Chapter 4: Chess Puzzle, Mate in 1
25 July 1991
The ten second-year Slytherins, Hiram, Lucius, Narcissa, and Snape transported themselves one by one to Diagon Alley via floo powder. Harry felt excited as he travelled through the fireplace and found himself in the Leaky Cauldron.
"Well done, Harry", Draco said. "Now let's all get some butterbeer. Those drinks are the delight of life. Those drinks could pass the time."
Harry nodded and ordered butterbeer along with the other second-year Slytherins and Hiram. Harry drank his butterbeer, pleased to be surrounded by his fellow Slytherins, and nowhere near those repulsive muggles.
Harry glanced at Daphne. She had sustained injuries when she was attacked by that white rook during their giant Wizard's Chess match more than two months ago. Daphne seemed to have been healed, but Harry wanted to make sure.
"Not to sound insensitive, but are you all right, Daphne?", Harry asked. "I know you went through incredible trauma when you were attacked by that rook. I just hope you're doing okay."
"I'm fine, Harry", Daphne replied. "And you're not being insensitive at all. My parents were really worried about what happened, but I managed to calm them down."
"That was quite a scary day", Draco said. "Those giant chess pieces were menacing."
"Well, it's all over now", Crabbe said. "And Quirrell is dead."
"Thankfully", Blaise said, laughing.
Just then, Harry saw Caleb Holland walking in their direction with a blond girl who seemed to be no older than eleven.
"Caleb!", Harry exclaimed, waving him over. "How have you been?"
"Everything is fine", Caleb said. "I'd like to introduce you to my younger sister, Caitlin. She will start attending Hogwarts next month."
"Hi, Caitlin", Harry said, offering the girl his hand. "I'm Harry Potter."
Caitlin Holland seemed surprised when she heard this. Harry could tell she seemed nervous for a few seconds. But she quickly regained her composure and accepted his handshake. She said, "Hello, Harry. It is a pleasure to meet you. I hope I'm in Slytherin."
"We'd love to have you in our house", Theodore said. "I think you'll like being one of us."
Caleb then said, "Well, we got to go buy our books. See you all later."
As Caleb and Caitlin walked away, Draco grinned at Harry.
"I think she has a crush on you, Harry", Draco said. "She looked so nervous."
"Go easy on the girl, Draco", Harry said. "Maybe she's shy or something."
"Maybe", Draco said. "But if she's a Slytherin, what will she have to worry about? We'll watch over her and have her back."
"Hopefully."
After the ten second-year Slytherins and Hiram finished their butterbeers, they all walked to the bricks that separated the Leaky Cauldron from Diagon Alley. Harry tapped on the brick with his wand, then was able to move through the path the bricks enabled them to go through once those bricks moved out of the way.
"I want to go to Gringotts first", Harry said. "I want to see what is in the vault of my parents. Plus, I'll need money to buy my books."
"Okay, then", Theodore said. "We'll wait here."
So, Harry and Draco walked inside Gringotts and waited in line. Fifteen minutes later, a goblin was finally able to see Harry and Draco.
"I'm Harry Potter. Vault six-eight-seven, please. 687."
The goblin peered at the key. "This seems legitimate. Urbex will take you there. Urbex!"
Another goblin arrived on the scene with a cart. Harry and Draco got into the cart, feeling excited during the trip. Harry felt giddy as the cart headed down to vault 687. The trip was simultaneously exciting and sickening. Harry hoped that he could survive this trip without becoming sick.
Finally, Urbex said, "Vault six-eight-seven! Here you go."
"Thanks", Harry said.
Harry and Draco got off the cart and took out the money that he needed.
"I've noticed that there's more money in there than last year", Harry said. "You think that money here collects interest?"
"I think a good amount of it does", Draco said. "It's possible that you may have investments in here. So that's probably why the money in here is increasing."
"Well, let's get back to the others", Harry said. "I think we now have the money to buy our books."
Harry and Draco rode the cart back to meet the others. When they were all back in the streets of Diagon Alley, they all headed over to Quality Quidditch.
Draco pointed to something in the window display. "Look at that. The newest model. The Nimbus 2001. It's superior to the Nimbus 2000."
Harry could have sworn he saw a slight smirk on Lucius's face. He didn't think much about it, however.
Millicent pointed to a large banner plastered on one of the shop windows.
GILDEROY LOCKHART
Will be signing copies of his autobiography
MAGICAL ME
Today 12:30 P.M. to 4:30 P.M.
The Slytherins moved further into the crowd that was gathered around a middle-aged man Harry guessed was Lockhart.
"Oh, wow", Daphne said.
"Do you have a crush on him, Daphne?", Draco asked mockingly.
Daphne scowled at Draco.
"Shut up, Malfoy. He's way too old for me."
But Daphne then grinned.
"He is good-looking, however."
"I agree", Blaise said.
"Do you have a crush on him too, Blaise?", Draco asked, laughing.
Blaise scowled at Draco and hit him with one of his books. This immediately caught the attention of Lockhart, who looked at Harry and his friends with curiosity.
"It can't be Harry Potter", Lockhart said.
Harry gulped as Lockhart reached out his hand. There was a reason he disliked attention and fame. Who wanted to be famous simply because of the way their parents were killed? It didn't seem like many people valued his privacy and seemed to care about that. He hated being treated like a celebrity. His classmates and upper housemen in Slytherin were one thing. Most of them at least respected him enough not to bother him about his dark past. Everybody else, on the other hand…
Harry decided he had no real choice in the matter but to accept his fate and stand on the stage with Lockhart. If he ran away, everyone would just laugh at him and think he was a coward. He felt like the white queen in the Baltic Trap, with no place to hide.
Harry gave Lockhart his hand, and the man shook it strenuously and enthusiastically. A photographer was taking multiple pictures.
"Harry, it is so good to finally meet you", Lockhart said cheerfully. "I was just about to set out and look for you when I heard the good news that you were okay and fine. Together, you and I make the front page." Lockhart was smiling while Harry was looking uncomfortable, wishing he could be anywhere else at the moment.
"Harry and his classmates obviously came here to buy my books", Lockhart said. "But little do they know that they will be very soon be getting the real Magical Me. That's right, ladies and gentlemen, I will be accepting the Defense Against the Dark Arts post at Hogwarts in September!"
The crowd cheered.
"As a gift, Harry, you will have all my books, including my autobiography, Magical Me, all signed and for free. Study hard, Harry, as you will have so much to learn. Especially about all my adventures."
Carrying the weight of all those new books made Harry stumble a little bit. Draco, Crabbe, and Goyle helped Harry put the books in his bag.
"At least you got those books for free", Draco said.
"Well, that's one good thing coming out of this mess", Harry said. "Never decline every chance to save money. But I could have just bought all of those books without all of this commotion."
"I'm going to get my books signed", Tracey said.
"So will I", Daphne said.
"I'm going to get some fresh air", Harry said.
"We're going with you", Draco said, pointing to himself, Pansy, and Theodore.
The four second-year Slytherins headed outside for some fresh air and for Harry to calm down. But Harry's relief and ephemeral tranquility would not last.
"I bet you loved that, didn't you, Potter?", a voice nastily asked.
Harry groaned as he realized who it was. A voice that was obnoxious, arrogant, and insulting.
Ronald Weasley, Harry thought as he turned to glare at the redhead, who was with a slightly younger girl who was carrying a cauldron full of books and also had red hair. Must be his younger sister, Harry thought.
Pansy and Theodore already looked disgusted being in Weasley's presence.
"Bet?", Draco asked, mockingly. "How can you bet on anything, Weasley? Aren't your parents in poverty and living in some slums somewhere?"
"Shut up, Malfoy", Weasley snapped as he continued to mock Harry in a disgusted tone of voice. "Famous Harry Potter, can't even go into a bookshop without making the front page."
"Jealous much?", Harry asked in a cold tone of voice.
"Hardly", Ron said. "You have way too much of an ego, you know that? You think you're better than everyone else around you."
"Please leave him alone, Ron", the girl said.
"Stay out of this, Ginny", Ron said.
"Looks like you've got yourself another girlfriend, Harry", Draco said, laughing.
"I told you to shut up, Malfoy", Ron snarled.
"And I heard you and ignored you", Draco said. "I would love to continue ignoring you, but I have to wonder why you're even in this bookshop at all. Surely, you're not buying anything."
Weasley glared daggers at Draco as the blond Slytherin continued speaking. "Tell me, how long are your parents going to go hungry over you buying these books? Two months? Four months? What bank in their right mind would lend you credit?"
Weasley lunged for Draco, but Ginny grabbed Ron's collar and held him back.
"Now, play nicely, children", Lucius said, who had just arrived on the scene.
"You must be two of the Weasley children", he said, looking unimpressed at Ron and Ginny.
Just then, Arthur Weasley arrived.
"Lucius", he said gruffly.
"Arthur", Lucius said. "Tell me, what's it like learning about those filthy Muggles? Can't imagine all that knowledge is helping your paychecks."
"At least my career isn't based on lies and extortion", Arthur replied.
"I don't have to listen to your pathetic diatribes, Arthur", Lucius growled.
The two men were glaring daggers at each other when Rubeus Hagrid arrived and got between the two of them.
"Break it up, break it up", Hagrid said.
Lucius gave Arthur an icy and cold glare. "This isn't over."
"Ronald and Ginny, let's go", Arthur said.
Ron then walked away to join his father. Ginny looked at Harry for a few seconds. Harry was surprised when the red-headed girl suddenly offered to shake Harry's hand.
"Pleased to meet you, Harry Potter", Ginny said. "I've heard so much about you."
From her brother, no doubt, Harry thought. All lies. Harry could have made an issue out of it, but he didn't have the patience or the time.
"Well, it's good to meet you too, Ginny Weasley", Harry said. "It would be nice to see a Weasley somewhere other than Gryffindor for a change."
Ginny smiled at Harry before walking away.
"Not going to lie, Weasley's sister is good-looking", Harry said.
Draco smiled. "Maybe you could ask her out, just to piss Weasley off."
"I'm not interested in her romantically, Draco, we just met", Harry said. "As a matter of fact, I'm not looking to date anyone right now. All I want to think about is school and Quidditch, that's currently what I'm focusing on and driving towards."
"That's a smart goal", Theodore said.
After all of the Slytherins had finished buying their books and checking out their wands, they all transported by the fireplace back to Malfoy Manor. They played a pickup game of Quidditch.
"Well, there's eleven of us", Harry said. "I think we should only have one beater who's neutral, trying to knock off players off both teams."
"Fair enough", Draco said.
So, Pansy, Hiram, and Goyle were the chasers on one team, while Millicent, Daphne, and Blaise were the chasers on the other team. Draco was the keeper on Pansy's team, while Theodore was the keeper on Millicent's team. Harry was the seeker on Pansy's team while Tracey was the seeker on Millicent's team. Crabbe was the beater.
Ten minutes in, Millicent's team was winning 40-0, because Theodore was determined in his position as keeper and wasn't giving an inch. Harry eventually spotted the snitch and caught it easily, helping Pansy's team to win, 150-40.
31 July 1992
It was Harry's 12th birthday.
Harry had stayed over at the Malfoys the entire week, and Snape had given his permission for Harry to do so. It was a fun celebration, and Harry received a bunch of presents from his friends in Slytherin. Even Harry's older friends from Slytherin arrived at the party. Harry was pleased to greet Callum Rosier, who had just left Hogwarts. Harry was delighted to see Isabella Naughton, although Harry could have sworn something was suspicious.
Harry was happy to greet Caleb Holland and his younger siblings Caitlin and Calvin. Harry slapped hands with Miles Bletchley, Marcus Flint, Linus Urquhart, Peregrine Derrick, and Lucian Bole.
In Slytherin, you'll meet your real friends, Harry thought.
1 September 1992
It was time to go back to Hogwarts.
Harry and the other Slytherin second-years had finished their summer homework and completed their assignments. Everything seemed to be in order.
Narcissa hugged Draco and Harry before they left. Mrs. Malfoy squeezed the breath from Harry's body.
"We enjoyed having you at our home this summer, Harry. Please come back again. You are always welcome in our home."
More than anything, Harry wanted a place to call home. Now, it was being offered to him for free.
"Thank you", Harry choked out.
Harry and the other Slytherin second-years were so excited as they waited at King's Cross Station. Harry and Draco waited at the back of the line as everyone else went through the barrier.
Eventually, Harry and Draco were the only ones left. Harry pushed his trolley towards the barrier, expecting to go through it and towards the other side. But instead, it stopped.
"Just my luck", Harry muttered. He felt the barrier, it was solid brick. Draco also felt the barrier and also felt that it was solid.
"What are we going to do?", Draco asked.
"What's the matter, Potter and Malfoy? Why aren't you going on the platform?", a snide voice asked.
Harry and Draco turned to see Ron Weasley standing behind them, looking smug. Next to Weasley were Seamus Finnigan and Dean Thomas.
"The barrier shut itself", Harry said.
"Stop lying, Slytherin. I know you're trying to get us into trouble", Weasley said.
"Let's see you get through the barrier, then", Draco challenged.
"All right, then, I will", Weasley said, sneering.
Weasley charged as fast as he could towards the barrier. The redhead obviously thought he would go through the barrier. But sure enough, Weasley's trolley came to a sudden stop and Weasley stumbled backwards from the impact.
Harry and Draco couldn't help themselves. They started laughing.
"Potter and Malfoy, stop laughing!", Weasley exclaimed with anger. "What are we going to do? I don't understand how the gateways sealed itself."
Harry looked at the giant clock. The Hogwarts express had just left one second ago.
"Do you have any muggle money?", Weasley asked Finnigan and Thomas.
"No", Seamus said. "We should probably wait by the car."
"That's it!", Ron exclaimed. "The car! We can fly the car to school!
"But I thought…"
"We're stuck, right? And we have to get to school, haven't we? And even underage wizards are allowed to use magic if they get stuck in situations or emergencies. There's some rule like that."
"Sounds great", Dean said.
"You three are going to fly a car to school?", Harry asked.
"Yeah, want to come with us?", Weasley asked.
"No, you bloody idiot, don't you realize how much trouble you'll be in if the ministry found out?", Draco asked.
"Not to mention Muggles will see you", Harry said.
"Well sod you both, then. Let's go, Dean, Seamus."
"Those idiots!", Harry exclaimed as the three Gryffindor second-year boys headed to the Weasleys' car.
"They're going to be in so much trouble", Draco said.
"I'm going to write a letter to Professor Snape", Harry said. "I'm going to tell Snape about what happened with the barrier and I'm going to tell him about Weasley, Finnigan, and Thomas going to school in that car."
"Professor Snape will love this", Draco said, laughing.
Harry sent Orcus on his way with the letter. Snape later arrived to apparate Harry and Draco to the front entrance of Hogwarts.
Later, Harry and Draco managed to find their way to the great hall with the other Slytherins. Three students had already been sorted, none of which were Slytherins.
"Beardwood, Salvatore!"
"GRYFFINDOR!"
"Boynton, Elias!"
"RAVENCLAW!"
"Byron, Wendell!"
"HUFFLEPUFF!"
"Cadwallader, Grant!"
"HUFFLEPUFF!"
"Caister, John!"
"RAVENCLAW!"
"Creevey, Colin!"
Harry watched as a nervous looking-boy was sorted next.
"GRYFFINDOR!"
"Where were you two?", Pansy asked.
"The barrier shut itself", Harry replied. "Also, Weasley, Finnigan, and Thomas are going to fly a car to school."
"Wow!", Pansy exclaimed as Augie Dagnall became a Hufflepuff.
"They're going to be in so much trouble", Tracey said.
"Not to mention they'll lose Gryffindor loads of points and get detention for at least a month if not more."
"Dolohov, Jared!"
"That's my little brother!", Jeff Dolohov shouted over the noise of the crowd.
"SLYTHERIN!"
"Finally, we get a Slytherin", Theodore said.
"Duxbury, Taylor!"
"SLYTHERIN!"
"Eastham, Patricia!"
"GRYFFINDOR!"
"Eton, Megan!"
"RAVENCLAW!"
Thirty minutes later, the Gryffindors roared as their hourglass suddenly showed that they had just lost 900 points.
"900 points from Gryffindor", Draco said, laughing. "That has got to be a record."
"300 points apiece", Harry said. "The welcoming feast hasn't even started yet, and already Weasley and his Gryffindor crew are already in trouble."
"Goodwinter, Jeremiah!"
"SLYTHERIN!"
"Harper, Duane!"
"SLYTHERIN!"
"Holland, Caitlin!"
Harry watched as Caitlin walked to the stool and McGonagall put the sorting hat on her head.
"SLYTHERIN!"
"Way to go, Caitlin!", Caleb Holland shouted.
Fifteen minutes later…
"Lovegood, Luna!"
Harry watched as a shy-looking girl approached the stool.
"She's definitely a Ravenclaw", Draco said.
"SLYTHERIN!"
The Slytherins clapped as Luna Lovegood joined their table. "You were saying, Draco?", Harry asked.
"Hey, none of us are perfect. Even I make mistakes sometimes."
"Nott, Hiram!"
Harry watched as Theodore's younger brother approached the stool.
"SLYTHERIN!"
"Great job, Hiram!", Theodore shouted.
"Oarley, Gabriella!"
"RAVENCLAW!"
"Quarles, Shirley!"
"HUFFLEPUFF!"
"Slater, Laine!"
"SLYTHERIN!"
"Slater, Lucas!"
"SLYTHERIN!"
"Smith, Zacharias!"
"HUFFLEPUFF!"
"Stebbins, Steven!"
"HUFFLEPUFF!"
"Vaisey, Philip!"
"SLYTHERIN!"
"Weasley, Ginevra!"
"Another Gryffindor, I guess", Draco sighed.
"SLYTHERIN!"
The roar at the Slytherin table was deafening. Harry couldn't believe what a terrible day this had to be for Ron Weasley. Not only did he cost Gryffindor 300 points because of his reckless stunt, but now his only sister had been sorted into Slytherin, the house he hated the most.
"That must be so embarrassing for Ronald", Draco said, laughing.
"Welcome to the Slytherin table, Ginny!", Blaise exclaimed, offering her his hand.
"Weinburg, Kyle!"
"RAVENCLAW!"
McGonagall rolled up her parchment and the feast began.
Harry wasn't surprised that Crabbe and Goyle were eating an abundance of food. Those two honestly had difficulty resisting it.
Later, Terence Higgs arrived to take the new Slytherin first-years to the Slytherin Common Room. Harry and the other Slytherin second-years walked with them and waited to find out the new password.
That night, just as Harry was getting ready to go to bed, Draco pulled out his Wizard's Chess set.
"Time to look at another chess position, Harry", Draco said. "I'm going to set up another chess position, Harry", Draco said. "I'm going to place white pawns on f2, g3, and h2. The white king will be on g1. The white rook will be on e1. There will be black pawns on f7, g7, and h7. The black king will be on g8. So, Harry, with white to move, how will you deliver checkmate?"
Harry then said, "Rook to e8."
The white rook then moved from e1 to e8.
"Checkmate."
"Well done, Harry. A back-rank mate. I look forward to seeing how much of Wizard's Chess you will learn this year."
