Chapter 21: En Prise

6 January 1993

It was Wednesday.

Harry woke up that morning, looking forward to earning Slytherin more points in Potions. The only downside of that day was, they would have Defense Against the Dark Arts with Lockhart. Harry knew that it would be useless as always.

Harry, Draco, Theodore, Blaise, Crabbe, and Goyle all walked to breakfast together with the Slytherin second-year girls. Harry focused on his breakfast, comforting himself with the fact that he would earn Slytherin more points in Potions, hopefully.

After breakfast, they headed down to Potions. Snape instructed them on the potion they were supposed to be brewing.

"Today we will be brewing the Swelling Solution", Snape said. "If you have been paying attention to the instructions, this shouldn't be a problem for you."

Harry could easily understand the instructions for this potion. There were six steps in the first part of the potion and four steps in the second part of the potion. The first step of the first part of the potion was that two scoops of dried nettle had to be added to the mortar. The step after that was that three puffer-fish eyes had to be added to the mortar. Then it had to be crushed into a medium-fine powder. Then two measures of the crushed mix had to be added to the cauldron. Then two tablespoons of water had to be added to the powder and both had to be mixed together. The potion then had to be heated on a medium temperature for twenty minutes. Some more water had to be added to the cauldron and the mixture carefully had to be stirred. Harry then had to wave his wand. Harry then had to leave the potion to brew and return in two hours. The first instruction of the second part of the potion was that Harry had to add one bat spleen to the cauldron. The potion then had to be stirred four times in an anti-clockwise direction. The potion then had to be heated to low for thirty seconds. Harry then had to wave his wand to complete the potion.

Theodore was the first student in that class to complete that potion. Snape said, "Twenty points to Slytherin, Mister Nott."

Harry completed his potion, then Draco completed his potion. Pansy and Daphne finished their potions ten minutes later. Snape awarded each of them ten points in Slytherin's favor.

Crabbe and Goyle were the last of the Slytherin second-years to finish their potions. Snape awarded them five points each.

Hermione Granger was the first Gryffindor second-year student to complete her potion. Weasley was the last student of all to complete his potion. Snape looked into his cauldron in disgust.

"This potion is supposed to be yellow when it is completed. Your potion is pink. I see that this is hopeless, Weasley."

After Potions came Defense Against the Dark Arts for the Slytherin second-years. Harry was dreading this class, knowing he would have to hear more about Lockhart bragging about his adventures rather than actually teaching.

"Hello, Slytherins!", Lockhart exclaimed with excitement. "Today we will be learning about vampires and my escapades with them. As most of you probably know, vampires are lethal creatures."

Oh, great, Harry thought. This is going to be torturous. Even Binns's lessons are better than this. He's just going to make me want to fall asleep or vomit.

Lockhart smiled as he said, "I was in Sweden when I stumbled upon my first vampire. He was pretty scary, not going to lie. I was afraid I would get bitten."

Too bad you didn't, Harry thought. Then I wouldn't have to listen to you and your boastful and self-centered attitude.

Lockhart raised a fist as he continued his narration of what happened.

"The vampire bared his teeth and charged towards me. I was armed with just a knife and I did not like my odds. But then, I offered the vampire some lettuce as a bribe. It was risky, but I was sure the vampire wouldn't be able to resist my charm and charisma. I am a genius, after all."

How subtle, Harry thought. Peachy.

"It truly was a life-changing experiment", Lockhart said. "I personally recommended lettuce as a remedy to combat any vampire. It saved my life, and I know it can save yours. I am never wrong."

Well, I can't say I'm surprised hearing him say this, Harry thought.

After classes, the Slytherin second-years were in the Slytherin Common Room, studying. Linus Urquhart, Cassius Warrington, and Caleb Holland were studying with them as well.

Draco then pulled out his Wizard's Chess set.

"Okay then, Harry. There is another tactic in chess you should be aware of. That tactic is known as en prise. En Prise occurs when an enemy piece can be captured for free. En Prise can occur very often in chess. Let's look at an example. I'll place the white king on c1, a white rook on d2, the black king on a8, and a black rook on d7. With White to move, how can he capture a piece that is En Prise?"

Harry then said, "Rook to d7".

The white rook on d2 moved to d7, demolishing the black rook on d7 with its sword.

"Well done, Harry. Let's look at another example. I'll place the white king on c6, the white queen on e3, the black king on f8, and a black bishop on e6. With White to move, how can he capture a piece that is En Prise?"

Harry then said, "Queen to e6".

The white queen moved to e6, demolishing the black bishop that occupied that square with her sword.

"Good, Harry. Let's check out another example. I'll place the white king on c1, a white queen on a8, the black king on h5, and a black bishop on h1. So, Harry, with White to move, how would you capture a piece that is en prise?"

Harry then said, "Queen to h1".

The white queen on a8 moved to h1, attacking and stabbing the black bishop on h1 with its sword. This move also put the black king on h5 in check.

"Perfect, Harry! We'll look at one more example. I'll place the white king on a1, the white queen on g4, the black king on e8, and a black knight on b4. So, Harry, with White to move, how would a piece be captured en prise?"

Harry then said, "Queen to b4".

The white queen on g4 moved to b4, demolishing the black knight that was on the b4 square.

"Well done, Harry! Can you explain the purpose of these four examples?"

"An en prise capture occurs when a piece can be captured for free. It's a tactic every chess player should be aware of. En prise captures can be useful to a player if they are ahead in material."

"Well said, Harry", Draco said. "It's good that you are gaining insight about this."