"We've got to take her to the hospital wing!" screamed James. He gently lifted Lily into his arms and started running in the direction of the hospital wing, Sirius running behind them. It was a relief Lily was so light. James might've been out of breath by the time they reached there.

"Madam Malkins!" screamed James as he entered the hospital wing. There were annoyed groans from people lying underneath covers on top of soft beds. James ignored them. He didn't care how many people he woke up. All he cared about was the unconscious girl in his arms whose skin had turned a pale, unhealthy colour. Madam Malkins came round the corner, her face angry, but as soon as she caught sight of Lily her expression turned to one of worry.

"Quickly," she said urgently. She turned her back on them and ran in the opposite direction. James and Sirius obediently followed. She located an empty bed and pointed to it.

"Put her there," she said. James gently laid Lily on top of the crisp clean white covers. She was so pale, paler then she normally was.

"Oh dear, dear," murmered Madam Malins as she checked her out. "What happened?"

"We don't know, we just found her like this," explained Sirius. "She collapsed just as we reached her."

"Will you be able to fix her?" cried James. Madam Malkins took a deep breath then looked up at him. James took one look at her face and collapsed into a chair, his head buried in his hands. Sirius knew why. The expression on her face read 'I don't know'

It was night time. By this time, most of the school had found out what happened to Lily. James was surprised how many people came to visit her. Casey walked in along with Alice, Janet and Mary. As soon as Alice caught sight of her, she broke into tears and ran out of the hospital wing. Mary walked over to the bed and dropped a handful of sweet smelling lilies into an empty vase one top of the bedside table. She took a seat next to Lily on the bed and began to stroke her long, red hair. James saw Janet, her eyes' puffy and red, Casey, her face blank. He and Sirius had freed her as soon as Lily left the room. She laughed along with them, she had enjoyed the joke. Then James and Sirius decided to look for Lily and apologise to her. Only, they might have no chance of that now... James looked at Lily and his throat convulsed. He tried to stop the tears flowing down his face, but couldn't.

He looked at her again. She lay there, motionless, her expression almost serene. She looked like a princess. His sleeping beauty. He needed her. He didn't think anything would be the same without her. James suddenly heard a bang, and looked up. Dumbledore came striding through, along with Professor Mcgonagall. He stopped at the bed where Lily lay and looked at her for a long time.

"You don't know who did this?" he asked James, not taking his eyes' off her. James shook his head. "You have no idea of who might have done this?" James shook his head once again, even though his mind was screaming Snivellus.

"We won't be able to reach her," said Dumbledore in a soft voice. James looked up sharply.

"What do you mean?"

"I mean it might be too late to save her." James stood up so fast, his chair clattered to the floor with a resounding thud. He ignored this and stood so close to Dumbledore they were almost nose to nose.

"Bring her back," he said, his eyes' burning with anger. Dumbledore did not flinch nor stop James from coming so close or threatening him.

"I cannot."

"Save her for fuck's sake!" yelled James. He had a desperate urge to punch Dumbledore. To let this anger out.

"I cannnot."

"What do you mean, you cannot?" yelled James. Professor Mcgonnagal made no move to stop him either, as he paced the room angrily, not aware he was attracting the attention of many students who were sleeping before.

"You're telling me you can't save her? Why not? I thought you were supposed to be one of the most powerful wizards in the world!" said James sacastically. He kicked a chair in anger, his fists clecnhed.

"I cannot save her, James," said Dumbledore quietly, looking at him intently. "But you can." James stopped short and turned to face the piercing blue eyes'

"What do you mean?" he asked. Dumbledore turned to face Lily again.

"The Cruciatus curse has been perfomed on her," he said. "Have you ever heard the about the effects of the Cruciatus curse, James?" James shook his head, his eyes' still on the old man.

"The Cruciatus curse can, indeed kill the victim," said Dumledore quietly. "But it can also drive one...crazy." James let out a breath.

"Are you saying...are you saying...Lily's going to become insane?"

Dumbledore looked at him for a moment. "No."

"Then?" asked James impatiently.

"I am saying Lily was, tortured enough to render her unconscious. In fact, she has been tortured so much that her mind has gone into hiding." Dumbledore looked down at James through his half moon spectacles. "Which means she's just on the brink of insanity."

"So..." said James. "What you're saying is..."

"She's not insane, but she has gone into hiding," said Dumbledore simply.

"And what does this have to do with me saving her?" asked James.

"To save someone who is so far into this stage- you would have to delve into her mind."

"WHAT?" asked James, horrified. "You expect me to just...just...go into her mind?"

"Do you want to save her?" asked Dumbledore shortly.

" OF COURSE I WANT TO SAVE HER!" roared James. Dumbledore nodded.

"Then you will have to go into her mind."

"Why can't you do it?" asked James desperately. "Why do I have to do it? I could mess her up further!"

"Oh, no, I don't think you could, James," said Dumbledore, and he was surprised to see he was smiling.

"How do you know that?" asked James.

"Love," said Dumbledore simply. James looked confused for a mintue, then understanding registered on his features. Nodding determinedly, he looked at the girl he so dearly loved.

"How do I get in?" he whispered.

"Professor Mcggonagal?" asked Dumbledore, and she stepped out of the shadows. She stepped in front of James.

"Now, I want you to point your wand at her, and repeat after me." James delved into his pocket and came up with his wand. Pointing it at Lily, he waited for instruction.

"Legilimens mienda," instructed Professor Mcgonnagal. James gulped, held his wand tightly in his hand, then yelled "Legilimens mienda!"