CHAPTER SEVEN- Ron's Reflections (Draco's point of
view)
"Oh look if it isn't the traitor." I glanced up from the chair I was sunk back in, at Vorin Nott, Crabbe, Goyle, Pansy Parkinson, Millicent Bulstrode, Blaise Zabini and Maleficent Maddins who surrounded me.
"He betrayed us. Switched his loyalty to a Gryffindor." Maleficent growled, her dark eyes narrowed. Pansy let out a slight sob at this. "I thought you loved me." She whimpered.
I slammed my book shut and stood up. They hadn't found out about Jasmine until now. "Leave me alone." I said.
"You do realize now that your father hates you he doesn't care what happens. and we're free to torture you." Vorin said, raising his wand.
"Kill him, Vorin." Pansy said, folding her arms.
I grabbed my wand and quickly aimed my wand. "Watch it, Vorin. I know as many spells as you."
"Go ahead, Draco." Vorin sneered.
"He won't. Dating a pathetic Gryffindor piece of trash has made him weak." Blaise sneered.
"Don't you dare call her trash. She's fifty times better then any of you." I snapped at the girls.
"I'm hurt." Millicent snorted.
"She's nothing but trash. Dirt, scummy, disgusting trash!" Pansy shrieked.
"Fernunculus!" I yelled. Pansy fell back and screamed as boils burst onto her skin.
"Crucio!" I easily dodged Vorin's curse.
"Getting a bit flimsy there, Vorin! I avoided that curse with seconds to spare!" I said, jumping to my feet.
"You're the weak one, Draco. The boils curse? Flabby." Vorin said. The others (except Pansy who was rolling on the ground moaning) had formed a semi-circle behind Vorin. The rest of the Slytherin common room looked over and quickly came to watch. Vorin and I stood quite a few feet apart with our wands pointed. "What is the matter, Draco?" He asked after I did nothing. "Weak."
"Leave it alone, Vorin." I said.
"Kill him, Vorin!" Shouted a lot of the others.
"Don't worry. I will." Vorin sneered and shot the Cruciatus curse at me.
I easily dodged it. "You're the weak one, Vorin! I could dodge you even with the Leg-Locker curse on me!"
"Locomotor Mortis!" One of the First years, Eustice Bagge, shouted. I fell back onto the stone floor, legs locked tightly.
"Well let's see if that's true." Vorin sneered. I leapt to my feet and threatened to topple back over. "Crucio!"
I screamed and fell back as white hot pain shot through my body. The laughter of the other Slytherins filled the common room. "Dump that pitiful excuse for a witch and we might just welcome you back."
"Vorin." I took the Leg-Locker curse off of myself and slowly got up, shaking slightly. "go to hell. If anyone deserves it, you do."
Curses from all around me were shot and I screamed out before falling to the ground unconscious.
*** (Jasmine's point of view)
I dropped my backpack as I entered the hospital and ran to Draco's bed. "What happened?!" I demanded.
"Professor Snape brought him in. Apparently the other Slytherins cursed him. A lot of them at once." Madame Pomfrey explained. "was laying in the common room for a couple hours before Professor Snape discovered him."
I turned to Draco's paler-then-normal face and ran my fingers through his hair. "My poor Draco." I whispered and sat down, hand on his shoulder. I wanted to hold his hand but one of them was puffed up three times the normal size and covered in blisters from a curse. His other hand was covered with boils. I gently kissed his cheek, grabbed my backpack and stormed down the corridors. I finally found a large group of Slytherins Sixth year, talking about Draco.
"Did you see his face when about fifty curses shot at him at once?" The Maddins girl giggled.
I didn't even let anyone answer her. I grabbed my wand and stormed out. "Look if it isn't the little Gryffindor trash herself." Nott sneered.
"I know more curses then you." I said.
"I seriously doubt that." Nott said.
"Besides we have you outnumbered seven-to-one." Zabini said, smiling.
I clenched my teeth and kept my wand pointed. "You're a Gryffindor and a goody-two-shoes. You wouldn't curse us." Parkinson said. She had angry boils all over her face.
"Nice look, Parkinson. Its a big improvement." I said.
"Oh look the Gryffindor is trying her hand at making fun." Maddins said and the others snickered.
"Watch it. I am not in a good mood for what you did to Draco."
"Gonna try and curse us? Go ahead, Gryffindor." The seven drew themselves up in front of me. I was about to throw curses at them but then I spotted McGonagall coming down the corridor. "You are all worthless, good-for-nothing pieces of scum who can't even hurt me." I said. That did it. They all began attacking me.
"WHAT IS GOING ON?!" McGonagall appeared barely a second after I had been hit by their curses. The Slytherins looked at each other guiltily. McGonagall narrowed her eyes and helped me up. "You do NOT curse other students. ten points from Slytherin each and detention! Come along Miss Potter, let's get you to the hospital wing."
***
"Jasmine!" I glanced up from where Pomfrey was wrapping bandages around my arm, at Harry running in followed by Ron, Hermione and Peggy. "What happened?!"
"Slytherins." I said.
Harry cast a glance at Draco, who was still unconscious. "You got in a duel with Malfoy?" He asked rather hopefully.
"No. Draco got in a duel with about every Slytherin to defend my name. Then I enticed seven of the Slytherins to attack me so McGonagall took points off and gave them detention." I explained.
"You did what?!" Harry snapped angrily. "Jasmine! You could of gotten yourself killed!"
"She'll be fine." Pomfrey said, pouring some oozing stuff on a large cut on my arm. "Quit wiggling!" She snapped as I jerked my arm back, under the sting.
"It hurts."
"Not as bad as it would. There you go." I hopped off the table and went to Draco's bed.
"When'll he wake up?" I asked, brushing back some hair.
"I don't know but get out right now." Pomfrey snapped and we trouped off.
"Things like this are going to keep happening as long as you keep dating him." Harry said.
"Discontinue your stratagem to thwart my relationship O baneful one."
"WHAT?!?!?"
"Stop trying to break up me and Draco." I explained.
"Oh." Harry sighed heavily. "Jasmine I just-fine." He added, spotting my glare. "I'll stop."
"Hi kids. Jasmine what happened?" Remus appeared, carrying a large cauldron.
"A bunch of Slytherins." I explained, tucking back a strand of hair. "What's the cauldron for?"
"Nothing." He said quickly.
"Remus what is the cauldron for?" I asked more firmer this time.
"Snape's cauldron blew up and I'm delivering him a new one." He said slowly.
"Liar." Harry and I said.
"Its nothing important." Remus said, blowing back some hair since his hands were full. "Really!" He added seeing our faces.
"Uh-huh. Sure." I said, folding my arms.
"Hi kids." Emerin appeared, carrying a large thing wrapped in black cloth.
"And what is that?" Harry asked.
"Nothing." She said quickly and looked at Remus. "Can I put this in the cauldron? I need to get the rest-"
"Eeeemmmmmbbeeeerrr!" Remus whined, staggering slightly. "This cauldron is heavy enough as it is! Get Sirius to carry it."
"My arms are already full." Sirius appeared carrying a large armful of bottles.
"Stuff it in your head then, plenty of room there." Remus said, staggering even more.
"Not as much as in your head. You're getting old, Remus. Gray hair already and can't even carry a huge cauldron." Sirius said.
Remus delivered a well-aim kick in Sirius's shin. "My gray hair is because of my condition, dog-breath!" Then they looked at us.
"You didn't see us." Emerin said and hurried off followed by the two boys.
"Hoo boy." Hermione said, shaking her head as we headed to the library.
*** (Ron's point of view)
The rest of the two weeks went by quickly and soon my O.W.Ls were over. I was extremely sick and nervous.
"You did a good job, Ron. You'll get plenty." Peggy assured me, Saturday the Fourteenth, the day I was supposed to be finding out how many I got. The past two weeks had been quite interesting. Sirius, Remus and Emerin pulled off a lot of interesting stunts. Turned out the cauldron and stuff had been to make a potion they slipped into everyone's food one night and turning everyone's skin different neon colors. The entire school except Slytherins, loved the three professors. Even the ones who didn't take Healings class loved Emerin. The scrawny little impish woman wormed her way into our hearts just as Sirius and Remus did. Nobody (except Slytherins) cared anymore that Sirius was an accused murderer of thirteen for fifteen years. Nobody (except Slytherins) cared anymore that Remus was a werewolf. The three had easily become the most popular teachers in the history of Hogwarts.
Professor Janet Conway was extremely interesting. She was tough and fierce. She reminded me deeply of a lion with her tan skin, golden eyes and golden mane. Besides the scar on her face, she had a lot of other scars. She was a no-nonsense sort of person.
The Animagus classes wouldn't be starting up until October.
Meanwhile, I was now as famous as Harry, at least at Hogwarts since I had risen from the dead. I sort of liked it (the popularity) but quickly got sick of it and now saw why he hated it.
"Mr. Weasley?" McGonagall had entered the room, clutching a thick manila envelope.
I leapt to my feet. "Yes, Professor?" I asked, trying to ignore the churning in my stomach.
She handed me the manila envelope. I clutched it nervously. "Here are your O.W.Ls." She said.
"Okay." I whispered.
She nodded and left, and I turned to the others who had stood up. "Well go on," Hermione insisted, "open it!"
"I can't!" I said and shoved it into Harry's hand. "You. you open it."
"Okay." Harry said and opened the envelope. He looked through the papers.
"How many did I get?" I demanded.
"You got-"
"No! Don't tell me!" I yelled, covering my ears.
"Okay."
"No. Tell me."
"All right. You-"
"Wait no, I can't stand it don't."
"Okay, Ron."
"No! Tell me!"
"You got-"
"Wait stop, don't tell me."
"RON!" Harry shrieked and I blinked.
"Okay. Tell me." I managed. Peggy grabbed one hand and Hermione grabbed the other. I gripped them tightly. Jasmine rested her hand on my shoulder and I began breathing hard.
"Ron." Harry said and looked up.
"Yes?" I squeaked, trembling.
"You got thirteen O.W.Ls."
"What?!" I spat out, letting go of Peggy and Hermione. "Th-th-th-th-th-th- th-that's a mistake.!!"
"Its says thirteen." Harry said.
"Let me see that." Hermione grabbed the papers and looked it over. "Ron's right! Its impossible!"
"Hey I said 'mistake' not impossible." I snapped.
"I only got twelve." She said and looked quizzically up at me.
"So did I." Jasmine said.
"I got eleven." Harry said quietly.
"I got ten." Peggy said.
"Percy and Bill got the top ones in our family and they got twelve." I whispered.
"This is IMPOSSIBLE! No way did YOU get more then ME!" Hermione screamed, throwing the papers at me.
"Sheesh don't get your knickers in a twist. Its gotta be a clerical error. I'll go talk to McGonagall." I said, putting the papers in my backpack and heading out of the common room.
Thirteen O.W.Ls? Impossible. I could NOT of gotten thirteen. I was not that smart. I was a stupid student. I was stupid at everything but chess. I was so good at that, and at nothing else.
So how could I of gotten thirteen O.W.Ls?
I had no clue where McGonagall's office was so I found Sirius and asked him and he told me the way. I arrived at McGonagall's office and knocked on the door. She opened it and smiled. 'I thought you'd come." She said and opened it wide for me to come in.
I did so, staring around. I had never been in her office before and it was. pretty. There were three large windows with pale yellow curtains drawn back letting it bright sunlight. There were paintings up on the wall of people who looked a lot like McGonagall so I supposed they were her family. Along one wall was a large bookshelf full of Transfiguration books and various others. On McGonagall's desk was an open book, some parchment, an open bottle of ink and a quill as well as a vase of flowers.
McGonagall sat down at her desk and put the top back on the bottle and pointed at the seat on the other side of her desk in which I sat down. "Professor there must of been a mistake." I said, putting my O.W.Ls on her desk.
"Why is that?" She asked.
"I-I couldn't of possibly gotten thirteen O.W.Ls." I said, staring at her.
She adjusted her square glasses. "I was surprised as well, Mr. Weasley. I checked it over with all the teachers. we all went over the results but. you did, honestly, got thirteen O.W.Ls."
"Thirteen?" I asked in shock, not believing this.
"Yes. One of the highest O.W.Ls in the history of Hogwarts."
"But I barely make it through the classes as it is!" I shrieked.
"Mr. Weasley. we told this to Albus and he said it came to no surprise to him. He said that if you want to. to go talk to him about this."
"I-I-I. okay." I took my O.W.Ls and went to Dumbledore's office. Not knowing the password, I stood in front of the gargoyle. All I knew was it was a candy. well. if there's one good thing about me was my memory of candy names.
"Acid pops. Berte Botts Every Flavour Beans. Blood lollipops. Cauldron Cakes. Chocoballs. Chocolate Frogs. Cockroach Cluster. Cribbage's Wizard Crackers. Drooble's Best Blowing Gum." I trailed off as the gargoyle still refused to move. Clenching my fists, I continued. "Exploding Bonbons. Fizzing Whizzbees! Fudge Flies! Ice Mice! Jelly Slugs! Levi-"
The gargoyle had sprung aside when I had said 'Jelly Slugs'. "Thanks." I went up the stairs and knocked on his door.
"Come in, Ron." Dumbledore said.
I opened the door and went into his office. He was making a large house made out of cards. "Hello, Professor." I said slowly.
"Have a seat." He said and I sat down, waiting for him to finish his card house. When he finished, he waved his wand and his cards neatly stacked themselves. "What did you want?"
"Er-well my-my O.W.Ls." I said slowly.
"Yes." He said and then glanced over at a gagging sound on his windowsill. We watched as his phoenix burst into flames and then became ash. Then the baby phoenix climbed out and flopped around.
"How could I have so many? I'm so much stupider then Hermione and Percy and Bill but I got more then them!" I said in confusion.
"Have you opened the package yet?" He asked, linking his long fingers together.
"Yes, Sir. But I-"
"Have you started reading it?"
"Well. yes. But-"
"Good." Dumbledore stood up and scooped Fawkes up into his hands. "That book has helped me out many times."
"That book was yours?" I asked.
"Yes."
"Oh sir. you shouldn't of given me YOUR book! I'll go-"
"Ron." Dumbledore walked over to a shelf and tipped Fawkes into a bowl lined with soft cloth. "you keep that book. I've already gotten enough use from it. Now its time for it to be passed to another." He said, sitting back down in his chair.
"Okay well. back to my O.W.Ls. I couldn't of gotten thirteen."
"You did." Dumbledore assured me and lazily waved off a fly that had buzzed in.
"But that is impossible. I'm stupid."
Dumbledore looked hard at me. "Ron. you were never 'stupid'. You may of been less smart then others such as Miss Granger or your brothers."
"Exactly, I was-er-less smart. So how could I of gotten more O.W.Ls?!" I demanded.
"Note the words 'may of BEEN' and 'WAS'." He said.
"You mean I'm suddenly brilliant?" I asked and snorted. "That is impossible. How on earth could I of suddenly of gotten smarter then Hermione and Percy and Bill?"
"Cannot you think of anything that might of triggered your brain into becoming smarter?" He asked.
"No." I said.
"Nothing at all?"
"No! I could of just gotten smarter! Nothing happ." I trailed off and sat back, blinking.
"Ah." Dumbledore said, smiling.
"You mean." I begun slowly, "because I died. I got. smarter?"
"No."
"Then. what?" I asked.
"How come you are alive again?" He asked.
"Because of-because of the Stone?" I whispered.
"Exactly. You'll find many strange things have happened to you because of the Stone." Dumbledore sat back and adjusted his half-moon spectacles before smiling again. "Many extremely strange things."
"So. because I died and my spirit-er, life force was in the Stone and I was released I'm suddenly now smarter? I mean, a lot smarter?"
Dumbledore nodded slowly and straightened a pile of papers. "Yes."
I stared out the window at the blue sky that was almost as pale as Dumbledore's eyes. Then I turned back to him. He was unwrapping some candy and offered me one. "Thanks." I took it and stared at it.
"Lemon drop." He explained.
"Umm." I popped it in my mouth and stood up. "Sir, I'm still baffled. I mean. the book said I'd have periods of studious behavior but. but. but."
"But what?" Dumbledore asked, pulling two lemon drops apart.
"I just. I. nothing." I finally sighed.
"If you need to talk, Ron. My door is always open. Okay well after you go through the gargoyle."
I smiled. "Thanks."
"Come in." Dumbledore said as someone knocked on the door. Snape entered the room looking positively livid. I snorted and tried not to laugh as I saw his hair had been dyed gold and scarlet stripes. Dumbledore was smiling. "I see Professors Black, Lupin and Elm have been at it again."
"That is why I want to talk to you." Snape glared at me.
"Thanks again, Professor Dumbledore." I said and walked off. "Professor Snape." I said, nodding my head as I passed him. I waited till I was way past the gargoyle till I burst into loud laughter that echoed down the corridors.
***
"Move it. out of the way. I am coming through!!" A young girl hurtled through the halls, shoving robed figures out of the way. The girl stopped at a glowing green door and shoved it open. The room she had come into was pure white with a throne in the middle. The throne was worse then black. It seemed to be made out of swirling nothing.
"So. you're alive." The figure on the throne sneered. He clutched a large black scepter in his hand with a green glowing stone on the top.
"No thanks to you, Voldemort." Arva Dekadava staggered into the room angrily.
"You Disapparated." Voldemort said, narrowing his slitted red eyes.
"I just came back to tell you I am leaving your disgusting service and going on my own. I should of never joined you in the first place!"
"Then leave. I have enough followers."
"None as powerful as I, Voldemort." Arva said, clutching her ribs.
"None as stupid. If you would of just killed without prolonging-"
"PROLONGING?!" Arva screamed. "You accuse me of PROLONGING when here you are spending years plotting on getting revenge on that Potter boy?!" Her angry voice bounced off the white walls making it seem ten times louder. "you. worthless. piece. of SCUM!"
Voldemort leapt to his feet and shoved his scepter towards the girls body. She was shoved by an invisible force and went flying across the room and crumbled to the ground. "Next time, don't call the dark lord worthless."
"You are worthless." Arva said, staggering to her knees. She lifted her head and stared at him. "completely. and utterly. worthless."
Voldemort waved his scepter and the girl went flying into a wall and slid to the ground. Blood trickled down over her right eye. "You enjoy giving people scars don't you?" She asked, wiping the blood from her face and standing up. "But ofcourse. you can't do anything more then that. that's why you send others to do the job for you."
Voldemort was frozen for a moment. Nobody had ever talked to HIM like that. Voldemort slowly raised his scepter and the girl was slowly lifted into the air, her legs treading in it. "Can't do a job myself, can I?" He asked, eyes narrowing. He pulled back the scepter and the girl crashed to the ground. "Your parents were good Death Eaters. loyal. your father dying for me and your mother imprisoned. I had such high hopes for you. Goodbye, Arva. You sniveling little girl." He thrust the scepter forward and the girl screamed out as a large slit went down her front. Blood gushed from her like a waterfall and she fell to the ground, dead.
Voldemort slowly sat back down and called in a Death Eater. "Yes my lord?" Ryan Lestrange entered the room.
"Get somebody to clean that mess up." Voldemort sneered, indicating the crimson blood spreading across the floor.
*** (Peggy's point of view)
"Are you going to try out for a Chaser position?" I asked Ron, Saturday night as we started dinner.
"Yep. With my Dragonfly I have a good probability." Ron said cheerfully, spreading butter on a piping hot roll. Just before he bit into the roll, the roll suddenly leapt from his hand and went scurrying across the floor. "What the-?" Ron demanded.
The potato I was about to stab with my fork, suddenly jumped off and rolled across the table. Throughout the Great Hall, others had the same problem. Food was leaping from plates and scurrying, rolling and crawling across the floor and tables.
"What is going on?!" Hermione demanded as her piece of roast beef spat gravy at her and flopped onto the floor.
"What do you THINK?" Harry demanded, glancing at the teachers table where Sirius, Remus and Emerin were roaring with laughter.
Dumbledore, who was laughing as well, waved his wand and more food appeared on the tables only this time it didn't run off.
"I doubt we'll ever have a peaceful day with those three working here." Hermione said with a heavy sigh.
*** (Ron's point of view)
I stared at the chess board then back up at the empty chair across from me. "Someone want to play me?" I asked.
"Sure." I grinned as one of the First years, so totally clue less, hopped in the seat.
"So, what's your name?" I asked as I put the pieces up.
"Eugene Sandstone." He said, pushing his glasses up the bridge of his nose.
"You like chess?" I asked.
"Yeah." He said, looking at the board.
"You good at chess?"
"Yeah." He said with a smile.
I sat back and watched him make his first move. 'Not good enough.' I thought as I moved a piece. He moved again, and I moved, taking a pawn. 'This is much better.' I continued thinking as I played against him. 'At least this is natural to me unlike my unanticipated smartness.'
"You're good." Eugene said as I took another pawn.
I just smiled.
This was my thing. who cares about school? So what if I'm suddenly so smart I get one of the highest O.W.Ls in the history of this school? Who cares that I'm suddenly as famous as Harry in this school? Who cares that I'm suddenly as sharp as Hermione? That was not me. Chess is me.
"Hmm." Eugene blinked and slowly started to move another piece.
'Yes, Eugene. make that move. in three more moves I'll have you in check.' I thought, not revealing my intentions. Eugene moved his piece not even noticing.
Yes. This was me.
I am chess.
"Check." I said a few moves later. Looking nervous, Eugene moved his king. I moved my queen. "Check." He moved his rook in the way. I took it with my castle. "Check." He moved his queen and I took it with mine. "Checkmate."
"Oh man." He moaned, sitting back in his seat.
"Another game?" I asked.
"Nah. maybe Egg can take you on." He called over his twin sister, Eglantine, who took his place as I set the pieces. "Egg's better then me." Eugene informed me.
"That's good." I said, smiling.
"I'm really good." She said in a gloating sort of tone.
"Mm." I replied and she made her first move.
This is where I ruled supreme. I didn't get this from the Stone like I did my smartness, fame or now apple of my parents eyes. I don't care about those anywhere. Those. those aren't my true talents. Those are nothing. Those are because of the Stone, not because of who I am.
Stupid Stone. sure it brought me back alive but now I had these talents that. they aren't me. I'd rather be back to the way I was. Not the boy who was raised from the dead. but as Ron Weasley- Chess King.
"Checkmate." I said.
"Oh man." Eglantine sighed, looking at Eugene.
"Play again?"
"Two against one." Eugene said, sitting with his sister.
"Fine by me." I said. 'Chess King, I like that.' I thought as they did their opening move. 'Nothing but that. I wish I never got any stupid Divination powers.'
It felt as though I was going to burst open any second. So much inside of me. affects from the Stone and everything else.
I just wished it would all go away. I'd rather just be myself. 'How could I not see it before? I did see it but not clearly enough.'
I knew Harry didn't want his fame. That he didn't want to be known for something he couldn't even remember. I looked at the board with a blank expression. I was going to win in the next six moves. I could see it so easily. this was when I felt the most at ease. Chess.
I clenched my teeth. Stupid Stone giving me stupid powers. why couldn't I of just been returned to normal?
It was not fair. these stupid new talents. A lie. That is what it was. A big, fat lie.
The twins moved their knight and I moved my castle. Five more moves and I won. So apparent. how could the twins not see it?
I was the Chess King. Nobody could beat me.
Yes, this was my true talent. And no Stone could ever do anything about that. I didn't have any real smartness. That was an affect from the Stone. I didn't have true fame. That was from the Stone. My brothers are still better then me. My parents only notice me now because of the Stone. But chess is what I truly have. I have the board, and I know the pieces. I know the moves and I see the patterns. I have the plan, and the strategy. I can wait.
I looked up and smiled at the twins. "Checkmate."
*** (Peggy's point of view)
"What is up with Ron?" Hermione demanded.
"What do you mean?" Harry asked.
Hermione jabbed her finger over at Ron who was playing chess against himself. "He has been doing NOTHING but playing chess since Saturday!"
"He HAS been acting awfully weird." Jasmine said, blowing a large bubble with her bubble gum.
I glanced over my book at him. His face looked deep in thought as he speedily moved the pieces. I stuck my book in my backpack and went over. "Who's winning?"
Ron jumped and looked at me. "God, Peg! You alarmed me!"
"Sorry." I said, sitting in a seat and watching him play. "You're good." I said as he beat himself.
"Thank you." He said cheerfully.
"Penny for your thoughts."
"Penny?" He asked.
"Muggle American money. Plus its a phrase. It means. whatcha thinking?"
"I'm thinking about chess." He replied.
"Oh? What about chess?"
"I'll tell you if you play." He said.
"All right." We set up the pieces and began playing. "So.?"
"Chess is remarkable." He said, staring at the board.
"Is that all?" I asked, moving a pawn.
"Its all strategy." He replied and moved a castle. "Oh and make that move and I got you checkmated in seven more moves." He said as I started to move a bishop.
"Okay." I said and moved another pawn.
"Hey aren't you that guy who died?" A First year asked Ron.
"Yep, I'm a zombie." He said then looked up at the kid. "BOO!"
"MOMMY!" The kid screamed and ran off.
"Sheesh, Ron." I said but was giggling.
"Everyone in school knows me." Ron said, staring at me with deep brown eyes. "because I died and am alive again."
"Oh." I said quietly, feeling rather nervous under his stare.
"And my death made me smart."
"I doubt that."
"What?" He asked and I looked back up at him.
"Ron. 'death' did make you smart."
"Oh? Then how come I know what adroit means? And why did I get thirteen O.W.Ls?" He demanded rather harshly.
"Ron. look in front of you." I said and he looked at the board. "what do you see?"
"A chessboard."
"Look at the pieces." I said and he looked. "how many more moves before you win?"
Ron blinked and looked at me. "Five."
"Ron. you could do this easily before, right?"
"Yes. Its all I had. Its all I have." He corrected himself.
"Listen." I grabbed his hand and held it tightly. "Ron. death didn't make you smart. Chess. chess is one of the most complicated games ever. It takes a true genius to become a master such as yourself. And you were a master before. Something triggered your true brain power and released it to more fields then this."
Ron blinked and continued staring at me. "So you're saying that. because I'm good at chess, I'm good at school."
"Chess genius and school genius are different things."
"Then how come I got thirteen O.W.Ls?" He asked.
"Maybe you COULD get good grades before but. but."
"Death made me smart." He said and sat back.
I sighed and stood up. "Ron, dying may of had something to do with most of it. It triggered your brain power into releasing your smartness into other fields then chess. But either way you are a chess mastermind. Always have been, always will. And to me that is better then school smartness." Shaking my head, I turned. "See you later, Bobby Fischer." I mumbled before walking off.
"Oh look if it isn't the traitor." I glanced up from the chair I was sunk back in, at Vorin Nott, Crabbe, Goyle, Pansy Parkinson, Millicent Bulstrode, Blaise Zabini and Maleficent Maddins who surrounded me.
"He betrayed us. Switched his loyalty to a Gryffindor." Maleficent growled, her dark eyes narrowed. Pansy let out a slight sob at this. "I thought you loved me." She whimpered.
I slammed my book shut and stood up. They hadn't found out about Jasmine until now. "Leave me alone." I said.
"You do realize now that your father hates you he doesn't care what happens. and we're free to torture you." Vorin said, raising his wand.
"Kill him, Vorin." Pansy said, folding her arms.
I grabbed my wand and quickly aimed my wand. "Watch it, Vorin. I know as many spells as you."
"Go ahead, Draco." Vorin sneered.
"He won't. Dating a pathetic Gryffindor piece of trash has made him weak." Blaise sneered.
"Don't you dare call her trash. She's fifty times better then any of you." I snapped at the girls.
"I'm hurt." Millicent snorted.
"She's nothing but trash. Dirt, scummy, disgusting trash!" Pansy shrieked.
"Fernunculus!" I yelled. Pansy fell back and screamed as boils burst onto her skin.
"Crucio!" I easily dodged Vorin's curse.
"Getting a bit flimsy there, Vorin! I avoided that curse with seconds to spare!" I said, jumping to my feet.
"You're the weak one, Draco. The boils curse? Flabby." Vorin said. The others (except Pansy who was rolling on the ground moaning) had formed a semi-circle behind Vorin. The rest of the Slytherin common room looked over and quickly came to watch. Vorin and I stood quite a few feet apart with our wands pointed. "What is the matter, Draco?" He asked after I did nothing. "Weak."
"Leave it alone, Vorin." I said.
"Kill him, Vorin!" Shouted a lot of the others.
"Don't worry. I will." Vorin sneered and shot the Cruciatus curse at me.
I easily dodged it. "You're the weak one, Vorin! I could dodge you even with the Leg-Locker curse on me!"
"Locomotor Mortis!" One of the First years, Eustice Bagge, shouted. I fell back onto the stone floor, legs locked tightly.
"Well let's see if that's true." Vorin sneered. I leapt to my feet and threatened to topple back over. "Crucio!"
I screamed and fell back as white hot pain shot through my body. The laughter of the other Slytherins filled the common room. "Dump that pitiful excuse for a witch and we might just welcome you back."
"Vorin." I took the Leg-Locker curse off of myself and slowly got up, shaking slightly. "go to hell. If anyone deserves it, you do."
Curses from all around me were shot and I screamed out before falling to the ground unconscious.
*** (Jasmine's point of view)
I dropped my backpack as I entered the hospital and ran to Draco's bed. "What happened?!" I demanded.
"Professor Snape brought him in. Apparently the other Slytherins cursed him. A lot of them at once." Madame Pomfrey explained. "was laying in the common room for a couple hours before Professor Snape discovered him."
I turned to Draco's paler-then-normal face and ran my fingers through his hair. "My poor Draco." I whispered and sat down, hand on his shoulder. I wanted to hold his hand but one of them was puffed up three times the normal size and covered in blisters from a curse. His other hand was covered with boils. I gently kissed his cheek, grabbed my backpack and stormed down the corridors. I finally found a large group of Slytherins Sixth year, talking about Draco.
"Did you see his face when about fifty curses shot at him at once?" The Maddins girl giggled.
I didn't even let anyone answer her. I grabbed my wand and stormed out. "Look if it isn't the little Gryffindor trash herself." Nott sneered.
"I know more curses then you." I said.
"I seriously doubt that." Nott said.
"Besides we have you outnumbered seven-to-one." Zabini said, smiling.
I clenched my teeth and kept my wand pointed. "You're a Gryffindor and a goody-two-shoes. You wouldn't curse us." Parkinson said. She had angry boils all over her face.
"Nice look, Parkinson. Its a big improvement." I said.
"Oh look the Gryffindor is trying her hand at making fun." Maddins said and the others snickered.
"Watch it. I am not in a good mood for what you did to Draco."
"Gonna try and curse us? Go ahead, Gryffindor." The seven drew themselves up in front of me. I was about to throw curses at them but then I spotted McGonagall coming down the corridor. "You are all worthless, good-for-nothing pieces of scum who can't even hurt me." I said. That did it. They all began attacking me.
"WHAT IS GOING ON?!" McGonagall appeared barely a second after I had been hit by their curses. The Slytherins looked at each other guiltily. McGonagall narrowed her eyes and helped me up. "You do NOT curse other students. ten points from Slytherin each and detention! Come along Miss Potter, let's get you to the hospital wing."
***
"Jasmine!" I glanced up from where Pomfrey was wrapping bandages around my arm, at Harry running in followed by Ron, Hermione and Peggy. "What happened?!"
"Slytherins." I said.
Harry cast a glance at Draco, who was still unconscious. "You got in a duel with Malfoy?" He asked rather hopefully.
"No. Draco got in a duel with about every Slytherin to defend my name. Then I enticed seven of the Slytherins to attack me so McGonagall took points off and gave them detention." I explained.
"You did what?!" Harry snapped angrily. "Jasmine! You could of gotten yourself killed!"
"She'll be fine." Pomfrey said, pouring some oozing stuff on a large cut on my arm. "Quit wiggling!" She snapped as I jerked my arm back, under the sting.
"It hurts."
"Not as bad as it would. There you go." I hopped off the table and went to Draco's bed.
"When'll he wake up?" I asked, brushing back some hair.
"I don't know but get out right now." Pomfrey snapped and we trouped off.
"Things like this are going to keep happening as long as you keep dating him." Harry said.
"Discontinue your stratagem to thwart my relationship O baneful one."
"WHAT?!?!?"
"Stop trying to break up me and Draco." I explained.
"Oh." Harry sighed heavily. "Jasmine I just-fine." He added, spotting my glare. "I'll stop."
"Hi kids. Jasmine what happened?" Remus appeared, carrying a large cauldron.
"A bunch of Slytherins." I explained, tucking back a strand of hair. "What's the cauldron for?"
"Nothing." He said quickly.
"Remus what is the cauldron for?" I asked more firmer this time.
"Snape's cauldron blew up and I'm delivering him a new one." He said slowly.
"Liar." Harry and I said.
"Its nothing important." Remus said, blowing back some hair since his hands were full. "Really!" He added seeing our faces.
"Uh-huh. Sure." I said, folding my arms.
"Hi kids." Emerin appeared, carrying a large thing wrapped in black cloth.
"And what is that?" Harry asked.
"Nothing." She said quickly and looked at Remus. "Can I put this in the cauldron? I need to get the rest-"
"Eeeemmmmmbbeeeerrr!" Remus whined, staggering slightly. "This cauldron is heavy enough as it is! Get Sirius to carry it."
"My arms are already full." Sirius appeared carrying a large armful of bottles.
"Stuff it in your head then, plenty of room there." Remus said, staggering even more.
"Not as much as in your head. You're getting old, Remus. Gray hair already and can't even carry a huge cauldron." Sirius said.
Remus delivered a well-aim kick in Sirius's shin. "My gray hair is because of my condition, dog-breath!" Then they looked at us.
"You didn't see us." Emerin said and hurried off followed by the two boys.
"Hoo boy." Hermione said, shaking her head as we headed to the library.
*** (Ron's point of view)
The rest of the two weeks went by quickly and soon my O.W.Ls were over. I was extremely sick and nervous.
"You did a good job, Ron. You'll get plenty." Peggy assured me, Saturday the Fourteenth, the day I was supposed to be finding out how many I got. The past two weeks had been quite interesting. Sirius, Remus and Emerin pulled off a lot of interesting stunts. Turned out the cauldron and stuff had been to make a potion they slipped into everyone's food one night and turning everyone's skin different neon colors. The entire school except Slytherins, loved the three professors. Even the ones who didn't take Healings class loved Emerin. The scrawny little impish woman wormed her way into our hearts just as Sirius and Remus did. Nobody (except Slytherins) cared anymore that Sirius was an accused murderer of thirteen for fifteen years. Nobody (except Slytherins) cared anymore that Remus was a werewolf. The three had easily become the most popular teachers in the history of Hogwarts.
Professor Janet Conway was extremely interesting. She was tough and fierce. She reminded me deeply of a lion with her tan skin, golden eyes and golden mane. Besides the scar on her face, she had a lot of other scars. She was a no-nonsense sort of person.
The Animagus classes wouldn't be starting up until October.
Meanwhile, I was now as famous as Harry, at least at Hogwarts since I had risen from the dead. I sort of liked it (the popularity) but quickly got sick of it and now saw why he hated it.
"Mr. Weasley?" McGonagall had entered the room, clutching a thick manila envelope.
I leapt to my feet. "Yes, Professor?" I asked, trying to ignore the churning in my stomach.
She handed me the manila envelope. I clutched it nervously. "Here are your O.W.Ls." She said.
"Okay." I whispered.
She nodded and left, and I turned to the others who had stood up. "Well go on," Hermione insisted, "open it!"
"I can't!" I said and shoved it into Harry's hand. "You. you open it."
"Okay." Harry said and opened the envelope. He looked through the papers.
"How many did I get?" I demanded.
"You got-"
"No! Don't tell me!" I yelled, covering my ears.
"Okay."
"No. Tell me."
"All right. You-"
"Wait no, I can't stand it don't."
"Okay, Ron."
"No! Tell me!"
"You got-"
"Wait stop, don't tell me."
"RON!" Harry shrieked and I blinked.
"Okay. Tell me." I managed. Peggy grabbed one hand and Hermione grabbed the other. I gripped them tightly. Jasmine rested her hand on my shoulder and I began breathing hard.
"Ron." Harry said and looked up.
"Yes?" I squeaked, trembling.
"You got thirteen O.W.Ls."
"What?!" I spat out, letting go of Peggy and Hermione. "Th-th-th-th-th-th- th-that's a mistake.!!"
"Its says thirteen." Harry said.
"Let me see that." Hermione grabbed the papers and looked it over. "Ron's right! Its impossible!"
"Hey I said 'mistake' not impossible." I snapped.
"I only got twelve." She said and looked quizzically up at me.
"So did I." Jasmine said.
"I got eleven." Harry said quietly.
"I got ten." Peggy said.
"Percy and Bill got the top ones in our family and they got twelve." I whispered.
"This is IMPOSSIBLE! No way did YOU get more then ME!" Hermione screamed, throwing the papers at me.
"Sheesh don't get your knickers in a twist. Its gotta be a clerical error. I'll go talk to McGonagall." I said, putting the papers in my backpack and heading out of the common room.
Thirteen O.W.Ls? Impossible. I could NOT of gotten thirteen. I was not that smart. I was a stupid student. I was stupid at everything but chess. I was so good at that, and at nothing else.
So how could I of gotten thirteen O.W.Ls?
I had no clue where McGonagall's office was so I found Sirius and asked him and he told me the way. I arrived at McGonagall's office and knocked on the door. She opened it and smiled. 'I thought you'd come." She said and opened it wide for me to come in.
I did so, staring around. I had never been in her office before and it was. pretty. There were three large windows with pale yellow curtains drawn back letting it bright sunlight. There were paintings up on the wall of people who looked a lot like McGonagall so I supposed they were her family. Along one wall was a large bookshelf full of Transfiguration books and various others. On McGonagall's desk was an open book, some parchment, an open bottle of ink and a quill as well as a vase of flowers.
McGonagall sat down at her desk and put the top back on the bottle and pointed at the seat on the other side of her desk in which I sat down. "Professor there must of been a mistake." I said, putting my O.W.Ls on her desk.
"Why is that?" She asked.
"I-I couldn't of possibly gotten thirteen O.W.Ls." I said, staring at her.
She adjusted her square glasses. "I was surprised as well, Mr. Weasley. I checked it over with all the teachers. we all went over the results but. you did, honestly, got thirteen O.W.Ls."
"Thirteen?" I asked in shock, not believing this.
"Yes. One of the highest O.W.Ls in the history of Hogwarts."
"But I barely make it through the classes as it is!" I shrieked.
"Mr. Weasley. we told this to Albus and he said it came to no surprise to him. He said that if you want to. to go talk to him about this."
"I-I-I. okay." I took my O.W.Ls and went to Dumbledore's office. Not knowing the password, I stood in front of the gargoyle. All I knew was it was a candy. well. if there's one good thing about me was my memory of candy names.
"Acid pops. Berte Botts Every Flavour Beans. Blood lollipops. Cauldron Cakes. Chocoballs. Chocolate Frogs. Cockroach Cluster. Cribbage's Wizard Crackers. Drooble's Best Blowing Gum." I trailed off as the gargoyle still refused to move. Clenching my fists, I continued. "Exploding Bonbons. Fizzing Whizzbees! Fudge Flies! Ice Mice! Jelly Slugs! Levi-"
The gargoyle had sprung aside when I had said 'Jelly Slugs'. "Thanks." I went up the stairs and knocked on his door.
"Come in, Ron." Dumbledore said.
I opened the door and went into his office. He was making a large house made out of cards. "Hello, Professor." I said slowly.
"Have a seat." He said and I sat down, waiting for him to finish his card house. When he finished, he waved his wand and his cards neatly stacked themselves. "What did you want?"
"Er-well my-my O.W.Ls." I said slowly.
"Yes." He said and then glanced over at a gagging sound on his windowsill. We watched as his phoenix burst into flames and then became ash. Then the baby phoenix climbed out and flopped around.
"How could I have so many? I'm so much stupider then Hermione and Percy and Bill but I got more then them!" I said in confusion.
"Have you opened the package yet?" He asked, linking his long fingers together.
"Yes, Sir. But I-"
"Have you started reading it?"
"Well. yes. But-"
"Good." Dumbledore stood up and scooped Fawkes up into his hands. "That book has helped me out many times."
"That book was yours?" I asked.
"Yes."
"Oh sir. you shouldn't of given me YOUR book! I'll go-"
"Ron." Dumbledore walked over to a shelf and tipped Fawkes into a bowl lined with soft cloth. "you keep that book. I've already gotten enough use from it. Now its time for it to be passed to another." He said, sitting back down in his chair.
"Okay well. back to my O.W.Ls. I couldn't of gotten thirteen."
"You did." Dumbledore assured me and lazily waved off a fly that had buzzed in.
"But that is impossible. I'm stupid."
Dumbledore looked hard at me. "Ron. you were never 'stupid'. You may of been less smart then others such as Miss Granger or your brothers."
"Exactly, I was-er-less smart. So how could I of gotten more O.W.Ls?!" I demanded.
"Note the words 'may of BEEN' and 'WAS'." He said.
"You mean I'm suddenly brilliant?" I asked and snorted. "That is impossible. How on earth could I of suddenly of gotten smarter then Hermione and Percy and Bill?"
"Cannot you think of anything that might of triggered your brain into becoming smarter?" He asked.
"No." I said.
"Nothing at all?"
"No! I could of just gotten smarter! Nothing happ." I trailed off and sat back, blinking.
"Ah." Dumbledore said, smiling.
"You mean." I begun slowly, "because I died. I got. smarter?"
"No."
"Then. what?" I asked.
"How come you are alive again?" He asked.
"Because of-because of the Stone?" I whispered.
"Exactly. You'll find many strange things have happened to you because of the Stone." Dumbledore sat back and adjusted his half-moon spectacles before smiling again. "Many extremely strange things."
"So. because I died and my spirit-er, life force was in the Stone and I was released I'm suddenly now smarter? I mean, a lot smarter?"
Dumbledore nodded slowly and straightened a pile of papers. "Yes."
I stared out the window at the blue sky that was almost as pale as Dumbledore's eyes. Then I turned back to him. He was unwrapping some candy and offered me one. "Thanks." I took it and stared at it.
"Lemon drop." He explained.
"Umm." I popped it in my mouth and stood up. "Sir, I'm still baffled. I mean. the book said I'd have periods of studious behavior but. but. but."
"But what?" Dumbledore asked, pulling two lemon drops apart.
"I just. I. nothing." I finally sighed.
"If you need to talk, Ron. My door is always open. Okay well after you go through the gargoyle."
I smiled. "Thanks."
"Come in." Dumbledore said as someone knocked on the door. Snape entered the room looking positively livid. I snorted and tried not to laugh as I saw his hair had been dyed gold and scarlet stripes. Dumbledore was smiling. "I see Professors Black, Lupin and Elm have been at it again."
"That is why I want to talk to you." Snape glared at me.
"Thanks again, Professor Dumbledore." I said and walked off. "Professor Snape." I said, nodding my head as I passed him. I waited till I was way past the gargoyle till I burst into loud laughter that echoed down the corridors.
***
"Move it. out of the way. I am coming through!!" A young girl hurtled through the halls, shoving robed figures out of the way. The girl stopped at a glowing green door and shoved it open. The room she had come into was pure white with a throne in the middle. The throne was worse then black. It seemed to be made out of swirling nothing.
"So. you're alive." The figure on the throne sneered. He clutched a large black scepter in his hand with a green glowing stone on the top.
"No thanks to you, Voldemort." Arva Dekadava staggered into the room angrily.
"You Disapparated." Voldemort said, narrowing his slitted red eyes.
"I just came back to tell you I am leaving your disgusting service and going on my own. I should of never joined you in the first place!"
"Then leave. I have enough followers."
"None as powerful as I, Voldemort." Arva said, clutching her ribs.
"None as stupid. If you would of just killed without prolonging-"
"PROLONGING?!" Arva screamed. "You accuse me of PROLONGING when here you are spending years plotting on getting revenge on that Potter boy?!" Her angry voice bounced off the white walls making it seem ten times louder. "you. worthless. piece. of SCUM!"
Voldemort leapt to his feet and shoved his scepter towards the girls body. She was shoved by an invisible force and went flying across the room and crumbled to the ground. "Next time, don't call the dark lord worthless."
"You are worthless." Arva said, staggering to her knees. She lifted her head and stared at him. "completely. and utterly. worthless."
Voldemort waved his scepter and the girl went flying into a wall and slid to the ground. Blood trickled down over her right eye. "You enjoy giving people scars don't you?" She asked, wiping the blood from her face and standing up. "But ofcourse. you can't do anything more then that. that's why you send others to do the job for you."
Voldemort was frozen for a moment. Nobody had ever talked to HIM like that. Voldemort slowly raised his scepter and the girl was slowly lifted into the air, her legs treading in it. "Can't do a job myself, can I?" He asked, eyes narrowing. He pulled back the scepter and the girl crashed to the ground. "Your parents were good Death Eaters. loyal. your father dying for me and your mother imprisoned. I had such high hopes for you. Goodbye, Arva. You sniveling little girl." He thrust the scepter forward and the girl screamed out as a large slit went down her front. Blood gushed from her like a waterfall and she fell to the ground, dead.
Voldemort slowly sat back down and called in a Death Eater. "Yes my lord?" Ryan Lestrange entered the room.
"Get somebody to clean that mess up." Voldemort sneered, indicating the crimson blood spreading across the floor.
*** (Peggy's point of view)
"Are you going to try out for a Chaser position?" I asked Ron, Saturday night as we started dinner.
"Yep. With my Dragonfly I have a good probability." Ron said cheerfully, spreading butter on a piping hot roll. Just before he bit into the roll, the roll suddenly leapt from his hand and went scurrying across the floor. "What the-?" Ron demanded.
The potato I was about to stab with my fork, suddenly jumped off and rolled across the table. Throughout the Great Hall, others had the same problem. Food was leaping from plates and scurrying, rolling and crawling across the floor and tables.
"What is going on?!" Hermione demanded as her piece of roast beef spat gravy at her and flopped onto the floor.
"What do you THINK?" Harry demanded, glancing at the teachers table where Sirius, Remus and Emerin were roaring with laughter.
Dumbledore, who was laughing as well, waved his wand and more food appeared on the tables only this time it didn't run off.
"I doubt we'll ever have a peaceful day with those three working here." Hermione said with a heavy sigh.
*** (Ron's point of view)
I stared at the chess board then back up at the empty chair across from me. "Someone want to play me?" I asked.
"Sure." I grinned as one of the First years, so totally clue less, hopped in the seat.
"So, what's your name?" I asked as I put the pieces up.
"Eugene Sandstone." He said, pushing his glasses up the bridge of his nose.
"You like chess?" I asked.
"Yeah." He said, looking at the board.
"You good at chess?"
"Yeah." He said with a smile.
I sat back and watched him make his first move. 'Not good enough.' I thought as I moved a piece. He moved again, and I moved, taking a pawn. 'This is much better.' I continued thinking as I played against him. 'At least this is natural to me unlike my unanticipated smartness.'
"You're good." Eugene said as I took another pawn.
I just smiled.
This was my thing. who cares about school? So what if I'm suddenly so smart I get one of the highest O.W.Ls in the history of this school? Who cares that I'm suddenly as famous as Harry in this school? Who cares that I'm suddenly as sharp as Hermione? That was not me. Chess is me.
"Hmm." Eugene blinked and slowly started to move another piece.
'Yes, Eugene. make that move. in three more moves I'll have you in check.' I thought, not revealing my intentions. Eugene moved his piece not even noticing.
Yes. This was me.
I am chess.
"Check." I said a few moves later. Looking nervous, Eugene moved his king. I moved my queen. "Check." He moved his rook in the way. I took it with my castle. "Check." He moved his queen and I took it with mine. "Checkmate."
"Oh man." He moaned, sitting back in his seat.
"Another game?" I asked.
"Nah. maybe Egg can take you on." He called over his twin sister, Eglantine, who took his place as I set the pieces. "Egg's better then me." Eugene informed me.
"That's good." I said, smiling.
"I'm really good." She said in a gloating sort of tone.
"Mm." I replied and she made her first move.
This is where I ruled supreme. I didn't get this from the Stone like I did my smartness, fame or now apple of my parents eyes. I don't care about those anywhere. Those. those aren't my true talents. Those are nothing. Those are because of the Stone, not because of who I am.
Stupid Stone. sure it brought me back alive but now I had these talents that. they aren't me. I'd rather be back to the way I was. Not the boy who was raised from the dead. but as Ron Weasley- Chess King.
"Checkmate." I said.
"Oh man." Eglantine sighed, looking at Eugene.
"Play again?"
"Two against one." Eugene said, sitting with his sister.
"Fine by me." I said. 'Chess King, I like that.' I thought as they did their opening move. 'Nothing but that. I wish I never got any stupid Divination powers.'
It felt as though I was going to burst open any second. So much inside of me. affects from the Stone and everything else.
I just wished it would all go away. I'd rather just be myself. 'How could I not see it before? I did see it but not clearly enough.'
I knew Harry didn't want his fame. That he didn't want to be known for something he couldn't even remember. I looked at the board with a blank expression. I was going to win in the next six moves. I could see it so easily. this was when I felt the most at ease. Chess.
I clenched my teeth. Stupid Stone giving me stupid powers. why couldn't I of just been returned to normal?
It was not fair. these stupid new talents. A lie. That is what it was. A big, fat lie.
The twins moved their knight and I moved my castle. Five more moves and I won. So apparent. how could the twins not see it?
I was the Chess King. Nobody could beat me.
Yes, this was my true talent. And no Stone could ever do anything about that. I didn't have any real smartness. That was an affect from the Stone. I didn't have true fame. That was from the Stone. My brothers are still better then me. My parents only notice me now because of the Stone. But chess is what I truly have. I have the board, and I know the pieces. I know the moves and I see the patterns. I have the plan, and the strategy. I can wait.
I looked up and smiled at the twins. "Checkmate."
*** (Peggy's point of view)
"What is up with Ron?" Hermione demanded.
"What do you mean?" Harry asked.
Hermione jabbed her finger over at Ron who was playing chess against himself. "He has been doing NOTHING but playing chess since Saturday!"
"He HAS been acting awfully weird." Jasmine said, blowing a large bubble with her bubble gum.
I glanced over my book at him. His face looked deep in thought as he speedily moved the pieces. I stuck my book in my backpack and went over. "Who's winning?"
Ron jumped and looked at me. "God, Peg! You alarmed me!"
"Sorry." I said, sitting in a seat and watching him play. "You're good." I said as he beat himself.
"Thank you." He said cheerfully.
"Penny for your thoughts."
"Penny?" He asked.
"Muggle American money. Plus its a phrase. It means. whatcha thinking?"
"I'm thinking about chess." He replied.
"Oh? What about chess?"
"I'll tell you if you play." He said.
"All right." We set up the pieces and began playing. "So.?"
"Chess is remarkable." He said, staring at the board.
"Is that all?" I asked, moving a pawn.
"Its all strategy." He replied and moved a castle. "Oh and make that move and I got you checkmated in seven more moves." He said as I started to move a bishop.
"Okay." I said and moved another pawn.
"Hey aren't you that guy who died?" A First year asked Ron.
"Yep, I'm a zombie." He said then looked up at the kid. "BOO!"
"MOMMY!" The kid screamed and ran off.
"Sheesh, Ron." I said but was giggling.
"Everyone in school knows me." Ron said, staring at me with deep brown eyes. "because I died and am alive again."
"Oh." I said quietly, feeling rather nervous under his stare.
"And my death made me smart."
"I doubt that."
"What?" He asked and I looked back up at him.
"Ron. 'death' did make you smart."
"Oh? Then how come I know what adroit means? And why did I get thirteen O.W.Ls?" He demanded rather harshly.
"Ron. look in front of you." I said and he looked at the board. "what do you see?"
"A chessboard."
"Look at the pieces." I said and he looked. "how many more moves before you win?"
Ron blinked and looked at me. "Five."
"Ron. you could do this easily before, right?"
"Yes. Its all I had. Its all I have." He corrected himself.
"Listen." I grabbed his hand and held it tightly. "Ron. death didn't make you smart. Chess. chess is one of the most complicated games ever. It takes a true genius to become a master such as yourself. And you were a master before. Something triggered your true brain power and released it to more fields then this."
Ron blinked and continued staring at me. "So you're saying that. because I'm good at chess, I'm good at school."
"Chess genius and school genius are different things."
"Then how come I got thirteen O.W.Ls?" He asked.
"Maybe you COULD get good grades before but. but."
"Death made me smart." He said and sat back.
I sighed and stood up. "Ron, dying may of had something to do with most of it. It triggered your brain power into releasing your smartness into other fields then chess. But either way you are a chess mastermind. Always have been, always will. And to me that is better then school smartness." Shaking my head, I turned. "See you later, Bobby Fischer." I mumbled before walking off.