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The Gryffindor common room was jam packed, the battering of the rain against the stained glass windows leading most of the students to seek shelter indoors. The Marauders were no exception: Sirius Black was facing off against (and hammering) James Potter in a game of Wizards Chess, much to the latter's disgruntlement; Peter was adding the finishing touches to his charms essay and Remus was re-reading his battered old copy of the Lord of the Rings.
A simultaneous cry and groan arose from the two chess players as Sirius finally triumphed. Whilst Sirius lorded his victory ("Prongs, just accept that I am the champion of everything!"), James was grumbling about cheating ("it's only because your chess pieces are so bloody biased, Pads").
This led to a heated argument between the pair, loud enough that a large portion of the crowded common room turned to enjoy what appeared to be the makings of a decent piece of entertainment.
"Will both of you stop acting like immature children and shut up!" Came a cry from the boys left, and they turned to see a distinctly unimpressed Lily Evans staring them down. "If you want to find out who's the best, just play with a muggle chess set!"
"That's not a bad idea, although I could definitely beat both of you." Remus replied, without looking up from his book.
"I'd like to see you try."
"Well we all know I play the best game of chess in our year." Marlene, sitting a few chairs away, chipped in.
"I literally beat you last week!"
"Shut it, Dorcas."
Before Lily knew it, half the common room was boasting of their so-called expertise in the game, and the noise levels had risen to a dangerously high level that was sure to bring the Head of House storming in soon.
With that slightly worrying thought in mind, Lily climbed up to stand on the table, and placed a voice amplifying charm on her throat.
"Firstly, shut your traps before McGonagall rocks up and takes a load of points for acting like rabid Hippogriffs. Second, since you all seem to think you're so great at chess, how about we have a tournament. Muggle chess boards, so no magic allowed."
"What's the prize?"
"Ummm, how about next time I catch you out of bed after hours I'll not give you a detention?"
"Bad form, Evans."
"Prongs'll write a song about you and sing it in the Great Hall at Breakfast." Sirius dropped in.
"I thought it was meant to be a prize, Padfoot."
"Good point, Wormy."
"How about no Transfiguration homework for a week." A familiar voice came from behind Lily's back.
"Oh hello Professor McGonagall."
"Hello, Miss Evans. Off the table if you please. And please keep the noise down, all."
"Right you are Professor, Sorry. Anyway, anyone who wants to sign up can. Remus will write your names down if you want to take part. "
"Remus will, will he?"
"Remus will. Thanks for volunteering," causing the boy in question to roll his eyes, mutter something about her 'spending too much time with Prongs' and conjure up a piece of parchment and quill.
"Next Saturday at 6 in the Great Hall, be there or be square."
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The tournament caused a great deal of excitement throughout the whole school - at every turn, there were pairs playing last minute practice games of chess or just eagerly discussing results, whilst many of those from other houses chose to bet on the outcome with their friends. By Saturday night, the Hall was buzzing with excitement as players and spectators alike filed in.
Lily had done a great job, with individual chess stations set up around the room, complete with table numbers and volunteers to adjudicate each game, and a huge results table on a big board levitated over the staff table. After a few words from Lily, the tournament began.
Four rounds and an impressive amount of swear words, shouting and detentions later, only 8 remained: Sirius and James (who were making game faces at each other from across the room), both Prewett brothers, (who appeared to have perfected some sort of telepathy that allowed them to communicate and share tactics), Dorcas (who had just knocked out a grumpy Marlene), Remus (who had done the same to Peter), Kingsley Shacklebolt (a few years younger but an impressive tactician) and surprisingly enough, Lily, who no-one in the whole of Gryffindor had seen play a game of chess before and had housed 50/1 odds.
So, it was to the entire hall's shock, when an elated James, who had just narrowly beaten Sirius in his semi final, came up against Lily in the final, who had just absolutely demolished a shocked and humbled Remus in her semi, much to general surprise.
A mixture of chants for the two head students filled the hall, as the two sat head to head, and a blanket of tension covered the Hall until the final checkmate sprung from the redhead's lips fifteen minutes later, much to James' dismay and Sirius' glee.
"Since when have you been so good at chess?" The Head Boy questioned over his best friend's laughter, to which the Head Girl replied:
"Oh, I play all the time with my dad. I've won quite a few chess tournaments in my time."
"Well, you kept that quiet."
"What can I say, everyone loves an underdog. Speaking of dogs, you know Sirius is going to tease you mercilessly for losing to a girl."
"At least I beat him. And it's not like its just any girl, losing to my exceptionally talented girlfriend doesn't count."
"Flattery, nice. And I'm guessing you aren't going to let him forget this, are you."
"Oh, how well you know me, Evans."