Chapter 3
Iris cracked open the door to make sure that McGonagall didn't have any students, and instead nearly squealed when she saw McGonagall setting up one of her chess sets.
“She's setting up a chess set!” She whispered to Murphy quietly.
“No way!”
“Yes way!” Iris knocked and then opened the door, letting Murphy roll past her before she walked in herself.
“Miss Rosewood, Mr. McNully, what a pleasant surprise.” She greeted. “Here for a bit of extra credit?” She asked as the two stopped in front of her desk.
“Actually, it's more of an extra curricular endeavor we'd like to discuss with you.” Iris told her.
“How intriguing. What exactly do you have in mind?” She asked them. Murphy pulled the paper he got from Flourish and Blotts out and handed it to McGonagall.
“You may have heard that the Walter Aragon Wizard Chess Competition is coming up, and being held at flourish and Blotts.”
“And we were hoping you might grant us permission to form a team to represent Hogwarts in the tournament.” Iris explained.
“Oh!” McGonagall seemed pleasantly surprised as she looked over the paper that Murphy had handed her. “Hogwarts does have a long legacy of producing excellent chess players. Even the great wizard chess master himself, Walter Aragon, had a quite heady history with this school.”
“He was a headmaster here, wasn't he?” Murphy asked, wanting to get confirmation. Iris looked down at him and he looked like he was beaming, and she couldn't help but smile.
“Yes he was, Mr. McNully. Many years ago.”
“He was? That's brilliant.” Iris then had a thought, “but.. If Hogwarts has such a teriffic record for producing great wizard chess players... Why don't we compete in more chess competitions? Or have a team, or at least a chess club?”
“Because the last time Hogwarts students entered a wizard chess competition, it did not end well.” McGonagall warned the pair.
“What happened?” Murphy asked, “did they lose the tournament?”
“Yes, they suffered a heartbreaking loss to a school with a longstanding rivalry.” She explained, and Murphy nodded, rubbing his chin in thought.
“I'm 93.2% certain that I know which rival school you're referring to. Was it Beauxbatons?” He asked. She nodded sadly.
“Beauxbatons Academy has remained undefeated, and unchallenged by Hogwarts, ever since.” She picked up one of her chess pieces and let out a long sigh. “But far worse then our loss to our rival, was the pressure to compete that ultimately consumed the team. Causing the students to turn on one another.”
“It reminds me of the founders of our Clubs, during the trials of Iron, Oak, and Flame.” Iris mentioned.
“It is indeed. If I were to grant you this request, to enter the competition, my concern is that history will repeat itself.” She told them of her misgivings and Iris felt her heart sink, and the way Murphy's shoulders slumped, he was equally saddened. “What assurance do I have that the same fate won't befall you and your teammates?”
My adoration for Iris, Murphy thought, and almost said outloud. He could not deny the physical attraction he had for her, hell anyone with eyes would be attracted to her in his mind, but over the years he had grown a even deeper respect for her. As a person, a Quidditch player, and someone worthy of any and all happiness in the world.
“I give you my word, Professor. History will not repeat itself under my watch.” Iris said, her voice becoming very even and sharp as she locked eyes with McGonagall. “The whole point of entering this tournament is so I can spend some quality time with Murphy.”
McGonagall interlaced her fingers in front of her face and quirked an eyebrow at the two of them from where she was sat behind her desk, her elbows propped up on the wooden desk.
“It's true. Iris is my friend above all, a true, trusted friend.” He assured McGonagall, hoping that this time with Iris wouldn't be pulled out from under him. Iris placed her hand over onto his shoulder and gave him a gentle squeeze, causing him to look up at her.
“I will make sure this experience brings us closer together, rather than driving us apart.” She swore to him.
“That is a vow easier said, then kept.” McGonagall said, pulling their attention from each other to her. “But I do believe your vow to one another to be sincire. I have the utmost faith I your determination to keep it.” She smiled. McGonagall then clapped her hands together and stood. “Very well. After careful consideration, I have decided to grant you permission to compete.”
“Brilliant!” Murphy pumped his fists in the air, “what an absolutely riveting turn this day has taken! We're going to form a chess team!”
“Thank you, Professor McGonagall. You won't regret this! I swear!” Iris chirped, nearly dancing in place.
“Well, I certainly hope not. Please do not hesitate to ask if there;s any way I may assist you in your preparations.” She opened the door for advice.
“Well, actually now that you mention it... There is one more thing you can help us with.” Iris gave a smile, “since you're the best wizard chess player I've ever gone up against...” She looked down at Murphy and gave him a playful grin.
“Hey now.” He winked back at her.
“I wonder if you might be willing to give is some pointers to improve our game?” Iris asked sincerely.
“Absolutely. Pull up a chair Miss Rosewood, and we can discuss some proper techniques.”
Time seemed to stand still as he, Iris, and McGonagall chatted about his second passion. A few times he noticed Iris's knee bump into his leg, and all he could do was stare and let out a small sigh.
“Thank you for the tips, Professor. Our training for the tournament is already off to a great start!” Iris smiled as they finished up their forth game.
“It's my pleasure, Miss Rosewood. It's clear that the two of you exhibit great potential.” She assured them. “I look forward to watching you and your teammates grow as players, and hope you'll make Hogwarts proud.”
“We will do our best to represent Hogwarts with dignity and honor, and make you proud Professor.” Iris promised their head of house. “But,” she looked over towards Murphy, “before we can do that, we need to recruit some more teammates to round out the rest of the team.”
“You're right, but there's just one problem.” He told her, and she genuinely looked concerned. “Only 0.018% of the school's population is even aware we're forming a team... And they're all here in this room.”
“I have an idea to get the word out. It'll require the assistance of my most artistic friend though.” She winked, “I was thinking about seeing if Badeea would paint a poster that we could hang up.”
“Oh I like that idea!” He smiled.
“Care to come with me? Usually she's in the courtyard painting by this hour.” Iris told him. He was almost about to tell her yes, when McGonagall cleared her throat.
“I might remind Mr. McNully that it is the first Thursday of the month.” Murphy felt his heart sink. He had a afternoon full of doctors that would be poking and prodding him.
“What's the first Thursday of the month?” Iris asked innocently looking at Murphy.
“It's my doctor visit, physical therapy, and psychiatrist day.” He told her. “I'll be gone til dinner.”
“Oh, that's to bad. Those are super important for you to do, I can handle talking to Badeea.” Iris assured him as they went to leave the classroom. “I... Murphy...” She fumbled when they were out in the hallway.
“Yeah? You alright?” He asked her, wondering what had caused her concern.
“You're not... Sick are you? I know Muggles get cancer and-”
“Woah now.” He held up his hands and waved them, assuring her that was not the case. “No, I'm not sick. I'm not going anywhere so don't think you can get rid of me that easy.” He joked, but Iris didn't look to be in the joking mood and so he let out a long sigh. “You want the truth? It's not pretty.”
“Yes. I can handle it.”
“The doctor likes to have frequent appointments to make sure I don't have any bladder or urinary infections, or pressure injuries, and to make sure my blood pressure is ok because sometimes my body has a hard time regulating it because I'm paralyzed. The physical therapy speaks for itself, and the shrink is to make sure I'm all squared away in the head and I'm not at risk of depression or suicide that can follow this kind of injury.”
“But, weren't you paralyzed in the war? When you were like six or seven?”
“I was,” he nodded. “But those things don't go away.” He shrugged. It sucked, horribly, but he had learned to accept it and live with it. Sitting before Iris, and seeing the concern on her face made him infinitely aware of all the details of his physical health she hadn't thought about. He was about to make a joke when Iris suddenly said-
“you must be the most truly valiant person I have ever met.” He nearly choke on the air in his lungs. Me?! Me the most valiant person you've ever met? He thought to himself as he stood before the world's most couragouse woman in the world. The curse breaker, the problem solver, the tryst ender. For the second time, he had found himself speechless at something Iris had done, and actually found himself oddly emotional about the statement. “I don't want to make you late, I'll see you later.” She told him, and then bent over and gave him a kiss on the cheek. He nearly wept. “I'm really proud of you.” She told him with the warmest smile he had ever seen. He believed her, and that caused a heat to bloom in his chest like nothing ever had before.
“Thank you, Iris.” Was all he was able to say as she waved and turned to head towards the courtyard.