Chapter Ninety

The blustery wind whipped around Severus as he walked down the street. He pulled the collar of his coat closer, trying for a little warmth, knowing he would have used a Warming Charm had he not been in the open. He chanced a glance at the sky and was greeted by clouds rolling in, another storm threatening.

Dusk was nearly upon the world around him. The days were among the shortest of the year. Eager to return home, Severus turned a corner, wondering why he had thought today a good day to do a bit of Christmas shopping.

Probably because I'm trying to keep my mind off tonight, Severus thought.

On the plus side, it was a Friday, and he had gotten to leave work early. On the down side, it was the first of December, and he knew what that meant - the Bones family had been targeted in early December.

Upon rounding the corner, Severus scowled at a group of carolers. Making jolly was not on his priority list. How these Muggles could go about their daily lives as if nothing was jeopardizing their false sense of security was beyond Severus.

For the first time in over ten years, a Christmas tree was adorning the sitting room in Spinner's End. Lily had seen to the decorating, and not wishing to ruin her infectious spirit, Severus had been briefly persuaded to embark on a small portion of the festivities.

Now, however, he was annoyed and regretting it. Stroding past the irksome carolers, Severus shot a glare at their backsides and found the alley he had been seeking. He withdrew into the darkness behind some rancid dust bins and Disapparated.

Appearing in the foyer of his home, he removed his coat and gloves, grateful for the warmth of the interior. The smell of dinner simultaneously made him realize how hungry he had been.

"Welcome back!" Lily called from the kitchen, stepping into the foyer a moment later. "How did your trip go?"

Shrugging, Severus mumbled, "Unsuccessful."

Coming closer to him, Lily snaked her arms around his neck and kissed him. "Well, dinner's nearly ready. That ought to improve your mood."

Siddling into the kitchen, Severus dropped into his usual seat at the table. "Not likely," he muttered.

Lily set the food on the table and took the seat across from him. "You're worried about tonight."

"Tonight is quite possibly the night," Severus stated.

The Bones family was safely hidden, and Edgar had decided he wanted to fight back. An ambush was planted for this evening, and all day, Severus kept returning to the first time around.

Travers, Dolohov, Malfoy, Mulciber, and he had gone last time. Without Mulciber and himself, which new recruits would be their replacements?

Every time Lily played with Oliver, Severus was reminded of the little boy who Lucius had killed, the eldest Bones child. He was haunted by the memory and hoped, auspiciously not in vain, that the Order would triumph this time.

"-can't get too worked up," Lily was saying, and Severus's attention was drawn back to the present.

Severus sighed and nodded. He picked at the food on his plate, suddenly not very hungry. They were eating dinner earlier than usual, since the Order members who were a part of the ambush were to meet up in a pub in town closest to where Edgar had lived. Dumbledore knew of the plan by now, and convincing the headmaster of his knowledge of this event would prove challenging. Severus and Dumbledore had yet to talk face-to-face about the planned attack on the Bones family, and Severus knew Dumbledore would be shrewd and suspicious.

"You shouldn't worry overly much," Lily stated with too much confidence. "We have the advantage this time. I'd love to see the looks on those Death Eaters' faces when they realize they've been ambushed."

"It's still dangerous," Severus pointed out. "We should win this time, though. After our failure back in October, I feel we need this victory."

To Severus, he personally felt he needed a victory. Rescuing Oliver hadn't been enough. He wanted to see more Death Eaters taken down. He was tired of sitting by and letting the war happen.

"As you've told me many times already, Sev, this is a war we're in. I'm quite aware of that."

Not as aware as you should be.

"You have yet to experience the true horrors of war, Lily," Severus said seriously. "While that isn't something I'd wish upon you, it's too late for that now. Before this whole thing is over, if it's ever over, you'll know all too well what war is all about."

"It will be ended," Lily said in earnest.

Severus had his doubts about that, but didn't voice them. He picked through his plate for the next few minutes, and once finished, they cleaned up the kitchen with a few swishes of their wands. Dishes in the cupboards and leftovers in the fridge, which was kept cool by a charm, Severus and Lily grabbed their coats, took hands, and Disapparated to the designated location.

The alley they appeared in was much like the one Severus had visited earlier. Wrinkling his noise in disgust at the smell of rubbish, he motioned for Lily to follow him. They checked that the coast was clear and stepped into the main street, finding the pub where they were to meet up with the others. They entered the small, dingy place. Only a barman and two customers were inside, and the two blokes at the counter were plastered, leaning over their large mugs of alcohol and muttering incoherently.

Severus took a seat as far away from these two as possible, reminded of his father. The stench of alcohol emanating off of them was strong.

"What'll yeh have?" the barman asked Severus and Lily, who was joining him.

"We're meeting up with some... friends," Severus stated casually. "We'll order once they arrive."

With a grunt, the barman turned away, interested in conversing with the regulars. A couple of minutes later, a tall and graceful woman in her earlier thirties entered, followed shortly by Mad-Eye Moody. Severus recognized the woman as Marlene McKinnon. They spotted Severus and Lily and joined them. Moody was sporting a bowler hat, although he didn't yet have the magical eye, so he wasn't trying to hide it.

"Who else besides Bones is coming?" Severus inquired.

"Your old school mates and Dearborn," Moody replied, glaring at the Muggles with suspicion.

Severus knew the old Auror was thinking they might be undercover Death Eaters. He could easily imagine Moody's magical eye examining them thoroughly and stifled a laugh.

"Potter, Black, and Lupin," Severus muttered. "Typical that they'd want to jump right in."

"That means there will be nine of us, though," Lily pointed out. "That's only to our advantage. We should outnumber them."

"How can you be sure we'll outnumber them?" Marlene questioned.

Before Lily could reply, Edgar walked into the pub, his face drawn into a frown, which only slightly lessened upon seeing the others. Finally, five minutes later, the Marauders joined them.

"We're all here and accounted for," Moody said. "Let's be on our way."

They wasted no time in exiting, and Severus glanced back, seeing the displeased look on the barman's face. Had Severus been more lighthearted, he might have shrugged good-naturedly and given him the thumbs down, but he simply averted his gaze ahead and followed the others.

They walked to the edge of town and down the road until it wound into the country, the only light coming from a few stars peeking through the otherwise thick clouds. Hiding in the woods, they went over the plan and Disillusioned themselves. Edgar then lead them to his house, which sat dark and silent. They hid throughout the interior of the house, waiting... ready.

And they waited.

And waited.

The hours ticked by, and nothing happened. Not a disturbance came. They waited well into the night, since Severus knew the family had been asleep the first time, although he couldn't remember the exact hour when the Death Eaters had invaded the house. Severus grew stiff from being crouched in a closet, and his eyelids were growing heavy by the time a dim morning light shone in under the door.

He was about to leave his place and seek out Lily and the others when he heard Moody's voice shout, "Come on out, everyone! I think it's safe to say that they won't be attacking today!"

Standing, Severus pushed open the closet door and stepped into the hall. He watched as others came out of their hiding places, and everyone assembled in the kitchen. Once everyone was accounted for, Edgar, none too pleased, glared at Severus.

"You're sure of your sources, Snape?" he asked. "Because if you aren't, we've just wasted hours, and I've moved my family for no reason."

"Even if I turn out to be incorrect," Severus replied shortly, "hiding your family wasn't a foolish move. Your family is probably one of the ones in the most danger simply because of your position in the war."

"So, are you saying you can't be entirely sure that we were to be attacked?" demanded Edgar.

"I said early December, Bones!" Severus exclaimed, now annoyed. "It's only the second day of December, and the day has barely begun."

Edgar was silenced, but Moody stated, "Then we'll just come back tonight and every night for the next week to be sure."

James looked emboldened by this suggestion. He clapped Sirius on the back. "Sounds like we've got plans every evening this week now, Padfoot. Looks like you'll have to cancel your dates with Miranda, Susan, and Nicole."

Sirius laughed, and Remus smiled at his friends' antics.

Scowling, Severus marginally refrained from rolling his eyes. "Let's go," he said, looking at Lily.

"We'll meet in the alley on the other side of the pub tonight," Moody stated. "It won't do to meet in the same location as we did last night. Also, I strongly suggest you lot disguise yourselves. If you have Polyjuice available, all the better. If not, transfigure your facial features enough not to be recognized immediately. Should we have to return again tomorrow night, I'll bring along my stock of Polyjuice."

That was Moody, always being overly cautious, but Severus agreed with the old Auror's ways. He nodded, and the next moment later, Lily and he Disapparated directly to Spinner's End.

Flopping onto the sofa in exhaustion and rubbing at his eyes, Severus muttered, "Well, that was a waste of an evening. Maybe Bones was right. I can't know for sure that the attack will happen again."

Lily joined him. "You're worn out. I'm tired, too, Sev. Let's head up to bed and try to get a few hours of sleep. We may have several nights ahead of us like this."

"That's all well and good considering it's the weekend now, but what are we going to do if this is still continuing on Monday?"

Severus stood and waited for Lily to do so as well. As they ascended the stairs, Lily said, "We'll deal with that bridge when it comes time to cross it. For now, we need to sleep. We won't be any good tonight if we're too exhausted to even keep our eyes open."

Grateful Lily didn't ask questions about the exact date and time of the first attack, Severus shrugged off his dirty clothes and threw on a clean nightshirt. The moment his head hit the pillow, he was out.

In the late afternoon, they woke up, finding that the sun was already close to setting. Lily sighed, expressing her sadness at having missed the few precious hours of sunlight afforded in the winter. After refreshing showers and new clothing, they headed back downstairs.

"I guess we'd better get dinner ready," Lily said. "I hope it's over tonight. I don't like this having to sleep during the day stuff."

"I agree," Severus replied, helping her in the kitchen.

He levitated the plates and silverware to the table. Despite they had magic, Lily preferred to do most of the cooking by hand. As she had told Severus on numerous occasions, it was the way she had been brought up.

Dinner consisted of chicken, green beans, and mashed potatoes. The meal was a subdued affair, for all that was on either of their minds was the second attempt at an ambush tonight. After finishing, they went through the same routine as the previous evening, only transfigured their features, and ensured they were bundled warmly, and Disapparated to their designated location.

Severus didn't much care for waiting in an alley. He regarded Lily's blonde hair, which was curly and long. Her eyes were blue, which was perhaps the oddest thing about her. Her nose was elongated slightly, and her lips were made pursier. The woman who stared back at Severus looked familiar, and after a few seconds of examining her, he would have realized it was Lily.

"Are you going to tell me how strange I look?" asked Lily amusedly.

"You're still beautiful, but I like your natural appearance better. It's too bad I didn't have any Polyjuice. I'll have to get started on a brew soon so we have it in case we need it."

Lily smiled at Severus. "Always the thinker and the planner."

Severus allowed himself a small smile. With his tanned skin, brown hair, and blue eyes, Lily thought he looked very unlike himself. His nose had to be transfigured for sure, since few had such a hooked appendage.

Seeing Lily's eyes drift to said nose, he asked, "Should I leave it like this?"

Lily shook her head, waving him off. "Nah, of course not. I like your nose just fine."

He snorted, but then sobered as three others joined them. Severus figured they had to be James, Sirius, and Remus, and after a minute, recognized them.

"Good job on the transfigurations," Lily told him, impressed.

"Transfiguration was always my best subject," James boasted.

Severus inwardly groaned, wishing to wipe that smug grin off the other boy's face, but before anyone could say anything further, Moody, Marlene, and Dearborn joined them.

Ten more minutes passed, and Moody grew impatient. "Where the hell is Bones?" he growled.

Just then, Edgar Apparated into the alley, startling Marlene, who was standing closest to where Edgar had appeared. Panting, the Auror said, "Sorry. Got caught up at work. Had to work today, yeah."

Severus thought the man looked completely knackered.

If he had to go to work today, it's unlikely he got any sleep. Hopefully tonight won't be wasted.

"All right," Moody stated. "Now that we're all here, you know the drill. Let's be off, then. Disillusion yourselves when you get past town."

The motley crowd walked down the street, which was thankfully empty. They passed the pub they had met in yesterday and continued down the street, past the town, and onto a winding road. The sense of deja-vu strong, the Order members trekked until coming to the Bones residence. They resumed their places from the previous night and waited.

Once again, many hours passed. Severus felt the Disillionment Charm and transfigured features wearing off and was beginning to lose faith, but then he heard a bang and remembered Travers kicking in the door after the wards were removed.

He heard Travers laughing, followed by Dolohov saying, "They won't be going anywhere. The Dark Lord instructed us very carefully. They're trapped and at our mercy. Now spread out and don't spare anyone."

Taking this as their cue, Severus waited for someone to stalk past the closet door.

"What the-? Wait a minute!" Travers bellowed. "Something's wrong here!"

Figuring the Death Eaters must have discovered the first empty bedroom, Severus heard a thump, then a yell. One of the Order members had jumped out of hiding and confronted the Death Eaters. He heard more movement and knew that the other Order members were coming out from hiding, surrounding the Death Eaters. Severus decided to wait no longer and left the closet, running toward the scene of the battle.

Order members and Death Eaters alike were already firing off hexes and curses, blasting the ceiling and walls apart in the process. Severus saw Travers, Dolohov, Malfoy, Avery, and Rosier. He didn't waste another moment in assessing the situation, however.

Avery and Rosier were not nearly as experienced as the senior Death Eaters, and likewise, James, Sirius, and Remus weren't as experienced. The younger Order members were fighting the younger Death Eaters, which included Lucius, which seemed appropriate. Lily joined the Marauders, so Severus aided Moody, Edgar, Marlene, and Dearborn.

Dearborn was suddenly thrust back by one of Travers's curses, and he screamed, grabbing at his eyes. He was apparently blinded, and Severus had to quickly dodge out of the way to avoid being hit by Dearborn as he fell.

Severus aimed a Stunner at Travers, who was now battling Moody one-on-one. The Death Eater effectively blocked the Stunner and shot a stream of fire at Severus.

"Back, boy!" Travers jeered. "Think you're so smart, do you, you half-blood filth?"

Marlene's screams sent a chill through Severus, and he saw her twitching on the floor, obviously under the Cruciatus. Dolohov only held it for a few seconds, though, since Edgar was in full pursuit of him.

"Think you were going to harm my family, did you?" Edgar challenged Dolohov. "I've been tracking you for months now, and I think it's high time we put an end to this game!"

"Oh, I quite agree, Bones!" Dolohov snarled. "Muggle-loving Hufflepuff! You were pathetic in school, and it's a wonder you made it this far, but not much farther-"

Dolohov's taunt was silenced Marlene, who had recovered and hexed him. Dolohov's entire face erupted in painful boils, but Marlene hadn't stopped there. She had turned Dolohov's hand to dust, and that was the true source of his pain.

A well-placed Reductor, Severus thought, impressed and awed by Marlene for the first time.

Knowing this was Edgar's battle, Severus joined the Marauders and Lily. Rosier was already incapacitated. Seeing an opening, Severus chose to attack Lucius.

"Hello, Severus," Lucius sneered. "Ready to finally bow to the winning side?"

"Only in your dreams, Lucius," Severus hissed, "and even then, unlikely."

Severus fought fiercely. He was completely detached from any former admiration he may have harbored for Malfoy. Ever the coward, Malfoy panicked and started to lose ground.

"Ready to surrender?" Severus asked.

Lucius literally spat at Severus, then Disapparated.

Bloody fucking coward.

Avery, realizing he was the last of the younger Death Eaters standing, appeared fearful and Disapparated a moment later.

"Coward!" Sirius bellowed after him, but he turned and looked down at Rosier, binding him with ropes.

Moody and Travers were still duelling, but Edgar and Marlene were gaining the upper hand with Dolohov.

Marlene sent another Reductor at the bastard, turning his forearm into dust, and Dolohov screamed in agony again, blood dripping from the gaping wound and spattering the walls as what was left of his arm swung to and fro.

"Enough!" Dolohov choked, trying to hold his arms up.

"I'll decide that!" Edgar shouted, and with shock, Severus realized the Auror was hitting the Death Eater with the Cruciatus.

Travers growled at his companion's weakness and Disapparated, leaving Dolohov to his fate.

Dolohov was now the only Death Eater left, besides the bound Rosier. The Order members watched in stunned silence as Edgar struck again. Dolohov was nothing more than a broken and bloody heap on the floor now, but Edgar didn't seem to care.

"That's for trying to come after my family!" Edgar screamed, and Severus was shocked by the fury on the Auror's face, which was contorted in rage. Angry tears were leaking from the corner's of his eyes, and his teeth were bared.

"P-please," Dolohov begged. "H-have mercy."

"Why should I?" Edgar asked harshly. "What I'm giving you is nothing more than what you'd do to me. You deserve to die."

Severus watched in horror, seeing the gleam in Edgar's eyes. He knew that look. It was the look someone had seconds before killing another. By his side, Lily held her breath, not sure what would happen next.

"Bones," Moody suddenly interjected, his rough voice calm.

"What is it, Moody?" Edgar demanded. "Don't try and stop me!"

"Bones," Moody stated more loudly. "This isn't the right way. You'll be like him if you kill him."

Edgar's wand trembled in his hand and then fell, hitting the floor with a resounding clatter. Overcome with emotion, he stepped back and choked back a sob.

Moody Stunned Doholov. "Tend to Dearborn," he instructed Marlene, who went to Dearborn's side immediately.

"You lot," he called over to the Marauders, Severus, and Lily, "who will take the young one?"

"I'll do it," James offered, and Sirius and Remus nodded.

"Very well," Moody grunted. "Bones, go home to your family. You're safe. There's nothing more to be done here."

"It's over?" Dearborn asked softly.

"Yes, it's over. Let's all go home. Potter, Black, Lupin, you come with me to the Ministry with him," he said, indicating Rosier.

The Marauders complied, and a moment later, Moody and they Disapparated with the two bound Death Eaters.

"Is he all right?" Lily asked Marlene.

"He'll be fine," Marlene replied. "Can you see again, Caradoc?"

Dearborn nodded. "Good as new. Thanks, Mar."

Marlene nodded. Turning to Edgar, she said softly, "Take care, Edgar."

Edgar didn't reply, so Marlene and Dearborn took that as their chance to leave, feeling it would be inappropriate to stay. Edgar just remained standing there. This was his house, so he was technically already home.

"Edgar?" Lily asked gently. "You okay?"

Edgar shook his head. His eyes met Severus's, and he croaked, "You were right. I- I'm sorry I doubted you at first."

"It's... nothing," Severus replied, unsure of what to say, the realization that his foreknowledge had just saved the Bones family not yet fully sinking in.

"You'll be okay?" Lily asked.

"Go ahead," Edgar said. "This is my home, after all..."

Lily took Severus by the hand, and they Disapparated. Once back at Spinner's End, Lily wordlessly guided her husband upstairs. The impression left by the battle was etched on her young heart and in her young mind now, and Lily was beginning to understand the price of war.

And this had been a win for them.

Mission accomplished, but it was only the beginning.

Author's Note: Real life has been busy. I worked thirteen (13!!) hours today! So... this chapter was later than I anticipated, but it's LONG, which ought to make you happy... I hope. There's a new poll up! Please vote!!

Also, I've created a forum where you can discuss this fic. You can join and find it here: http: / www . fanfiction . net / myforums / Sindie / 46567 / (remove spaces)