Umm... Ok. It is 3 AM and this probably sucks but...it's the best Ican do under the circumstances. This definitely falls into R rated and is a very dark chapter, quite disturbing in some cases, so read it at your own peril!

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'' Because I love you,''

Lily looked up at James, her beautiful green eyes catching his in her gaze. And her eyes filled with tears.

'' No, you don't,''

Her voice shook. She closed her eyes, so that the tears fell gracefully onto her cheeks. James said nothing. When Lily spoke again, her voice was hoarse.

'' Why? ''

James' eyes, which had never left her face 'til then, narrowed.

'' Because…because…I don't know,'' he sighed. '' I just know that I do. I'm crazy about you. Everything about you makes my heart race. You're not perfect, nobody is. But that doesn't make a difference. It's so hard to explain…but, ever since I first met you, I've been drawn to you. When I see you, I get nervous. You'd think, after six years, that feeling would fade, but it doesn't. If anything, it's stronger now than ever. I'd do anything for you Lil. I'd die for you…''

Lily held James' stare, tear after tear falling from her eyes.

'' Let's hope you never have to,''

He smiled sadly, then turned away from her. A heavy, cloaked silence fell over the cell, intoxicating the room. It was a long time that Lily pondered, before she spoke again.

'' James,''

He glanced back at her, hurt in his melting hazel eyes. Pain that Lily's silence had incurred. Her hush after he had bared his soul.

'' I'd die for you, too,'' she whispered, letting her hand entwine with his against the damp wall. He squeezed her fingers affectionately, before letting go.

'' Not because you love me, though,'' he said heavily, the bluntness of his words in contrast to his emotional tone. '' Because you don't,''

Lily swallowed hard, tears stinging once more at her eyes. It was breaking his heart. She was breaking his heart.

'' You'd risk your life for almost anyone, Lil. You can't stand seeing people in pain. Anyone. It doesn't matter who. You'd rather for you yourself to suffer than for someone innocent to die. It's ok. I understand. You'll never love me. I've come to accept it,''

His voice became bitter and hard and he sighed, letting his head fall back against the cold stone wall, the moss cushioning the soft blow. Lily shook her head and opened her mouth to speak, but, before she could, there was a sudden creak and rattle and the aged brown door in the corner clanged open, sending a cascade of flickering, weak yellow light over the threshold. Bellatrix leaned against the doorjamb, smirking idly.

'' What do you want? '' Lily spat viciously, incensed at being interrupted.

Bellatrix rolled her eyes dramatically, stalking forward into the cell, her boots clacking on the scuffed cobbles. As the tall, willowy witch approached her hostages, the long, curved dagger holstered on her waist belt gleamed silver in the mournful moonlight spilling through the lone frosted window pane set into the furthest wall. Bellatrix laughed as James and Lily both gulped with apprehension, almost simultaneously.

'' Relax. The Dark Lord has reserved the pleasure of killing you for himself. You will not die today. No, today holds other horrors for you both…''

She laughed again, her cruel trills ricocheting in the cell like a shower of echoes.

'' The terrors you experience today will match none other in your poor, pitiful existences. Oh, the torment…you'll be begging me to kill you when I'm finished…pleading for a swift death. But that's a privilege extended only to the worthy Dark Lord,''

She bent her head, as if in reverence of what she was about to do, and plunged her hand downwards, grasping the weapon by the blade. She closed her fist around it, grinning with a sick, twisted pleasure as it cut through her skin and her dark red blood ran down her pale hand in slivers, dripping onto the floor below and seeping into the cracks and crevices between the cobbles. Slowly, with her other hand, she drew an empty crystal vial from the folds of her robes and held it to her wound, so that her life juice trickled inside.

When it was a third full, she wrenched it closed and withdrew it back into her robes, licking her bloodied hand clean like a sinister cat, her grey eyes rolling back into her head. She tossed her hair and thrust the dagger through the air, admiring the tarnished blade. Then, she stooped down by James and aggressively gripped his arm in a death-vice, all the while grinning insanely.

With a cry of delight, Bellatrix swiftly dragged the knife down James' left arm, sinking its jagged teeth deep into his skin, unnecessarily so. He gritted his teeth in agony, trying to drown out Bellatrix's victorious shrieks. As before, she held the vial to the lesion, letting his blood mingle with her own, until it was two-thirds full. Only then did she stopper the flow of blood, reluctantly so.

'' And now, the mudblood's turn,'' Bellatrix hissed, yanking Lily's arm from its manacles and pulling it toward her for better access. With a roar, Bellatrix drove the scalpel into Lily's arm, ignoring her whimpers, drawing the fangs along her veins, so that they ruptured and rivers of blood burst down her arm, filling the vial to the brim.

Then, achingly slowly, she closed the sore, revelling in Lily's sobs of anguish. When she stood, her eyes flashed with a menacing fire.

'' This…'' she began, shaking the vial of blood. '' This is the final ingredient in a potion that will show me what ways of emotional torture would hurt the most. It will show me who to torture, to hurt you…adios for a while! ''

With that, grinning banefully, she strode gleefully toward the open door and vanished beyond the porch, closing it with a deafening bang behind her. For the second time, an uncomfortable silence fell in her absence.


'' You are preparing them for the ritual? ''

The Dark Lord sat enthroned on a colossal carved stone chair, inscribed with the symbols and motifs of Slytherin house. Swathed in robes of charred black, lined with silk of the deepest green, his pale arm encumbered with the scaly body of his pet snake, Nagini, its tail curled round his neck and his long fingers resting on the serpentine head of his staff, Voldemort exuded dark power.

Even so, the bowed Death Eater before him appeared insolent with his swift answer.

'' Exactly as you commanded, my Lord,''

'' Excellent, Lucius. They have been thorns in the soles of my feet for far too long now. Along with that doddery old fool Dumbledore, I have had my patience tried too often. The date of execution approaches. Inform Bella to administer the potion. It is only a matter of time before the gangrene of this magnificent race are extinguished forever. Yes, Nagini,'' he added in a sly whisper as Lucius departed from the room with a swish of his cloak. '' Soon you will feed…soon,''


Lady Lasair knocked softly on the door of Dumbledore's office.

'' Enter,'' came his weary voice, tinged with the fatigue of sadness and despair.

Lady Lasair crossed the threshold quietly, not surprised to see the usual bubbly and eccentric old man standing before his vast window that overlooked the setting sun, his face grave, his posture clouded in doubt. He turned to look at her, sighing deeply.

'' My dear Gabrielle. What brings you here tonight? ''

Lady Lasair pulled a leather pouch from her robe pocket and held it out to the esteemed professor, awaiting his opinion. He took the pouch cautiously, undoing the tied string around its neck and examining the contents inside. A sudden pink glow permeated the pouch, a rose scent rising from its depths. When he tied the pouch again, the famous twinkle had returned to his blue eyes. He laughed jovially, clasping Lady Lasair's hands between his. She smiled warmly.

'' If the Ministry knew…'' he admonished, wagging a finger at her mock-warningly.

She laughed joyfully, her voice like the tinkle of fluted goblets or a chorus of angels.

'' And you always obeyed the restrictions of their laws, Albus,''

Dumbledore chuckled in agreement, then seated himself at his desk, pressing the tips of his tapered fingers together in thought.

'' So, my dear dear Gabrielle. What is your plan of action? ''

Lady Lasair steeled herself, breathing deeply as she calmly seated herself opposite Dumbledore and tossed the pouch onto his desk.

'' Well, Albus. I am not that far along yet. I merely acted on a spur of the moment. I took hairs from the Gryffindor dorms belonging to both Lily and James. As you know, in Russia, in the Elven clans, we study the human anatomy and its links to magic, combined with the sciences. Recently, we discovered that hair follicles retain vestiges of thought from brain waves the nerves send along the strips of DNA. Unconscious thought. I used magic to extract some of the properties from Lily's hair. When applied, the correct pressure caused a thought bubble to appear. I moved through her numerous thoughts from the previous few days. It showed some very disturbing dreams, which clarified a lot for me. Albus, I deduced the form her subconscious dimension takes. She is residing in a castle. A castle of ice. It symbolises the harsh look she takes on the world…the coldness she betrays…the walls she has constructed to protect herself. A shell, if you like. There is only one way to banish these walls. If we managed to do so, the dimension would change form and the castle would fall. Magic would take Lily from it and possibly James, also. ''

Dumbledore nodded, urging Lady Lasair to continue.

'' Love is the only way, as you well know. Now, we cannot use Lily's love for her family as a catalyst because it would be wrong to involve muggles. But, however, if her love was already involved…''

Dumbledore frowned.

'' But who…? ''

Lady Lasair's eyes gleamed as she leant forward over the desk and whispered a single name in answer.

'' James,''

'' Are you certain? '' Dumbledore asked, smiling.

Lady Lasair nodded.

'' Oh, yes. I've no doubt in my mind. Remember that the tangled mess of a girl's confused thoughts can reveal immeasurable secrets to the eagle-eyed,''


Bellatrix Black stirred the contents of the smouldering cauldron once more, before dipping a giant ladle into the gurgling, tar- like substance and extracting a voluminous amount of the gloopy matter. She then poured it into a boiling tube that was already smoking with a thick, white gas. As the two elements mixed, Bellatrix set the boiling tube over a blue flame, watching as the fire urged the substances to form one and, with a hiss, the green foam was achieved as the end product. Perfect.

Bellatrix removed the tube from the heat and emptied its contents into a large glass bell jar. Into this, she then drained the blood of herself, the muggle-hugger and the stupid mudblood. Soon, the spell would be complete. And she would possess the knowledge that would torture her two victims.


'' I think it is best we do not panic the students, especially, if, indeed, this plan of Gabrielle's works and our students are returned to us safely. She intends to collapse Lily's subconscious dimension through powerful emotional magic, thus allowing Lily to break her bonds with her subconscious and free herself. '' Dumbledore illuminated, correctly assuming the curious expression gracing Minerva McGonagall's face was in relevance to Lady Lasair's ' plan '.

'' School should continue as normal. However, if all does not go well, I will be forced to notify the parents of the missing pupils. And who knows what could happen then? The Ministry would become involved, no doubt, and my term as Headmaster may be cut short. ''

Minerva McGonagall's eyes widened.

'' That serious, Albus? ''

'' It's that serious, my dear Minerva. Unfortunately,'' he sighed, watching the familiar trickle of students into the Great Hall for dinner. He and McGonagall were seated at the staff table, talking in hushed tones. As the Hall slowly filled with the hustle and bustle one associated with vibrant students, Dumbledore sighed once more, dabbing at his beard with a handkerchief. The tip had trailed into the wine dish and now a purplish stain was spreading against the white hair.

Dinner commenced as usual, though the Gryffindor table was unusually quiet, mostly due to the absence of the Marauders' boisterousness. With Lily and James missing, following the suspicious circumstances of Lily's drugging by Richelle Kuchova, none of their remaining circle of friends wished to enjoy themselves.

'' What I don't understand is Bellatrix's part in all this. It's obvious it's something to do with her - she's been missing since James and Evans. And so have Dolohov and Rosier. It's too coincidental, mates,'' Sirius contributed, talking low so his voice wouldn't carry. He was sitting with Remus, Peter and Bailey, all of who seemed strangely grave.

'' Yes, and Lady Lasair and Dumbledore are attached at the hip. I even heard them mention Lily as I was coming out of the library earlier. And they looked pretty serious. I wish I knew what's going on,'' Bailey replied frustratedly, running a hand through her hair in aggravation.

'' Probably something to do with the Sage training,'' commented Remus thoughtfully. '' It could all be innocent. Some Sage initiation thing or something. James left a book on his dresser and I skimmed through it. Sometimes Sages have to carry out tasks to prove they're worthy of their powers,''

'' Yeah, but what about the eerie, coincidental non-attendances of Black and her tools? That's too odd…especially since they disappeared a few hours after Lily had just been drugged. No, there's something weird going on here,'' Bailey contradicted, frowning as she wracked her brains for a solution.

'' Well, maybe we should just ask Dumbledore? '' suggested Remus.

'' No,'' said Sirius firmly, shaking his dark head. '' He'll just answer us in riddles or something. We should find out for ourselves. Note who is sitting at the Slytherin table, one of my stupid cousin's fellow troupe members.''

Bailey and Remus swung around in their seats to see where Sirius was indicating. Severus Snape was bent over his dinner, reading from a large, leathered tome.

'' I think we should book ourselves a date with dear Snivellus,'' Sirius said grimly, already formulating a plan.


Bellatrix entered the chamber where James and Lily were locked up, flanked by both Crabbe and Goyle.

Their hulking, hunched forms in no way diminished her formidable appearance, as she grinned sardonically.

'' Greetings! Hope you didn't miss me too much, now did you? '' she asked wolfishly, grinning banefully.

Lily and James chose not to answer, seemingly attempting to ignore her unwelcome presence.

'' Aw, struck dumb, my darlings? What happened, cat got your tongues? ''

Again, they ignored her. She laughed coldly.

'' Maybe once I begin the proceedings, you'll talk,'' she mused, letting her dark, almost black, eyes settle on James. Thoroughly disconcerting him, she licked her lips slowly as her gaze slid over his beaten form. '' Then we'll have some fun,''

'' What proceedings? '' Lily asked harshly, unable to stay silent any longer. Bellatrix smiled.

'' The Dark Lord's orders, of course. He wants you both so emotionally attacked, so drained, so destroyed in mind, that you'll beg for the sweet surrender of death. So, I took blood from you. Mixed it with my own. And invoked the powers of the fated ones to reveal to me what would hurt you both the most, what emotional and mental battle would scar you the most. And the pleasant truth was revealed to me not less than five minutes ago. So, now I'm here to commence the cerebral torments. ''

'' Yeah right,''' scoffed Lily.

Bellatrix's head snapped up and her eyes locked with Lily's.

'' Don't presume to be so naïve, you stupid mudblood. I know what is going to slowly kill you…what will make your heart and head collide in war as you witness my acts…''

Bellatrix knelt down before James and, withdrawing Lily's wand from her robes, pointed it at James' heart, which she traced over his chest with the tip.

'' And your magic is going to do it to him,'' she added viciously, intoning a mind-wiping spell under her breath.

James' head fell back in ignorance and he sighed in bliss, looking around eagerly.

'' Where am I? Bellatrix…no, Lily…'' he murmured confusedly, smiling as he looked at Bellatrix before him.

'' What? '' Lily asked, frowning.

Bellatrix glanced at her scornfully.

'' Never overlook the wonders of the mind, once deceived. In Pothead's eyes, I am Lily Evans. You. I've effectively dulled his senses, so he can't see you. Only me. And I look exactly like you. Now, we know he has strong feelings for you. Love, even. I imagine he'd let me do anything I wanted to him. Anything at all! While you watch…'' she laughed maliciously, stroking James' chin with a single finger.

And, as the meaning of Bellatrix's words sank in, Lily realised with utter revulsion what she was going to do.

'' Notina non blinkus,'' Bellatrix chanted finally, a spell that would prevent Lily from closing her eyes against the sick, evil spectacle she was about to witness…


'' No….please…no…not that,'' murmured Lily fervently, but, even as she protested, Bellatrix was already doing what Lily feared. She was touching James. Her hand was caressing his face and he was closing his eyes, whispering ' Lily ' and Bellatrix was laughing and began to kiss James, sucking on his lips. Lily tried to close her eyes but found she couldn't, as a deep sickness churned within the depths of her stomach. She was absolutely revolted, knowing that James was being used and Bellatrix was manifesting herself as Lily and James was responding to her. And yet Lily could see it was Bellatrix and Bellatrix was touching James intimately…and kissing him…and leading him on…her James.

And before her horrified eyes, Bellatrix sat herself on James' lap, straddling him, and she freed his arms from the cold steel chains, so that he could wrap his arms around her. And she began to kiss his face and let her tongue skim his lips, allowing her hand to roam up his chest. Lily bit back an envious scream as Bellatrix turned her head and grinned slowly at her, goading her, taunting her.

'' I never knew it would be this fun,'' she laughed.

And Lily felt an undeniable rage rise within her. This was her James Bellatrix was using. Hers.

Bellatrix moaned and rotated her hips so that she was rubbing herself provocatively against James and he groaned Lily's name again, making Bellatrix smile even more brazenly as she continued her affectations.

'' Stop! Stop it you evil, callous bitch! Stop,'' begged Lily, close to tears now. Just a short time ago James had confessed his love for her and, at the time she had not realised it, but she cared deeply for him too. And she could not stand seeing Bellatrix touch him and kiss him…she should be the only one doing that…

Bellatrix laughed, shaking her head.

No.

'' Stop it, please. I'll do anything, I swear, just please…'' pleaded Lily irrationally, not even thinking properly now, just wishing for the torture to end. Bellatrix was right - this was killing her, inside.

Bellatrix paused, turning her head, and looked Lily deep in the eyes, smiling.

'' Anything? ''

Lily nodded miserably, momentarily absent of her senses.

Bellatrix stood up, brushing herself off.

'' Excellent. Now, it's poor ickle Jamesie Wamesie's turn. Mudblood, I do hope you enjoy! '' she shrieked, her voice echoing around the room in a cacophony of shrill laughter. '' I haven't even started yet! ''


The Dark Lord surveyed the crumpled heap on the floor beneath him with disgust. Rianna Teris. A mere pawn in his game. At least Potter and the mudblood fought. Defended themselves. It made for fun. But when this disgrace to the name of witch only moaned and writhed piteously as he rained curse after curse at her - well, it became boring after a while.

Voldemort glanced upward as Nagini hissed hungrily, letting her forked tongue flicker out and whet her snake lips desirously.

'' Not this one, Nagini. No. I have two more in mind for you. Soon. You will feed soon,'' he soothed, his hand stroking her numerous scales in succession as consolation. The girl on the floor whimpered quietly, drawing Voldemort's attention back to her. He grinned. It was time.

Voldemort stood, allowing Nagini to slither to the floor and circle the prey dangerously. Then he crooked a single finger and beckoned the magnificent snake back, stalking forward himself, his wand raised.

'' Levitaurian,'' he murmured lazily, tossing his wand ever so slightly through the air. The girl rose off the floor, her form hanging suspended in the air before him, as though an invisible rope held her up. Her eyes rolled back in her head, blood dripping slowly from the bulging sockets. She was near death. Very near.

Voldemort swaggered behind her, intoning powerful spells all the while. A hideous black hue grew around her body, seeming to source from her heart, shot with deep rich red slivers. The blood running from her eyes ran rivers down her body, the colour of the blood changing, darkening, to a depthless, inky black.

All the while, Voldemort's chanting rose and fell, until a green wind materialised around the body, spinning around the girl in a swirling vortex, cocooning her in mummified layers. And, as Voldemort reached the cusp of his spell, the very climax, there was a crack of thunder and both the Dark Lord and his unwilling victim disappeared…to re-appear, several thousand miles away, in the Great Hall, before the very eyes of Albus Dumbledore.


Voldemort had overcome Dumbledore's defences, but only by relinquishing his powers. It was a risky plan, seeing as he was now powerless, but, once he left Hogwarts, which would be in precisely fifteen seconds, he would regain them and his message would be clear. Rianna Teris was the bait.

The Hall was filled with students, who were now gaping at the horrifying spectacle before them. Some were getting sick, retching into the contents of their dinner plates. Rianna hovered in mid-air before them, unconscious, rivulets of black blood tracing paths across her pale, bruised skin. Voldemort stood behind her, a gleaming dagger clutched in his hand, poised to strike.

Dumbledore leapt to his feet, wand already out, but before he could even incant a simple spell, Voldemort had grasped Rianna by the hair and drawn the blade across her throat, slitting it. Her head fell back and her neck gushed forth a torrent of blood as Voldemort faded from view.

'' Remember the blood-ties, Albus,''

And then he was gone, the echoes of his cold, high-pitched voice all that was left of the Dark Lord.


'' Minerva, call Lady Lasair from her chambers immediately and bring her to my office. We have work to do,'' barked Dumbledore urgently, turning to Hagrid before he had even finished speaking.

'' Rubeus, round up all the students and escort them to their separate Common Rooms. Poppy, take those particularly distressed by what has just occurred to the hospital wing. Flitwick, please charm the Common Room portraits once everyone is inside not to release any of the students, it is much too dangerous.''

With that, Dumbledore swept down the hall in a whirl of determination, ignoring the distraught cries of sobbing students alongside. He halted before Rianna's levitated, bloodied corpse and closed his eyes, reciting spell after spell. As his voice joined the chorus of weeping in the Hall, Rianna's body lowered and dissolved into midair. At this, more wails of anguish were born.

Dumbledore didn't pause to comfort any, striding out of the Hall with a heavy purpose in mind. And, he would need Lady Lasair's aid.


Lily's eyes widened in utter terror as she realised what was going to happen. Bellatrix was standing idly by, sneering at her fear.

'' So, mudblood. Which would you prefer? For myself and…'' she let her fingers trace James' cheek softly, watching delightedly as Lily shuddered, '' …dear James to…uh…consummate…our attraction and have sex, willingly, right in front of you…or…to be raped by…hmmm….Crabbe…and…Goyle? ''

Lily didn't answer, crying freely now. She wished James could help her. For once, she felt lost and scared, terrified even, and though he was there, he was completely oblivious to her. The spell Bellatrix had cast on him mad him believe that Bellatrix herself was Lily and, as far as Lily could tell, James could see neither the real Lily or Bellatrix's minions.

'' Oh…and once this enchanting spell I put on dear Jamesie Wamesie is removed, he will watch you be raped. Several times over. Lovely. I'm sure, that, in turn, will kill him…deep inside…aww…Goyle,'' commanded Bellatrix, her eyes flashing menacingly.

The giant bear of a man trudged forward, smirking, ready to do what he did best.


'' We don't have much time, my dear Gabriella. It is indeed risky. Voldemort wants us to do this, we are playing into his hands, but if there is any chance we could save Lily and James…we have to attempt it, at least. He killed Rianna Teris, used her as bait. By means of her blood, we can determine where she was held in the last moments of her life and, consequently, learn the means needed to locate James and Lily. Falkes will be able to penetrate Lily's subconscious for us…and, whilst there, he can give the Dust to Lily,'' Dumbledore added, referring to the glowing pink sand Lady Lasair had created.

'' That, in turn, will allow Lily to see the light and once she realises her feelings, her castle will crumble and her bonds with her subconscious will be broken. And then, then, we can use Falkes once again to save them. His feather will become a Portkey once more. I'm hoping all this will go according to plan and Voldemort will not intercept us. He will be expecting us, but not in the guise of Falkes. It may stall his movements. And now, we really don't have any more time. If you will, my Lady…''

Dumbledore held out a vial of black, congealed blood. Rianna's. Lady Lasair nodded grimly rolled up the sleeves of her robes, grasping her wand tightly. She would do this for her students.


Lily couldn't breathe. This…monster…had his dirty, grimy hands all over her. She swallowed back the sickness threatening to engulf her and closed her eyes, more tears falling onto her scarred cheeks, her breath coming in short, gasping bursts.

'' NO! '' bellowed a voice and Lily managed to turn her head slightly to the side, peering out from under the great, bulky form that was stooped in front of her. James was rattling his chains in grief, staring at Lily and Goyle in disbelief. Lily smiled weakly at him, then screamed as Goyle wrenched her head back against the stone wall and tried to kiss her. She bit his lip hard, until it bled. he reared back, roaring in surprise, and slapped her across the face. She spat back at him. She was not going to make this easy for him. He retaliated, gripping her arm in a death-vice and twisting it sharply, so that the bone broke. Lily screamed in pain, tears dashing down her cheeks in a violent deluge.

James growled in fury, tears gathering in his eyes. He couldn't stand to see the girl he was crazy about in so much pain…about to be savagely and brutally raped. And he could do nothing about it. He was utterly helpless. For the first time in his life, James cursed his magical blood.

'' Watch,'' demanded Bellatrix, yanking James' chin up with her hand and turning his head toward Lily.

'' So weak…'' she spat viciously in repugnance, curling her lip distastefully as James Potter cried before her.

Goyle laughed, forcefully ripping open Lily's robes and letting his greedy eyes absorb her barely clothed body. James moaned in anguish, crying even harder.

'' Shut up, you snivelling - '' Bellatrix began, cruelly kicking James in the torso, until her eyes widened in fear.

James turned his head, only to glimpse a burst of brilliant gold and red plumage fluttering before him. Bellatrix glanced around wildly, alerting Goyle with a swift kick to the back. He turned, his face blank with stupidity.

'' Wha…? ''

'' Dumbledore,'' Bellatrix hissed, straightening up, her eyes never leaving the fierce phoenix before her. By the time she had raised her wand it was too late, the bird had gone. Bellatrix laughed.

'' Stupid animal,'' she remarked, turning back to Lily and James. When she saw what lay in Lily's lap, obviously left by the phoenix, she froze, fear creeping across her face. It was a leather pouch. An open leather pouch, glowing pink. As Lily breathed in, a cloud of the pink dust rose and curled through the air through her in a plume of billowing smoke, entering her open mouth. Lily closed her eyes, revelling in the immediate surge of power she felt. And she opened her eyes.

When her gaze fell on James she smiled.

'' I guess I knew. I just never realised 'til now..'' she murmured softly. And with that, a great rumbling shook the air and, within seconds, stone after stone began to fall from the ceiling above, falling to the ground with a terrible clatter. And the chains linking Lily and James to the wall burst free from the parting rock. Mere seconds later, the castle dwelling crumbled to the ground and James and Lily were nowhere to be seen.