Chapter 87: Trick 86: Showing the Students Real Magic!
He walked to an eagle, saying "Sherbert Lemon." before standing on the stairs as they rose to the top.
He knocked on Dumbledore's door and walked in saying "Old man, we got a problem." Dumbledore looked up from his desk and smiled, "Your bewitchment has failed?" Ace was stunned for a moment before walking over, grabbing a piece of candy and chewing on it as he replied "Not quite Bewitchment! Just a mentalism trick, however…"
He frowned and continued eating as he sat on Dumbledore's desk, going on "I think the Ministry will find out that old hag isn't nutso and she'll be back. They should have tests and tools to find out the truth, right?"
Dumbledore put down his quill as he replied "The Ministry has a sizeable repertoire of methods, yes. I'm sure you've seen the Library." Ace threw a Licorice Snap into his mouth as he frowned, "Yeah, so I don't really know what to do. I guess it depends on what they think is the truth or not…"
Dumbledore looked at him silently as Ace got up, pacing "The situation was very coincidental with the hag acting crazy as I accused her, otherwise I don't see Fudge taking my side over one of his lackeys on the Wizengamot… I'd give it 2-3 days before they come back looking for answers."
He waved and added "Of course, I should be fine. After all, my record of events DID happen. The only problem is that I would be labeled 'ignorant to the true events'. There's no evidence for them to convict me as a conspirer." Dumbledore watched as Ace frowned, "Hm, but they could make up charges. I'm sure that hag will try everything in her power to make me a criminal…"
He turned to Dumbledore and asked "Is breaking someone's wand a crime?" Dumbledore shook his head and Ace frowned, "So that's out of the picture. That's good. The Gun was already explained to Fudge himself so that's not an issue…"
He stopped and threw more Licorice Snaps in his mouth, thinking about it.
Dumbledore opened his mouth but Ace continued "Is there an obstruction of justice crime? There should be, right? Although, I wouldn't fall into that category and they can't prove that I hypnotized the hag without the proper mentalist training. Which, of course, is below wizards and really a non-issue."
Dumbledore said quickly "Ace, perhaps you can see to it that the Students are fine?" Ace looked at him in confusion before punching his palm, saying "Oh! I get it! Clean up the crime scene, you're pretty smart, old man!" before leaving the office.
Dumbledore rubbed his forehead, sighing "Children…"
Ace walked the halls and came to the room of requirement, staring at the wall itself.
A door slowly formed and Ace walked in looking at everyone. They were all silent until Ron said "That was bloody brilliant, Ace." Ace rolled his eyes and said "I used Muggle Magic, do you believe it?"
The students were stunned silly and Hermione asked "The Mentalism sham? It works?!" Ace smiled and snapped his fingers, walking to the mirror as he said "Bingo! This is why I told you that wizards aren't above Muggles. Not to mention technology, but they have Magic as well."
He held a paper that said 'Dumbledore's Army' on it, smiling as he continued "Before you were all even born, I was practicing magic." he tossed his wand to Hermione and threw up a cloak.
He disappeared under the cloak as it fell to the ground, falling flat.
He walked out from behind Hermione, picking up his wand again as he smiled "It's not only the wizarding world that has magic. Anybody can perform magic, you know?" as he put his wand in Harry's pocket, pulling it out from Ron's ear as he continued, "You simply need to practice hard and dedicate your life."
The students stared at him and Ace flipped his palm, spread out a deck of cards, holding it out to Ginny as he continued "Normally, Wizards feel superior to muggles." Ginny picked a card and Ace opened the deck as she put it back.
He flicked his wrist and the deck of cards burned to ashes as he went on, "The reason why I fooled the Minister is because he looked down on Muggle Magic. As did that old hag." before taking out his gun and shooting at one of the walls.
A loud gunshot went off and the mirror on the wall shattered, revealing Ginny's card behind it.
The students were stunned as Ace turned around, putting his gun back, smiling "Anyway. While I'm very happy that you all feel the need to study on your own to protect yourselves, it's time to clean up and stop."
Seamus questioned, "Why? The hag's gone now. We can continue, no?" Ace waved his finger and smiled "Do you think the Ministry is made up of real idiots, Seamus? The Daily Prophet is wrong on purpose. They're not braindead."
He waved the paper saying 'Dumbledore's Army' as he continued "My tricks will only send that hag for an evaluation. Fudge may be easily swayed by flattery but essentially, I got really lucky that Umbridge played along unknowingly." he shook his head and went on, "Should she have kept her calm and not freaked out, most likely the one being escorted out of Hogwarts would've been me."
He waved and said "Anyway, pack up your things and clean this room up. The Ministry will return 100% if they see 'Dumbledore's Army' anywhere, I'm sure I don't have to tell you what will happen." as he handed the paper to Harry, walking to the door.
He stopped and turned his head, smiling "See you all for the study session tonight." before exploding into playing cards, disappearing entirely.
Nigel picked up a card and shouted "Bloody hell! How did he do that?!" Ginny looked at the card on the wall, saying "I'm still trying to figure out this one…"
Harry cleared his throat and said "Well everyone, it's been fun…" Several people groaned and he smiled, "We can always practice somewhere else… Oh! And you can always come to me for help! You've all improved tremendously!"
Hermione frowned with her arms crossed as Ron asked "Still trying to figure it out? I couldn't." Hermione rolled her eyes and retorted "I'm trying to think of a solution to our bigger problem, Ronald! Do you think the Ministry is going to let Ace go so easily? He played a member of the Wizengamot like a fool, as well as tricked the Minister!"
Ron frowned and Hermione added, "Not to mention, he doesn't take all considerations into account when he acts. He often misses some points." Harry grabbed his wand with both hands, asking "You think the Ministry will come after him?"
Hermione frowned and replied "I hope not. He has been running for a long time, there's not too many places to go anymore…" before pausing as she muttered "Also he got a girlfriend!"
Ron and Harry looked stunned and Ron asked "Hermione, are you?" Hermione rolled her eyes and retorted "Please! He is my Teacher! I'm only worried! Plus he never told me. He's almost like a father to me." Harry smiled and said "Maybe she doesn't know he has magic?"
Hermione frowned and replied "I wonder about that… If it's who I think it is, then she does." Ron was startled and remarked, "Blimey, Hermione! Are you sure you're not his daughter!? You seem to know everything about him!"
Hermione rolled her eyes again and laughed, "Honestly, Ronald! I don't even look like him!" Ronald retorted "You never know.." Harry laughed as Hermione slapped Ron's arm.
A while later
Ace was teaching the study group when an owl flew in landing on the table with a letter in its mouth.
The letter flew off and everyone stopped as the letter turned into a face saying "Professor Ace Brand, the Ministry requires you to appear at a trial tomorrow evening 18:00. Under the charges of use of memory hexes with malicious intent. That is all."
Ace blinked and looked completely stunned, the students looked at him and he waved, "Well! It's tomorrow, not today. As I was saying, the first appearance of Goblins was somewhere within the 300s. It was believed at the time that Goblins were vile creatures…"
The next evening
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