An Ace In The Hole
Chapter Five: The Meeting Of Wicked Minds
"Save the introductions for later." barked Sirius. "Where's my godson? Where's Harry?"
"Why Hogwarts, of course!" mused the Joker. "Where else would a band of wizards forcefully take any twelve year old wizard?"
Sirius frowned hard as he contemplated the Joker's words. "He was forcefully taken to Hogwarts?"
"Forcefully acquired, yes." replied the Joker as Harley stood back up and eyed a poor defenseless end table with malice. "Though I do believe that he remained willingly once they explained where he was. The boy's never been one to pass up a good opportunity. His letter made that clear."
"Then why bust me out of Azkaban?" asked Sirius.
"My sis, Lily, thought of you as family." retorted Harley indignantly.
Sirius studied the stunning blond with red and black pigtails. He could see traces of Lily in her face. Her manic expressions told him of someone that had been exposed too long to the madness.
"Once we found out that you had been wrongfully imprisoned, we immediately sought to make it right." said the Joker, trying to sound sincere.
"Chuckles, I don't think that forcefully removing me from Azkaban before burning it to the ground will help my case." scoffed Sirius.
"Now I admit that you can't just go waltzing down the street, but at least you'll be able to spend quality time with Harry when he returns from Hogwarts." reasoned the Joker. "I mean, life on the run can be tiresome at times, but it does come with its rewards."
"The Baron said that there was money to be made from this deal." snapped Frost. "When do we see it and how much is my cut?"
"Patience Frost." cooed the Joker. "Lord Black and dear Narcissa here are quite well off. You will be paid in due time."
"How is he gonna pay me anything?" retorted Frost. "You just said that he's on the run."
"I can assure you, Frost," said Sirius in a silky tone that he hadn't used in years "that while I may be on the run I can still access my accounts at the Wizard bank, Gringotts. The proprietors of the establishment will not recognize the crimes that I am accused of because they do not value Wizard law."
"Sound like my kind of people." sang the Joker, laughing.
"If they were people, Chuckles, I'd have to agree with you." said Sirius. "Fortunately, they're Goblins."
"I love this bank already." growled the Joker in a feral tone; his sadistic smile ever present.
"What's the next move, Puddin'?" asked Harley, rubbing her bat across her shoulders.
"Now, we lay low for a while." replied the Joker. "We go collect some funds from this Wizard bank and wait. When things cool down, no pun intended," He tipped his hand to Frost "we'll have a little fun with Bats while we wait for Harry's signal."
"Two things, Chuckles." interjected Sirius. "Presuming that you're referring to the guy in the bat suit, he was roasted by fiendfyre. Second, I thought you said that Harry was forcefully taken?"
"There are two people that I have come to NEVER underestimate – Batman and Harry." growled the Joker seriously.
If you were a student at Hogwarts and your name was Harry Quinn, life was good – relatively speaking. He had made a full recovery from the Mandrake's scream and his magical skills were improving by the day – thanks to his new 'private tutor'. In addition to that, Hermione had been slowly – but steadily – coming to grips with the idea that she was better off labeled a 'freak' than 'normal'. Even though Boot's actions had ruined his birthday surprises for Hermione, he could not help but admit that they had played a major role in her mental transformation. He still desired to murder Boot intimately, but Joseph and Hermione had convinced him that any actions against the little shit would only lead to his expulsion from the school. Any retaliation would have to look like an 'accident'.
The gossip about what Boot had done and how Harry had saved Hermione had quickly died away. They were replaced by non-stop talk of the fall of the mighty Wizard prison, Azkaban. Every day new reports came in via The Daily Prophet about how the prison had burnt to the ground and rumors about what caused it. Harry wondered whether the maniac that had killed his parents had anything to do with it or if could possibly be the work of someone more 'Muggle'.
Harry's first morning back in full classes was going according to plan – until it wasn't. He was thoroughly enjoying making Hermione smile by opening doors for her and helping her with her things. Then, at the end of their first class, Professor McGonagall pulled him aside to inform him that Professor Dumbledore had requested to see him in his office.
Not aware of any public displays over the past few days that would earn him a trip to the 'Principal's Office', Harry had accepted the request as an invitation to discuss what had happened to him in Herbology. He figured that the Headmaster had been watching him carefully; looking for signs of potential danger and just wanted to catch up.
"Lemon drops." said Harry, staring at the stone gargoyle that stood before him.
Harry watched with mild interest as the stone gargoyle moved aside to reveal a spiraling staircase. Both Joseph and Hermione had already informed him of the Headmaster's secret entrance, along with many other secret passages and shortcuts hidden within the castle. He chuckled to himself as the spiraling staircase began to move; lifting him up towards the office door above.
When Harry reached the door, he knocked using the 'shave and a haircut' that his aunt Harley loved so much.
"You may enter, Harry." called Professor Dumbledore.
"You wished to see me Headmaster?" asked Harry as he stepped into the Headmaster's office.
Harry's eyes went wide at the sight of all the shiny silvery objects that adorned the room. He had expected the grandness of the room, but it was the sheer amount of rare looking items that confounded him so.
"Yes Harry." replied Professor Dumbledore. "Please, come in and have a seat."
Harry walked over to the seat in front of the Headmaster's desk and sat down; noting that several of the portraits that hung on the wall were watching him curiously. Professor Dumbledore sat in a high back chair behind his grand desk, watching Harry with amusement; his eyes twinkling unnaturally behind his half-moon spectacles. Fawkes the phoenix, sat on his perch in the corner – observing the room in general.
"Harry, I asked for this little meeting so that I might find out how you are getting along and apologize for what happened in Herbology." continued Professor Dumbledore casually. "It was most unfortunate. Aside from that, have you had any difficulties settling in?"
"Headmaster, thank you for your concern, but I'm sure that if I was having any difficulties – you would be the first to know." replied Harry casually, raising his eyebrows slightly.
"Harry," chuckled Professor Dumbledore "I do not keep tabs on each and every student here at Hogwarts. It is my duty to keep an eye out over the student body as a whole. However, your case is very unique – as you well know. You come from a very different background than most of the students here – so you may have a harder time accepting the way things are here. Unfortunately, some of the students may have a hard time accepting you as well."
"Headmaster, the one thing that I have learned over the years is that 'normal' is an illusion." said Harry, placing his hands behind his head.
"Enlighten me, please." said Professor Dumbledore encouragingly. "I would love to hear your views."
"I'm sure that Professor Snape has already passed along our little conversation in Detention, but I'll bite." said Harry, smirking. "Normal is an illusion. You see, what's normal to the spider is chaos to the fly."
"Do you see me as a spider, Harry – or a fly?" asked Professor Dumbledore, now leaning forward onto his desk as though Harry was an interesting book.
"You're no fly, Professor." replied Harry casually, as though he was bored. "Then again, I don't see myself as a fly either."
A portrait on the wall hummed aloud at Harry's statement. Harry glanced at the portrait, hoping to hear the words of wisdom that Joseph said the portraits often liked to spout from time-to-time. Joseph had said that he had been a frequent guest in the Headmaster's office when he first started.
"Phineas." said Professor Dumbledore, clearing his throat in a way of warning.
"Forgive me, Headmaster," said the portrait "but I have never heard such from a Gryffindor before. Even my great-great grandson showed some respect."
"Forgive me for sounding disrespectful." said Harry, addressing both Professor Dumbledore and the portrait. "I was actually paying the Headmaster a compliment."
"Thank you, Harry." said Professor Dumbledore, inclining his head to Harry. "Based upon your background, I accept it as such. Like I have said already… you are unique in many ways."
"Forgive me, Headmaster, but what unique qualities do I have that interest you?" asked Harry, scratching his chin.
"Harry, thanks in hand to your upbringing you are far more mature than other students here your age." said Dumbledore, sounding a little sad. "I had originally wanted to allow you all the privileges of being young, but now I realize that you need to understand what lies ahead of you."
"If you mean by 'privileges of being young' as 'ignorant and foolish'," said Harry dryly "then I would rather be spared my privileges."
Mr J had taught Harry many things, but one of the most important lessons that he had learned was that being ignorant to your surroundings could get you killed.
"I have always believed that there is some small portion of happiness in the ignorance of youth, Harry." said Professor Dumbledore. "The future only becomes more complicated the older you get – trust me on this. However, I will start by saying that of all the students in this school, you are one of the few that have inherited enemies, not from family, but from life already lived."
"One of these said enemies includes the maniac that killed my parents, correct?" asked Harry, raising one eyebrow.
"Correct, I'm afraid." sighed Professor Dumbledore. "As much as people wish to believe that he has gone forever, Lord Voldemort will some day return. In that day, you will be forced to face him as he will seek to finish what he started with your parents."
"Is this why you so aggressively pursued me, Headmaster?" asked Harry, his brow furrowed. "So that you could train me to one day face this Voldemort?"
"Harry, when the time comes that Lord Voldemort returns, I may not be here to combat him." said Professor Dumbledore. "I am quite old after-all."
"Sorry Headmaster, but this sounds too much like a suicide squad scenario." said Harry, standing to leave; tired of what he was hearing. "And I know how those scenarios work. I agreed to come here out of curiosity, nothing more."
"Harry, should Lord Voldemort ever return – many here would be in terrible danger." said Professor Dumbledore. "Muggleborns like Ms Granger, the sons and daughters of those that fought against him like Mr Longbottom and families considered by him to be blood traitors like the Weasleys would be almost certainly facing death at every turn."
"Headmaster," said Harry stopping just shy of the door, not turning to look at him "It doesn't matter what my parents were… I'm no hero."
"It's not a hero that I'm looking for, Harry." said Professor Dumbledore.
"You don't show all your cards, Headmaster." said Harry, turning to face the age-ed Professor. "I admire that."
"With age comes wisdom for those that seek it, Harry." said Professor Dumbledore. "One my age is either very wise or very foolish."
"You ever met a Muggle by the name of Amanda Waller?" asked Harry.
"I cannot say that I have." replied Professor Dumbledore.
"Neither have I," said Harry smirking "but from everything that I've heard about her I think that you two would get along quite nicely."
Professor Dumbledore raised his eyebrows slightly and smiled at Harry; his eyes twinkling again.
"Here's the deal, Headmaster." continued Harry. "Teach me what I need to know to kill the maniac, and when the day comes I'll slay your dragon. Just don't expect anything more from me than that."
"Agreed, Harry Quinn." said Professor Dumbledore, smiling. "Agreed."
Harry turned to leave but paused when Professor Dumbledore hailed him one more time.
"Harry, before you leave, may I ask one more question?" asked Professor Dumbledore.
"Ask away, Headmaster." replied Harry.
"Has your aunt Harley ever mentioned a man by the name of Sirius Black to you?" asked Professor Dumbledore, a slight ring to his voice that suggested he was trying to be too casual.
"Nope." replied Harry, popping the "P". "Never heard that name before. Should I have?"
"No, I did not think you had." replied Professor Dumbledore. "He was once a friend of your mother and father. He passed just recently and if you knew him… well I was just going to pass along my condolences."
"Sorry, Headmaster," said Harry "but this 'world' was never a hot topic growing up."
"No issue at all." said Professor Dumbledore. "Have an excellent day, Harry Quinn."
~~Ace~~
"What did the Headmaster want?" asked Joseph, taking a seat across from Harry in the Library later that afternoon.
"Sound like Hermione." quipped Harry. "No hello – how are you – have killed anyone today? Whatever happened to the pleasantries?"
"Cut the crap, kid." hissed Joseph. "Your jokes aren't funny to me."
"So tense… so tense." retorted Harry. "Alice not satisfying anymore?"
"I'm going to ignore that comment and move on, kid." growled Joseph. "Now, what did the old man want?"
"Just wanted to kick back, catch up, make sure that I wasn't on the edge… oh, and to let me know that he wants to train me to kill Voldemort when he returns." mused Harry, his hands behind his head.
"He expects You-Know-Who to return?" repeated Joseph in a hushed tone, leaning closer.
"Yeah, he mentioned that to me the first day that he met me." replied Harry. "Only now he expects me to kill the bastard."
"What did you say?" asked Joseph, his brow furrowed.
"I told him sure, why not." smirked Harry. "I mean, he says that the maniac will try to kill a lot of people and I've gotten so use to your smiling faces that I'd hate to see that happen."
"Never would have pegged you for a martyr, kid." snorted Joseph, leaning back in his chair.
"Martyr?" repeated Harry. "You've missed the point, tutor oh mine. Martyrs are heroes. The moment I hear that he's back, I'll start planning my ways to kill the bastard."
"I think you're underestimating the bastard, kid." growled Joseph.
"Am I, Joseph?" retorted Harry, leaning forward; a sadistic smile curving his face. "Or are you underestimating me?"
"Back from re-con so soon?" quipped John Constantine, cracking his neck as he stretched in his chair.
"No sign of the Joker, Frost, Ivy, Harley, Narcissa Malfoy, or even that big black dog of theirs." railed off Batman dryly.
"Surprised?" retorted John, spinning around in his chair to face him. "They just burnt the Wizard prison to the ground and humiliated the entire British Magical Ministry. You're no longer the only person hunting them. They've made their presence felt in the magical community like no Muggle since Hitler!"
"You so sure that Hitler was a Muggle?"
Batman and John spun round looking for the source of the voice.
"Show yourself!" demanded Batman.
"People have been demanding that for years." retorted the voice. "Instead, I think I'll just step into the light."
Out of the shadows, cast by the florescentlight of the bunker, stepped a man wearing a long blue trench-coat, suit, fedora, yellow shirt, black tie, gloves and seemingly no face.
"Question?" quipped John. "What the bloody hell are you doing here?"
"Like you said, John, the Joker and his gang have been making quite the scene." said the Question. "The question is, why? Of course, we all know the answer – but then, do we."
"What do you think we're missing?" retorted Batman.
"You think it is because of Harry Potter, but why would the Joker burn a prison to the ground when it's not the prison Harry Potter is in." said Question, talking in circles.
"Enough riddles, Q." snapped John. "This entire island has been turned upside down thanks to that cynical clown. Even the Muggles have noticed that something is wrong."
"Yes. The Muggle Ministry was informed so that they can be on the lookout for the notorious villains." agreed Question. "Still, we must answer the question… Why."
"Question, why are you calling people Muggles?" asked Batman. "You and I are both Muggles."
"I'm trying to reduce the confusion, Batman." retorted Question.
Batman rubbed his face and cowl in frustration. The Question had a way of getting to him.
"I'm certain that you have a theory, Q." said John, lighting up a Silk Cut. "Please feel free to share."
"There is one anomaly." said Question. "According to the British Wizard newspaper, The Daily Prophet, a wizard by the name of Sirius Black was arrested and sentenced to Azkaban nearly twelve years ago. This Sirius Black was a close friend to Harry Potter's parents. He was convicted of killing one Wizard, thirteen Muggles and betraying the Potters."
"How do you know this?" asked Batman.
"I have a friend that works for The Daily Prophet." replied Question. "She allowed me to look at the archives."
"You believe that the Joker went to all that trouble to kill this Sirius Black for betraying Harley's sister?" asked John in disbelief.
"No." replied Question. "Sirius Black was sentenced without trial. I believe that he was framed and that they went there to rescue him. He would make an incredible ally."
"Then they failed." said John.
"Did they?" retorted Batman. "They had a Witch with them. Remember? For all we know they could have turned him into a matchbox and shoved him in their pocket."
"Or… a large black dog." said John, blowing a long stream of smoke.
"We must assume then that they succeeded… if this was indeed their goal." said Question grimly.
Harry yawned as he explored one of the secret passages that Joseph and the twins had told him about. It had been a long week, capped off by a midnight training session with Vincent Crabbe, Gregory Goyle, Neville Longbottom and Luna Lovegood. Vincent and Gregory weren't as dumb as many portrayed them to be, though he had to admit that next to Neville and Luna they looked like cavemen. Neville and Luna had joined the Saturday night session for the first time. It created a small bit of awkwardness at first, but that soon dissipated as they got down to business.
Harry knew that Hermione, even as far as she had come down the rabbit hole since Boot's attack, still wasn't ready to accept his training methods and might be turned away by such. As for Luna, she enjoyed it thoroughly; learning the art of psychological warfare. Neville, the blunt of many bully's attacks, was like a sponge; absorbing everything that Harry said.
Harry wanted to invite the twins to join them as well, but thought it best to expand the group slowly. Besides, he didn't think that the twins needed much training. If anything, they might be able to teach the group a couple of things about 'wearing the warpaint'.
He had just followed the passage to a hidden courtyard and was about to turn back when he heard someone talking to their self. He wasn't sure if the voice was male of female. It had a unique pitch and sounded rather raspy. Harry edged slowly into the courtyard, staying in the shadows; his wand at the ready.
"Show yourself!" demanded the raspy voice. "Be ye ghostly or fleshly?"
"I be Harry." said Harry boldly, standing up and looking around for the source of the voice; his wand at attention. "Harry Quinn."
"I be Harry." repeated the voice mockingly. "Ye be fleshly ickle student."
"And what are you, my mysterious voice?" retorted Harry, laughing manically.
Suddenly, a small figure of a pale man in a matching bowler hat and vest appeared in front of Harry; floating several feet off the ground. He wore small shoes and striped pants that clashed oddly with his hat and vest. He was almost transparent, but more solid than the ghosts of Hogwarts. Harry tilted his head to one side as he examined the small man floating in front of him. The small man examined him as well.
"Peevsie not scare you?" asked the small floating man.
"Peevsie's your name?" retorted Harry. "Tell me, why would you scare me?"
"My name is Peeves the Poltergeist!" hissed the small man. "Only I call me self Peevsie!"
"So you're a poltergeist!" said Harry, his eyes widening in delight. "I didn't know that Hogwarts had one!"
Peeves circled Harry several times before stopping and laying down in mid air; propping his head up with one hand.
"There's something different about you, ickle student." said Peeves the Poltergeist, squinting at Harry. "Something manic in your eyes and voice. I LIKE IT!"
"If you like it, then call me Harry." said Harry calmly, his smile growing broader. "Tell me, why haven't I seen you around the castle?"
"I was trapped in this courtyard by Dumbledore!" exclaimed Peeves. "Here you can scream, wail, shout all you want but no one will ever hear you."
"Why did he trap you here?" asked Harry.
"Peeves was having too much fun with the ickle students." replied Peeves. "Pulling their hair, pushing them down stairs, throwing brooms at them. He said I was scaring them."
"Isn't that what poltergeists are suppose to do?" asked Harry, thinking of all the tales he had heard growing up in the non-magical world.
"You think Peevsie should be allowed to be Peevsie?" asked the poltergeist.
"Absolutely!" laughed Harry. "You're exactly what this school needs! A bit of chaos."
The eyes of the poltergeist danced with wicked intent at the sound of the word 'chaos'.
"Free me, Harry Quiny, and Peevsie will do just that!" exclaimed the poltergeist.
"How do I do that?" asked Harry.
"See that talisman hanging on the pole in the middle of the courtyard?" asked the poltergeist.
Harry looked up to see a golden talisman hanging from the top of a pole in the center of the courtyard.
"I see it." replied Harry.
"Peevsie cannot touch it. Place it in a magical rune trunk and Peevsie will be free to roam the castle once more!" exclaimed the poltergeist.
"Can you not leave the castle?" asked Harry.
"Peevsie am bound to the magic of this castle." replied Peeves. "Peevsie cannot leave. Wizards cannot send me away." The poltergeist circled Harry again, looking excited. "So, Harry Quiny, will you free Peevsie?"
"On one condition." said Harry, scratching his chin.
"NAME IT!" shouted Peeves, doing a back flip.
"From here on out, you do what I say." said Harry calmly. "I will keep the talisman. As long as you do my bidding, I will let you reek havoc on this school."
"Consider Peevsie your humble servant." said the poltergeist, bowing and flashing a toothy grin that would put Mr J to shame. "What be your first request?"
"Revenge." said Harry, laughing sadistically.
Peeves joined Harry in a laughter that would send chills down the spine of any living being.
Hermione was sitting alone in the common room, waiting for Harry to return when Neville entered from his training session.
"How did it go?" asked Hermione, knowing exactly where he had been. She wasn't called the brightest witch of her age for no reason.
"Go?" repeated Neville, looking awkward at her.
"Come off it, Nev." sighed Hermione. "I know that you've been training with Harry tonight."
"Um… how?" asked Neville, not sure what else to say.
"It's okay Nev." said Hermione, gesturing for him to join her on the sofa. "I know that Harry doesn't think that I'm ready to see his other side."
"He's really not any different than usual, Hermione." said Neville, sitting down next to her. "He's just explaining to us why he acts the way he does and how to manipulate those that think they are normal."
"Then why doesn't he think I'm ready?" asked Hermione, biting her lower lip. "I mean I've come to realize that I'm not 'normal', nor will I ever be in the Wizarding world."
"It's not just understanding how they think." said Neville, rubbing his hands together nervously. "Harry doesn't pretend to be mad at times. He embraces the madness. It's like he can turn it on and off like a Muggle motor car. It was bloody scary at first, but he's always in control."
"Did he say how he does it?" asked Hermione, as though studying for a test.
"He said that we need to find our starting point and remember where it is." said Neville. "That way, we can always return."
"I don't understand." said Hermione, furrowing her brow. "What do you mean by starting point?"
"A sane thought, if you will." replied Neville, getting excited. "It's like he has two identities. He said it tonight. When he's calm and calculating he's Harry. When he's manic and scary he's Ace. He said that we have to find our inner ego and let it come out to play, but be able to shelf it at a moment's notice."
"Sounds hard." said Hermione, trying to contemplate the idea.
The sound of the portrait hole closing alerted them to Harry's arrival.
"Waiting up for me?" asked Harry devilishly as he flopped down in a cushy arm chair next to the sofa. "How delightful."
"Neville was just explaining a bit of his training." said Hermione, raising one eyebrow.
"Wow am I tired." said Neville yawning dramatically. "See you in the morning… I hope."
Neville hopped over the back of the sofa and bolted up the stairs before either could say a word. Hermione stared at Harry relentlessly, waiting for him to speak.
"Don't approve?" asked Harry.
"Are you asking or is that what you think?" retorted Hermione.
"So you want to know why I didn't invite you." sighed Harry, standing up and strolling over to the fireplace.
"Scared, Harry Quinn?" asked Hermione, folding her arms.
"Scared?" repeated Harry, looking at Hermione; his eyebrows raised. "What do you mean?"
"Are you scared that I'll somehow see something that scares me and I'll run away?" pressed Hermione, standing up and walking over to face him.
Harry's eyes went wide as he looked at Hermione. He stared so hard that it was almost indecent; causing her cheeks to burn.
"Are you ready to embrace the freak?" breathed Harry.
"I'm tired of being pushed around and feel as though I'm less than others." replied Hermione. "I want to have the confidence that you have. I want to know how you do it."
"Then I will show you." breathed Harry. "I will show you how to make the 'normal' people nervous. I will show you how to find the other person inside you – the 'freak' that they will fear."
Whenever Harry said freak, she felt powerful. Her chest rose and fell as her breathing increased. It was as though he was giving her hope – making a promise to her. She did not fear what the 'normal' people would think. She simply felt sorry for those pathetic souls that would try to stop Harry. She smiled and her smile was reflected in Harry; a manic, dangerous smile.
A/N: Belated Trick or Treat! Hope you enjoyed the chapter! I know it was a short one. I was planning on releasing my Halloween chapter, but I got caught up in the moment and wrote this one ahead of it. No Beta so any mistakes are mine! Please review! Thanks for reading!