The Stone

Chapter Thirty-Three

The chessmen seemed to be listening, because at these words a knight, a bishop and a castle turned their backs on the white pieces and walked off the board leaving three empty squares which Harry, Ron, and Hermione took. Bella stood off to one side and watched nervously.

"I don't like this..." she muttered.

Hermione looked at her. "Me either..."

"White always plays first in chess," Ron said, peering across the board. "Yes...look..."

A white pawn had moved forward two squares.

Ron started to direct the black pieces. They moved silently wherever he sent them. Bella's knees were trembling as she watched. What if they lost?

"Harry - move diagonally four squares to the right"

Their first real shock came when their other knight was taken. The white queen smashed him to the floor and dragged him off the board, where he lay quite still, face down.

Bella gaped at the scene. "What the hell! How is this safe?"

"Had to let that happen," said Ron, looking shaken. "Leaves you free to take that bishop, Hermione, go on"

"Be careful" Bella warned them all, still staring at the white queen. 

Every time one of their men was lost, the white pieces showed no mercy. Soon there was a huddle of limp black players slumped along the wall. Twice, Ron only just noticed in time that Harry and Hermione were in danger. He himself darted around the board taking almost as many white pieces as they had lost black ones. 

"We're nearly there," he muttered suddenly. "Let me think - let me think..."

"Have you actually got a brain to think with?" Bella joked and Ron glared at her. "Sorry - just trying to lighten the situation..."

The white queen suddenly turned her blank face towards Ron.

"Yes..." Ron said softly, "it's the only way...I've got to be taken"

"NO!" The three of them shouted. 

Bella shook her head. "No way!"

"That's chess!" snapped Ron. "You've got to make some sacrifices! I take on step forward and she'll take me - that leaves you free to checkmate the king, Harry!"

"But-"

"Do you want to stop Snape or not?"

"Ron-"

"Look, if you don't hurry up, he'll already have the Stone!"

There was nothing else for it. Bella sighed as her eyes watered. 

"I don't like this..." she mumbled to herself

"Ready?" Ron called, his face pale but determined. "Here I go - now, don't hang around once you've won"

He stepped forward and the white queen pounced. She struck Ron hard around the head with her stone arm and he crashed to the floor - Bella and Hermione screamed but stayed where they were - the white queen dragged Ron to one side. He looked as if he'd been knocked out.

Shaking, Harry moved three spaces to the left.

The white king took off his crown and threw it at Harry's feet. They had won. The chessmen parted and bowed, leaving the door ahead clear. With one last desperate look back at Ron, Bella and Harry headed for the door but Hermione stayed where she was.

"Are you coming?" Bella asked her

Hermione shook her head. "No, you guys go, I'll stay with Ron, make sure he's alright"