Trick 97: Fixing everything ft. Hermione

Ace was standing at the door to Slughorn's christmas party as Sharon fixed his bowtie, giggling "You look so stupid. I love it!" Ace's lips twitched and he looked at her in a beautiful black dress, saying "I can barely even see your concealed carry!"

Sharon slapped his chest and said "I got dressed up for you!" Ace rolled his eyes, retorting "Right!" as he pushed the door and walked in, continuing "Just for me! You were definitely not interested in Wizards! No way, right!?"

Sharon glared at him, slapping his arm as she said "Shut up! Who wouldn't be?!" Ace brought her along, saying "Ohoh~ I bet your CIA buddies would be interested too." Sharon squeezed his arm, retorting "I'm not having this conversation again! I am on vacation, not a mission!"

Ace rolled his eyes and whispered "Electronics don't work around magic by the way." Sharon smiled sweetly at him, replying "Good thing I didn't bring any~" as she pinched his arm.

Ace nearly shouted, "Ow!" Sharon covered her mouth and laughed as Ace grinned in pain, rubbing his arm.

The other guests looked over and whispered to each other in disapproval.

Ace couldn't care less, Sharon looked around and hummed "Very fancy. Is everything like this?" Ace replied "More or less… Very big on etiquette, it's kinda annoying…" Slughorn looked over and laughed "Ace! Hahaha! You didn't forget!" before walking over.

Ace smiled happily and shook Slughorn's hand, saying "How could I?" before introducing Sharon, "Horace, this is my fiance, Sharon." Sharon held Slughorn's hand as he smiled "Charmed! I have to ask, is this different from the muggle world?"

Sharon smiled and looked at Ace briefly before replying "Much more proper. Quite the beautiful party, Horace." Slughorn smiled happily and replied "Well, I've invited all previous Slug Club students as well as friends, of course. Please! Enjoy yourselves! Absolute pleasure meeting you!"

Sharon smiled gently, "Charmed. Have a pleasant evening." Slughorn smiled and walked away humming to himself.

Ace looked at her in shock, she rolled her eyes, "I know how to be elegant! What's that look for?" Ace swallowed and replied "It is weird that I'm more attracted to you now than 20 seconds ago?" Sharon giggled and hugged his arm as Neville walked up, asking "Drinks?"

Ace's eyes lit up and he said "Sharon, this is Neville. He's one of my students, extremely smart in Herbology." coughing out "Magic plants" Sharon smiled and said "Hello, Neville." Neville smiled happily, laughing in embarrassment "Not enough for the slug club, I'm afraid. Haha…"

Ace took two glasses and winked "Not yet, Neville. Oh right, did you finish the book I suggested?" Neville let out a breath and said excitedly "Yes! The part of Lily spotted purple vinethorns helped a ton!"

Ace hummed and replied "I thought so, Professor Sprout usually tries to make exams harder with plants that are not commonly found. When you return to the library, take out volumes 76 and 91 to read over the holiday." Neville smiled and nodded and replied happily "Okay! Thanks, Professor!" before walking off.

Sharon looked at Ace and teased "Ohh~ Lily spotted Purple Vinethorns! Thrilling!" Ace scratched his cheek and grinded his teeth, "Shut up!" Sharon laughed and took the glass from him, winking as she walked to the side.

Ace rolled his eyes and drank his drink, making the glass disappear as he walked after her.

Ace pointed at various people, whispering to Sharon as she nodded, replying "Wow… You can do that?!" Ace snorted "What do they know? I'm an expert on everything." Sharon rolled her eyes and agreed "Especially on pissing me off. You do that real good." Ace grinned and rubbed her exposed shoulders, saying "I can do other things real good too."

Sharon giggled and kissed his cheek, "Really, how come I don't know?" Ace laughed and smirked, "You'll have to ask my mistress." Sharon rolled her eyes, sipping from her glass as she replied "Highly doubtful. I don't think anyone else will put up with your bullshit."

Ace's lips twitched and he said "You can pretend, you know?" Sharon patted his cheek and smiled sweetly, "I'm just being honest, fiance~" Ace looked embarrassed and said "I was just saying…" Sharon looked into his eyes and sipped her drink, saying "Mhmm…"

Ace swallowed and said softly "If you… don't mind… me saying that… you know?" Sharon looked at him and said "Well, I mean… I don't really…" as they were about to kiss.

When suddenly they were interrupted by a cough, "Hello! I'm Hermione!" Ace froze and Sharon turned, smiling "Sharon." Hermione squinted, smiling as they shook hands, "Charmed."

Sharon smiled and turned to Ace, saying "Charmed." Ace rubbed the bridge of his nose, saying "Sharon, this is-" Hermione introduced herself "Hermione Granger. I'm his apprentice… You must be… the Agent?"

Sharon nodded, glancing at Ace as she replied "That's right. You're very… informed." Hermione gave her a fake smile, saying "On certain things probably more than you." Sharon turned to her and curled her lips, asking "Oh really now?"

Hermione snorted and replied "Without a doubt." Sharon turned to Ace and smiled "Honey, why don't you go grab more drinks, 'kay~?" Ace pointed at the glass in her hand, saying "But you-" Sharon squeezed the glass to powder, saying "Go get drinks. 'Kay?"

Ace swallowed and nodded, Sharon kissed him before sending him off and turning to Hermione with pursed lips. Hermione scowled at her as Ace went off.

He bumped into Harry, who looked at him, asking "Is that your girlfriend?" Ace let out a breath and nodded, "Yep." Harry smiled, "Beautiful." Ace turned and looked at Sharon replying "Beautiful, yes. Scary, also yes."

Harry looked confused, "Scary?" Ace replied "She crushed a glass to powder, imagine what else she can crush…" Harry shivered from head to toe and nodded, "I see. Very scary perhaps." Ace licked his lips and nodded, agreeing with Harry.

Sharon crossed her arms and asked "What is your problem, girl?" looking Hermione up and down, adding "In love?" Hermione waved "No!" as she frowned, adding "I know you. Master has talked about you."

Sharon was surprised but Hermione continued "Only when he's really drunk and sad! And I know what you did! He's cried many times over you! Hmph! I don't like you!" Sharon froze and asked softly "He has?" Hermione snorted angrily "Yes!"

Sharon sighed and replied "I didn't know that… What else has he said?" Hermione frowned and looked at her for a moment, replying softly "He…"

Ace came back with drinks and saw Hermione and Sharon hugging and crying. He was stunned and Harry was in the same spot with a dumbfounded look on his face, Ace asked in shock "What happened?"

Harry swallowed and replied "Mate, honestly… I have no idea…" Ace muttered "Women are strange…" Harry nodded and replied "You can say that again…"

Ace walked over and asked "Um… Hello?" Sharon let go of Hermione, hugging Ace, saying "Awe~ You poor baby! Come here." before kissing him. Ace stood rooted on the spot, a dumbfounded look on his face as Sharon pulled back, holding his cheeks, saying "I love you."

Ace said with squished cheeks, "Uh… I lof you to?" Sharon sniffed and hugged him tight. Ace turned to Hermione, who wiped her eyes and smiled happily, clapping.

Ace looked at her in confusion as Sharon took her drink, leaning on him lovingly. He was still speechless and Hermione giggled, "I'll leave you two lovebirds alone." before curtsying and walking off, letting out a happy breath, humming to herself.

Ace watched her go with his mouth wide open, Sharon hummed and hugged his arm, saying "Do you want to eat?" Ace turned to her and said finally, "What the fuck are you doing?!"

Sharon looked at him in confusion, asking "What?" Ace dragged her to a table, sitting down as he whispered "What happened to you all of a sudden? First you want to kill me, now you're all lovey dovey! It's really fucking confusing! Also you said you love me for the first time just now it's really fucking strange! You're scaring me a bit."

Sharon held his hands and smiled gently, "Your apprentice told me what you said about me." Ace blinked in confusion and Sharon rubbed his hands, saying "When you're drunk you cry about me. Even for four years you still thought of me… I-... I'm sorry for lying to you, Ace. Really."

Ace looked at her as his eyes watered and he took his hands back saying "Stop." his face was very imbalanced and she sighed, "I just… I didn't know that you felt that way…" he was about to cry as she looked at him gently "Really, I mean it. I'm sorry…"

Ace swallowed and said "G-Good." Sharon held his hands again and muttered "And I think…" she scratched behind her ear, clearing her throat "And I think I really do love you." before letting out a breath and looking away.

Ace squeezed her hands, pulling her into his arms as he whispered in her ear, "Me too." Sharon grabbed his shirt and gripped on tight, smiling warmly. Ace kissed her head and rubbed her back, getting her off him as he smiled awkwardly "Hungry?"

Sharon sniffed and cleared her throat "Yes." Ace licked his lips and said "I'll be right back!" as he got up, walking away. Sharon turned to see him turn a corner and shake a fist secretly, she giggled and tilted her head, smiling sweetly.

The rest of the night went very well and Ace left with Sharon that night to her apartment. However, he saw Filch bring Draco into the party saying that he was lurking around… but Snape handled it so Ace wasn't worried.

The holiday was peaceful and happy just like always, however Hermione decided to pop by and Ace taught her while spending time with Sharon. They visited Peggy while Hermione stayed at the apartment all the way until Sharon returned to the US and Ace and Hermione returned to Hogwarts.

However, not even a month later