Chapter Ten: Ron's Challenge
Ron and Hermione were in the room he shared with Harry. They were lying on the bed in each other's arms enjoying a Sunday of doing nothing. Their day so far had consisted of snogging, eating, snogging, and a light snooze together and yet more snogging. Hermione was resting her head on Ron's chest listening to his heartbeat. She loved to do this as it was times like this she felt at peace and having Ron's arms wrapped tightly around her didn't do any harm, either. Ron buried his nose in her hair and murmured, 'Love you, Hermione.'
'Mm, love you too, Ron,' she murmured in return.
It was then that there was a knock on the door and Tonks popped her head in and said, 'Alright, Lovebirds? Dumbles is downstairs asking for you, Ron. He's wielding a chess set and board and waiting to "engage you in battle",' she announced with a smile. 'His words, not mine.'
Ron swallowed nervously. Dumbledore was challenging him to a game of chess, just like he said. He and Hermione both sat up and thoughts raced through his head. 'Can I honestly beat Dumbledore at chess? What if I get thrashed and let down Hermione?'
Hermione sensed his apprehension and quickly sought to soothe him.
'You're the best chess player I've ever seen and I think you can win, Ron. I believe in you and I always will,' she said.
Hermione's words had worked and together, hand in hand they entered the Lounge. Dumbledore was sitting at the table already and there was also an audience. Ron's family were there with the exception of Charlie and Percy. Harry, Sirius and Remus were also there, as well as Kingsley Shacklebolt, Minerva McGonagall and Severus Snape.
'Ah, there you are, Ronald. I hope I am not tearing you away from any affairs of state?' said Dumbledore.
'Not at all, Sir, I was just reading with Hermione,' replied Ron.
Tonks chuckled and thought to herself, 'So that's what the kids are calling it these days.'
'Good luck to you, Ronald. I've been hoping to see Albus lose a game for years,' said Professor McGonagall.
'I agree with my esteemed colleague, I hope you are victorious,' said Snape.
Ron nodded in thanks to the two professors and sat opposite the Headmaster, who picked up a pawn of each colour and switched them around in his hands behind his back before holding out his closed hands to Ron, who pointed to Dumbledore's left hand, which Dumbledore opened to reveal that Ron had chosen the white pieces. Dumbledore replaced the pawns and spun the board around so the white pieces were in front of Ron.
'Good luck, Ronald,' said Dumbledore.
'Thank you and the same to you, Sir,' said Ron.
They shook hands and the game began.
'E-4.'
'E-5.'
'Knight to F-3.'
'Knight to C-6.'
'Bishop to B-5.'
'A-6.'
'Bishop to C-6.'
'D-7 to C-6.'
Ron then ordered a Kingside Castling and the middle-game began. The game seemed to last for ages with neither player making a mistake. The many broken pieces lying forgotten at the side of the board showed just how good the two players were, but Ron still had an advantage of still having his Queen on the board. Ron had done most of his damage to Dumbledore's defences with his Knights and soon, very soon, he hoped the game would be over. The audience, meanwhile, had not moved an inch since the game had begun. Bets had been made between the adults as Sirius made the book. He had given good odds for Ron and had been taken up on them by all of them except Mrs Weasley who abstained from betting to set an example to Harry and Ginny. But Harry had already placed a bet on Ron to win when Mrs Weasley was not looking.
Hermione watched the game in awe of her boyfriend. She could not help but be impressed with him as he went toe to toe with the most intelligent wizard of the generation in an ultimate battle of wits, that she knew Ron had every chance of winning – which he was at this point. She could not help but fall in love with him even more as the game had progressed. Ron, despite his nervousness, had shown his look of confidence that he always wore while he played chess. She loved seeing that look upon face and now she watched his face turn from confident to triumphant as he declared victory.
'Checkmate.'
Ron had won and Dumbledore offered his hand in defeat and Ron shook it before Hermione threw her arms around him as all those who had bet on him all took it in turns to ruffle his hair, before turning to Sirius with their hands outstretched, wanting their winnings, much to Mrs Weasley's disapproval.
Ron could not help be taken aback at the number of those who had bet on him to win.
'Pleasure doing business with you, Sirius,' said Snape smirking.
'Just make sure you show your appreciation to Ron, who made you a little richer than you were when you arrived here tonight, Severus,' said Sirius in reply.
Snape then walked over to Ron and shook his hand and said, 'Thank you very much, Mr Weasley, I have been waiting to see Albus lose almost as much Minerva has, congratulations, and when I spend my hard earned winnings, I'll remember the looks on Albus and Sirius' face as you won. Have a good evening.'
Snape and McGonagall both toasted Ron before leaving to return to Hogwarts.
0o0
The next day, their Hogwarts' letters arrived and as expected, Ron and Hermione received their Prefect Badges, much to the delight of Ron's parents and to the disgust of Fred and George. Mrs Weasley had asked what Ron would like as a reward for being made a Prefect, but Ron had told her he had everything he could ever want already and so she threw a party for Ron and Hermione instead. Hermione sent an Owl to her parents to inform them about being made Prefect, too.
Harry had been pleased for his friends, despite forgetting that Prefects were chosen in fifth year. He could not quite suppress a sliver of jealousy that Ron had been chosen ahead of him, but he quickly scolded himself for it, as it was the first time Ron had been chosen for something instead of him. After all, it was not like he was better than Ron at lessons or anything – well, except maybe Quidditch. He shook himself out of his self-pity to enjoy the party in Ron and Hermione's honour, before retiring for the evening.