Trick 99: Betrayal!

There was a storm, Ace was walking around the castle looking for Harry. He had been missing since the morning and his two friends were worried. Ace walked and walked around for a while, not seeing even a glimmer of Harry anywhere.

He stopped his steps as he heard a commotion coming from the Astronomy tower! Ace turned into a cat and ran towards the tower, climbing the steps as he heard shouting. He picked up the pace seeing Harry watching something.

He reverted to normal and held his finger over his mouth to Harry, looking up only to see Death Eaters everywhere with Draco pointing his wand at Dumbledore!

He was shocked and Snape appeared, saying "No." Ace let out a breath and whispered to Harry, "Let's go, Severus will handle them." Harry looked up and said "But-" Dumbledore looked down and saw Ace and Harry as he said "Severus… Please."

Snape looked at Dumbledore for a moment before saying "Avada Kedavra." and killing Dumbledore instantly. Ace snapped up and shouted "NO!" before morphing into a sabertooth tiger and slapping the metal construct as he jumped from the level he was on.

The metal exploded into dust, catching everyone by surprise as Ace landed on top, waving out and roaring, sending the Death Eaters flying and Draco to the ground.

He morphed back and stuck his wand on Snape's neck, shouting with tears in his eyes "You- He was good to you! How could you!?" Snape looked at him in silence as Ace pushed his wand into Snape's neck deeper, adding "I thought you were a friend! I ought to-"

He stopped himself and shut his mouth, gritting his teeth. The Death Eaters came back and pointed their wands at Ace, who was staring at Snape, asking "Why!? Tell me why?!" Draco swallowed and slid his back to a wall crying as he watched.

Bellatrix giggled "Poor boy~ Gonna cry for the old man? Hahahahahah~!" Ace ignored her and shouted "Answer me!" Snape shook his head slightly, saying with a surprised but strange look, "I had to. The Dark Lord requested it of me."

Ace looked at his eyes and shouted "Liar!" as he waved out his hand, cards flying around him from the dust, turning into little people and attacking the Death Eaters as they started throwing around spells.

Draco covered his head and Snape said "Expelliarmus!" Ace blocked with a little shield and slid back as he flicked out his wand, "Stupefy!" Snape blocked the spell and they went back and forth until Bellatrix shouted "Avada Kedavra!"

The spell managed to slip past the card blockade and shoot towards Ace, however!

There was a tremendous roar and the Horntail crashed through the top of the Astronomy Tower, blocking the spell with its wing as it roared at Bellatrix, breathing out fire as she apparated away.

The Horntail covered Ace, looming over him as it turned its head, breathing fire all around at the Death Eaters and Snape. They all apparated away, Snape taking Draco with him as he flew off.

Ace shouted "Get back here! Bastard!" as the Horntail scooped him up with his head, smashing through the rest of the roof, flying after the Death Eaters. The Horntail breathed out fire and Ace waved his hand, bringing it to him before breathing into it.

A massive flaming Phoenix formed from the flames and cried out before chasing after the Death Eaters, breathing out flames as they escaped into the Dark Woods.

Snape dropped Draco and said "Leave!" as he turned around waving his wand, "Infernum Inkari!" the flames turned around, blasting towards Ace and the Horntail.

The Horntail slashed with his wing, cutting the flames as it flew through them. The Horntail landed on the ground and Ace jumped off, throwing out spells, shouting "Why!? I trusted you! We were friends!"

Snape blocked and retorted "We were not. I was simply… pretending." Ace roared "Why are you lying to me?!" as he stomped on the ground, a pillar shooting out before turning into a rock snake as the Horntail smashed its tail down on Snape.

Snape dodged out of the way and apparated into the woods, Ace chased after him and the Horntail roared. He turned his head and said in Draconian "Thank you, my friend. If you need my help, I will do whatever I can. Just come find me."

The Horntail shook his head, roaring back "You saved me, I am forever in your debt, friend. When you are in danger I will help you." before flying into the Dark Forest ahead of Ace, chasing after Severus, saying "I will find him, follow me."

Ace apparated and flew after the Horntail, swerving through trees left and right before landing on the ground next to the Horntail as they looked at a burning shack in the woods.

Ace ran into the shack and looked at a shattered fireplace, shouting "SNAAAAAAAPE!" As the shack was reduced to dust under a purple expulsion of mana.

Ace breathed heavily, panting as he looked at the dust around him.

The Horntail walked over and rubbed his head on Ace, saying softly, "I'm sorry, friend." Ace shook his head and sighed, rubbing the Horntail's head as he replied "It's not your fault. I hesitated… Thank you, again."

The Horntail shook his head and replied "As I said, the gratitude is mine to give. You are a friend eternal… I wish you luck in your endeavors, should you need me again…" he shook his entire body, scales and thorns falling off him and landing on the ground before he continued "Farewell, until we meet again."

Ace sighed and tapped his forehead on the Horntail's skull, "Thank you. Farewell." the Horntail roared to the sky and flapped his wings flying away into the night.

Ace waved and the scales and thorns flew into his bag as Centaurs ran over, pointing their bows at Ace, making noises.

Ace didn't look at the, staring at the dust around him as the Centaurs parted, revealing a recognizable face.

Firenze raised his hand and asked "Friend of Harry Potter, we meet again." Ace nodded "Firenze." Firenze galloped over, asking "What troubles you? My kind are not fond of humans."

Ace said softly "Dumbledore is…" he closed his eyes and finished "Dead." Firenze stepped back with wide eyes, saying "No… It cannot be!" Ace swallowed and sighed, continuing "I don't know what deal you have with Dumbledore, but Voldemort has returned and therefore you must prepare yourselves."

Firenze shook with terror, "Once more, he's returned… This does not bode well…" Ace shook his head and turned to him, saying "Firenze, take your Centaurs and return to your territory. I fear your days will not be peaceful until Voldemort is finished."

Firenze tapped his chin and paced, replying "I see. This is a problem… And the Ministry?" Ace shook his head, replying "The Ministry… I see no reason why they should not be under the control of Voldemort already. If I were you, I would prepare for the worst."

Ace turned around and tapped Firenze's horseback, adding "Hopefully, the worst doesn't come. Your kind does not deserve that fate, truly." Firenze swallowed and asked "What of Hogwarts?" Ace looked up at the sky, sighing "I truly have no idea. I'm sorry for the news."

Firenze shook his head and bowed, "My thanks to you, friend. Had I not known, perhaps my kind would be facing truly dark times." the Centaurs all around bowed in unison and Ace waved, saying "Please… Notify the rest of the Creatures in the Dark Forest." Firenze nodded, "Of course. Farewell… and Goodluck."

Ace nodded and Firenze neighed, running off as the rest of the Centaurs followed him.

A little centaur galloped to Ace and held out a flower.

Ace looked at the little Centaur and gently took the flower, smiling slightly "Run along, little one." The little Centaur galloped around Ace before returning to its parents, who bowed to Ace again as they left.

Ace looked at the yellow flower and sighed to himself, muttering "If this what you meant, Old man? Did you see this coming?" he twirled the flower in his hands and walked away back towards the Castle.

When he returned, he saw everyone mourning Dumbledore with their wands up. Ace looked at the display before turning back to the Castle, returning to the library.

He stayed up all night in silence, staring at the books.

The next morning

Ace was sitting outside in the sunlight when Fawkes landed on his shoulders, cooing gently.

Ace stayed silent as Fawkes lowered his head, dropping a letter in Ace's hands before rubbing his head on Ace.

Ace opened the letter in silence, pulling out a piece of paper along with a ring. He looked at the letter and read it silently.

'Ace, I know this must be terribly difficult for you. However, I must ask for one final request. Your senses towards strange artifacts are innately high. I noticed the first time you picked up this ring. In fact, you were led to this ring itself because this ring is a Horcrux.'

Ace paused and raised his brows, looking at the Ring before continuing to read.

'Yes, it's come to my knowledge that Voldemort has separated his soul into 7 pieces hiding them in different objects. Now, I want you to remember the feeling of this Ring from the first time you saw it.

My final request is to destroy the remainder! The book which Harry destroyed with Godric Gryffindor's sword is one of them, as well as this ring which I have destroyed.'

Ace frowned as he continued reading…

'Harry and I will most likely have found another, that leaves 4. They could be anywhere, Ace. I know that this is a lot to ask, however, I believe you can do it.

Oh, and Ace, please do not mourn me. This old man has lived quite the life already, I am passing the burden to you and the others. Finish what we've started…

This world needs Heroes, Ace. Someone has told me you are quite the Hero yourself.

Goodluck,

The Old man~'

Ace pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed, closing his eyes as he rubbed the ring with his thumb.

Fawkes cooed softly and Ace stood up, saying "Horcruxes… Great." He slipped the Ring on his right hand ring finger before snapping as his clothes morphed into jeans and a tattered hoodie.

His face was covered in darkness as he said "Ready, Fawkes?" Fawkes cawed and flapped his wings on Ace's shoulder. Ace cracked his neck and turned back, looking at Hogwarts as the letter burned up into nothing, disappearing in the wind.

He put his hands in his pockets before saying "Hang on tight." as he and Fawkes twisted into nothing, disappearing from Hogwarts instantly.