When you try to play the game.
The pawns are on the chessboard
And the chessboard stays the same.
The ones who win are the ones who see
The chessboard from an altered view.
For pawns fight back, and knights go slack
And Fate turns things askew.
There are few things for sure
But two strategists are in this game we know so well-
One is pure and Heaven sent
The other lives in Hell.
- Danielle Hendrixton, The Pawn's Perspective
She stepped inside, closing the great gate behind her noiselessly. A feat, considering the weight of Hogwart's doors. Her cloak swirled around her feet as she pulled her hood down, light glittering off the crushed velvet. Her eyes flashed in the darkness, wary. She strode to the headmaster's office in a rush, salt and pepper hair flying out of it's loose bun. The gargoyles stood staunchly for a moment, causing her to wave her hand in irritation. They moved slowly, allowing her entrance. They could not deny their maker. She entered the headmaster's office with the same breakneck pace, stopping in the open doorway. If she was surprised that he was standing there, waiting for her, she didn't show it. They were long past the stage where they surprised each other.
"What happened?" he gently undid the clasp of her cloak and hung it on the rack next to the door. She was a pale shadow of the woman he'd met fifty years ago, new lines on her face, grey in her hair, exhaustion in her eyes.
"Have you heard? Did you feel? She's broken free." Her voice was quieter than usual.
"I felt it," he replied. "Where is she going?"
"She swore to me that if- when she got out, she'd find him. I'm afraid she may seek him in Lord Voldemort."
"Tom Riddle cannot control her, Byanei."
"No," she looked him in the eyes momentarily, signifying the gravity of the situation. Even though the contact was brief, it still sent shudders down his spine. "But I fear he might appeal to her lust for power, and if they were to combine their strengths, we've no hope."
"I never met Arawan. I have no way to tell you where he is."
"Tom Riddle is not Arawan. But the magical signature she's looking for is in your grounds, Albus."
"How do you mean?"
"He is in the Order of the Phoenix. You must make a way to bring him to Hogwarts without suspicion- we cannot allow them to find each other."
"You are a difficult taskmistress, love," he smiled in dry humor.
Her lips turned upwards slightly as she shook her head. "Let me explain to you what you are up against." With that, she caressed his cheek gently, the touch reminiscent of a lover's, and he closed his eyes as the vision rose in his mind.
***
"Ranistaka!" The name shot like a crack of thunder, and the woman stopped dead in her tracks, hand immediately to the hilt of her sword. He froze a moment later, and they turned as one to face back at the speaker. The man who had called out was mortal, unafraid, for there were many behind him and only two to slay. The pair faced each other, The woman spoke so softly it couldn't be heard, and the man shook his head as he replied. They continued in their quiet, hurried discussion for a few moments. He silenced her with a heated kiss and they stepped back, drawing swords. The woman slid a dagger down the sleeve of her cloak and slung it at the speaker, catching him in the throat. All hell broke loose as the warriors charged down upon the pair in murderous rage, unable to touch them. Mowed down like grass. He watched in silence as they fought, in perfect unison with each other, a hundred men slaughtered by two. The vision faded, and he opened his eyes slowly to see hers turn away.
"They are a flawless team of destruction. We must find them both. Now."
The door opened, and she spun around, staring directly into his eyes. She was too shocked to turn her gaze, and he grunted as a surge of lust rattled his body. Her eyes were beautiful. But he recognized them, and the fires of passion and pure rage coursed through him, trying his common sense. With quite an effort, he averted his gaze, looking at Albus instead, who also stared at him with a look of shell- shocked recognition.
"What?" Severus Snape growled, feeling defensive and uneasy. Blood was matting his hair and making his hands sticky. It wasn't like Albus had never seen him like this before.