A/N This is set in the first book when Harry, Ron and Hermione are facing McGonagall's giant chess set. Like the last chapter, it was written in collaboration with Hermione'sDaughter. Hope you enjoy :)

Disclaimer: I don't own any of the original characters or plotlines from the Harry Potter series by J K Rowling.

"We're nearly there," he muttered suddenly. "Let me think – let me think…"

The white queen turned her blank face towards him.

"Yes…" said Ron softly, "it's the only way… I've got to be taken."

"NO!" Harry and Hermione shouted.

"That's chess!" snapped Ron. "You've got to make some sacrifices! I'll make my move and she'll take me – that leaves you free to checkmate the king, Harry!"

"But -"

"Do you want to stop Snape or not?"

"Of course I do, Ron! Just let me talk before you go get yourself killed!" Harry waited for Ron to turn and face him. "Thank you. Now, what I wanted to say -"

"You're not sacrificing yourself, Harry."

"No, I've got something better. Look, Fred and George taught me this spell a few weeks ago. It's a slightly different version to the spell people use to cheat on their exam papers."

"Oh, I think I know where you're going with this Harry," Hermione, as ever, knew what spell he was talking about. "But I never learnt it myself! I consider it quite unethical. The adaption used on quills is the very reason the school introduced the anti-cheating ones used today."

"Erm… would someone mind telling me what spell you two are going on about?" Despite being the member of the Golden Trio most likely to want to use a spell like this, Ron was unable to fathom what Harry and Hermione were talking about.

Harry grinned. "Well, Fred and George probably didn't want you knowing this because it would make you look way better than them, but they taught me this spell in case I ever wanted to beat you in chess. Apparently there are different strengths to the spell, all the way from 'sneaky defeat' to 'civil war'. I only know the one, though. Enough talking, let me just show you." He pointed his wand at the remaining white pieces. "Eludo!"

The white chess pieces began to turn around slowly. The white queen turned to the white king. The few remaining white pawns turned to each other. The white bishop and white castle turned to each other.

They charged. Within minutes, all that remained of the opposite side was a layer of dust covering the ground, and the King's crown lying at Harry's feet.

"That, Harry, was bloody brilliant."

Eludo: A Latin term for 'cheat'.

A/N My little sister gave me the idea for this fic. She knew I wrote fanfic occasionally, and wanted me to write about this.

If you guys like reading this sort of fic, tell us, and Hermione'sDaughter and I will happily oblige and write some more :)