Draco subtly reduced his strength afterward, deliberately leaving room for maneuver with each move, no longer displaying the same sharpness as in the first two games.
He barely managed to keep up with Ron, winning each round by the narrowest of margins.
The chess pieces on the board made a crisp clattering sound as they moved back and forth.
The firelight from the fireplace flickered gently on the wood-grained tabletop, casting their shadows, which appeared to grow longer and shorter.
The number of people in the common room gradually decreased, and the voices faded away, leaving only their table still engrossed in game after game of chess.
Ron gradually became interested, his brows relaxed, and his face was full of a happy smile.
After the game ended, Ron looked at Draco, his tone filled with genuine joy:
"Playing chess with you is much more interesting than playing with others. It's back and forth, and every move is nerve-wracking. It's never boring."
Game after game went on, countless rounds were played, the pieces were repeatedly returned to their places, and the tabletop was slightly warm from being worn down by the pieces.
Ron rubbed his aching wrist, his gaze falling on the chessboard before turning to Draco, and asked doubtfully, "Seriously, you used to be really good, right?"
Draco tapped the edge of the table lightly and smiled faintly, "Didn't you already figure it out?"
"That's right." Ron nodded emphatically.
"Every time I won by the narrowest of margins, I was just a hair's breadth away from losing, and every victory was a close call."
"I even suspect that you're deliberately letting me win, just like those top students who intentionally control their scores, keeping them exactly at a level that no one can figure out."
Hearing his analogy, Draco couldn't help but chuckle, "In your eyes, my chess skills have reached a point where I can control the game at will?"
"I had the same feeling. I've never seen you touch Wizard's Chess at the academy before, how come you're so skilled at it so quickly?"
Harry, who had been sitting not far away flipping through his textbook, looked up and softly echoed the same question in his voice.
Draco looked at Harry and joked:
"I don't usually join in these kinds of fun activities with others, so naturally no one sees me playing chess, just like I rarely sit in a classroom and listen to lectures properly."
Ron looked helpless and clicked his tongue in exasperation.
"It seems you're a monster who can't be judged by common sense. Your mind works faster than others, and you learn everything in no time."
"But then again, playing chess with someone like you is truly enjoyable; winning or losing both feel satisfying."
Draco looked at the old clock on the wall of the lounge; the bronze hands slid silently past the eleven o'clock position.
Night had fallen, and a gentle breeze blew through the castle's stained-glass windows, bringing a touch of chill.
He put away the chess pieces, gently pushed them back to the center of the board, and reminded them, "It's eleven o'clock. Time to pack up and go back to the dorm to get some sleep."
Ron shook his head, looking unwilling, and remained slumped in his chair, refusing to move.
"Why go to bed so early? There's no early class tomorrow, and there's nothing urgent to do after getting up. You can play a couple more games before leaving."
Draco chuckled softly. "Well, I can't just let myself run wild with a girlfriend who's focused on her studies and has a regular schedule."
"Besides, going to bed early and waking up early isn't a bad thing. If I'm well-rested, I can still play chess with you tomorrow morning."
Upon hearing this, Ron was taken aback for a moment, then showed a look of sudden realization mixed with amusement.
He was still muttering "valuing women over friends," but he slowly stood up and began to tidy up the scattered chess pieces.
Draco went upstairs alone.
As the night deepened, the laughter and the clatter of chess pieces downstairs gradually subsided.
Ron and his friends didn't finish their fun until midnight, and tiptoed back to their dorm.
Ron made a shushing gesture and whispered that they shouldn't disturb the sleeping person. Harry nodded.
The two lay down as soon as they entered the room, and soon only their even breathing filled the room.
At two in the morning, Draco was awakened by the heat from the Two-Way Mirror in his arms, but he was still groggy and his consciousness was still hazy.
However, the moment Draco touched the mirror, he became somewhat more alert.
When Hermione suddenly contacted him in the dead of night, Draco's heart skipped a beat, thinking something must have happened.
He immediately recited a silent incantation, quickly dressed, and quietly walked down the stairs.
Only one wall lamp was left on in the common room, casting a soft, warm light on the sofa, where Hermione sat.
She sat quietly, not appearing to be in any trouble.
Draco walked quickly over, sat down next to her, gently put his arm around her shoulder, and whispered that she had a nightmare.
Hermione leaned closer to Draco, gently wrapping her arms around his waist as if she had found some support.
Draco patted her back and gently comforted her, saying, "Don't be afraid, I'm here."
After a moment, Hermione slowly spoke, "I didn't have a nightmare."
Draco smiled, relieved, and teased her, "So, our Hermione, did you come down here because you were thinking about me last night?"
She shook her head and said, "No."
"Why is that? Can't you sleep?"
She admitted, "A little."
"That's impossible!" Draco stared at her.
"Let me guess, tomorrow's the weekend, no classes, nothing to do, so it's not something to worry about."
"It seems that Miss Granger has something on her mind, something she wants to ask me, but doesn't know how to bring it up, which is why she's been tossing and turning all night."
As soon as she finished speaking, Hermione suddenly broke free from Draco's embrace, sat up abruptly, and stared at him with wide eyes.
Seeing her like this, Draco knew that his guess was absolutely right.
"Why didn't you say so during the day? Staying up late is bad for your health and your appearance too," Draco asked.
Hermione lowered her eyes and explained, "There are too many people during the day; it's inconvenient."
"And the library?" Draco asked again. "It's very quiet there."
Hermione answered truthfully, "I forgot."
Draco calmed himself down and guessed, "Let me think, is it something that can't be heard by others?"
"Could it be because I can summon that octopus?"
Upon hearing this, Hermione's surprise deepened, as if her deepest thoughts had been seen through.
Draco looked at her and couldn't help but smile.
"That's what I wanted to know," Draco said softly.
Hermione shook her head, somewhat nervously saying, "Don't say it here. What if someone comes downstairs in the middle of the night and hears us?"
"Where to?" Draco asked.
" The Room of Requirement," Hermione answered readily.
Draco was somewhat surprised and couldn't help but tease her softly, "I didn't expect that Miss Granger, who is always so rule-abiding, would actually volunteer to go out at night."
"Please don't look at me like that." Hermione frowned and argued earnestly, "Didn't you say that as long as we don't get caught, it doesn't count as nighttime wandering?"
Draco felt a sense of relief upon hearing this.
People who used to be so strict with the rules are now loosening their principles a little because of their own words.
Draco nodded and said, "You're right, but it's not a good idea for a man and a woman to go to a secluded house alone so late at night!"
Hearing this, Hermione calmly reasoned with Draco:
"We are currently in the common lounge, and we are heading to the Room of Requirement, not a private, enclosed room."
Both locations are public spaces, and our actions were perfectly aboveboard.
"Secondly, are you implying that if we were alone together, you would do something inappropriate?"
Draco couldn't help but laugh as he looked at her serious and reasonable expression.
"What's inappropriate?" Draco asked deliberately.
"Stop talking nonsense." Hermione turned her head, impatiently saying, "If we delay any longer, it will get even later, and my skin will only get worse. Is that what you want to see?"
Looking at her stubborn and unyielding expression, Draco thought to himself.
Well, we still haven't seen this girl admit she's his girlfriend!