Wizard's chess.
A popular and fascinating game among wizards, though in truth, it's not much different from the chess played in the Muggle world—except for one thing: the pieces are alive. Enchanted with magic, they follow the player's commands on their own, giving the sensation of commanding an actual army.
Interestingly, perhaps because of that life, the pieces also have thoughts and personalities. If they don't trust you, they might even disobey or deliberately mess things up.
But it's precisely this trait that makes the game so much more compelling. Winning under such conditions requires real skill—and for many pure-blood families, wizard's chess is almost a required course.
It teaches you how to read people, control them, and eventually, win.
Right now, as Hermione entered the girls' bathroom, she saw Draco Malfoy in the middle of a match with Moaning Myrtle.
He was fully immersed, showcasing his strategic flair on that tiny battlefield...
...
The girls' bathroom.
Ever since the day they started brewing Polyjuice Potion here, it had become Draco and Hermione's secret meeting spot. It was both a strategic location—possibly linked to the entrance of the Chamber of Secrets—and a way to avoid unwanted attention.
Somehow, at some point, Draco and Myrtle had become chess partners.
In truth, it was mostly because Myrtle wasn't a weak opponent. In fact, she was slightly better than Draco. That alone had made him invest more time into the game lately, which was why scenes like this were becoming more common.
Noticing this, Hermione couldn't help but think Draco seemed unexpectedly down-to-earth—especially the time Myrtle beat him. The look of shock on his face had been so priceless, Hermione had the sudden urge to ask Seamus Finnigan to snap a photo of it.
Moments like that from Draco were incredibly rare.
In any case...
Just as Draco and Myrtle were deep in concentration, the door to the usually deserted girls' bathroom creaked open.
Hermione burst in, her face tight with worry, but the moment she spotted Draco, she relaxed visibly—if only for a second. Her expression quickly turned serious again as she walked up behind him.
And the moment she stood behind Draco, she felt a sharp, hostile stare directed her way.
It came from the chessboard.
Specifically, from the queen piece.
For some unknown reason, Draco's queen always seemed to harbor intense hostility toward Hermione. The moment she got too close to him, it would glare at her menacingly.
Hermione shot a glare right back at the piece before leaning in and whispering to Draco.
"You really have the time to play games right now?"
"What's the matter?"
"Lockhart showed up yesterday to find Harry. Apparently, Dumbledore sent him—but Harry wouldn't say why."
"Oh?"
Draco's fingers, which had been tapping lightly on his arm, suddenly stilled as he studied the complex board in front of him.
"So, things are accelerating, huh?"
"You're still suspicious of Harry?"
Hermione's expression tightened with frustration. The constant mistrust between the two sides was wearing on her, and being caught between them made things even harder.
Even though her being here showed where her loyalties leaned—who she trusted more—she still didn't believe Harry was the one behind the attacks.
Without saying anything more, Draco picked up a piece that had been knocked unconscious and dragged it off the board...
"Hermione."
"Hm?"
"You have to step off the chessboard if you want to see the full picture."
"What?"
Draco chuckled at her confused expression, suddenly playing the role of a cryptic riddler.
That laugh—it sounded like he was calling her an idiot. Annoyed and embarrassed, Hermione kicked his calf.
The queen piece on the chessboard immediately reacted, angrily waving her weapon like she was ready to take Hermione down with her.
"From what you just said, I'm even more certain about Lockhart's motives."
"Motives?"
"He's probably some kind of double agent... or just a meddler acting for his own amusement."
"..."
"But it doesn't really matter. This'll all be over soon."
"..."
Hermione grew more and more bewildered, unsure of what to say. She simply stared at Draco as he cornered the white pieces, forcing them into check.
"Checkmate."
As Myrtle wailed and floated back toward the toilet, Draco rose from the floor, brushing off the queen piece's protests. He declared the match finished without a second thought.
"Perfect timing. It's about time I head out."
"Head out? Where are you going?"
"I told you, didn't I? It's time to end this—before the Chosen One makes his move."
"You're not seriously thinking of—"
Boom!
With a blast from Draco's wand, the previously repaired wall burst open again, revealing the shadowy entrance to the underground passage.
Hermione instantly understood what he meant. And what he was about to do.
"Wait! If that's where you're going, then I'm coming with you—"
"No."
"Why not?! I've been working really hard too! I can help!"
As Draco pulled out his broom, Hermione quickly grabbed his arm, not letting him vanish right in front of her.
"I need you to find Snape and tell him what's going on here. And… take your time getting there."
"..."
Before she could protest, Draco chopped her gently on the head with the side of his hand, then picked up the leather case at his feet with one hand and gripped his wand in the other. In a blink, he flew into the darkness of the underground passage.
Hermione, fuming and ready to chase after him, froze when his voice echoed back to her.
"Hermione, if you don't want to be someone else's pawn, then..."
"..."
"Become stronger."
His words stopped her in her tracks. Her gaze flickered toward the open passage.
Then she clenched her teeth and stomped her foot in frustration.
"This time, I'm not forgiving you!"
"And when I'm stronger than you, I'm going to blast a spell right into your smug face!"
"Do you hear me, you absolute jerk?!"
I swear, I'll get my revenge, Draco Malfoy...