"And now, boy," Vernon Dursley sneered at his nephew, "it's the end for you!" The large man leaned forward, intimidation written in his body language.

"Checkmate," Harry Potter said. The thin boy looked at Vernon with a complete lack of concern on his face.

Vernon's mouth clamped shut. "What?"

"Checkmate," Harry said again, "Queen takes pawn, checkmate."

In desperation, Vernon looked at the chessboard. "It, I, you…" His hand hovered over the chessboard and darted from place to place. Then: "Gah!"

Dudley Dursley nearly fell off his chair in laughter. "Wow, dad, those lessons down at the community centre really paid off!" The stout boy grabbed his sides to try to hold in his merriment.

"He's been taking lessons?" Harry asked, delight all over his face.

"Not that they've helped," Dudley gasped out.

Vernon grumped, "You two, go to your rooms without supper!"

"We're supposed to be making dinner tonight," Harry pointed out with a barely concealed grin. Dudley was on the floor by now.

"Ha!" Vernon said, "I'll just order out! Then Pet' and I can…"

"You've 'ordered out' quite enough," Petunia Dursley told her husband. "Don't think I don't know how often you buy lunch when you're at work."

"You couldn't possibly!" Vernon declared.

"I balance the chequebook, darling," Petunia told him. She passed by on her way to the laundry, reached down, and patted Vernon's increasing bulge. "Not that I need the chequebook to know," she said with a sniff. "Oh, Dudley, do get up off the floor, child."

Dudley needed Harry's help to get back into his seat. He flapped a hand at his cousin in thanks, still unable to speak.

Vernon slumped back in his chair. "The whole world is against me," he muttered darkly. "The. Whole. World." He glared at the two boys. "All right, then, double or nothing?"

"Seriously, dad," Dudley said, "do you really want to be out that much? Because you know he's going to beat you! He's the best player around. You're the only one daft enough to play him, anymore."

"And I appreciate that fact," Harry told Dudley with a nod. He reached into his shirt pocket and drew out a small notepad and brillo. Dudley watched with a grin while Harry made notes. Then Harry flipped the pad closed, slid the brillo through the spiral, and slid it back into his pocket. "Your debts," he told Vernon sternly, "are building."

Petunia, on her way back with a basket of freshly dried laundry, stopped and glared at Vernon. "Vernon Dursley! Are you making wagers on chess games with the children?!"

"Er…" Vernon mumbled, "you know, Pet', just a friendly little…"

"At this rate," Harry told her, "I'll never have to do chores again. Also, I'll probably have university covered by the time I get done with secondary." He considered. "Might be able to cover Dudley's, too."

Dudley gave him a regal nod. "Thank you, Harry, the gesture is much appreciated."

"At appropriate interest rates," Harry continued.

Dudley's face fell and he narrowed his eyes. "I take it back," he told Harry, deadpan.

"You," Petunia pointed at Vernon, "help me fold the laundry. You two," she pointed back and forth at Harry and Dudley, "get to work on supper. Something healthy," she added, as they started to rise. "We can all use more veg and less meat."

"Got it, mum," Harry said.

"Veg and two veg," Dudley said with a nod.

They put away the chess set, laughing.

Petunia sighed. "Those boys!"

Vernon nodded. "Yes, they're quite a handful, need to be shown their pl…"

"Laundry!" Petunia yelled.

"Eep! Yes, Pet'!"

"Honestly," she said, "sometimes, it's like raising three small boys."