The Queens Gambit
It had been a full week since Regina had posted the Quidditch Team's new line-up in the Slytherin Common Room, and still, Virani couldn't look her in the eyes. She could understand him being upset over losing his spot to Gabrielle, but she was a better player than him by some great distance, he surely knew it was coming. The rest of the team, whilst sympathetic, hadn't exactly been lobbying to have him reinstated either, and now he sat with the Hufflepuff's during meals, occasionally looking up from his plate to glare at her before turning away to avoid her gaze. Oh, the woes of a leader, Regina thought to herself as she tucked into her lunch, by now unperturbed by Virani's petty attitude. She had far more pressing matters at hand. The Tournament of Champions was set to begin in New Zealand next week and the Hogwarts team, including Regina, who had been asked to attend as Gabrielle's alternate, was getting ready to travel the next morning. The poor French girl was riding an emotional rollercoaster of fear, anxiety, and excitement as the days to departure had ticked down. Mostly, Gabrielle worried that she wouldn't stack up against the other Champions, and for once, Regina shared in her doubts, even though she would never tell Gabrielle. The young girls scores on the obstacle course really showed her weak points quite glaringly. She had easily scored a five out of five for flight, and four out of five for athleticism wasn't bad either, but a score of two for magical ability had really brought Gabrielle down. It wasn't something she could avoid other people talking about either, as Rita Skeeter had written a scathing cover article in the Daily Prophet lambasting the Hogwarts team as a group of misfits whose talents were incompatible with one another, and who had no chance against the best magical schools from around the world.
Still, with Regina's help each night, Gabrielle had been making good progress in Defence Against the Dark Arts, and was beginning to catch up with her classmates. Despite the fact that it was eating into her own study time, Regina quite enjoyed teaching Gabrielle, and it gave her confidence for her upcoming classes with Neville Longbottom. The once shy, doughy wizard had really grown into a man of character. Right now, he was on a two-month trip to Peru to assist the Ministry of Magic in some advanced Herbology study that Regina was sure would absolutely bore her to tears, but once the trip was over he would be returning to Hogwarts to run the Defence Association; an after-school club that would teach students more practical Defence Against the Dark Arts. Regina was to act as something of a student-teacher, in exchange for extra credit, and a referral to the Auror Department. She had no idea yet what she would be teaching in these classes, but decided that teaching Gabrielle would be something like practice. However, the tournament would begin in a few days, and Regina wasn't sure what Gabrielle would be facing, so wasn't sure how best to try and prepare her.
Finally finishing dinner, Regina retired to the dormitory and finished packing her trunk for the long journey to New Zealand. Regina had scoured the library for information on the schools competing in the tournament, trying to get some idea of what challenges each school might put forth. Whilst details on Alma Aleron, Castelobruxo, and Mahoutokoro were readily available, the rest of the schools who would be competing remained a total mystery to Regina, and so just to be on the safe side, Regina and Gabrielle had packed their trunks with everything that one might possibly need for a magical tournament. Aside from the obvious robes, gloves, and travelling cloak, Regina had insisted that they pack a cauldron, their most common spell books, a pair of hiking boots, a set of dress robes – for any formal events – and of course, their broomsticks. Whilst Regina didn't have a fancy hard case for her Thunderbolt, her broom was always maintained in exceptional condition, and lay well-protected in amongst her clothes. By the time Regina had finished packing her trunk, it was heavy enough that it took herself and Gabrielle a trip each carrying one trunk between them down to the entrance hall. Apparently, their trunks would be sent ahead of time, and would meet them on the way to New Zealand. By the time both trunks had been placed in the Entrance Hall, there was already a small pile of trunks and travel bags belonging to the small crowd of spectators who had been permitted to accompany the team.
After the Common Room had finally emptied, Regina and Gabrielle sat alone in front of the fire, the weight of the tournament hanging in the air between them. It was a very long time before Gabrielle broke the silence between them. "I don't want to go." She whispered, her voice barely audible, her fear so great that it filled the room.
"I know," Regina replied, unable to say anything helpful. "I don't want you to have to compete."
"I'm not ready for this," Gabrielle said, choking back tears, "You've been really helpful, but I'm not ready."
"At some point, you'll have to be. I am your alternate, and if you think it's too dangerous, I will compete in your place, but I'm not sure I can do it for every single event. I have N.E.W.T.S to study for, I have to teach classes for the DA, and I'm Head Girl, and Captain of the Quidditch team."
"Have you ever thought that maybe you do too much?" Gabrielle laughed, and for a fleeting moment, the seriousness of the Tournament of Champions melted away, and the two friends joked about Regina's over-full schedule, and talked about Quidditch, and what New Zealand would be like, and wondered aloud how they were going to get there. Eventually though, the pair trundled up the staircase to their dormitory and lay down for a restless night full of fitful sleep and silent wonderings. When the pair woke early the next morning, they made their way sleepily to the Great Hall in search of an early breakfast. Instead, they were greeted by a small crowd of spectators, and the Headmaster, who stood between Natalie and Joshua in the shadow of the grand doors to the Hall.
"Ah, good of you to join us," the Headmaster attempted a joke. The students stood in silence, too afraid to laugh. "Well, today is the day we have all been waiting for, but before we go, I would like to share a few words with you all. I want you to enjoy yourselves in New Zealand, and I want you to embrace the spirit of competition. However," he continued warningly, "whilst we are there, do remember that you are representing the school, and as such, are expected to show your best side to our foreign friends. Anyone caught behaving irresponsibly will not be invited to return for the next leg of the tournament. Now, let us head to the carriages! We have a long journey ahead of us, so let's get started!"
With pangs of hunger still in their stomachs, the students trudged outside to the waiting horseless carriages, and in groups of three or four, clambered inside, ready for the journey ahead. At once, Regina recognised that the carriages were taking their usual route to Hogsmeade Station, and sure enough, a few minutes later they pulled up to see the familiar scarlet engine that pulled the Hogwarts Express. The headmaster leapt from his carriage and motioned the students to follow him to the platform. The train only consisted of two carriages instead of the usual five, probably owing to the smaller number of students it would have to carry for this trip.
"Spectators to the forward carriage, Champions, Alternates, to the rear." Called the Headmaster. Regina and Gabrielle peeled off towards the rear carriage, and linked up with Natalie, Joshua, and the witches that they had chosen as their alternates.
"Nervous?" Joshua asked the group. Regina was stunned to hear him speak for what seemed like the first time ever, and so it seemed was everyone else, as his rare chatty moment was wasted when everyone gave a short nod as an answer. As they clambered aboard the train, Regina noticed a lot of changes to their carriage. Gone were the rows of compartments and luggage racks, and in their place, was a vast open carriage with recliner chairs, wooden tables, and a fully stocked breakfast bar with bottles of Butterbeer, Pumpkin Juice, coffee, boxes of cereal, and every sweet and pastry you could imagine. Breakfast! Regina thought, still feeling pangs of hunger in the pit of her stomach. She dropped her rucksack onto one of the recliners and began emptying the breakfast bar, returning to the table as the train began to move off, her arms bearing the weight of a large platter of food.
"Well, tuck in!" she said to Gabrielle, who had laid down in the opposite recliner. The students began to chatter amongst themselves about the trip to New Zealand – 'I hope the weathers not too hot!', 'What task do you think the Kiwi's will have in store for us?', 'Surely we aren't taking the train all the way there? Of course we aren't taking the train all the way there, New Zealand is in the Pacific Ocean!' – at the mention of the Pacific Ocean, Gabrielle tensed up, and whispered quietly to Regina.
"You don't think we'll be taking a ship to New Zealand, do you?" She sounded nervous.
"Might be, why? Do you get seasick?" Gabrielle never answered, but instead gazed out of the train window, her eyes dark, her expression almost fearful. Regina thought back to the first time she had seen Gabrielle, she had almost forgotten, because she was so young. Regina was much younger herself, come to think of it. It was almost five years ago, during the TriWizard Tournament, Regina had sat watching Cedric Diggory and Viktor Krum pull their girlfriends from the Black Lake, while Fleur had pulled out of the Second Task early. Everyone had started worrying about where Harry was, when a few moments later, Ron Weasley popped up with a small, blonde girl who couldn't swim very well. He swam her to the platform, where her sister Fleur had rushed over and wrapped her in a bundle of towels. Harry shot out the water a moment later, and the tiny girl was promptly forgotten about. Professor Dumbledore had assured everyone after the task that the people under the water were never in any danger, and wouldn't remember anything about the bottom of the Black Lake. Regina wondered silently if, somehow, Gabrielle could remember the Lake, but she never asked.
For hours, the train trundled on until the sun was beginning to descend on the horizon. Looking out of the window, Regina could see an unfamiliar city approaching fast, and got a feeling that this was to be today's destination. Sure enough, about half an hour later, the Hogwarts Express pulled onto an empty looking platform with large stone pillars holding up a great glass roof. Professor Breckenridge could be seen stepping out onto the platform, and so the students followed suit, gathering their things and exiting the carriages onto the platform. It certainly wasn't Platform Nine-and-Three-Quarters. This platform was a lot grimier and battered looking. There appeared to be a small office block at the foot of the platform, with different signs above each door like Magical Creature Registration, Dangerous Artefact Storage, and MEU Customs. On the opposite platform, a group of wizards were loading a large crate onto a small train piled high with boxes and pallets bearing the names of famous brands like Butterbeer and Potage's Cauldron Shop. Regina guessed that this must be a cargo platform used by companies to transport large crates of magical goods, but she was still unsure where they were. Regina saw a sign overhead that read Platform Seven and A Half.
The Headmaster led them to a tunnel behind the office block were Regina assumed they would exit. A wizard in a luminous orange robe stood in front of a blank wooden wall at the end of the tunnel, and held out a hand to stop them. "Just a minute," he said gruffly, "A'lotta Muggles passing by." After a minute or two, he waved them forward and the students followed the Headmasters lead as he walked through the wall and out the other side, just like at Kings Cross. This station however was not Kings Cross, but still very grand nonetheless.
"Welcome to Liverpool Lime Street Station," the Headmaster said quietly as the students came through the wall and landed outside a building on platform seven that read Virgin Trains First Class Lounge. The students gawped at the great glass ceiling above as they walked through the station and out into the chilly evening air. "We're going on a short walk." The Headmaster announced, "A good opportunity to stretch our legs. We must be careful though, we need to walk quickly and safely." And without telling them where they were going, the Headmaster ploughed on ahead, walking confidently through the streets of Liverpool while the students stared about them in wonder. They walked for around twenty minutes until they came to the Liverpool Docks, where the headmaster ushered them onto a small motorboat. A weather-beaten wizard with a bushy beard nodded as they clambered aboard, but never said a word. Once everyone was on board, the wizard with the bushy beard flicked his wand, and the boat untied itself from the dock. He pushed a lever and the boat clicked into gear, propelling them forward at speed.
"We can't be sailing this to New Zealand! We'll all drown!" one of the students cried out, quickly turning red as the Headmaster looked back to see who had spoken.
"No Miss Swanpole, we will not be sailing this craft to New Zealand, we will only be taking it as far as the mouth of the River Mersey." Silence fell over the crowd once more, but Regina couldn't tell if it was down to fear of the Headmaster, or fear of the water, as quite a few people looked very green. The boat was quite cramped, and the waters, whilst not choppy, weren't completely flat either. Regina spotted Gabrielle clutching the edge of the boat, her knuckles completely white. Further and further they went, until they had almost left Liverpool behind them, and Regina could see open water ahead. A couple of people looked as though they genuinely would be sick, and Regina was beginning to feel queasy herself as the water began to get choppier. She had begun to wonder why they were heading out to sea when suddenly, as though a lightbulb had been flicked on, she saw it.
She could have sworn it wasn't there only a moment ago, but now, blotting out the last of the sunset, was the biggest ship Regina had ever seen. A large black hull cast a shadow over their boat as they approached it. Regina could see gold letters on the stern which must be several feet tall that read The Queen's Gambit, Liverpool. The lights from cabins on the upper deck twinkled against the pink sky, and steam billowed from four large funnels that seemed to reach up and touch the clouds. The bushy-bearded wizard pulled their comparatively tiny boat expertly alongside The Queen's Gambit where a small platform hung down from the ship. The students clambered gingerly onto the platform, and then up a flight of creaky metal stairs, gripping the handrail for dear life, until finally they came to a door in the ship's hull that lead them inside. Regina stepped through the door and into a grand atrium that was something out of a dream. A grand sweeping staircase made from mahogany led up to a balcony which held a world-class restaurant, a large clock hung on the wall giving the time in Britain, New Zealand, Australia, and China, and on the deck that the students had filled out was a large marble reception desk staffed by witches and wizards in gleaming white uniforms.
Professor Breckenridge was talking to the most senior officer at the desk, appearing to be checking the students in, which gave them plenty of time to gawp at the grandeur of the ship. Regina could see a few other passengers milling around the corridors of the ship; there was an elderly couple returning from a meal in the restaurant, dressed in their finest clothes, whilst a group of young children ran the length of the corridors, and an American couple who gazed out of the window and made obnoxious remarks about the service on board a little too loudly. A few moments later, the senior officer in his white shirt and epaulettes strode over to the group of students and addressed them all.
"Students! Welcome aboard The Queen's Gambit, the most comfortable ocean liner in the world! Your Headmaster has entrusted us to get you safely to New Zealand. If there is anything we can do for you during our journey, please let us know. But for the moment, allow me to show you to your cabins." It seemed like only seconds ago that they had left the Hogwarts Express behind, but now the students were walking the length of a grand corridor on the promenade deck. Soon, the students were walking past rows and rows of doors, each of which had the names of two, or sometimes three students written on gold plaques above the handle. Regina pushed open the door to one of the final cabins on the corridor which read Gabrielle Delacour & Regina Corsica. 'The most comfortable ocean liner in the world' seemed like something of an understatement. The girls had each been given a king-sized bed, wardrobe, a bathroom suite that seemed roughly the size of the Slytherin Girls dorm, and a small lounge with a couple of plush sofas. This, Regina quickly decided, was the best way to travel New Zealand. Once they had finished unpacking, and exploring their cavernous cabin, Regina suggested they take a stroll around the promenade deck.
"How are you feeling?" Regina asked as they stopped at a railing towards the back of the ship. Gabrielle was silent for a long time, watching Liverpool disappear into the distance as the ship sounded its horn and began its journey to New Zealand. Finally, after the lights of the city had dipped below the horizon, Gabrielle spoke.
"I don't like the water." Regina put an arm round her friends' shoulder and pulled her close.
"What if one of the tasks involves you being on, or even in the water?" Regina asked, "There's no way that all eight tasks take place in the sky. You'll have to deal with your fear at some point." Gabrielle shook her head and repeated what she had said before.
"I don't like the water."
Authors Notes
Hi everyone!
What a fantastic response to the last chapter! Thank you guys so much, lets try and keep this up! I hope you've enjoyed this chapter, I know it seems a little bit compressed, but I just want to get things moving along now, so our next chapter will take place in New Zealand! Are you guys excited to see the first of our new schools? If you guys have enjoyed the chapter, and feel like leaving a review, here a re a few questions you could answer for:
1) The Queens Gambit was once a Muggle Ocean Liner that was 'sunk' in the Atlantic by wizards who needed a way to travel very long distances. Can you think which ship the Ministry would pretend to sink? (information on the Queens Gambit will be available on the Wiki tomorrow).
2) What do you think Moutohora Magic Academy will be like? What tasks will they come up with?
3) Are you enjoying the story so far? How I could I make it better?
Thanks for reading, until the next,
IronManRidingaNimbus.
P.S. Congratulations to triggbc, LovesUnicorns10, and Guest!