Chapter 5
Murphy knocked on McGonagall's classroom door and sighed in releif when he saw her still at her desk.
“Mr. McNully, I'm surprised you aren't at dinner.”
“I actually have a problem that I'm hoping you can help solve.” He had only got the sentence out when the door opened and the girls walked in.
“Hello Professor. Thanks for meeting us on such short notice.” Iris greeted as she, Badeea, and Tulip walked in. McGonagall raised her eyebrow and nodded.
“It's my pleasure, Miss Rosewood. How are preparations for your tournament coming along?”
“We're making progress, as you can see we have recruited enough teammates to enter the competition.” She gestured to Badeea and Tulip.
“Yes, it appears you two have been busy since we last met. You've assembled a fine team.” McGonagall smiled.
“We almost have enough chess sets for each of us to use, but that brings us to te reason we're here.” Iris explained as she looked to Murphy, who puled out the chess set and placed it on the desk in front of McGonagall.
“It's lovely.” She commented.
“Except it's missing the Queen. We were told it once belonged to a master.” Murphy explained to his professor.
“We were hoping you may recognize it, and be able to help us find the Queen.” Iris almost begged as McGonagall picked up a piece and studied it closely.
“I can recall every wizard chess set I've ever played against, each one is unique in it's own right. I've played against many great masters over the years.”
“Well then if anyone can identify them, it's you!” Murphy said excitedly, feeling hope raise in his chest.
“This is the set you two found for me?” Badeea asked as she picked up one of the pieces gently, turning it over in her hands as she admired the rose golden set. “These pieces were carved by a true artist. The attention to detail is stunning!” She fawned over the set and smiled to Iris and Murphy. “Thank you both so much.”
“Don't thank us yet, it's useless if there's no Queen.” Murphy told her.
“I believe I may know who these used to belong to.” McGonagall announced.
“Oh that's wonderful!” Iris nearly jumped in place from excitement, and Murphy couldn't help but smile fondly at her, not caring if anyone else noticed.
“But if I'm correct about the previous owner's identity, and I'm quite sure I am... I would be very curious to learn how this rather unique set of pieces came into your possession.” She stated while giving both Iris and Murphy a stern look. Murphy looked to Iris and felt the color drain out of his face as if he could see himself thrown in detention-
“We bought them from Jae.” Iris said simply. “We knew we didn't have time to go to Diagon Alley, and figured he may have a set.”
“Hm... Pitts came by my classroom earlier. He was on high alert in search of the ever elusive Mr. Kim.”
“That was the last time we saw him.”
“I cannot say I condone your methods, but I do appreciate your honesty, Miss Rosewood.” She tutted and Iris nodded, bearing the weight of McGonagall's disapproval. Murphy almost interjected and told McGonagall that it was his idea and that Iris had nothing to do with it, but Professor continued. “This particular set of pieces once belonged to Brian Gagwilde, a former headmaster of Hogwarts.”
“A former headmaster? Just like Walter Aragon!” Murphy erupted, feeling excited at the thought.
“Yes, Mr. McNully. The two were actually contemporaries, and fervent wizard chess competitors as well.” McGonagall explained.
“If only Brian Gagwilde was here now, we could ask him what he did with the lost Queen.” Iris shrugged, looking down at the incomplete set.
“Perhaps there is a way we could ask him, Iris.” Tulip looked over at the blonde.
“Oh? How is that? He's been gone for decades.”
“He may be gone, but his portrait is still in the Grand Staircase.”
“That's amazing, Tulip! How did you figure that out?”
“While he was also a headmaster and chess master, he was also a master prankster.” Tulip smiled. “He even wrote my favorite book on the subject, 'Jiggery Pokey and Hocus Pocus', he's a bit of a hero to me.”
“Great, let's go!”
“I would like to accompany you ladies, but unfortunately the stairs are not exactly my friend.” Murphy told them, and he was surprised when all three girls looked rather upset.
“No problem, Murphy, why don't we take this chance to go over some strategies with Professor McGonagall?” Badeea asked with a kind smile, “if you don't mind Professor, I could use all the help I can.”
“No trouble at all Miss Ali.”
“Well Tulip and I will head to the portrait and see what we can find out!” Iris waved as she and the redhead left the room quickly. Murphy found Badeea to be a very kind young woman who was eager to learn about chess and strategy, he understood why Iris enjoyed Badeea's company. Less then twenty minutes later, and arely halfway through a game, Iris and Tulip returned with bright smiled on their faces.
“Professor, can Murphy and I have permission to head to Hogsmead early tomorrow morning?” Iris asked. “Because we know where to find the missing Queen!”
Everything was starting to fit together and Murphy breathed a sigh of relief.
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Early the next morning, with now just five days before the tournament, Murphy and Iris arrived at the Hog's Head Inn. As soon as they were in, Murphy felt his lips curls downwards, there was a odd arrange of smells and the entire place just felt dirty. He and Iris stuck out like sore thumbs in the place, but to his shock, Iris seemed perfectly at ease.
“Aberforth is nowhere to be seen.” Murphy mentioned as a dark wizard looked their way.
“I'm sure Aberforth will be along soon, he's probably just helping a patron.” Iris said off handedly as she rested against the bar. The place put him on edge, and seeing another dark wizard look their way and give Iris the most grotesque smile almost made him beg her to leave and forget the Queen.
“We're the ones who should be busy now, training to beat Celine Castillion and her team.” He muttered under his breath. “If we hope to hold our own we have a lot of work to do. But instead we're tracking down a lost chess piece in the middle of Hogsmead. The tournament is closer than ever and I'm starting to worry.”
“We have to be patient, Murphy. Everything works out in time. Yes we're here, but Tulip and Badeea are getting some lessons from McGonagall, and once we get the Queen we can practice as a team. It will be fine.” Murphy rubbed his head.
“Yes, I suppose you're right. I just have a long way to go before I have the patience of a saint like you do.”
“I do not have the patience of a saint, but thank you anyway. Isn't there some Quidditch player you can take a lesson from?”
“Oh good idea! I can channel my inner Glynnis Griffiths, the seeker who once waited seven days to catch a snitch!”
“Seven days?” The deepest voice Murphy had ever heard said from behind him, “I certainly wouldn't keep you waiting that long. What brings you two to the Hog's Head?”
“We had a chat with Brian Gagwilde's portrait, who told us you might have something we're looking for.” Iris told Aberforth honestly.
“Iris... A lot of people come in here looking for a lot of things, you'll need to be more specific.” He crossed his arms over his wide chest and belly.
“A chess piece, a Queen to be exact. We need it so our teammate will have a complete chess set for a tournament we're in on Friday and Saturday.”
“Brian Gagwildes said he surrendered it to you a long time ago, after a crushing defeat.” Murphy added hoping to jog his memory.
“Ah, yes. I used the Dragon Variation of the Slytherin Defence. A complex strategy but devastating when used correctly.” Aberforth nodded. Murphy felt himself have a inner moment of fandom.
“That's quite an understatement, I've read about that legendary strategy in many of my chess theory books.” Murphy told him, shocked he used it correctly. “But I've never actually seen the Dragon Variation of Slytherin Defence used successfully in practice before.”
“I was wrong to use it against my friend, that defeat crushed Brian's very will to play chess.” Aberforth warned Murphy.
“It sounds like that match has weighed heavily on both of you, Aberforth.” Iris mentioned, noticing the difference in Aberforth's tone.
“Not a day goes by that I don't think about it, try as I might to forget.”
“Well this may bring you some piece, we want to bring Brian's chess set out of retirement and back into play. Our friend thinks it's a work of art. But we need the Queen he gave you.”
“Nothing would make me happier than for you to take that pice off my hands, Iris.” Aberforth told her, heading behind the bar. He dug around for a moment and then pulled out the rose golden ornate Queen. “As promised, the piece is now yours.” He handed the Queen out to Iris who gently took the delicately detailed piece.
“This is brilliant, now that we have it we can bring this set out of retirement and use it in the tournament.” Iris told him as she turned and dug around in the bag attached to the back of Murphy's chair, securing the Queen.
“A word of caution, however, that when it comes to wizard chess not all sets are created equal.” Aberforth warned.
“We are aware that each set has its own personality, and a player's bond with their pieces is key.” Iris nodded, zipping up Murphy's bag.
“Well... If I remember correctly, Gagwilde's army will not be an easy one to command.” Aberforth told the two of them, and Murphy suddenly felt trepidation. “But if you manage to achieve mastery over these pieces, then your friend will be able to handle any challenges that come your way during the tournament.”
“Thank you so much Aberforth, we'll keep that in mind as we deliver this to our friend Badeea.” Iris told him, “I hope you have a good day!” Iris waved as she and Murphy headed out. As they headed back towards Hogwarts, Iris held up her wand,
“Expecto Patronum!” Murphy watched in awe as a beautiful silver and white harpy eagle burst forth, flapping it's grand wings in the air. “Go find Badeea and Tulip, and gather in the great hall.” Iris ordered as the eagle gracefully turned in the air, and Murphy could not help but reach out and touch it's wings as it headed off on it's quest.
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“I have great news! Murphy and I have the Queen to your set Badeea!” Iris said, presenting the piece to Badeea who smiled and took the Queen with grace.
“Oh Iris, Murphy, thank you both. This means a lot that you would go through so much just to get this for me.” She said, hugging Iris tightly.
“Well, lets set up a board, and see just how well that new set does for you.” Iris told her. The four of them each pulled out their sets respectively. Badeea, her new rose gold set. Tulip a polished pewter. Murphy a shining silver. And Iris, a golden set.
“Iris, it's just beautiful!” Badeea spoke, seeing her set all together for the first time. “Where did you find the Queen?”
“We got it from Aberforth Dumbledore at the Hog's Head Inn.” Iris told her simply. “Now,” she clapped her hands together and smiled, we have a ton of catching up to do.”
“Yes! Let's get some good practice in ladies!” Murphy smiled. “I trust that while Iris and I were gone, you two read my assigned literature on chess theory?” Tulip laughed boisterously.
“Hard pass, Murphy. The only thing those boring books could ever help me with is a good night's sleep.”
“I tried to read them, Murphy, really I did... But I found them to be a bit confusing.” Badeea told him honestly, her joyous attitude fading fast.
“The tournament is coming up soon, very soon! We're running out of time to get this team up to speed,” Murphy told them, exasperated, and a little peeved.
“Then we better get to it!” Iris announced loudly, “there's nothing better than good old fashioned playing to help us practice.” Iris held her hand out to Badeea, “I'll give you the first move.” With grace Iris was able to quell the looming argument and get them back on track.
Then everything imploded.
The chess pieces refused to cooperate and follow Badeea's commands, and Murphy felt his blood pressure raising with how Tulip played chess. He had to loosen his tie and undo the top button from the heat he was feeling.
“Something wrong...” Iris drawled sounding hurt and confused. “The pieces are refusing to answer the commands.”
“It's the Queen, the pawns are mad she's abandoned them for all these years.” Badeea explained, trying to sooth her rose gold pawns.
“Well yeah, I would be mad too if I were those pawns and the Queen was acting all high and mighty.” Tulip told them, “it's hard not to hear them bickering.”
“We need to figure out how t get them to work together and quickly.” Iris said, studying Badeea's set. That was when Murphy finally snapped.
“I agree, Iris. But Gagwilde's pieces aren't the only ones who aren't working well together.” He knew he glared at Tulip, because of the look she gave him. “Tulip is showing blatant disregard for standard chess theory, and Badeea is still making rookie mistakes!”
“Look, I joined this team to play chess, nit get bossed around and told to read some dumb theory books!” Tulips clapped back at him sharply. Iris and Badeea just looked on, horror written on their faces.
“Dumb theory books?!” Murphy almost yelled, and Iris noticed a vein throbbing in his head. “They were written by the greatest minds in the Wizarding world!” He slammed his hands on the table and Iris and Badeea both jumped at the thump.
“All I know is that this team isn't at all what I signed up for, so... I quit!” Tulip jumped up and looked at Iris, “I'm sorry Iris.” She said pointedly.
“Tulip, wait! Please, don't leave, we can talk this over-” Iris stood and tried in vain to keep Tulip from leaving, and sort things out but Tulip marched away quickly. “Tulip!” Iris tried once more. Instead Tulip disappeared and left Iris rubbing her temples.
“Iris?” Badeea pulled Iris from her thoughts and drew attention to her. “I hate to say it... But I think Murphy is right. I amstill making basic mistakes, and I'm dragging the team down.” Murphy suddenly felt extremely guilty when he realized he had crushed Badeea's spirit, and noticed her eyes looking a bit glassy. Badeea was in that same group of people that Iris was in, and that was if you hurt their feeling's you felt like you just kicked a puppy. “I'm not cut out to be a chess player, after all. I'm sorry, Iris, but I'm out too.” Badeea gave one last pitiful look at her beautiful chess set, and let out a long breath, leaving them with Iris and Murphy.
The two blonde's sat abandoned at the table.
“Well...” Iris started. “That escalated quickly.” Murphy plopped his head in his hands.
“This is all my fault, Iris. I just couldn't keep my big mouth shut.. Now, just as Professor predicted, our team is in shambles.”
“It's.... Good to speak your mind,” she began as she started to pack up the pieces to her chess set and Badeea's, “with that said... I would have been more tactful rather then so blunt with Tulip and Badeea.”
“It doesn't change the fact our team has gone to pot.” He tipped his King over, and listened to the little thing start yelling at him wildly. “I am truly sorry for making them feel rotten, and I wish there was a way to let them know that.”
“There's still time for us to make things right.” Iris told him, reaching hand out to rest on his shoulder. “We may loose a day of practice, but I think it will be fine. I'll try and patch things up with them, ok?”
“You're a saint, Iris.” He told her, unable to meet her gaze from his guilt. Iris was always the fixer, and he hoped that the chess tournament may be a good distraction for her... Yet here she was trying once again to mend another's problems. He reached his hand up and patted Iris's hand, which was still on his shoulder.
“I'll find you later ok? Can I leave you to take care of the chess sets?”
“I can manage that.” He nodded as she stood up, and slid her hand off his shoulder. He watched her as she left the Great Hall and all but banged his head on the table.