AUTHOR'S NOTES:Chapter 16 is here! Now a couple of things:
1. I skipped over the first week of games because it was going to be a long and tedious read...
2. The chapter is long and it focuses on Ron's tournament. Get ready for some Chess!
3. Charlie Weasley and Hermione Granger finally get POVs. I hope their fans enjoy reading their POVs, and I hope I do these characters justice.
DISCLAIMER: I do not own Harry Potter, and I do not intend to make any money off of this. Harry Potter is the intellectual property of J. K. Rowling , and I take no credit of it whatsoever.
I was also inspired by Demon Eyes Laharl's: THE RED KNIGHT! and also from Random-Fruitcake04's: CHOICES! I hope you check them out as well because they are genuinely very good stories.
Fate
Chapter 16 – The Top Eight
Ronald Weasley's POV
"No, no, no" Daphne scolded, frowning at Ron. "You're doing it wrong… Why do keep bowing so low?" Ron let out a defeated sigh at that. This… is so POINTLESS!
"We have been at this for hours" Millie said softly. "I think Ron just needs a little break…" Mille trailed off when Daphne turned her frown into a glare.
"I'm with Millie" Pansy said, she sounded more confident than Millie. "We still have two whole days to practice. And he has already managed to remember most of his training." Training… why do I feel like some lapdog learning new tricks?
"He is meeting my Lord Father and my Lady Mother in TWO DAYS!" Daphne said, exasperated by all of this. "He needs to learn how to speak to a Lord and Lady of an Ancient House… How to greet them… How to behave around them… When to speak… What to speak of… How low he has to bow when he greets said Lady!" Pure-Blood nonsense… Treat them with undying respect because they got lucky and were born rich? Piss on that…
Ron let out another sigh as he remembered how he had gotten into this situation. He had won all twenty five games in the tournament's first week, which had put him on the number one rank for the second week. As such, he would be competing in the Top Eight Tournament on Wednesday the Twenty-seventh of March. Which is only two days away… But instead of helping him, Daphne had become obsessed with teaching him proper manners, and he had stupidly agreed to this… He thought it would have taken a few hours at best… It had been two whole days and Daphne still wouldn't relent. To say that Ron was stressed was an understatement, he was barely keeping it all together.
"A pleasure to meet you, Lady Greengrass" Ron said, and then he took Tracey's hand and kissed it. He bowed his head slightly, and frowned when he heard Daphne huff loudly.
"You didn't bow low enough" Daphne grit out. "Are you even trying? What is so hard about bowing with some grace?!" Merlin… keep me calm… I'm about to hex Daphne into oblivion…
Ron then practiced his 'greeting' again on Tracey, this time bowing a little more. "There, that bow was perfect" Pansy said, sighing in relief. "Can you remember that Ron? Please say yes…" Ron gave Pansy a faint smile and nodded, and then he turned to Daphne.
"Was that fine? Can I go back to practicing chess now?" Ron asked Daphne, trying to sound polite. He failed at sounding polite, judging by the frown Daphne was giving him.
"I'm not wasting my time here for no reason" Daphne grit out. "This is for your benefit Ronald!" That's a load of dung!
"Hardly" Ron snapped, beginning to lose his temper. "This is all to stroke your parents' egos…" The room went dead silent at that. Daphne turned red with anger, while the other three girls slowly started to back away. This was turning ugly…
"EGOS?!" Daphne shrieked, making Ron roll his eyes. Here comes the spoiled brat! "How dare you speak of my parents in such a manner?!"
"Quite easily" Ron retorted, his face beginning to feel hot. "I should be practicing chess but nooo… instead I'm stuck learning about this Pure-Blood nonsense… And all for your parents' benefit. I didn't ask them to come!" Ron and Daphne glared at each other, both of them moments away from throwing hexes.
"Guys… please calm down" Millie said softly. "We're all tired from all the practicing and you are both stressed. We all just need a break."
"Millie is right" Tracey said, putting a calming hand on Ron's shoulder. Tracey knew that she didn't want to see Ron angry. Daphne was scary when she was angry, but Ron… Ron was terrifying. He had proven that once and for all when he had blasted that troll's head into pieces. She shuddered at the memory.
"Ask the princess here" Ron bit out. "Your Majesty, can we peasants take a break?" Ron asked in a scathing tone. Daphne clenched her fists and glared murder at Ron.
"Go ahead" Daphne said, her voice menacingly calm compared to her body. "But don't come crying to me when everyone realizes that not even you could escape your lowly family's conducts…" That was low… That's how she wants it, fine!
"At least my family didn't raise a bigot" Ron retorted icily. "At least my family aren't fucking Death-Eaters…" Ron felt a grim satisfaction when Daphne went wide-eyed and gasped. That satisfaction morphed into guilt when her eyes became misty and she marched out of the common room, clearly moments away from crying. Ron just stared at where she was a few seconds ago, guilt creeping into his bones. Bloody hell…
Ron kneaded his temples with his knuckles, feeling his anger slowly disappear. Bloody hell… I shouldn't have said that… Then he felt a shove from behind, which made him stumble forward a little. He turned around to see a fuming Tracey.
"How could you say something so vile?" Trace asked, her voice was venomous. Ron flinched at the sound of it, he had never heard Tracey speak like that before. He was about to answer but he was cut off by Theo's voice.
"Um… What happened?" Theo asked, he and Blaise were both slowly entering the common room. "We just saw Daphne… she was crying pretty loudly and was in a hurry to get somewhere…" Ron felt his chest tighten at hearing that.
"Ask him…" Tracey gritted out, pointing an accusing finger at Ron. Then Tracey marched off, no doubt heading off to look for Daphne. Pansy followed after her immediately, and she avoided Ron's gaze as she did so.
"What did you do?" Blaise asked, his voice aloof as always.
"Something… really stupid…" Ron admitted, feeling ashamed of himself. If mum or Pandora had heard that… they would have slapped me…
"Ron…" Millie said softly, disappointment clear in her voice. "That was unworthy of you…" With that she marched out of the common room as well.
"What the hell did you do?" Theo asked in a confused tone. "Even Millie just told you off… Millie never tells you off for anything…" Well I deserved it this time.
"I lost my temper" was all Ron could manage to say. Blaise and Theo nodded slowly at that. They knew all too well that Ron could be horrible when he was angered. He tended to get self-righteous and say things that would cut deep. And then he would instantly regret it… not like that changed anything though.
"You should apologize" Blaise advised. "Whatever you said needs to be sorted out. You are playing in the Top Eight Tournament for the Junior League in two days. You need your head on straight."
"I agree with Blaise" Theo joined in. "This is a really important tournament for you Ron… You need to win this thing if you ever want to become a Chess Master. No future Chess Master has lost in the Junior League before." Who cares about chess? I just made Daphne… I need to find her… Ron then ran out of the common room, adamant about fixing his mistake.
Daphne Greengrass' POV
Daphne sank to floor of the abandoned classroom with no care for grace. Her eyes were burning, and her breathing was labored. She choked out another sob as she rubbed her eyes as hard as she could. My parents aren't Death-Eaters… She sniffled loudly, her chest tightening because of the hurt. Is that what he thought of her? That she was just the spawn of Death-Eaters? They were supposed to be friends…
Her mother had warned her about anger many times before, when Daphne herself was learning Pure-Blood etiquette. "Anger reveals the truth of what one feels" Daphne's mother's voice rang in her head. "And so you must never lose your composure Daphne, it is the trait of the weak-minded. A Lady never reveals the truth of how she feels, not until she chooses to."
Daphne hugged her knees to her chest, and placed her swollen eyes on top of her kneecaps. She cried in quiet sobs, Ron's words had cut her deeply. Her parents were good, and loving people… They weren't Death-Eaters… It wasn't their fault… My father is a good man… Daphne hugged herself tighter as she recalled the conversation she had with her father a week before departing for Hogwarts for the first time.
Daphne Greengrass' POV (Flashback)
Daphne was about to turn in for the night when she heard a faint knock on her door. "Come in" Daphne said, getting ready for Tori to burst through. Instead, it was her father who slowly entered.
"Hello sweetheart" her father said, his voice was kind as always. "Can I speak with you before you go to sleep?"
"Of course, father" Daphne replied, getting worried at her father's odd behavior. He never asks for anything… not unless he is talking to my mother.
"Come" her father beckoned as he sat down on her bed. "Sit with me. I need to talk to you about something very important." Daphne did as she was told and sat next to her father. His dark blue eyes looked even more lifeless than usual.
"Father… what is wrong?"
"Nothing is wrong my dear… Not anymore…" His voice was subdued, and it made Daphne worry even more. Is this about Hogwarts? Can't I go?
"Father you are scaring me" Daphne said, her voice was meek. Her father blinked at her, and then he smiled sadly and pulled her into a hug.
"I'm sorry… but there is nothing to fear. I just have to tell you something about our family… and the war…" Daphne stiffened at hearing that, and she slowly pulled back from her father.
"Is this about… the Dark Lord?" Daphne whispered, scared to even mention him.
"Yes. Yes, it is" her father said softly. "Daphne when you get to Hogwarts… people might say some things to you… things that I'm not very proud of…"
"Is this about you aiding the Dark Lord in the war?" Daphne asked, she instantly regretted asking that when she saw her father flinch.
"Yes…" he said, his voice wasn't kind anymore. It sounded… regretful. "How did you know about the Dark Lord, and my part in the last war?" Daphne stayed quiet for a few moments, unsure of what to say. A Lady never lies to her Lord Father.
"Draco told me…" Daphne muttered, looking down at her thighs.
"That boy…" her father gritted out. "What did he tell you?"
"He said that you aided the Dark Lord… and that I shouldn't be friends with Tracey, because you would never approve." What if he doesn't? I mean he is the one who introduced us… And he gets along well with Mr. and Mrs. Davis…
"Sweetheart, of course you can be friends with Tracey. She is a lovely girl, and her parents are my closest friends" her father said, rubbing her back gently. "Don't listen to the Malfoy brat… He is a foolish boy." Daphne looked up and smiled at her father, who returned her smile.
"Why did you aid the Dark Lord?" Daphne asked slowly. "If you and Mr. Davis are such good friends… why did you side with the Dark Lord?" Her father sighed at her questions.
"Things were… complicated in the last great war. The Dark Lord… he was not one to be denied. When he offered me a position by his side, I initially refused… but then he took you mother…" Daphne gasped at hearing that, her eyes widening in fear. No…
"I was raised to believe that we Pure-Bloods deserved magic more than the Half-Bloods and Muggle-Borns… And I did believe that quite stubbornly" her father continued, he looked as if he was in pain. "But I was not willing to take lives for that belief… But after he took your mother from me… Daphne, I joined him." Her father stopped and closed his eyes, breathing in and out slowly. Daphne felt her eyes stinging at seeing her proud father like this, so she put her small hand on top of his big one. He looked at their hands and smiled, then he took her hand in his and squeezed it gently.
"I did not kill anyone" he said after a few moments. "I swear this to you my love… I never took a life. The Dark Lord knew that I had no stomach for cruelty and murder. So he had me fund his war… it was the only way I got to see your mother during those last few months of the war…"
"I thought I was born before the Dark Lord fell?" Daphne asked softly.
"You were" her father replied. "You were only three months old when he took your mother… I served him for only the last few months of the war. He…" then her father stopped. He was quiet for a few more moments before he slowly rolled up his left sleeve and showed his inner forearm to Daphne. "This was his mark… it has faded… but it will never wash away…"
Daphne looked at the faint red tattoo on her father's forearm, and she felt cold dread in her chest. It looks painful… The Dark Lord hurt my father… The tattoo itself was morbid, even disgusting to behold. A skull with a serpent protruding from its mouth. Daphne went to touch it, but her father quickly rolled his sleeve down.
"No" he said quietly. "Don't sully your hands…" They were both quiet for a long minute. "When he fell…" her father broke the silence. "I was taken into custody by the Ministry. They were going to send me to Azkaban." Daphne gasped once again. "But something miraculous happened" her father said with a faint smile. "Your mother shared her prison with another person… Mr. Davis. They had become friends in captivity… and he gave a testimony on my behalf. He told the Wizengamot that I was acting under duress… He saved my life, and my family that day."
"And you became friends?" Daphne asked, smiling happily. She felt her respect for Mr. Davis increase a hundredfold.
"Yes, we became friends. I learnt that he was captured for marrying a Muggle-Born… I learnt that my beliefs had almost cost me my family, and so I never looked back. Mr. and Mrs. Davis became our friends and allies forever, at least to me. They left the torn-apart wizarding world to raise their daughter, Tracey, and only returned two years ago. That is when I introduced you two to one-another."
"I always wondered why you never told us, Tori and me, to believe in Blood-Purity…" Daphne said softly. "Millie's parents, Theo's father, Draco's parents, maybe even Pansy's parents… they all teach their children about Blood-Purity…"
"You should believe in what you feel to be true, Daphne" her father said, holding both her hands in his. "You should never let anyone dictate what you believe in. And… don't… don't let your fool father and his mistakes ever hold you back" he said, his eyes tearing up. Daphne hugged her father tightly, and he embraced her just as tightly.
Ronald Weasley's POV (Present-Time)
Where is she?! Ron had looked everywhere he could think of. He had run into Tracey, Pansy, and Millie at the girls' bathroom, and the four of them had split up again. The girls went looking further into the dungeons, while Ron went to look in the abandoned classrooms around Hogwarts. I hope they found her… I'm such a git!
As he barged into the fifth abandoned classroom, he finally breathed in relief. Daphne was sitting in the middle of the room with her back to him. She was huddled over, and hugging her knees. The sight made Ron's chest tighten and his stomach felt heavy. I'm the worst…
"Daphne…" Ron said softly, but the girl didn't turn around. "Daphne…" Ron called again, this time a little louder. He then slowly began to approach her.
"Go away" she said in a cracked voice. "Leave me alone…" Ron stopped for a second when he heard that, but then he walked over to her and sat down next to her. She looked away from him, and then she sniffled loudly. They sat quietly for a few moments, and Ron mustered his courage to apologize.
"I'm really sorry Daph… I took it too far…" he said meekly, looking down as he fidgeted with his hands. "What I said… I know it isn't true… you told me that your parents aren't like that on the night that Theo and Blaise left…" There was another short silence in the room.
"Then why? Why even say it…?" Daphne broke the silence, her voice sounding even more cracked. Because I'm a git!
"I was angry… and I'm really stupid when I'm angry…" Ron muttered. "I'm so sorry Daphne…"
"No you're not… That's what you really think of me…" Ron flinched at hearing her say that. The truth was that he did see her that way, at least at first. That's how he had seen all of his friends, but over the year he had come to see differently. They weren't all that different to him, they were all just kids. They weren't evil snakes, they were just sorted into a house with an ill reputation. Tell her that!
"I did… at first" Ron began, and he saw her stiffen. "But I was a moron for thinking that… The more I learned about you all, the more I realized that we weren't so different… We aren't our parents… I was so angry when my family was turning on me, that I didn't even realize that I was just like them. I looked at all of you as 'snakes'… and yet I lost my temper when Fred called me the same thing…"
"I'm a hypocrite" Ron continued, feeling sick with himself. "I thought myself better than all of you, but I'm not… I am the least amongst you… You all aren't hypocrites, you do as you believe. But me… I think myself superior and pretend like I'm not…"
There was an earie quiet in room, and Ron couldn't help but think of all the times when he had referred to his friends as 'snakes'. All the times he had refused to put himself into their shoes, but instead had outright told them that they were wrong. I'm just a selfish git… and it's no wonder that all of my siblings are better than me… Even my 'intelligence' comes from Percy and Charlie, and my visions… I don't even know… Ron sniffled, tearing up from anger at himself. I'm just worthless…
Daphne was still quiet, but Ron's apology had helped quite a lot. She could feel that he was being as honest as he could, and it had calmed her down significantly to know that he didn't see her in such a poor light… not anymore at least. But it had jarred her to learn that Ron saw himself as the lesser one in their group. That wasn't true at all, and yet he believed it… She didn't even know what to say to this confession. It had sounded like more like a self-realization rather than an apology…
"Daphne…" Ron muttered, and this time she looked over to him. They both stared at each for a second before Ron continued. "I'm really sorry about what I said… It wasn't right, and I won't ever say something like that again. I promise…" I won't ever talk to them like that again…
"Good" Daphne said, her voice becoming slightly clearer. She then smiled faintly after a few more seconds, and Ron smiled back. "Because if you do, I'll hex you in the face" she said haughtily, but her smile was still on her lips.
"I'd deserve no less" Ron nodded. "Can we continue training to meet your Lord Father and Lady Mother?" Daphne was slightly taken a bit off-guard by that.
"Don't you want a break… to practice chess?" Daphne asked.
"Nah… its meeting your parents that has me worried. I don't want to embarrass myself in front of a Chess Master! C'mon" Ron finished as he stood up and offered her his hand. She took it, and he pulled her up gently. "Also I forgot the whole bow thing…" Ron grinned mischievously. Daphne giggled at hearing that and she smacked his arm.
"You're such a duffer, Weasley. Here let me show you" Daphne said, smiling happily. She wasn't finished with Ron yet, she still had questions about his apparent lack of self-worth. But they could wait, right now she wanted to teach him something for once. So they spent the next two hours in that classroom, laughing and learning.
The Tournament Day:
"Do you have your pass Mr. Weasley?" Snape asked coldly.
"Yes, Sir. Here it is" Ron answered, showing the professor the pass.
"Good, tuck that into your robes. Then we will be on our way" Snape said, nodding in approval. Ron did as he was told and tucked the pass back into his neat and immaculate robes. Snape had once again cleaned him up and Ron couldn't help but grimace at his reflection in the window. He swept my hair back again… Ronald Bilius Malfoy, at your service… Bloody hell.
The two of them then flooed to The Three Broomsticks, and made their way towards the tournament. Ron was awed by how many people were attending, no doubt most of them were parents, families, and friends of the competitors. Seeing all of them made Ron excited about his own group of supporters. His family, both Weasleys and Lovegoods, were coming to show him their support. As were his Slytherin friends… and some of their parents…
Ron felt his stomach tighten in a knot when he remembered that the Greengrass Family and the Davis Family were going to be here. He had become prepared to meet Daphne's family, but then last night Tracey had told him that her parents were coming too. Ron grimaced when he thought about Mr. Greengrass watching him play today. An actual Chess Master is here… And he is here to watch me! Bloody hell this is so… overwhelming…
"Mr. Weasley?" Snape said, placing his hand on Ron's shoulder. Ron stopped and looked up at his favorite professor.
"Yes, sir?" Ron responded.
"Are you all right? You seem to have gone a bit pale" Snape drawled, his expression was cold and detached. Ron thought it looked rather odd when compared to his question.
"Yes, sir… I am just slightly nervous. That's all" Ron replied truthfully.
"Good, that means you aren't a fool. You may be undefeated, but that doesn't make you unbeatable. Remember that, and play carefully. Take your time Mr. Weasley, play every move only when you have thought everything through" Snape finished strongly. Ron nodded with a faint smile, glad that the professor was openly helping him. "Good luck Mr. Weasley, do Slytherin proud."
"I will, sir" Ron responded, giving Snape a firm nod. Snape then billowed away towards the spectator stands.
Ron then walked up to the competitor's entry way, and showed his pass to the elderly woman. She nodded at the pass, and Ron passed through the gate. He walked up to the Junior League Tournament section and steeled his mind on the way there. Time to focus. I need to stay calm and breathe, watch every move and anticipate any counter-strategies. I can do this! Ron sat down in his designated seat, and looked at the spectator stands. He immediately spotted his family, their flaming locks easily setting them apart from everyone around them. They were all looking at him and cheering, though he couldn't understand what they were saying because everyone around them were doing the same thing.
He smiled at his family and waved at them, his mother and Ginny waved back frantically. All of the Weasley clan was there except for Charlie and Bill, but Ron understood that both his brothers worked far away and couldn't just drop everything. All three Lovegoods were there as well, cheering from besides the Weasley family. Pandora waved to him and let out a rather loud whistle, which she then sheepishly apologized for when the other spectators glared at her. Ron had to stifle his laugh at Pandora's carefree actions.
"My fellow witches and wizards" came a booming voice which almost made Ron jump from fright. Ron turned his attention to the center of the playing area and saw Mr. Curtis, the man had his wand pressed against his own throat and was smiling merrily. "Welcome to the finales of the annual Chess Tournaments held by the International League of Wizard's Chess Club! I am your host on this wonderful day, William Curtis!" The old man then took a short bow, and Ron was taken aback by the silence that engulfed them all.
"These Tournaments are proudly sponsored by the Ministry of Magic, and Gringotts Wizarding Bank. Let us also thank Hogsmeade Village for hosting us this year!" There was substantial applause from stands. "Please take your time after or during the Tournaments to browse the various shops around this beautiful wizarding village! And NOW, without further ado, allow me to introduce you to the Junior League finalists!" There was thunderous applause as Ron and his fellow finalists stepped out of their chairs and stood on Mr. Curtis' right side, in rank order. Ron was standing right next to Mr. Curtis, and the girl holding the eighth rank was furthest from Mr. Curtis.
"The Junior League will be playing first, and I must exercise restraint when it comes to applause. These wonderful children need their concentration, so I must ask you to hold all applause until after each round ends. The first round will consist of four games being played simultaneously between these champions, their opponents selected at random!"
"Now on to the introductions! Starting from rank eight, we have twelve year old Miss. Samantha Hewitt from Ilvermorny School of Witchcraft and Wizardry! Next up is rank seven, and we have thirteen year old Miss. Aiko Kurasaki from Mahoutokoro School of Magic…" Mr. Curtis kept introducing all the Junior League competitors one by one until it was finally Ron's turn. "And finally we have our number one spot holder, twelve year old Mr. Ronald Weasley from Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry! Please give them a round of applause!"
The crowd cheered loudly, no doubt excited to see their loved ones competing in such a high level tournament. Ron felt his cheeks burn hot at all the shouting and cheers being aimed in his direction. There's so many people here… Ron did a quick survey to spot his Slytherin friends, and he felt his shoulders tighten when he saw Daphne sitting with her family. She was cheering him on alongside his friends who were all there as well. Ron took in the Mr. Greengrass and swallowed nervously. He is the Chess Master that could potentially mentor me… I have to win this thing!
"With the introductions finished" Mr. Curtis' voice boomed again. "Let us commence with the first Tournament of today! The Winner of the Junior League Tournament will earn a prize reward of five-hundred Galleons, a trophy will be granted to their respective schools in their name, AND they will no doubt be in high demand for certain Chess Masters who have yet to take on an apprentice! We wish you all the very best of fortunes!"
Mr. Curtis then flicked his wand at a red box sitting in the corner of the playing area. Black and white tokens flew out of the box and presented themselves to the eight competitors. Ron looked at his white token and almost sighed in relief, it was number eight. So I'll be playing Samantha Hewitt again… I've already beaten her once and pretty easily. Good…
"Competitors!" Mr. Curtis said, but with his normal voice as he was addressing the competitors directly. "Please take one of the tables, and sit on the side representing your token color. White tokens play white side, and black tokens play black side. Good luck to you all."
Ron sat opposite of Samantha Hewitt, and he could see that she was nervous. Yes, keep worrying and let me win please… I have my dignity on the line here! The match proceeded at Mr. Curtis' mark, and Ron was quite surprised by how quiet everything was. There were hundreds of people here, and there wasn't even a sound. Ron was more than glad about that, he hated being disturbed while he was focused.
The match started off slowly, Samantha was playing on guard and Ron was forced to take the offensive. He knew that she was wary of his traps, she had lost the last time because of them. So Ron decided to ditch the traps and tricks, and focus more on placement during this match. If she was too busy thinking about traps, then he would surprise her by taking over the board and cornering her. Ron's strategy worked well in his favor, as by the ten minute mark Samantha was already cornered and had lost her queen and knights. Ron checkmated her at the fourteen minute mark, winning his first game.
They stood up and shook hands, and then Ron went and sat down in his seat at the waiting section. The other games were still going, so he remained quiet and watched. He noticed his siblings giving him waves and thumbs-ups, and he gave them firm nods in return. His friends were also doing the same things and couldn't help but notice Daphne talking with Mr. Greengrass excitedly. Is that a smile on his face?! Did I impress him? I was the first to finish and I won rather quickly… He should be impressed…
When the last of the winners joined Ron, Mr. Curtis took the stage once more. "There you have it, we have our four competitors for the semi-finals." Mr. Curtis' voice boomed, and the crowd erupted in cheers and applause. "We will be taking a small ten minute break in order to let the competitors prepare." With that Mr. Curtis approached the four of them, the crowd breaking into loud chatter in the background.
"Well done you four" Mr. Curtis congratulated. "Now, Mr. Ronald Weasley you will be up against Miss. Mikasa Hasashi for the next round. Which leaves Mr. John McIver and Miss. Amanda DuPont to go against one-another." Mr. Curtis then flicked his wand and the tokens once again flew out of the red box. Ron got a black one this time, and he thanked his lucky stars. He preferred going black over white mainly because of his playstyle. He preferred to see what the opponent did first rather than making the first move.
Mr. Curtis left the competitors, and Ron turned to face his competition. "I knew we'd get to play again" said John McIver to Ron, and Ron remembered him as the first boy he had competed against. Oh bollocks… How did I not remember this guy earlier?
"Guess you must be a seer" Ron joked, grinning internally at his own personal joke. John let out a chuckle at that.
"No, I was the winner of last year's tournament" John said, making Ron go slightly pale. "When you beat me, I decided to work even harder. Can't disgrace Ilvermorny's good name by losing to a Brit now, can I?" He came all the way from America to compete… Bloody hell I'm doomed… I barely beat this guy before. And he has already won one of these before!
"You assume that you will be beating me, American" Amanda DuPont remarked, her voice was haughty. She had a strong French accent, and Ron remembered that she was from Beauxbatons Academy of Magic.
"Well you did place as rank five, whereas I was ranked as second" John said, smiling at Amanda widely. And he is arrogant! Amanda please win this! While John and Amanda glared at one another, Ron turned his attention to Mikasa Hasashi. She is the current holder of rank three…
"Guess we will be going against one another" Ron said with a smile. Mikasa simply stared at him and then gave him a firm nod. With that she left and sat down in her seat. Ok then… Good chat…
"Competitors! Take your seats" Mr. Curtis called out, and Ron did as he was told. He sat from across the Japanese girl, and they both gave each other short nods. "Begin!"
Mikasa was good, she was really bloody good. Here playstyle matched Ron's own and as a result, the both of them kept countering each other's strategies. Every time he got aggressive, she would become defensive. Every time he began defending, she would try to take the advantage on the board. They played a game of cat and mouse on the board for almost twenty minutes before Ron decided to change his playstyle. His current tactics weren't working, and they would be here for an eternity if this kept going. So instead Ron decided to play with Slytherin sneakiness.
He went on the defensive, and just as predicted, Mikasa began to move her stronger pieces forward. Ron let her push him back, and he even lost a knight in the process. But he was patient. He needed her to get greedy, and he needed her to make a mistake. And she made the biggest one he could imagine. She forgot about her king in the back, and was focused only on using her queen to take Ron's pieces. Ron almost laughed evilly at the sight of her poor white king in the back, forgotten and lonely. Don't worry, you will have company soon…
Ron moved his rook straight into her back line and called check, making Mikasa go wide-eyed at his odd strategy. He was going for the win without even planning a checkmate? Mikasa moved her king forward one space, and Ron immediately used his bishop to take her queen. This was the turning point of the match. Every time Mikasa tried to be aggressive, Ron used his rook to threaten her king. She would be forced to waste a turn moving her king, and Ron would use that to take a piece off of the board. Mikasa was forced to send her own bishop and rook to the back line, and by the time she took his rook, Ron had advanced on the board and cornered her. The match ended at the thirty-three minute mark, with Ron as the victor. Bloody hell that was the hardest game I've ever played…
Ron then smiled and shook Mikasa's hand, and he was surprised when she gave him a small bow. Ron slowly gave her a bow too, unsure of what that was about. With that, Ron left for the waiting area and was surprised to see Amanda DuPont waiting for him, and not John McIver.
"I take it you won?" Ron smiled genuinely at her, it stemmed from his relief. Wait if she beat him… then she is even better than him… OH HELL!
"The American was arrogant" Amanda said, she was hard to understand because of her accent. "His pride was too much to be winning…" Huh? She probably isn't very good at English, considering she is French.
"Well Mikasa was quite amazing" Ron said, trying to be polite. "She was the hardest match I've ever played." Amanda narrowed her eyes at him, and he felt his face flush. She is pretty… like really pretty.
"You don't seem so arrogant… Perhaps you British have better manners, no?" Amanda asked. "I hope I enjoy playing against you."
"Me too" Ron said. One more game to win… I can do this!
"Our finalists have been chosen!" boomed Mr. Curtis' voice, making Ron jump. Amanda giggled at him, and he felt his ears go red. The crowd cheered loudly and Ron heard another obnoxiously loud whistle, making him turn in the direction of Pandora. She was talking to the witch next to her, and pointing at him. Then she pointed at herself, and the witch talking to Pandora smiled widely at her. What are they talking about? It doesn't matter… FOCUS!
Mr. Curtis approached them both with two tokens in his hands. "Ronald you will be playing black this game, and Amanda you will be white. Is that alright?" Mr. Curtis asked. Ron nodded and so did Amanda, making Mr. Curtis smile at them both. "Well done to the both of you, but there can only be one winner. May the better player win, please take your seats." Ron and Amanda did as they were told, and sat across from one another. "Begin!"
The match started off quite oddly, giving Ron a sense of Déjà vu. Amanda immediately began taking her stronger pieces out, and Ron couldn't help but remember his first game against John. So they play similarly… I can use that! Ron immediately began using defensive strategies to protect his king and stronger pieces. He had already almost lost to this strategy the first time around, and he wouldn't make the same mistakes again. He decided to bide his time and look for mistakes. Instead of fighting fire with fire, he would throw a bucket of water on it. John had almost won because Ron had tried to match his aggressive playstyle at first, this time he would defend and trap instead.
Amanda seemed to be slowing down her brutal playstyle, especially after she had lost a bishop and a knight just to take two pawns. She knew that Ron had figured her out quite quickly, and that worried her greatly. The American had tried to match her aggressiveness with his own, and as a result he had begun to make mistakes. But this red-haired boy… he was luring her into traps. He was sacrificing his own pieces to take her stronger ones. And now she had given him the advantage on the board. Now she would be forced to defend while he chased down her pieces…
Ron, noticing Amanda losing steam, decided now was the best time to attack. If he lost a few pieces, then so be it. All he had to do was remove her queen and bishop, then the board would be his. Rooks weren't as agile and knights were restricted in their movements. He only needed to take one bishop and one queen.
Amanda did her best to protect her queen, but Ron was after it with a vengeance. She knew that sooner or later he would take it, but how many pieces could she take in between? She decided to try and trap Ron's pieces, especially his queen and bishops as they were doing the most damage to her. She knew she wasn't very good at playing a slow and defensive game, that was why she opted for aggression, but she had no choice at this point. Ron's early realization had cost her dearly, and she needed to try and turn the tide.
The thirty minute mark was reached when Ron finally saw an opening on her queen. If he took it with his own queen, then she would take his queen with her rook. She is setting a trap? And a poor one… I still have two bishops, a rook, and a knight after this… She will only have her knight, bishop, and rook. This is worth the risk if I take her queen and then ignore her rook. I need to get rid of that bishop, and my rook can do it if I sacrifice my only knight to make an opening. She won't survive long on a knight and rook…
Amanda was ecstatic to see the red-haired boy fall for her trap. He greedily took her queen with his own, and she used her rook to take his queen. Now he would no doubt attack her rook with his bishop, and she would use her knight to take that bishop as well. That could even the playing field. So it came as a horrible surprise to her when Ron instead moved his knight and took her pawn instead. A pawn that was adjacent to her bishop… That move had made no sense to her, why was he just sacrificing his knight like that? And then it hit her, he was after her bishop… He didn't care about losing his queen because his bishops still gave him reign on the board. Amanda knew in that moment that she had lost. No matter what she did, his stronger pieces would easily thwart her. He even had more pawns than her… This was over.
Ron won the game at the thirty five minute mark, and the crowd went wild. Ron could actually hear his mother screaming his name at the top of her lungs, while the twins and Pandora whistled loudly. Relief flooded his system and he almost passed out from it. I did it… I won! Ron shook hands with Amanda, and then turned to face his family. His parents and the Lovegood parents were waving wildly at him. The twins were holding up a banner which had the words 'Weasley Winner!' on it. Percy was clapping vigorously alongside Ginny and Luna who were jumping up and down in excitement.
"Well played Mr. Weasley" Mr. Curtis' voice boomed once again. "We have our Junior League Champion for this year!" The crowd cheered loudly, his family being the loudest. And for the first time in his life, Ron felt truly proud of himself. He had accomplished something with his own talents, with no help from visions or his brothers. He had won this with his own skill and mastery, and that thought made him grin like a madman at the crowd. There were flashes from cameras, and Ron waved to his family with a wide smile. Mr. Curtis then guided Ron to the center of the playing area, and the elderly woman who was guarding the gate came in with a large box.
"And here is your reward young man!" Mr. Curtis said in his amplified voice. "Five Hundred Galleons, curtesy of the International League of Wizard's Chess Club, Ministry of Magic, and Gringotts Wizarding Bank! Your school will also be given a trophy in your name! Congratulations!" Mr. Curtis then opened the box and took out a piece of parchment. He handed the parchment to Ron and shook his hand hard. "Well done once again young man! And that, my fellow witches and wizards, concludes the first tournament of the day! The Apprentice League Tournament starts in one hour, and we hope to see you all soon!" There was thunderous applause and Ron walked out of the playing area with a massive smile on his face.
Ron managed to take one step out of the gate before he was pounced on by Ginny and Luna, both shouting over each other in excitement. Ginny once again proceeded to shatter his right hand, while Luna grabbed his left one softly and began swinging them back and forward. Thank Merlin I put the parchment in my robes… MY HAND GINNY PLEASE!
"Ronnie!" came Ron's mother's voice from the crowd. He saw her running at him and before he knew it, he was embraced in a hug that cracked his back. MY SPINE! The two girls and one woman were all he could hear and see, and he was sure he was going to die by smothering at this rate. Help me!
"Love, you'll kill the poor boy!" his father's voice chuckled from somewhere. Molly finally relented, and left her son some room to breathe. Ron couldn't stop smiling at the massive smile on his mother's face. I put that there. Arthur then walked up and embraced his son, and it was far gentler than his mother's bone shattering hug. "Ron, we're so proud of you! My son, a Chess Champion" Arthur laughed in joy and pride.
"Thanks dad" Ron replied, hugging his father tightly. When they parted, Ron could see the twins and Percy standing behind their father, waiting for their turn. The twins actually hugged him too and ruffled his hair, while Percy gave his little brother a tight hug.
"I'm so proud of you Ron" Percy said, tightening his hug a bit more. "You were amazing out there, and you did us all proud! I wish Charlie was here to see you as well, I know that he would have loved it."
"Me too" Ron said, missing his dragon-tamer brother. Pandora and Xenophilius joined them right after that, and Pandora wasted no time in hugging Ron.
"You continue to amaze me Ron!" Pandora exclaimed. "I knew you were brilliant at chess, but I didn't know just how much!" Even Xenophilius gave Ron a hug, which Ron didn't actually mind. He quite liked Xenophilius, even if the man was a bit barmy.
"Ron" Arthur said, taking Ron's attention away from his sisters. "You should give me the bond given to you for winning. I'll open up a Gringotts account for you tomorrow and place your money inside it." Ron took out the parchment from his robes and handed it over to his father, who took it carefully. The twins whistled at the parchment being exchanged.
"It's official George" Fred said, eyeing the parchment. "The Weasleys are rich!"
"Indeed we are, brother mine" George said, also eyeing the parchment. "Imagine all the pranks and goof-items we could buy with that money!" Molly tutted the twins when she heard that.
"That is your brother's money, you two" Molly scolded. "He worked very hard for it, and neither of you will waste it on 'pranks and goof-items'. Am I clear?" Did she just scold the twins for me? Am I in a dream?
"Little bro" Fred said smoothly, and then he placed his arm over Ron's shoulder.
"Ronnikins" George said just as smoothly, and then he too place his arm over Ron's other shoulder.
"You know how much we love you, right?" they said simultaneously, smiling widely at Ron. Stay away from me you creeps…
"You do?" Ron asked in his best scathing voice. The twins feigned hurt but were still grinning.
"You wouldn't mind if…" George started but was cut off by Molly again.
"Stop it you two vultures!" Molly scolded, pulling Ron away from them. "Ronnie, don't give them a single Knut of your money! They will just waste it!" A loud cough tore their attentions away from each other, and Ron was not surprised to see a frowning Snape. This could get weird… Ron approached the professor, and he knew that his family was eyeing Snape wearily.
"Professor" Ron said, keeping his voice calm and collected.
"Congratulations are in order, Mr. Weasley" Snape drawled, he then gave a faint smirk. "You have done Slytherin very proud today." Really…? You're going to say that now? Ron could tell that his parents and brothers weren't very comfortable at hearing that, but he didn't want to get on Snape's bad side. I am a Slytherin! I shouldn't have to step on egg-shells…
"Thank you, sir" Ron said, giving a firm nod to the Potions Master. "I'm glad to have won this for Hogwarts." Change the topic without being rude, that's what Daphne taught me… Please work…
"Indeed" Snape said, hiding his surprise at Ron's sneaky deflection. "I will be heading back to the castle, Professor McGonagall is here today and when you wish to return later, go find her. She will be here all day." With that, Snape billowed away without even saying goodbye but Ron didn't mind. That's just how he is…
Ron was about to rejoin his family when he saw his Slytherin friends waving him over from a little distance away. Ron waved back, and then he turned to his parents. "Mum, dad" Ron called for their attention. "Can I go join my friends for a bit? I have some people they want to introduce me to…" His parents were both taken aback by this.
"Some people?" his mother questioned, trying her best not to sound worried. She failed at that.
"Of course son" his father quickly added. "We were going to show Luna and Ginny around Hogsmeade, come find us when you are finished." Ok then… Ron decided to ignore his parents' weird reaction and excused himself. Pandora hugged him again before he could leave. Ron then approached his friends, smiling ear-to-ear.
"The champion" Theo declared, grinning at Ron. Ron gave a mock-bow, which earned him a few laughs from his friends.
"Congratulations Ron" Blaise said with an actual smile. He then shook hands with Ron, and Ron grinned back.
"Thanks Blaise" Ron said, trying to hide his giddiness. He turned to the girls and Tracey gave him a hug, which made Ron freeze.
"You were splendid Ron!" Tracey said excitedly. "We're so happy for you!" Ron decided to hug her back, and it didn't feel as odd as he thought it would. It felt… nice.
"Thanks Trace" Ron said, feeling his face getting hot. As soon as Tracey let him go, Millie hugged him as well. That's a first!
"Well done Ron! I knew you'd win" Millie said, and then she let him go. She was beaming at him, and Ron couldn't help but beam back.
"I knew it too" Ron said, earning a laugh from Millie.
"Congratulations Ron" Pansy piped in, smiling at Ron from behind Millie. Millie moved out of the way, and Pansy extended her hand for a shake. She looked slightly sheepish, and Ron recognized that look. She still feels out of place? After everything? Ron was feeling pretty confident right about now, so he did the one thing that he knew he could never do on any other day. He walked up and gave Pansy a hug, and she stiffened immediately.
"Thanks Pansy" Ron said in a whisper only she could hear. "You don't have to keep being on the outside, you're one of us and I see you as one of my closest friends." Pansy relaxed at that and actually hugged him back.
"Thanks" she whispered in return. Ron pulled back and saw that she was smiling, and he smiled back at her. I need to work harder on bringing Pansy around. No one should have to feel like an outsider… Ron then looked around for Daphne, but she wasn't there.
"Where's Daphne? She was just here when I waved at you guys" Ron asked his friends, who all gave him sly smiles.
"She ran off to find her parents and my parents" Tracey chuckled. "I hope you remember your training…" Oh Merlin… Ron felt his stomach drop and his confidence escaped out of him. He paced frantically for the next few minutes, and his friends did their best to take the piss out of him. And then they stopped him because Blaise had spotted Daphne approaching the group. Ron looked at her, and she was smiling happily at him. She was walking side by side with a younger girl who resembled her quite a bit, except she had chubbier cheeks and wore her hair in a pony-tail. Behind them were their parents and Tracey's parents.
Lord Sebastian Greengrass was a tall, pale man who had his black hair slicked back. He was clean shaven, and his dark blue eyes were lifeless. The mere sight of him made Ron gulp. In contrast to him, Lady Mary Greengrass was a beauty to behold. She had smooth blonde hair like Daphne's but it was done up in a tasteful bun. She wore a faint smile on her face, and her bright blue eyes sparkled. They could not be a more peculiar couple, at least in Ron's eyes.
James Davis was also a tall man, with brown combed over hair, and emerald green eyes much like Tracey's. He wasn't as pale as Lord Greengrass, but he was still a bit pale. His wife Susana Davis was a beauty with shoulder length brown hair that flowed freely, she too had green eyes, and she was smiling widely at Ron. Here we go! Don't embarrass yourself for Merlin's sake…
"Congratulations, Ron" Daphne said with a controlled smile, clearly holding back because of her parents. Ron returned her modest smile and gave her a slow nod.
"Thank you, Daphne" Ron replied in a calm tone. This is hard…
"Astoria" Daphne continued "this is my friend and ally Ronald Weasley. Ronald, this is my younger sister, Astoria Greengrass." Ron turned to smaller girl and he couldn't help but compare the two sisters. They looked so alike, and yet Astoria had an air of mischief about her. She was smiling widely at him, and Ron decided to smile back.
"A pleasure to make your acquaintance, Lady Astoria Greengrass" Ron greeted, cringing at being so 'Pure-Blooded'. Astoria gave him her hand which he took and lightly kissed, and then he gave her a practiced bow.
"An honor to meet you, Ronald Weasley" Astoria said, her voice was filled with childish glee. Then she let out a short giggle, and Ron had to bite his cheek in order to not laugh. She is just as bad as I am at this!
"Ronald" Daphne called for his attention, which Ron gave her immediately. "These are my parents, Lord Sebastian Greengrass and Lady Mary Greengrass." Ron nodded and approached her parents. Lord Greengrass was looking at Ron with an analyzing gaze, whereas Lady Greengrass simply smiled softly at him.
"It is an honor to meet the Lord and Lady of the most Ancient and Noble house of Greengrass" Ron said, bowing his head respectfully. "I am Ronald Bilius Weasley, a friend and ally to your daughter Daphne." SOMEONE HEX ME!
"The pleasure is all mine" Sebastian replied, his voice was calm and soft.
"Well met, Ronald" Mary said right after her husband finished. "Congratulations on your victory today" she said, and then she gave her hand to Ron. Don't mess this up Ron! Ron took her hand gently and gave her knuckles a light kiss, and then he bowed with practiced perfection. Lady Mary smiled at him in approval. THANK YOU MERLIN!
"Yes, well done on your triumph" Sebastian said softly. "You played well today."
"Thank you, my Lord" Ron replied, feeling a cold sweat in his armpits.
"Are you lot done?" came another man's voice. It was James Davis, and he was grinning at Lord Greengrass. "Hello Ronald, I'm Tracey's dad" James introduced himself, putting his hand forward for a shake. Ron was jarred for a second but quickly recovered. He shook the man's hand firmly. "Quite the grip you have young man" James joked. "Tracey never stops talking about you." She doesn't?
"DAD!" Tracey whined loudly, going red in the face. It got a laugh out of James, and tutting from Susana.
"James stop embarrassing your daughter in front of her cute friend" Susana said, beaming at Ron. Ron had to fight in order to not lose his composure. "I'm Susana Davis, Tracey's mum." She then gave Ron a hug and Ron went beet-red. What is happening?! I can't decide whose worse? Tracey's parents or Daphne's… "Well done on winning the Tournament today" she cooed. Ron was instantly reminded of Pandora.
"Thank you, Lady Davis" Ron replied, and Susana laughed lightly.
"You can call me Susana, Ronald" she said kindly. "And you can call my husband James." James nodded and smiled at Ron.
"Then please, call me Ron" Ron replied, smiling back at the two. At least I know how to talk to these two!
"Ronald" Lord Greengrass spoke, his voice carrying authority. "May I have a word with, in private?" Ron knew that wasn't a request, it was an order. A Lord's words are final… That's what Daphne told me.
"Of course, my Lord" Ron said, giving a faint smile. "And please, call me Ron as well." Lord Greengrass nodded, and gestured for them to leave the group. Ron led the way, and Lord Greengrass followed behind. Once they were far enough, Lord Greengrass stopped Ron by putting his hand on Ron's shoulder.
"This should do" Lord Greengrass said, his voice calm and smooth. "Daphne tells me that you have never lost a match before, is this true?" Interrogation time, eh?
"Yes, my Lord" Ron said, trying his best to sound humble.
"What about the first week of the Tournament? Surely you didn't win every game, did you?" Lord Greengrass asked, his eyes piercing Ron's.
"I did, my Lord" Ron replied, keeping his composure. "I won twenty-five victories, and therefore earned the number one rank." Lord Greengrass gave a faint smirk at hearing that, and Ron knew why. He already knows this… He is testing me in some way, I just don't know what way yet…
"That is impressive, most impressive…" Lord Greengrass said, his voice sounding faraway. Ron could tell that the man was musing about something. "Everything I hear about you is… impressive. So much so that I have trouble believing that any… ordinary… twelve year old could accomplish so much in so little time. Tell me, Ron… How are you so extraordinary?" The mood seemed to have shifted, and Ron felt intimidated by the tall, pale man. Lord Greengrass' dead eyes were staring right into Ron's, as if trying to dig the answers out.
"I don't believe I am… my Lord" Ron said slowly, doing his best to keep his composure. Lord Greengrass raised an eyebrow at that.
"Don't try to deceive me boy… I did background checks on you, just to be sure that my daughter wasn't associating with the wrong sort. And I was most shocked to learn of your past." Ron gulped at hearing that, feeling sweat coming onto his brow. "Pandora Lovegood, you saved her life at the age of ten… Ripped off your own fingernails to do it… No ordinary ten year old is capable of such a thing… So let me ask you again, what makes you so extraordinary?" What else has he learned about me? How much has Daphne told him? Bloody hell… I don't need my life under a microscope…
"I got lucky…" Ron began, breathing in and trying to remain calm. "I found her, and I managed to save her by sheer dumb luck…"
"Dumb luck? It wasn't dumb luck with the troll… You cast to kill, didn't you? Or what about discovering a man who was thought dead for over ten years?" Lord Greengrass asked, still looking into Ron's eyes. "I don't believe in coincidences, I believe in patterns. You have a habit of constantly being in the right place, at the right time." I need to stop this now! I don't like being questioned by people I don't even know.
"It was dumb luck with Pandora" Ron began, fixing his gaze and standing upright. Lord Greengrass smirked at seeing the boy not being intimidated so easily. "With the troll, I was looking for my friend. I just happened upon the troll and then yes, I did aim to kill. My friends would have died if I didn't… As for Peter Pettigrew… I used common sense. No ordinary rat can live for over ten years… Professor Snape and Headmaster Dumbledore did the rest" Ron finished strongly, gazing back into Lord Greengrass' eyes. I know most of what I said were lies… but not everything. And he has no proof, he is trying to get it out of me.
"I see" Lord Greengrass said after a few moments, smiling at Ron. "A man who keeps his secrets close, and isn't easily intimidated… My daughter has chosen a worthy ally indeed." What? Is this all about Daphne? I'm getting confused… "Forgive me Ron, but I wanted to see your character myself. The way my daughter speaks of you in her letters… I just had to make sure myself. You are indeed an impressive child."
"Thank you… my Lord" Ron said slowly, worried about how much information Daphne had shared with her father.
"My daughter has informed me that you wish to become a Chess Master someday… An admirable goal. And you have already begun your journey towards accomplishing it. I myself am a Chess Master, and I do not have an apprentice. I have decided that you are an opportunity that cannot be passed up." Opportunity? "What do you say to that, Ron?"
"What does becoming your apprentice entail?" Ron asked, he wasn't planning on being duped. Slytherins are always looking for an edge, and I need to be careful around him. He already suspects me and I've known him for only twenty-minutes… Lord Greengrass smiled again at Ron, and nodded in approval.
"A sharp mind too… most children your age would have jumped at that offer. If you become my apprentice, I will train you myself. I will also introduce you to the International League of Wizard's Chess Club, and help you build contacts. Furthermore, I will fund you for playing in tournaments. And pay you a monthly salary." Woah! So I get all of that? And what does he get?
"And what do you get out of this, my Lord?" Ron asked politely.
"Prestige, honor, recognition… pride" Lord Greengrass said softly. "Things far more valuable than money. The more you win, the more we both benefit. And under my training, you will win. I can promise you that."
"Then… I agree" Ron said, smiling at Lord Greengrass who returned his smile.
"Excellent" Lord Greengrass said, and then he put his hand forward for a shake. Ron shook it firmly. "I will write up a contract and bring it your family during the end of term holidays. As you are under seventeen, we will need their approval. Once that is sorted, you will become my apprentice and you will be under my employment. Is that understood?"
"Yes, my Lord" Ron responded, smiling from joy. A CHESS MASTER'S APPRENTICE! Dad and mum are going to be so amazed!
"Then we should return to the others… Speak of this to no one, not even my daughter… I want this kept under the table for the time being. Understood?" Um… okay… Ron nodded slowly, deciding to go with it. "It is for the best for the time being" Lord Greengrass said, as if reading Ron's mind. "I don't wish to give anyone reason to believe that I took advantage of your childish naivety. When the time comes, we will do everything above board and make a statement as well, alongside your parents. The Chess scene in England is… very superstitious of foul play…"
"You will no doubt receive many offers before the holidays begin" Lord Greengrass continued. "Refuse them all. Understood?" Ron nodded firmly at that. Did he do something illegal by selecting me this quickly after the tournament? Whatever… Having the wealthiest man in England backing me up will certainly come in handy during the future… especially during the war. I just have to figure out how.
Hermione Granger POV
On the morning of March the Twenty-eighth, Hermione woke up in a very different room than she was used to. It took her a few seconds to remember that she wasn't in her own house for the next few days, instead she was staying over at a friend's house… A friend! She felt giddy every time she thought about that. She had spent twelve years without friends, and now she was at a sleepover for the first time! Hermione quickly hopped out of her guest bed and ran into the adjoining shower, keen to get her day started. She showered and brushed her teeth, put on a clean set of clothes, and then marched out of her room. Time for breakfast with Harry and Neville!
Hermione sat on the dining table with Mrs. Longbottom. The boys hadn't woken up yet, much to Hermione's irritation. It's already nine in the morning… Why aren't they awake yet? Hermione pouted as she drank her hot tea, annoyed at her best friends.
"Miss. Granger, a Lady shouldn't pout…" Mrs. Longbottom said in a stern voice. Hermione stiffened and put on a forced smile.
"Sorry, Mrs. Longbottom" Hermione apologized to stern woman. Hermione was quite scared of displeasing the tall, thin, and bony older witch. Mrs. Longbottom had an aura of power and authority about her, and Hermione had instantly come to respect her when she had met her last night.
"Where are my Grandson and Mr. Potter?" Mrs. Longbottom asked. "It is already nine in the morning…" Hermione beamed and nodded at Mrs. Longbottom, agreeing with the older witch. Those two can be so lazy sometimes…
"Perhaps you could teach my Grandson the value of utilizing his day properly" Mrs. Longbottom continued, wearing a thin frown on her face. Though she is quite harsh with poor Neville… Hermione simply nodded at and continued drinking her tea. It was ten minutes later that a laughing pair of boys came into the dining room.
"Good morning Harry! Good morning Neville!" Hermione beamed at her friends. They looked over and smiled widely at her.
"Good morning Hermione!" they both said, and then they took their seats. Hermione sat across from them and she could easily tell that they were tired. They must've been awake during all hours into the night.
"I see that you two have deemed it worthy to make an appearance for breakfast this morning" Mrs. Longbottom said calmly, but the sternness was still evident.
"Sorry, Gran" Neville apologized in a low voice, and then he gave her a sheepish smile.
"Sorry, Mrs. Longbottom" Harry apologized as well. "It was my fault… I kept Neville up all night…" There he goes again, throwing himself under the bus for others. Hermione had come to realize that Harry had a habit of doing that. If anyone picked on her, he'd be the first one to her defense. If they all got into trouble, he'd say that it was all his idea. He was quite noble, but he never thought things through.
Breakfast then appeared on the table magically, and Hermione marveled at the spell-work needed to do that. Harry and Neville giggled at her awed expression, no doubt amused by her need to know everything. But Hermione couldn't help that, she needed everything to make sense. That was how she dealt with all of… this!
"It's the elves my dear" Mrs. Longbottom said to her. "They cook for us and clean Longbottom Manor, and you can usually find them around doing chores." Hermione nodded slowly, wondering if the elves were paid servants or not. They ate quietly for a minute before Mrs. Longbottom broke the silence. "Neville, how are your classes?" Neville paled a little at the sound of that.
"They are going well, Gran" Neville said, smiling faintly at her. "I'm still having trouble with Potions, Charms, D.A.D.A, and Transfiguration but my Herbology marks are high. Astronomy is also going well." So every subject that needs a wand… He needs to talk to his Gran and convince her to get him a new one. Or he will fail his classes… Hermione felt righteous anger on Neville's behalf. It wasn't fair that his Grandmother wouldn't let him buy his own wand. It was affecting his studies!
"What about you two?" Mrs. Longbottom said, still looking at Neville with a mask of indifference.
"They are going well… Potions and Transfiguration are a little hard… also I'm not very good in Herbology" Harry said, trying to ignore Mrs. Longbottom's piercing gaze on Neville. Poor Nev…
"What about you Miss. Granger? How are you faring in Hogwarts and the magical world?" Mrs. Longbottom asked, looking to Hermione. Hermione didn't want to boast and make Neville look bad, but she also didn't want to lie. As a result, she couldn't seem to find her voice.
"She is at the top of our class, Gran" Neville beamed at Hermione, making her blush a bit from embarrassment. He keeps insisting that I am, but I'm not…
"You are?" Mrs. Longbottom asked, a faint smile on her lips. Hermione smiled at her and then shook her head.
"No, Mrs. Longbottom" Hermione said, and she could see Neville frown a little from the corner of her vision. "A Slytherin boy is at the top of our class." Hermione then smiled even more as she thought of her red-haired friend. My first real friend! She truly wished that Ronald was in Gryffindor, and that they could study together more often.
"A Slytherin boy?" Mrs. Longbottom said in a thoughtful voice. "I assume you are speaking of Ronald Weasley" she said, looking at Hermione for confirmation. How…? Hermione simply nodded at her.
"Grandmother, how do you know of Weasley being the one?" Neville asked slowly.
"Who doesn't know of that boy's intelligence?" was Mrs. Longbottom's reply. "The Daily Prophet's Rita Skeeter has labelled him a 'prodigy', and he was instrumental in capturing a Death-Eater… One that the Ministry itself believed to be dead for over ten years." She then scoffed. "An eleven year old boy is more competent than those fools. Though I must admit, I was surprised by his sorting. Especially after I learned about what he did for you three…" Hermione paled a little as she remembered the dead troll and the monstrous look on Ronald's face. She still had nightmares about that night.
"Which reminds me" Mrs. Longbottom continued. "Why have you not invited him here Neville?" Mrs. Longbottom looked at Neville with a tight frown. "The Longbottom family owes him a great debt, and we must honor it. So why isn't he here?" Neville paled at that, and Hermione took a page out of Harry's book. She started eating with her head down.
"He um… we aren't really friends with… him" Neville stuttered, looking down at his plate. Hermione frowned at hearing that, because she considered Ronald one her best friends. She only had three friends, and Ronald had been the first one. Even Harry considers Ronald as his first friend…
Mrs. Longbottom was about to say something but was interrupted by an owl carrying the Daily Prophet. It flew down and landed on the table, right in front of Mrs. Longbottom. She took out one Knut from her bright red handbag and put it in the pouch on the owl's leg. The owl hooted loudly and flew out of a close-by open window. Mrs. Longbottom then quickly went over the first page, and she let out a dry chuckle at the main article written by none other than Rita Skeeter. What a despicable woman…
"Speak of the devil, and he shall appear" Mrs. Longbottom said, a faint smile on her lips. All three children looked at her in confusion. Mrs. Longbottom then cleared her throat and read the title of the main article on the front page. "Slytherin Prodigy wins the Junior League Tournament without suffering a single loss…" Hermione and Harry beamed at each other, and even Neville smiled a little.
"HE WON!" Hermione exclaimed excitedly, forgetting to use her inside voice.
"We should send him a letter to congratulate him" Harry said, beaming in excitement. Hermione nodded fervently at that, smiling ear-to-ear. Mrs. Longbottom watched the exchange with a hint of amusement, and a hint of curiosity. She definitely had to meet the boy that had saved her Grandson. The boy that could slay a fully grown Mountain Troll singlehandedly…
After spending the whole day lounging around, Hermione finally convinced Harry and Neville to do some of their homework. They had whined and complained, but in the end, they had agreed begrudgingly. Hermione herself had already finished her homework, and so she was now currently writing Ronald a letter to congratulate him on his triumph.
"When are you going to talk to your Gran about getting a new wand, Nev?" Harry asked, making Hermione look up from her letter.
"Harry's right Neville, you need a proper wand" Hermione said, feeling annoyed again that he didn't have one yet. What was Mrs. Longbottom thinking?!
"I know…" Neville muttered. "I just don't know… how to ask. My Gran isn't exactly easy to talk to…" Poor Neville… Maybe I should talk to her for him? I can explain to her why he needs his own wand, and that his current wand is affecting his studies poorly.
"You need a proper wand if we're going to try and stop Snape!" Harry said, sounding agitated by the memory of the man. After the Gryffindor vs. Hufflepuff match, Harry had followed Snape into the Forbidden Forest and learnt that the Potions Master was threatening Quirrell again. Hermione had doubts about Snape early on, but she was now convinced that he was up to no good. And he's a horrid teacher… Always picking on his students and being biased in favor of his own house…
"Harry…" Neville started slowly. "I still think we should try and talk to the Headmaster… We can't go after a professor ourselves… We're just kids."
"We don't have any proof of Snape wanting to steal the stone, Nev…" Harry frowned. "No one will believe us…"
"I agree with Neville" Hermione interjected, smiling at the chubby boy. "It's too dangerous Harry, Snape is a fully grown wizard. We won't able to stop him alone… But… if we had more help… maybe from a certain Slytherin…" Hermione finished softly. She had wanted to bring Ronald into this as well, but Neville didn't trust him. And Harry was worried that Ronald would tell the other Slytherins. He would never do that! He is our friend as well!
"We can't trust him" Neville frowned, and Hermione frowned back. "He is a Slytherin! They're all bullies, and they always become Dark Wizards!"
"That's not true!" Hermione argued back, feeling righteous anger in defense of Ronald. "He saved our lives! And he is our friend! Harry please, we could use his help!" she implored to the boy-who-lived. Harry looked rather conflicted by that.
"Hermione…" Harry started, and she winced at his tone. Why can't they trust him?! Ronald isn't like the other Slytherins!
"Harry please" Hermione implored again. "He is in Slytherin, he can easily watch Professor Snape for us. And he is brilliant enough to face off against a Mountain Troll and win. If we aren't going to inform the Headmaster, then we should at least have someone who can help us keep track of Professor Snape…" Harry looked at her with a conflicted look, but then he nodded. Hermione beamed and Neville frowned.
"Harry no…" Neville said. "We can't trust him with this! He will tell Snape and we will lose everything we have worked for…" No he won't! Hermione hated it when Neville spoke poorly of Ronald just because he was a Slytherin. Usually, Neville was the sweetest boy she had ever met, but when it came to Slytherin house… He acted like they were all just bullies who were after him. Ronald is nothing like Malfoy…
"Hermione is right, Nev" Harry said, smiling faintly at his best friend who was frowning at him. "If we can keep a closer eye on Snape, then we can inform Dumbledore when Snape goes after the stone… And Ron isn't like the other Slytherins. You know that…"
"I know that he is surrounded by the bad ones" Neville said softly. "How long will it be until he starts acting like them? I mean, why is he in Slytherin in the first place? His family has been in Gryffindor for generations… yet he goes to Slytherin? That doesn't strike you two as odd?" Harry had nothing to say to that, because he himself had wondered the same things.
"It doesn't matter what his house is" Hermione said, trying not to lose her temper. This was her first friend that Neville was discrediting. The one who had come running to her aid, knowing full well what kind of danger he was putting himself in. "Ronald is a good person! He saved our lives, and he would never act like one of Malfoy's goons…"
They all sat in silence after that, clearly conflicted on what to do. Hermione wanted to bring Ronald into their plans. Neville wanted to make sure that Ronald never found out. So it all came down to Harry. Could he trust his friend from the train-ride to Hogwarts, his first real friend?
"We'll talk to him after the holidays end…" Harry said, smiling faintly at Hermione. Hermione beamed at Harry, while Neville just sighed. This is the right move!
Charlie Weasley's POV
Charlie let out a tired breath, and wiped the sweat from his brow. Damn Graves for making me do this… What a twat! Charlie then continued his task of cleaning out the dragon cages without any magic. I go out drinking for one night… Just one! And he forces me to do this… Charlie cursed Damian Graves, his supervisor, within his head. Absolute cunt!
"Well, well…" came a friendly voice from behind him. Charlie turned around to see his friend Cornelius grinning at him. "Let me guess… Graves caught you sneaking back into the reserve late last night!" Cornelius then let out a loud laugh, and Charlie clenched his jaw at his friend.
"Fuck off" Charlie grit out. "It was your fucking idea, and I'm the one stuck shoveling shit…" Cornelius laughed even more at that.
"Ease up there, mate" Cornelius said in between his laughter. "It's nearly two 'o'clock, that means lunch break. Put down that shovel and let's go!" Charlie let out a relieved breath and threw the shovel down. Thank Merlin… He then walked out of the cage and collected his gear from nearby.
The pair then made their way to the mess hall, eager to get some food in their bellies. They took their usual spot in the massive mess hall and began piling food onto their plates. One-by-one, they were joined by their friends and colleagues. They talked animatedly with one another about the new Hungarian Horntail that had come into their care. The beast was majestic, and Charlie had more than once snuck it extra food. He may have hated his supervisor, but there was no other place he'd rather be.
He was halfway through his meal when he was approached by Kirsten Domitor, a fellow Dragonologist. She was holding a copy of the Daily Prophet and was wearing her beautiful smile on her face. "Have a look here" Kirsten said, smiling at Charlie. She then handed him the copy of the Daily Prophet, something that drew the attentions of his other friends. Charlie took the newspaper and skimmed over the first page.
Charlie's breath caught when he saw a picture of his little brother waving at a crowd of people. Ron was smiling ear-to-ear, and there were multiple camera flashes happening him. Charlie then read the title of the article, and he leapt out his seat with a huge grin on his face.
"Fucking hell…" Charlie muttered, grinning at the page like a mad-man. This is amazing! Way to go Ronnie!
"What is it?" Cornelius asked, genuinely intrigued. Charlie just handed him the newspaper, and then chuckled in pride. My little brother… A chess champion? Bloody hell…
The newspaper traveled amongst his colleagues quickly after that, with most them being genuinely impressed. All the while, Charlie talked to Kirsten about Ron. He couldn't help the massive smile on his face as he talked about his little brother with absolute pride. Who could have guessed that Ickle Ronnikins would be labeled a prodigy? I could have…
When Ron had first shown an interest in his studies, Charlie had decided to show off to his little brother. He filled out a journal full of spells for Ron, hoping to awe Ron with his own advanced knowledge. And although Ron was impressed, it was Charlie who was left awed by Ron. Ron had gone and memorized everything in that journal and was eager to learn more. Charlie had then started filling out the journal not because he wanted to impress Ron, but because he knew that Ron would impress all of Hogwarts when he got there.
Charlie had come to respect Ron's focus and determination, and he secretly wished that he knew why his brother was this way. Ron had always been quite lazy, and then one day he just… wasn't. It had bewildered Charlie, but it didn't stop him from helping and teaching Ron. They even started exercising together, something that no other Weasley sibling did with Charlie. Even Bill refused to run around and push his body to its limits.
And then Ron went to Hogwarts, and he was sorted into Slytherin… That had caught Charlie completely off guard. When he had received Fred's angry letter, he just figured that the twins were once again trying to dupe him. But then Percy's letter had come, and Charlie had spent the whole week trying to figure out why Ron was placed in Slytherin. By the end of that week, Charlie didn't care that Ron was in Slytherin. All he cared about was whether or not his little brother was safe.
Eventually they had started sending each other letters, and Charlie was glad to learn that Ron was doing quite well within Slytherin. And after Ron had slain a Mountain Troll to save his friends, Charlie had boasted about it for weeks on end. No one was safe from Charlie's exaggerated tales of his little brother's prowess.
"Your little brother sounds like quite the wizard" Kirsten said in a giggle, bring Charlie back into the real world. "What happened to you?" Wow… really…
"Hey!" Charlie said, feigning hurt. "I'm the one who taught him, don't I get credit for that?" Kirsten laughed outright at that.
"Nope" she replied, laughing at Charlie's 'hurt' expression.
"So while your brother is winning tournaments…" Cornelius started, grinning at Charlie. "You're shoveling shit for a living!" Charlie let out a chuckle at that. It sounds pretty bad when you put it like that!
"We all have to earn our bread somehow" Charlie said in a chuckle, earning a laugh out of Cornelius.
They spent the remainder of lunch talking about Ron. Charlie told them stories of his little brother from when they were all growing up, and his friends listened with happy smiles on their faces. They knew that Charlie missed his home, and hearing him talk about his brother confirmed that even more.
Once lunch had ended, Charlie spent the remainder of the day shoveling shit and cleaning up other… messes. By the time he got back to his lodgings, he was utterly spent. But he still had one more task to do, he had to write to Ron. While he wrote his letter, Charlie's heart clenched due to his isolation. He really missed his home and family, and he wanted to be there right now to congratulate Ron in person.
"Maybe I should be…" Charlie pondered, and then he grinned. An idea had popped into his mind. He would work as hard as possible over the next few months, and then when Ron had his holidays at the end of the school year, Charlie would visit the burrow for a week. If he worked hard enough, Graves would definitely listen. The man was cruel but fair…
Charlie smiled widely as he finished his letter, knowing that in a few months, he'd get to see his family again!
AUTHOR'S NOTES: And thus ends another Chapter! I hope you all enjoyed! Things will be getting very interesting now that the school year is coming to a close! Next Chapter should be up by Saturday, or Sunday at the latest. See you all soon!