Disclaimer: Don't own 'em, so don't sue. Deal?
AN: Props to mascaret for beta-ing this for me. :D
Ruthless
This, Albus Dumbledore vowed, shall be the last time he would engage in this type of activity with Minerva McGonagall. She was simply too much for him to handle. He no longer possessed the endurance he once had as a young man. Back in the glorious days of his youth he would have ruthlessly worn down his partner until he or she yielded. However, since meeting Minerva, such an occurrence still happened but only rarely.
He began his entreaty. "Minerva, my love, my darling wife, my goddess! Can we please finish this in the morning? I am far too exhausted to continue!"
"No," was her grim reply. Her eyes blazed with an unholy light as she stared at him intensely.
"Sweetheart, please reconsider. In the morning we shall both be refreshed and ready for another session. On my honor, I promise you a better performance than my current one. Just think, your victory will be all the more sweeter because I was alert and on top of things to participate."
"No, Albus."
"Why won't you let me collapse and roll over with dignity?" Albus cried, covering his face with his hands in despair.
"You only have yourself to blame for your current predicament. Lift up your hand and move your piece, Albus!" Minerva commanded in a sinister way. "Now!"
He gave her a woeful look, sighed and did as he was told. Albus moved his rook across the checkered board. The pieces, usually so rowdy and ready for battle were quiet; for the last 2 hours they had been sleeping soundly. Now they were like standard chess pieces, except Minerva's queen and several of his pawns were snoring loudly while every now and then one of the knight's steeds gave a soft 'neigh'.
Albus sighed again and rubbed his red rimmed eyes. He willed himself to focus. Minerva demanded that he play with all of his mental capabilities for this last game. She was right, as usual; it was his fault he was stuck here before the fire playing out the last dregs of their game (5 hours, 23 minutes, 14 seconds and counting). If only he had not been arrogant and foolish enough to voice out the words 'Only because I let you win' to the proud woman across from him after losing the previous game to her, right now he could be tucked away in their bed, warm and asleep.
And the anti-toppling charm she cast on his king was cruel and so unsportsmanlike. Minerva was a ruthless goddess indeed…
AN: For those who don't play chess or don't know the rules, the deliberate knocking over of your king is symbol of resigning.