Chapter 79: Trick 78: Throwing up Rainbows ft. Dolores Umbridge!
Ace was writing down in his notebook as Arthur walked in, sitting across from him as he looked around before whispering, "Harry was cleared of all charges!" Ace let out a breath and smiled "That's great! What happened?"
Arthur whispered in response "Apparently, the Minister had retracted the expulsion anyway, however Dumbledore didn't want Harry on probation as the Minister had suggested. A witness was brought in, proving that Harry had indeed been attacked by Dementors. A friend brought the vote to clear all charges and they voted majority."
Ace took off his glasses and let out a breath, smiling "Great." Arthur asked "The Probation? It was you?" Ace chuckled and whispered, "It's amazing what a little flattery can do, eh?" Arthur slapped his shoulder and grinned, "Excellent, Ace! Truly excellent! Are you to return to Hogwarts?"
Ace nodded and smiled, "I'm leaving tonight." Arthur nodded and leaned back, smiling "Well then, let's hear about this muggle!" Ace scratched his cheek and replied "Well, her name is Sharon…"
The following day
Ace was sitting at the Professors table in between Snape and a new face. He was reading a book on Ancient Runes and taking notes. The Runes were vital in his studies as they were the main component in upgrading his magic circles.
The theory was that the runes would accentuate the magic arrays, inducing more powerful magic on basic spells, so it would be like a person with the same experience as someone else shooting the same fireball, however the fireball would be 10 times bigger, hotter, faster, etc.
However this was only the beginning. Ace was confident that his runic magic circles could go much farther! And he was excited to go the whole way.
Just as Ace was reading, there was a throat clearing from next to him. He ignored it and continued reading, however it came again and once more, until Ace turned to the woman next to him with a frown, "Are you alright?"
The woman giggled and smiled, "Excuse me, but could you not read at the feast table?" Ace squinted and looked the woman up and down, saying "And you are?" she pointed at Dumbledore, who was already speaking for a bit now.
He waved behind him and said, "We also wish to welcome our new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, Professor Dolores Umbridge." Dolores made a strange giggle and Ace said "Ah." before going back to his book.
Dumbledore smiled and continued "And I'm sure, you'll all join me in wishing her good luck." Dolores cleared her throat and everyone turned to her as she stood up, walking over to the podium.
Ace looked up and leaned over, whispering "Oh boy. Just looking at her makes me want to vomit. I mean, who wears so much pink, you know?" Snape let out a breath and ignored him as usual, but when did that stop Ace?
He continued "Also, the fabric… Yeesh. It must be itchy, right?" Minerva cleared her throat and glared at Ace as Snape said "You'd know all about fabric wouldn't you, Ace… Rather fond of cloaks, are we?"
Ace scratched his neck and smiled, "I'll shut up now…" Snape looked forward, replying "Thank… Merlin…"
Dolores smiled at everyone, saying "Thank you, Headmaster, for those kind words of welcome. And how lovely to see all your bright happy faces smiling up at me. I'm sure we're all going to be very good friends. The Ministry of Magic has always considered the education of young witches and wizards to be of vital importance. Although each Headmaster has brought something new to this historic school…"
As she turned to Dumbledore, nodding slowly, as he nodded back. She turned back to the students and continued "Progress for the sake of progress must be discouraged." Ace was confused and whispered to Snape, asking "What does that even mean?"
Snape frowned and replied, "It means that things shouldn't be changed for the sake of change." Ace was still confused and replied "So, like, for example… If you want to learn a new spell, you shouldn't? I'm so fucking confused."
Snape rolled his eyes, explaining "No, you twit. It means that you shouldn't deviate from instructions simply for experimenting. A rather crude ideology if you ask me." Ace nodded and agreed, "Seriously! If nobody experimented, there would be no new spells and we would throw around fireballs like children all day long. I read a potions book that had all sorts of modified recipes!"
Snape frowned and turned to him as Ace continued, "Imagine if that student never went off the instructions, I wouldn't know those recipes! Although, that student was definitely super smart." Snape turned back and replied "Is that so…"
Ace nodded and his phone beeped. Dolores finished her speech, doing that giggle thing before returning to her seat. Ace pulled out his phone and saw a text from Sharon! His eyes lit up and he replied 'I'm at school! There's this new teacher, ugh, what a nut!'
Sharon replied 'Lol! What happened???'
Ace: 'She's wearing all pink! Like head to toe! Plus she said something really stupid. 'Progress for the sake of progress must be prohibited.' Literally whatever that means! 😆'
Sharon: '??? That doesn't make any sense!'
Ace: 'Ikr! Anyway, did you find a new place?'
Sharon: 'Yep! The CIA.'
Ace: '... Wow… big change from your last job, how will you adapt…'
Sharon: 'Ugh! Don't be a dick! I'm good at this stuff! You want me to come teach magic, I don't even know the first thing.'
Ace: 'Did I say some teach magic? I'm just saying maybe you could do something… less dangerous?'
Sharon: 'Oh here we go! Because flying around fighting aliens and saving the world is safe, right!?'
Ace: 'I'm just worried about you! Damn! Can't even have a normal conversation with you!'
Sharon: '... I love that you're worried.'
Ace: 'Well, you know… I don't want you to get hurt that's all…'
Sharon: 'I miss you.'
Ace: 'Me too!!'
Sharon: 'Oh, I have to go. Text you later!'
Ace: 'Stay safe! Consider changing jobs!'
Sharon: 'No~♥️'
Ace rubbed his forehead and Snape looked over his shoulder, saying "I see you've managed to use muggle technology…" Ace blinked and covered his screen, saying "Excuse you, this is private." Snape rolled his eyes, replying "Yes, so private, in fact, that you left the sounds on."
Ace froze and looked up as several students were looking at him strangely, or rather, looking at the phone with confusion.
Dolores snorted, frowning at the phone, muttering "Muggle technology is prohibited in the Wizarding world." Ace ignored her, putting his phone away as he replied to Snape, "Hey, man. I don't intrude on your love life, do I?"
Snape clicked his tongue, turning back as she said "Charming woman, you two fit together." Ace's mouth twitched and he returned to his book, muttering "It's a shame there's no goths in the Wizarding world, then we'd see who was 'Charming'..."
Snape snorted and Minerva covered her mouth, chuckling.
A few weeks passed just like that
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