The second room was pitch-black. They couldn't see a thing. But as soon as they stepped in, the lights suddenly flared to life, revealing a startling sight.
They were standing at the edge of a massive chessboard. In front of them stood giant black chess pieces, each taller than any of them, seemingly carved from black stone. On the far side of the room were the white pieces, facing them.
"What now?" Harry asked in a whisper.
"Isn't it obvious?" Ron replied. "We have to play our way across the room."
Behind the white pieces stood a door.
Anne studied the chessboard from the edge and nodded. "Looks like each of us will have to take the place of a chess piece to get across."
Ron walked over to a black knight and touched its horse. Immediately, the stone came to life. The horse pawed at the ground, and the knight turned its helmeted head to look at Ron.
"Do we need to join you to cross?" Ron asked.
The knight nodded. Ron turned to the others. "Okay, no offense, but neither of you are great at chess... and Anne..."
"You play," Anne said quickly. "I don't know how to play wizard chess. Go is more my thing."
Harry and Hermione agreed. Ron took the knight's place. After surveying the board, he said, "Harry, you take the bishop's spot. Hermione, you're the rook beside him."
Anne stepped beside the black king. "I'll be the king. Seems like the safest spot."
The stone pieces responded to their conversation. The knight, king, bishop, and rook turned and stepped off the board, making room for Ron, Anne, Harry, and Hermione.
"White goes first," Ron said as a white pawn moved forward two squares.
Ron commanded the black side. The others followed his directions silently. Anne barely had to move at all.
When their first piece was taken, fear truly set in. The white queen viciously knocked over a black knight and dragged it off the board.
Twice, Ron saved Harry and Hermione from being captured, and he charged bravely, taking down almost as many white pieces as they lost.
After more than ten minutes of play, the board had far fewer pieces. Ron studied the board, then said gravely, "There's only one way to win. I have to be taken."
"No!" Harry and Hermione shouted.
"This is chess!" Ron snapped. "There are always sacrifices! I move forward, the white queen will take me, and then you can checkmate the king, Harry!"
"But..."
Anne's voice was cold and firm. "He's right, Harry. You didn't think this was just a game, did you? You made your choice. Now deal with the consequences."
Harry hesitated, then nodded.
"Okay. I'm going," Ron said, pale but determined. He stepped forward.
The white queen lunged. She raised her stone arm and struck Ron hard on the head. He collapsed.
Hermione screamed but stayed on her square. The queen dragged Ron off. He appeared unconscious.
Harry moved three squares to the left. The white king removed his crown and dropped it at Harry's feet.
They had won.
The white pieces bowed and stepped back, clearing a path to the door.
Harry and Hermione ran to Ron. Anne followed and checked his pulse. "He's alive, just unconscious. Don't worry."
Both sighed in relief. If Ron had died, they would never have forgiven themselves.
Anne looked toward the next door. "We've passed Professor Sprout's trap, the Devil's Snare. The enchanted keys must have been Professor Flitwick's. Professor McGonagall clearly enchanted the chess pieces. That leaves Quirrell's Dark Arts and Snape's Potions..."
Hermione looked at Ron. "We can't all go. Someone needs to stay with him."
Harry nodded. He turned to Anne. "Anne, can you stay with Ron? If he wakes up, take him and get Dumbledore. Hermione and I will continue."
Anne glanced between Hermione and Ron, then nodded. "Alright. But Harry, be prepared. You're probably going to face Professor Quirrell."
Harry nodded and took off with Hermione.
Anne didn't bother with Ron. Instead, she walked back to the surviving chess pieces, curiously examining them.
"Incredible," she muttered. "So this is what advanced Transfiguration can do."
She began touching the pieces, wondering if they hid more secrets.
Five minutes later, Ron stirred and groaned. He touched his head and sat up.
When he saw it was just him and Anne, panic set in. "Where are Harry and Hermione?!"
Anne turned. "You're awake. They moved on. We need to get up top and alert Dumbledore."
Ron scrambled up. "Right, let's go!"
Just then, footsteps echoed from the next room. Ron stiffened and drew his wand. Anne calmly held out a hand. "Relax. I bet it's Hermione."
Indeed, Hermione rushed out, breathless. "Ron! You're awake! Let's go alert Dumbledore!"
They grabbed brooms and flew back up. It took time to open the trapdoor. When they reached Fluffy, Hermione used the flute Hagrid gave Harry to lull the dog back to sleep.
They rushed downstairs, only to bump into Dumbledore coming up. He asked simply, "Harry went to confront him, didn't he?" Then he hurried past.
Once he was gone, Anne stretched and said, "Well, that's that. With Dumbledore there, Harry will be fine. Let's go back to bed."
She checked her watch and strolled downstairs.
Back at the dorm, Fanny was already in bed. Her eyes lit up when she saw Anne. She jumped up and whispered, "Did it work? What happened?"
Anne shot her a look. "Yes, Miss Fanny, it went just fine. Thanks to you. Now may I please wash up first?"
Fanny trailed behind, pouting. "Anne, are you mad at me?"
In the washroom, Anne ignored her as she brushed her teeth. When she finished, Fanny eagerly handed her a towel.
Anne took it without comment, eyes closed as she washed. When she opened them, Fanny stood there with her pajamas.
Anne couldn't help but chuckle at herself for being mad at an eleven-year-old. Fanny's eagerness softened her mood. Anne accepted the clothes with a smile.
"Alright, I'm not mad. Just don't blackmail me like that again. I see you as a friend. You should be helping me, not threatening me. Understand?"
Fanny nodded quickly, then reached out and ruffled Anne's hair. "You act like such a little grown-up. But you're cute! Your hair is so soft!"
Anne's eyes narrowed. "Fanny Charles. Out."
For the next three days, no matter what Fanny said, Anne ignored her. She had seen something dangerous in Fanny's eyes. She just knew Fanny would seize every chance to ruffle her hair. She wasn't going to let another person join Jill and Aaron in violating her personal space!
Three days later, the end-of-year feast began. The Great Hall was decorated in green and silver to celebrate Slytherin's seventh straight House Cup win. A massive banner bearing the Slytherin serpent hung behind the staff table.
Anne sat at the Slytherin table with Fanny, who had recently promised not to touch her hair again. They whispered about the recent adventure.
The hall buzzed until everything fell quiet. Anne looked up. Harry had arrived, drawing everyone's attention. But the silence didn't last.
Moments later, Dumbledore entered. The noise faded once more.
"Another year has come and gone!" he said cheerfully. "Before we dig into this delicious feast, let me share some wise old man ramblings. It's been a marvelous year. Your minds are surely richer than before. A whole summer awaits to digest all this learning. But first, the House Cup! The current standings are:
Fourth: Hufflepuff, 352 points Third: Gryffindor, 422 points Second: Ravenclaw, 426 points First: Slytherin, 472 points."
The Slytherin table erupted in cheers and stomping.
"Well done, well done," Dumbledore said. "But recent events must be considered."
Silence fell. The Slytherins looked uneasy.
"Ahem... a few last-minute points. First, Mr. Ronald Weasley..."
Ron flushed bright red.
"...for playing the finest game of wizard chess Hogwarts has seen in years, I award Gryffindor 20 points."
Cheers nearly tore the ceiling down. Even the enchanted stars above trembled.
"Second, Miss Hermione Granger... for cool logic in the face of fire, another 20 points to Gryffindor."
Hermione buried her face in her arms. Anne suspected she was crying.
Gryffindor rose 40 points in minutes.
"Third, Harry Potter... for bravery and courage, 30 points to Gryffindor."
More cheering. Now Gryffindor had passed Slytherin by 10 points.
Then Dumbledore smiled. "And lastly, Anne Reeve. For her remarkable knowledge of Herbology that helped her friends escape the Devil's Snare, I award Slytherin 20 points!"
The Slytherin table exploded in celebration. They nearly lost their eight-year streak!
At the Gryffindor table, Hermione, Ron, and Harry clapped hard for Anne. She had helped them plenty.
Fanny hugged her tight while people from every table cheered. Anne looked exasperated. Dumbledore had effectively defined her as part of the trio now. Everyone would assume they were friends.
"This means," Dumbledore had to shout over the noise, "Slytherin wins again! Eight years running!"
Anne barely touched her food. People kept patting her back and congratulating her. Even Malfoy didn't glare at her. The Bloody Baron nodded. "Well done."
Two days later, grades were posted. Hermione was top of the year. A Ravenclaw came second. Anne was third. Fanny placed fifth.
With grades announced, trunks were packed, and letters reminded students not to use magic over summer break.
Hagrid led them to the boats crossing the lake. Anne boarded the Hogwarts Express in a shirt and jeans. Across from her sat Harry and Ron. Hermione was beside her. Fanny would travel home through the Floo network.
Just like during Christmas, Hermione spotted Anne immediately after exiting the school. They stuck together the whole way, despite Anne's protests.
"Dumbledore said it himself," Ron teased, imitating the headmaster's voice. "Anne Reeve, who used her Herbology skills to help her friends!"
They chatted the entire ride. Even with Anne's blank expression, they carried on enthusiastically.
As they disembarked, Hermione waved. "Have a great summer, Anne! I'll write to you!"
Anne deeply regretted giving her address. But what was done was done. And truthfully, she was curious to experience her first magical summer.
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A/N: Volume Two - Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
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If you're enjoying the journey so far and want to read ahead, you can check out 25+ advance chapters on Patreon: Patreon/Crimson_Lore
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