Chapter 11: Discovered check
6 November 1992
Fred Weasley knew that despite not having the best grades, he had his own abilities that made him a comedic genius in his own way.
True, his mother constantly criticized the behavior of he and his twin brother. Fred and George had earned so many detentions during their first year at Hogwarts due to their rule-breaking tendencies, lack of progress in their classwork, and their obsession with pulling pranks. Fred knew without saying that there was no way he would become a Prefect. The same thing applied to George.
Well, Fred didn't care much about that anyway. He had no desire to obtain that Prefect's badge. Fred considered himself nothing like his older brother Percy, who was dedicated to his role as a Prefect. Fred enjoyed pulling pranks and reveled in them. And he didn't need to become a Prefect anyway. He and his brother already made a reputation for themselves as Beaters on the Gryffindor Quidditch Team.
Fred knew that teachers and prefects were patrolling the corridors to prevent any more attacks from occurring. The attack on Graham Montague made him smirk at least a little, as disgusting as it was. Who cared about one Slytherin being in the hospital wing?
But the attack on Mrs. Norris showed him how serious and consequential these attacks were becoming. This was literally a life-and-death matter. If Potter really was the attacker like his younger brother claimed, then he knew he needed to watch his back. But why would Potter want to attack Montague? That didn't make any sense.
That Friday, Fred and George were wandering around, hoping to pull more pranks or cause more trouble. Why should the unknown attacker have all the fun? Why shouldn't he benefit from causing chaos?
"I solemnly swear I am up to no good," Fred whispered.
Fred looked at the Marauder's Map, a esteemed map that he and his brother had cherished since their first year. Whoever the Marauders were, they were geniuses. An entire map of Hogwarts showing where everyone that was on campus were currently located, and showed their names as well.
Fred and George were both near the Transfiguration courtyard when they noticed Luna Lovegood, one of the Slytherin first-year girls, sitting by herself. Fred had a feeling that this girl was strange. She seemed like an anomaly and an oddity.
What a weird loser, Fred thought. She would be the perfect target for our next prank.
Fred nodded to George, and the other boy flashed a thumbs-up. Now would be a good time as any.
Fred pointed his wand at Luna and shouted, "Levicorpus!"
Luna went flying the air, dangling by her knees. The twins laughed as Luna hung in the air, utterly helpless and powerless to fight back.
"Aww, Lovegood", Fred said mockingly. "You are helpless and all alone."
"Please let me down", Luna politely asked.
"Okay, then", Fred said.
But when he let Luna back on the ground, Fred pointed his wand at her yet again.
"Petrificus Totalus!", Fred exclaimed, casting the Full Body bind curse on Luna.
Luna fell to the ground, clearly immobilized. She was powerless and beyond any means of escape.
Fred smirked, seemingly proud of his work. But then…
"FRED! GEORGE!"
Fred gulped as he turned to who said that.
It was his brother, Percy the prefect.
Percy walked over, clearly disgusted by what he was seeing.
"What are you two doing to this innocent Slytherin?", Percy asked.
"We…we…", George stammered, trying to concoct an explanation.
"We were just having some fun with Lovegood, Percy. Nothing serious", Fred said.
"Nothing serious?!", Percy exclaimed. "Because it seems like you two cast the full body-bind curse on her! Are you two out of your minds? What is wrong with you?! At the time of crisis for our school, you two just had to act like morons and do something so stupid! I thought even you two were smarter than that."
Percy then turned his wand to Luna and said, "Episkey!"
Luna then stood up, clearly back in her normal state.
"Sorry that this happened to you, Miss Lovegood. Don't worry, I will deal with these two."
Fred and George gulped. This would not be fun.
Later, in an abandoned classroom…
Percy Weasley ordered Fred and George to sit down. Percy had obtained some veritaserum and was going to use it on the twins.
Percy forced his brothers to drink the potion.
Now, I'll finally get the truth.
"What is that parchment in your hand?", Percy asked Fred and George, snatching it.
"This parchment is the Marauder's Map", Fred said, unable to lie or hide the truth, though it seemed he was trying to resist. "We obtained it during our first year."
"What is its purpose?"
"It's purpose is to show the layout of Hogwarts, all the passageways, and all the people that are on campus at the moment. The only way to see what is on the map is by saying 'I solemnly swear I am up to no good'. You can hide everything on the Marauder's Map by saying 'Mischief Managed'.
Percy smiled, knowing this map would be useful in the future.
"Fifty points from Gryffindor", he said. "Each. And if I catch the two of you bothering Miss Lovegood or any of the other Slytherins again, you'll regret it."
Fred and George nodded, fear clearly in their eyes.
"Now get to where you belong", Percy said, clearly satisfied that he made his message and intentions clear.
Later, in the Slytherin common room…
The Slytherins were indignant over what the Weasley twins did to Luna. They expressed their outrage, which led to many of them shouting. Gaius Avery calmed them down and assured them that Percy had removed points from Gryffindor and given the twins a warning.
Luna was invited to sit with the Slytherin second-years. Hiram Nott, Lucas Slater, Laine Slater, Duane Harper, Ginny Weasley, and Caitlin Holland also sat with them. It was clear that the other Slytherins would take care of Luna, to make sure no one would bother her again.
Draco then coughed, clearly eager to change the subject.
"Okay, Harry. Let's go over another tactic in Wizard's Chess. A discovered check is when a piece moves to reveal an attack from another piece which attacks the king without moving. Let's look at an example. I'll place the white king on g1, a white bishop on f2, and a white rook on f1. I'll also place the black king on f7, a black pawn on c5, and the black queen on a7. So, Harry, with White to move, how would you carry out a discovered check?"
Harry then said, "Bishop to c5."
The white bishop on f2 moved to c5, capturing the black pawn that was on the square and attacking the black queen on a7. The black queen couldn't save itself because the white rook on f1 was checking the black king, giving it a discovered check.
"Well done, Harry! I'll show another example. I'll place the white king on c1, a white bishop on d2, a white rook on c3, the black king on a5, and the black queen on h7. So, Harry, with White to move, how would you pull off a discovered check?"
Harry then said, "Rook to h3".
The white rook on c3 moved to h3. This move unveiled a check from the white bishop on d2. Both the white king and queen were simultaneously attacked.
"Great, Harry! Let's look at another example. I'll place the white king on g1, a white rook on f1, a white bishop on f2, and a white pawn on a6. I'll place the black king on f8, a black queen on c7, a black pawn on e7, and a black pawn on d6. So, Harry, with White to move, how would you carry out a discovered check?"
Harry then said, "Bishop to b6."
The white bishop on f2 moved to b6, attacking the black queen on c7, and unveiling a check from the white rook on f1. The black king obviously had to move out of check, so the black queen would be lost.
"Good work, Harry! I'll show one more example. I'll place the white king on g1, a white queen on e2, and a white rook on d3. I'll place the black king on a6, a black queen on h7, a black rook on h3, a black pawn on f6, and a black pawn on g6. So, Harry, how would White carry out a discovered check in this position?"
Harry said, "Rook to h3".
The white rook on d3 moved to h3, capturing the black rook on h3 by slicing it into multiple pieces with its sword. This move unveiled a check from the white queen on e2. This move also attacked the black queen on h7.
"So, Harry, what can you conclude from these positions?"
"Discovered checks can be useful tactics in crucial positions", Harry said. "Two pieces work together to give check to the king while simultaneously attacking another piece. Every unit except the queen can function as the moving attacker. Only bishops, rooks, and queens can be the stationary attacker. Discovered checks can be deadly and should be treated with caution."
"Well said, Harry."
Draco then turned to Luna. "Don't worry, Lovegood. The Weasley twins won't bother you again. Percy will make sure of it."
7 November 1992
It was the day of the match between Gryffindor and Slytherin.
Harry felt nervous. He knew that with Montague in the hospital wing, this would be tricky. He gritted his teeth when he saw the Weasley twins. He wanted them to be humiliated in front of the entire school.
Earlier, Lockhart had told him, "So, today's the first Quidditch match of the season, I believe. Gryffindor versus Slytherin. I hear you are a useful player. I was a seeker, too. I was asked to try out for the National Squad, but preferred to dedicate my life to the eradication of the Dark forces. Still, if you ever feel the need for a little private training, don't hesitate to ask. Always happy to pass on my expertise to less able players."
Harry snorted when Lockhart walked away. As if he would need that moron's advice. He could win just fine without it.
Harry gathered with the rest of the Slytherin Quidditch Team in the locker room.
"All right, team. This is our chance. Even though Montague is in the hospital wing, we still have a better chance than Gryffindor. Let's make an example of them. Just like last year. Let's beat them by a good margin of points, and we should get some butterbeers."
"Let's do it for Montague!", Warrington exclaimed.
"Get the snitch before Dalton, Potter", Flint instructed. "Get the snitch, or die trying."
Flint showed them the lineup:
The 1992-1993 Slytherin Quidditch Team
Match vs. Gryffindor
Chasers: Marcus Flint(Captain), Draco Malfoy, Cassius Warrington
Beaters: Peregrine Derrick, Lucian Bole
Keeper: Miles Bletchley
Seeker: Harry Potter
Substitute Players: Adrian Pucey(Chaser), Linus Urquhart(Chaser), Terence Higgs(Seeker)
"Let's go!", Flint exclaimed as the Slytherin Quidditch Team flew out to the pitch.
"Here comes the Slytherin Quidditch Team!", Lee Jordan shouted. "Flint, Malfoy, Warrington, Derrick, Bole, Bletchley, and Potter."
"And here come the Gryffindors! Johnson, Spinnet, Bell, Weasley, Weasley, Wood, and Dalton."
"Captains, shake hands", Madam Hooch ordered.
Flint shook hands with Wood. Madam Hooch threw the Quaffle in the air, and the game began.
"And they're off!", Jordan shouted. "Flint grabs the Quaffle and is heading off to score."
Flint zoomed towards the Gryffindor goal posts and managed to score.
"Ten-zero, Slytherin."
Harry zoomed on his Nimbus 2001, trying to find the snitch. Just then, seemingly out of nowhere, a bludger came zooming out of nowhere towards him.
"Bole!", Harry exclaimed.
Bole knocked the bludger in the direction of Alicia Spinnet, who currently had the Quaffle.
"Close one, Bole!", Harry exclaimed. "Thanks for saving my neck."
"Not a problem, Potter. It…."
But then, that same bludger came zooming at him again. Derrick knocked the bluger towards Leo Dalton, but seconds later it came back for Harry again.
That was odd, bludgers were supposed to knock multiple players off their broom. They never concentrated on just one player.
The same thing occurred repeatedly for five minutes. This was getting ridiculous. The score was thirty-ten, Gryffindor.
"We need to call a time-out!", Harry exclaimed. "This thing has been tampered with."
Derrick screamed in Flint's ear, and a time-out was called. The Slytherin Quidditch Team huddled together on the ground.
"What's going on?", Flint asked. "Why aren't you two dealing with the other bludger? Bole, Derrick, where were you two when that bludger stopped Warrington from scoring?"
"It's this bludger, Flint. It's been bothering Harry the entire game. It won't leave him alone", Derrick said.
"I think it's been tampered with", Warrington said. "We have to stop the match and call an inquiry."
"No one could have tampered with those bludgers", Flint said. "They were locked in Madam Hooch's office. I'm sure you're just imagining things."
"We're not going to forfeit to Gryffindor because of some crazy bludger!", Harry exclaimed.
"This is all your fault", Bole angrily told Flint. "Get the snitch or die trying, what a stupid thing to tell him."
Harry knew this was a complex situation. But then, an idea formed in his head.
"Wait!", Harry exclaimed. "Let me have one of the bats. The rules don't say I can't carry a bat, don't they?"
"Only beaters are allowed to carry bats", Flint said.
"Well, there's a technicality in the rules that allows other players to carry bats if there's a special exception", Bletchley said. "I think the situation Harry is faced with classifies."
"But…"
"Let him carry the bat, Flint, he needs to be able to defend himself", Bole said.
"All right, then", Flint said. "Be careful out there."
Madam Hooch walked over. "Ready to resume?"
"Yes", Flint said.
Madam Hooch glanced at the bat in Harry's hands. She didn't say anything, however, and allowed the game to resume.
Harry continued looking for the snitch. When he noticed that the same bludger was coming after him again, he used the bat to whack the bludger away from himself. Flint, Warrington, and Draco were now working cohesively to focus and concentrate on scoring against Wood. The score was now forty-thirty, Slytherin.
"Potter has just used a beater's bat to whack a bludger", Jordan said in the microphone. "I didn't know the rules allowed seekers to carry bats, but Madam Hooch has not penalized Slytherin, so I guess it must be allowed. You know you can always rely on a Slytherin to find ways to cheat within the rules."
If Harry survived this, he would personally enjoy hitting Jordan himself with that bat.
Meanwhile, Draco had flown to the stands, where his father and Professor Snape were sitting, watching the match with intrigue. Draco called out for his father, and pointed to Harry knocking the bludger away from him.
A whistling in Harry's ear told him that the bludger had just missed him again. He turned right over and sped in the opposite direction. He felt like two vulnerable pieces that were victims of a discovered check.
"Training for the ballet, Potter?", Leo Dalton sneered at him as Harry had to do a twirl in midair to avoid the bludger yet again.
Then Harry had seen it, the Golden snitch. It was hovering right near Dalton's ear. Dalton was so busy laughing at Harry, he didn't even notice it.
Harry zoomed towards Dalton at full speed. The Gryffindor seeker thought Harry was attacking him!
"What the…", Dalton said as he veered out of the way.
Harry pursued the snitch, with the bludger still chasing him. Professor Snape and Mr. Malfoy were both watching him intently now, having noticed the rogue bludger. Mr. Malfoy pointed his wand and uttered a spell at the bludger, causing it to explode just seconds after it finally managed to hit Harry.
Pain was in Harry's right shoulder as he tried to veer towards the snitch.
Get the snitch, or die trying.
Harry zoomed towards the snitch, relieved that the bludger had been destroyed. Harry reached out his arm…and caught the snitch!
"Potter has caught the snitch due to um, unusual circumstances, and Slytherin wins one hundred ninety to thirty."
Harry felt relieved as he hit the ground, glad it was over. Madam Hooch took the snitch from his fingers, and soon people were swarming him, trying to see how he was feeling.
Professor Snape was focusing on Harry intently. Mr. Malfoy was casting a spell of some sort.
"His arm is broken", Mr. Malfoy said. "He needs medical attention."
"Allow me!", a voice that Harry despised ordered loudly.
"No", Harry said, trying to sit up. "Not you. I'll be fine, thanks."
"The boy is delirious, he should I know that I can heal him in a heartbeat", Professor Lockhart said.
Mr. Malfoy's wand was now pointed at Lockhart.
"You will not touch the boy!", Mr. Malfoy exclaimed. "You are not a trained healer."
"But I can easily…"
"Silence!", Mr. Malfoy thundered.
Suddenly Harry heard a clicking noise, and he saw flashes of light.
"No pictures, no pictures, please."
"Creevey, what do you think you are doing?", Snape asked in a stern tone of voice.
"I'm photographing the match, and…"
"Ten points from Gryffindor, Creevey", Snape said. "Please leave right now. Get to where you belong. Someone has been injured."
Creevey retreated, clearly wishing to avoid Snape's wrath. Snape then turned to Jeff Dolohov.
"Dolohov, fetch Madam Pomfrey. Hurry!"
"Yes, sir."
Draco was next to Harry now.
"Just relax, Harry. Think about one of Professor Binns's lectures. Just relax. Think about the Soap Blizzard of 1378."
Harry closed his eyes and thought about this lesson. The Soap Blizzard of 1378 was a blizzard of soap that was followed by the 14th century Wizarding Economic Bubble. Gringotts Wizarding Bank was established not long after this event.
His eyes were getting heavy, so very heavy. This wasn't normal. He was slipping into darkness. The pain seemed to be very far away. He saw light. He tried to sit up, but Mr. Malfoy held him down.
"Easy, Harry, you could still hurt yourself", Mr. Malfoy said. "Madam Pomfrey is here right now. She'll take care of you."
Madam Pomfrey used the Levitation spell to lift Harry to the hospital wing.
Harry was resting comfortably in the hospital wing. Graham Montague was in the bed next to Harry.
"Hey, I heard you guys won", Montague said weakly.
"Yeah", Harry said. "The game was fine. The only downside was that rogue bludger. Mr. Malfoy's spell annihilated that thing. I just wish I know what and who tampered with it."
"Who cares?", Montague asked. "Up Slytherin!"
"Up Slytherin!", Harry cheered.
Harry was later released from the hospital wing. He was in the Slytherin dormitory, celebrating with the rest of the Slytherin Quidditch Team. Harry enjoyed the celebrations, not thinking much about that bludger.
Theodore and Blaise both were asking questions about the bludger. Harry answered their questions the best he could, still unsure on what could have caused this.
Later, Harry was resting in the Slytherin Common Room, when all of a sudden, Marcus Flint was shaking he and Draco.
"Potter, Malfoy", Flint whispered. "There's been another attack. Some Gryffindor first-year with a Muggle camera."
"Creevey?!", Harry exclaimed.
"Yeah. Apparently he thought you were still in the hospital wing. So he walked down there and ran into the Basilisk. The moron actually tried to take a picture of it. He's been petrified. I was informed about it by Professor Snape."
"Well, it's not a big loss", Draco said. "It's Creevey's own fault for attempting to bother Harry. Besides, who cares about own less Gryffindor?"
"He's got a point", Harry said. "Who do you think is behind all of this?"
"The Heir of Slytherin, who else?", Draco asked. "It's probably the same person that went after Mrs. Norris and Montague."
"But why would the heir of Slytherin attack a Slytherin? That part doesn't make sense", Harry said.
"I'm not sure", Draco said. "But, at least, Creevey won't be bothering you and taking pictures of you any longer. Not after what he just experienced."