Disclaimer:
I own nothing created and or mentioned, by J.K. Rowling, in the books of Harry Potter. This story is a product intended for enjoyment not financial gain.

Rating: Mature
Sexual content, language content, and dark themes

The last month of classes were perfectly agonizing and utterly unbearable. Potter had doubled his efforts of contorting Severus' life into hell since he called Lily a mudblood and now he didn't even have his best friend to seek solace in.

When Lily had said she was no longer going to concern herself with him she was indubitably serious. She had been angry with him in the past, consequently ignoring him, but would always end up forgiving him in the end. In the first week of his shunning it was all Severus could do to not break down in anxiety ridden fury, frustrated that this miserable situation was lasting more than forty-eight hours. Not sparing him a glance during lessons Lily seemed determined to ignore him completely. If their paths would cross in the halls she would pass right by, not seeing him, treating him as an absolute stranger. When he continued to attempt apologies she would shake her head and walk away as if he was some ridiculous first year begging for her attention, refusing to hear him out. Refusing to utter a single word in his direction. Severus was abducted by sorrow, engrossing him in a bitter disposition that was so severe that even his Slytherin associates scarcely wanted anything to do with him. In the final week of his fifth year he was feeling more isolated and alone than he had ever been before. . .

The sun was shining down on Severus' head and neck, encasing him in heat. He sat on his trunk, looking out at the castle for one last time before boarding the Hogwarts Express. He was looking forward to going home as one looked forward to walking the gallows, feeling even less welcome at his house than he ever did at school. At the very least Hogwarts contained classes to occupy his time and distract him from his tormented situations. At home his only diversion had been Lily. Now he had nothing.

Snape stood and stretched his limbs, ridding himself of stiffness, before picking up his trunk and rolling it over to the train crew's already hefty pile of other student's luggage. He was about to climb on board when he was pushed off balance, almost crashing off the high steps, as the door handle scratched him painfully in the small of his back as he hit the side of the train. He grimaced in pain as his hand awkwardly went to the place on his back where a small gash had appeared beneath his robes.

"Watch yourself, Snivellus," James Potter said, glaring at him bitterly as he mounted the steps. Sirius laughed vilely, spitting at Snape's feet, before following his friend up the steps. Peter Pettigrew guffawed after them, chasing his soul mates, babbling about how funny they both were. Remus Lupin stopped before the entrance, looking at Snape apologetically.

"After you," Remus said with a friendly smile on his lips. Severus stared at him with contempt, unmoving, until Lupin received the message and followed his friend's suit; boarding the train.

Severus was tense and uncomfortable, having his hand balled over his wand the entire time, only relaxing as he watched his prime enemies disappear from his sight. How he loathed the lot of them. He let out a lengthy breath of relief, the he was left unmolested, before clambering onto the train himself.

Squeezing past various students, he tried to find an empty compartment (or something relatively close). After some time of shoving his way down the aisle he found Avery and Rosier, figuring they were better company than anyone else or solitude for that matter, he let himself into the carrel.

"You've got to be fucking kidding me," Avery was saying, looking at Evan Rosier with amusement in his eyes.

"No, I swear," Rosier said, laughing and moving his bag so Snape could sit down. "Ask Severus, he's half muggle."

"Is it true that muggles worship some flaming hippie and think we're created by a talking— dead— entity?" Avery asked looking incredulous. Severus' mouth curled into a sneer and nodded.

"Yes, they call it Christianity. It's a religion of sorts with at least five different sects that all believe the same damn thing but claim to be different in subject matter. Its ludicrous," Snape said, settling himself next to Evan.

"But the part about the dirty hippie being who they worship, thats true?"

"Yes, the muggles refer to him as Jesus Christ. They like to believe that he was resurrected from the grave and then proceeded to cure them of all their sins or wrong doings—as well as turn water into wine. Leave it to muggles to bring alcohol into absolutely everything. Even their religion. They never mind that records indicate this Jesus character was a lonely carpenter with no magical or divine powers to speak of."

"And the talking dead guy creating them?"

"All true," said Snape.

"No shit?" Said Avery, a smile blooming on his face. "Muggles are dumber than I thought."

"See, thats what I was trying to tell you," Evan said leaning back, his hands behind his head, extending his legs and crossing them at the ankles. "Dumb ass creatures; should be put out of their misery and exterminated"

"We'll really give em someone to worship once we join up," Avery said with a chuckle, mimicking Evan's position of reclining his head and extending his legs.

"Certainly won't be some disheveled carpenter," Severus chimed, his sneer more pronounced, as they all began talking of their plans to join The Dark Lord's ranks after finishing school.

As the ride back to London progressed and the candy cart had come and gone twice, Avery, Snape, and Evan began playing poker to pass the time. Severus was a very good poker player, being able to keep his face inscrutably passive. Avery was the worst of the three, having already lost twelve galleons and was due to loose more in the hand being played.

Snape sat confidently, his cards elegantly sprawled out in his fingers, forming the image of a fan as Avery looked past his own cards, studying Severus' face, hoping to receive any indication that he might have a dismal hand

"I bloody fold," Avery said, slamming his cards down.

Evan also looked at Snape who returned his gaze with an ambiguous smirk on his lips. He had just added four sickles and a galleon to for his last wager, evident of an outstanding draw.

"I fold too," Rosier said angrily as Snape happily collected his winnings.

"I only had two pair by the way gentlemen," said Severus arrogantly, shoving the large sum into his pockets.

"Sod off, Snape," Evan said leaning his head against the window.

This comment elicited a hearty laugh from Severus as he reclined his head against the back cushion of the bench, closing his eyes momentarily. The lethargy and heavy sensation of sleep reigned through his mind as the bumping of the train rocked him soothingly.

"Hey, Snape," Avery said swatting his leg. Severus opened his eyes with a start and looked at Avery who was pointing to the door. His eyes followed Avery's extended finger to see Lily standing at the window. His heart fluttered as he gaped stupidly, completely shocked to see her there. He thought he was surprised to merely see her within ten yards of himself but was even more so when she undid the latch and let herself in.

"Sev, can we talk?" She asked abruptly, looking uncomfortably around the compartment.

"I— uh— well—yes, of course," he babbled standing up and following her out of the carrel. He silently followed her down the aisle, his mind racing with guesses as to why she might have summoned him to talk. She lead him all the way to the end of the section to the single occupant bathroom where she climbed in, pulling him inside after her. Slamming the door shut in his wake.

For a moment Severus' imagination claimed the better of him as he grew excited about being shut in such a small space with Lily. They hadn't spoken in weeks but that didn't revoke the chance of foreplay (or sex) taking place. In point of fact there wasn't much talking in sexual activity anyway. They were pressed close together, their knees almost touching, and Severus had the natural urge to wrap his arms about her waist and pull her to him in order to devour her lips. His vivid hallucination continued as he envisioned himself seated on the toilet seat, Lily straddling him fondly, grinding against his lap in heated lust. . .

"Look, firsts things first, what I'm about to tell you isn't going to change a bloody thing between us, do you understand?"

Damn.

"What is it?" Severus asked, his erroneous daydreams shattering.

"Do you understand, Severus? I don't want to continue until you get that."

"I understand, Lily, damn," Severus said irritably, narrowing his eyes, subsequently glaring at the floor.

Of course she wouldn't want to mend their broken friendship. Of course she still wanted to make him feel like a swarm of ants infiltrating a picnic. Of course she had to make sure that he understood that she still outwardly despised him even though he was remarkably sorry. He didn't need her telling him that. He knew all too well that she hated him. One would think that Severus had suffered enough, but not her. Not Little Miss Gryffindor, stubborn as a jackass.

"Now, what is it?" Severus pressed.

"There's no easy way to say this," she said looking nervously about herself. Her green eyes darted to the occupied sign, the door handle, the walls, anything but Severus. " And I don't want you to flip out."

"What?" He mused.

"I'm pregnant," she said quietly, still not daring to look at him.

"It's not mine," he commented all too quickly.

Her expression hardened as she chewed the inside of her cheek. She stared at him as if he had sprouted extra ears and she hated him for it, her eyes judging his response. "It is yours, Severus. I wouldn't be talking to you if it wasn't," she said formidably, her temper apparently rising. That obviously wasn't the reaction she was looking for from him.

"That's— that's just not possible," he said nervously, jerking his head to remove a strand of hair from his face. He couldn't be a father, no, that just couldn't happen. She was mistaken.

"How in the hell is it not possible?" She asked folding her arms in front of her and narrowing her eyes at him. "We had sex, and now I'm pregnant. It's a pretty easy puzzle, Severus."

"It isn't mine," he said again but with more vigor.

"There hasn't been anyone else lately so yes it's yours!" She said, her anger becoming boisterous, manifested by her eyes being slivers and her foot fiercely tapping.

As the words left her lips Severus' denial washed away to be replaced with an atypical dread that quickened his pulse and tightened his chest. The concept slowly sunk in and there was no way to describe his mental state other than immaculate fear. There was a taste in his mouth like vinegar while his palms became clammy, his tongue going dry.

"Merlin, " Severus moaned, pressing a hand to his head, his face draining of color as he leaned his back against the door for support. Frantic worry came over him confirmed by a cold sweat forming about his neck and upper lip. How could this be happening?

"That's more of the response I was looking for," stated Lily as she sat on top of the toilet seat, her chin in her hand.

"What are we going to do?" Severus asked, pulling his hands into fists for they began to shake. His head felt light as if he had completed rigorous exercise, buzzing with fervid intensity.

"I don't know," She said looking at her feet.

"Get rid of it!" he commanded urgently.

"I'm not taking an aborting solution!" She yelped, seemingly affronted he would even suggest it. "It's far too experimental and I could hurt myself!"

"It's a risk we'll have to take," Snape continued exigently.

"Easy for you to say," she began coldly. "It's not you so it's a risk worth taking."

"What?" He asked unable to believe his ears. Was she calling him selfish or was she insinuating he didn't care about her? 'It's not you so it's a risk worth taking'. How could she peg him as so self absorbed?

"Look the last thing I need is you pushing abortion potions onto me and being so—so— you."

"What in the name of Merlin is that supposed to mean?" He asked, pushing himself off the support of the door.

His emotions shifted like an electrical current jumping from one circuit to the next. He was no longer feeling vulnerable, shocked, and frightened. He felt angry and cavalier. How dare she force this issue onto him? This wasn't his problem. Furthermore, how dare she insult him? 'I don't need you being so you'. Where did she get off on saying such things? And to think, he wanted to touch her erotically not ten minutes ago!

"You know exactly what I mean. I don't need you being some immature lunatic who's going to be rude and sarcastic at every turn while having nothing but, let's say, abortion potions to bring to the table!"

"You've got some nerve springing this on me after not speaking to me for weeks," he said darkly, his expression livid.

Lily made a loud noise of disapproval. "You called me a mudblood, Severus!"

"But you—"

"No, Sev! You're not going to put this on me. You've no one to blame but yourself!"

"But you hadn't been speaking to me since before I called you mudblood," Snape indicated quickly.

"That well— that's different," she faltered, slightly taken aback.

"Why were you avoiding me, Lily?" Asked Snape, staring into her eyes with such intensity she looked away.

"I don't know," she answered meekly.

"Thats not good enough!" He cried, his temper flaring ever higher. "I won't accept that ans—"

"Because I was disgusted with myself and I couldn't look at you!" She blurted, tears welling in her eyes. "There are you happy?" She asked wiping her tears with the back of her hand.

Disgusted with herself? How could that be so? That night was the most magical of Severus' young life and it— disgusted her? He felt the rapids of humiliation coursing through him all too quickly. Color rose in his cheeks as he internally scolded himself for enjoying a night so exquisitely when it repelled Lily to the point of avoiding him. He should have known that no woman, especially Lily, could ever touch him and look at themselves in the mirror come morning. That would have been too grand a treat for life to bestow upon him.

Severus remained silent, after Lily's confession of aversion, causing the water-closet to be filled with such an intense ambiance it was shocking it didn't burst into flame.

"Look, this is going nowhere," Lily said dabbing her eyes with her index fingers, trying to sound nonchalant, before opening the door. "We can figure out the fine details over the summer, I'll see you around," she said, exiting the restroom, walking down the aisle and leaving him all alone—again. . .

Lily walked as far as the train would allow, attempting to put as much space between herself and Severus. Tears were laden in her green eyes as she opened the opaque door to the outer caboose. She flung herself out and was stopped by the safe-gate as she watched the passing railway, hoping the active wind would cleanse her mood. This situation, being pregnant at sixteen, was bad enough but why did it have to be Severus' child? It just wasn't fair! Why did it have to be the child of the man who thought of her as a mudblood, was insufferably bitter, and wanted nothing more than to join You-Know-Who? Not only was she concerned, and scared shitless, about giving birth to a baby she was dreadfully bothered that she might not care for the infant because of who's it was. Lily brought her hands to her lower abdomen and pressed gently, attempting to feel something for the fetus within. To her complete dismay all she felt was frigidity. Severus' seed was cold within her, causing fresh tears to spill over her eyes. Her legs grew weak beneath her as she sobbed uncontrollably, compelling her to kneel on the small platform in complete emotional agony. . .

Severus stood in the small bathroom trying to control his ramped agitation by breathing slowly through his nose and expelling the air fluidly. His thoughts were moving swiftly as he contemplated chasing after her. He wanted to go forth and talk to her further. Discuss her erroneous abhorrence and the abominable child that festered in her womb. Something within told him that was a bad idea and that he should provide her with space. He took in a breath, letting it out in a vicious sigh, before leaving the bathroom and going back to his compartment to stew in his newly discovered plight.

The rest of the train ride was distressful at best and Severus could barely contain himself for his disastrous emotions. The Hogwarts Express rolled to a stop with a hiss as Severus sprang up from his seat, leaving Avery and Rosier with a meager farewell. He bombarded himself through the sea of students, waited impatiently to claim his trunk, and set off from platform nine and three-quarters in a slump.

His eyes scanned the parking lot, moving over the many colored cars and muggles, until they rested on an acidic gangly women with long dark hair and skin paler than milk: his mother. He bowed his head and pressed on towards her, lugging his trunk behind him.

"Let's go," Eileen said as he approached her, his eyes firmly on the ground.

She didn't look pleased to see her son, nor did she seem discontent. It was as if the fact that he had returned after many months of absence simply existed. She had an aura of obligation about her as if she was concluding a simple quest she had set off to perform. Eileen placed her hand around Severus' upper arm, clamping down on the thin appendage, with a vice like grip before apparating with a crack.

As they appeared within the living room of three thirty Spinner's End Severus inhaled deeply, forgetting just how much he disliked the aroma of his house. It smelled of rotting cigarette butts and filthy animals despite them not even owning a dog. Not much had changed since he had last been there, the same threadbare sofa displayed in the middle of the room accompanied by a rickety coffee table. The same mundane white walls, stained with dirt and remnants of cobwebs. There was the familiar fog of cigarette smoke in the air giving the room it's signature depressing haze. The same awkward photographs, perched on the mantle, of himself and his family, looking quite unhappy. His father occupying his favorite seat at the dining table, smoking, reading the muggle news paper, refusing to acknowledge Severus' return. Merlin, he hated this place.

"Dinner will be ready in half an hour," Eileen informed him as she disappeared into the kitchen, busying herself with cooking.

Severus swallowed hard before ascending the stairs up to the first room on the left, his domain. He set his trunk in the closet, kicking the door closed before reacquainting himself with his bedroom. The four bare and slightly yellowed walls were more claustrophobic than he had recalled, giving off the atmosphere of a jail cell. The smeared window in the corner, directly over the radiator, was for ever filthy, the sill decorated with dust and insect carcasses. The floor creaked, the ceiling was cracked, and the insulation horrid. His poor excuse of a bed stood before him and squeaked loudly as he lowered himself onto it. He sighed deeply, nonchalantly rubbing his hands together. Well, there were only two and half months left of summer. . .

Lily went directly to her room after a short visit with her family, burying her face deep within her pillow. Her head was pounding within her skull, her sinuses clogged from weeping. She knew she had to talk to Severus again soon which made her feel fervently rotten and unexpectedly tired. No matter how much she thought about it, trying to accept it, Lily could not move past the fact that she was chained to Severus for life now. Tethered through the duration of their child's existence. It had taken so much in her to end their friendship, knowing it was the best thing for her, and now she was going to have to associate with him indefinitely. She would have simply shut him out if it weren't for the fact that it wouldn't be fair to the baby, robbing it of a father. It still remained to be seen what kind of father Severus would make although she had a good idea. Perhaps it would be better off without him. . .

The next morning Lily awoke feeling weak and nauseated, sending her straight for the toilet bowl. She indeterminately wretched up bile and saliva, having nothing else within her to give. In the beginning of her first term, before she knew she was pregnant, the daily trips to the bathroom were intolerable. It was safe to say she was accustomed to them at this point, being two months in. She closed the toilet seat, wiping her mouth delicately before moving straight to the sink to rinse her mouth of the sick and brush the bitter taste away. She combed her long red hair and stared into her own eyes within the mirror. Taking a step back she lifted her shirt and turned to examine herself from the side, looking for any indication of a hump. Her stomach was still flat, showing no signs of her tender condition.

Once dressed and fed she left her home in a hurry, beginning her daunting task of walking to Spinner's End to speak to Severus once more. She inadvertently shuddered as she recalled the events of their last chat. Hopefully the conversation she intended to instigate wouldn't end in such hopelessness. She had never been to his home before. It being one of Severus' silly rules that she was not allowed in or around his house. She would have loved to see him try and enforce that one given the present circumstance. . .

Severus sat at the dining table with a bowl of cereal, gone soggy, in front of him. The Daily Prophet was held firmly in his hand although his eyes weren't moving with reading. He was trying to ignore his parent's argument, prevailing miserably.

"Yeah, yeah, yeah, I'm a bluh'y shtupid mugg'ow!" Tobias bellowed as he threw the kitchen door open with a bang, causing it to hit the plaster on the wall with a frightful crunch. His father was in a bad mood that morning (not like it was different any other morning) for he couldn't drink before work.

Tobias Snape was a tall man, wide in stature (mainly from all the manuel labor he performed on a daily basis) with the same jet black hair and hooked nose he passed on to Severus. His Northern English accent was strong for he didn't attempt to suppress it as his son often did. Tobias was dressed in his mangled work boots and dilapidated factory clothes, both ravished by large grease marks and oil stains.

He thundered to the dining table and stood before Severus. "Move!" He barked, snapping his fingers irritably. Severus immediately stood up, allowing his father to sit at the head of the table. He moved a seat over, setting his bowl and paper down accordingly, eyeing his father as he sat drumming his fingers and bouncing his knee with impatience.

" 'Urry up Eileen, I'm gon'be late," his father yelled.

As if on cue, Eileen proceeded through the door, a plate of ham and eggs in hand.

"Here," she said coldly, dropping the plate with a clatter before sitting down opposite Severus at the small table. The room filled slowly with smoke as Tobias lit a cigarette. Severus recalled the smell of cigarette smoke used to give him a head ache but at this point in his life, at sixteen, he was all too used to it.

"Pu' tha' away," Tobias snapped at Severus, indicating the Daily Prophet.

Severus clenched his jaw and narrowed his eyes in irritation before folding the paper and placing it a few inches to the side of him. He didn't understand his father's no-reading-at-the-table rule. It's not as if they ever had decent conversation.

"An' wipe tha' look off ya face before I smack i'off," he threatened dangerously. "Ya know yer not suppose' t'be readin' at ma tab'ow."

Severus dropped his head in submission, glaring at the floor, fearing the concept of angering his father. Tobias was a firm believer in corporal punishment and did not hesitate to raise a hand to his son.

His mother was no better, having been raised in a classical pure blood home. If a child misbehaved they were punished with lashings, namely by means of magic. Which in Severus' opinion hurt far more exquisitely then his father's silly belt. It seemed the only thing the two agreed on was beating good behavior into their son. Everything else they discussed or did usually ended in argument.

The tense moment at the table was quickly interrupted by three raps on the door. Severus looked from his lap towards the threshold. Tobias continued eating as if no one had knocked. Eileen stood and walked towards the door, opening it resultantly.

"Is Severus home?" The voice of Lily asked.

Snape maneuvered his head to get a glimpse of whom ever was speaking. Seeing quite plainly, through the gap between his mother and the doorframe, the fiery red hair and a long slender arm. He knew it had been Lily by her voice but was hoping, perhaps foolishly, that it wasn't.

"He is," Eileen replied curtly. "What, may ask, is your business with him?"

"I was uh—wondering if I could speak with him?" Lily inquired meekly. She had never actually spoken to Mrs. Snape before, she had only seen her at platform nine and three-quarters, and it was easy to see that Lily felt uncomfortable in her presence.

"Obviously," Eileen said raising a scrutinizing brow. "Concerning what?"

"I—uh—well— I mean— do you think I could just see him?"

"Do you think you could answer my simple question," Eileen asked, blocking Lily's view of the dining table as she made every indication she was trying to find Severus' gaze to rescue her from the awkward conversation at hand.

"Mother, please," Severus murmured somberly, causing Eileen's head to turn like a whip in his direction. Severus' gaze automatically bowed to the floor from her stern look, only his eyes shifting towards his mother. She turned her attention back to Lily, ignoring her sons pleas.

"What's your business?" She asked again.

Lily looked bewildered for she was unable to blurt out the true intentions of her visit. That would indubitably end in chaos and quite possibly murder. Mrs. Snape already appeared to be in a sour mood.

"Its sort of— I just wanted to talk to him," Lily said, folding her arms self-consciously about her.

"So you've stated you stupid girl. If you cannot muster an avid reason as to what you wish to discuss with my son I don't see why you should be wasting his time. Now get off my property," Eileen snapped tersely, slamming the door in her face causing Lily's eyes to widen in shock at such rudeness.

Lily stood semi-dazed and flustered, unable to believe what had just happened. How could one woman be so nasty? Her eyebrows furrowed as it became all to clear where Severus received his demeanor from. How could he not be abrupt with nothing but that wench for example since childhood? She sighed deeply before turning and walking down the two steps back to the sidewalk. She was half a block away when she heard her name being called.

"Lily!" Severus yelled, jogging to meet her. Lily turned and waited for him as he approached. "Sorry about that," he said after a moment of them standing silently.

"Is she always like that?" Lily asked coldly, glaring at Severus' house.

"Yes," he said quickly, clasping his hands behind his back.

"Even to you?"

"Especially to me."

"I'm sorry," Lily said, unable to imagine how angry and frustrated she would be if her own mother was as vulgar as Mrs. Snape.

"It's of no importance," he said waving his hand dismissively. "You said you wanted to speak with me."

"Yeah," she said as she began walking, Severus at her side. "I wanted to continue our conversation from yesterday. I know it didn't go so well, we were both short, but Sev, we really need to figure out what we're going to do about this."

"I stand where I did then. Aborting it would be the best solution," Severus suggested, mimicking Lily as she sat on a vacant bus-stop bench.

"I'm not aborting the baby so you can just put that out of your mind," she snapped, glaring at the sidewalk. "Merlin, what is it with you?"

"What do you mean?" Severus asked sounding offended.

"I've already told you I wasn't taking an abortion potion on the train yet you're still trying to force the notion down my throat."

"I'm not forcing anything. It was merely—a suggestion. . ." he said trailing off slightly as Lily scoffed.

"I'm not having an abortion. Besides it's not the baby's fault we were careless. It doesn't deserve to die for our mistake."

"Yes, yes, okay," said Severus irritably, folding his arms over his chest. "Since you seem so keen to carry this spawn to term what about adoption?"

Lily couldn't help but smile at his tone and choice of words. It really was a spawn, the spawn of Severus Snape.

"I've considered it but have you heard those stories about adoptive parents collecting babies for satanic rituals and stuff?"

"No, I can't say I've heard such stories," Severus said, a patronizing smirk on his lips.

"Well, it happens," she said while crossing her arms defiantly in front of her.

"That seems like a highly irrational fear if you ask me," Severus said looking at Lily who's face was pouty and flustered.

"Maybe so but what if the parents act all nice in front of us but turn out to be pure blooded maniacs who teach the baby to hate muggle borns and anyone else who isn't the same as them?"

"You think your judge of character is so lax?"

"No, Severus, people can lie. People can, I don't know, be. . ."

"Evil?" he finished for her.

"Yeah," she said looking away from him. A moment of thick silence passed between them.

"Well, it sounds as if you've made your decision, Lily. Seems like you're set on keeping it."

"I guess I am," she said whimsically. "Are you, like, okay with that? I mean you don't have to help out if you don't want to. I'm not going to force you to be in the baby's life if you'd rather not."

"I'm not going to abandon you to raise it alone," he stated looking out at the road rather than at Lily. "It's my mistake as much as yours."

"So, we're going to raise it then?" Lily asked gingerly.

"It appears so," he said, looking passive yet feeling nervous.

"It's gonna be okay," she said looking into the distance

"Yeah, I sure as hell hope so. . ."

Author's Note: I do hope you enjoyed the third installment of A Beleaguered Life. From here things are really going to pick up since we've reached our plot point.