Trick 96: Magic can also make little girls happy

Ace was walking around the castle, looking for Hermione. She missed their lesson! Which was highly unusual for her.

He came to a room and saw her crying on the steps. Ace was stunned and walked over saying with a frown "What happened, Hermione? Did someone hurt you? I'll expel them!" Hermione looked up and jumped into Ace's arms, bawling her eyes out without a word.

Ace rubbed her back with a frown as Harry came down the stairs. Ace looked at him and Harry frowned, mouthing "Ron and Lavender were snogging." after which he shrugged in confusion.

Ace understood and sighed, rubbing Hermione's back as he said softly "There, there… Come with me, I'll make some hot chocolate…" he looked at Harry and jerked his head to come along, but Harry raised his hand and shook his head.

Ace smiled and nodded at him, bringing Hermione away. He passed by Ron and Lavender, Harry looked at Ace, who scowled at Ron, flicking at him as he said "Riddikulus."

Ron suddenly turned into a clown with makeup, a rainbow afro, clown clothes, and hilariously oversized shoes that made funny noises when he walked. Harry spat and burst out laughing as Ace walked away, waving behind him.

A camera appeared, snapping a picture of Ron's stunned face before disappearing.

Ron looked at Harry and said in confusion "What did I do?!" Harry chuckled and shook his head, holding his stomach as he waved "I-I don't know… Hahahah!" before walking back up the stairs.

Ace brought Hermione to his room. He sat her at his desk and snapped, a steaming cup of hot chocolate appeared in front of her.

He sat on the other side of the desk, creating a chair out of thin air as he smiled gently "Drink. It'll make you feel better." Hermione sniffled and drank from the mug slowly, Ace wiped her mouth with a napkin, smiling "Better?"

Hermione wiped her eyes and said "A little." Ace leaned back and tapped his chin, "Hmm." he made a ball with his hands before uncovering them as a frog with a top hat leapt out onto the table.

Hermione looked at the frog with a sad face.

The frog looked at her before standing up, singing and dancing "Hello My Baby! Hello My Honey! Hello My Rag time Gaaaal~ Send me a kiss by wiiire~ Baby my hearts on fiiiiire~ If you refuse me, honey you'll lose me, then I'll be left alone~ Oh baby~ Telephone and tell me I'm you allllll~"

Before stopping and squatting back on the desk.

Hermione sniffed and smiled, giggling. Ace grinned and uncovered his hands again as a gecko leapt out, however this one had a white curled wig.

The Frog and Gecko suddenly held shoulders and danced, singing "Everybody do the Michigan Raaaag~ Everybody loves the Michigan Raaaaag~ Hop and skip and jump and love the Michigan raaaaag~"

Hermione laughed and Ace tapped the table as the frog and gecko separated, singing in harmony, as Ace waved the music to life, "Libiamo, libiamo ne' lieti calici, che la bellezza infiora~ E la fuggevol, fuggevol ora s'inebri a voluttà~ Libiam nei dolci fremiti che suscita l'amore~ Poiché quell'occhio al core onnipossente va~ Libiamo, amore, amore fra i calici più caldi baci avrà~"

Hermione looked at Ace and clapped with a sweet smile. Ace waved and the two little guys disappeared as he smiled "Better?" Hermione nodded, "Much better." Ace ruffled her hair as he said "Good."

Hermione looked down and teared up, smiling "Thank you, Master." Ace flicked her nose, smiling gently, "Of course, how can I let my cute little apprentice cry?" before lifting her chin as he continued "However, you should be studying more and thinking about boys less."

Hermione pursed her lips and looked at him in amusement. Ace pinched her lips, frowning "And Weasley? Honestly! I don't understand your taste, strange girl. No boys. Never." Hermione's eyes twitched and she snorted, moving Ace's hand away as she said "I can like whomever I choose!"

Ace rolled his eyes and slid a polaroid over, saying "You're gonna want to take a look at this first." Hermione looked at the picture and burst out laughing, saying "Ridiculous! Hahahaha!" Ace smiled warmly and acted serious, tapping the picture "This is the boy you like? Nothing special! Looks like a clown to me!"

Hermione held her stomach and laughed, tearing up at the corner of her eyes.

Ace smiled and watched her, saying "Honestly though, you can do better. I do not consent." Hermione calmed down and wiped her eyes, asking "I didn't ask though." Ace sighed and replied "I'm just saying. As your Master, I do not approve. If I have to be honest with you, I hardly see how it can work out… You'll be traveling across the Universe studying magic with me, right?"

Hermione fell silent and Ace asked "Or do you not want that? Are you fine with living as a normal person?" Hermione frowned, "Normal person?" Ace explained "I have extremely high hopes for you, Hermione. I don't want you to sit around and become the Minister of Magic or whatever. It's all bullshit. I think you can serve a higher purpose!"

Hermione looked at him as he continued "You can become a Guardian of Earth! What is the Minister of Magic in comparison? You can become a hero and protector just like me…" Hermione asked, "You'll return to Kamar-Taj, you mean?"

Ace frowned before sighing "Eventually… I don't know when and I don't know how, but the world is becoming more dangerous, not just for Witches and Wizards, but normal people too. The average joe on the side of the road is afraid of aliens and the like… Maybe, I can change Kamar-Taj's rules."

He frowned and muttered "They can't continue to sit aside and do nothing anymore! I have a bad feeling about things…" Hermione frowned, asking "What is it?" Ace frowned deeply, before smiling "It's nothing to concern yourself about. Don't worry. Even if the worst comes, I will be standing in front of you." Hermione opened her mouth and Ace raised his hand, saying "Enough. All you need to know is that we will be returning to Kamar-Taj eventually."

Before pausing and looking at her, continuing "Or will I be going by myself?" Hermione bit her nail and Ace slapped her hand, muttering "Bad habit." Hermione looked at him and frowned, "I want to continue learning, but I don't know if I'm cut out to protect the world as you say, Master…"

Ace smiled slightly, squeezing her cheek as he replied gently "My cute little apprentice… You stood up to Voldemort to save your teacher, I think you're more than capable of fighting interdimensional beings of unfathomable power." Hermione looked worried, replying softly "That doesn't sound reassuring…"

Ace laughed and poked her nose, smiling happily "Don't worry! If we die, we die together! Hahahahaha! Plus, these interdimensional beings, they're no big deal. Only extremely angry and annoying… According to the Ancient One…"

Hermione swallowed and Ace grinned, snickering as Hermione worried about her future well being…

Another few weeks passed