Chapter 20: French Defense

5 January 1993

Harry woke up that Tuesday morning with a sense of trepidation. He knew he would have Transfiguration that day, followed by Herbology later. He hoped he could score Slytherin more points.

Harry knew he would have much to worry about, with the attacks on muggle-born students taking place at Hogwarts. He only hoped he and his friends would be safe.

Harry waited for Draco, Theodore, Blaise, Crabbe, and Goyle to wake up. When they did, they all headed to breakfast together with the Slytherin second-year girls.

Harry concentrated on his toast, not looking up at anyone for a few minutes. When he finally did, he glanced at the Slytherin first-years. Duane Harper was laughing about something with Hiram Nott and Lucas Slater. Luna Lovegood was sitting with Ginny Weasley while staring at the sky. Ginny, however, was busy writing something in a book.

Harry squinted to see what the book was. He noticed an inscription on the cover of the book, but he was too far away to read what it said.

Maybe it's not important, Harry thought. It's probably a diary of some sort. It's none of my business. It's probably personal for Ginny. She's probably writing something about how annoying her brothers are.

Harry then headed to Transfiguration with the other second-year Slytherins. Professor McGonagall was all business that day, as usual. She seemed to be extremely serious.

"Today we will be transforming rabbits into slippers", McGonagall said. "I trust that at least some of you should be able to cast this spell. The incantation is rabito slips transforte."

Most of the Slytherin second-years were having trouble with this spell. But Harry picked up his wand at his rabbits and exclaimed, "Rabito slips transforte!"

The rabbits were then transformed into slippers.

McGonagall nodded. "Good work, Mister Potter. Ten points to Slytherin."

Theodore then pointed his wand at his rabbits and exclaimed, "Rabito slips transforte!"

Theodore's rabbits were also transformed into slippers.

"Five points to Slytherin, Nott."

The other Slytherin second-years tried their best, but only Draco and Blaise could manage to turn their rabbits into slippers. They earned Slytherin five more points each.

Later, the Slytherin second-years had Herbology. Professor Sprout seemed prepared to teach them and determined to keep the Slytherin second-years and Ravenclaw second-years focused.

"Today we will be learning about Leaping Toadstools", Professor Sprout said. "Can anyone tell me what are the attributes of a leaping toadstool?"

Theodore shot his hand into the air.

"The Leaping Toadstool is a magical, sentient mushroom which has the ability to jump", Theodore said. "They can be used as ingredients in potion-making when chopped, such as in Baruffio's Brain Elixir and Invisibility Potion."

"Ten points to Slytherin, Mister Nott."

Harry worked with Draco, Pansy, and Tracey. Crabbe and Goyle worked with Mandy Brocklehurst. Theodore worked with Blaise, Millicent, and Daphne.

After herbology, Harry and the other second-year Slytherins were heading to their next class when all of a sudden, three Hufflepuff students stepped in their path.

"Well, Potter", Wayne Hopkins sneered. "I suppose you're at work, focusing on your next victim. I know you were the one that sent Justin to the hospital wing."

Sally Anne-Perks and Ernie Macmillan scowled at Harry. It was honestly pissing the Slytherin second-year off. He was trying his best to control his temper.

Draco didn't seem to have much patience for Hopkins either.

"Don't be stupid, Hopkins", Draco said. "Harry had nothing to do with it."

"So you say", Hopkins said. "Remember, Potter. I'll be watching. Everyone knows Slytherins are nefarious."

Wow, I've never heard that before, Harry thought with sarcasm. What else is new?

Harry glared at Macmillan, Perkins, and Hopkins as they walked away.

"Those Hufflepuffs are honestly getting on my nerves", Harry said. "I'm getting tired of their accusations. It's ridiculous."

After classes ended that day, Harry and his friends were eating in the Great Hall. Harry was busy eating his steak when suddenly, Rubeus Hagrid approached.

"Hello, 'Arry", Hagrid said.

"Hi, Hagrid", Harry said. "Hope all is well with you."

"Everything is fine", Hagrid said. "How are your classes so far?"

"So far, almost everything is fine", Harry said. "We've been helping each other out."

Hagrid glanced at the Wizard's Chess set Draco had next to him.

"Harry, maybe we should play a game of Wizard's Chess. I hear Malfoy has taught you much about the game."

Harry hesitated at first. Whenever he played Wizard's Chess, it was always against fellow Slytherins. He had never played chess against a non-Slytherin before. But then again, he supposed there was a first time for everything.

The houses should be allowed to interact with each other, Harry thought. Even Gryffindor and Slytherin should interact, even though I personally dislike the Gryffindors.

Harry figured it could not hurt. What did he have to lose?

"All right, then", Harry said. "I'll play you."

So, Hagrid had the white pieces and Harry had the black pieces.

"Pawn to e4", Hagrid said. The white pawn on e2 moved to e4.

"Pawn to e6", Harry said. The black pawn on e7 moved to e6.

"Pawn to d4", Hagrid said. The white pawn on d2 moved to d4.

"Pawn to d5", Harry said. The black pawn on d7 moved to d5.

"Pawn to e5", Hagrid said. The white pawn on e4 moved to e5.

"Pawn to c5", Harry said. The black pawn on c7 moved to c5.

"Pawn to c3", Hagrid said. The white pawn on c2 moved to c3.

"Knight to c6", Harry said. The black knight on b8 moved to c6.

"Knight to f3", Hagrid said. The white knight on g1 moved to f3.

"Queen to b6", Harry said. The black queen on d8 moved to b6.

"Bishop to e2", Hagrid said. The white bishop on f1 moved to e2.

"Pawn to d4", Harry said. The black pawn on c5 yanked out its sword and demolished the white pawn on d4 before replacing it.

"Pawn to d4", Hagrid said. The white pawn on c3 moved to d4, destroying the black pawn on d4.

"Knight to h6", Harry said. The black knight on g8 moved to h6.

"Castle Kingside", Hagrid said. The white king on e1 moved to g1, and the white rook on h1 moved to f1.

"Knight to f5", Harry said. The black knight on h6 moved to f5.

"Pawn to b3", Hagrid said. The white pawn on b2 moved to b3.

"Knight on f5 to d4", Harry said. The black knight on f5 leaped into the air and pounced on the white pawn on d4, reducing it to bits.

"Knight to d4", Hagrid said. The white knight on f3 moved to d4, capturing the black knight that was on the d4 square.

"Queen to d4", Harry said. The black queen on b6 moved to d4, capturing the white knight on the d4 square.

"Queen to d4", Hagrid said. The white queen on d1 moved to d4, capturing the black queen on the d4 square.

"Knight to d4", Harry said. The black knight on c6 moved to d4, capturing the white queen on the d4 square.

"Bishop to d1", Hagrid said. The white bishop on e2 moved to d1.

"Bishop to d7", Harry said. The black bishop on c8 moved to d7.

"Knight to c3", Hagrid said. The white knight on b1 moved to c3.

"Rook to c8", Harry said. The black rook on a8 moved to c8.

"Bishop to b2", Hagrid said. The white bishop on c1 moved to b2.

"Knight to f5", Harry said. The black knight on d4 moved to f5.

"Rook to c1", Hagrid said. The white rook on a1 moved to c1.

"Pawn to d4", Harry said. The black pawn on d5 moved to d4.

"Knight to e4", Hagrid said. The white knight on c3 moved to e4.

"Rook to c1", Harry said. The black rook on c8 moved to c1, demolishing the white rook on c1 before replacing it.

"Bishop to c1", Hagrid said. The white bishop on b2 moved to c1, demolishing the black rook on c1 before replacing it.

"Bishop to b5", Harry said. The black bishop on d7 moved to b5. This move attacked the white rook on f1.

"Rook to e1", Hagrid said. The white rook on f1 moved to e1.

"Pawn to h5", Harry said. The black pawn on h7 moved to h5.

"Knight to d6", Hagrid said. The white knight on e4 moved to d6, giving check to the black king on e8.

"Bishop to d6", Harry said. The black bishop on f8 moved to d6, demolishing the white knight on d6.

"Pawn to d6", Hagrid said. The white pawn on e5 moved to d6. That white pawn then yanked out its sword and demolished the black bishop on d6 before replacing it.

"King to d7", Harry said. The black king on e8 moved to d7. Harry didn't mind forfeiting castling privileges. He was sure he would win this game, anyway.

"Bishop to a3", Hagrid said. The white bishop on c1 moved to a3, defending the white pawn on d6.

"Pawn to d3", Harry said. The black pawn on d4 moved to d3.

"Pawn to h3", Hagrid said. The white pawn on h2 moved to h3.

"Bishop to c6", Harry said. The black bishop on b5 moved to c6.

"Pawn to f3", Hagrid said. The white pawn on f2 moved to f3.

"Pawn to h4", Harry said. The black pawn on h5 moved to h4.

"King to f2", Hagrid said. The white king on g1 moved to f2.

"Rook to c8", Harry said. The black rook on h8 moved to c8.

"Pawn to g4", Hagrid said. The white pawn on g2 moved to g4. Harry immediately realized the next move he should play.

"Pawn to g3", Harry said. The black pawn on h4 moved to g3, slicing the white pawn on g4 with its sword. It was an en passant capture. This move put the white king on f2 in check.

"King to g2", Hagrid said. The white king on f2 moved to g2.

"Pawn to f6", Harry said. The black pawn on f7 moved to f6.

"Bishop to c5", Hagrid said. The white bishop on a3 moved to c5.

"Bishop to f3", Harry said. The black bishop on c6 moved to f3, demolishing the white pawn on the f3 square.

"King to f3", Hagrid said. The white king on g2 demolished the black bishop on f3 before replacing it.

"Rook to c5", Harry said. The black rook on c8 moved to c5, demolishing the white bishop on c5.

"Pawn to a4", Hagrid said. The white pawn on a2 moved to a4.

"Pawn to d2", Harry said. The black pawn on d3 moved to d2. This move attacked the white rook on e1.

"Rook to e2", Hagrid said. The white rook on e1 moved to e2. This gave Harry an idea.

"Knight to d4", Harry said. The black knight on f5 moved to d4. This move forked the white king on f3 and the white rook on e2.

"King to e3", Hagrid said. The white king on f3 moved to e3.

"Knight to e2", Harry said. The black knight on d4 leaped into the air and brandished its sword. That black knight demolished the white rook on e2 into numerous pieces.

"King to e2", Hagrid said. The white king on e3 moved to e2, demolishing the black knight on e2 with its sword.

"Pawn to g2", Harry said. The black pawn on g3 moved to g2.

"King to d2", Hagrid said. The white king on e2 moved to d2, capturing the black pawn on the d2 square.

"Pawn to g1", Harry said. The black pawn on g2 moved to g1. Harry decided to promote that pawn to a queen.

I've almost won this game, Harry thought.

"Pawn to h4", Hagrid said. The white pawn on h3 moved to h4.

"Rook to d5", Harry said. The black rook on c5 moved to d5. This move gave check to the white king on d2.

"King to c2", Hagrid said. The white king on d2 moved to c2.

"Queen to d1", Harry said. The black queen on g1 moved to e1, destroying the white bishop that was on the d1 square. This move put the white king on c2 in check.

"King to b2", Hagrid said. The white king on c2 moved to b2.

"Rook to d3", Harry said. The black rook on d5 moved to d3.

"King to a3", Hagrid said. The white king on b2 moved to a3.

"Queen to b3", Harry said. The black queen on d1 moved to b3, capturing the white pawn on the b3 square.

"Checkmate", Harry said. He was pleased he had won the game. Overall, the game had lasted 37 moves.

Harry then shook hands with Hagrid. "Good game, Hagrid."

Draco then decided to interject.

"The opening that you played is known as the French Defense. There were mistakes made in the game by both of you, with all due respect. Hagrid, your first mistake was on your eighth move, when you castled kingside. A better move would have been to capture the black knight on h6 with the white bishop on c1. Your next mistake was on your sixteenth move, when you played the white knight on c3 to e4. Your best move would have been to play that knight to e2. Your next inaccuracy was on your nineteenth move, when you played the white knight on e4 to d6. A better move would have been to play the white bishop on c1 to d2. Your next inaccuracy was on your twenty-fifth move, when you played the white pawn on g2 to g4. A better move would have been to play the white rook on e1 to f1. Your next inaccuracy was on your twenty-seventh move, when you played the white bishop on a3 to c5. The best move would have been to play the white bishop on a3 to c1. Your next mistake was on your thirty-first move, when you played the white king on f3 to e3. The best move would have been to play the white king to g3 and capture the black pawn on g3. You made a blunder on your thirty-third move, when you played the white king on e2 to d2 to capture the black pawn on d2. The best move would have been to move the white king to f2. Your final inaccuracy was on your thirty-seventh move, when you played the white king on b2 to a3. The best move would have been to play the white pawn on h4 to h5."

Draco then turned to Harry. "You made an inaccuracy on your fourteenth move, when you played the black knight on d4 to f5. The best move would have been to play that black knight to b5."

"Thanks, Draco", Harry said.

"Not a problem, Harry", Draco said. "I'm glad you won the game. You played really well, overall."

Author's Note

IN LOVING MEMORY

Robbie Coltrane (1950-2022)