Author's Note: We finally made it, the last chapter in Year 1! After this, it will be on to Year Two!
Chapter 32: Chess Puzzle, Mate in 2
3 May 1992
Harry was stunned by what he had read in that note. Quirrell had done the unthinkable and kidnapped three innocent girls. The bastard was evil, but Harry never imagined he would have stooped this low. Harry knew he had to tell someone.
Harry then woke up Draco and Theodore. The two boys seemed concerned about Harry's facial expressions and trepidation.
"Harry, mate, what's wrong?", Draco asked.
Harry showed them the note. Draco gasped, while Theodore seemed stunned.
"I just don't know what to do", Harry said. "I want to rush in there and rescue them, but that seems like a Gryffindor approach."
Just then, Harry had an idea.
"The Bloody Baron", Harry said. "Maybe he could help us. We should also wake up the entire first-year Slytherin form. Also get Warrington and Urquhart to know about this."
Draco agreed. Five minutes later, all the Slytherin first-years were with Harry, anticipating to see what he would come up with. Urquhart and Warrington were there, too.
"Here's the plan", Harry said. "All of us first-years are going to try to stop Quirrell. The Bloody Baron will be in my body so I can withstand any attacks Quirrell tries against me. Urquhart, Warrington, the two of you wait twenty minutes for us. If we're not back by that time, notify Professor Snape."
"All right, then", Warrington said. "Good luck, Potter."
So, Warrington and Urquhart waited twenty minutes as Harry and his friends entered the third-floor corridor. When the full twenty minutes had passed, Urquhart and Warrington knew what they had to do.
Warrington and Urquhart rushed into Professor Snape's office. The latter seemed stunned that the two boys were in his office late at night.
"Warrington? Urquhart? Why are you out so late at night?"
Warrington said nothing, merely showing Snape the note that Quirrell had left Harry.
Snape swore under his breath. "Where is Potter?"
Warrington told Snape about Harry's plan.
"Well, at least Potter knows he will need backup. That was quite ingenious of him."
Meanwhile, Harry and the other Slytherin first-years managed to get past the three-headed dog. Harry remembered that Hagrid had gotten him a harmonica as a late Christmas gift after Harry had returned to Hogwarts after Christmas break. He decided now would be the time to utilize it.
Harry played the harmonica for a few minutes. The three heads seemed to be mesmerized by the tune. After a few minutes, they fell asleep.
Harry noticed a trapdoor, which he opened. He noticed there were no stairs.
We'll have to jump down, the Bloody Baron thought.
Harry and the other Slytherin first-years jumped down. They hit the ground. Luckily, there were no spikes or other sharp objects on the ground. Harry was definitely thankful.
"What do you reckon we've landed on?", he asked Draco.
"It feels like a plant", the blond boy said. "I can't see anything in this darkness."
"I'll make a light", Pansy said, "Lumos!"
The light showed a huge plant with vines all over the room. The vines then started to wrap around Harry and his friends.
"It's Devil's Snare!", Blaise shouted.
"It's wrapping around my throat", Theodore said, gasping for air.
"Incendio!", Crabbe exclaimed. Bright orange flames emerged onto the plant from Crabbe's wand. The plant and its creepers retreated and flailed as Harry and the other Slytherin first-years pulled themselves free of the vines.
"Now that that's taken care of, what's next?", Goyle asked.
The Slytherin first-years walked down the narrow passageway, anticipating of whatever they would have to take care of next. Harry looked down the passageway and noticed that the chamber was filled with small birds that were fluttering and stumbling all around the room. The birds were bright as diamonds. There was a door on the other side of the chamber.
"We should be careful", Blaise said. "Those birds could attack us."
Daphne then peered closer at the birds. "Wait a minute. What kind of birds are this shiny? Those obviously aren't birds. Those are keys."
"I suspect that the other door is locked by advanced magic", Theodore said. "And one of the keys could very well help us open that door."
Draco noticed there were broomsticks in the darker corners of the room.
"Just like our Quidditch practices", he said. "Only this time, no pressure from Flint."
Harry grabbed a Nimbus 1500 while Draco grabbed a Comet 260.
"There's so many keys", Harry said. "How do we know which key to grab?"
Draco looked down the ground, clearly sharing his sentiment.
Just then, the Bloody Baron seemed to have an idea.
That key, the Slytherin ghost thought. The large silver one. That one should work.
How do you know? Harry thought.
I just know, the Bloody Baron thought. My intuition is clearly not failing me.
"That key!", Harry shouted. He zoomed towards the key and nabbed it before it could get away.
Harry and Draco landed their brooms on the ground. Harry then ran over to the door and unlocked that door with that key.
"It worked!", Harry exclaimed. "All thanks to the Bloody Baron."
Pansy hugged Harry. "That was risky, Harry."
"Sometimes you have to take a few risks in life", Harry said.
The ten Slytherin first-years continued walking down the passageway. They stumbled upon a giant chessboard. Harry and the other Slytherin first-years were behind the black pieces. An opposing door was on the other side of the room behind the white pieces.
"It seems like we'll have to play our way across the room", Theodore said.
"Just like all the chess lessons we've practiced this year, Harry", Draco said. "We can do this."
"All right", Theodore said. "Crabbe, go to a8 and replace the black queenside rook. Goyle, go to h8 and replace the black kingside rook. Millie, go to b8 and replace the black queenside knight. Tracey, go to g8 and take the place of the black kingside knight. Daphne, go to c8 and replace the black queenside bishop. Draco, go to f8 and replace the black kingside bishop."
With that, Crabbe went to a8 to replace the black queenside rook, Goyle went to h8 to replace the black kingside rook, Millie went to b8 to replace the black queenside knight, Tracey went to g8 to replace the black kingside knight, Daphne went to c8 and replaced the black queenside bishop, and Draco went to f8 to replace the black kingside bishop.
"Pansy, go to d8 and replace the black queen", Theodore said.
Pansy eagerly nodded and went to d8 to replace the black queen.
Be the King, the Baron thought.
Harry nodded. "The Bloody Baron is telling me I should replace the black king."
"That's smart of him", Theodore said. "You're the most important piece and the safest one, as it is the last piece to be captured."
"What about you and Blaise?", Harry asked.
Theodore and Blaise looked at each other. "We'll stand over to the side. We'll be the chessmasters."
So, Harry walked to e8 and the game began.
The white pawn on e2 moved to e4.
Theodore then said, "Pawn to e5."
The black pawn on e7 moved to e5.
The white knight on g1 moved to f3.
Theodore said, "Pawn to d6."
The black pawn on d7 moved to d6, defending the black pawn on e5. Harry knew that the Philidor Defense was on the board, as he remembered this opening from his game against Warrington.
Harry watched as the white knight leaped from f3 and demolished the black pawn on e5 with its sword. Harry gulped, knowing that would happen to he and his friends if they got captured.
Theodore and Blaise also looked nervous.
"Well, that was a really dumb move", Draco said. "They just sacrificed a knight for a pawn."
Blaise then said, "Pawn to e5."
The black pawn on d6 pulled out its sword and demolished the white knight on e5 into numerous pieces before replacing it.
The white bishop then moved from f1 to a6.
"Again, why?", Draco asked. "No competent chess player would ever play like this."
"Every mistake they make is our advantage", Theodore said. "Pawn to a6."
The black pawn on b7 pulled out its sword and stabbed the white bishop on a6 into numerous pieces before replacing it.
The white queen then moved to h5. This move attacked the undefended black pawn on e5.
Theodore then said, "Knight to c6."
Millie hesitated before moving from b8 to c6.
The white queen moved to e5, capturing the black pawn that occupied that square by smashing it into numerous pieces.
"It means nothing", Blaise said. "Leaves you free to take the queen, Millie, go on. Knight to e5."
Millie hesitated before moving from c6 to e5, replacing the white queen.
Harry knew the white pieces were performing terribly as they struggled to defend their leader. It seemed obvious that Harry and his friends would win this game. The only question was, at what cost?
The white pawn on f2 moved to f4. This move attacked Millie, so she obviously had to retreat.
"Knight to c6", Blaise said. Millie moved from e5 to c6.
The white king castled.
"Bishop to c5", Blaise said. Draco looked nervous as he moved from f8 to c5. This move put the white king on g1 in check.
The white king on g1 moved to h1.
"Knight on g8 to e7", Theodore said. Tracey moved from g8 to e7. Harry could see the worry in her eyes.
The white pawn on d2 moved to d4, attacking Draco. That white pawn was obviously undefended.
"Bishop to d4", Theodore said. Draco moved from c5 to d4, capturing the white pawn that was on d4.
The white pawn on a2 moved to a4.
"Bishop to c5", Blaise said. Draco retreated to c5 from d4.
The white knight on b1 moved to a3.
"Castle kingside", Theodore said. Harry moved from e8 to g8, and Goyle moved from h8 to f8.
The white pawn on b2 moved to b4, attacking Draco.
"Bishop to b4", Blaise said. Draco moved from c5 to b4, capturing the white b-pawn that just attacked him.
The white pawn on c2 moved to c3, attacking Draco.
"Bishop to c3", Theodore said. Draco moved to c3 from b4, capturing the white pawn that was occupying the c3 square.
The white knight on c3 jumped to b5. This move attacked Draco.
"Bishop to a1", Blaise said. The black bishop on c3 moved to a1, capturing the white queenside rook that had been occupying the a1 square.
The white knight on b5 moved to a7, slicing the black pawn on a7 into numerous pieces with its sword.
Another pointless sacrifice, Harry thought. We've almost won this game.
"Rook to a7", Theodore said. Crabbe moved from a8 to a7, capturing the white knight that was on a7.
The white rook on f1 moved to f3.
"Bishop to b7", Blaise said. Daphne looked nervous as she moved from c8 to b7. She clearly seemed frightened.
The white pawn on h2 moved to h4.
"Queen to a8", Theodore said. Pansy moved from d8 to a8.
The white bishop on c1 then moved to d2. Harry then realized that Crabbe was trapped on a7.
Apparently, Theodore and Blaise seemed to notice this as well. So, they both immediately said, "Pawn to a5."
The black pawn on a6 moved to a5.
The white rook on f3 moved to h3.
"Rook to d8", Theodore said. Goyle moved from f8 to d8.
The white bishop on d2 moved to e3, attacking Crabbe.
"Rook to a6", Blaise said. Crabbe moved from a7 to a6.
The white bishop on e3 moved to f2.
"Knight to b4", Theodore said. Millie moved from c6 to b4.
The white pawn on f4 moved to f5.
"Pawn to g6", Blaise said. Harry watched as the black pawn on the g7 square moved to g6.
The white pawn on h4 moved to h5.
"Pawn to h5", Theodore said. The black pawn on g6 moved to h5, smashing the white pawn that was on that square into numerous pieces.
The white rook on h3 moved to h5, inflicting the same amount of damage that the black h-pawn had caused.
"Bishop to e4", Blaise said. Daphne moved from b7 to e4, capturing the white pawn on the e4 square.
The white rook on h5 moved to h2.
"Rook on d8 to d6", Theodore said. Goyle moved from d8 to d6.
The white bishop on f2 moved to g1.
"Rook on a6 to c6", Blaise said. Crabbe moved from a6 to c6.
The white pawn on f5 moved to f6. This move attacked Tracey, who was on e7.
"Knight to c8", Theodore said. Tracey retreated from e7 to c8.
The white rook moved from h2 to h3.
"Rook to c1", Blaise said. Crabbe moved from c6 to c1.
The white rook on h3 moved to h2.
"Rook to f6", Theodore said. Goyle moved from d6 to f6, capturing the white pawn on the f6 square.
The white rook on h2 moved to h3.
"Rook to g6", Blaise said. Goyle moved from f6 to g6.
The white rook on h3 moved to h2.
It was the critical position. The black pieces were clearly winning. In fact, Harry could tell checkmate was very close. Theodore and Blaise apparently seemed to think so as well.
"Good news and bad news", Theodore said. "There's a forced checkmate in only two moves."
"What's the bad news?", Goyle asked.
"One of us needs to be sacrificed in order to achieve it."
Harry looked around the board. Harry (the black king) was on g8. Tracey (the black kingside knight) was on c8. Pansy (the black queen) was on a8. Goyle (black kingside rook) was on g6. Millie (black queenside knight) was on b4. Draco (black kingside bishop) was on a1. Daphne (black queenside bishop) was on e4. Crabbe (black queenside rook) was on c1. There were four remaining black pawns on a5, c7, f7, and h7.
As for the white pieces, there were white pawns on a4 and g2. The white rook was on h2, the white bishop was on g1, and the white king was on h1. Harry studied the position for at least two minutes until he realized what had to be done.
Daphne had to be sacrificed.
If Daphne moved to g2 to capture the white pawn on that square, she would get captured by the white rook on h2. Pansy could then capture that white rook on g2 to deliver checkmate (defended by Goyle, who was on g6).
It was not going to be easy. But it needed to be done.
"Bishop to g2", Theodore said.
"Theodore!", Draco exclaimed. "That'll put Daphne…"
"I know", Theodore said. "But it has to be done. Once Daphne gets taken, the white rook is attacked by both Pansy and Goyle. Pansy will then take that white rook and we win."
"He's right", Daphne said. "I'll move to g2 and the white rook will take me."
"You sure there isn't another way?", Harry asked.
"We don't have time to debate this", Theodore said. "Quirrell is already trying to get the stone. He has to be stopped for good. Our three female prefects are in danger."
Harry couldn't argue with that. But he sympathized with Daphne.
Daphne moved slowly from e4 to g2, Theodore and Blaise offering her comfort as she did so. A tear streamed down Daphne's cheek as she stepped on the g2 square to capture the white pawn. The white rook on h2 then slapped Daphne across the face and dragged her across the room to where the captured black pawns were before replacing Daphne.
Theodore seemed shaken. Then he said, "Queen to g2."
Pansy moved from a8 to g2, capturing the white rook on the g2 square.
"Checkmate!", Pansy shouted.
The white king took off his crown and threw it at Pansy's feet. They had won.
The game had lasted 33 moves, and the only one that had been captured was Daphne.
As soon as the game was over, Harry and the other Slytherin first-years rushed over to Daphne to see how she was doing.
"She's bleeding", Blaise said. "She's alive from her pulse, but unconscious."
Draco then said, "You guys bring her to the hospital wing, and I'll go with Harry…"
"No", Harry said. "I'm going alone."
"That's insane!"
"I have to do this alone. It's me that has to move on. I have to stop Quirrell from carrying out his plan and rescue Cleo, Mia, and Isabella."
"You sure?", Draco asked for clarification.
"I'm sure", Harry said. "Don't forget, the Bloody Baron is in my body. He'll protect me, or try to, anyway."
"Well, good luck, then."
Pansy hugged Harry before helping the other Slytherin first-years escort Daphne towards the hospital wing.
Harry sighed heavily as he headed down the corridor towards the next trap. When he walked through the doorway, purple flames from behind and black flames from ahead both shot up. He was trapped.
Professor Snape's trap, Harry thought. Definitely.
Harry was one of Snape's best students in Potions, but even he was nervous and fearful. This didn't look good.
What's that parchment? The Bloody Baron thought.
Harry read it out loud.
Danger lies before you, while safety lies behind,
Two of us will help you, whichever you would find,
One among us seven will let you move ahead,
Another will transport the drinker back instead,
Two among our number hold only nettle wine,
Three of us are killers, waiting hidden in line.
Choose, unless you wish to stay here forevermore,
To help you in your choice, we give you these clues four:
First, however slyly the poison tries to hide
You will always find some on nettle wine's left side;
Second, different are those who stand at either end,
But if you would move onward, neither is your friend;
Third, as you see clearly, all are different size,
Neither dwarf nor giant hold death in their insides;
Fourth, the second left and the second on the right,
Are twins once you taste them, though different at first sight.
Harry sighed. What now? He thought.
It's obviously a logic puzzle, the Bloody Baron responded. Only one of the bottles will help you move forward.
Harry let the Bloody Baron think for a few minutes, then he figured it out.
The third bottle, the Bloody Baron thought. The smallest one.
Harry grabbed the bottle and drank it without hesitation. The black flames vanished without a trace.
Harry walked forward, anticipating what would happen next.
He saw Quirrell with his back apparently turned, looking into the mirror of Erised. He then saw Cleo Rowle, Isabella Naughton, and Mia Wright, hanging from the ceiling, bound and gagged. Harry got their attention and put his fingers to his lips, silently signaling them to be quiet.
"Potter, welcome to our gathering", Quirrell sneered. Harry remembered the spells he had learned from Snape, Flint, and Warrington, but he didn't want to give away what he already knew about the dark arts.
"Well, I'm here. Now let these three innocent girls go."
"You're not in a position to negotiate, Potter", Quirrell said, smirking. His stutter was clearly gone. "First, you will help me find the Stone."
"Where is Voldemort, anyway?", Harry asked. "Is he too afraid to fight me himself? Too nervous that I'll just repeat what I did to him eleven years ago? Is he really a yellow-bellied coward? Too chicken?"
"My master is here and he will not be intimidated by your taunts and diatribes", Quirrell said, seemingly impatient. "You will get the stone for my master and I."
"Don't even dream about it", Harry said.
"Use the boy", a cold voice hissed.
"What do you see, Potter?", Quirrell asked Harry.
Harry looked into the mirror and saw his reflection. His reflection smirked at him before pulling out a smooth blood-red rock from his pocket. His reflection smiled at him before Harry felt the rock drop in his real pocket. Harry had to hold himself back from showing any signs of surprise.
"What do you see?", Quirrell asked, more demanding than the previous time.
"I see myself as Prefect, Head Boy, and Quidditch Captain for Slytherin", Harry said.
Smooth, the Bloody Baron thought.
"He lies", the cold voice hissed. "Let me speak to him."
"Master, it's too risky. You don't have the capability to do so."
"I am capable enough to do this, you idiot."
Quirrell then began unwrapping his turban until he showed what was in the back of his head.
"Harry Potter…" it whispered.
"Voldemort", Harry gasped.
"You see what I have become", Voldemort rasped. "I have been drinking unicorn blood in the forbidden forest with Quirrell's help. Eventually I will have my own body and live eternally when I get that stone. So, give it to me."
"Never", Harry emphatically declared.
"Don't be an idiot, Potter. Your parents refused to listen to me and paid with their lives. They both died begging me for mercy…"
"LIAR!", Harry shouted.
"Wow. I love that bravery and defiance…"
Before Voldemort could say anything else, Harry pointed his wand at the Dark Lord, and shouted, "Avada Kedavra!"
The killing curse hit Quirrell/Voldemort squarely in the chest. Quirrell/Voldemort fell to the ground, clearly dead. A shadow that evidently was Voldemort rose to the air, screaming and howling.
Harry took a deep breath. "It's over. You can come out of me now, Mister Baron."
The Bloody Baron left Harry's body, causing the latter to feel strange in his stomach for a few minutes.
Harry then ran over to where Cleo, Isabella, and Mia were tied and released them from their bindings.
"We'd better get going", Harry said. "By Merlin, we do have a story to share with the other Slytherins."
Harry, Cleo, Isabella, Mia, and the Baron left the chamber and headed for the exit. It took some time until they reached the entrance to the third-floor corridor. When they did, they found Professor Snape and all of Slytherin House waiting for them.
"Well done, Potter", Snape said. "Quite impressive."
Professor Dumbledore then approached.
"It is clear what has to be done now", Dumbledore said. "Sixty points each to Harry Potter, Draco Malfoy, Theodore Nott, Blaise Zabini, Gregory Goyle, Vincent Crabbe, Pansy Parkinson, Tracey Davis, Millicent Bulstrode, and Daphne Greengrass for their bravery and courage." The Slytherins cheered at this news. "And fifty each to Cassius Warrington and Linus Urquhart for informing a teacher of what was taking place."
The Slytherins cheered again. Slytherin had gained 700 points.
10 June 1992
The Slytherin first-years were at the End-of-Year feast. Gryffindor had embrassingly lost their match against Ravenclaw, and the final score in that match was 260 to 10. They were definitely ecstatic and elated with the news that Slytherin had won the house cup for the seventh year in a row and had won the Quidditch cup for the seventh year in a row. Harry was pleased that he had been active in helping Slytherin secure both cups. Slytherin had the lead for the house cup by far, with 2,281 points.
All of the first-year Slytherins had passed their end-of-year exams. Harry had secretly hoped that Weasley would fail his end-of-year Potions exam, but by some miracle of nature, he had passed as well. He couldn't believe it.
Oh well, as long as he stays away from my friends and I, I can live with it.
A wave of sadness then came over Harry. He would have to go back to the Dursleys and Privet Drive. Oh well, it would be a temporary setback. Snape did promise that he would get him out of there within two weeks, so he wasn't feeling too worried.
"Don't worry, Harry", Draco said. "You could probably come over to Malfoy Manor, during the summer holidays, if Snape lets you do so."
"Hopefully."
Daphne had recovered from her injuries that she had sustained during the Wizard's Chess match. Now, she was ecstatic and joyful. Harry could tell she was feeling much better and satisfied.
The staff at Hogwarts had handed out end-of-year notices about magic not being allowed to be used during the holidays.
("I was hoping they would forget these", Fred Weasley said with disappointment)
Harry had stopped by Professor Snape's office just before he was to head back home on the Hogwarts Express.
"You only need to wait two weeks, Potter", Snape said. "Then I'll be there. Don't worry about it."
On the train ride home, Harry had sat with the other Slytherin first-years, playing Wizard's Chess and exploding Snap. It was clear that Harry had learned about Wizard's Chess during his first year at Hogwarts.
Eventually, then all arrived at King's Cross station and bid their farewells and goodbyes. Eventually, Draco, Pansy, Theodore, and Harry were the only ones left.
Theodore said, "There's my father and brother!"
Hiram and Theodore slapped hands. Theodore then said to Timothy Nott, "Father, I'd like to introduce you to Harry Potter."
Mr. Nott gave Harry a firm handshake. "It is good to meet you…Harry."
After the Notts left, Pansy Parkinson's parents arrived next.
"Father!", Pansy squealed.
Pansy ran to her father in a bone-crushing hug.
"Father, these are my friends, Harry Potter and Draco Malfoy. Harry, Draco, this is my father, Blayne Parkinson."
Mr. Parkinson shook hands with Harry and Draco.
"Glad to meet you two. Harry, Pansy had told me so much about you!"
"Father!", Pansy exclaimed.
"Well, it's true. So glad we finally got to meet."
"Likewise, Mr. Parkinson", Harry said.
After the Parkinsons left, Draco said, "There's mother and father!"
Lucius and Narcissa hugged Draco tightly.
"How was your first year at Hogwarts, dear?", Mrs. Malfoy asked.
"It was great!"
Lucius shook hands with Harry. "Great seeing you again, Harry. Heard about what happened. Quite a brave adventure."
Narcissa hugged Harry. "Come by Malfoy Manor, sometime. We'd love to have you around."
Harry smiled, then he suddenly groaned.
"It's the Dursleys."
Vernon Dursley was clearly grouchy as ever.
"Hurry up, boy. I don't have all day."
Draco shook hands with Harry. "Good luck, mate. I'll be seeing you."
"No need to worry about me", Harry said, suddenly smiling. "They don't know we're not allowed to use magic over the holidays. I'm going to have a lot of fun with Dudley this summer…"
END OF YEAR ONE
Author's Note: And that was Year One! Took me three years to finish this story! Give me some time, and I will start Year Two!