Ron and Hermione try to find ways to help Harry and Ginny cope with her upcoming surgery. What can the Chess Club do to help their friends?

Song: Brave Enough by Lindsey Stirling (feat, Christina Perri)

Hermione looked at all the candy on the shelf. She was trying to get what she needed to make a care basket before she went home. She still need to run by and see Ginny before she went to Chess Club. She was going to be late to The Bishop's Brew if she didn't hurry. Ginny was not happy about missing tonight, but keeping her from doing more damage to her knee was more important than coffee.

Hermione: Is she okay?
Harry: Yeah. Not happy but okay
Hermione: What do you need?
Harry: For her knee to be okay
Hermione: The dr will take care of that on Wednesday
Harry; But how do I keep her safe until then?
Hermione: Be creative
Harry: I need to keep her off her feet
Hermione: BE CREATIVE
Harry: Ugh .. you are no help

Hermione started to giggle. Harry may be one of her best friends, but he was male and, occasionally, really dense. He would figure out, she hoped.

She really needed to get to the check out and get home. Luna and Daphne were getting to The Bishop's Brew early so they could plan out Wednesday. She also had to change clothes. She was not going to spend any more time in this outfit if she could get away with it.

Professional development should never be scheduled on a Friday. She had looked forward to wearing her jeans and Manchester United jumper to work until she had checked her diary this morning. Fridays were meant for comfort, coffee, and fun. Well, at least now she could have them.

Hermione: Are you coming to BB tonight?
Ron: Yes, why?
Hermione: Harry is thinking about not coming
Ron: Why?
Hermione: Gin is not coming because of her knee … no work, no fun
Ron: Family rule
Hermione: He sounds like he needs a distraction
Ron: Surgery?
Hermione: Yup, on Wednesday
Ron: I will see if I can leave the shop in George's hands
Hermione: Are you sure that is a good idea?
Ron: No…but they will need us

Ron looked down at his mobile as Hermione's last message faded. Harry was going to be a mess on Wednesday. Ginny had issues the last time she had surgery on her knee and Harry had paced a rut in the carpet as they waited for her to recover. He would definitely need a distraction tonight and on Wednesday.

Time to put on his favorite football shirt and give his best mate a hard time. He probably should play Neville and Theo, too. But what fun is chess if you can't use it to bother your best mate? Ron grabbed his chess bag off the back of his door and headed for the parking lot. He really needed to talk to Mum about making him a bag like she had made Harry, just in the proper colors. Tonight, chess should be bughouse and blitz, nothing serious.

Ron: We need to play bughouse tonight
Theo: Why?
Neville: What's bughouse?
Ron: Gin messed up her knee and is going to have surgery next week. 2 boards, 4 players … CHAOS
Theo: Are they coming tonight?
Ron: Harry is, Gin isn't
Theo: Why is she staying home?
Ron: Family rule - no work, no play
Neville: Are you sure we want to play bughouse?
Ron: Harry needs the distraction
Neville: Is anyone going with them on Wednesday?
Theo: I'm stuck at work all week this week
Neville: I can close the shop for part of the day
Ron: I've got it. Getting George to mind things while I'm with Harry
Neville: I'll close the shop on Wednesday.

Hermione looked around The Bishop's Brew to find a table. A group of teenagers were at their usual table at the back, so she was going to have to find a different place to sit. Luna and Daphne needed to hurry up so they could claim a spot that gave them a good view of the chess tables. Just as she was about to give up hope, the noisy teeenagers packed up and left the table. Hermione walked quickly to the abandoned table and claimed it as her own.

"Hey, Mione," a deep voice startled her. "I brought you a coffee.'

"Oh, thanks Ron," she stuttered as she reached out to take the coffee from him. "Did you talk Harry into coming tonight?"

"I got a message that Gin was kicking him out of the house because she needed peace and quiet." Ron took a sip of his coffee as he watched Hermione set up her space. "I think we are going to try to get him to play some bughouse and blitz. Don't have to think quite as much when we play those."

"It feels strange without her here, but she should be back in a week or two." Hermione looked towards the door. "Neville is looking a little lost right now."

"He always looks a little lost, until Luna arrives." Ron turned to walk to the door and greet Neville. "Have fun this evening."

Hermione: Where are you?
Daphne: Hiding in my car
Luna: Stuck in traffic
Hermione: Hurry up and get in here. I can only hold this table for so long
Luna: I should be there in 5 minutes
Daphne: Let me get my stuff out of the back
Hermione: Neville and Ron are here already
Daphne: Where's Theo?
Hermione: I have no clue. What do I look like
Luna: His social secretary
Daphne: Oh LUNA
Luna: Just wait … I think I see someone
Hermione: Ladies … we have better things to plan