Yes, but only barely.

Justice smiles at you, and sets up his pieces, which begin to get comfortable in their squares. You place your pieces, which start champing at the bit for their first move. Justice calmly watches you opening gambit, smiling to himself.

Cautiously you run through the opening few turns, and its clear that Justice is familiar with your gambit. Which means its time to switch tactics.

Unfortunately for Justice, he didn't anticipate you changing maneuvers mid game. The game was close but you do manage to pull out the Checkmate, just before time runs out.

"I didn't think you would be able to pull out a victory after that opening." Justice said, shaking your hand. "Well played."

"Impressive," says Professor Flitwick "Well it looks like we have our finalists."

Turning to look, you see Ron waving at you from the other table, smirking as his Slytherin opponent, you think its that Malfoy boy. You haven't interacted much with the Slytherins, but Snape had mentioned him a few times. The Malfoys had been a friendly family back in the day, but the financial misfortune of the house has left you with little contact with them.

The small blond boy shoots Ron a dirty look, and you sit down across from the Gryffindor student. "Blimey," he says laughing "Beating Malfoy was near reward enough."

You smile "I hope so, because I am gonna win."

Ron's eyes sparkle "You haven't beaten me yet, Marvolo."

As the match begins you realize why these tournaments don't really receive as much love from the school as Quidditch matches. While you and Ron are both playing your best, moving and probing, it is slow, and not particularly dramatic. Ron feints, and forces you to expose your Queen. After he takes yours, you return the favor.

The game drags on, and a few of the less interested spectators move on. Ron stares at the board, as if trying to understand some deep riddle. You feel your gaze boring into Ron as you try to figure out what he is planning.

Before too long you see the Hourglass's sand run out. Professor Flitwick comes over and announces that you have three turns each to wrap up the game. Which is no good. You won't be able to mate in 3 turns, but Ron might. Moving carefully, you stall. Ron moves to check, and you block his maneuver. You move your king out of danger, and Ron curses quietly. Ron moves and takes your last knight, and Flitwick calls the match.

You grin madly at Ron, who smiles back. You shake each other's hands as Flitwick quickly runs over the match, tabulating points.

"So," says Flitwick raising his wand to his throat. A charm causes his voice to ring out loud and clear through the Great Hall. "We have a winner! Marvolo Gaunt from Ravenclaw is the Underclassman champion, by points. He beat the semi-finalist Ron Weasley of Gryffindor by a single point."

Ron smiles, but looks disappointed.

"For the First Place Marvolo has won 100 points for Ravenclaw!" Professor Flitwick booms. "For achieving second place, stalemating and losing only by points, 65 points shall be awarded to Gryffindor for Ronald Weasley's performance!"

You balk, and Ron shoots up surprise. He beams, and you clap him on the back.

"There you go Ron!" You shout, as the respectful clapping of the hands drowns out the scattered conversations in the hall.

The rest of the night passes in a blur, Rupert had won his match, which put Ravenclaw well in the lead for House Points at nearly 600 points. Ron was cheered by the Gryffindor table for recovering 65 points. Apparently the house had just lost over 150 points for some kind of rules violation.

Before you know it you've been bustled back to the common room by Jennifer and Ezra who clapped you on the back and expressed their satisfaction at your appreciable lead.

You realize now that the focus on the tournament is gone, that you have been forgetting about your investigation. Grabbing your reference book you begin to review, but before long sleep overcomes you.