A/N: Originally, this was supposed to be drabble length, but well, somehow it ended up twice as long.
Also, a very big thank you to Scarab Dynasty who pointed out some mistakes to me. And there I thought I had got them all... ;)
Feedback, of course, is always appreciated. :)
Chess
Ron has played chess for all his life. Queen to D-4, Bishop to E-6. After a while, the moves suggest themselves.
He has learned to study his opponents, to predict their next moves. He can solve some of the problems in the Daily Prophet's weekend editions with his eyes closed.
He has outgrown his brothers.
Beats his
father when they are playing on Sunday afternoons. They don't play as
often as they used to, now that Voldemort has returned. Other things
became more important.
In dreams, he walks over endless fields of black and white squares. Walks, and walks, and will never arrive anywhere.
His grandfather's chess set trusts him. Trusts him to make the right decision, and not to lead them into their deaths. (But that still doesn't stop them from speaking up when they think he is about to make a mistake.)
It is said that chess is a lot like war. Who can win a battle on the chessboard, can win a battle in the real world.
There is war now.
Voldemort's moves can't be predicted.
Ron
can't see all of the pieces on the chessboard - some of them are hidden
behind false promises and lies - and he doesn't know what will come
next.
It isn't his game. This is Harry's game or Dumbledore's. It's the Dark Lord's.
He's a pawn in this game. Or maybe a bishop, or a rook. But like his grandfather's chess soldiers, he'll stand up, and speak if he thinks a decision is wrong.
Maybe Harry won't listen.
But Ron will try the best he can to make sure they win this war.