Trick 98: Telling an old man what's good!

Ace was standing in the infirmary, looking at Ron in a hospital bed. Hermione was sitting next to him and Ace waved his hand, scooting her chair to the side as he scowled. Hermione rolled her eyes at him and Dumbledore patted Ace's shoulder, saying "Quick thinking on your part, Harry. Using a Bezoar."

As he looked at Harry before turning back to Ron briefly, looking over at Slughorn as he added "You must be very proud of your student, Horace." Slughorn looked at Ron with a confused look, muttering "Hm? Oh, yes. Very proud."

Minerva said "I think we agree, Potter's actions were heroic!" Ace muttered "And unnecessary…" Minerva glared at him as Dumbledore chuckled, Hermione snorted in amusement, glancing at Ace as Minerva added, "The question is, why were they necessary?"

Dumbledore turned to Slughorn, muttering "Why, indeed." as he walked over, asking "You don't remember who gave this to you, do you, Horace?" Slughorn shook his head and Dumbledore took the bottle of mead, sniffing it as he said "Remarkably subtle hints of Licorice and Cherry… when not polluted with poison…" handing the bottle to Snape.

Ace looked at the bottle as Slughorn replied "Well, actually, I intended to give it as a gift myself." Dumbledore looked at him and asked "To whom, might I ask?" Slughorn sighed "To you, Headmaster…"

Ace frowned and looked at Snape, who turned to him, frowning.

Dumbledore turned to Minerva and they shared a glance.

Before anything else could happen, a girl ran in shouting "Where is he?! Where's my Won-won?!" Ace crossed his arms and cleared his throat, looking at Hermione, who scowled at him as Lavender pushed through the Professors, saying "What's she doing here?"

Hermione looked at her, saying "I could ask you the same thing!" Lavender stepped forward saying "I happen to be his girlfriend!" Hermione retorted "I happen to be his friend!"

Ace nodded with his eyes closed as Minerva rolled her eyes. Lavender snorted "Don't make me laugh! You two haven't spoken in weeks! I suppose you want to make up with him now that he's all interesting!" Ace coughed violently and turned his head, clearing his throat as the other Professors looked at him.

Dumbledore smiled in amusement.

Hermione looked at Lavender and shouted softly "He's been poisoned, you daft bimbo! And for the record, I've always found him interesting!" Ron started making strange noises and Lavender said "Ah! See! He senses my presence."

Ace leaned over to Minerva and whispered "Yeah, the boy's a seer alright…" Minerva cleared her throat and slapped Ace's chest while covering her mouth and glaring at him. He chuckled under his breath and turned back to the performance.

Lavender held the bed frame saying "Don't worry, Won-won. I'm here!" Ron spoke a little saying "Huh… mine.. E… Hermi.. Knee… Hermione…"

Dumbledore covered his mouth and Lavender froze. Ace frowned and waved his hand, rolling Ron over as he muttered "Foul pig…" Lavender ran out of the infirmary while crying and Ace clapped "Alright, Hermione! Time to study! Let's go!" as he waved his hand.

Her chair turned into chains and wrapped around her, dragging her along as he walked out of the infirmary, humming to himself.

Dumbledore watched them go and smiled "Ah. To be young and feel love's keen sting."

The next day

Ace was walking in the halls, humming to himself as he texted on his phone. Just as he passed by a bathroom, he heard a shout "Sectumsempra!" Ace frowned and turned to the bathroom, walking inside quickly.

He came to see Harry staring at Malfoy's bleeding body in shock. Ace grabbed the book from Harry's hands and frowned, "I think you've read enough, yeah?" Harry nodded frantically as Snape passed by them.

Harry backed off before leaving quickly.

Ace frowned as he watched him go, turning to Draco, taking out his wand.

Snape held his hand up, running his wand over Draco's wounds, "Vulnera Sanentur…" Ace squatted next to Draco, ripping his shirt off and helping Snape.

When they were done, Ace looked at Draco, frowning, "Poor boy." Snape looked at Draco and added softly, "Indeed." Ace handed Snape the book as he picked up Draco to bring him to the infirmary.

Snape held the book and looked at Ace, who said "A potions book for a Potions Master. I hope you keep it well." Snape stayed silent as Ace left the bathroom. Snape held the book and looked to the door as the book exploded into flames, slipping through his fingers as dust, being washed away by the water, never to be seen by another soul…

A few days later

Ace walked into Dumbledore's office, smiling "What's up, old man?" Dumbledore was looking out the window as he smiled "Ace, my boy. How is Ms. Granger?" Ace smiled and nodded "Very good. She's brilliant."

Dumbledore nodded and replied "Yes and a very good Minister candidate." as he gave Ace a look, adding "However I assume you have other plans for her." Ace nodded and pursed his lips, replying "Simply being a Minister is a shame to her talents so I want her to become something more. Perhaps even a Sorcerer Supreme."

Dumbledore raised his brows and nodded, "I see! Quite high expectations you hold for your apprentice, Ace." Ace smiled gently and replied "I really think she can do it. Otherwise I wouldn't interfere with her life. Not to mention forcing her into a life of constant fighting rather than leisure."

Dumbledore nodded and smiled as he looked out the window, "And Ms. Granger has agreed?" Ace nodded and said "Yep! Fortunately, otherwise I would be pretty sad. Hahah!"

Dumbledore chuckled and said "I invited you here today, Ace, because I wanted you to have something." Ace had a question mark over his head and Dumbledore whistled. Fawkes flew over and landed on Dumbledore's shoulder, rubbing his head on Dumbledore's.

Dumbledore scratched under Fawke's chin, saying "It is my understanding that your rabbit passed?" Ace froze and swallowed "Yes… During the 4th year…" as he pulled out a crystal with a shadow of a rabbit inside."

Dumbledore sighed and said "Fragile, isn't it? Life, that is." Ace sighed and rubbed the crystal, replying sadly "Very… It seemed like only yesterday I had Bruce with me… He lived for over 20 years somehow."

Dumbledore smiled gently and said "Ace, I think perhaps it was you, who kept him alive. Your magic made him live to such a long age and when he felt he was no longer necessary to make you happy, he simply… let go."

Ace frowned and sucked in, asking "Old man…" Dumbledore smiled and said "I'm terribly sorry, Ace. You see, I find that me and Bruce… We're not quite different… At any rate, Ace. I'm scheduling a trip and I find myself having no one to watch over Fawkes, I was hoping to entrust him to you."

Ace was stunned and looked at Dumbledore seriously, asking "Old man are you saying-" Dumbledore waved his hand and smiled "I haven't the slightest clue of what you're talking about. I only wish to have someone watch over Fawkes." Ace clenched his fists and stayed silent for a moment, saying "You can yourself, old man. Stop fooling around."

Dumbledore shook his head, saying "I recall one of the first times we met, Ace. You were amazed by the simplest magic." as he chuckled, continuing "Even when tempted with the Resurrection Stone, you were unmoved."

Ace replied with a frown, "That was a long time ago, Old man. People change, they grow." Dumbledore nodded and asked "Of course. I recall your frightened look at the sight of a mere troll." he held his hands behind his back and smiled in amusement.

Ace frowned deeper, saying "Stop talking like you're going to die. This isn't the time to be reminiscing about old times. You still have a long life to live." Dumbledore hummed to himself and walked to his desk, taking out the ring from all those years ago, saying "Now, Ace. I want you to listen very carefully."

Ace cracked his knuckles, saying "I wont." Dumbledore looked at him and Ace's lower lip trembled, "Whatever you want me to do, you can do it yourself!" Dumbledore smiled gently and said "Now, Ace. Don't you trust me? You've shown loyalty all these years and now you won't listen?"

Ace retorted in agitation, "I'm not going to go along with the whims of an old man who thinks he's going to die or something! You won't die so all of this is meaningless! That's enough! I don't want to hear it anymore! See you tomorrow!" before walking to the door.

Dumbledore said "Oh, Ace. Take care of yourself." Ace's hand trembled on the door handle and he said with a trembling voice "Stupid old man. Of course I will…" before opening the door and leaving.

Dumbledore handed the ring to Fawkes, smiling "You'll deliver, won't you?" Fawkes chirped and rubbed his skull on Albus' head, cooing gently.

Dumbledore smiled gently, stroking Fawkes' feathers in silence.

A few days later