Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter. :)

Smart Move
written by ameo

"Why does everyone say I'm not smart, Sirius? Knight to E-5!" Peter asked, adding the chess move quickly.

"Why do you ask that, Wormtail?" Sirius replied lazily. "Pawn to D-7."

"Well--" Peter paused, his eyes searching the chessboard for another suitable move. "I can just feel that people are saying that I'm not. Bishop to A-8." he added, successfully taking down one of Sirius's castles.

"Damn it, Wormtail!" Sirius cursed, grinning. "You're killing me here!"

"Sorry," Peter said quickly.

"Don't be," Sirius said. "Hmm--aha, Rook to C-9." Took out one of Peter's pawns.

"Ooh, you took down a pawn, I'm so scared." Peter teased. "Knight to C-9." Took out Sirius's rook. "But anyway, back on topic."

"You better be, Worm," Sirius taunted. "Those pawns are your only protection for your King. Queen to E-7. And what was the topic again?"

"The pawns aren't the only protection for the King!" Peter said, exasperated. "That's why you have the other pieces on the board, idiot." he smirked. "Queen to G-3. And the topic was my unintelligence."

"Oh," Sirius scrunched his brow. "Queen to F-8. And who said you weren't smart? You've got brains, just like me and Prongs and Moony."

"Everyone." Peter snorted. "Bad move, Sirius. Queen F-8." Took down Sirius's queen.

"Ouch," Sirius winced. "Why'd you have to do that for?" He examined the chess board. "How do you know that everyone says that?"

"I just know."

"I don't say that."

"Yes, you do." Peter argued. "Just a few hours ago, actually…"

"Well, I don't mean it, Peter!" Sirius said quickly, feeling bad. "You're one of my best mates; what kind of best mate would I be if I brought you down? And besides, you know I joke around with you."

"I suppose so." Peter sighed. "But that doesn't stop everyone else from saying so."

"Yeah, well I'll give all of them some little encouragement with my two friends." Sirius said.

"James and Remus?"

"No!" Sirius smirked and held up his two fists. "My other two friends."

Peter laughed. "Thanks, Sirius."

"No problem, Peter." Sirius grinned, then his smile faded. "And--oh Merlin, you're kicking my arse at chess."

"Again." Peter added.

"Again," Sirius repeated. "See? You're smart. Playing chess is too hard for me because I have to use my noggin. And also remember, Wormtail," Sirius leaned across the chessboard so he was closer to Peter. "You succeeded in becoming an Animagus! Not many wizards and witches can do that! If that's not smart, then I don't know what is!"

Peter's smile grew wider. "I suppose so," his smile faded. "But no one else knows that."

Sirius put his hand on his friend's shoulder. "Listen, mate; who cares what they all say? You, me, Prongs, and Moony know you're smart. Your mother knows you're smart. And if no one takes the time to realize this, then you know what?" Sirius paused.

Peter smiled. "What?"

"Their opinion doesn't matter," Sirius said quietly. "And their opinion shouldn't matter either." He leaned back and cracked his knuckles. "Knight to G-10."

Peter rolled his eyes. "Queen to F-1." Queen took down the king.

Sirius leaned back in his chair. "Well I'll be damned," he said. "You just kicked my arse in chess."

"Again." Peter smirked.

"Again," Sirius confirmed. "Smart move, Peter."