Ace was walking around the castle when he saw Harry and another older boy talking next to a box. He watched from a distance as the older boy explained something to Harry, opening the box.
Ace saw a flying ball get whacked and sent flying away. He was stunned! Even balls can fly here!
That was crazy!
Then the older boy pulled out a little golden ball.
Ace froze and narrowed his eyes at the Golden ball. He felt something strange about that ball. There was definitely something up with that thing!
The golden ball suddenly grew wings and moved around erratically, like a buzzing fly.
Ace raised his brows and frowned in thought before walking away.
Slowly but surely a month passed…
Ace was standing in front of the Quidditch box with his hands on his hips. He pursed his lips and opened the box, tilting his head at the 3 balls that shook around the box. Ace squatted down and opened the shield in the middle, clearly seeing the parting in the middle and feeling that weird feeling from the golden ball.
He looked into it and found out that it was the Golden Snitch, while the bigger balls were Bludgers, and Quaffle.
It was a Wizard game, Ace didn't know Wizards had games! Imagine!
How wonderful!
He pulled out the Golden Snitch and flipped it around, feeling that strange feeling getting stronger.
He flipped it around some more, tapping it over and over before it suddenly opened!
Ace was startled and nearly dropped the thing, he blinked at the Snitch as a little Black Rhombus stone on a ring floated out.
Ace looked at the stone and scratched his head, grabbing the ring, looking at it in his palm.
Ace muttered to himself "What the hell is this thing?" when someone replied "It is the Resurrection Stone."
Ace was spooked and the ring flew up into the air as Ace tried to catch it again, finally letting out a breath as he turned around, saying "You scared the hell outta me!" Albus chuckled and walked over, picking the stone from Ace's hands, holding it gently as he continued "The Resurrection Stone will temporarily bring back loved ones from the grave. A powerful Artifact indeed."
Ace looked at the ring and replied with wonder "Oh wow! There's such a thing?" Albus nodded and smiled, "There are legends of 2 other Artifacts, should the three be possessed by the same person, they shall become the Master of Death."
Ace crossed his arms and frowned "Master of Death? What does that even mean? Immortality?" Albus put the ring back in Ace's hands, replying "I know not what it means to be the Master of Death. Perhaps Immortality, perhaps something far greater… Only the one who collects them all would know."
Ace looked at the ring and scratched his head, saying "I wonder… Why do I get a strange feeling from this thing?" Albus asked softly, "A feeling?" Ace replied strangely "Like a feeling that brings me goosebumps. Not bad, mind you. Sort of like a powerful item. I also felt this way about Harry, though."
Albus' eyes flashed and he stroked his beard, muttering "Is that so…" Ace nodded and hummed "Maybe I can sense magical things!" Albus hummed to himself before changing the subject, "Mr. Brand, we should be on our way. The evening's festivities are about to commence."
Ace nodded and put the ring back in the Snitch, Albus' eyes lit up slightly as he asked "You're returning it?" Ace shrugged and closed the box, standing up as he replied "I don't have anyone to bring back, plus, it's only temporary. I guess it's a bit cool but I don't need it."
Albus stroked his beard and smiled kindly, "I see. Perhaps it would do best in your care after all…" Ace looked at him in confusion, while Albus walked away, "We shall see… This way, Mr. Brand."
Ace scratched his head and muttered, "Crazy old man…" before following after him.
A little bit later
Ace was sitting at the teacher's table, eating as the Halloween feast was going on. He was talking to Bostor about potions when the door opened and Quirrell ran in, shouting "A Troll! A troll in the dungeons!"
Ace was instantly awed, shouting "A troll!? Cool!" as everyone looked at him, he coughed and frowned "I mean, how bad. Oh no. Someone should do something about that."
Quirell fainted and the students started scrambling, shrieking in fear and screaming, until Albus stood up, shouting "SILENCE!" the students stopped and Albus continued "Everyone will please calm down. Prefects will lead their Houses to their dormitories while the Professors travel to the dungeons."
The prefects started leading the students away as Ace rolled up his sleeves, saying excitedly "I've never seen a troll before!" Bostor rolled his eyes and replied "They're not the kind lot, Ace. I wouldn't get mixed up with one. Alas!"
Ace and the rest of the professors left the hall and went on their way to the Dungeons.
Ace went ahead and quickly got lost on his way, looking around at the castle walls, completely confused as he said "Damn! This dungeon is so far away! I've been walking for 10 minutes!"
Suddenly, he heard some thumping and turned his head, seeing a huge shadow pass by.
Ace's eyes lit up and he ran after the shadow happily, coming to a girls bathroom.
He looked up at the troll, shouting "Cool!" as the troll smashed the bathroom stalls to bits, revealing a little girl hiding in there.
Ace was stunned and shouted "Hermione?! What are you doing in here!? You should be in your dormitory!" Herminone shouted "Help!" Ace frowned and looked at the troll licking his lips, "Ah… I got a bad feeling…"
The troll turned around as Hermione crawled under the sinks. The troll smashed down his club at Ace, who rolled out of the way, pulling out cards from his pockets as he muttered "Here goes nothing!"
He flicked his wrists and cards flew out, hitting the troll in the face, backing him off into the wall as it swung its club around wildly.
Ace dodged the swings and came to Hermione, picking her up and holding her in his arms as she wrapped her arms around his neck, trembling in fear. He jumped back and was backed into a corner in the opposite side of the room to the door.
He cursed as Harry and Ron ran in, shouting "Mr. Brand?! Hermione!?" Ace looked over and shouted "Get out of here!" as he ducked under the club, blocking Hermione from the glass shards with his back.
Harry and Ron threw debris at the troll, shouting "Oi! Pighead, over here!" Ace roared angrily "I said get out! What are you doing?!" Harry shouted back, "Helping!" Ace cursed as the Troll turned around, raising his club.
Ace held Hermione's head as he pulled out his wand, saying "Expelliarmus!" as he flicked his wand.
The Troll's club flew out of his hand and smashed into the ceiling as the troll looked around in confusion, roaring angrily.
Ace ran off to the side as the troll punched the ground where he was standing. He put Hermione down next to Harry and Ron, saying quickly "Now leave!" as he turned to the Troll with his arms spread out, blocking the kids.
Harry said quickly, "But!" Ace said angrily "Get out!" as he flicked his wand, shooting out spells at the troll.
Ron licked his lips, saying "Maybe we should?" Harry looked hesitant and Hermione pulled them back as Ace rolled to the side. The troll roared again and Ace tucked his wand in his sleeve again, saying "Fuck it!" as he pulled out a deck of cards, swiping his hand across the top.
The deck spread in the air and Ace flicked his wrist, firing cards that burned up, smashing the troll in the face and knocking the troll back.
It fell down and Ace threw out a rope as well as 4 cards. The rope wrapped around the troll and the cards nailed the rope into the brick wall.
The troll struggled and Ace flicked out his wrist one after the other, saying quickly "Go to sleep! Go to sleep! Go to sleep!" the troll smashed its head against the wall behind it several times before being knocked out and hanging its head.
Ace let out a breath and put his hands on his hips, smiling "Good job, me! Almost died there!" Suddenly, little hands wrapped around his hip as Hermione hugged him, saying through tears "Thank you, Professor!" Ace smiled and patted her head, replying "It's nothing, little girl. Don't worry about it, your little friends helped out too. Otherwise, we'd be meat sauce. Hahaha~!"
Hermione wiped her eyes and smiled at Ron and Harry, saying sincerely "Thank you, you guys." Harry and Ron smiled happily just as McGonagall, Snape, and Albus walked in, looking at the Troll and the 4.
Minerva said angrily "What happened here!?" Ace cleared his throat and explained what happened, Minerva glared at him before saying "Good, very good. We'll see, Ace!" before storming off.
Albus stroked his beard and looked at the troll, smiling softly "Very well done, Mr. Brand. Excellently so." Ace chuckled embarrassingly, "It was nothing, really… hahaha…"
Albus shook his head and looked at Harry, Ron, and Hermione smiling, "Run along to your dormitories, little ones." Harry, Ron, and Hermione looked at each other before saying "Thank you, Mr. Brand!" before running off.
Ace smiled happily and Albus chuckled as Snape scowled, "How could a troll appear in Hogwarts?" Ace walked over to the Troll and poked it a few times, saying "Oh wow. Not so scary anymore, heh…" the Troll snorted and Ace jumped back, suddenly holding cards between his fingers as he looked at the troll with caution.
Albus shook his head and looked at Snape, saying "Severus, if you'd please." Snape looked at the troll and replied with a dark face, "Of course, Headmaster." Albus turned to Ace and smiled "Well then, Mr. Brand. I suppose we should be heading out." as he turned and walked away.
Ace looked back at the Troll before saying "Do you need help?" Snape snorted, replying "From a half-baked fool? It's not necessary." Ace cleared his throat and walked away saying "I see, then I'll just be going then.."
Snape watched him go before turning back to the Troll as it grunted again. Snape pulled out his wand and rolled his eyes, "Sheer dumb luck…"