Entry 32
Fates have decided that Severus Snape definitely deserves a chance… a chance that rarely has been given, and a chance that has been forced of him when alive. The Fates are equitable: all people are black and white in the beginning. All people have the chance to choose. There is only one piece in chess that get to be black and white at the same time, which is the bishop. It is not for nothing that that particular piece is called a bishop: it is a slick player, moves on the diagonals. It has a sideway glance of things, and has a hidden authority, though needs another player to checkmate. It is the perfect protector of pawns and the perfect aid to prevent enemy pawns to prevail. The ultimate fighter behind enemy lines when backed by others, and a dispensable tool to supreme victory.
The life of Severus Snape has been weighed, and has been counted: wisdom, determination, and a will to sacrifice. And that is all one needs to win the chess-game. Severus Snape has played many games in his life, some by wit, some by foolhardiness, some by calculation, some forced. He has gambled his one stroke of good luck for his wish to be powerful, and did not win. He has chanced his influence to save late-recognized a dear thing, and lost. Then he put all his remaining bets, and himself among those, to keep someone he loathed safe for the sake of his one stroke of good luck he has lost long time ago, and the knowledge of even the possibility of success has been denied of him.
He has the right to detachment now. All he has to gamble is his own self, his own soul. He has the choice of black and white, as he has had it all along. He can put his wit, his dedication and will to sacrifice into action now, and all he needs to do is to win the game, and this game is not played or riches, not for recognision or sorrow. It is played to weigh his chance for peace. The ultimate standup for sides where all wishes come to play, and all wins have adequate trophies.
He is the white bishop on the black line. White opens the game. D-4. All odds are open yet.
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