"Your move," Albus said, breaking the silence between the two. Severus, staring deeply at the chess board, suddenly looked up at him, anger in his eyes that went beyond his impending loss. He moved his queen, but said nothing in reply. "If there is something on your mind, Severus, I do suggest you say it."

"If he summons me tomorrow…?"

Watching the man struggle to form the question plaguing both of their minds, Albus reached out and patted his hand. "You go."

The dark man's expression didn't change, not even a flicker of surprise at Albus's response. As well as he knew the man across from him, Albus still had trouble discerning between Severus's ability to shield his emotion and when life had simply taken away any ability to feel surprise anymore. Slowly, Severus nodded. "So it begins."

"It's progress."

"Progress? Towards what exactly?"

"The greater good," Albus replied. "And check mate."

Severus made no indication he was disappointed by the lost game, but quietly rearranged the pieces to start anew. Over the years, even in the times when they were most hostile towards one another, the trust between the men filled the air. Albus rarely allowed himself to feel too deep a bond with others, save the Potter boy and Minerva, but he had grown to find a trust in Severus that in itself had led to the friendship he now valued. Severus, a friend, was still part of the plan, and it was nights like these where Albus struggled to keep the friend Severus and the right hand that he provided as separate entities. Knowing that Severus felt enough of a bond to him in return to play chess in silence over a cup of tea or a drink, even when Albus could sense the anger towards him, filled him with affection he couldn't deny in those moments. Severus had so few friends and even fewer bonds with others. "And what do I tell her?"

"Minerva?"

"Mm," Severus hummed, continuing to set up their next game. "Your move."

"She knows you're a spy for the Order."

"Indeed."

"She's not a weak woman; I trust she'll be able to handle whatever events unfold."

"No, she's not a weak woman. But, she will worry."

"She will." Albus made the first move, sliding his piece across the board. "And you will reassure her."

Severus snorted. "You act as if that will calm her."

"She knows war. She's been through more than you."

"She cares about me…"

"She does."

Severus made his first move, taking a drink. "I'm unfamiliar with how to handle this."

"I know," Albus replied, saddened at the thought that being cared for was so foreign a concept to him.

"Minerva…when she cares…she acts irrationally."

"You're afraid of her getting hurt?"

"I've been ready to die for a long time. Death…the risk of this all, I'm far from scared of that, Albus. But, if something were to happen to her…I…."

Albus put a hand up, seeing the emotional finally seep through. It was so rare Severus became emotional; it was why he was so fitting for the role he played. Love had always been the man's Achilles heel. "Minerva loves you in return. For that woman to let someone into her life…I know she does. But, one thing I do know is she loves being a teacher above all things. If the time came to choose, she would ensure she was here for the students."

Severus nodded, and as desperately as Albus tried to ascertain whether his comment had calmed or saddened the other man, he couldn't gauge. It was the truth, and the one thing Severus had always valued was the truth. "How long do you think until he has gained full power once more?"

Albus put his piece down, looking Severus in the eyes. The questioned startled him. "I'm not sure. We know his followers are still loyal to him. I think in less than a year's time we will be at war once again."

"Have you prepared the ministry?"

Chuckling at the question, Albus held his tongue from disclosing the frustrating conversations he'd been having with the minister in the last few months. "The minister will choose to remain ignorant until Voldemort is at his door knocking. It's on us, Severus."

The two men played a few more games until Albus grew tired, standing from his chair, motioning for Severus to do the same. "Thank you for a lovely evening, Severus. I trust you will keep my Deputy's bed warm this evening?" Severus nodded. "Ah, yes, well until tomorrow. May the Hogwarts champions bring us a victory!"