Chapter 11: Chess

"Chess?" Hermione asked as the boys grinned at each other. "I know chess, I've played it with my father many times—"

"Oh, brilliant, someone who knows what they're doing!" Ron said, rubbing his hands together excitedly and standing up. "Harry here doesn't know anything—"

Hermione let out a laugh as Harry rolled his green eyes. "I still don't understand why you want to show me this, though." She said to the two of them. "How can you show me – did you bring a chess set into the arena?"

"No, but I wish I did." Ron said, indeed sounding rather regretful. "Luckily, I managed to form an alliance with a brilliant bloke from District 7."

"Thank you, Ron, but that isn't going to make up for the fact you said I don't know anything." Harry said.

"I don't understand," Hermione said, feeling annoyed that she had to say that unfamiliar phrase. "What does Harry have to do with anything?" she asked.

Harry, who was already standing up, began to make his way into the tent. Hermione shot Ron a puzzled look but he merely grinned at her and said, "just wait." Hermione couldn't help but smile back – his moods seemed to be contagious. When he was happy, she was. When he was mad, it was very likely that she was, too.

Harry returned, holding a wooden box. "Is that your token, Harry?" Hermione asked.

"No," he said and sat down opposite her. Ron joined them, beaming. Hermione watched as Harry opened the box. Inside were several figurines.

"May I?" Hermione asked, reaching forward to take one.

"Yeah, sure." Harry said, gesturing for her to go ahead.

Hermione reached out and took a piece. It was a stick that had been carved into a knight figure. The horse was quite detailed, right down to nostrils. Something in Hermione's head clicked. "Did you... did you make this?" she asked incredulously.

"Yeah," Harry said. "Ron was bored out of his mind, I was too, and Ron mentioned chess and we decided to take some twigs and transfigure them—"

"So you didn't make them?"

"No, he did." Ron said, looking a little left out and determined to add something in. "We couldn't remember or figure out the proper incantation—"

"Typical." Hermione said, shaking her head but smiling.

"So Harry decided to carve the pieces out of the twigs."

"How?" Hermione asked.

"I used my wand mostly but we used one of the knives in our pack for a bit of it." Harry said. "They're easier for me to use because I'm used to them."

"I'm going to set up the board," Ron said, and when he flipped the top and bottom of the box around so they lay flat on the ground, Hermione noticed eight thin lines going across and down, making sixty-four boxes when the two halves of the box lay side by side together. It was a chessboard without any coloured boxes.

"You use knives in District 7?" Hermione asked as they watched Ron put the pieces in place.

"Well, mostly axes." Harry said. "We use them to cut down trees, to make paper and furniture... things like that."

"You must have a lot of trees, then." Hermione said, trying to imagine what District 7 may look like. She never paid too much attention to it in reapings and city circles never showed a lot.

"Yeah, heaps."

"Oi, Harry," Ron said, placing a bishop on the board. "Did you know that this one," he nodded in Hermione's direction, "hasn't seen any animals in her life, ever?"

"I've seen birds..." Hermione said, as if that would impress them.

Harry's eyes widened slightly but he didn't look as shocked as Ron had been when he found out. "I suppose it makes sense but..."

"It's bloody mental!" Ron exclaimed. "I can't imagine a world without animals... what would you do all day?"

"I really wish I could visit your districts..." Hermione said wistfully, partly hoping the cameras might pick it up and play it around Panem.

"Yeah," Harry said sadly. "I've always wondered what all the districts look like."

They all remained quiet for a few more moments before Ron, unable to handle the gloominess that had surrounded the three of them, broke the silence.

"Well, I've got it all set." He said sitting up properly, for he had been lying on his stomach before. "Who's ready to lose to me?"

Hermione raised her eyebrows questioningly. Harry noticed this and said, "Oh, you think he's being arrogant as usual—"

"Oi!"

"But he's really good."

Hermione was still doubtful. "Really?"

"Yeah. But I'm sure I can beat him."

Ron snorted. "You wish." He chuckled and moved a pawn forward on the board.

"How do you two know which pieces are black and which ones are white?" Hermione asked. "How does it not confuse you?"

"It does." Harry said, sighing as Ron moved a bishop forward.

"Have you tried a colour changing charm?" Hermione suggested, leaning forward so she could see the board better. Her and Ron's shoulders gently brushed each other. "Oh, sorry," she said, blushing, and leaning away slightly.

"It's all right," he murmured, his ears red, his blue eyes leaving the board for but a moment to quickly glance at her.

Harry had ignored this small exchange of words, answering Hermione's question. "I don't know a colouring charm."

"Oh, I do." Hermione said, pulling out her wand. She then blushed, realising that she may have sounded conceited. "I mean, I... I'm familiar with it, but I could... I could cast it—"

"Yeah, go ahead," Ron said, gesturing to the board. "Hurry though, we're giving him too much time to think about his next move."

"I'm allowed as much time as I want, you know." Harry reminded him.

"Yeah, but you never think about your moves properly. If we give you enough time you're going to figure out the mistakes."

Hermione smirked, clearing her throat. "Multicorfors," she murmured, thinking of the colour black and tapping on one square. The square became as dark as the night.

"Wicked," Ron said, grinning. He got out his wand and pointed it at one of his pieces. "Multicorfors," he said, making his piece turn black too.

"Ron, continue changing your pieces. Harry, would you be able to help me with the board?"

Harry nodded and the three of them quickly managed to make the chessboard even more impressive than when Hermione first saw it. Ron in particular was especially happy when they'd finished – the chessboard looked brilliant and Harry had not managed to make a good move. As soon as they resumed the game and Harry had moved his piece forward, Ron grinned.

"See, Harry?" he said. "I'm going to kill your rook with my knight now."

Harry's eyes widened and he groaned. "Not again," he cried whilst Hermione laughed.

"Don't worry," Ron said reassuringly. "Rooks aren't that great, and you've got another one anyway."

Harry sighed and moved again. The game went on and Hermione realised that Harry was right – Ron certainly did have a knack for chess. Hermione continued to steal glances at Ron, watching as his eyes darted around the board, analysing the whole situation. Hermione was quite impressed by the sheer determination and concentration on his face.

Harry, on the other hand, seemed to be getting more and more frustrated, which only made things easier for Ron. Sweat was forming on his forehead as he struggled to figure out how to get out of the mess he was in.

"God, you're good." Harry remarked.

As he looked up at his opponent Hermione caught sight of his scar. Curiosity got the best of her and she found herself asking how he got that unique scar.

"Yeah, Harry," Ron said, agreeing with Hermione. "I've been meaning to ask."

"I hope you don't think it impolite of us," Hermione said, trying not to annoy Harry or say another potentially insensitive comment.

"It's all right," Harry said. "And honestly, I don't know where I got it or how I got it." Hermione knew he was telling the truth. "I've had it my whole life."

"It's a pretty wicked scar, though." Ron said, grinning. "Of all the shapes that it could be, it happens to be lightning. It's brilliant."

"I wonder how you got it..." Hermione murmured. It really annoyed her when she couldn't figure out things or didn't know them.

"It really doesn't matter, though." Harry said.

"No, I know, I'm just curious." Hermione said.

"My aunt and uncle have no idea and they've been looking after me my whole life." Harry said.

"Hm," Hermione said. She wanted to ask him how his parents had died in the first place, but she didn't want to be rude or risk making things uncomfortable for all three of them, so she stayed quiet.

"That might not mean anything though, because they've never paid much attention to me." Harry muttered under his breath.

Hermione heard it, however. "Your aunt and uncle didn't pay attention to you?"

Harry shrugged. "They took me in reluctantly after my parents died and have resented me for ruining their lives ever since. They were only planning on looking after one kid, you see. My cousin, Dudley."

Ron snorted, most likely at the name. Hermione nudged him in the ribs, reminding him that he had to be polite as this was a serious discussion. Ron all but ignored this jab –merely proclaiming a soft 'ow' that only Hermione could hear – and said to Harry, "imagine what they must be thinking, hearing you talk about them on TV."

Harry let out a laugh at that. "Yeah, they wouldn't be happy. It doesn't matter, though. It's been nearly fifteen years of misery for me, acting like their slave, so I figure I have the right to say what I want."

Ron grinned at him. Hermione, however, frowned. She did not voice her concerns, but she was worried that perhaps Harry may lose sponsors by talking about family members who had taken him in when his parents died. People may think him ungrateful and he could lose support. Hermione noticed that Harry could sometimes be too headstrong and stubborn for his own good but she couldn't really criticise him for that, though - she could be rather headstrong and stubborn too.

"Blimey," Ron said, snatching Hermione away from her thoughts. "I can't imagine having to live with my aunt. Great Aunt Muriel, her name is. She's got to be the—"

"Let's talk about wonderful family members, shall we?" Hermione interjected. She didn't want to risk Ron starting a huge conflict in his family or him losing sponsors, either."Ron, I remember you saying you've got a brother."

"Yeah, I've got five."

Hermione's eyes widened, her mouth opening slightly. "Five?!" she exclaimed.

"Yeah," Ron said casually. "And a sister."

"So there are seven of you?" Hermione asked, her eyes firmly on Ron, the game almost completely forgotten.

"Yeah," Ron said. "But Bill and Charlie and Percy – they're the three oldest ones – don't live with us anymore. All got brilliant jobs and moved out. So now it's just the four of us."

"Just." Hermione muttered, still in shock.

"Yeah," Ron said, grinning at her, and Hermione realised that he'd heard what she'd said. "Just me, Ginny and the twins, Fred and George. It doesn't really make much of a difference to the chaos though, with Bill, Charlie and Percy gone. Fred and George have always been the loudest and craziest of all of us. They hope to open up a joke shop that would sell heaps of joke items. You know, things that you could use to prank someone."

"That's brilliant!"Harry said.

"It'd be even more brilliant if they could use magic." Ron said to him. "They've heard of all different kinds of spells and they've come up with these bloody brilliant ideas that they can't use because they don't have wands."

"That's awful..." Hermione said softly, hating the Capitol.

Ron let out a small 'mm' in agreement. It seemed he couldn't bear the sad silence, because he quickly broke it. "They're still really good at pranking people without magic, though, so it isn't too bad... I tell you, I'd be frightened for my life if they could use magic."

This elicited a soft laugh from both Harry and Hermione.

"What about Ginny?" Hermione asked.

Ron moved a pawn forward and gestured for Harry to make his move before answering Hermione's question – the match was still on. "Ah, Ginny's the youngest but she certainly doesn't act it. Thinks she's all strong and can handle anything, but still picks the worst guys as boyfriends."

"Is she a rebel?" Hermione asked, frowning, for that did not seem like the sort of girl Ron would have for a sister, for some reason.

"She's got a rebellious streak, but she's really friendly and believes in the right things."Aha, Hermione thought. That sounds right. "Me and her... we were pretty close... are, I mean." He said hastily. "We are close. We used to always run around in the paddocks, chasing the cows. Ginny's favourite was called Betty. That's the token she gave me."

"Your cow?" Harry asked, raising his eyebrows.

"What? Oh, no!" Ron said, reaching into the pocket of his jumpsuit, the pocket on the left of his chest, and taking out a stuffed cow. "She gave me this toy cow she's had nearly all her life. She calls it Betty, after the cow we'd always chase. I dunno, I couldn't think of anything else to bring and when she came to visit me after... you know, after I was chosen, she gave me this. Figured it's better than nothing."

Hermione smiled. "It's very sweet."

Ron's ears turned red.

"I brought a toy soldier." Harry said, holding up a tiny plastic soldier. "Don't really know why, but just did it." He glanced at her. "What about you, Hermione?"

"My token?" Hermione asked. The boys nodded at her and she unzipped a pocket and took out the book Mr. Bogs had given her.

Ron let out a laugh upon seeing the book. "It figures." He said.

Hermione rolled her eyes. "It's practical and easy to carry." She said.

"Exactly." Harry chimed in, chuckling too.

It was Hermione's turn to redden, though she was pleased that Ron and Harry seemed to know her fairly well already, considering they hadn't known her for very long.

"Your move, Ron." Harry said and Hermione noticed Ron jump slightly before turning back to the chessboard.

"Right, yeah." He said, shaking his head and leaning his chin on a freckled hand. Hermione watched as he surveyed the board, eyeing every detail about it. It was rather endearing, Hermione decided. It was quiet and she and Harry patiently waited for Ron to make a move. Eventually, he moved the queen away from the king, exposing him to a potential threat.

"Why did you do that?" Hermione asked. "In two moves Harry can checkmate you."

"I know what I'm doing." Ron said reassuringly.

"But the king is more important than the queen." Hermione said to him.

"That's what the books all say, Hermione, so obviously you'd think that."

Hermione frowned. "That's... that's because it's true! First person to checkmate the king, not the queen! Your objective is to keep the king alive, not the queen."

"I'm not going to be able to keep the king alive if I don't keep the queen alive."

"You could."

"It'd be a bloody hard job, it would." Ron said. "The queen can do anything, go anywhere. She can attack, she can defend. So, really, the queen is more important."

"And you feel it's more important to keep the queen alive than the king?" Hermione asked.

Ron shrugged his shoulders. "Well, yeah. In a way. I'd rather expose the king to danger than the queen."

Hermione swallowed and looked over at the board. Harry was frowning, trying to make sense of the mysterious move Ron had made. It seemed too good to be true. The king was out in the open and in two moves, Harry could checkmate him. Hermione still stood by what she said – the king was so much more important than the queen. One's objective was to checkmate the king, not the queen. The queen was just someone that needed to help keep the king alive at all costs.

Finally, Harry decided to move his rook not towards the king, but away, to the former position it was in. Ron raised the queen into the air and slammed her down next to Harry's king, checkmating him.

Hermione's brown eyes widened in surprise. How had she not seen that?

Harry seemed to be just as shocked. "Blimey." He said.

"Whilst you were mulling over what in the bloody hell was I doing, you forgot that the rook was also protection." Hermione grinned as she realised what Ron had done. He had managed to confuse Harry mentally as well as on the board. She was starting to get a brand new perspective and further appreciation for chess.

"Unbelievable." Harry said, shaking his head. "How did you know I wouldn't attack the king? How'd you know I would be confused?"

Ron shrugged. "I dunno. I could just tell. It was risky but it worked, in the end."

"It won't work on me." Hermione said, knowing that she had just pushed all of Ron's buttons by challenging him.

"Oh, really?" Ron said, raising his eyebrows, already starting to set up the board again. "We'll just see."

Harry smirked. "Go get him, Hermione. Beat him at his own game."

"Thanks, Harry." Hermione said, trying not to blush when he said, 'go get him.' She really needed to keep her feelings in check. It was rather difficult to, however, when as she shifted so she was properly facing the board, her shoulder brushed Ron's once again and a tingling feeling spread through her body.

Focus, Hermione. You can't fancy him. You just can't.

"White goes first." Ron said, taking her away from her thoughts and back to reality, a reality in which she did not fancy Ron.

Hermione made the first move, plopping a pawn two squares away from where it had been originally. The game had begun.

Move after move they made, attacking and defending. Hermione remembered how her father would play the game with her, giving her hints and tips every now and then. Ron certainly wasn't like that – he was out to win and he was doing a very good job. In a way, Hermione appreciated it – she was not one to be mollycoddled. However, it also made her very annoyed when Ron continued to take her pieces.

"He's good, isn't he?" Harry said to her.

Hermione nodded, albeit reluctantly. "Yes, he is."

Ron grinned, puffing out his chest slightly. "It's one of my many talents."

"Is being modest one of them?" Hermione asked. "Because it certainly shouldn't be."

Ron's grin merely widened. "Make your move." He gestured towards the board.

"Right." Hermione said, shaking her head, trying to rid herself of the thoughts plaguing her mind, most of them being how charming and adorable Ron Weasley's smile was.

The very thought dazed her so much that it resulted in her practically handing over her bishop.

"Oh, dear Merlin!" she exclaimed angrily, her competitive streak beginning to creep up within her. Annoyance at Ron was also joining it, even though it wasn't entirely his fault she fancie— merely found him attractive.

"Watch out, Ron."Harry said, grinning at his mate. "She's getting angry."

Ron tried to hide a smirk. Hermione chose to take his pawn with her knight. The minute she moved the pawn she gasped.

"Oh, no!" Hermione said. "Can I re-do that?" Whenever she played with her father, she could change her mind about a move... but Ron wouldn't nearly be as lenient with her, would he?

He wasn't. "No way."He said and plopped his bishop in the place of her knight. Hermione had been so irate that she had just wanted to take one of his pieces, even a measly pawn. She was so determined to take something of his that she hadn't realised that the pawn was being protected.

Just focus, Hermione!

Hermione sighed and buried her face in her hands. The boys were trying to hold back laughs, she knew it. Hermione glanced back up at them and pulled away her hands.

"All right. We'll ignore that minor hiccup. Let's keep going." said Hermione and made a move.

The game continued and Hermione felt that she did get better as the game progressed. Ron had a run for his money. Harry was looking very excited about the prospect of Hermione winning and beating Ron.

Move after move they made and the game seemed to last forever. Pieces were beginning to form a pile on the fresh green grass. Eventually, it was only down to a few of Ron's and a few of Hermione's.

Hermione nudged her queen forward, closer to the king's and checking him.

Ron sighed and looked up at her. "Blimey, Hermione, you're good."

Hermione smirked at him, feeling proud.

"But I'm better."Ron said and killed her queen with his knight.

Hermione's eyes widened. How could she have missed that?

After that, everything seemed to go downhill for Hermione. In a few more moves, Ron had cornered her king with his queen. Hermione wished she had her queen remaining.

Ron made one final move and proudly declared, "Checkmate!"

Hermione looked down at the board, the proof of her loss, and then slowly glanced up at Ron. His blue eyes were nearly dancing with delight. The right corner of his lip had curved upwards, forming a lopsided smile on his face.

Oh no, Hermione thought as her heart skipped a beat at the sight. I am checkmated.

A/N Thank you to everyone who has read and reviewed!