Chess

Epilogue

It was past one o'clock by the time they arrived back at Hogsmeade and fell out of the Floo point. The guard shook his head at the two laughing figures and waved them out of the door. Padma's dress was shining in the moonlight and Ron was entranced by the way it shimmered. A sudden shiver from her reminded him that the dress was sleeveless and he removed his jacket to place around her shoulders.

Walking down the centre of the streets of Hogsmeade the two laughed at memories of their schooldays here, the sweets from Honeydukes and the jokes from Zonkos. They were intoxicated by the night air as well as a fair quantity of the unspelled champagne so that everything seemed alive and beautiful.

"Parvati and I used to buy muggle records and have them sent to us in the post." Padma's face beamed as she remembered. "We would play them on charmed machines and dance sometimes. She was always a much better dancer than I was, I just spun and swayed."

With that Padma lifted her arms to the sky and started singing:

"Why do you build me up (build me up) Buttercup baby Just to let me down (let me down) and mess me around"

Watching her dance Ron felt his head spin, she was so beautiful, so happy, so carefree. He had never seen anything so enchanting in his life and despite everything he had said and done she was still here by his side. As she came to the end of the song she stumbled and he caught her arm. Looking down at her smiling face he felt his heart might burst.

"I don't know how you do it. I don't know how I would have carried on without you."

Padma laughed lightly and squeezed his hand. "What did I do? I only ever played chess with you."

Her smile faded and her face took on a more serious expression as she tried to find the words she needed. "I don't know about deserving the very best but if I was asked I would say that the man who fits that description best is you and I know I don't deserve you." She looked sideways at him and shook her head with a smile, "I've never known what to say to you in the face of your courage, your strength."

"You always said the right thing whether you knew it or not. You've always been there even when I was obnoxious and it was hard for you too" He turned to face her and stared into her dark eyes. "Without you I would have given up a thousand times already. You, Padma Patil, are an amazing witch."

He leaned forwards so that his lips touched hers and she melted into his arms as if that had always been her place.

"Well you, Ronald Bilius Weasley, are an amazing wizard so that makes us even."

"Bah, an amazing wizard maybe but an amazing chess player certainly. If I just move my castle to F5..."

She laughed and hit him gently. "I won last time remember!"

This seemed to be hysterical to him and for a moment they stood in the centre of Hogsmeade High Street laughing at nothing and trying to catch their breath.

"You're completely ridiculous Ronald Weasley but I love you..."

It was out before she even knew what she was saying and for a moment she thought he was going to run away or argue but then stroked her hair and pulled her tightly into his arms and kissed her soundly.

Checkmate.