Chapter 26: Opposite-colored bishop endgame, Part 4
21 February 1993
It was Sunday.
Harry woke up that morning, still bewildered and perplexed by the events that had occurred the past two days. He still could not believe that Draco had been attacked as severely as he had. He was justifiably upset, and he felt like he had every right to be dismayed by what had occurred.
What in the world had happened that day? Draco had simply left the common room and gone for a walk. Because of the fact that he made himself vulnerable, he had been attacked near the Gryffindor Common Room on the seventh floor. It truly was a nightmarish debacle.
Harry shook his head. It all was too hard to process. Draco would recover, but Harry imagined that none of the Slytherins would be able to go anywhere in the castle without having a prefect supervise them.
Harry studied his notes, not really sure on what he would do. There would be no way he and his friends would be allowed to walk outside of the common room to do anything other than visit Draco in the hospital wing.
Just then, Harry noticed Theodore reading something.
"What are you reading, Theodore?", Harry asked.
Theodore then closed the book he was reading. "I was just reading something about Preterism and the end of Christianity. I found what I read so intriguing; I could not resist. I had to continue reading."
"And what did you find out?"
"Christianity Ended in 70 AD. God made man in the flesh, they were to live forever, they fell from God, they became bad, God called Israel to bring forth a savior to bring mankind back to God. God gave them the law as a way to try to make their flesh holy so that they could live forever again. It wasn't possible, God sent Christ not born of the flesh but robed in flesh. He didn't sin under the law so the grave couldn't hold him. His blood forgave man of their sins in the flesh. Belief in Christ then made it to where once the law was fulfilled Men's spirits could enter heaven. The law was fulfilled in that generation, the temple that housed the law, and the ark of the covenant that housed the ten commandments no longer exist, that covenant is done.
"Christ came and destroyed the temple, and unbelieving Israel. He was the last man Adam, no one is born in Adam now. The gospel was preached in all the earth and then the end came, Christ also went and preached to the souls in prison, that died from Adam to Christ. All the dead and living heard the gospel. Paul said this was accomplished in his day.
"Now man is no longer judged by the flesh, what we do in the flesh can't keep us from entering heaven. When it was all done the temple in heaven was opened, and now all over the world when people die they see a light, and can choose to go into that light. Satan and his angels were cast into the lake of fire, so were the unbelieving dead.
"They continued Christianity after 70 AD when real Christianity ended, and since that time it has been the worst thing in the world, the new Satan for us. It rejects Christ, and all that he did, and the churches are full of liars, and different denominations, and people dancing around like monkeys and snakes, and passing out and calling it the Holy Spirit.
"Christians will not make it to heaven today, they aren't from God, Christianity is over. Christians are a product of Constantine, Clovis, Justinian, Charlemagne, and King James, King Henry, and the protestant reformation. A product of slaughter, genocide, conquest and land grabs, etc. Christians have thought that those who rejected the church and all their lies are the ones that will not make it to heaven, but it is actually the Christians, and the Muslims, and the Jews, and those who have rejected all that God did through Christ, who will not be making it to heaven. Many Christians have gone to the light after death only to find they aren't welcome.
They see visions of Jesus, and see how they would have to live if they were living for Jesus, but it isn't possible, they always wind up liars, and in denominations and cults. If you believe in Satan you will see what you have to do to live for Satan in dreams and visions. If you believe in Jesus, you will see the spirit of Jesus, but you will be living in the wrong time and without the Holy Spirit. Everything has a spirit and no matter what you believe, amazing things will happen, personal prophecies, and visions will come to pass, and maybe healings, but this can happen in any religion, and in anything you believe. It does not mean you are telling the truth or that your way is correct. If you believe you are a Christian then you will see what you have to do to be a Christian, but it isn't for our time, you are simply just seeing the spirit of Christ when Christ reigned, and because of that you will also be living in a time of demons, and Satan, and you will have a lot of trouble. You will receive a spirit that is no longer holy, and it will convict you of the law that was fulfilled, and you will instantly be trying to live by the law, and feeling condemned about eating this or that, or doing this or that, but in reality, you are rejecting all that Jesus did, and rejecting the fact that he fulfilled the law.
"If you want to live today how you need to live or if you want to know anything today, then you have to get religion out of your heart, and mind, and start asking the creator only, he will tell you the truth, and he is what you have today. Christ only reigned for a short time, he did a short work, and then gave the kingdom back to God, so if you want to know anything today, you need to talk to God only. The bible is only history, it can't help you.
"Christians, Muslims, and Jews will bring another great war to the world, and you don't want to be a part of it. The temple mount will be destroyed, and no new temple will be built, and Jesus Christ will not come because he already came, and Christianity will fall, and this world will change dynamics again. Leave Christianity, don't settle for the lies."
Harry was simultaneously impressed and perplexed by the information Theodore had just accumulated. Theodore was always excellent at studying and memorizing information, but Harry had to admit the information Theodore had learned was on another level.
"That's impressive, Theodore. So, you learned all of that by studying Preterism?"
"Pretty much."
"So, do you agree with Preterism? Are you a Preterist?"
Theodore sighed. "Well, truthfully, I do find Preterism intriguing and fascinating, and I feel like more people should be aware of it. But I honestly cannot say that I am a Preterist myself or that I believe in it."
"Are you interested in learning more about Preterism?"
"Of course", Theodore replied. "The Preterists have a lot of wisdom and most of them seem to be genuinely decent and compassionate people. Meanwhile, the Christians have acted so aggressive and hostile towards wizarding kind and have harassed and persecuted wizards for centuries. Muggles have always treated wizards badly. The Salem Witch Trials demonstrate the persecution of wizards and witches by muggles. Your own relatives are muggles, and you know how awfully they have treated you."
"I don't disagree that the Dursleys are awful people", Harry said. "They are disgusting morons. They're appalling, abhorrent, and repugnant. I loathe and abhor them. I completely concur that the Dursleys are pigs. But the point I'm trying to make here is that maybe we shouldn't judge all muggles to be like that. There are numerous muggles that are open-minded and aren't judgmental hypocrites. A number of muggles can be taught the right morals and can have compassion."
"I suppose", Theodore said. "While I still can't say I'm the biggest fan of muggles, at least I can have an open mind."
"If there is anything I've learned during my time in Slytherin, it's to not judge a book by its cover. The Dursleys are not typical muggles, as much as I despise them."
"I suppose."
Just then Blaise, Crabbe, and Goyle woke up. They walked to breakfast with the Slytherin second-year girls, supervised by Gaius Avery.
Harry ate waffles with butter and syrup, while observing everything in the Great Hall. The professors seemed to be watching everything that was occurring in the Great Hall, probably to prevent and debar any additional attacks.
After breakfast, Harry asked Gaius if he and the other Slytherin second-years could visit Draco in the hospital wing.
"Sure", Gaius said. "That sounds excellent. But I will have to supervise your activity in the hospital wing."
Gaius accompanied the nine Slytherin second-years to the hospital wing, where Draco was laying on one of the beds.
"Draco!", Harry exclaimed. "How are you feeling?"
Draco sighed. "I am honestly feeling much better than I was earlier. I was feeling an abundance of lethargy and torpor. But now I think I'm fine. I'm really glad you're all here."
"So what in the world happened that night?", Harry asked. "Do you have any suspicions or clues as to whom attacked you?"
Draco shook his head. "It's the strangest thing. It truly is an anomaly. All I remember is that I was walking in the seventh-floor corridor and I was planning on pranking those Gryffindor gits. I wanted to teach them a lesson, especially Weasley. However, someone shouted an incantation and I was struck with a dark curse. I have no idea who cast that spell and who shouted that incantation. I did not recognize that person's voice."
"That really is strange", Harry said. "I wish we could catch whoever is doing this."
"It's too risky, Harry", Blaise said. "With all of the attacks taking place here at Hogwarts, it would be very dangerous to play detective. Plus, Snape said we are not allowed to leave the common room without a prefect's supervision."
"I know", Harry said. "It all seems too complex and intricate. I honestly wish there was something more we could do. I'd feel good if we were actually contributing to this mystery."
Draco then cleared his throat. "I know what will take your mind off complicated matters. Wizard's Chess. Theodore, do you have your Wizard's Chess set?"
"Indeed, I do", Theodore replied.
"Okay, then. Let's look an opposite-colored bishop endgame again. I'll place the white king on a1 and a white bishop on c1. As for the black pieces, I'll place the black king on d3, a black bishop on d5, a black pawn on a2, a black pawn on b3, and a black pawn on c7. So, Harry, with White to move, how would you draw this opposite-colored bishop endgame?"
Harry looked at the position. At first glance, the position looked hopeless for White. Black was ahead by three pawns and two of those pawns were well advanced. But Harry also noticed that the bishops were on opposite colors and the white pieces had an impenetrable fortress.
So, Harry knew what he had to do.
"Bishop to b2", Harry said. The white bishop on c1 moved to b2.
The black pawn on c7 moved to c5.
Harry then said, "Bishop to h8".
The white bishop on b2 moved to h8.
The black bishop on d5 moved to e4.
Harry then said, "Bishop to b2".
The white bishop on h8 moved to b2.
The black king on d3 moved to c2.
Harry then said, "Bishop to g7".
The white bishop on b2 moved to g7.
The black bishop on e4 moved to f5.
Harry then said, "Bishop to e5".
The white bishop on g7 moved to e5.
The black king on c2 moved to d3.
Harry then said, "Bishop to b2".
The white bishop on e5 moved to b2.
The black bishop on f5 moved to e4.
Harry then said, "Bishop to h8".
The white bishop on b2 moved to h8.
The black bishop on e4 moved to d5.
Harry then said, "Bishop to b2".
The white bishop on h8 moved to b2.
The black bishop on d5 moved to f3.
Harry then said, "Bishop to h8".
The white bishop on b2 moved to h8.
The black bishop on f3 moved to e4.
Harry then said, "Bishop to b2".
The white bishop on h8 moved to b2.
The black pawn on c5 moved to c4.
Harry then said, "Bishop to g7".
The white bishop on b2 moved to g7.
The black bishop on e4 moved to d5.
Harry then said, "Bishop to f6".
The white bishop on g7 moved to f6.
The black king on d3 moved to e4.
Harry then said, "Bishop to b2".
The white bishop on f6 moved to b2.
The black bishop on d5 moved to e6.
Harry then said, "Bishop to h8".
The white bishop on b2 moved to h8.
The black bishop on e6 moved to d7.
Harry then said, "Bishop to b2".
The white bishop on h8 moved to b2.
The black bishop on d7 moved to f5.
Harry then said, "Bishop to h8".
The white bishop on b2 moved to h8.
The black king on e4 moved to d5.
Harry then said, "Bishop to b2".
The white bishop on h8 moved to b2.
The black king on d5 moved to e4.
Harry then said, "Bishop to h8".
The white bishop on b2 moved to h8.
The black king on e4 moved to d5.
Harry then said, "Bishop to b2".
The white bishop on h8 moved to b2.
The black bishop on f5 moved to c2.
Harry then said, "Bishop to h8".
The white bishop on b2 moved to h8.
The black bishop on c2 moved to d1.
Harry could see that the game was a draw. The white bishop would always make moves along the a1-h8 diagonal and there was no way that Black could make any progress, even though he was ahead by three pawns. So, the game was a draw.
"Well done, Harry!", Pansy exclaimed. "Excellent way to draw the game."
"I believe you are gaining insight about opposite-colored bishop endgames, Harry", Draco said. "Your gameplay is improving, I can tell."
Theodore said, "Well, we've got to head back to the Slytherin Common Room. We'll see you later, Draco."