In Which Ron and Methos Play Chess
Chapter 32
The pranks slowly trickled to a stop, neither having the time to plan or set them up, for Christmas was coming.
Christmas eve dawned bright and clear and cold. A fresh blanket of snow covered the grounds as the few students who remained slept on. In all of Hogwarts, only two were up this early, running in the snow. In the end, it was Methos who threw the first snowball. It hit Severus squarely back of the head, causing him to stumble. He turned around and glared at a smirking Methos.
"I'll get you for that." Methos' smirk grew.
"You'll have to catch me first." Severus gathered some snow and took off after his retreating lover. He stopped and let fly. It hit right between the shoulder blades. Methos overbalanced, hit a patch of ice, and landed on his face. Severus reached him just as he rolled over. He stared down as Methos tried to look up at the too bright sky.
"You hit me!" he accused.
"You hit me first," he retaliated.
"True, Methos acknowledged, then, with a sly grin, "Help me up?" Knowing this was a trap, but finding himself not caring, Severus reached down a hand. As predicted, the hand that grasped his pulled as a foot pulled his ankle out from under him. He landed on the fresh snow (and on Methos) with a loud "oomph!" He looked down into Methos' suddenly much closer face.
"Hello there." He flashed a quick grin and tried to get up. Methos wouldn't let him. "Adam let me up." He didn't let go. "Methos!" he said, his voice lowered, "We're outside and the students will be getting up soon!"
"Kiss me and I'll let you up." Severus leaned in and kissed the chilled lips, warming rapidly under the pressure of his own. When he pulled away, the bruised lips stuck slightly. Methos ran his fingers through Severus' hair.
"I love you." Severus smiled at him.
"I love you, too. Come on then, lets get out of this snow." They stood, brushed themselves off and were inside before the first student awoke.
The Great Hall
The "Fab Four" were sitting by the fire. Draco and Hermione were chatting amiably as Ron beat Harry at chess.
"Check and Mate. Want to play again?" Harry shook his head.
"I'm tired of loosing. Find another victim." He sat back and Ron looked around, surveying the potential opponents. The side door banged open and Methos raced in, his face flushed. After a quick glance around he ran to the fireplace and hid behind Hermione's chair. Filch stormed in a minute later, talked to Dumbledore, and stormed out. Methos breathed a sigh of relief.
"That was close." Hermione looked over the back of her chair.
"What was that all about?" Methos, whose face had gone back to normal, flushed again with embarrassment.
"Um…I tracked snow into the front hall, and didn't make any effort to clean it up, or tell him. He found out it was me…after Mrs. Norris slipped and fell in it. I don't exactly strike fear into his heart…he'd make my life hell." Herm stifled a giggle and he smiled. "No, it's ok. You can laugh. It is pretty funny." He stood up and walked around the chair, noticing the chessboard. "oh, you play chess?" Ron nodded.
"Yep. I am, as of yet, undefeated. I even beat McGonagal's chess set in my first year," Ron said modestly, but with a strong undercurrent of pride. Adam smiled, but inside, Methos grinned.
"Can I play? I'm not so bad myself when it comes to chess." Ron grinned and nodded.
"Absolutely! Harry just stopped playing because he was sick of loosing all the time." Methos smirked.
"Forgive me, but I don't plan on loosing." The game commenced. Harry sat next to Draco, who was still talking about Hermione. The topic had shifted to school and they were talking about another class they had…ancient runes or something like that. Harry closed his eyes, now blissfully free of nightmare images, and just listened to the sound of his boyfriend's voice.
The Great Hall doors opened again, but this time nobody noticed. Severus walked in, searching for his lover. He found him deep in concentration while playing chess with Ron Weasley. Smiling so slightly that it might not have been a smile at all, he joined the company at the fireside. He stood unnoticed behind Methos until Methos picked up a piece. (1) He jabbed his hands forward to quickly shake Methos' shoulders, saying quickly;
"Don't mess up!" Methos jerked in his chair, but managed not to knock over any pieces. He turned in his chair to glare at his smirking lover.
"You're in a good mood," he groused. Severus' slight smile widened.
"Of course. I passed Filch in the corridor grumbling about mud, snow, and fleet-footed professors…know anything about that?" Methos' innocent look rivaled that of the twins.
"No…I don't think so." Severus snorted and leaned against Harry's chair (which was right next to Methos' chair.)
"Of course not." Methos made his move. "Who's winning?" asked Severus.
"Ron."
"I am." Severus raised his eyebrows. Congratulations Mr. Weasley. Adam is the best chess player I know."
"I'm the only chess player you know," teased Methos, with a smirk.
"True, well, the only living one, and not including myself." He turned to Ron. "When you're done winning Mr. Weasley, will you let me play Adam? I want to beat his arse." It was mock growled, that last part, and Methos laughed in response, then teased back;
"Watch your language, Professor Snape. You're setting a bad example." Severus raised an eyebrow at him.
"So are you, talking back to a professor. I should give you a detention."
"Oh no, please, anything but that!" Methos moved his last pice when he said that and Ron made a quick movement saying before Severus could reply;
"Check." Methos did a double take at the board, and moved his king.
"Not anymore." Ron grinned and moved his queen.
"You're right. It's now checkmate." Methos' jaw dropped.
"That's impossible! I can't…how…I don't believe it." He stared at the board going over the game in his head. Ron's moves, though they appeared erratic, were chosen with a specific purpose and mind and they carried it out beautifully. His own logical approach was easily seen and defeated. He reached out his hand to Ron and Ron took it.
"Congradulations, Mr. Weasley…you are the first person to beat me at chess in over twenty years…and he had over fifty years experience on me." 'more like 1000 years, but whose picky…I miss you Darius.'
"How much older than 50? 500?" Severus murmured as he took the seat Ron had vacated. Methos just grinned at him and made the first move. Ron sat down with Hermione in her overstuffed chair, sinking down into the cushion. Hermione continued her talk uninterrupted, even when she was pulled to sit on Ron's lap. When she paused to listen to Draco she leaned her head against Ron's for a moment, then was speaking again. Underneath her, Ron started to fall asleep.
Ten minutes later
"Checkmate."
"AGAIN!" Methos smiled his 'Mona Lisa' smile as his lover lost his thirds game in a row. Severus sat back, arms crossed, in a semi pout. Draco snickered. "What's so funny, Mr. Malfoy?" he practically growled.
"Nothing Professor!" Draco replied with false innocence. Severus stared at him for a moment, snickered, and stood.
"Where are you going?" Methos asked. Severus looked at him like he had a second head, not a big one, mind you, but another one just the same. (Dirty dirty minds!)
"It's Christmas tomorrow. I have presents to wrap." Methos' eyes got huge.
"Presents! What'd you get me?" Severus raised his eyebrows.
"Oh? Was I supposed to get you something? Oops." Methos stared, then grinned.
"Well, it's too bad then. I guess I'll just have to keep your present for myself. Pity. You would have liked it." His face was serious, but his eyes twinkled. Severus' expression softened (something most of the school would have thought impossible) and tilted his head to the side.
"Do you really think I don't have a present for you?"
"Oh, I know you do. I just want you to admit it."
"Never! Not till tomorrow, anyway."
"Oh come on!" Wheedled Methos, "You know you want to." Severus just looked at him and Methos pouted. "Stubborn man. Are you sure you're not Scottish?" Severus laughed and shook his head. He turned to leave. "wait," called Methos, "Are we still celebrating tonight?"
"Of course."
"Wonderful! I'll see you then. Bye Sevvie."
"By Adam…and don't call me Sevvie."
"Sev?"
"No."
"Honey-Bear?"
"No."
"Snuggle-butt?"
"Definitely not!"
"Boo-boo Kitty Fuck?"(1) Severus just closed his eyes and laughed, shaking his head.
"Severus, then."
"Yes, thank you. Goodnight all. Merry Christmas." He left as they responded in kind, Herm a little surprised and Ron practically shell-shocked.
"Well Ron, what do you say to a rematch?" Ron looked at Methos, blinked, and replied distractedly,
Yeah, sure." Bringing his mind into focus, they started the game once more.
Later that night; Methos' quarters
"I can't believe he beat me again…twice!" Severus laughed at the disbelieving outrage in his lover's voice. "Don't laugh, I have to plan my revenge."
"No you don't"
"I don't?"
"Nope. You have to kiss me."
"Oh?" teased Methos, "Any why is that?"
"Because, love," replied Severus, pulling him in close, "We're standing under the mistletoe."
"So we are." He leaned into Severus and they kissed, an action long practiced and slipped into with ease. Methos pulled away, "Come to bed." Severus nodded and followed his lover, laughing when he saw the bed. Methos stood behind him and hugged him from behind.
"Do you like?"
"I like." The bed (the non sleeping parts, anyway) was covered in Holly and Mistletoe.
"Merry Christmas Severus. Do you like your gift?" Severus grinned, turned, and kissed his lover hard.
"Yes. I do like. Merry Christmas Methos."
Darkened Corner Near Gryffindor Common Room
Draco and Harry stood, locked in a tight embrace, the green and white glint of mistletoe barely seen over their heads. They pulled apart and Draco buried his face in Harry's neck.
"I love you, Harry." His voice was muffled.
"I love you too, Draco." Harry whispered back. They pulled away eventually and Draco said,
"Well, I guess we better get to bed, now, Filch will be patrolling soon. Meet you tomorrow morning?"
"In the Great Hall?"
"Outside it first." Harry nodded, then kissed Draco once more.
"Until tomorrow. Goodnight, love. Merry Christmas."
"Merry Christmas. Sweet Dreams.
TBC.
Wow…that ending was weak, but I needed to stop somewhere. The next chapter will be up either later tonight or tomorrow night. I have it written, I just have to write the thing.
S.Moidel – um…actually…I wouldn't remember how Methos spoke in the series because the only episode I saw him in was "Finale"…and that's the only episode of Highlander I have ever seen. For everything else, it's books, fan fiction, and movies. You're right. I am an American, a "joisey goil." I'm gonna try and keep the British slang in mind for upcoming chapters and I will eventually go back and touch up the previous chapters. I'm just so close to the end, I don't want to start going back now. I think I will e- mail you for those files…it'll just be a few days. Thanx!
Lady Cinnibar – you rock. That's all I can say. You ROCK!
Next chapter – CHRISTMAS DAY and surprises for the staff (gasp!)
Chapter 32
The pranks slowly trickled to a stop, neither having the time to plan or set them up, for Christmas was coming.
Christmas eve dawned bright and clear and cold. A fresh blanket of snow covered the grounds as the few students who remained slept on. In all of Hogwarts, only two were up this early, running in the snow. In the end, it was Methos who threw the first snowball. It hit Severus squarely back of the head, causing him to stumble. He turned around and glared at a smirking Methos.
"I'll get you for that." Methos' smirk grew.
"You'll have to catch me first." Severus gathered some snow and took off after his retreating lover. He stopped and let fly. It hit right between the shoulder blades. Methos overbalanced, hit a patch of ice, and landed on his face. Severus reached him just as he rolled over. He stared down as Methos tried to look up at the too bright sky.
"You hit me!" he accused.
"You hit me first," he retaliated.
"True, Methos acknowledged, then, with a sly grin, "Help me up?" Knowing this was a trap, but finding himself not caring, Severus reached down a hand. As predicted, the hand that grasped his pulled as a foot pulled his ankle out from under him. He landed on the fresh snow (and on Methos) with a loud "oomph!" He looked down into Methos' suddenly much closer face.
"Hello there." He flashed a quick grin and tried to get up. Methos wouldn't let him. "Adam let me up." He didn't let go. "Methos!" he said, his voice lowered, "We're outside and the students will be getting up soon!"
"Kiss me and I'll let you up." Severus leaned in and kissed the chilled lips, warming rapidly under the pressure of his own. When he pulled away, the bruised lips stuck slightly. Methos ran his fingers through Severus' hair.
"I love you." Severus smiled at him.
"I love you, too. Come on then, lets get out of this snow." They stood, brushed themselves off and were inside before the first student awoke.
The Great Hall
The "Fab Four" were sitting by the fire. Draco and Hermione were chatting amiably as Ron beat Harry at chess.
"Check and Mate. Want to play again?" Harry shook his head.
"I'm tired of loosing. Find another victim." He sat back and Ron looked around, surveying the potential opponents. The side door banged open and Methos raced in, his face flushed. After a quick glance around he ran to the fireplace and hid behind Hermione's chair. Filch stormed in a minute later, talked to Dumbledore, and stormed out. Methos breathed a sigh of relief.
"That was close." Hermione looked over the back of her chair.
"What was that all about?" Methos, whose face had gone back to normal, flushed again with embarrassment.
"Um…I tracked snow into the front hall, and didn't make any effort to clean it up, or tell him. He found out it was me…after Mrs. Norris slipped and fell in it. I don't exactly strike fear into his heart…he'd make my life hell." Herm stifled a giggle and he smiled. "No, it's ok. You can laugh. It is pretty funny." He stood up and walked around the chair, noticing the chessboard. "oh, you play chess?" Ron nodded.
"Yep. I am, as of yet, undefeated. I even beat McGonagal's chess set in my first year," Ron said modestly, but with a strong undercurrent of pride. Adam smiled, but inside, Methos grinned.
"Can I play? I'm not so bad myself when it comes to chess." Ron grinned and nodded.
"Absolutely! Harry just stopped playing because he was sick of loosing all the time." Methos smirked.
"Forgive me, but I don't plan on loosing." The game commenced. Harry sat next to Draco, who was still talking about Hermione. The topic had shifted to school and they were talking about another class they had…ancient runes or something like that. Harry closed his eyes, now blissfully free of nightmare images, and just listened to the sound of his boyfriend's voice.
The Great Hall doors opened again, but this time nobody noticed. Severus walked in, searching for his lover. He found him deep in concentration while playing chess with Ron Weasley. Smiling so slightly that it might not have been a smile at all, he joined the company at the fireside. He stood unnoticed behind Methos until Methos picked up a piece. (1) He jabbed his hands forward to quickly shake Methos' shoulders, saying quickly;
"Don't mess up!" Methos jerked in his chair, but managed not to knock over any pieces. He turned in his chair to glare at his smirking lover.
"You're in a good mood," he groused. Severus' slight smile widened.
"Of course. I passed Filch in the corridor grumbling about mud, snow, and fleet-footed professors…know anything about that?" Methos' innocent look rivaled that of the twins.
"No…I don't think so." Severus snorted and leaned against Harry's chair (which was right next to Methos' chair.)
"Of course not." Methos made his move. "Who's winning?" asked Severus.
"Ron."
"I am." Severus raised his eyebrows. Congratulations Mr. Weasley. Adam is the best chess player I know."
"I'm the only chess player you know," teased Methos, with a smirk.
"True, well, the only living one, and not including myself." He turned to Ron. "When you're done winning Mr. Weasley, will you let me play Adam? I want to beat his arse." It was mock growled, that last part, and Methos laughed in response, then teased back;
"Watch your language, Professor Snape. You're setting a bad example." Severus raised an eyebrow at him.
"So are you, talking back to a professor. I should give you a detention."
"Oh no, please, anything but that!" Methos moved his last pice when he said that and Ron made a quick movement saying before Severus could reply;
"Check." Methos did a double take at the board, and moved his king.
"Not anymore." Ron grinned and moved his queen.
"You're right. It's now checkmate." Methos' jaw dropped.
"That's impossible! I can't…how…I don't believe it." He stared at the board going over the game in his head. Ron's moves, though they appeared erratic, were chosen with a specific purpose and mind and they carried it out beautifully. His own logical approach was easily seen and defeated. He reached out his hand to Ron and Ron took it.
"Congradulations, Mr. Weasley…you are the first person to beat me at chess in over twenty years…and he had over fifty years experience on me." 'more like 1000 years, but whose picky…I miss you Darius.'
"How much older than 50? 500?" Severus murmured as he took the seat Ron had vacated. Methos just grinned at him and made the first move. Ron sat down with Hermione in her overstuffed chair, sinking down into the cushion. Hermione continued her talk uninterrupted, even when she was pulled to sit on Ron's lap. When she paused to listen to Draco she leaned her head against Ron's for a moment, then was speaking again. Underneath her, Ron started to fall asleep.
Ten minutes later
"Checkmate."
"AGAIN!" Methos smiled his 'Mona Lisa' smile as his lover lost his thirds game in a row. Severus sat back, arms crossed, in a semi pout. Draco snickered. "What's so funny, Mr. Malfoy?" he practically growled.
"Nothing Professor!" Draco replied with false innocence. Severus stared at him for a moment, snickered, and stood.
"Where are you going?" Methos asked. Severus looked at him like he had a second head, not a big one, mind you, but another one just the same. (Dirty dirty minds!)
"It's Christmas tomorrow. I have presents to wrap." Methos' eyes got huge.
"Presents! What'd you get me?" Severus raised his eyebrows.
"Oh? Was I supposed to get you something? Oops." Methos stared, then grinned.
"Well, it's too bad then. I guess I'll just have to keep your present for myself. Pity. You would have liked it." His face was serious, but his eyes twinkled. Severus' expression softened (something most of the school would have thought impossible) and tilted his head to the side.
"Do you really think I don't have a present for you?"
"Oh, I know you do. I just want you to admit it."
"Never! Not till tomorrow, anyway."
"Oh come on!" Wheedled Methos, "You know you want to." Severus just looked at him and Methos pouted. "Stubborn man. Are you sure you're not Scottish?" Severus laughed and shook his head. He turned to leave. "wait," called Methos, "Are we still celebrating tonight?"
"Of course."
"Wonderful! I'll see you then. Bye Sevvie."
"By Adam…and don't call me Sevvie."
"Sev?"
"No."
"Honey-Bear?"
"No."
"Snuggle-butt?"
"Definitely not!"
"Boo-boo Kitty Fuck?"(1) Severus just closed his eyes and laughed, shaking his head.
"Severus, then."
"Yes, thank you. Goodnight all. Merry Christmas." He left as they responded in kind, Herm a little surprised and Ron practically shell-shocked.
"Well Ron, what do you say to a rematch?" Ron looked at Methos, blinked, and replied distractedly,
Yeah, sure." Bringing his mind into focus, they started the game once more.
Later that night; Methos' quarters
"I can't believe he beat me again…twice!" Severus laughed at the disbelieving outrage in his lover's voice. "Don't laugh, I have to plan my revenge."
"No you don't"
"I don't?"
"Nope. You have to kiss me."
"Oh?" teased Methos, "Any why is that?"
"Because, love," replied Severus, pulling him in close, "We're standing under the mistletoe."
"So we are." He leaned into Severus and they kissed, an action long practiced and slipped into with ease. Methos pulled away, "Come to bed." Severus nodded and followed his lover, laughing when he saw the bed. Methos stood behind him and hugged him from behind.
"Do you like?"
"I like." The bed (the non sleeping parts, anyway) was covered in Holly and Mistletoe.
"Merry Christmas Severus. Do you like your gift?" Severus grinned, turned, and kissed his lover hard.
"Yes. I do like. Merry Christmas Methos."
Darkened Corner Near Gryffindor Common Room
Draco and Harry stood, locked in a tight embrace, the green and white glint of mistletoe barely seen over their heads. They pulled apart and Draco buried his face in Harry's neck.
"I love you, Harry." His voice was muffled.
"I love you too, Draco." Harry whispered back. They pulled away eventually and Draco said,
"Well, I guess we better get to bed, now, Filch will be patrolling soon. Meet you tomorrow morning?"
"In the Great Hall?"
"Outside it first." Harry nodded, then kissed Draco once more.
"Until tomorrow. Goodnight, love. Merry Christmas."
"Merry Christmas. Sweet Dreams.
TBC.
Wow…that ending was weak, but I needed to stop somewhere. The next chapter will be up either later tonight or tomorrow night. I have it written, I just have to write the thing.
S.Moidel – um…actually…I wouldn't remember how Methos spoke in the series because the only episode I saw him in was "Finale"…and that's the only episode of Highlander I have ever seen. For everything else, it's books, fan fiction, and movies. You're right. I am an American, a "joisey goil." I'm gonna try and keep the British slang in mind for upcoming chapters and I will eventually go back and touch up the previous chapters. I'm just so close to the end, I don't want to start going back now. I think I will e- mail you for those files…it'll just be a few days. Thanx!
Lady Cinnibar – you rock. That's all I can say. You ROCK!
Next chapter – CHRISTMAS DAY and surprises for the staff (gasp!)