Endgame

Just to keep you updated as to who's who here's a short run down:

The Arbiter: Ron
Frederick: Sirius
Anatoly: Severus
Silvius: Remus
Molokov: Draco
Walter: Harry

Chapter Eight: Scene Three - The Arbiter Speaks

The scene - a few days later, another suite in The Palace Hotel. The opening match is about to begin and The ARBITER has summoned the two opposing delegations to his room immediately prior to the first game. The soviet delegation consists of about a dozen people led by MOLOKOV. The American delegation consists of FREDERICK, SILVIUS (who is not yet present), WALTER and two other minor seconds.

ARBITER: As you all know by now I am the Arbiter of this match. Our format is simple, the first player to attain six game victories over his opponent will be declared champion. These are my assistants and other officials who will see that the rules of the match are followed and order prevails. Would the players and seconds please approach?

FREDERICK: My second isn't here yet. I call for a hold on proceedings until -

(SILVIUS then enters and quickly sits down next to FREDERICK)

SILVIUS: I apologize for being late. (pauses to look at the Russian delegation now) Good morning...Mr. Molokov is it? You speak English, I understand.

MOLOKOV: Good morning, Mister Vassy. My pleasure.

ANATOLY (smiles at Silvius and extends out his hand): I believe I speak your language as well, Mister Vassy.

SILVIUS (smiles at Anatoly and takes the offered hand): Congratulations, Mr. Sergievsky. Even reaching this level of play is no mean feat.

ANATOLY (still holding onto Silvius's hand): May I take this opportunity to offer your man a rematch?

SILVIUS (pulls back his hand and looks at Anatoly warily): Isn't that a little premature when you haven't even sat across a table yet?

ANATOLY: There's a Russian saying, 'Patience is a virtue, but why waste time?'

WALTER: Excuse me, I'm Walter DeCourcey, Freddie's personal manager, business matters. Unnecessary evil, I'm afraid, what with all the media attention....

MOLOKOV: We know you by reputation, Mr. DeCourcey.

SILVIUS (looking amused): I'm sure you know a little about all of us, Mr. Molokov.

MOLOKOV: That's true, Mister Vassy, especially Hungarian citizens who've made a success in the West.

SILVIUS: Circumstances have left me a citizen of the world.

ARBITER: Enough talking. I'm now available to consider pre-match applications....

SILVIUS: We'd like to make a -

ARBITER (continuing as if Silvius hasn't spoken): ...and am hopeful that the new spirit of conciliation between two great nations will extend itself to a simple game. Mr. Vassy you have something to say?

SILVIUS: The American delegation wishes to protest the size of the Soviet delegation.

MOLOKOV: But our delegation is the same size as the American delegation!

SILVIUS: On the contrary, most of the people on our side are private citizens.

MOLOKOV: The Soviet delegation consists of just three people, including our champion. Our doctor, psychologist, security agents and chef cannot be considered delegates.

ARBITER: Objection overruled. Mr. Molokov?

MOLOKOV: The Soviet delegation has reason to believe that the American player's chair contains a communications device. We object to the constitution of the chair.

SILVIUS: That's preposterous! Both chairs were made in Sweden with non-aligned wood.

ARBITER: Objection overruled.

WALTER: As the head of the television companies, I'd like to ask permission for a few key
commercial supporters of the game to set up sales booths around the arena -

MOLOKOV AND THE OTHER SOVIET DELEGATES: Objection!

ARBITER: Mr. DeCourcey, the trade show of chess products filling the hotel's convention hall isn't enough for you?

WALTER: I am merely saying that since we are giving such a major financial contribution to this match, I request permission for an opportunity to be given to a few commercial supporters of chess to set up a discreet display of wares in the arena -

MOLKOV AND THE OTHER SOVIET DELEGATES: Objection!

ARBITER: Overruled! Mr. de Courcey, further economic discussion with my office could clear the way to a fresh look at the status of merchandising and advertising interests. For now let us dedicate ourselves to the spirit of chess. Can we behave ourselves with the dignity the occasion demands? Let the preparations for the match begin!

(The lights go dim for a few moments. When they come back up you are now in a new setting - the actual arena. The two opponents face each other over a chessboard, and the tension mounting between them is already felt in the air. Present during this first match are SILVIUS, MOLOKOV, the ARBITER and his assistants as well as various members of the press and a large amount of colourfully dressed advertisers. As the scene begins the ARBITER steps forwards, looks at the audience a moment, then at the two men as he begins to go over the rules of the match)

ARBITER

I've a duty as the referee
At the start of the match
On behalf of all our sponsors
I must welcome you
Which I do - there's a catch

I don't care if your a champion
No one messes with me
I am ruthless in upholding
What I know is right
Black or white as you'll see

I'm on the case
Can't be fooled
Any objection
Is overruled
Yes I'm the Arbiter and I know best

CHORUS

He's impartial, don't push him, he's unimpressed

ARBITER

You've got your tricks
Good for you
But there's no gambit I don't see through
Oh I'm the Arbiter I know the score

CHORUS

From square one he'll be watching all 64

ARBITER

If you're thinking of the kind of thing
That we've seen in the past
Chanting gurus, walkie-talkies
Walkouts, hypnotists,
Tempers, fists - not so fast

This is not the start of World War Three
No political ploys
I think both your constitutions are terrific so
Now you know - be good boys

I'm on the case
Can't be fooled
Any objection
Is overruled
Yes I'm the Arbiter and I know best

CHORUS

He's impartial, don't push him he's unimpressed

ARBITER

You've got your tricks
Good for you
But there's no gambit I don't see through
Oh I'm the Arbiter I know the score

CHORUS

From square one he'll be watching all 64

MOLOKOV AND DIPLOMATS

No one can deny that these are difficult times...

It's the US versus USSR
Yet we more or less are -

No one can deny that these are difficult times...

- to our credit putting all that aside
We have swallowed our pride

These are very dangerous and difficult times...

It really doesn't matter who comes out on top, who gets the chop
No one's way of life is threatened by a flop
But we're gonna smash their bastard
Make him wanna change his name
Take him to the cleaners and devastate him
Wipe him out, humiliate him

We don't want the whole world saying
They can't even win a game
We have never reckoned
On coming second
There's no use in losing

It's the US versus USSR
Yet we more or less are -

No one can deny that these are difficult times...

- to our credit putting all that aside
We have swallowed our pride

These are very dangerous and difficult times...

The value of events like this need not be stressed
When East and West
Can meet as comrades, ease the tension over drinks
Through sporting links
As long as their man sinks

MERCHANDISERS

Whether you are pro or anti
Or could not care less
We are here to tell you
We are here to sell you chess
Not a chance of you escaping from our wiles
We've locked the doors, we've blocked the aisles
We've a franchise worth exploiting
And we will - yes we will!
When it comes to merchandising
We could kill

When you get up -
When you get up in the morning
Till you crash at night
You will have to live your life
With bishop, rook, and knight
Clean your teeth with checkered toothpaste
Wear our vests
Our kings and queens on bouncing breasts
You could even buy a set
And learn to play
We don't mind we'll sell you something
Anyway

We've done all our market research
And our findings show
That this game of chess could be around
A month or so
Maybe it's a bit confusing
For a game
But Rubik's Cubes were much the same
In the end the whole world bought one
All were gone
By which time we merchandisers
Had moved on

By which time we had moved on!

ARBITER

As you settle down behind your pawns
Power passes to me
You can play like Fischer, Capablanca, Tal combined
I don't mind
Please feel free

They all thought they were the big fromage
But they don't have my clout
I control the match, I start it, I can call it off
Kasparov
Found that out

I'm on the case, can't be fooled
Any objection is overruled
Don't try to tempt me you've no hope
I don't like women and I don't take dope
I'm the Arbiter I know the score

CHORUS

He's impartial, don't push him, he's unimpressed

ARBITER

Oh I'm the Arbiter my word is law

CHORUS

From square one he'll be watching you...

EVERYONE (except players and seconds)

Don't you find it rather touching to behold
The game that came in from the cold
Seen for what it is - religion, plus finesse
Countries, classes, creeds, as one in
Love of chess

(The lights go dim)

*Backstage...*

'Happy?' Draco asked quietly as he wrapped his arms round Harry's waist.

Harry nodded and sighed deeply. 'Very. Thank you, Draco,' he said softly.

'No thanks needed. I hated seeing you so miserable over something so stupid,' Draco said airily.

Harry chuckled. 'I thought I was supposed to be your Knight in Shining Armour eh?'

'You can be my Knight next time. This time the round goes to me,' Draco grinned smugly.

'So it does,' Harry agreed then looked thoughtful. 'How on earth did you do it though?'

'You'd be surprised what a Malfoy can accomplish when he wants something bad enough,' Draco smirked. 'A small chat with Weasley made him see the light, that's all.'

'Did you threaten him?' Harry asked suspiciously.

Draco laughed. 'Threaten? No. Hardly. I merely informed him that if he knew what was best he would put priority where it was due. Not to mention that he was being a stupid prat and throwing away years of friendship over something so petty,' he shrugged.

'And...?' Harry asked.

'And what?' Draco asked.

'And what else? Ron isn't the type to just sit back and take hearing something like that from you. No offence, Draco, but you and he are- '

'Putting aside old grudges for the sake of the people, or person, we love,' Draco said firmly. 'Besides, does it really matter what was said? The results worked out just fine. You and Weasley are friends again, he and I are tolerating each other, and more importantly you're happy again.'

Harry shook his head in amazement. 'Do you always get what you want, Draco Malfoy?' he asked softly.

'Not always, but when I want something bad enough then yes, I do get what I want,' Draco smirked. 'I got you didn't I?'

Harry chuckled and hugged Draco tightly then kissed Draco on the lips. 'Which is something that I still can't believe is for real sometimes.'

'It is real though, Harry, very real. And...' Draco trailed off, a note of unsurety in his voice.

'And what, Draco?' Harry asked worriedly.

Draco turned and looked at Harry with an odd nervous expression. 'Nothing.'

'Draco...are you keeping something from me? This doesn't have to do with Ron does it?' Harry asked suspiciously.

'No!' Draco said quickly the sighed and shook his head. 'Believe me, this has nothing to do with Weasley.'

'Then what does it have to do with?' Harry asked puzzled.

'Us,' Draco said quietly. 'What I mean is- '

'Harry! Draco! Err...sorry to interrupt you two but...ah...Neville ate the yogurt by accident. You know how he gets when he's nervous and he ate the strawberry instead of the blueberry,' Hermione said.

'Oh for Merlin's sake! Granger you have the worst timing!' Draco muttered.

Harry looked at Draco oddly for a moment then turned to Hermione. 'Don't worry about it Hermione, just stick the strawberry label on the blueberry container. Snape won't care, besides he likes blueberry better.'

Hermione thought that over and nodded. 'That will work, though I'm not sure I want to know how you know that Snape likes blueberry over strawberry.'

Harry blushed and fidgeted. 'Long story, Hermione. Trust me though, it'll work. I'll let him know there was a mix up, don't worry.'

'Thanks,' Hermione said then looked at Draco. 'Thank you by the way, for getting Ron to open his eyes a bit. I've been trying since err...well...'

'It's all right, Hermione, I know,' Harry said comfortingly. 'It was really both our fault, but I'm glad it all worked out.'

'So am I, Harry, I missed having you round. Though...guess you'll be spending more time with Ma- err...Draco now huh?' Hermione asked hesitantly.

'I'll find time to hang round with everyone, I promise,' Harry said.

'Harry? Do you mind if ummm...I ask you and Ma-Draco something?' Hermione asked.

'What is it?' Harry asked curiously.

'Well ahh...how did you and ahh...Draco...get together anyway?'

Harry grinned. 'That was all Draco's doing.'

Draco shook his head. 'Actually it was both our doing. You could say I am not a good poker player,' he grinned.

'Then there was the fact you broke my nose,' Harry chuckled, then let himself think back on the day he and Draco finally decided to come to terms.

'Oh I give up, this is ridiculous! Snape's off his rocker this time, this play is just plain madness!' Draco huffed.

'Giving up so soon, Malfoy? Since when are Slytherins such wimps?' Harry asked.

'We're not 'wimps', we just know when something is too idiotic to continue on with. Unlike you Gryffindors who never seem to know when to quit whilst your ahead,' Draco muttered.

'That's because we are always ahead,' Harry smirked. 'Fine then, I'm out of here. I've got better things to do then sit round arguing with you of all people, Malfoy.'

'Fine! Go on, get out, I don't need you anyway, I can do this on my own!' Draco said angrily.

'Hmph, thought you said you weren't going to do it at all? Make up your mind, Malfoy,' Harry said irritably.

'I'll do it, just to show you up, Potter,' Draco grumbled.

'Oh for Merlin's sake. Snape had to have lost his sanity when he told us to try and work together! You're an impossible git!' Harry said in exasperation.

'Oh that's rich coming from you, Potter. You're at the top of the list when it comes to being an annoying prat!'

'You...you are...ugg!' Harry huffed.

'Well, well...the 'Golden Boy' at a loss for words. How utterly divine that I could make you speechless,' Draco smirked.

'Don't call me that,' Harry said miserably.

'Call you what? 'Golden Boy'? Oh right, you'd prefer 'Boy Who Lived', though seems like it should be 'Boy Who Has No Talent'.'

'I do to! Take that back, Malfoy!' Harry said and tackled Draco to the floor, pinning him down with his hands. 'Take it back!'

'Hit a sore spot have I?' Draco smirked and looked up into Harry's eyes. 'What's the matter, Potter? Don't like hearing the truth? That everything you do is only because you have to rely on your pitiful friends to keep bailing you out?'

'You don't even have friends so what you would know about having them!' Harry said angrily.

'I have friends,' Draco said defensively.

'Oh right, you mean that dog-faced Pansy Parkinson? Or those goons Crabbe and Goyle? Seems like you picked the runts of the litter to be friends with, Malfoy. At least my friends can put more than two words together.'

'Considering the fact you're not even talking to Weasley and Granger these days, seems you're the one with the lack of intelligent conversation, Potter.'

'Like you would know what an intelligent conversation was in the first place,' Harry said sarcastically.

'I like to think I can hold my own, Potter. I am a Slytherin after all,' Draco said.

'Like that's saying an awful lot,' Harry muttered.

'It's saying more than you think. We're not just all evil prats bent out to destroy the world you know,' Draco said, though for some reason was unable to break his gaze away from Harry's eyes.

'Could have fooled me. Seeing as how your dear old daddy is Voldemort's right hand man. You take the Dark Mark yet, Draco? Huh? Going to be just like your dad?' Harry asked sweetly, egging Draco on for some reason.

'Don't you dare!' Draco said and struggling out of Harry's grasp smacked the other boy in the face.

'OW!' Harry yelled and stumbled back. 'Dammit, you broke my nose!'

'Oh for pity's sake, that's what you get for ticking me off, Potter. Let me see,' Draco said going over to where Harry was sitting.

'No, you'll just make it worse,' Harry said moving back. 'And why should I have ticked you off? Don't like hearing the truth, Malfoy?'

'Quite the opposite, I don't like hearing lies about myself, Potter,' Draco huffed and drew his wand out. 'Now let me see your nose.'

Harry eyed the drawn wand warily. 'Planning on hexing me or healing me, Malfoy? And why should I believe you that they aren't lies?'

'Because I'm not Lucius, that's why,' Draco said irritably, then sat down and actually sighed.

'You call your father by his first name?' Harry asked curiously.

'Doesn't everyone?' Draco asked sarcastically.

'Very funny, Malfoy, answer the stupid question.'

'Which one? You've asked about a hundred of them by now,' Draco muttered.

'Oh forget it, talking to you is like talking to a blasted brick wall,' Harry muttered. 'Now get me up so I can go see Madam Pomfrey and get this fixed.'

'I said I'd fix it,' Draco said unmoving.

'Yeah right, you'll make me look like Snape before you're done with me. Thanks but no thanks,' Harry said.

'Look, I promise I won't hex you, curse you, or turn you into Snape all right? I just don't want you going to the infirmary,' Draco said.

'Why not?' Harry asked warily. 'Don't want to get detention for hitting me, Malfoy?'

'Not particularly,' Draco said.

'Then why'd you hit me in the first place?' Harry asked puzzled.

'Potter, you're bleeding all over the place. Just let me fix you already and then I'll answer your stupid questions,' Draco said.

Harry scowled then sighed as he realised Draco was right. 'Fine, but I swear...if you turn me into Snape I'll have to hurt you.'

Draco snorted. 'Fine, now just shut up and sit still, this is going to sting a bit.'

'Can't be worse than growing back bones,' Harry grimaced. 'Just get it over with.'

Draco pointed his wand at Harry and said, 'Medicor Ossis!'

'OW! Merlin, Malfoy!' Harry said grabbing his nose.

'I told you it was going to sting,' Draco shrugged.

'Sting? Felt like a bloody jackhammer hit me!' Harry groaned.

'At least it's not bleeding anymore, and it's not broken. Be grateful, Potter,' Draco said.

Harry felt round his nose and sighed in relief. 'For what it's worth, thanks. Where'd you learn that spell?'

Draco seemed to fidget now and got up off the floor and walked over to a desk. 'Just learned it, that's all.'

Harry got up himself and walked over to where Draco was standing, looking at him carefully. 'Nobody learns a spell for no reason, Malfoy. Not healing spells anyway.'

'Maybe I wanted to, Potter,' Draco said and turned his gaze away from the searching emerald gaze.

'You learned it because you've had to use it on yourself, haven't you,' Harry said quietly.

'I don't know what you're talking about,' Draco said nervously. 'Why would I have to use something like that on myself?'

Harry did some quick thinking then back to something Hermione had once told him when they'd found this young boy in Hogsmeade and what had happened to him and how he'd reacted to being questioned. 'Your father...he's hurt you...hasn't he.'

'You need your head examined, Potter. Why would Lucius hurt me?' Draco snapped, though his knuckles were turning white as he clenched onto his wand.

'Why are you suddenly getting defensive about it?' Harry asked.

'Just go away, Potter. You're nose is fixed, and I think from now on we should work alone on learning our lines for the play. In fact, I don't think I want to even be in this thing, I'm going to ask Snape to pick someone else,' Draco said moving away, though his eyes were revealing things that made Harry think quickly.

Harry put a hand out and stopped him however. 'No.'

Draco turned and looked at Harry in surprise, though he didn't shake the other boy's hand off. 'No? No to what?'

'No to you dropping out of the play that's what,' Harry said.

'Why shouldn't I?' Draco asked.

'Because if there's one thing I do know about you, you're not a quitter, Malfoy. At least you haven't been one, are you really going to start now?' Harry asked quietly.

'Why do you care? What I do shouldn't matter to you, we're not friends, Potter,' Draco said.

'We could be though.'

'And what makes you think I'd want to be friends with you of all people?' Draco asked.

'Two reasons. One because my hand is still on your arm rather than broken into pieces...and two...because...'

'Because?'

'Because of this...' Harry said and pulled Draco in a long, slow kiss.

When they broke apart Draco's eyes were shining, though curious. 'You do that to all your...friends?'

Harry chuckled. 'No, only the ones that have been staring at me for weeks on end with a look that screamed 'I want to shag your brains out right now or I'll go mad'.'

Draco laughed. 'Oh hell, have I really been that obvious?'

'You have no idea,' Harry grinned. 'Go figure it would take provoking you into breaking my nose for you to finally do something.'

'Provoking me was supposed to get me into bed? That's a warped way of looking at things,' Draco snorted.

'Ever hear of reverse psychology?' Harry asked innocently.

Draco looked at Harry in astonishment then groaned. 'You knew what I was doing?'

Harry laughed. 'I'm not that stupid, Malfoy, I haven't hung round Hermione all these years not to pick up some things.'

'What made you suspect?' Draco asked.

'You're words didn't match your eyes. You might be clever, devious, and incredibly Slytherinistic, Draco Malfoy, but your eyes gave you away,' Harry said and held Draco tightly.

'I reckon I'd make a lousy poker player eh?' Draco chuckled.

Harry nodded. 'That you would. So...where do go from here?'

Draco shrugged. 'I don't know, Potter, I really don't know. I suppose I haven't given it much thought as to what I'd do once I seduced you into my bed.'

'Oh you seduced me did you?' Harry smirked. 'Think I'm the one that kissed you first, Malfoy.'

Draco laughed. 'We'll call it an even draw then. I gave away my interest, you acted on it.'

'Works for me,' Harry nodded. 'Now the question is...what else do you want to 'act' on...Draco?'

Draco gave that a moment's thought, then turned to Harry with a lustful look in his eyes. 'I don't think Snape will mind if we...leave a bit early...do you...Harry?'

'Well...even if he did...we can always make it up later. What did you have in mind hmm?' Harry asked.

'Oh, not much really. Just that being Head Boy...I do have my own room...equipped with a rather big...bed...' Draco said huskily.

'Oh? Is that all that's...big? Harry asked heatedly as he pulled Draco into him, rubbing up against him slightly. 'Seems like something else fits that category...'

'You won't know until you investigate more, now will you,' Draco smirked.

Harry laughed. 'You sold me the moment you talked about leaving early, Draco. I think we definitely need to go 'study' our lines...more privately...'

'I second that notion,' Draco agreed and sighed in contentment for a moment. 'You know...at the risk of sounding like a Gryffindor...I think this is the start of a beautiful friendship, Harry...'

Harry smiled and kissed Draco tenderly. 'Nope...I think this is the start of a whole new life, Draco, one I'm definitely going to look forwards to. Though you owe me big for breaking my nose,' he grimaced.

'Oh believe me...I'll make it up to you...I have every intention of doing so,' Draco said firmly.

'Well then Mr. Malfoy...shall we go 'study' now?' Harry asked.

'By all means, Mr. Potter...though somehow I think we'll be doing far more things than studying...at least if I get my way with you,' Draco said.

'Believe me, I hope you will have your wicked way with me,' Harry grinned.

'I thought we established that Slytherins weren't all wicked?' Draco asked.

'They're not? Pity then, I was hoping at least one Slytherin was wicked,' Harry pouted.

Draco laughed. 'Well...I suppose I can make an exception...this time...'

'Good...I think I'm going to enjoy seeing just how 'wicked' you can be...'