Draco Malfoy hadn't known it was possible to be nervous before a Chess Tournament. It was just a game.

Except, really, it wasn't. Draco knew how not seeing his friends was affecting Curt. He'd basically had to badger the boy into playing (how was Draco supposed to know he didn't like the game? Weasley seemed to always be playing it, and weren't they friends?).

But it wasn't Curt's bad attitude that was troubling Draco. No, it was one Ron Weasley. Ron, who'd never had a nice word to say about Draco, ever. Ron who, in the mistaken belief that his friend was dead, was likely to be more intemperate than usual.

Ron Weasley. Draco's first matchup in the tournament.

Draco didn't want to seem weak, to seem hesitant. And yet, he really was. Draco strutted slowly over to the table, where Ron was already sitting. "Lo," Draco Malfoy said, in fair imitation of the Weasley Accent.

"Oh, just shut up and play." Ron Weasley snapped.

And so they did.

Curt, halfway across the classroom, was playing with Tony Goldstein, and not having much luck at it. Draco fought to not wince, watching him move his knight, then attempt to move it back. "Can't take back a move" Tony said, and Curt frowned.

Malfoy and Weasley were halfway through their match before either said a word. "Heard you're hanging around Hufflepuffs now."

Draco met Weasley's bright blue eyes with a hard stare.

"Your father must be so proud." Weasley said.

"My father doesn't know about it, so I'd appreciate it if you didn't bandy it about." Draco Malfoy said, smiling thinly.

"What changed your mind?" Ron said, moving his knight, "Check."

Draco adroitly maneuvered a pawn into harm's way. It squealed at him. "Turns out some Hufflepuffs are worth more than others."

"Is that a crack about my family's wealth?" Ron said, moving his own piece.

"There's more to worthiness than money." Draco said.

Ron nodded, quietly. "Checkmate."

Draco Malfoy studied the board, nodded, and shook Ron's hand. "Fascinating time."

"Good game," Ron responded.

All in all, Draco Malfoy thought, it was a good start. Curt had washed out of the match too, and seemed inclined to leave, "Don't you want to learn something from everyone else?" Draco asked.

"Nah, I'm pretty pathetic, really," Curt said. It was the utter genuineness of the statement that struck Draco.

[a/n: Of course Ron's going to tweak Draco's nose about befriending one of the Duffer Hufflepuffs. Thing is? Draco knows that too. Reviews welcome!]