A/N: This is just part of the chapter Hectic split up. I have edited it a bit more to fix some things though. Please enjoy.
Chapter Nine
A Late Night.
The next morning all the students where aloud to leave the common room. They had found out the Professor Quirrell had been arrested. Professor McGonagall was at the head table and stood in the middle of the meal. Fred started to shake Ace awake who sat up with food on his face.
"It is nice to see you awake with the living Mr. Portgas." She looked at him then the rest of the students. "As you may have noticed that Headmaster is not here along with one Professor. The reason is Headmaster Dumbledore has been called to London to deal with matters at the Ministry." She kept a stern face. He wasn't even needed though he just left to try and find out why they took Quirrell. She had talked to Albus not even an hour ago. He was going up there to find out about the details that Madam Bones found. Since she would not budge and give him anything. Saying the board will get a report of hers later that week. And he would be notify of the court date at a later time. "Now Professor Quirrell is at the Ministry as well, he may not be returning. But until that time Madam Bones was generous enough to lend one of there aurors to teach." That point a man with brown hair with a short cut who looked to be around thirty years old. He glanced at all the students with his grey eyes. He had a hard face but broke out into a grin as he walked up to the table. "I like to introduce your new Professor Dawlish." McGonagall nodded for him to say something.
John Dawlish looked at all the students beaming. "Well I have to say after that Quidditch game I saw yesterday I am looking foreword to meeting each and every one of you. To both houses, that was the best game I have seen in a very long time. And I went to the last world cup. I will say I am sorry about yesterday for us having you have to stay in your common rooms. I will say it was for your safety. Everything is now ok and you are more that welcome to go anywhere you wish."
McGonagall looked to the man before her. She been told to make sure he was busy today so he could not ask around. Apparently Albus didn't want him to go anywhere near the third Corridor. She even told the old man it was a bad idea at the start of the year. But what did it matter what she said. So her goal has been to make sure no students when near it.
The hall was all a sudden filled with owls flooding into the great hall. Dadan landed on Ace's shoulder. He smiled "Hey girl can you take this to Hagrid. And this to the Goblins."
Dadan puffed out looking offended. "I am sorry girl. I know you can do it. Have a safe flight. And I wrote that you be waiting for a reply from the Goblins. So I will see you when you get back." Dadan took off flying after the letter to the goblins was tied to her leg. And when Ace was going to tie the other she took it in her beak and flew off.
Fred lifted his goblet and looked at Ace "What is the letters for?"
Ace smiled at them "Let Hagrid know we be heading off to see him. And then other letter is for the Goblins. I got a few books on things before school I read. And when I went to see them the last time. Before your father picked me up they said the owl me with some things I needed to know. I haven't gotten any owls yet." He knew that was a white lie. But the day he changed his name he was told he be getting statements. Also since he was the last of the Line and the heir the Potter family name would be changed. Ace didn't know what that meant and the goblin informed him they would send all the papers needed. And info so he be informed.
Well it was now November and he had not gotten it. He was wondering what was going on. He was also planning on leaving for the holiday so he could apply to be an adult. He had to figure out how to do it first. And if the Goblins didn't respond to him in the next week. Well there would be some hell to pay. He wasn't going to stand to be played with. He was going to do what Marco suggested to do. And try and make the world better. Well better in his mind.
Ace finished his food and smiled getting up to leave. "Fred, George, Lee, Neville, Seamus, Dean…. Well everyone if you want to join me to see Hagrid I will be heading down in thirty minutes." He said and walked off. Not even noticing people reactions to the Daily Prophet.
"MERLINS BALLS!" A second year yelled next to George.
George shook his head only for Oliver to run over shoving the paper in there face. "Guys you have to see this."
Hogwart's Quidditch Match Changing the Game
Susan Brown.
Many of you where thinking you be reading about England playing Japan yesterday. Well England won by 100 points getting the snitch. But the big news is yesterday the Quidditch season started at Hogwarts. And I bet all of you who went to school there remember the games.
I remember watching my team win my first year taking the cup. Those players where the best I have ever seen in a school Game. James Potter. Father of the boy who lived, playing with Sirius Black, Remus Lupin, Frank Longbottom, Gideon Prewett, Fabian Prewett, and Freya Urquart. They where amazing a well oiled team with the Prewett twins being the starting beaters, and back up chasers. The games were fun to watch. James was the Captain of the team and changed things up so much. I had never seen beaters switch out with the chasers until that game. I watched the twins throw their bats to Sirius and Remus. Who where the starting Chasers with James Potter. Then Frank Longbottom was the keeper. And With Freya being the seeker. Though she even play chaser some games and James being a seeker instead.
Out of that team. Freya is the only one who is playing Pro right now in the America's after she married an American Wizard. She was just one of the many pureblood witches and wizards who had fled from the last war. The twins lost there life two months before they would start practice. Then James had to go into hiding and lost his life that fateful night. Remus I could not find. And Frank is another victim of the war. And Sirius is in Azkaban after betraying the Potters. Not many would think they ever see a team like this one had been after they left the school.
But there is one in the school right now. The photos you are seeing are from Memories for a few Aurors where willing to give. More info about why they where there will be on page A1.
Now if you look at the team sitting around the Grounds cheering you will see someone who looks small.
That is Ace D Portgas the youngest known seeker in over a century to play. Then there are the nephews of the Prewett twins. The sons of Molly and Arthur Weasley. Fred and George Weasley. Then the Chasers are all girls from the left to right. Angelina Johnson, Katie Bell, Alicia Spinnet. Then the tallest is the keeper and Captain Oliver Wood. Reasons this team is so different. Well if you look at the below memories photos you will see Ace Portgas flying with the chasers to help make a goal. And yes there is nothing against doing this in the rulebook.
It has just never been done before, because how much the snitch is worth. Well that didn't stop the lions from doing it. And the seeker Ace still got the snitch. And that wasn't all that happen in the game. Apparently someone decided to bewitch young Ace's broom. More detail page A1. In the photo on the left you can see him hanging there with the twins circling below getting close to save him. While other members are on their way. Well the details I learned some how the curse was broken and the shockwave of the magic broke not only the cruses on Ace's broom and the sleeping spell, but the spells on the twins' brooms. Having been older models they stopped working. As soon as the twins started to fall, Ace went into a nose dive and pulled one brother on his broom and grabbing the other. Trying to pull up going 200 mlp he was able to pull up to slow their descent. While doing so he jumped from his broom landing with one brother in his arm and in the other hand the snitch… I must say if I was a scout I be heading over to start watching the games. Because any team could use the raw talent this team seems to have. Now the Slytherins performed amazing as well.
Fred was gasping seeing the images of the game. Him and his brother working together to block his teammates from getting hit. Then saves from Oliver and the tricks Ace pulled. It was one thing seeing it in the moment but looking at the image of him diving to save them was breath taking. They couldn't believe they where saved.
Hermione looked to the twins "You might want to read Page A1." She put her paper on the table and started to read. There were images of the students fighting the troll. And then seeing Ace thrown into a wall. And them him taking down the troll. Then photos that where not from memories. They were of the miss Professor with Hand cuff on and flinching at the flashing of the lights. Then images of the Quidditch match where Ace's broom was trying to throw him off.
Hogwart's is it Safe or Not!
Ashley Sanders
Yesterday I received a tip that there was over twenty Aurors where heading up to Hogwarts. So I started to dig and found out someone had let in a full grown Mountain troll. Now I went to talk to some cruse breakers. After speaking with Lyra Brown who is a Cruse breaker at the Ministry. She informed me. "Hogwarts wards are tied to all the staff on duty. This was set up by the founders so any member of staff felt the students in danger could put the wards up at any given moment. Now the down side to this is that if it is up to date nothing should get through that would cause harm to a student. But if it is not up to date I can not say for sure. But with up to date wards only a staff member could get a troll into the school. Or a very powerful dark wizard. "
Now after her telling me this I found out the Law enforcement went up there to check the wards. They had gotten a memory tip off from a student. This is only reason they knew or could go there. The moment the Aurors arrived they split. Amelia Bones went to talk to Headmaster Dumbledore to inform him what would be going on. While with the possible someone wanted to harm the students. Well the Aurors where sent to guard the students. When they watched before their very eyes as a students was about to be murder in front of them. As the boy Ace Portgas who saved all the Gryffindor students beating to troll single handed. Was about to fall to his death.
It is still unknown how the cruse broke and he then got on his broom saving two others. But with this Madam Bones put the school on lock down. And went ahead to find out who did this. The moment they have arrested the Professor Quirinus Quirrell and charging him with the attempted murder of Ace D Portgas and endangerment of the Hogwarts student. Why he cursed Portgas's broom I do not know but the daily Prophet will be following this case to give you all the info. And will even announce the date of his trial. Only good news was Professor Snape was found out to be casting the counter curse to try and save the boy.
The lions and all the students where breaking out into whispers about everything. Wood though was saying they might get scouts to come watch the team now. Fred though was wondering why Ace was attacked… He groaned because he figured it out. He looked to George who was thinking the same thing "Boy-who-lived." They felt bad for their friend. Thinking it be cool at first. Now seeing what it brought him they understood why he changed his name.
They looked down a bit not only getting his fame had Ace had to live with out family. He was targeted. They nodded and would watch out for him with there life. He was a friend and in their books were a great person.
They got up "Well I want to see Hagrid." Fred said smiling
"I'll join you." Lee added and soon the trio was off to find Ace. With a ton of first years following them.
Ace was walking down the stairs with backpack on his back. He was planning on pranking later. And had some books he wanted to read. He noticed Hagrid down at his hut tending his chickens. He smiled and started to run through the snow. When he got there he noticed almost all his first year house mates and his pranking group.
Neville smiled "Hey Ace, how are you?"
"Good and yourself?" He asked and noticed Hagrid and smiled at the giant of a man.
"Good just sore after yesterday."
"Well get to bed early because we run tomorrow morning." He said smiling.
Hagrid walked foreword "why don't I set a table out here and we enjoy some black tea?"
Ace smiled "sounds great." He went to start helping set things up
Soon everyone was sitting around a large table. Ace had even helped set up a fire outside so they could cook and make tea over the fire. Ace was getting ready to drink a strong cup of black tea. When Hermione laid the paper down. "I was so sure it was Snape yesterday."
Ace looked to her "what are you talking about?"
Hermione shoved the paper in his hand. He quickly read everything and eye raised a bit seeing the info about who was trying to kill him. "Well remind me to thank Snape… Maybe I should get him a thank you gift. But why did you think it was Snape who was casting the spell?"
"He was cursing your broomstick, muttering, he wouldn't take his eyes off you. Well that is what I thought."
"Rubbish," said Hagrid, who didn't know of the paper or hear Hermione looked at her. "Why would Snape do somethin' like that?" All the first years snickered at this.
Ron looked around "He hates Ace. He is rude to him in class."
Ace rolled his eyes. "Snape isn't bad. Think about potions how dangerous it is. Well he have to be hard on everyone other wise potions be blowing up all the time."
Neville looked down.
Ace looked to Neville "Come one Nev it is alright. I can help you and the twins would help too."
"We would?" Fred asked to George.
"Yeah of course we would." Smiling thinking of molding the mind of a first year into the way of the pranks.
Ace watched as Hagrid was telling Ron and Neville tales of their parents at the school.
Ace looked to Fred "So I have been wondering."
"What is it?"
"Well with what Hermione said it makes me wonder why Snape got hurt the night of the troll."
George looked to him, "What do you mean?"
"Well everyone who fought the troll had to go to the Hospital Wing. Well Snape was there apparently getting some potions for his leg. Now I remember that Snape was limping when he left and there was blood."
"You don't think he was teamed up with Quirrell to get past the three headed dog?"
"What you talking about Fluffy for… How do you know about Fluffy?"
Hermione looked up "wait that thing has a name?"
"Yeah - he's mine - bought him off a Greek chappie I met in the pub las' year - I lent him to Dumbledore to guard the- ummmm.
Ron perked up "Yes." said Ron enthusiastically.
"Now, don't ask me anymore," said Hagrid gruffly. "That's top secret, that is."
"But Snape's trying to steal it."
"Rubbish," said Hagrid again. "Snape's a Hogwarts teacher; he'd do nothin' of the sort."
"Well what about Quirrell trying to kill Ace yesterday." Seamus pointed out. "I mean it was luck Fred, George and Ace are alive because of that arse." Hagrid stuck his chest out. "Look Snape wouldn't do anything. I'm tellin' yeh, yer wrong!" said Hagrid hotly. "Now, listen to me, all of yeh - yer meddlin' in things that don' concern yeh. It's dangerous. You forget that dog, an' you forget what it's guardin', that's between Professor Dumbledore an' Nicolas Flamel -"
Ace was trying to decided if finding out more info was a good thing or a bad thing. Since Hagrid could easily tell the other teachers making it hard to get there tonight… He decided to change the subject to ask Hagrid about different animals that are in the forest.
.
.
That night Ace waited for the twins and Lee. "I already scouted up ahead. We will be alright so let's go." Ace said walking off with the other three boys following. The boys ended up stopping seeing Snape walking past with Dawlish as they where hiding behind the armor.
"I am telling you Snape, Mr. Portgas would be perfect in the pros. There is no age limit."
"He is a child and should just be worried about school. He has already had so much trouble in one year what else does he need."
"I can see your point on that. What is your thought though on the court case?"
"Well they said it should be held at the start of December so I don't know what will happen. I am sure that he will at least get a couple years in Prison if not longer. He endangered children and the public will not take too kindly to that."
Dawlish nodded "Now back to Portgas I am telling you he would be great going pro... I heard another Quidditch team is hiring a young player who plays in Drum-" This point the four boys were having a hard time hearing the two Professors as they walked to the second floor. Ace motioned his hand and headed off to the door. Only to try and open it. Only to find it locked.
Ace looked at them "You will have to unlock it." Ace said looking to the older students who started to cast unlocking spells but nothing was working.
"Looks like they made it harder to get in." Lee said.
"What-"
"Are we-?"
"Going to-"
"Do?" Both finished.
Ace looked at the door only to notice something and smiled. He pulled out his dagger he kept hidden out and started to pop the hinges out of the door.
"What are you doing Ace?" Lee asked.
Ace looked at him, "Once the hinges are off the door should open." He wondered why the door was the way it was but figured it was magic people so they didn't think, he quickly finished and kicked the door open only to see the dog jumping foreword.
Ace clenched his fist and punched the dog back and walked in looking at it "Sit!" he yelled at it.
Fluffy growled at Ace and the other three boys. He noticed three of the four children are scared. He barked and jumped forward to eat the intruded who wanted to steal what he guarded. Only to feel a fist hit so hard he was sent flying into the wall and soon fell to sleep out cold. And was dreaming about chasing cats.
Ace whipped his hand "Sad I was wanting more of a fight than that." He walked to the trap door.
"So who wants to go first?" Fred asked.
Lee looked at him, "I say Ace is last since he can fight the dog."
"What if there is something worse down there."
"We can handle it."
George shook his head walked forward and jumped down.
Ace turned to the other two who where now jumping down.
Ace looked to the dog that was out cold knowing it be that way for awhile. He smiled and jumped down and could feel the cold, damp air rushing past him as he fell down the hole and down, down, down he fell into Flump… A muffled sort of sound from the landing. It was soft Ace sat up surprised. Ace started to look around his eyes not used to the gloom and darkness. But he noticed it felt like he was sitting on some sort of plant.
"Fred, George, Lee. Where are you guys?" He heard muffled shouts like they where being held captured by someone. So he lit up having flames covering him. The room lit up. Ace could see the plant had wrapped its way all around the other three boys.
In a matter of seconds of Ace bursting into flames he noticed the plant cringed away from the light and heat.
He pushed his way over to Lee and helped the boy stand and unravel himself. Then both of them went to work on the twins helping them.
"This way," said Lee, pointing down a stone passageway, which was the only way they could hear apart from their footsteps was the gentle drip of water trickling down the walls. The passageway sloped downward, and Ace was reminded of Gringotts.
Once they where in the hallway George was the first to speak "Thanks Ace but you're on fire! How can you do that and not be hurt?"
Fred was nodding so speechless they didn't do their twin talk.
Lee looked at him "Thank you for saving up from the devil snare. By time I knew what it was we couldn't reach our wands."
Ace smiled at them. "Well reason I can do fire… It is a very long and strange story. But I have always been able to do it." He looked at them wondering how they take it knowing he had a past life.
Fred picked up the fact Ace didn't want to fully talk about it. "Can you hear something?"
A soft rustling and clinking seemed to be coming from up ahead. "Sounds like wings to me." Lee said.
"There's light ahead - I can see something moving." George said walking ahead of them.
They reached the end of the passageway and saw before them a brilliantly lit chamber, its ceiling arching high above them. It was full of small, jewel-bright birds, fluttering and tumbling all around the room. On the opposite side of the chamber was a heavy wooden door.
Ace started walking across the room to the next door. The others thought he was going to be attacked. Only for nothing to happen.
They joined Ace at the door. And casted unlocking spell to see it not working. "What are we going to do?" Fred asked.
Ace smirked "back up." He kicked the door as hard as he could to see it bend only to go back into place. Ace raised his hands up send blast of fire at the door. Only to see nothing they would do would work.
Ace looked around the room. "What's with the… Those are not birds their keys." Ace smirked only then noticing the broom.
He looked to Fred "is it me or does this seem to easy to you."
"Probably. They don't look very vicious, but I suppose if they all swooped down at once... well, there's no other choice..."
George and Lee where looking at the door. "We need a big, old-fashioned one - probably silver, like the handle." Lee said only to see the twins and Ace already climbing onto the brooms they found.
They each seized a broomstick and kicked off into the air, soaring into the midst of the cloud of keys. They grabbed and snatched, but the bewitched keys darted and dived so quickly it was almost impossible to catch one.
Ace though wasn't going to give up he sped up and then noticed it. Ace started weaving about through the whirl of rainbow feathers, he noticed a large silver key "That one!" he called to the others. "That big one - there - no, there - with bright blue wings. I just know it is that on."
Lee flew next to Ace "How do we get it."
"We've got to close in on it!" He said not taking his eyes off it.
Fred flew above and George went below. "Alright let's get it." The twins dove at it only for them to miss it. And Ace tried to grab it but was out of reach and Lee snatched it out of the air and quickly landed.
They landed quickly, and Lee ran to the door, the key struggling in his hand. He rammed it into the lock and turned - it worked. The moment the lock had clicked open, the key took flight again, looking very battered now that it had been caught. "Ready." Lee asked the other three, his hand on the door handle. They nodded. He pulled the door open. The next chamber was so dark they couldn't see anything at all. But as they stepped into it, light suddenly flooded the room to reveal an astonishing were standing on the edge of a huge chessboard, behind the black chessmen, which were all taller than they were and carved from what looked like black stone. Facing them, way across the chamber, were the white pieces.
Ace groaned seeing this. "Please say we don't have to play across."
Fred looked to him "I think we do..."
Ace turned to them "Ok are any of you good at chess?"
Lee shook his head "I am decent but not that great."
Fred looked to George "George is good. Bill and George taught Ron. "
"So your brother Ron is good?"
"Good he is amazing." George said looking at the board. "I am really good but after Ron learned the game I have never seen him lose."
Ace noticed the door behind the white pieces. "Well let's see if I can get across with out playing. He walked forward for the pawns to move holding the spears up at him posed to attack. He smirked jumping over the pieces landing on the other side. And a sword to go through his chest. And flung him back to the black pieces side.
The boys ran over to him. And where checking him over, only to see him sitting up glaring at the Queen. Only to hear a girl scream out at Ace, "ACE!"
…
Ron was pretending to be asleep as he watched Ace getting dressed into his muggle clothes. He seemed to be adding a few things on him and quickly snuck out of the room.
Ten seconds after the door was shut the boys busted into action. Dean letting lose an owl he had to send a note to Hermione at that moment. Seamus grabbed his bag and was getting dressed. Ten Minutes later they where up and dressed and meeting Hermione in the common room who had a bag with her. "You guys ready she said smiling at them.
Neville looked at everyone. "Guys I know I want to go but are you sure we should."
Hermione turned to Neville "Ace saved our lives the other day. Least we can do is to help him. "
Neville sighed "Yeah he saved us… What good would we be to him at the moment? He took Lee, Fred and George with him I am sure he is fine."
Hermione looked at them. "What about you Seamus, Dean, Ron?!"
Ron walked to Hermione. "I say we go."
…
..
.
Ace stood up and looked to Lee "wow Lee never knew you could scream like a girl."
Lee blushed and glared at him. "What are we going to do?"
"I will destroy the pieces." He said cracking his knuckles.
Fred put a hand on Aces shoulder. Seeing the huge hole in Ace's shirt, where he was stabbed "George led us across."
"Fine I will do it your way… I have seen Ron play this game. And if you get in danger," Ace gave them a cold glare. "I will intervene. I will not have any one die or be hurt because of me ever again. I don't want to see that."
Lee looked at Ace in awe as he turned around. Having found out he was Harry Potter made everyone want to be near him. But only now did he see what it took away from him for that fame. He lost his family that night. And has been alone while the world ditched their savior.
"So George you ready?" Ace asked him.
"We've got to play our way across the room." Behind the white pieces they could see another door. "I think," said George, "we're going to have to be chessmen." He walked up to a black knight and put his hand out to touch the knight's horse. At once, the stone sprang to life. The horse pawed the ground and the knight turned his helmeted head to look down at George. "We have to join you to get across."
The black knight nodded.
George looked to the others trying to think of the safest piece to place everyone. Ideally since he was the one playing he being king… But that wouldn't be right. "This needs thinking about he said. I suppose we've got to take the place of the black pieces..."
Ace walked foreword and looked at the pieces
Ace turned to George. "Ready when you are."
"Well, Ace, you take the place of that bishop, and Lee, next to him instead of that castle."
"What about you." Lee asked.
"Fred, take the king. And I will be the Queen." He knew that put everyone in the least amount of danger.
The chessmen seemed to have been listening, because at these words the Queen, a bishop, King, and a castle turned their backs on the white pieces and walked off the board, leaving four empty squares that Ace, Fred, Lee, and George to take their places "White always plays first in chess," said George said looking at the board.
"Yes... look..." A white pawn had moved forward two started to direct the black pieces. They moved silently wherever he sent them.
"Ace - move diagonally four squares to the right." Ace was worried for the others when he watched the white queen smashed one of the knights to the floor and dragged him off the board, where he lay quite still, facedown. "Had to let that happen," said George. "Leaves you free to take that bishop, Lee, go on." Ace saw that there was no mercy to the pieces being destroyed.
Soon there was a huddle of limp black players slumped along the wall, George noticed Lee was in danger he ordered there last knight around the board to save him.
George was looking around. Dam he was cornered to he could win this but it be the cost of one of them. "I need to-"
Fred turned to George "Don't you dare George. Lets keep going yes they left an opening but the chance is not worth the danger." George nodded.
Ace glared at them "what are you talking about."
"Nothing Ace move five spaces back to the left." Ace could see how nervous George was becoming as the game went on. Ace then noticed a knight and moving towards George.
George didn't know what to do. He was so worried getting Lee out of danger he forgotten the knight. He braced himself for the hit only nothing to come. "Ok this is taking to long. Get to the back and watch. I will beat them my own way."
George nodded and moved out of the way watching Ace kicking and punching the stone chess pieces and to see them falling to the ground in pieces. That was when he noticed them rebuilding themselves.
"Fred. Lee we got to go." The other two ran to the door and noticed it was locked. Fred pulled some tools out and work on the lock.
Ace saw the queen swing her sword right across his chest. Only to hear Lee shouting at him. He jumped up and kicked the Queen in the head kicking it off. The body fell to the ground. And Ace grabbed the sword of the Queen. That was when he had to block another attack. He had noticed the chess pieces but he forgotten the other pieces in the background. As a woman stood before him with Angel wings coming out of her stone back. She raised her sword to swung down on Ace. Who was putting his fingers in a cross shape. "Cross Fire." He smirked and sent a blast of fire right at the angel statue. The blast went through her chest. Ace took the moment to jump over the angel and run as fast as he could to see Fred working on the door. George was helping him. But Lee was sending spells at the attacking Pawns. Ace raised his fist and sent a blast of fire at the statues and knocked them back into the wall. "Fred please say you have the door open?"
"Don't bother me." That moment the door clicked open. Ace opened the door and quickly pulled all of them in the hallway. As he was shutting the door he noticed all the pieces going back to starting point.
Lee looked over Fred and George then to Ace whose shirt was barely on. "What do you reckons next. If it is the teacher who put these test up we've had Sprout's, that was the Devil's Snare; Flitwick must've put charms on the keys; McGonagall transfigured the chessmen to make them alive; that leaves Quirrell, and Snape's." They had reached another door.
"You forgot we have the upper level teachers as well."
Lee laughed "you must look in the tea cup to see which door you must take. For all of them lead to doom."
George looked to Ace, and Lee "Guys I am sorry I couldn't win."
Lee shook his head "what are you saying if it been a different game you had him cornered three times only couldn't do it at the cost of one of us. I am sure Ace and Fred agree they wouldn't want to lose anyone. I think you won. Come on I bet it is the answers to the finals." He opened the door walking in a disgusting smell filled their nostrils, making all of them pull their robes up over their noses. While Ace was looking around his eyes watering. He was only able to see it in that brief moment as a club slammed into him knocking the twin to the ground and Ace hit Lee with such force Lee was sent flying into the next room with a crash.
"LEE!" The twins where screaming and turned to see before them a troll even larger than the one they had tackled the other day. Fred looked to George "RUN!"
Fred pushed George to the doorway and ran towards the troll sending blasting spells to bring its attention on him.
This moment George could feel heat coming from a pile of rumble. Ace stood up glaring at the troll. "Fred, George go check on Lee. I will be there in a moment." In his hand looked like a spear of fire. He was now fire, and threw the spear into the troll's chest. To have the monster screaming.
Ace reached from behind pulling out a dagger and tossed his wand to Fred "Keep it safe, now get out of here. We need to get to Lee now hurry." Ace went ahead and sent blast of fire at the troll. He couldn't kill the dam thing. Other wise the teachers and Headmaster would know someone came.. He couldn't have anything pointing at him.
The troll turned its attention from Fred to Ace.. The spear had finally vanished. He stared at the boy for a moment before swinging the Club at him. Only to look to see if he hit. He looked around to try and find the boy. Only to feel pain coming from his back. Reaching back and looking at his had he felt something wet. It was bright red and glistening in the torch light. The troll let out a loud roar in rage.
That was the moment when Ace went ahead kicked the Troll right in its elbow breaking its arm. He glared at it and sent blast of fire at it. And noticed the Troll was more getting annoyed than anything. Ace smiled seeing the troll stumbling back only to drop the club. Ace grabbed it and ran at the Troll and swung the club hitting him in the head. With a loud crack the troll fell to the ground out cold.
Ace dropped the club and ran into the room next to them.
Ace thought about all the traps. The three headed dog, there had to be an easy way to get passed it. And then the devil snare they be learning about next month. The Keys could be charms and flying classes, then you have the chess board. Well that was one of the more popular games in the wizarding world. Then there was the troll. He was sure now what they where guarding wasn't just a get out of test. No it was something bigger. If the way Madam Bones had anything to say about it a troll was something had to take down.
He was worried what was next but there was nothing very frightening in here, just a table with seven differently shaped bottles scattered on the floor. He could see that Lee had hit the table knocking the bottles on the floor.
"How is Lee?" Ace asked worried.
George ran over to Ace looking him over. "He is just out cold slight bruising on his side where he hit the table. We have to get him to Madam Pomfrey"
"What do we have to do?" He stepped over the threshold, and immediately a fire sprang up behind them in the doorway. It wasn't ordinary fire either; it was purple. At the same instant, black flames shot up in the doorway leading onward.
They were trapped.
Fred and George looked around not knowing what to do.
"Look!" Ace said finding a roll of paper lying on the floor near bottles. Ace started to read it out loud:
Danger lies before you, while safety lies behind, Two of us will help you, which ever you would find, One among us seven will let you move ahead, Another will transport the drinker back instead, Two among our number hold only nettle wine, Three of us are killers, waiting bidden in line. Choose, unless you wish to stay here forevermore, To help you in your choice, we give you these clues four: First, however slyly the poison tries to hide You will always find some on nettle wine's left side; Second, different are those who stand at either end, But if you would move onward, neither is your friend; Third, as you see clearly, all are different size, Neither dwarf nor giant holds death in their insides; Fourth, the second left and the second on the right Are twins once you taste them, though different at first sight.
"Logic!" exclaimed George snatching the paper. "This be easy for Lee."
Ace shook his head "No the bottles are all on the floor…" He sat down to think while the twins where working hard to figure out what were what. They had pulled out paper that with drops of the liquid in the bottles changed color. Ace was watching this with interest.
George looked to him "We make our own potions. This paper is special and will list if it will kill a person. Or harmless…" He looked at the paper to see spots where drops of the liquids been dropped on where different colors.
Fred looked up and three bottles where placed away from everyone while four others where in a group.
"So these four the safe ones. I have been thinking… I will go onto the next room to see what is there. And will check it out."
George looked at him "You should let us figure it out."
Ace shook his head "Think about it what if I find a passage out of there. I can come back with my fire powers. If there isn't anything there then I will come and help you guys."
Fred looked to George and started at each other for a moment then turned to Ace "Be careful."
"Try and figure out which Bottle is for which." He said and his body turned into flames as he walked through. Fred and George noticed the black flames had vanished for a moment only for when Ace to fully walk into the other room for them to reappear.
Ace looked around it looked like an unused classroom. "Weird." He walked forward seeing a pedestal holding that grubby package. He picked it up and looked around seeing nothing happen. Opening it up he saw a red stone. "What... All of that for this?" He turned it over in his hand. Thinking it over what if the troll he beat was to go into the last room. And the teachers have been working on the traps. What if they where not done. He looked at it. It was a dangerous risk to be found out for stealing this. He thought to himself. He pulled out a box that held many potions for pranks. Then a book on runes he bought at Tom's suggestion. When he learned before school runes could be used to make spells last much longer. He flipped his book to the spot Tom had shown him at one of his lunches. He smiled and started to burn it into the box knowing it would work. Leaving the package he walked back to Fred and George.
"Ace what's up?"
"I need a favor. There isn't a way out but I want to mess with them. Cast a spell on the box to make it look like this stone here."
George pulled out his wand and quickly did it and looked to Ace "You could have done that."
"I am not sure how good it been. He turned the fake rock over and had already pocketed the other. I will be right back. I also need my wand." Fred handed Ace's wand back over to him as he watched the younger boy go back through the flames.
Ace went ahead and gathered his things and placed the package with the stone back where he found it. Walked back into the room. And helped Fred and George place everything back into place. Only after Ace had found out what was whine. The twins where able to put the potions back in place not even knowing they had it right.
Ace looked at the bottles "This will get you back through the purple flames?" Ace asked pointing at a rounded bottle at the right end of the line.
George nodded "It should."
Ace was looking it over "Ok problem is only enough for one."
Fred looked at Ace. "Ace you where able to go through how?"
George was looking Lee over who wasn't waking and was worried.
Ace looked at him. "Because long time ago I ate something called a devil Fruit. It gave me the power of fire. I am fire. That is why when Draco stabbed me in the chest nothing happen. That is another reason the troll hitting me doesn't hurt. Only thing is I can never swim again."
Fred and George looked at Ace like he was a different person now. "Wait-"
"You're"
"Telling us"
"A fruit gave you this"
"Power"
"And you can't"
"Swim."
They looked at each other. And nodded "Tell us more later" Fred said.
George looked at Ace "We noticed the Black flames vanished."
"When you where in them."
"So maybe you can do the same to the purple."
"We will carry Lee through."
Ace smiled as he did as they said. And faster than it took them to get through the trails of the third floor. They where working there way back. The chess board let them pass. The door to the keys locked it's self as they left. Devil snare Fred had a light out only to see a stair well out. Ace carried Lee all the way. And Fluffy, well he was still knocked out cold. They walked out to the corridor and Ace put the stone in his bag with the dagger. He fixed the door he unhinged.
Twins looked ready to take Lee. "No you should take my stuff I will take him to the hospital wing say he was helping me with Homework. A spell backfired and he hit the wall. Freaking out I carried him there."
Twins looked worried but nodded and ran off to the dorm room. They where watching the entire time to see if Ace made it to the Wing with no problem.
Ace was running as fast as he could through the school. He heard ghost yelling at him. But he didn't care. He had Lee on his back as he jumped down a flight of stairs and sprinted to the hospital. Only to noticed it was locked. He started to bang on the door as loud as he could. He didn't want to let Fred and George see but he was really worried for Lee.
Madam Pomfrey was already getting dressed when her alarms went off to inform her about the students heading her way. Once they enter her floors corridor. She was surprised because normally she had time to get dress and unlock the door. But the person was banging on the door before she was fully dressed. Her body went ice cold. A troll attack and then the attempt at Mr. Portgas's life. What if a student been hurt and it was deadly. She quickly put her robe on and grabbed her wand. Waving it and muttering a spell the door flew open. Only to see Mr. Portgas run in faster than she seen any wizard move in her life with out a spell.
Then she noticed the body on his back.
Madam Pomfrey "Lee was helping with a spell for defense against dark arts. I messed up and there was a back lash knocking him into the wall and knocking him out. Please say he is ok." Ace yelled while laying him down on a bed.
She started casting spells over him to see three ribs broken his skull had a slight crack. Then the muscle was strained horrible. She went to grab a couple potions and spelled them into Lee. "He will be Fine Ace, just some broken bones and swelling of the brain. The potions are fixing the last one right now. I will write you a pass and have you head off to bed. What spell were you learning."
"The blasting spell after the troll he decided to try and teach me."
She nodded "I will inform him you brought him here. He may not have memory of last night." She said while writing his note. Only then to see Ace didn't have a shirt on.. She grabbed a shirt and walked over to him. "I like to make sure you are okay." She started to cast spells seeing nothing was wrong. "Put this on. But please just come by in the morning with the twins to help him." She handed over the note to Ace who took it nodding. He bowed to her thanking her over and over again and soon left the room.
He looked at Lee who was getting spells casted on him to fix the bones.
Ace was walking back and thinking about everything today and what he found. He didn't notice the sound behind him.
"Aw Mr. Portgas…. It seems all the lions decided they can just roam the halls tonight."
Ace turned around to see Snape standing before him. "Oh, hi Professor Snape, I am just heading back to my common room. I had to go to the hospital wing." He handed the note over to Snape. "Sorry Lee was hurt helping me with my home work."
"You sure of that." He said taking the note. "Your dorm mate and Miss. Granger seemed to think you are off having an adventure in the castle." He looked the note over surprised. It was a real note.
Ace looked up worried about Neville and the others now. Did they hear him leave? What where they doing, leaving like that. What if they had followed him? They could have been hurt worse than Lee. He looked to Snape. "Sorry sir I don't know what you are talking about."
"It is fine. Follow me." He left with Ace at his heels he was going to check the third floor only to find Ace on his way. When he heard what the first years said he felt as death came for the boy. He looked back and shook his head thinking about if death was looming of Lily's child what it meant.
Coming to a classroom he walked in "Alright all of you had lost your house 15 points each. I found Mr. Portgas who been coming back from the hospital wing he had a note so isn't in trouble. Rest of you will be spending tomorrow evening in detention with me. Next time you think a student is out and about you will get a perfect to get the head of your house. Now follow me."
Ace followed after them hearing them mutter how they lost their house 75 points.
Ace shook his head it was just house points. He looked to Neville who seemed to be doing the worse. He was grateful the twins were in the dorm room now. He would have to spend tomorrow with them.
He just couldn't wait for this night to be over. He got what he wanted and should be with Fred and George or in his trunk.
Snape walked up to the fat lady who saw him then looked to the children. "You're lucky it wasn't your head of house you be in much more trouble."
"Will you let them in? I need to put them to bed they have been up way to late as it is."
"You know the rules password."
The fat lady moved aside after Ace "safety."
Snape raised an eyebrow.
"The perfects changed it after this morning. They said our dorms are safety for us." He walked in to see the twins in their Pjs on the couch looking as if they were asleep. Snape walked in and scratched his throat to wake them up.
The twins sat up looking pale. "Lee is ok Professor he isn't hurt to bad is he?"
All the first years out of bed looked worried. "What happen?" Hermione asked.
Fred looked nervous and turned to George.
George sighed. "Ace needed help with some homework so he came to our dorm room tonight. Ace messed a spell up."
"Lee was knocked back hitting the wall…"
"She said he will be fine we just need to see him in the morning." Ace said smiling a little bit.
Snape nodded "That is all good and everything. But all of you have classes in the morning now off to bed. You have had a busy weekend with the Troll and the Ministry. Mr. Portgas stay behind." He turned to the other boys and Hermione giving them a cold hard glare that would make any man want to run away in fear. Now the children just felt as doom had come to them early. "Detention tomorrow. Then Friday night. Then an eighty inch easy on the different potion ingredients you have used so far, and their reactions with others, and common uses, and one other thing that is your choice of a topic. Another thing four different books should be used. Now this is due this week on Friday. If you can't finish it I understand and you will have to the end of the year. But each ingredient that is used each week will add another four inches." The students looked at him like he was the worse person ever.
Hermione looked like she was going to cry. Fred and George where shaking their head.
"Off to bed now." The students wondered off to bed.
"That means you both as well." The twins looked to each other and wondered off.
Snape looked to Ace and motioned him to sit down. "Mr. Portgas."
Ace looked at him "thank you for helping me yesterday."
Snape was taken back. Only to see Ace bowing to him. "If it wasn't for you I might have died. You have my thanks."
Snape looked at the boy who during the summer wondered if he be like Lily, or Potter. He thought he was like Potter. But this here and with Draco sparing his life. He could see Lily shining through like a bright star. He smiled. "I did it for your mother. And I would have done it for any child."
Ace looked up at him. "What?"
Snape sat down looking at the boy. "Now what spell where you trying to learn tonight."
"Umm the blasting spell."
Snape looked at him "that is a higher level spell. Why would you want to learn it?"
"People are trying to kill me. I need to know how to fight back."
Snape nodded he would make sure Lily's child lived. "Fine you have to meet with me every Sunday morning after breakfast. Also tell Longbottom to come as well and the twins and Lee. Tell them it is that or they will have detention. I heard from a birdie you be helping Longbottom I rather them do it in the potion lab.
Ace smiled "Thank you Sir. I will see you in class tomorrow." He said and bowed.
"Why do you bow Mr. Portgas?" Snape said getting up.
Ace looked at him "I was taught by a woman name Makino proper ways of giving respect, and thanks to people. Trust me I don't do it to just any one." Ace smiled and ran off.
Snape got up and walked off thinking about everything. He had looked in Ace's mind again. He had to know what had happen tonight. All he got was memories of Ace looking at Lee not moving. Flashes of him seeing people die. Then a flash of Lily begging the Dark Lord not to kill her son, Snape could see it clearing as day as he was glaring at Voldemort in the eyes. He then saw glimpse of others dying in front of him. People he considered family. Then Ace caring Lee on his back to the hospital. Only to be brought out of Aces mind when the boy thanked him only to see him bowing.
Snape walked into his personal room taking is cloak off he sat on his chair. "Why do you bow Mr. Portgas?"
Snape then saw it. Ace was in the woods, with another younger boy. Ace looked to be the same age. And there was an older woman with him with dark green hair. "Okay, let's start today's lesson of how to express gratitude."
Ace bowed just a little bit forward. "Yeah, let's get started already!" Ace looked stiff.
The other boy smiled "Oh, you got it, Ace!"
Ace snickered, only to hear the woman speak up. "No, that's not right. You have to say "Thank you in advance" on that occasion." She said looking at the boys while sitting down smiling.
The boys looked confused only for the young boy to look at her. "Oh, that wasn't right? It sounded cool though."
"Ace-kun wants to learn this because he wants to say "thank you" properly to the captain of the Red-Haired" That was when he been pulled out of the memories as Ace had left. Who is this woman and that boy? Who is the captain he wants to thank and why. Snape took a glass of fire whiskey only to figure he leave Ace alone. Let the child be a child.
He stood up passing "Maybe getting hit with a killing cruse has more effect on someone than we thought. What if it makes it impossible to pick up on memories or read their mind?" He said to himself while pacing back and forth. "What if…. I need to stop this... Lily would not want me reading her sons mind at all. Harry James Potter…. Or should I say Ace D Portgas… Who are you and what happen to you?" He said looking at the fireplace in his office.
..
Lucius Malfoy was smiling as he was looking over the note. He was working his way to get Albus thrown out of Hogwarts but only work if Quirrell was found guilty. He smiled getting up from his desk in his study. He had been close to singing and dancing all day with the good news the owl had brought with the paper that morning. He was starting to sway just a bit humming is favorite song. Then saw it. He an owl he never seen before owl fly in. He took the letter and read it over. Becoming very pale as he read it over. He couldn't believe this. He crumbled up the paper and glared at it. He pulled out his wand and sent a blast of fire at his fire place. And threw the letter in it. Watching it burn up. He could still hear the words he read echoing in his head.
Dear Mr. Lucius Malfoy
You are getting this letter at the moment because a certain person was put into custody. I need him to get out and cleared of all charges. I have need for this man. Now if you can't do this. I will make sure that some of the new laws wanting to be passed go through. One will be that any trial dealing with followers of the dark lord's followers can be reopened. They will be forced to drink the truth potion. If this happens I will help push for you and many of your friends to be put on trial. I am sure you don't want to have your heir to be with out his family. Law states your home will be sealed with magic till your son reaches the age of seventeen, or is an adult. And because the Malfoy family line had ended and has not relatives only your wife's side be able to raise him. Now if my memory serves me right the only link young Draco has that is his closest family is all in Azkaban or banished out of the family. Leaving the family of the closest Black relative would have been the Potters or the Weasleys to raise your son. I am sure you do not want that. Because if they don't take him the next in line would be the Longbottoms. And Alice will not be kind to the nephew of the Woman and Man who put her children into the hospital leaving her Grandson with out his parents.
So for this to not happen you must be the Lawyer for Mr. Quirinus Quirrell. If you have not shown up to see him by noon tomorrow. I will get the ball moving on these laws and many more. And if you cause any problems at all or don't get him off I swear to you on my magic I will get these laws to pass. I am more powerful than you could ever understand. I have plans for this man. And if all goes right things will be turning out for the better for you and me. I will be watching you Lucius.
From PWB
Ps. remember what will happen to your heir.
A/N: Hope you enjoyed the chapter. Please leave a review and let me know what you think.
A huge thank you to my beta readers and writers..