"Lily!" Mary shrieked, she and Alice fleeing from the smoke. Alice whipped out her wand to help Slughorn clear the air and Mary went immediately to her friend's rescue.

But James had beaten her to it.

The two other students who had also collapsed because of their explosion lay on the floor as Slughorn made to help them, letting Alice de-pollute the air in the class (she had learned this technique after the Big Stink Bomb of the Marauders a few years back. The effects were still ingrained into the walls, ceiling and floor in the fifth floor corridor.)

Lily heard mumbling overhead as she blinked her eyes. She couldn't see properly. Hazel eyes formed, worried, behind glasses as a wand swished over her head.

"Renevate."

She looked up at him, fully awake now, and had a silent coughing fit.

James helped her sit up and rubbed her back as she continued to cough without a sound, tears forming in her eyes she spluttered so much. Her throat felt dry and itchy as she swallowed numerous times, James patting her back encouragingly. She sighed when it had passed, wiping away a spilled tear, smiling at her two worried friends that were in her face.

I'm ok, she mouthed. And blinked. Her face morphed into a confused expression. What? she tried to say.

"Lily, you've got to talk to me," said Alice, cocking her head with her hands on her knees. Mary nodded, and turned her head towards her as though trying to hear her.

But I am talking to you! Why can't you hear me? Why can't I hear me?

Her friends puzzled as she mouthed at them noiselessly. She strained her vocal cords, causing another coughing fit, but no sound came out. Oh no! Terror had now replaced the confusion. What's happened to me?

She looked at James angrily. Did you do this? she tried to ask.

"Lily, we can't hear you. Are you ok?" he said, innocence on his face before she took a swipe at him. He dodged neatly, hurt however by the gesture. "What did I do!?"

This apparently! she mouthed. Make me better! James Potter if you don't give me my voice again I'll strangle-

"Lily, cut it out, James didn't do anything!" Mary said, Alice helping her as they dragged Lily from James.

But he did this!

"What wrong with Lily?" asked James to Slughorn, brushing off his robes.

"She inhaled the yellow aerosol?" Slughorn asked a worried look across his face. Lily blinked, and nodded. What did that have to do with this? "She's taken the ruined speech potion that those Hufflepuffs created. Apparently, she's had an effect, but at least she's not spouting warts."

Lily grimaced at the two other students mouthing wordlessly to each other with warts on their faces and hands.

"Something to do with the toad stools. Get them to the Hospital Wing, you three. You'll receive full credit. Hurry, hurry now, before their conditions worsen. See what Madam Pomfrey can do for her," Slughorn said concerned lines on his face. "And if they can't speak anymore, well, famous people have been mutes, Lily."

Lily's eyes widened in horror. Never speak again?

Before Mary or Alice moved, James swept her up in his arms and hurried her out of the dungeon. She was surprised at his sprint as he ran up the staircase. She felt so small in his arms, but then regained her brain, and yelled I can still walk you know!… noiselessly. And groaned noiselessly before pouting to herself. That at least everyone did silently.

"Now you're in for it, aren't you?" James said, look down at her with a smirk. "You can't yell at me for anything." She frowned, and folded her arms like a child. But his smile faded, "For a second there I thought you were a goner."

As if, she said willfully.

He grinned as she groaned with out a sound.