking will lose house points. At the end of the year, the house with the most points is awarded the house cup, a great honor. I hope each of you will be a credit to whichever house becomes yours. The Sorting Ceremony will take place in a few minutes in front of the rest of the school. I suggest you all smarten yourselves up as much as you can while you are waiting."
Her eyes lingered for a moment on Neville's cloak, which was fastened under his left ear, and on Ron's smudged nose. Ace stood there with his robes on but open. You could see his dark shorts and a red shirt underneath."
"I shall return when we are ready for you," said Professor McGonagall. "Please wait quietly."
She left the chamber.
"How exactly do they sort us into houses?" he asked Ron.
"Some sort of test, I think. Fred said it hurts a lot, but I think he was joking."
Ace's smirked thinking it might be a fight. That be fun.
He looked around ready for what ever they throw at them. He saw that he was the only one everyone else looked terrified, too. No one was talking much except Hermione Granger, who was whispering very fast about all the spells she'd learned and wondering which one she'd need.
Ace tried hard not to listen to her. He only needed his fire and strength. He only felt nervous once and that was when Luffy was in trouble, and been hurt really bad after Sabo died.
He kept his eyes fixed on the door. Any second now, Professor McGonagall would come back and lead him to his doom.
Ace smiled as he saw the ghost come in the room. They paid no mind to them and went into the great hall.
"Move along now," said a sharp voice. "The Sorting Ceremony's about to start."
Professor McGonagall had returned. One by one, the ghosts floated away through the opposite wall.
"Now, form a line," Professor McGonagall told the first years, "and follow me."
Ace was in the lead having his head held high. He heard whispers about how he did not were his robes right. 'What if I get in a fight I need to get rid of them.' Even when he was in Alabasta he had keep his lose.
Ace looked around seeing all of the candles that were floating in midair over four long tables, where the rest of the students were sitting. He looked at the table wondering were the food was. The table had golden plates but what does that matter if there is no meat or ale.
He looked to the front of the hall and saw the teachers table. Some were talking others looked bored. He looked at Albus who seemed to be trying to solve a puzzle he way he was looking at him.
Ace stopped walking once Professor McGonagall silently placed a four-legged stool in front of the first years. She then placed an old hat. The shorting Hat.
He smirked he seen many things and the way people were looking at it she was wondering if it would start to talk. And that was what it did. He smirked thinking how Marco would love the hat.
"Oh, you may not think I'm pretty,
But don't judge on what you see,
I'll eat myself if you can find
A smarter hat than me.
You can keep your bowlers black,
Your top hats sleek and tall,
For I'm the Hogwarts Sorting Hat
And I can cap them all.
There's nothing hidden in your head
The Sorting Hat can't see,
So try me on and I will tell you
Where you ought to be.
You might belong in Gryffindor,
Where dwell the brave at heart,
Their daring, nerve, and chivalry
Set Gryffindors apart;
You might belong in Hufflepuff,
Where they are just and loyal,
Those patient Hufflepuffs are true
And unafraid of toil;
Or yet in wise old Ravenclaw,
if you've a ready mind,
Where those of wit and learning,
Will always find their kind;
Or perhaps in Slytherin
You'll make your real friends,
Those cunning folk use any means
To achieve their ends.
So put me on! Don't be afraid!
And don't get in a flap!
You're in safe hands (though I have none)
For I'm a Thinking Cap!"
The whole hall burst into applause as the hat finished its song. It bowed to each of the four tables and then became quite still again.
"So we've just got to try on the hat!" Ron whispered to Ace. "I'll kill Fred, he was going on about wrestling a troll."
Ace sighed he rather fight a troll that sounds like fun.
Ace wondered what house it be he was figuring the brave house. Gryffindor.. Or Hufflepuff.
He walked as the stern woman stepped forward holding a long roll of parchment. "When I call your name, you will put on the hat and sit on the stool to be sorted," she said. "Abbott, Hannah!"
A pink-faced girl with blonde pigtails stumbled out of line, put on the hat, which fell right down over her eyes, and sat down. A moments pause —
"HUFFLEPUFF!" shouted the hat.
The table on the right cheered and clapped as Hannah went to sit down at the Hufflepuff table. Ace saw the ghost of the Fat Friar waving merrily at her.
"Bones, Susan!"
"HUFFLEPUFF!" shouted the hat again, and Susan scuttled off to sit next to Hannah.
Ace started to look around not paying mind to the shorting. Till he heard his name called.
"Portgas, Ace!"
Albus was surprised only way that list would say that if Harry had changed his name. Which she seemed to have done.
As Ace stepped forward and picked the hat up placing it on his head.
"I must say I have never had any one like you Mr. Portgas. Dying for your brother to save him. Very Loyal and brave, then there is the bit to prove you are not your father. You are not a Ravenclaw that is clear. But you be one before your brother Luffy."
Ace chuckled at this.
"I am sure Sabo would have been one he seemed such a bright boy. Now your life as a pirate. You prove to be very brave and loyal.. You are not a Slytherin though they would no doubt show you your way to greatness in this world… No… You are very tough… Helga and Godric would both love to have you. Well seeing all the things you have done… What is this?" Ace could feel the hat smiling. Ace had the memories of meeting the twins flash through his mind, then him fighting at the world government. He was sure he was going to Hufflepuff.
"Ace I feel you have many things you can do and help this house. You better be GRYFFINDOR!"
Ace heard the hat shout the last word to the whole hall. "Ace a warning my dear boy, be careful even though your name is changed people will find you." He took off the hat and walked shakily toward the Gryffindor table. He wondered why he wasn't a Hufflepuff he kinda wanted that house. Pops ship was about family and family is loyal to each other. Percy the Prefect Snort got up and shook his hand vigorously, while the Weasley twins motioned him to sit with them.
Ace sat down opposite the ghost in the ruff he'd seen earlier. The ghost patted his arm, giving Ace the sudden, horrible feeling he'd just plunged it into a bucket of ice-cold water.
He could see the High Table properly now. At the end nearest him sat Hagrid, who caught his eye and gave him the thumbs up. Ace grinned back. And there, in the center of the High Table, in a large gold chair, sat Albus Dumbledore. Ace recognized him at once. Albus smiled at him. Making Ace look away. Ace spotted Professor Quirrell, too, the nervous young man from the Leaky Cauldron. He was looking very peculiar in a large purple turban.
And now there were only three people left to be sorted. "Thomas, Dean," a Black boy even taller than Ron, joined Ace at the Gryffindor table.
"Turpin, Lisa," became a Ravenclaw and then it was Ron's turn. He was pale green by now.
Ace crossed his fingers under the table and a second later the hat had shouted, "GRYFFINDOR!" Ace groaned a bit not showing it. He didn't need a fan boy. Which he felt Ron was being. He groaned thinking of someone following him. He sighed and figured he give the boy a chance.
Ron collapsed into the chair next to him.
"Well done, Ron, excellent," said Percy Weasley pompously across Ace.
Professor McGonagall rolled up her scroll and took the Sorting Hat away.
Ace looked down at his empty gold plate. He had only just realized how hungry he was. The pumpkin pasties seemed ages ago. And Molly sandwich which was really good.
Ace's head fell on the table. The twins laughed as they head him mutter "Food so hungry."
"Welcome," Albus said. "Welcome to a new year at Hogwarts! Before we begin our banquet, I would like to say a few words. And here they are: Nitwit! Blubber! Oddment! Tweak! Thank you!"
Ace's mouth fell open.
The dishes in front of him were now piled with food. He had never seen so many things he liked to eat on one table: roast beef, roast chicken, pork chops and lamb chops, sausages, bacon and steak, more meat, then there was ribs, fish, and even more meat around. Ace started to pile his plate high with meat. Hermione down the table a bit was giving him a dirty look with the amount of food he had piled high.
"That does look good," said the ghost in the ruff sadly, watching Ace eat.
"Can't you —?"
"I haven't eaten for nearly five hundred years," said the ghost. "I don't need to, of course, but one does miss it.
Ace looked at him like it was the worse thing possible to happen. "That is horrible." He said while eating. Soon he had another plate of rice. And was downing a goblet of pumpkin Jucie.
"I don't think I've introduced myself? Sir Nicholas de Mimsy-Porpington at your service. Resident ghost of Gryffindor Tower."
"I know who you are!" said Ron suddenly. "My brothers told me about you — you're Nearly Headless Nick!"
"I would prefer you to call me Sir Nicholas de Mimsy —" the ghost began stiffly, but sandy-haired Seamus Finnigan interrupted.
"Nearly Headless? How can you be nearly headless?" Sir Nicholas looked extremely miffed, as if their little chat wasn't going at all the way he wanted.
"Like this," he said irritably. He seized his left ear and pulled. His whole head swung off his neck and fell onto his shoulder as if it was on a hinge. Someone had obviously tried to behead him, but not done it properly. Looking pleased at the stunned looks on their faces,
Nearly Headless Nick flipped his head back onto his neck, coughed, and said, "So — new Gryffindors! I hope you're going to help us win the house championship this year? Gryffindors have never gone so long without winning. Slytherins have got the cup six years in a row! The Bloody Baron's becoming almost unbearable — he's the Slytherin ghost."
Ace looked at him he saw other students pale at the sight and he looked on only to feel his stomach thinking of his friends brothers he lost.
Ace started eating his food having about twelve plates stacked up. That was when the desserts appeared. Ace looked at it and took a some strawberries and apple pie. He then fell asleep.
Everyone started to freak out. One of the teachers was walking towards the table when Ace sat up and went back to eating.
That what when he started to listen to everyone talk about there families.
Seamus turned to Ace, "So what about you Ace?"
Ace smiled "Well my parents died when I was young. They been murdered in cold blood. My Aunt and Uncle took me in and then kicked me out when I was young. Since then I have lived in the forest out side of London."
Dean looked at him "How did to pay for things."
"Stole money and other things."
The boys thought he was joking.
"I also killed what I needed to eat no big deal."
It seemed no one was believing him well besides Neville. Ace didn't care if the believed him.
Ace stretched starting to feel tired.
"Ahem — just a few more words now that we are all fed and watered.
"I have a few start-of-term notices to give you. First years should note that the forest on the grounds is forbidden to all pupils. And a few of our older students would do well to remember that as well." Dumbledore's twinkling eyes flashed in the direction of the Weasley twins.
"I have also been asked by Mr. Filch, the caretaker, to remind you all that no magic should be used between classes in the corridors. Quidditch trials will be held in the second week of the term. Anyone interested in playing for their house teams should contact Madam Hooch. And finally, I must tell you that this year, the third-floor corridor on the right-hand side is out of bounds to everyone who does not wish to die a very painful death."
Ace smiled he knew were he was going now. Ace laughed, but he was one of the few who did.
"And now, before we go to bed, let us sing the school song!" cried Dumbledore. Ace noticed that the other teachers' smiles had become rather fixed.
Dumbledore gave his wand a little flick, as if he was trying to get a fly off the end, and a long golden ribbon flew out of it, which rose high above the tables and twisted itself, snakelike, into words.
"Everyone pick their favorite tune," said Dumbledore, "and off we go!"
And the school bellowed:
"Hogwarts, Hogwarts, Hoggy Warty Hogwarts,
Teach us something please,
Whether we be old and bald
Or young with scabby knees,
Our heads could do with filling
With some interesting stuff,
For now they're bare and full of air,
Dead flies and bits of fluff,
So teach us things worth knowing,
Bring back what we've forgot,
just do your best, we'll do the rest,
And learn until our brains all rot."
Everybody finished the song at different times. At last, only the Weasley twins were left singing along to a very slow funeral march. Ace gotten some weird looks as he sang it to the tune of the pirate song.
Dumbledore conducted their last few lines with his wand and when they had finished, he was one of those who clapped loudest. "Ah, music," he said, wiping his eyes. "A magic beyond all we do here! And now, bedtime. Off you trot!"
A/N:I have had many people say not to have Ron be friends with Ace. So a vote is up. Ace will give Ron a chance but can't stand him. Or Ron and Ace friends..