October arrived, spreading a damp chill over the grounds and into the castle. Madam Pomfrey, the nurse, was kept busy by an abrupt wave of colds amid the staff and students. Her Pepper-up potion worked immediately, though it left the drinker smoking at the ears for some hours afterwards. Lily, who had come down with a cold, was coaxed into taking some by Severus and Marlene. The steam pouring from under her red hair gave the impression that her whole head was on fire.
Things had been business as usual, attending yet another one of Slughorn's parties. Merlin, they were beyond tedious.
Moreover, it appeared that Petunia and Dursley were having some issues at the present. Apparently, he had said some things and her patience was starting to grow rather thin.
Lily kept hoping this meant that Petunia would eventually call the engagement off, but she wasn't exactly getting her hopes up. Severus didn't expect much either. Petunia's attitude towards magic had begun to change, but that didn't mean she was fully comfortable with it, or had much of a backbone, for that matter.
They had finally set a date as well. It was to take place the coming summer so that Lily could be there. Severus was surprised to find out that invitation had been – grudgingly – extended to him as well. He figured it was a peace offering of sorts, but still didn't know what to make of it.
"Mum says the house has become some sort Dursley Wedding Headquarters," said Lily, stifling a laugh. "Tuney spends all her time planning."
"Considering how she acted in the car, and the owls from Petunia, I can believe that," Severus said. "It's without a doubt her favourite topic of conversation."
"She's just excited," said Lily. "You won't understand this, Sev, but most little girls have wedding fantasies and have been planning for years. Plus, you know Petunia. She's a major perfectionist. I am happy for her, just…"
Severus just shrugged.
Raindrops the size of bullets thundered on the castle windows for days on end; the lake rose, the flower beds turned into muddy streams, and Hagrid's pumpkins swelled to the size of garden sheds. The rain and wind didn't seem to slow Potter and his friends down any, which was why Severus was to be found, late one stormy Saturday evening, not long after the Halloween feast, returning to Gryffindor Tower, drenched to the skin and splattered with mud. Followed closely by Potter and Black - who kept mumbling something insulting under his breath.
If he hadn't already been irritated then, well he certainly was now. Filch had been doing rounds too apparently and had arrived just after Severus had assigned detentions and dismissed the two marauders. Unfortunately, for Severus, this meant that he was the only one at the "scene of the crime" as the bitter caretaker called it. Filch did not take kindly to the castle been muddy and started talking about ungrateful children and all manners of punishments that he'd like to dish out.
It took a lot of effort for Severus to hold his tongue.
The morning of the Hogsmeade visit dawned bright but windy. After breakfast, they queued up in front of Filch, who matched their names to the long list of students who had permission from their parents or guardian to visit the village.
When Severus reached Filch, the caretaker gave him a rather scrutinising look. Then he gave a curt nod that set his jowls aquiver and Severus walked on, out onto the stone steps and the cold, sunlit day.
"What was that about?" asked Mary, as the group set off at a brisk pace down the wide drive to the gates.
"He's a git," he grumbled.
"He is rather unpleasant," said Lily. "We all know that."
"What did you do?" Marlene asked.
"Word to the wise, don't track mud into the school," he sneered.
"Duly noted," said Mary.
Severus just rolled his eyes.
They walked between the tall stone pillars topped with winged boars and turned left onto the road into the village, the wind whipping their hair into their eyes.
"Let's stop in Spintwitches first, that's the first shop we'll pass. Zonko's after that, Honeydukes and we'll let Severus drag us through Tomes and Scrolls at the end," suggested Marlene, teasing.
"What's wrong with Tomes and Scrolls?" Severus huffed. "It way better than that favourite of yours; how much time do you spend in Gladrags?"
Marlene just smirked, before continuing on her way and completely ignoring him.
"You do realise that she is purposely trying to get a rise out of you, yes?" she said.
"It doesn't change the –" he started.
"Relax, Sev," she said.
"Why would..."
"Oh, deaf it, Severus!" said Lily.
Severus growled something under his breath.
"Well, you're clearly in a mood," said Lily.
They calmly worked their way down the street, not paying attention to the students hurrying up and down the street around them to make sure they got to certain shops first.
They didn't spend much time in Spintwitches before making their way back down the street.
In Zonko's they had a good look around and ran into Potter and his cohorts - minus Pettigrew, although if Severus remembered right, he had earned himself a remedial lesson with one of the Professors. Severus was surprised though when he noted that they hadn't even spared the Dungbombs a glance. The remaining Marauders seemed particularly selective, which did not usually bode well.
After picking up a couple of the ice mice that Lily was rather fond of, they continued down the street.
"What do you think they're planning?" asked Lily.
"Not sure," said Severus. "I don't think I even want to know. We'll undoubtedly find out sooner than later, however."
"You're probably right about that," said Lily.
As they stepped inside Honeydukes, the smell of chocolate and candy immediately infiltrated his nose.
"I think I'm going to grab some Pumpkin Fizz," said Alice.
"Alright, go look around. We'll meet you up front later," said Lily.
"I'm coming with you," said Mary.
"Me too," said Marlene, giving Mary conspiratory look.
Once they were gone, Lily turned to Severus.
"You do realise what they just did?" Lily said, chuckling.
"I do believe we've been set up," he smirked.
"I'd say so," she said. "Want some Sugar Quills?"
"Lead the way," he smirked, giving her a quick kiss.
As they went through the shop, Lily paused at the Sugared Butterfly Wings, before continuing. She had obviously been weighing how much she wanted to spend in one shop, before settling on some toffees just a few feet away.
When she wasn't looking, Severus threw some in with the Sugar Quills he was grabbing.
"You didn't have to do that, you know," said Lily, "but thank you."
"You're welcome," said Severus. "And just think of it as repayment for many times previous."
"Alright," she said, chuckling. "You don't owe me anything though, Sev."
"I know."
"Now that that is done, Tomes and Scrolls?" Marlene said, looking entirely too smug with herself as she made her way back over to them.
"If Sev wants to, sure," said Lily. "Sev?"
Something was going on outside. He was sure of it.
"Sev?" said Lily.
Severus blinked. "What was that?"
"What was what?" Turning to see what Severus was staring at, Alice was almost knocked off her feet by an explosion and only Severus grabbing her arm kept her on her feet.
"We have to get out of here," whispered Severus, looking at Lily.
"What are you -" said Lily.
They both stared at the chaos that followed in shock, students running from the place the explosion had occurred at and Severus tried to control the ringing in his ears when the first students reached them.
"Death Eaters are attacking!" someone screamed, and panic broke out.
From there, everything was a blur. Everything happened so fast.
Severus was surprised that he was thinking so clearly, and it almost felt like he had been in this type of situation before.
More explosions followed as jets of light hit both people and buildings. Some people began fighting back, though even more had completely lost their head in the panic and chaos of what was going on around them.
"We need to get people together someplace as far as possible so that it's easier to protect them. Both of our shielding is fantastic, if we round the people up and put them under a shield together they'll stand a better chance of surviving than when they're all running around in a full-blown panic," Severus said, beams of spells being shot back and forth visible now as people were clearly fighting back.
"Snape! Evans!" Lupin appeared out of nowhere, blocking two jets of red light from hitting Potter as several Death Eaters came into view and Severus narrowly sidestepped a green one, immediately turning to shoot several spells back.
"They are locking the students out," Lupin yelled over the noise.
"What?!" Severus blocked a curse sent his way, returning fire.
"The cowards closed up their shops!" yelled Potter. "The students are sitting ducks out here, there's nowhere to go," Severus fired off several more spells as the last students passed them. "The Death Eaters placed anti-Apparition wards around Hogsmeade and the few shops still open are being targeted so they can't flush the students out through the Floo system."
"What about the streets?" Severus inquired.
"Anything?" asked Marlene.
"As far as I can tell, they are covering all exits." Marlene blocked another attack, pushing Potter aside as a jet of purple light came his way. "There's an old man fighting on the other side, he's sending students to his house to send them through his Floo and I know two other shop owners are trying the same thing."
"They're connected to Hogwarts?" Lily ducked to avoid another spell.
"Does it matter as long as they get the hell out of here?" Potter yelled but Severus couldn't answer him as they were forced apart by their separate fights, needing all his concentration to keep up with the spell casting.
He lost sight of both Mary, Black and Potter as he ducked behind a wall to briefly catch his breath. Focus, Snape! Focus!
He gasped as someone roughly grabbed his shoulder and pushed him away from the wall, blinking furiously as the wall exploded moments later under a rain of spells and someone cried out in pain.
"Lily." Severus allowed his girlfriend to manhandle him out of the way of another spell, immediately opening an attack on another Death Eater and Severus hurriedly glanced around to find the man he'd been fighting himself lying unconscious on the ground.
"Get out of here, Lily!" Severus ordered her, but Lily barely heard him as several people were on the ground, the street blown up and fires ongoing all around them.
"Lily, get to safety, I will-," he repeated.
"No, Severus Snape!" said Lily. "I'm not running away like some damsel in distress! If you think that's the type of person I am, I-," Lily's angry tone travelled quite far.
"I'm not saying that! I - ah, never mind," Severus muttered. There was another explosion that forced Severus to narrow his eyes in all of the dust. He could feel the panic swell up within him as he moved carefully, but with as much haste as he could, through the dust cloud.
"Lupin!" His yell caught Lupin's attention, but Severus quickly moved, and Lupin felt something slam into him.
He looked like the breath was knocked out of him, as he tripped over his feet, crashing into Lily.
A jet of green light shot past where Lupin had been moments before, and he could see Lupin gulp as he realised Severus had just saved his life.
"Focus!" hissed Severus.
"Lily, now!" called Severus, pushing Lupin farther back.
Lupin frowned and tried to move forward, as a bluish-white barrier formed before his eyes, spreading over the large group of terrified students like a globe.
"Snape!" called Lupin, realising was he was doing. Lupin tried to avoid getting trapped by the protective shield, but a second magical shove pushed him back once more and he was trapped by the shield with the other students as it closed.
A red shimmer crept up over the bluish barrier and for a moment Lupin feared it would break the normally impenetrable shield, but he noticed it was actually merging together, strengthening it.
Potter reappeared at Lily's left, looking a little ruffled but fairly uninjured. He had managed to avoid the shield.
He looked hesitantly at Lily, then back to Severus, before speaking to him.
"What do you need, Snape?" Potter asked, determined.
"Add another layer, and spot Lily," he said. "Omnibus protectum."
To his credit, Potter didn't hesitate and immediately nodded. He hastily moved to cast the modified shield charm.
He yelled out a warning as he saw a flash of purple light, but Potter deflected it easily and both boys countered the attacking Death Eaters without hesitation.
Several students in the barricade screamed as spells slammed into the shield, but he wasn't too worried about the shield collapsing that easily. Apparently, Lupin agreed. He had a look of awe on his face.
Severus was blocking, attacking and covering Potter and Lily's blind spots; all at the same time.
Unfortunately, the Death Eaters seemed to realise that the seventeen-year-old Potions genius was the most dangerous of their opponents and the main one responsible for the shield, but he held his ground.
Severus even managed to gain some as he kept up his slightly unorthodox spell casting, backed by both Lily and Potter.
Lily was casting various hexes and sent one of the Death Eaters backwards with surprising force.
As for Potter, transfiguration was where he shone. The Marauder made good use of his knowledge alongside them.
Body parts were rendered useless as they changed shape and form, wands dropping from wings and fingerless paws even as other Death Eaters folded double as their arms abruptly turned to lead and one even grew elephant feet that brought him down in a tangled heap.
For every student that fell, four Death Eaters were taken down as rocks grew arms and rolled around to unbalance the Death Eaters. Severus actually dared to hope they might actually stand to win this thing.
Then, out of nowhere, Severus was suddenly slammed into the shield by a strong jet of red light.
Pain flew through Severus's body. Everything hurt. It hurt like hell.
"SEVERUS!" Lily cried, before turning and shooting a Knockback Jinx at the caster.
Trying to grasp for air, he struggled to get a grip on his wand.
Lily's jinx was blocked, but Severus managed to fire off several spells even as he was still under the curse and broke free, rolling out of the way as the dark shadow attacking him had to raise a silver shield to protect himself.
Severus heart clenched as the dark form stepped forward to reveal an unmasked man he only knew from the Prophet. Voldemort was even scarier in reality than he'd been in the pictures in the paper. At first glance, he seemed rather charming, but his bloodshot eyes almost seemed like they were demonic.
He was snapped back into reality, as the man's high pitched laughter rang through the air, silencing the terrified students.
"Well done, not many can break free from the Cruciatus Curse or force my hand as you did." Voldemort stopped a few feet from Severus, his remaining Death Eaters falling back behind him respectfully. "But your resistance is futile. I do not wish to spill such talent; step aside and no further harm shall come to you."
"In your dreams," Lily spat out. "We won't let you slaughter innocent people!"
"Very well, Crucio."
The red beam never reached Lily, a rock slamming into its path as Potter glared menacingly.
"Take them down," Voldemort hissed in anger and his followers wasted no time to follow his orders as he turned to the shield. Several students backed up instinctively as those red eyes trailed over the students inside the barrier before he raised his wand.
Students screamed as his spells hit the barrier. Severus forced himself to focus on the shield, which, although weakening, held steadfastly.
Red eyes narrowed as Voldemort turned to back to them, as they were kept busy by his Death Eaters, and a new torture curse sought its way to Lily but was blocked as Severus countered with a spell of his own, a rain of sparks falling down around them.
"Who are you?" Voldemort hissed as he turned his full attention to Severus.
"One who's sick of your timorous ways," growled Severus, as he blocked yet another spell thrown his way.
"Avada Kedavra," and a green light roared towards Severus. Even as Lily screamed out a warning, Severus had already acted.
All of a sudden a Death Eater, who had been about to attack Potter from behind, was pulled into the path of the killing curse and collapsed, lifeless.
But as Severus's attention was pulled away to protect another student from a second killing curse, several torture curses connected and he was slammed into the shield and fell to the ground, screaming.
"Snape!" Potter ran forward all of a sudden, punching one of the responsible Death Eaters squarely in the jaw while cursing another and Severus managed to roll out of the curses' path again, unsteadily getting to his feet once more.
Blood was running down his temple and his left arm was twitching uncontrollably, but he wasted no time to counter another spell sent his way, placing a few well-placed kicks on another Death Eater coming near him.
The masked man had clearly not expected psychical attacks as he gasped and fell to his knees where Potter's foot once more connected with his head and the man dropped like a sack of potatoes.
"Release the shield!" Severus sidestepped another curse sent his way and Voldemort growled.
"Over my dead body!" hissed Severus as something slammed into his shoulder, making him cry out in pain. Pushing through, he blocked yet another spell as he tossed his wand into his other hand.
"That can be arranged," Voldemort hissed as he attacked once more.
Severus shot his opponent his worst glare, radiating an intense abhorrence.
Behind him, Lupin and several others had begun to try and break through the shield, determined to try and help fight, but most were huddled together at the far end of the shield as they cried.
Severus could faintly hear Alice and Lupin discussing how to protect the younger years if the shield did fall.
That wasn't exactly a comforting thought, but at least they were prepared to fight.
He felt faintly better when Black told Lupin and Alice not to underestimate the young Potions Prodigy.
Thankfully, Lily was backed by Potter and was able to focus on maintaining the shield.
Almost dodging an attack too late, Severus tried to refocus on the battle.
Severus was getting slower and tired, even with Lily and Potter's help. He had even taken a few more hits, stumbling now and then.
They'd been fighting for what seemed like ages and the constant attacks were taking their toll on both boys as Voldemort ruthlessly threw spell after spell at them.
Another student went down on the other side, freeing two Death Eaters to join their master and Severus clenched his hands, wishing there was something he could do as the female Death Eater targeted Lily specifically.
"Crucio!"
Severus was visibly bracing himself for impact as he stumbled, unable to move out of the way again, but before the jet of light could hit him a green shield shimmered into existence before him and Potter was quick to step closer to him as it closed around them.
Shocked black eyes locked with hazel for a split second and Lily, who moved beside Lupin, breathed out, relieved while putting everything she had into maintaining the shield for as long as she could as spells slammed into it.
The two dark-haired boys wasted no time, turning to each other to take care of their injuries, even as Voldemort and the Death Eaters' assault on the shield made it shimmer and crack in mere moments.
Lily screamed in frustration and defeat as another spell shattered the shield but even as both Severus and Potter were clearly ready for it, new people arrived at the scene and attacked the Death Eaters.
Recognising the uniforms as those from the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, Lily choked out a relieved sob.
A tall man in a brown trenchcoat blocked a spell aimed at Potter, helping him and Severus fight and within minutes the few remaining Death Eaters were forced to withdraw.
People cheered as Voldemort and the masked woman at his side Disapparated, calling a retreat that his followers immediately followed, taking as many of their downed comrades with them as they could while others were quickly taken into custody.
But although Severus felt relief at the victory just as much as the others, he couldn't focus on anything but Lily. Thank Merlin she was alright.
The grey-haired Auror barked a few orders to the others, who hurried to do as he said before turning to the two dark-haired teens, clearly startled to see two wands raised at him.
"Lower your wands, right this instance, both of you!" A student that Severus vaguely recognised ordered.
"How do we know it's not a trap?" Potter ignored her.
"They are Aurors!"
"So? Do you honestly believe there are no traitors among the Ministry?" Severus snorted.
"You both have got good heads on your shoulders. Constant vigilance will save your lives," the man pushed his wand up his sleeve and spread out his empty hands for them to see. "Now I'm unarmed while you are not."
"Do we look stupid to you?" Severus stepped forward, blocking Potter, in a surprisingly protective move.
"Good lad," the man actually chuckled at his words, his dark eyes gliding over their stance, seeing it for what it was. "My name is Alastor Moody. What are yours?"
At the name, Severus withdrew his wand, slipping it into his sleeve and indicating Potter should do the same. "I know. You vouch for your Aurors?"
"Yes, I do," Moody confirmed.
"Good." Lupin stumbled as a nod from Severus had Lily suddenly withdrawing the barrier he'd still been leaning against.
"That was quite an impressive shield you had going there," Moody complimented.
Their robes were ripped in several places and although Severus and Potter had clearly healed as much as they could underneath the shield, there was still blood lingering on them both.
"Had to protect as many people as we could," said Lily, meeting Severus's eyes. "It was Severus's idea."
"We'll have to get you to St Mungo's right away," said Moody, eyeing their still visible injuries with almost admiration.
"How are the others anyway?" Lily inquired. "The other students fighting and those who first came across the Death Eaters?"
"I don't know any exact numbers yet, but I do know there were a few casualties," said Moody. "The others who were fighting are being transported to St. Mungo's for a thorough check-up as well as others with serious injuries while those with minor injuries are treated here by my medical support team."
Severus nodded, feeling relieved.
"We can use the Floo to travel to St. Mungo's," said Moody, indicating the side street. "The Hog's Head Inn's Foo is connected. A Patronus has already been sent to alert the Headmaster of what happened here."
"I presume you're accompanying us?" said Severus, not happy about having to go to St. Mungo's.
"Yes, I cannot in good conscience let you travel on your own," said Moody. "There's also the fact that I still need a statement on what exactly happened here today."
"Very well," said Severus. He couldn't exactly argue with that.
"Lead the way then," said Lily, as Severus put his arm around her protectively.
"Alright then, follow me," said Moody. "And for the record, Mister Snape, you would make a very fine Auror. If only our recruits had half the talent you showed here today. I might say the same thing about you, Mister Potter. I do hope you'll consider the academy."
"I have been since my fifth year, sir!" said Potter, grinning widely.
This didn't really surprise Severus if he was honest with himself. And after what he saw today, he would have to agree with Moody's assessment.
"I'm glad to hear it," said Moody. "We can always use new recruits, especially in these times. Mister Snape?"
"Not likely, sir," said Severus. "I am looking to pursue other prospects."
"Don't mind, Severus, Auror Moody," said Lily. "Sev is happiest locked in a room with a good book and cauldron."
"St. Mungo's then?" inquired Moody.
"Perhaps."