"I transform into a cat and walk through the cell bars."
In an old over-stuffed arm chair, a dark man rolled his eyes at his secret best friend while they played their secretly favorite game in the secretly warm and cozy den of his secret house in a secret location- secretly.
"How original." He muttered.
"Why mess with what works?" Minerva smiled as she sipped the hot chocolate; which Severus was secretly very good at making.
"Seven. You successfully transform into a cat and escape the cell."
"HA! you see? It works!"
Severus raised an eyebrow at her. "I know wandless magic when I see it, Minerva."
"Why, I never! Are you calling me a cheat?!"
"I implied it." Severus said as his mouth twitched into a grin.
"Hmm." Minerva looked at him thoughtfully. "I'm worried about you, Dear." She said.
Severus nodded. "I know."
"Serving all those masters takes its toll. I can see how worn you've become."
"Minerva, you know good and well I only serve one master. You find a chest in a dusty forgotten corner of the dungeon."
"Yes, though I think I'd rather be a pawn to two masters than a knight for...Him. I pick the lock and open the chest using a magical key."
"I don't regret my decision. For her safety, I'd serve them all. Roll for luck."
"I'm sure I'd do the same in your place."
Severus rolled his eyes again. "No you wouldn't, you'd just kill them all."
"Hey! I have changed thank you very much!"
"For a daughter, Minerva? For her safety?"
"Alright," she conceded. "you're probably right. Are you ready?"
"Hmm?"
"For what's to come...It can't be much longer, Dear."
"I don't know to be honest. I've been waiting so long. Now that it's almost time- honestly I'm terrified." Severus rubbed his rough hands over his face and through his hair.
"I understand. In theory at least. What's the sign?" Minerva asks, the game temporarily forgotten.
"A white rose."
Minerva nodded thoughtfully. "Can you stand to wait until then?"
"What choice do I have, Mini? What choice do I have?"
