No, School Ahead Full!

You manage to patch things up with Ezra and Jennifer, but the mood doesn't really lighten. However, the next semester seems noticeably busier than the previous semester. Between the studying for the end of year exams and being enrolled in a Wizard Chess tournament, you have little time for worrying about the dangers of the Enemy's agents.

You thought perhaps Professor Flitwick had signed you up for the Tournament, but when you brought it up to Rupert you were surprised.

"No, I signed you up." quipped Rupert. "Frankly our Quidditch team is rubbish. The winner of the tournament gets 100 points for their house, and I wanted to increase our odds."

"But I didn't want to be in the tournament!" You protest, "Besides you can easily beat me, so why enter me?!"

"I don't qualify, there are two tournaments: Underclassmen and Upperclassmen. You are the best we have to offer in that bracket! You can beat any other underclassman in the school!" He said laughing.

"Not true! Ron and I stalemate every time we play!" you object.

"That only matters if the Weasley boy plays!" he replied with a smile. "We both know that he cares more about impressing his mum, and his mates; Gryffindors don't respect Chess Players."

With that Rupert considered the conversation over with. You found yourself attending double length Chess Society meetings, memorizing stratagems, and learning a variety of closing gambits.

Ron and your games have taken on a slightly more competitive edge, he keeps up, despite not spending more time at it. However, in the tenser moments of your games you see a rapt joy in his eyes.

During one such occasion you pass turn to Ron with a wistful tone and say, "I can't see how the hat wouldn't have put you in Ravenclaw, Ron."

He starts "Oh no, I'm not all that clever, besides I don't think me mum would ever forgive me for making her make blue robes." he chuckled nervously.

"C'mon Ron, we both know your mother couldn't have been that mad about your sorting." You say about to laugh, until you see the color drain from Ron's face. "Well, I'm sure she'd get over it, in time" you amend.

You realize that your own family would probably have words for you about your sorting, if you ever went back to the Shack.

"Either way." you say coming back to the game, "you should come to this tournament. It'll be a good time, and for once maybe Harry can watch you play instead of the other way 'round."

Ron smiles wanly, "I'll uhh, I'll think about it."