Chapter 11 - Tactics
Ron had found his first tactics lesson very interesting and frankly, he felt as through he should. He was, after all, a very good chess player and chess was all about tactics. Ron had read how chess was developed from ancient warfare. The pawns were the foot soldiers, advancing forward slowly to engage the enemy. The knights were the cavalry, used to outflank the enemy's troops; hence the L shaped movement on the board and so on. What no one knew was the great pride Ron took in his chess skills. He was almost certainly the best player amongst the students and had beaten Professor McGonagall's chessboard barrier in his very first year. He counted that as a win against a staff member, even though he was almost killed doing it. And best of all, no other Weasley, not even Bill, had ever achieved that before. It was his and his alone.
Ron had found his first tactics lesson very interesting, yes but he hadn't really enjoyed it, as he should have. Something had interfered with that, something that had brought back bad memories, something that Hermione had done. Hermione had looked at Professor Bond, all through the lesson, with the same look she use to give that git, Lockhart. She looked at him in what only could be described as adoringly. What Ron was scared of, no, what he was terrified of, was another year where Hermione had eyes only for someone else. He had to do something. But what? He didn't have a clue. He had considered asking George and Fred for advice but they treated everything as a joke. Percy, well Percy wasn't someone that Ron considered for this sort of advice. Bill and Charlie, his two brothers who would be best to ask, were overseas. That didn't leave anyone except Harry but Ron had always feared Harry might be interested in Hermione himself. If that happened, Ron wouldn't stand a chance, not against the boy who lived!
"Ron, can I see you for a minute?" Professor Bond said startling Ron out of his thoughts.
"Oh, sure Professor." Ron replied.
"I got the distinct impression in the lesson that your attention was elsewhere!" Professor Bond said.
"Sorry Professor, I've got something on my mind. It won't happen again." Ron apologised.
"Something I can help you with, something about the training?" Professor Bond asked.
"Well" Ron said hesitantly, "It's not about the training, it's about a girl really." Ron flushed bright red in embarrassment.
"You mean Hermione." Professor Bond said with a tinkle in his eyes.
"How did you know?" Ron was horrified at his secret being so easy to discern.
"Harry told me about his two best friends over the summer. He's been wondering when you and Hermione will get together." Professor Bond said.
"Harry said it? I've been worried that Harry might be interested in Hermione too." Ron had somehow found the confidence in Professor Bond to open up to him.
"Ron, if you never get around to telling Hermione how you really feel, you will lose her. I made that mistake years ago and now it is too late. The lady and I remain close friends and we joke about it when we meet but it is too late now and with each passing year I regret it more and more. Don't make the same mistake I did. Do something about it today." Professor Bond said. He was thinking about Miss Moneypenny and the silly little quips they make to each other, hidings their mutual regrets at what might have been.
"But I mean, how do I start? What do I say? What if she doesn't like me that way?" Ron was starting to hyperventilate.
"Calm down Ron" Professor Bond had not considered teaching the art of seduction to his young students and he didn't intend to. It was not suitable for this. No, even he had to think carefully about the advice he was about to give. "Why don't you start out by just spending a bit of time with Hermione?"
"But I spend all my time with her as it is" Ron was puzzled.
"I mean alone, just you two and no discussions of Harry or the war. Talk about her! Women love men to talk about them. Make her the centre of attention. Start at lunch tomorrow."
"I can't do that with everyone in the Great Hall looking at us." Ron replied.
"Well, why don't you ask Hermione to go on a picnic? Just the two of you! I think your friend Dobby could get you a picnic hamper and a nice bottle of Champ… well perhaps not. Just the picnic! Out by the Lake! Just the two of you! Yes, try that and see how you go. Keep it light and see what develops."
Ron thought it was the best idea he had ever had heard.
"All you have to do is get up the nerve to ask her." Professor Bond said knowingly. "Don't be late for the next lesson." James Bond knew that Ron Weasley wasn't going to be his most attentive student for the rest of the day as he stewed over that dilemma.
Ron's face fell as he contemplated asking Hermione to go on a picnic. Mumbling his thanks to Professor Bond he wandered off down the hall. As soon as he was out of sight, Professor Bond said "I hope you don't intend to make it too hard for him to ask you?"
Hermione walked out from just around the corner of the corridor. "Oh I won't Professor. Thank you for suggesting this. I didn't know how to get him to do it. I have been dropping hints for months. The picnic idea was great. I can hardly wait."
"Don't forget to act surprised too!" Professor Bond reminded her.
"I won't" Hermione replied "and thanks again."
Hermione, now sure that Ron would be several floors down, followed his path and was soon out of sight herself. Harry stepped out of a nearby doorway and said, "Thanks James, I thought those two would never get together. Both needed to be pushed and you really did it well."
"And what about you, Harry?" James asked him point blank. "Isn't there someone you are interested in as more than a friend?"
Harry was put on the spot, "Well, there is this one girl… but I don't know… with the war and everything… No its best if I…"
"Harry, it is precisely because of the war that you should do it now. You may not get a second chance. Ask her out! Today! Enjoy yourself whenever you get the chance with someone you really care about." Professor Bond laid it into Harry.
"But what if she isn't interested?" Harry said nervously.
"The worst that can happen is she says No." James was amused as the Great Hero of the Wizarding World was showing himself to be a normal teenager in so many ways. "But I have a hunch that won't happen. So go ask her. Not a picnic, that would cramp Ron and Hermione. No, how about asking her out to dinner. Have Dobby set up a table in one of the disused classrooms. Candle light, dinner for two, perhaps a bit of soft music. Yes that would be best. And all you have to do is get up the nerve to ask her!"
Harry was stunned. He liked the idea, liked it very much indeed. But he was terrified at the prospect of asking Cho Chang out. He would see Dobby first and see if getting the dinner was possible. Yes, that's best he thought. He wondered of down the corridor in a daze, completely forgetting about Professor Bond who still stood there with a wry smile on his face. Shortly another person emerged from their place of concealment behind a tapestry. "Thank you Professor."
"Your welcome, Miss Chang" Professor Bond replied. With Miss Chang gone there was no reason for him to remain. All the little plots had been accomplished, without a hitch. And given a little time they should all bear fruit nicely.
"Yes, very well done indeed!"
Professor Bond spun about ready for action but found the person who had silently appeared behind him, was not a threat. For it was Professor Dumbledore.
"Oh it's you Headmaster. You surprised me. I didn't hear you approach." James told him. "What were you saying?'
"I have been here for some time. Being a wizard has its advantages. I was saying it was very well done indeed. You have managed quite a practical example of tactics this afternoon. And I am sure your students will come to appreciate it more as time goes by. I am glad these young ones will snatch a few moments of joy together. I fear that unless we are successful, it is all they will ever have and for some, it will be that way even if we triumph. But what about yourself, Professor Bond? Isn't there anyone you have unfinished business with?" Dumbledore asked with his usual piecing look.
"Headmaster, I don't think…" Professor Bond started but Dumbledore cut him off.
"Oh I forgot to tell you, M is sending down some intelligence reports about Deatheater activity in the muggle world on Friday. Miss Moneypenny is bringing them. It's a long trip. Perhaps you can persuade Miss Moneypenny to stay overnight. I'll leave you to arrange the accommodation, James."
James knew when he was beaten. "It would seem you are not to bad at tactics either, Headmaster"
"I believe it has been mentioned from time to time." Dumbledore replied holding out a paper bag, "Lemon sherbet, Professor?"