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The quiet in the Great Hall was deafening, like a single ember in the ocean that was doused as it ignited, broken only by whispers which shattered like glass.
Evanthe Potter heard the ragged breaths of the agglomeration of Gryffindors and Slytherins that surrounded the single small table at the center of the Great Hall.
Charlus’ hand squeezed her shoulder and she was thankful for the burst of love and protectiveness that followed the small touch.
Her older brother was unequivocally the best.
“Qe7,” she ordered and her great move skewered White’s knight and pawn and put the desired pressure on his king.
She knew that she had weakened her kingside pawn structure, but her opponent wouldn’t make his queen jump into the fray with a check too soon. He was just like her, a ravenous hunter who enjoyed the chase more than the win.
She wasn’t disappointed when something flashed in the corner of his silver-blue eyes.
Arching a brow, he pretended to ponder on his next move, which was his usual flair for the dramatics.
She swore that his best friend, Tom Marvolo Riddle, scoffed but no one could accuse Hogwarts’ role model of such ungraceful deed.
Finally, Abraxas Malfoy raised his head and gave her a daring glance, making her fail to mollify the fire simmering under her skin.
The insufferable prat knew that she lived for this.
She was a proud Potter and would never repudiate a challenge, chiefly when it was issued by her Slytherin chess rival and the one her Potter Heart chose years ago.
“Ke2,” he drawled nonchalantly and many astonished gasps followed his unforeseen move.
It left his king exposed and put his rooks, bishops and queen in a dangerous position.
She could almost hear the figurine of the king's growl.
“What a bloody fool,” Charlus snickered under his breath and she shook her head.
She had no grain of doubt that his move was intentional.
Like her, Abraxas was a chess prodigy and their lengthy games never disappointed the sport’s enthusiasts.
Abraxas glanced at her over his intertwined fingers, his eyes gleaming despite his cool exterior.
Evanthe felt her heartbeat tumble like a row of pawns. She had always enjoyed the mind games she played with Abraxas in public, while they skillfully hid their secret relationship.
Abraxas’ best bet now was to ignore her bishop and harass her queen with a Bd6.
She wondered if he would dare and go for a quick kill.
Evanthe tilted her head questioningly and began to tap her fingers nimbly over the smooth table, waiting for his next move.
Charlus shook his head, his pained hazel eyes pleading with her to produce an amazing move; one that would strike the opponent mercilessly and bring about a glorious victory.
Evanthe wasn’t done yet, not even close.
A Potter and a Gryffindor she might be, but her Slytherin side, the one she concealed meticulously was taking over that moment.
For the next half an hour, she sat facing her opponent showing the onlookers various acts and steps and inciting them to discuss the merits and hazards of each one of them.
It was, arguably, a more heated exchange than what she was used to have with Abraxas. It was probably their last public game seeing that Abraxas, like Charlus and Tom, would graduate in few days while she would come back next year.
“You have him surrounded,” Charlus interjected with glee.
“But he’s still protecting his queen well,” Harfang Longbottom noted.
“The only queen here is my sister. That pompous peacock doesn’t stand a chance,” Her brother, steadfast as ever in his loyalty, gloated.
“I don’t think…” Harfang hesitated and she smiled when Charlus whispered a light Tickling Jinx, making his best friend twitch and moan in distress.
Both Evanthe and Abraxas found forceful continuations that put their opponent in dire straits.
The best bet was to ignore the bishop and harass the queen, yet Abraxas played calmly, getting closer, but never close enough to her Black queen.
The checkmate has been avoided, and she had a large material advantage of four extra pawns, who puffed their glistening, smooth marble chests, waiting for the right moment to deliver the killing strike.
Nevertheless, one didn’t win by having the most pieces, you won by delivering a checkmate even if you are behind in material almost the entire game.
Abraxas seemed aware that her queen could not be taken, and any other move for the White king would leave it under attack.
“Ke8,” his lips remained flat despite the mirth swirling in his eyes.
The White king moved another square, dispensing of a Black knight.
Charlus stilled and his magic flared with excitement.
She smirked.
Her next words were followed by strangled gasps and even the always-cool Tom Riddle breathed his favorite:’Sweet Salazar.’
Her enchanted Black queen faced the White king and stood proud and commanding. However instead of clobbering him, she curtsied dainty. The White king bowed gracefully.
“You…” Charlus wheezed, sounding puzzled and spellbound.
Everyone froze in mute surprise, gazing and wondering as Abraxas Malfoy stood agilely, mimicked his king, and offered his hand.
“Would you join me for a walk, Miss Potter?” Everything in the wizard her heart chose outshone his compeers near and far.
It seemed many forgot that the Potters, just like the Malfoys, always got the best.
Evanthe broke the tense silence that followed the outrageous demand, stood slowly and took his hand, shivering when their fingers brushed.
Starlight seemed to touch her from within as his magic fell to her soul like dew to pasture.
An incandescent chaos would assuredly follow their display, but wasn't that what The Potters always excelled at?