Chapter 3: Awoken

James held Lily in his arms as if she were a newborn child. He slowly set her down on the bed. She was unconscious. Her hair gently flopped onto her face, and James brushed it off. Even unconscious, she was beautiful. James motioned to Artemys and Sirius to move in closer.

"Thanks for carrying her, James." said Artemys, "She is a light person, but I would have never been able to carry her up those stairs."

"No problem." said James, "anything for Lily."

They waited there a few minutes for Madam Pomfrey, the school nurse. When the nurse finally arrived, she looked at Lily and said, "What happened?"

"We were out playing Quidditch, and I was showing Lily how to pass and catch." James began. "We were just playing when some masked people and Snape came on to the pitch and started saying stuff about Lily. I went down there and told him off, and then he tried to curse Sirius. Sirius repelled the curse and sent it back to Snape. Then Lily just, collapsed or something. That was what happened." he finished. Madam Pomfrey glanced at him and then proceeded to get Lily a hospital gown. After she left, James and the others began to talk.

"What do you think happened to her?" asked Artemys.

"I don't know." said James.

"I think I know." said Sirius quietly.

"What?" said Artemys.

"I think that she got hit by the old Hixerbix curse." said Sirius.

"The what?" said James and Artemys in unison.

"The old Hixerbix curse. That curse is passed down from each dark family of wizards to the next, but it's really old, so only a pureblooded witch or wizard would have known it. It isn't published in any books because the curse is an ancient family secret."

"How come we heard no one say anything except Snape, then?" demanded James.

"Because the spell can only be said silently, so that person is really good at charms."

"What does it do?" said Artemys.

"It has a dementor-like effect on a person. It makes them relive unhappy memories. In Lily's case, there must have been some powerfully bad memories. And it hurts, badly. I should know." said Sirius grimly.

"How is that?" asked James.

"Because my uncle Archibald put it on me because I refused to tell him where Regulus put his 5000 Galleon ring." said Sirius.

"Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't know." said James. They sat in an awkward silence for about 3 minutes, and as they looked around, they saw Madam Pomfrey coming back with Lily's hospital gown.

"O.K, dears. You must step outside for a moment. I need to change Miss Evans into her gown." said Madam Pomfrey.

"Awwwww, do we have to go? I honestly don't mind you changing Miss Evans in front of us. James, do you mind?" said Sirius. James shook his head.

"Come on guys, lets go." said Artemys. They left Lily's bedside and walked out the doors. They stood outside for about 5 minutes when Remus showed up with a big smile on his face.

"Hey, peeps! What's up?" said Remus.

"Don't talk like that, Remus. It sounds like Wormtail trying to be cool." said Sirius.

"O.K, I won't say it anymore. But really, why are you all standing outside the hospital wing? Let me guess… Calli Brewster flew into the Whomping Willow again?"

"No, Moony. Lily Evans got hurt. We were in there, but Poppy had to change her into her gown, so we had to leave." said James.

"Oh God, I'm so sorry, James. I should've known. How did she get hurt?"

"Long story, we'll tell you later." said James. His eyes met Moony's, and then they fell to the floor. He felt so bad for what happened to Lily. If he didn't ask her to stay for Quidditch, she wouldn't be laying in that hospital. His heart started to burn with anger. He felt so stupid, and he knew that she was going to tell him off the minute she woke up.

"I swear on it guys," said James quietly, "Every time we start getting along, something messes us up. Is that supposed to be some sort of sign?" he sighed heavily. Every one looked at him.

"No, mate, I don't think it's a sign. You and Lily were made for each other. I know that your life would be meaningless and small with out her. Her world would be empty without you, even if she won't admit to it. Just remember, tomorrow's a brand new day, a brand new chance. Don't give up." said Moony.

"Thanks, Moony. I just don't know anymore. What if she hates me? What if she never wants to see my face again?" James said. As soon as he was done talking, Madam Pomfrey came out and announced that Lily was awake and that they could go see her.

They entered the hospital again. James was nervous. He was so afraid of what she might say, but Sirius patted him on the back and led him to Lily's bed.

Lily was sitting upright. Her green eyes were alive and full of light. She was smiling as she chatted with Danielle Parks. Her auburn hair flowed in the wind and she was glowing. She took notice of James and the others and waved. She beckoned them closer and spoke.

"Hi, guys! Um, what happened to me? And how did I get here?" said Lily.

"Well, you collapsed on the Quidditch pitch and James carried you up to the hospital." said Artemys. James looked away at these words. Lily smiled and said, "James, come here please. And can the rest of you guys wait out there for a minute?"

"Alright." said everyone, and the rest departed. James sat on the chair beside Lily's bed. She looked at him and she spoke once more.

"James, I wanted to thank you for bringing me in here. I don't know what I would've done, and I know that Artemys wouldn't have been able to carry me up 4 staircases." And she leaned over and kissed him on the cheek. He sat in silent shock, and then he touched the spot on his face where she kissed him and said, "You're welcome." She put his hand in hers and they stared into each others' eyes for what seemed like eternity.

The sun was beginning to set outside, illuminating all that was around them. The birds tweeted softly, the lake shimmered, and romance was in the air.

A/N I am working on the 4th chapter. I am also working on another story. It isn't the sequel, or another love story, but it is really good. Please review.