Chapter 4
Disclaimer : Me no own, You no sue.
A/N : Thanks a million for the reviews. Keep at it J I want to hear what you all think. Check out ATaintedStarsNightmare's story Musical Undertones.
Ginny's eyes opened wide, staring straight ahead of her with blank eyes. Her brow was already drenched with sweat even in the chill of the morning. She groaned and turned blindly over, drawing back the curtains of her four-poster bed, looking at her clock. It was way too early to be up and about, the sun had hardly risen over the horizon, peeking out to start a new day. She rolled back over, letting her eyes drift shut momentarily before bracing herself to get up and start her day. She needed to fit in more studying anyhow, and seeing as though she was already up, why not?
She stood from her bed and made her way to the girls lavatory, knocking into the various items strewn all over the messy room. Ugh…Teens. She barely glanced at her reflection as she stripped herself of all her clothing.
Fact was, she already knew what she would see if she looked into the mirror. She would see dark bags and the hollow looking eyes of a disgruntled teenager.
She whimpered as she stepped under the heated water, letting her eyes close and she let the water fall around her, soothing her into a better mood. She washed her hair and body, scrubbing furiously at the dark circles that were sure to be forming under her eyes.
Once she was out, she dressed haphazardly, putting her hair in a messy bun before making her way out of the Gryffindor Common Room, directing herself towards the one place she needed to be; the library.
And it's not just because she needed to study that she was going there. But don't get me wrong, she needed to study! Everything that could be going wrong in her classes was. She needed this library. No, the other reason she was here was to avoid Draco.
Every minute she could spare was spent in the library. Not only did she study here, it was becoming her safe haven from a very confusing, very irresistible ferret.
It had been over a week since their incident in the stairwell, but wherever she turned, she always felt his piercing gray gaze boring holes into her back. It was completely unnerving. And not only that! Oh no! It was merely the fact that, even though he had plenty of chances to, he never spoke a word to her. Weirdo…hot…sexy weirdo.
So she had taken up residence in the one place she never saw him. The library.
Of course it was so early that Ginny didn't even have to worry about running into him. No one would be up for hours. Ginny sat down at one of the nearby tables, grabbing at her potions text book and opening it to the most recent chapter they'd been learning. Ginny looked over the written words with a blank stare, eyes moving but words going right over her head. She gave up on trying to read and laid her head down on her arms, on the book. She really should be studying. Potions had been her worse class so far.
Even though things had started smoothly enough, apparently all good things must come to and end, and that's exactly what happened.
She was sad to say that Malfoy and Blaise bad been forced to pick up her slack, but they seemed to understand. They didn't say anything if they did at any rate. They just did their parts and helped her if she needed it.
It was just all this stress! She seemed to be drowning in it! Ginny would never admit it, but it was just becoming too much for her. The homework was piling up, along with the need to study. And not only that, but because Ginny had skipped her sixth year, she had been forced to go back and learn everything she had missed. And to do that, she wasn't just giving up her beauty sleep, which she really needed, but she was also skipping meals, using the extra time to catch up. Even though she was doing all this studying for her classes, her grades still lowered. Without much sleep it was hard to think, and her classes began going downhill. But at least it took her mind off of her absent friends. Thankfully she didn't have time to think about Harry. Her schoolwork was at least keeping her occupied.
She bit out a groan and raised herself up leaning on the table, tiredly reading the passage.
When breakfast time came around, she skipped, wanting to try and catch up on some things she may have missed, or at least understand them. Reading it over again engrained it into her memory, which was always a plus. Her stomach growled loudly, and she promised herself she'd grab something from the kitchen later. She tried once more to delve into her text.
Time seemed to fly by, (of course that may have been contributed to the fact that she dozed off somewhere along the lines) and before she knew it, she was shoving her books into her bag and racing headfirst into her beginning class of the day; Transfiguration.
This class wasn't bad at least…well not today anyway. In fact, she rather enjoyed herself. She at least she got to take out some of her frustration on the one person who had been bothering her the most.
They were assigned partners, again,(what was it with all the partners? And for once could they not pick the bloody person?) and they were to turn said partner into an animal. Well that was an easy one at least. Ginny didn't even hesitate before turning Malfoy into a ferret, and neither did he when he transformed her into a weasel. Typical. She assumed McGonagall did it on purpose, knowing full well what they would do. They were too predictable.
The rest of the day continued on in such a monotonous fashion. She continued through her classes, doing what she was told but hardly paying the slightest bit of attention with her eyes closed behind her text, drifting into exhaustion.
Lunch rolled around and she made her way, for the second time, to the library. Hoping it to be deserted of all students who were now in the Great Hall. She could never study with a noisy room.
She flinched when she opened the library doors to find Zabini seated at a nearby table. She looked pointedly away from him and sat down at a seat towards the back, hoping he'd been too engrossed in what he was reading to notice her.
No such luck.
He lifted his head and turned, seeing her sitting alone. Grinning, he picked up his stuff and made his way over to her.
"All alone, Red?" He plopped himself down in the chair opposite her, dumping his things on the table.
"Not anymore," she ground out between clenched teeth. She definitely didn't want to deal with Blaise right now. Sure he could be decent at times, but how was she supposed to study when he was here blabbering and cracking jokes all the time? She was not in the mood.
"Geez, Weaselette. What's got your knickers in a twist?" He asked with an amused grin on his face, not fazed in the slightest by her rude tone.
"You know, Zabini, if you keep using that stupid expression, it'll freeze there one day," she said in mock sincerity before raising her book up between them, pretending to read.
"Touchy one, you are." He smirked but began to read as well. Well, at least he shut up for once.
They stayed like that, both absorbed in their studying in companionable silence for the better part of an hour.
Ginny was so absorbed in her text, that she jumped when Blaise shook her shoulder. He already had his things packed back up and his bag shouldered.
"You coming, Red?" When she only raised an eyebrow he sighed. " Potions? Ring a bell?"
Her eyes nearly popped out of her head. She'd nearly forgotten all about it! She'd been so out of it. She hurriedly packed her things and made her way down to the dungeon with Blaise.
"Milady," he said, opening the door for her and giving her a drastically low bow. Ginny just rolled her eyes and walked in, deciding not to comment. As she passed, he reached out and lightly grabbed her backside. She blushed immensely and felt her stomach flutter. That boy was irritatingly sexy, but he was polite and lighthearted, very much unlike Draco. They were opposites. He pulled out her seat for her, bowing again, as if he was her butler. So she sat at her usual spot at the front with Blaise, and they waited until Draco arrived and the class commenced.
This class was the same as every other time; horrible. But this time Snape decided to make it particularly terrible and have a "bit of fun" with her. He had a mucked up sense of humor, that one did. He proceeded to ask her question after question after question, deducting points for every one she missed.
She got them all wrong. Bloody studying not helping in the slightest.
After his "bit of play time" with her, he told her to see him after class. Great, just what she wanted.
She did as she was bid and stayed as all the others in the room dispersed. Walking to the front of the room, she stood before Snape's desk.
"You asked to see me, Sir?" She might as well be polite, not wanting to give him a reason to give her detention or something.
"Ms. Weasley, your grades have dropped significantly, and as seen today, you're lacking the proper knowledge to be in my class." He paused and glanced at her, she supposed for dramatic affect. She scoffed silently in her head. "I understand the pressure and stress you must be under, but even so, I am going to have to ask you to attend tutoring lessons if you wish to remain in my class." He gave her a stern look, raising his eyebrows at her, as if daring her to protest.
Ginny swallowed but nodded her head in assent. "Who am I to be tutoring with, Sir? You?" That's the last thing she wanted, and apparently his as well.
He scoffed. "Of course not! I will not have my time taken up by some mindless girl who lacks the required intelligence. No, you will be tutored by your potions partners, Mr. Malfoy and Mr. Zabini. I will inform them of this myself, and they will keep me updated on your progress." He stopped and looked at her, and when she said nothing more he nodded. "They will begin as soon as possible and you are required to meet with them at least four times a week. I better hear something good from them within the next few weeks. If I do not, I will have to seriously reconsider keeping you in my class. Good day, Ms. Weasley."
Well this was just fan-freaking-tastic!
Ginny left the potions classroom in a huff. She had an already overloaded schedule of incessant studying, homework, catching up on sleep and food, and now she had to make bloody room for more stress?
Ginny began to feel nauseous, and wasn't sure if it was acquired from thinking about spending time studying with Draco and Blaise four times a week, or the fact that she hadn't eaten in the last few days. That doubled with the lack of sleep made her certain it was the latter.
She began to feel dizzy and lightheaded, her vision growing darker with each step she took. She felt as if she were going to retch or pass out, so she tried to hasten her pace towards the Hospital Wing, but that only caused her head to swim more.
Face ashen, she began to lose consciousness, the ground coming up to meet her as her world went black.
--
Ginny blearily opened her eyes, wincing at the bright sunlight. It must've been midday, and all she could see was white. White walls, white beds, sheets, everything. Ugh, Infirmary.
She couldn't really remember what happened. All she remembered was coming out from Potions and collapsing. She didn't even know how she got here.
She shakily got to her feet, knees buckling under her weight. She would have fallen if not Madame Pomfrey had suddenly appeared behind her, steadying her. She ushered her back to the bed, telling her to lie down.
"What happened? How did I get here?" She shook her head, trying to rid herself of the fogginess still obscuring her thoughts.
"Mr. Zabini brought you in dear, earlier this evening. Said he found you in the hallway. You seem to be suffering from exhaustion and stress, and it looks as if you have not eaten in days. It is advised that you stay here, at least until sometime tonight. As you can tell, you are a bit unstable, but that should go away once you have rested more. A house elf will bring you food shortly, dinner is about to begin soon. You need to eat. Once you feel well enough, you may leave, but I don't suggest leaving until you feel completely revived." She pushed Ginny gently back into the pillow, pulling out a glass and pouring something into it. "Drink that dear, it should help with any headache or fogginess. I'll be back to check on you in an hour."
Ginny drank the rather decent tasting medicine and laid back, letting her eyes drift shut of their own accord.
Ginny dozed off, content to drift between consciousness and slumber. She woke when the house elf came with a tray of food, and picked reluctantly at her meal, not wanting to be scolded by Madame Pomfrey later for not eating. Once she was done, she set the tray aside and laid back, starring at the ceiling and mulling things over in her head.
The first thing that occupied her mind was Draco. Malfoy, Gin. Malfoy, She reminded herself wearily. She kept slipping these days. She didn't know what it was with him, but he began worming himself into her thoughts more and more. He was just so strange. Very unpredictable at times. The things he did and said just made her head hurt. One minute he could be an arrogant son of a bitch, and the next he could be snogging her senseless. And the way he touched her sent her mind reeling. Who knew anyone could make her feel that way?
That made her mind turn to Blaise. Sure, he seemed more like a friend at times, but he was rather desirable. Just the simple actions he did made her heart beat faster. Unlike with Draco, who's actions were hungry with desire, Blaise was always gentle with her. Of course, she hadn't been with either of them like that, but it was just their personalities. She found them both enticing.
Guilt suddenly splashed all down Ginny. What about Harry? What about the boy who promised to come to her, where they could continue where they left off? What about that boy who left her here to defeat Voldemort?
But thoughts of him didn't give her the feeling it used to. Where she used to get goose bumps and butterflies in her stomach at the mere thought of him, now she felt nothing. She felt completely empty when she thought his name or remembered his presence. And when she compared him to Blaise and Draco, he came up short. But what did that mean? Was she interested in them? And even as she thought that, she felt bad. Not only would she be going against her brother and best friends by liking the enemy here, but she would be going against herself. I mean come on, you cant like two people at the same time, can you? And even if she did, she could never be with both of them at the same time.
Just as she thought that, Madame Pomfrey came by, collecting her tray and setting out another potion, telling her it might make her a bit sleepy. She checked some of her vital signs and deemed her fit to go back to her common room, but said it might help it she stayed here another hour or so, letting the drowsiness wear off first. Ginny took her advise, and laid back.
Now this was the life! She had an excuse for not having her homework done and she got to catch up on a little rest and eat. She should get sick more often. She smiled at the thought, and began once again to doze off in some far away dream world.
She could see herself in between two very hot, very nude males, who just happened to have black and blond hair. She let her imagination take flight, imagining being sandwiched between the two. Now that was her Heaven.
The hours passed and Ginny didn't stir. Her body lay reclined, and her breathing deep as the sky darkened from the golden's and reds to the deep purples and blues. Shadows descended the Infirmary, shrouding in into darkness. She didn't notice as a petite house elf popped in, beginning to clean the Hospital Wing thoroughly.
She was startled awake when a crash sounded close by. Her breathing was ragged from the start, and she waited for her eyes to adjust to the darkness before she peered around her bed. A small house elf stood beside the nightstand at her bed, having dropped and shattered the glass she had been taking her potions out of.
Relieved that nothing bad had happened, she sighed as the elf swept the floor clean and popped out of sight.
Well she was definitely up now.
It must've been well past midnight, but she just wanted to get to her dorm and fall into a deep sleep. She stood up, brushing her hair out of her face and making her way to the door. It was a bit late to be out and about, and if she got caught she would definitely get points taken away or detention and the very least, but she was willing to risk it at this point.
She cringed at the loud squeak the door made when she opened. Damn those hinges, they really needed to be oiled. She closed the door softly, turned herself towards the Gryffindor Common Room, but quickly decided against it. She was hungry again.
Turning around, she followed hallway after hallway down to the fruit painting, and gently tickled the pair. It giggled before admitting her into the kitchen. It was oddly deserted, but then again she'd only been down here during the day. She preferred this actually, it was better than being bombarded by a dozen different house elves, all asking her what she wanted and then reappearing later with trays and trays of food. No, she definitely liked this better.
A lone elf walked over to her and looked up at her with his big eyes. She coughed, clearing her throat and ordered a sandwich and a glass of pumpkin juice. He squeaked in affirmation and ran to go get what she had ordered.
He appeared not long after she had seated herself at one of the benches and she delved into her meal. She munched happily until she was quite full and stood from her perch. The house elf rushed up to her, asking her if she wished for something else.
"No, but could you possibly tell me the time?" She didn't necessarily believe in spew, but there was no point in being rude. When he returned he informed her that it was about half past one. Well that wasn't really all that surprising. She thanked him and took her leave.
She walked in a slow leisurely pace towards her common room. She listened at every corner to see if she could hear footsteps or any sign off life. The place was deserted.
When she reached the Fat Lady's portrait she found her snoozing away, and she shook her portrait to wake her. She looked grumpy and upset at having been woken so rudely and late at night. Ginny quickly mumbled the password under her breath. Stepping back from the portrait so it could swing open.
But the portrait remained closed, and the Fat Lady sat there with a smug smile on her face. "Sorry, deary, that's not the password."
"Not the password? Are you kidding? It was that just this morning! Besides, it couldn't have changed so soon, we just got our new password yesterday!" What was she going to do if she was locked out of her own common room?
"Dumbledore made me change it this evening after dinner. Not my problem."
Ginny huffed. Well this was just great. "Hello! Look at me, Ginny Weasley, Gryffindor. Seventh year. I've been coming through your portrait for the past five years! Surely you recognize me! You know I'm Gryffindor! Just let me in!"
"Sorry, cant. School rules. Just because you say your someone, doesn't mean you are the person. No password, no entrance."
Well this was just getting annoying!
Ginny huffed and stormed away from the portrait. Bloody fat cow! Where was she supposed to go now? She was trapped outside of her common room and had nowhere to go!
Still in silent rage, Ginny rounded the next corner with speed…and consequently ran headfirst into someone. She started to fall back before that someone stopped her fall by catching her around the waist and pulling her up into his chest. It all happened so fast she couldn't speak for a second.
Well this was wonderful. She'd been caught way past midnight, almost right outside her own common room entrance. She growled and twisted in the persons hold, (which she conveniently noticed was very strong and firm and he still hadn't let go of her) and looked up to see who was holding her captive.
"Well, well, well. Looks like I've caught a weasel! Now that doesn't happen very often!" She was looking right into the dark gaze of none other than Blaise Zabini. Bloody prick. Always everywhere she was.
He still didn't let go of her, loosely letting his hands fall down to circle her waist. Ginny harrumphed but didn't twist out of his hold. She could feel his defined muscles against her chest and his breath was hitting her ear. Her heart pounded faster, but she didn't dare let him see how he affected her. No need to boost that already enormous ego.
"I got locked out of my common room. Bloody password changed." She felt the need to explain why she was out so late, but didn't bother asking him why he was out so late as well.
Ginny sighed when she received no answer and laid her head against his shoulder, feeling tired. That's when she remembered that he was the one who'd saved her. She swallowed down her pride.
"Uhm…thanks, Blaise. You know…for earlier and all."
He smiled and let go of her, beginning to walk with her with his arm around her waist. She didn't know where they were going, but didn't really have anywhere to be or go, so she just let him direct her.
"What was that, by the way? You ok?" Concern glinted in his coal eyes, but he quickly covered it with a small grin.
"Thanks to you I am. Pomfrey said it was exhaustion and stress. How did you find me anyway? I was still in the dungeon and you should've been in your next class."
"I had forgotten something in the Potions room and had to go back to get it when I saw you." He smiled and gave her a playful shove. "Merlin, Gin, you always seem to get in messes, don't you?" She didn't deny it, letting the conversation drop into a comfortable silence.
He stopped in front of a portrait, said a password and it opened up. He stepped through it and motioned Ginny in as well.
"Where are we?" She was so curious. It was a huge room, with a huge comfy looking green bed in it. The whole room was decorated in the Slytherin colors. He had a plush black sofa sitting before a welcoming fire, a desk and bookshelves laden with books.
"My Head Boy room of course," He said with pride.
"Head Boy? I didn't know you were Head Boy. Was that why you were out so late?"
"Among other things," He commented nonchalantly.
"Slytherin pride, much?" She asked, eyeing the room decked out in all green, silver, and black. I mean honestly, so much of those colors was hurting her eyes.
"It suits me," He said in a mock hurtful tone.
"Well this has been great fun and all, but I really should be leaving." She said with resignation.
"And where, exactly, will you be leaving to? If you remember correctly, you don't really have anywhere to stay. You can spend the night here and get the password tomorrow. My bed is really quite comfortable." He wriggled his eyebrows at her and looked her up and down.
Ginny huffed. "What, you expect me to sleep in the same bed as you and possibly get raped? I don't think so." She stuck her tongue out at him but sat down on the plush couch.
"You cant rape the willing, love." He smirked at her and sat down beside her, draping an arm across her shoulder. "Besides, I'm sure we can make some sleeping arrangements if you wish. If you want, you can sleep on the floor and leave that big, comfy bed to me." He smiled a genuine smile and stood up, taking his shirt off.
She gaped at him like a fish. Look at that chest! "Wha-what are you do-doing?" She stammered out. Oh great one, Gin. Stammering like a fool!
He grinned at her, unbuttoning his pants so they fell around his ankles, leaving him in only his boxers. "What does it look like I'm doing? I getting ready for bed." He said, climbing onto the large, green bed and slipping beneath the sheets. "You coming or what?" He patted the space beside him.
Well there was no way she was missing out on that. Ginny looked down at her clothes. "I wasn't exactly planning a slumber party. Do you have something I could wear?" She watched as he untangled himself from the sheets and walked over to his wardrobe, flinging one of his shirts and boxers at her. She thanked him and made her way to the bathroom, closing the door behind her.
Merlin, his bathroom! Talk about luxury! He had a huge bathtub, set with jets, she noticed, a shower stall, and a huge sink laden with his things. She changed from her robes and school uniform into the boxers and shirt, and stepped back out from bathroom.
Blaise saw her in his clothes and his eyes widened. Now that was hot! He wanted to eat her up…literally. He groaned and pulled the sheets up higher, hiding his obvious…discomfort.
Ginny smiled and crawled onto the bed, slipping under the covers and sliding over to Blaise. She wasn't one to really cuddle, but it was nice once in a while. He seemed to understand and instantly wrapped his arms around her, flicking his wand at the light so it dimmed and slipping his wand under his pillow.
Wow! The sensations he was putting her body through! She could feel his muscles moved against her back every time he moved to adjust. She shivered, but not from the cold. He laid his head against her cheek and they both closed their eyes.
That's when Ginny remembered all about the tutoring lesson. She should at least tell him before Snape did. Snape really didn't have any tact. "Blaise?" She whispered into the darkness of the room. He mumbled in acknowledgement, and she told him everything that happened with Snape and that he and Draco now had to take up tutoring her.
He just nodded and said, "Ill tell Draco tomorrow, he'd rather hear it from me than Snape. We'll schedule sometime in the evening to meet up with you and begin it."
Then they both closed their eyes and drifted off in each others arms.
--
Ginny awoke to the feeling of an arm draped across her stomach, and a deep masculine scent. She sighed happily, inhaling deeply, and opened her eyes to find a shock of green everywhere she looked. The sunlight was streaming in through the one big window that overlooked the grounds, and she squinted slightly at the light. She groaned and turned around to look over at Blaise.
Now that was cute. He looked so peaceful just laying here snuggled up close to her. He must of felt her shifting around because he wrinkled his nose and slowly opened his eyes, wincing at the harsh assault of sunlight.
Ginny smirked and wriggled herself closer to him, feeling his strong, protective arms tighten slightly around her. He buried his face into her hair, inhaling her scent and nipping at her neck.
Now that she was not expecting. She was stunned into silence but smiled once she regained her composure. She felt his teeth graze her skin and shivered. Sighing happily, she let him continue his trail of hot kisses until he made his way to her mouth. Where Draco had demanded entrance with hungry, hot kisses, Blaise was gentle, slowly licking at her lips and content to suck on her bottom one. She sighed into the kiss, letting the light atmosphere surround her and drifted off in happiness. She was content to just lay there, doing nothing more than kissing him back.
This was exactly what she needed. She was feeling much better than the day before, having had eaten and actually slept for the first time in days. She felt utterly rejuvenated.
He finally sighed and pulled back, looking at her with eyes that sparkled in the sunlight. He glanced at the clock hanging on his wall and did a double take.
"Breakfast is almost over, guess we slept in too late." He reluctantly got up, shaking his head to get his black, unruly hair out of his eyes. "Ill be in the shower, you can get in after me if you want," And he disappeared into the bathroom, closing the door. She heard the water running and stood as well, taking a closer inspection of his room.
It was neat, but not in that no one's lived here in years sort of way. It was welcoming, and showed presence. She liked that. She sat down on the couch in front of the fire, gazing longingly into it. She wished she were like fire, free and untamable. She sat watching the flames engulf the fire wood and lick around the stone, turning it black. She sat there for the longest time and was only pulled out of her reverie when she heard the bathroom door open, turning to see Blaise in only a towel.
She swallowed and stood, picking up her pressed and cleaned clothes (she assumed that was the house elves) and made her way into the bathroom. She stepped into the shower and cleaned up right nicely. She was still a little sore from the previous days events, but all in all she was a sight better. She changed into her clothes, drying her hair with a spell and stepping out of the bathroom.
"Merlin Blaise, I'm in love with your shower. I would come here all the time just to use that," She said in a playful manner, gathering up her things and walking towards the portrait hole.
He followed close behind her and out into the hall. "You can come here anytime you want, love" He said, winking at her. She blushed but nodded, accepting his invitation.
They walked silently to the kitchen, and quickly grabbed something to eat before heading back out to their first class of the day. Once they reached the door, before she opened it he spoke up.
"I'll tell Draco about our little tutoring thing, and we'll meet you in the library for your first lesson after lunch when we have a free period. Might as well get them started." She nodded and they both entered the classroom and sat at their respective places for class to start.
Throughout the classes leading up to lunch, Ginny had butterflies in her stomach. Not only would she be spending time with Blaise, but Draco as well. Two of her favorite people in the castle right now. She grinned and hurried through class after class, impatient at having to wait.
When lunch arrived, she entered the Great Hall and sat down at the Gryffindor table, sneaking peeks over the students heads at Blaise and Draco. Blaise caught her eye and winked at her, making her blush before he turned away from her at something Draco said. They were definitely a pair, they were.
She saw them get up and make their way, presumably, to the library. She grinned and stood, ran up to the Gryffindor Common Room, (she finally got the password from Colin) and made her way back down to the library.
When she opened the door she didn't see them. The library looked completely empty except for herself and Madame Pince. She smiled at the woman and made her way around bookshelf after bookshelf, keeping her eye out for them.
She heard a groan from somewhere the next aisle over, at the back of the library. Interest peeked, she rounded the corner and immediately stopped in her tracks.
There, at the very back of the library, up against the shelves, she found Draco and Zabini in a very compromising position, very ignorant of her presence and indulging in a very heated kiss.
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A/N : Sorry for the cliffy haha. Well I think im going to take my time updating the next chapter...but you know how it goes, more REVIEWS!! will help me update faster :) I want to know what you thinked about this chapter. I want your thoughts, concerns, critiques, and ideas. GIVE THEM TO ME PEOPLE!!