Thanks to Tess4aria, Shinywhiteboards, Jordina, DarkPhoenix-24, BigBangTheory, HughSoSexy, BigBangTheory, vAMPkIMI, xLoveChuuChuuTrainx, Bookworm1025, Slythador, Gyoro and Ururun, Smile-thebestthingintheworld, Fallenmad, Harrylee94, Ujemaima and TwiChild369 for the nice reviews.

Shiny: No need to apologize for that. I appreciate the review whenever. I'm about late reviewing, so I'd be one to talk.

Jordina: Dear lord, three boys? Poor Lily, lol. I have a friend who has a 17-month-old daughter and is expecting twin boys at the beginning of December. She is in a total panic at having three babies under the age of two. She wasn't trying to have anymore yet, but it happened anyway.

The argument wasn't really much of one. They weren't really mad at each other; they just took out their frustrations on the other person. It happens when you live with someone else. Sewers? Lol. Lily was not interrupting, she was revealing. She was going to tell him "For falling in love with you" but that did not happen. : ( I won't tell what happens next, but I will say that it isn't Dumbledore with his light thing. ;)

BigBang: Hey, in fiction and even fanfiction, anything is possible! But it isn't James from the dead. ;)

HughSoSexy: No one. Harry fell into the table knocked it off and broke it. ; )

Bookworm1025: I'm actually glad to hear that, thank you!

Smile: I personally don't consider Alan Rickman sexy, but maybe it has to do with him being almost old enough to be my grandfather. I think he's a great actor and he played a great Snape. Might I suggest Die Hard and Sense and Sensibility if you haven't seen them? He plays in those films as well.

Fallenmad: I will get there. Patience. ; )

Harrylee94: Very soon and thanks!

Twichild: We'll find out, but it wasn't Voldemort.

I have my reasons for getting them close, but not letting anything happen just yet. I'm not trying to torture you, really I'm not.

*Apologies to BigBangTheory. I forget your name at the top of my thanks list! Sorry about that. :/ Note: If you reviewed during the last chapter and don't see your name, it was not on purpose so tell me and I'll add it.

*Whatever you do, don't panic. Thanks for reading and enjoy, I hope!

Chapter 26: The Battle Begins

4 July 1982

It was a warm, sunny day. Severus didn't have to work since it was a Sunday. He and Lily were sitting outside in the backyard. Harry was running around the yard, playing with a ball. Birds sang their melodies to one another. One of the neighbors was mowing their lawn a couple houses down. Lily thought it was perfect day. Perhaps too perfect and it made her feel uneasy. She didn't know why she felt so anxious. She guessed it was the situation she had found herself in. She looked back at Harry, who was picking up his ball. He threw it and went after it, giggling. Lily looked over at Severus, who was making notes for a new potion for the apothecary. She smiled and set the drink in her hand down on the table. She took a deep breath. She was brave, she could do this. "Sev?"

Severus looked up from his book and over at Lily.

"I, well, we, need to talk."

He shut the book. "About what?"

"A lot of things, really." She wasn't even sure where to begin. "I've been thinking. I know it's crazy, but," She sighed. "I may as well just tell you. I tried to yesterday, but then Harry fell and we got side-tracked."

What on earth was she going to ask him? He wondered silently. He hoped it was something he wanted to hear.

"Sev," She sighed again. "I," She took another deep breath.

He was watching her. She what?

"I may as well just say it. Just don't freak out. I didn't know if I was ready to tell you before, but I think I am now-" The telephone rang from inside. She huffed. "I'll get it." She got up, slightly aggravated and went inside the house.

"Dammit." Severus muttered to himself. He felt his throat suddenly go dry as she came back out. He took a sip of his drink to wet his whistle. He mentally tried to prepare himself to speak if she was going to tell him what he thought she was going to tell him.

"Listen, Mrs. Miller needs a few things and asked if I would get them for her. I said I would, so I am going to go into town. I'm taking Harry as well, would you like to come?"

"No, I think I'll stay here. I need to work on some more potions."

"Okay." She turned to Harry. "Harry, come on. We are going to go shopping."

"Go out."

"Yes, we are going to run some errands. Come along." Harry came running to her.

Lily turned back to Severus. "Um,"

He looked up at her. She tucked a lock of her hair behind her ear. "We can finish our discussion later. I keep getting interrupted." He nodded.

"Okay, Harry, say good-bye to Severus."

"Bye-bye." Harry waved. She took him inside.

"Go find your shoes, please." She told Harry as she shut the door.

Severus let out a heavy breath. He decided he should go make some potions while she was gone.

Lily headed into town to get some groceries for the elderly woman who lived across from them. As she walked through town, she got the feeling she was being followed. She saw someone wearing wizard robes out of the corner of her eye. She turned to see if it was someone she knew, but they had disappeared. Panic hit her for a moment. She wondered if it was a Death Eater. Would they have recognized her?

"Come on, Harry, it's time for you to go down for a nap." She turned into an alley and disapparated.

"Calm down, Lily, why would a Death Eater be in a muggle town? Don't be silly." She told herself.

She walked toward Bennington Road feeling that she was being watched. She tried to brush it off, but she kept stopping to look around. No one was ever there. It was still daylight so no one could hide that easily, except a witch or wizard. Lily was very ill at ease as she headed to the house, looking around one last time for anything out of the ordinary. Nothing was out of place, not even the animals. She entered the house with Harry, shut the door and locked it back.

"How did the trip go?"

Lily jumped at the voice and put her hand to her heart, breathing hard. "It's just you."

"Who else would it be?" He looked at her curiously. She seemed nervous. He wondered what was wrong. "Did something happen?"

"No, not really. I just got a bad feeling that I was being watched."

"Did you see anyone?"

"No, well, maybe. I thought I saw someone in black wizard robes once, but when I turned, they were gone. I couldn't tell if it was a man or woman."

"Maybe it was a member of the Order looking out for you." He suggested, hoping to ease her mind, even if his own mind wasn't at ease.

"I don't know."

He put a hand on her shoulder. "I can't imagine how a Death Eater could find you."

"What if someone betrayed us again?"

"Who would do that?"

"I don't know. Maybe Mundungus? He's not exactly the most trustworthy person, though I can't imagine him betraying us."

"He's a petty thief who is greedy. Besides, he doesn't know where we live. Perhaps another one of the Marauders?"

"No, Remus would never do that. He has a kind heart. He'd never be a part of that crowd. Sirius wouldn't either, especially not after his brother all but martyred himself to help get rid of You-Know-Who. Both were deeply hurt by James's passing and both were completely ticked off at Pettigrew for betraying us like that. Don't forget that Sirius wanted to kill Peter after what he did."

"Yeah, but I can't think of anyone who would do that."

"Me either."

"We'll just have to lay low even more than we already are." A sudden burst of wind entered the house through the open kitchen window. Lily went to close it and looked outside.

"I think a storm is coming."

Severus came over and looked out the window. "I'll go make sure everything is put up outside."

"Okay. I'm going to go put Harry down for a nap."

He went out into backyard to gather up the furniture and Harry's toys. He looked up at the sky. The gray clouds were swarming in on the area. The swiftness of the clouds gave off an ominous feeling. He heard the man next door speaking to his wife about the sudden change in the weather.

Lily took Harry upstairs and put him in the crib. "Here soon I should get you a bed of your own. You are going to outgrow this crib before long." She whispered softly.

"No nap." He said. She gave him a kiss on his forehead.

"You need to take a nap. Close your eyes and go to sleep." She said, pointing down in the crib. Harry laid down, clutching his teddy bear. "That's my sweet boy." She reached over and gently brushed his hair back with her hand. "I love you." She exited the room and turned off the light, but left the door open.

Lily went back downstairs as Severus shut the back door. They met each other in the living room.

"I need to finish up my potions, so I'll be in the lab if you need anything."

"Okay. I think I will read some of the muggle literature the neighbors lent us."

He went into the lab and she sat down on the couch and began to read the Odyssey. She hadn't read the epic since childhood. Thunder rumbled overhead dangerously as she read. She was finding it hard to concentrate. Suddenly, the wind picked up outside and the lights inside began to flicker a few times. Lily was feeling more and more nervous and she didn't know why. It was only a thunderstorm. As she thought this, the lights burst out in the house one by one. This seemed other odd. She set her book down, got up and looked out the window. One by one, all the houses in the neighborhood went dark. She backed away from the window. The ominous feeling that something was going to happen was growing deeper. She was about to call for Severus when she heard the locks snap.

She backed away from the door, heading for the lab and then remembered that Harry was upstairs. She had to get to Harry and fast. Lily did not have time to get help. She was halfway across the living room when the door burst open. She gasped. Someone entered the house.

"Aww, is the widdle mudblood trying to hide?"

"Bellatrix." Lily gasped.

"Tried to run from us, did you? Too afraid to face us so you ran. Tried to hide your precious little half-blood." She mocked in disgust, looking around the place.

Lily made a grab for her wand. She realized she did not have it. It was on the table.

"Lost your wand? Accio!" Lily's wand came to Bellatrix.

Lily tried not to panic, though she was defenseless. "How did you find us?"

Bellatrix just smiled.

"I want to know dammit!" She demanded. "Who betrayed us?" Lily backed toward the stairs slowly, trying to figure out how to get her wand from Bellatrix and get to Harry without being intercepted.

"No one betrayed you." Her lip curled up slyly. "At least not intentionally."

Lily took felt her foot hit the edge of the stairs. Bellatrix realized Lily was trying to make a break for it and made her move. "Crucio!"

Lily found herself on her knees, withering in pain. She tried not to scream. It seemed like forever before the curse was lifted.

"You can't win this time. The game is over.""

"I outwitted your precious Dark Lord twice already. I can do it again." Lily snapped in disgust, getting up slowly, pain still surging through her body.

Bellatrix looked confused. Lily just smirked, knowing that none of the Death Eaters knew how close they were to discovering her once before.

"Crucio!" She shouted again to Lily.

Severus found himself plunged in darkness. He hadn't thought too much about it until he heard something akin to snapping in the next room. He had gotten up, deciding he should check on Lily, when he heard the front door burst open with great force. It was then he had panicked and ran for the door. His hand was on the handle when he heard a familiar voice. It was Bellatrix Lestrange.

Slowly, Severus opened the door. He entered the living room quietly and saw Bellatrix standing there with her wand.

"He can then kill your stupid baby!"

"You can't have him! You can't have my baby! I won't let either one of you near him, do you hear me?" Lily yelled in hysteria. Severus saw her getting up in pain. He realized she had been hit with the cruciatus at least once.

"It's too late. The Dark Lord is already on his way. He should be here any moment and this time, you won't be able to run. You won't be able to protect your son. I will do the honors of making sure you aren't in his way." Bellatrix pointed her wand at Lily. She started to panic and was ready to make a break for it up the stairs when she saw Severus step around the corner. His wand was out and he looked straight at her. He put his finger to his lips to indicate that he didn't want his presence known yet.

"Crucio!" Bellatrix yelled and Lily was once again on the ground. This time she found herself screaming a little in pain. Bellatrix lifted the curse off Lily. "Now for the kill."

Severus made his move. "Playing with your food again, Bellatrix?"

She turned to him. Severus looked at Lily and he wondered if they could all get out of this alive. There was no way Lily would let Voldemort near Harry and there was no way he was going to let anything happen to Lily. Not if he could help it.

"What are you doing here? Were you following me?"

"Follow you?" He asked in disgust. "I'd never stoop so low."

Bellatrix noticed his clothing. "What are doing wearing filthy muggle clothing?"

"I live in a muggle neighborhood. I prefer to blend in."

Bellatrix scoffed in disgust. "Filthy muggle lover."

Severus raised an eyebrow and gave her a conniving smile. Bellatrix stared at him coldly before turning back to Lily, who was trying to get up. "Useless half-blood. This is my fight. I'm the one who will get the credit!"

Severus found himself knocked back and realized she had used a nonverbal spell. Lily's found herself knocked backward as well, but was unable to move. Bellatrix aimed another curse at Lily, binding her in ropes. Severus forced himself up.

"I'm ready for this to be over with. Torturing you is just not much fun."

What a sick excuse for fun! Sadist bitch! Lily thought to herself.

"Your time is up." As Bellatrix aimed her wand at Lily, Severus aimed a curse at Bellatrix, who ducked out of the way just in time. "What do you think you are doing?"

"Get away from her!" Severus pointed his wand at Bellatrix. "I said get away from her!"

Bellatrix was clearly shocked that he was attempting to defend a mudblood. "I knew it." She dropped her wand from Lily's direction and turned to Severus. "I knew you were defending the mudblood all along. I told the Dark Lord not to trust you. I've never trusted you. I told him someone had betrayed him. It was you all along."

Severus lowered his wand a little and looked at Lily, who looked just as shocked as he did. "Who told you she was living with Death Eater?"

"I overheard that thief talking to one of those traitors of that hopeless Order Dumbledore made up. He said he couldn't believe Lily Potter was living in the same house with that Death Eater. I immediately told The Dark Lord that someone had betrayed him, but he thought that was nonsense. Wait until he hears that you have betrayed him."

Severus glared at her and aimed a curse in his anger. She sent one back. Both ducked out of the way of the oncoming curses.

"If I killed you both, the Dark Lord would be plenty pleased. The mudblood before the traitor. I want you to watch the light leave her eyes. I want you to see what happens to those defy us."

Severus panicked and turned to Lily, instantly removing the ropes and the totalus jinx. "Lily, run! Get Harry and go! I can handle it, just run!"

Lily attempted to stand up, but the crucio had harsh effects. She grabbed the rail and got herself upright, knowing Voldemort would arrive at any moment. Bellatrix saw her trying to make up the stairs and aimed her wand at Lily.

"Avada-" She started. Severus pointed his wand at the side of Bellatrix's throat, stopping her from finishing the killing curse in her surprise.

"Don't even think about!"

Lily managed a couple steps before stopping to catch her breath. She looked back.

Bellatrix scoffed at Severus. "I don't take orders from traitors." She aimed at Lily again, but Severus stepped in front of Lily.

"I said not to touch her!"

"Move aside, she's worthless."

"Not to me. I won't let you touch her."

"She is a useless piece of filth and only serves to stand in the way of the Dark Lord, so move your sorry ass." He was not going to move out of the way. Severus knew what was coming and he prepared himself. He would have to do this and he hoped Lily would understand. He had to protect Lily and if he died trying, then so be it. He did not fear death. Bellatrix rose her wand to Lily and he waited for the moment to strike. He held his wand out. She smirked back at him.

"Avada Kedavra!" They both shouted, his slightly delayed to hers. Severus only hoped that his curse would reach Bellatrix before she could harm Lily. He knew this would be the end of him. His aim for giving the curse was to avenge Lily and allow her time to get her wand and get herself and Harry out of the house. It would be his final act for her, for both of them, he told himself. Allow her the chance to escape the country perhaps.

The curses hit one another dead on and ricocheted. Severus stepped in front of Lily as Bellatrix's curse headed for her and the curse hit his arm.

"Sev, no!" Lily shouted, realizing he what he was doing.

He felt himself being thrown backward and everything went dark. The curse missed Bellatrix by a centimeter.

Lily bit back a scream as he was thrown back. No, she thought. No, why did he do that? What was he thinking? Why would he do that? She did not want him to die this way, for a curse meant for her. In Bellatrix's attempt to avoid the curse, Lily's wand had fallen out of her robes. She took the chance and summoned it to her.

"I killed the traitor! The Dark Lord will be pleased! I killed Severus Snape!" She said, laughing maniacally.

Lily felt anger surge rush through her. She aimed her wand and yelled a curse. Bellatrix was unable to miss this one and was stunned. Lily felt tears sting her eyes as she looked over at Severus's limp body. She would have to grieve later. She had to get out of here. She knew his final acts had been an attempt to save her and she had to try and get Harry out.

Lily fumbled up the stairs. Every step she took was torture, pain surging through her entire body from the triple crucio. She was nearly to the top when someone entered the house. She kept going, trying to hurry. Once upstairs, she heard footsteps ascending the steps.

"Going somewhere?" A cold, dangerous voice asked as she got to Harry's doorway. Lily turned and came face-to-face with the person she dreaded most. She had no idea how she was going to make it out of this alive.

A/N: Don't panic just yet. It's not over until it's over.

Had this nearly completed yesterday and finished it today. It will be a busy week, so I wanted to go ahead and get it up. Next two chapters are in the works. Maybe this weekend?

Also, I hope I did okay with Bellatrix. She was such an odd, sadistic character. She was a complete psychopath. No other way to say it. Those are the hardest characters for me to write. Doesn't mean I can't write them, but they are difficult. I tend to not delve into their psyche since I just can't think that way. I am an empathic person by nature. Cold, cruel and ruthless aren't my forte. I feel bad about killing spiders, lol. I tried though. Don't jump down my throat. ; ) I assumed there was not much to Bellatrix and that her goal was to torture Lily and kill Lily so Voldemort would be free to get rid of Harry.