Chapter 5

A piercing scream stopped all activity in Hogsmeade. Someone, somewhere, had felt the Cruciatus Curse. Chaos erupted.

With practiced agility, James withdrew his invisibility cloak, drew Lily towards him, and hid them underneath it. He pulled them towards a secluded alley thus far undisturbed. Lily clutched his arm, looking up frantically. "What's happening? How-how-?" Her voice trembled.

James grabbed her face in both hands to steady her. He looked into her eyes and whispered, "Evan, we don't have a lot of time. We need to find our friends, they may be in trouble. We'll use the cloak, we'll be safe as long as we're under here, and we'll take out as many Death Eaters as we can. We need to hold this off until the professors can get here. Do you understand? I need you to say it."

"Yes, Potter, I understand." She spoke with resolve his time. She grabbed hold of his hand.

"Don't let go Evans."

"I won't."

They started running underneath the cloak. It was awkward at best but nevertheless effective as they dodged and took down attackers. As they made their way into the center of the turmoil.

"You know, I don't think I'll ever need them to wear purple hair, thanks though."

"Yes they're already rather conspicuous aren't they?"

At last they heard familiar voices shouting.

"Stupefy! Alice's voice echoed.

"There's too many of them!" Sirius shouted.

But from underneath the cloak James aimed at the Death Eaters and sent wordless spells their way. The confusion that ensued almost tilted the battle towards them. Until the most somber of figures apparated into the battle.

The Dark Lord appraised the sight.

Remus didn't waste any time and fired a spell. Lord Voldemort easily deflected him, levitated him, and threw him against the nearest building. He moved swiftly to his next target: Marlene.

"Crucio!" Marlene's ear-splitting scream were enough to make Lily forget her promise to James. She left the sanctuary of the cloak and began a string of advanced charms that managed make Voldemort stumble. As he shielded himself he looked at her with interest.

"How curious. A mudblood." He hissed.

With a quick swish of his wand he targeted her. Lily's wand dropped from her hand as a thousand invisible knives pierced her right forearm, but she endured in silent agony. Just as the Dark Lord approached her, a commanding voice overtook them.

"Expelliarmus!" James voice sounded dangerous. Voldemort countered and they locked in a duel. James began shouting instructions. "Peter, make sure Remus is okay. Sirius, same with Marlene, then take care of the other Death Eaters. Alice and Frank-" But he didn't need to say anything to Alice and Frank, because they both sent their own spells towards Lord Voldemort. Seemingly without effort, Voldemort's counterspell expanded, his wand shooting out three rays of orange light. Just when James thought he couldn't hold it anymore, Lily's voice rang out, "Stupefy!"

Again Voldemort extended his counterspell, four rays emanating from his wand. But if was enough to make him waver as a rapidly approaching figure cast a fifth spell. The Dark Lord howled when Dumbledore's charm hit him, apparating out of Hogsmeade instantly. His followers took after him, ending the battle as quickly as it had started. Only the rain remained.

Dumbledore lowered his wand. "Are any of you hurt?"

Lily winced as she tried to move her hand. "I've seen better days Professor." Tiny puncture wounds filled her forearm, oozing blooding. James was by her side wrapping a torn piece of his robes all along her arm. Voices echoed around them, getting closer. A group of the other professors and students made their way toward them, Sirius and Marlene leading the way.

"Anyone didn't make it Professor?" James asked.

"Not that we can tell. It seems they weren't here to inflict that kind of damage. I'd like to speak with you all tomorrow, but tonight you must rest. A few of you should go the Hospital Wing." Dumbledore glanced at Lily.

"On it." Without warning James scooped up Lily and started walking.

"Potter put me down this instant!" She demanded. "I'm perfectly capable of walking by myself, I just hurt my arm. You're humiliating me."

James smirked. "You just took on the Dark Lord Evans, I don't think people are going to think less of you. I'm not going to risk you passing out from blood loss.

Lily stopped protesting, and the crowds parted for them. She saw Severus hiding in the shadows with an expression. Something about the empty look in his eyes made her press more closely against James. " You must be enjoying this." Lily said flatly.

"I'm not enjoying seeing you hurt Evans." He sounded angry, but his eyes softened when he looked at her. They said no more, and before they reached the castle, she had already fallen asleep in his arms.

The others followed, all but Peter.