Later, Ron had a more violent game of chess with Harry. He was using his usual set of pieces, the ones that liked to turn each other into splinters. Back to his normal self, Ron watched his rook jump up and down on top of Harry's knight. It was quite amusing really, watching a miniature castle jump on a horse.
Harry said "Go on bishop," nudging the black piece in a pointy hat. "I heard Hermione beat you earlier."
Ron stuck out his tongue. "You, knight, move up and left. She cheated."
"Really?" asked Harry, looking amused.
"Well, yeah. She started saying the two of us were going to get married."
Harry looked up. "Over there, that pawn. Go on would you? But you are aren't you?"
Ron gaped at him. Harry laughed. "Admit it." he said.
"Um, I suppose so, but still, there was no point mentioning it in a chess game!"
"She shouldn't be the first one to mention it anyway."
"What's that supposed to mean?" asked Ron.
"It means that she was the first one to suggest you started going out. And that was while being attacked by a Snargaluff stump."
Ron snorted and made sure his bishop gave Harry's pawn a thorough beating.
"She talked about you and Ginny as well." he said after a while.
Harry looked at him from under his eyebrows. "Oh yeah? What did she say?"
"That you'd get married next summer."
"Take his knight there. And?" Ron's mouth hung open.
"You can't say that was unexpected." said Harry flatly.
"Just, she's my sister mate. And rook, move up two squares."
Harry rolled his eyes. "You don't say? I hadn't noticed."
Ron looked disgruntled. Harry bent close to him. "What's wrong Ron?"
Ron looked at him miserably. "Why is everyone suddenly so interested in marriage?" he moaned.
"I want to look after little Teddy."
"So you'll marry Ginny to look after him."
"No. I'll marry Ginny because I love her."
"But-but, we're nineteen for goodness sake!"
"My parents were married near our age." Harry pointed out.
"Yeah, but that was because everyone thought they were going to die wasn't it? But we're not going to die anytime soon."
"Technically, I already have died." said Harry.
"You're just odd though. Bishop two squares that way." said Ron. "Take a look at your girlfriend."
"Just for that, Queen, take the bishop." Harry's queen threw her throne at the bishop who cowered. "Check."
"Should've seen that." muttered Ron, feeling worse than ever. Not only had he had the subject of marriage sprung upon him, but it looked like he may lose a second game of chess that day.
"Look, I'm pretty sure Hermione won't want to do anything before you're ready for it." Harry reassured him. Ron sat up a fraction straighter.
"'Spose not." he said and he poked a lowly pawn forward, protecting his remaining bishop from Harry's rook. "Go on!" he shouted at it. "You're less valuable than he is."
The pawn shot him a dirty look and moved over. Harry's rook bit its head off.
"Look, she'll wait for you, you know that right?" said Harry. Ron grunted and shrugged. Harry just smiled.
"It's your move."