Kerry O'Brien is a city girl from Boston that moves to Charming for a teaching position. She rents a house next to Jax and becomes good friends with Tara. Happy Lowman is a Nomad who doesn't like being in one place too long. There is an instant physical attraction between the two but is it enough?

BOOK 1 - In the FATE SERIES: AU of how Eric and Sookie met and the stories that follow. The local watering whole is being rebuilt. But by who and for what purpose. And what does it mean for Sookie and her future? Is there more to her than she ever realized? E/S NC-17

"Why're you crying?" Draco whispered, sitting down beside Hermione in a deserted Great Hall. Looking up at him with puffy eyes, she admitted what happened earlier at the Gryffindor Tower. Without a moment's hesitation, he wrapped an arm around her shoulders and said: "Come on, you're spending the night in the Slytherin dungeon. With me."

WIP. Harry makes a different choice in King's Cross and is given the double edged gift of a second chance. Time Travel AU, DH canon.

Sookie discovers that someone's been watching out for her for years, and comes to find that her Guardian Angel is actually a devil in disguise! After learning the truth about his obsession with her, Sookie struggles to let her heart open to him. Can our favorite Viking win her over?

When Harry is left at the Dursley's after 5th year, his world has been tilt upside down with revelations. He finds himself alone and in dark times; twistedly re-living his childhood. Then, as all hope seems gone, a thing with feathers flutters back into his life. Contains: light-bashing, abuse, slash-HP/LV/TMR, MPreg later. Don't Like, Don't Read.

This is a chance encounter between Rory and Tristan. Rory's job takes her to North Carolina, and her first assignment is to interview one injured soldier. She walks into that army base expecting to get her first story, but that's not all she gets...

Sookie chooses employment over slavery, and Eric welcomes all of the trouble it brings his way when he offers to protect our favorite telepath from becoming Sophie-Ann's pet. An Eric/Sookie fic. Plenty of roller coasters, proofread, beta approved, and lemons galore if you have a tinge of patience in you!

Sookie meets Godric under different circumstances when she is first introduced to the supernatural world. Can they find hope for the future in each other or will Godric be lost to the darkness? Not pro Bill. M for Lemons. G/S/E

Just as Hermione finds out that she can never get her parents back after obliviating them, she finds out that they weren't her parents at all. The Zabini's are. Dramione. All credit to JK Rowling.

Sequel to It Can't Be Over (finally) It's been just over a year since the devastation of the war and to rekindle her passion for the wizarding world after seventh year and a break to find her parents, Hermione moves to the Burrow with her friends and the lovely Molly. Of course, with fraternizing with Weasleys, there's always a particular one present. Have things changed too much?

Hermione is fed up of seeing her friends leave her behind. She's thirty, alone and broody. Not one to wait around, she decides to take matters into her own hands and have the child she's always wanted. The resulting pregnancy is far from what she expects

Hermione's destiny is altered by the Powers that Be. She is cast back to the Marauder's Era where she is Hermione Potter, the pureblood fraternal twin sister of James Potter. She retains Hermione Granger's memories, and is determined to change her brother's fate for the better. Obviously AU. Starts in their 1st year. M for language, minor violence, etc.

It had been five years since the war ended both Hermione and Draco had changed but so had the whole wizarding world. Can a relationship that's founded on an accident be the new start they both secretly crave or will the past resurface and destroy all hope of what might be? *Its rated Me because its gonna get a little steamy*

Lucius and Hermione have just delivered the dragon princess and her book to Minister Kingsley, and are making plans to consummate their newfound love later that night, when Kingsley returns with a new mission they must leave on immediately, taking the wind right out of her sails...so come along on their new high adventure and see if Hermione's sailing ever gets any smoother...

OVER 2 MILLION VIEWS! Post Season 3. Eric senses Sookie's return and is driven mad by the need to see her. We all know what happens when a human and a vampire bond, but what happens when a fairy Chooses a vampire? 3RD PLACE- Fangreaders' Sookie Stackhouse Award 2012 and 3RD PLACE- Fangreaders' Adele Stackhouse Award 2012. 1ST PLACE Mr. January Award & 3RD PLACE AB Award.

Five years after Hogwarts, Hermione and Draco are thrown together after a certain 'Malfoy trait' kicks in and Draco needs Hermione's help.

She made him an offer he couldn't refuse. Sirius/Hermione BDSM, pure smut. Kinks ahoy!

Veela Fic set Ten Years after the War. Draco is a Veela. Hermione isn't his Healer. She's just his. Update Chapter 29: 02/06/14

While in Dallas, Godric takes an interest in Sookie, believing there may be a reason for her erratic and many times disagreeable nature. This story will explore their relationship, which will be Dominant/submissive in nature. If you have the time or inclination please leave a comment - I love to hear what you think. Thanks!

What if Pam had turned Hadley instead of Queen Sophie Anne? Sookie finds herself learning the ropes of the supernatural world at the hands of her vampire cousin while trying not to lose herself in the attentions of a certain sexy Viking sheriff... Sookie/Eric, Pam/Hadley.

Hermione and Harry give into their desires and enjoy their lives to the fullest after the war. Now the proud owners of a club that caters to a specific audience, how will the arrival of two men from their past affect their night? BDSM theme. HG/SS and HP/LM. AN: Story under review (2019).

Set just before 'Dead until Dark', but after the Great Revelation, Sookie's first vampire meeting is NOT with Bill Compton. Instead, she meets a vampire who intrigues her - and is just as intrigued by her. AU, and hopefully not too OOC.

After an encounter with the Weasley twins Hermione finds the relationship she didn't realize was missing. But when society's views object, what effect will be had on their happiness? Fred/George/Hermione, lemons, TWINCEST, EWE, Fred alive because I say so

Hermione x Remus, Mature for future content. After years of studying Remus' condition as a werewolf, Hermione may find herself in over her head when Moony decides that she belongs with him.

Books and pranks. Wisdom and humor. Uptight and easygoing. Hermione and Fred. Nobody really saw it coming. (M for language because I'm paranoid.)

A curse has been revealed affecting both Gryffindor and Slytherin. The Ministry of Magic has to act and enforces a marriage law. Hermione is paired with Malfoy but the Ministry will have to drag her dead body up the aisle before she marries him EWE AU

Running for her life in the land of the Fae, imagine Sookie's surprise when an old acquaintance, and old dead acquaintance just happens to be here too.

Eight years after the end of the war Hermione does something that will change her world as she knows it. OOC, EWE, NC-17.

Lucius Malfoy lost both wife and son while fleeing the Battle of Hogwarts. Now, to keep his job at the Ministry he's been asked to prove he has renounced Voldemort and his ways by doing something he never would have done before. He is asked to marry someone who is not a pureblood. For him, only one particular Mudblood would ever do...lemony goodness, M for a reason!

All Human Spuffy. Buffy finds she's sick and runs away to deal with it on her own. What happens when Spike finds her and makes her face her problems head on? Complete

This story is an outtake from the My Way Universe, and will include the wedding as the title suggests , as well as the honeymoon and should follow Eric and Sookie as they settle into married life. Set after DUDMW but before LDIDMW.

Hell, heaven, both places have gods of some sort, why shouldn't there also be angels? Under revision.

Hermione wants a child more than anything in the wizarding world. Can she convince Draco Malfoy of all people to be the father? Albeit a removed one, or will he fight for more?

Season One, Fangtasia, Sookie's first meeting with Eric. When the Viking on the throne catches Sookie's eye, she never realized he'd soon catch her heart. Of course, she never knew Bill was planning on kidnapping her either...

George disappears after the war. Hermione is sent on a quest to find him and help him heal.

Eric's latest dayman wasn't up to snuff, so he put out a call for a new one. Little does he know his next dayman may not even be a man at all. Enter Sookie, who at the age 14 is enrolled in a supernatural school run by Mr. C. There she developed her telepathy and honed her skills to enmesh herself in the supernatural world. Her DAYS will never be the same. E/S. Multiple-POV. AU

Set near the end of season 3 episode 10, during Eric and Sookie's conversation in his office. My version of what SHOULD have happened. Sookie decides to trust Eric. Was it a mistake? AU Continues on into season 4, with slight changes to the story line. NOW COMPLETE.

She didn't know where her life was headed, definitely in the wrong direction, where she ended up, that's a whole different story

Eric learns of QSA's plans, and sends his depressed maker to find the telepath. Sookie's first meeting with a vampire goes very differently when she meets Godric at Merlotte's. AU. G/S

Sequel to Here I Dreamt I Was A Rosier. Hermione has left the Order, but now she needs to learn to navigate fully grown Death Eaters and the Dark Lord himself. Is there anything left of the Tom Riddle that she fell in love with in the volatile Lord Voldemort?

Hermione makes a plan to lose her virginity. When she offers it to Draco, it changes everything. With a new prophecy and a war approaching, what will this change mean for the Golden Trio and the outcome of the war?

A casual, passionate relationship gets serious really quick when a broken condom leads Sookie to discover she's pregnant. How does a new couple deal with a pregnancy they didn't plan for? Eric/Sookie AH Updated daily! Collaboration with makesmyheadspin!

Eric is a sexy chef, Sookie is a loser magnet in need of some cooking therapy. All Human. 16 chapters. Updates Weekly.

After restoring her parents memories, Hermione finds out she isn't who she always believed to be. However, she decides not to let this new development affect her live at all. Problem is, life does seem to happen when you're busy making other plans. Especially, when a charming Draco, a meddling Narcissa and 2 rogue Death Eaters turn it upside down. M for a reason

Hermione Granger was perfectly happy with her life, her job as a Healer Trainee, her ugly cat and her cute little house in the countryside. And then Draco Malfoy had to go and mess that all up, typical git. Post-Hogwarts, EWE, OOC, creature!fic. 18

Winner of the Silver Award, in the Pride Category, of the Multifaceted Awards: Round Three, The Severus Snape Round! Pre HBP AU Romance - Forced to work together, Severus Snape and Hermione Granger realize that there is more magic in the world than they thought. They discover the magic that exists when two souls intertwine.

A protest kicks off another chapter of adventure in Hermione Granger's life. Five years after the war, a dull desk job is pushed aside so she can help Charlie Weasley and his band of researchers.

Buffy is the biggest fan of Adrenaline Rush and she is dying to meet them. Buffy's mother is refusing to let her go to their concert, so Buffy takes matters into her own hands. There was no way she was going to pass up an opportunity to see Spike live.

Hermione comes home from two years working in America to discover that her best friend is friends with his arch nemesis. What happens when she discovers she might have feelings for him...

War's over, time for teenage drama! Draco Malfoy finds his one true veela mate but Ron Weasley fights tooth and nail to keep her from 'the dark side' but that was Ron's down fall. Telling Hermione Granger what to do. ROMANCE! LEMONS IN FUTURE!

Sequel to Seductive Manipulations. Lucius and Severus are unable to let go of Hermione, so they follow her to France. Will the sexy Slytherins get emotionally entangled with our lovely golden girl? Most probably. SS/HG/LM.

In Season One, Bill has to go to a tribunal for staking Longshadow to save Sookie. What if the Magister had required Sookie to attend the tribunal in Season One?

Opening her eyes, Hermione became acutely aware that she was not in her bed, or even in Gryffindor tower. Panic quickly set in when she cataloged all of the places she could be and none of them matched the pretty princess room she was in. Hermione Granger has woken up in 1944 and must learn to exist with her "family" and their friends...

What if Sookie had seen Bill for the creeper he is in the beginning? What if she went to the Viking sooner rather than later? A retelling of Dead Until Dark - My Way!

This is the same story that was posted a few days ago, but had to be re-posted due to site difficulties. Severus is having forbidden feelings for one of his best students. But does she return those feelings? SSHG. Don't like, don't read. EWE?

Godric stands on the roof after Eric leaves, unaware of Sookie's presence. Sookie saves him from death, but isn't sure how. This fic will explore their relationship.

Hermione gets detention with a certain Professor. Of age, 7th year Hermione. BDSM. Shameless smut, but with dashes of romance and sweetness.

Marriage Law Fic. My first attempt and Severus/Hermione. I'm really excited about it! Voldemort pushes through a marriage law to force Hermione to marry a Deatheater. Can Snape save her, and the cause, by being that Deatheater?

"Are you ready?" she asked. Draco brushed the back of his hand against her forehead before tracing it down her cheek. "I was ready the moment you came back into my life, Granger. Are you ready?" "With you," she whispered, "I'm ready for anything."

Severus Snape keeps running into a student playing piano. Why does he stop to listen, and how does she respond when she is asked to invite him when she plays? And what about Voldemort? Here there be fluff, romance, drama, and angst.

Sookie's and Eric's first meeting with a little twist...

What if Buffy came back angry instead of incapable of feelings when she was resurrected?

The Order rescued Draco and Lucius Malfoy after Lord Voldemort turned on them. All the safe houses are full, and Hermione Granger is the only one who can take them in. Will she agree after having suffered a drastic nervous breakdown?

When Hermione finds out that her entire life has been a lie, manipulated by none other than one Albus Dumbledore, her wavering loyalty is finally pushed over the edge. Is it even possible to betray those who have all but abandoned you? H.Riddle/DM

A common sense tale: The Queen chose a much more ideal vampire to watch over Sookie. She sent Eric, not Bill. Sookie's view of Eric wasn't marred by what Bill did. Come see what happens when common sense prevails. Lots of fun and new stuff. Rated M!

Some say that love is a battlefield, but for Draco, it might as well be a Quidditch field. And if only Hermione were a Quaffle, he would score with her. If she wanted him to play Chaser, then, by Salazar, he would stop at nothing to win. WARNING: MATURE!

"WARNING the sup surgeon general states Maenads are poisonous. Contact your doctor Immediately if you show any signs of the following Side Effects..." This story is rated M for a reason please be warned. E/S, E/S/P, E/S/G, and anything is possible.

"In politics, if you want anything said, ask a man. If you want anything done, ask a woman." Hermione is the first female Minister for Magic. Lucius has always been a man who enjoys people in power. This is no exception.

Frustrated with the Minister for Magic and in possession of two left feet, Hermione is forced to take dance lessons. Under her instructors, she not only learns to move with grace, but gets more than she bargained for in the process. Veela!Draco

After the Final Battle, everyone has their demons to wrestle...

What if Hallow cursed Eric so that he lost his memory and ended up meeting Sookie while running down Hummingbird Road…but she had never met him or Bill or any other vampire before? Rated M for later chapters. Slightly AU, more like Alternate Timeline.

The date they wrote and burned. Whats happens from there.

After a detention with Professor Snape leaves her with questions, Hermione goes on a search to discover what drives her mysterious Potions Master. A search that leads her into a world of mastery and submission, and opens a Pandora's box between the two.

An AU Sookie & Eric story. Sookie develops more powers, a prophecy and ES lemons. Mature content.

The portrayal of Godric's death was epic, but imagine how things would have changed, if he had lived. This is one version of how it could have played out.

Best friends, Eric & Sookie, have had more than their share of bad relationships. They seek the advice of a relationship counselor who gives them some advice they were never prepared for. AH Now complete.

A short kiss can go a long way...

It's seven years after the end of the war and Voldemort's fall; the wizarding world is in shambles. Hermione uses Arithmancy to figure out that a new triad needs to be formed to restore balance to the wizarding world. Complete.

Severus Snape didn't think his life could get any worse until Neville's cauldron explodes and turns him into a toddler. To make things worse, Albus decides to place him in the care of none other than Hermione Granger.

Hermione ends up in a dead-end job because she never went back to take her N.E.W.T.s. Severus is at loose ends because no one will offer him a job. Fluffy Angst Flangst! AU, EWE?, SS/HG, M for reasons.

Accidents happen, but when this accident happens Hermione finds herself in a whole different decade at Hogwarts with people that are long dead in her time. Trying her best to find her way back before there are too many changes. SS/HG time travel story. Rated MA.

Is Fae blood addictive enough to cause a ancient vampire to reconsider his plans of true death? When Viking vampire and Maker both drink from Sookie, all three must fight the pull of lust, lies, and the blood that binds them.

Ian is living with Charlie, making him coffee, and keeping his guns locked up. That can't be right. Something must be done about this! Ian's losing his touch, and will do anything to get it back. But what price will Charlie have to pay?

Sookie needs a firm hand...and Eric's just the man...erm...make that vampire to give it to her. ONE SHOT...EXPLICIT SEXUAL CONTENT...MATURE READERS ONLY.

Eric is a single dad with an eight-year-old daughter who just moved to Bon Temps. Sookie is a college student who is called in as a last-minute babysitter. Sparks fly. AH/AU/OOC

This interrupts Book 1 and finds Sookie discovering a dark mystery. She fears for her life and goes to Eric Northman for help. Drained was nominated for 3 You Want Blood Awards.

AH/AU - Sookie and Eric, who are from opposite side of the planet,and are both running away from something, fall in love and deal with the consequences.

What can happen in a year apart with the power of pen and paper and a little distance.

Hermione is attacked by death eaters. She manages to escape by turning into her animagus form. She ends up becoming Snape's new pet. Unsure if he can be trusted she stays in her cat form and gets an inside look at what Snape is really like. SEQUEL TITLED 'TEACHER'S SURPRISE' by Ayanna88.

He turns 21 tomorrow. He's worried. He will come of age and it will start. His father told him what to expect, but still… fear of the unknown. He would soon know what his fate held.

Determined not to feel sorry for herself on a lonely Valentine’s Day, Hermione decides to indulge in a little reckless behaviour, catering to herself instead of others for once. So how did she get stuck ‘babysitting’ Lucius Malfoy?

Brennan tells Booth she has a sex date and he doesn't take it very well. He's determined to show her why she should be his. There is a PREQUEL to this story which you might want to read first-So Close I Can Almost Taste You is the prequel. COMPLETE.

Charlie was staring searchingly at him while Ian put an arm around his hip and brushed the dark curls out of his forehead with his free hand. “Say yes,” Ian whispered.

He was rich, single and disgustingly handsome. Learn how a four-year-old will turn his world up-side down. Sequel now posted - My Darling Caroline.

When Charlie sets out to prove to Hermione that she's more than just 'one of the boys', he finds himself in deeper--and sweeter--than he could have imagined.

In order to save Harry from Fudge and Dumbledores manipulations, he is wed to Charlie Weasley by rite of Dominance. Follow along as they turn the wizarding world upside down and their hearts inside out. Major SLASH. male/male. If that offends then dont rd

It wasn't right how well she knew them, and they were going to prove just how wrong it was! Threesome/moresome, Hermione/Fred/George, Anal, BDSM, Extreme Coarse Language, Lemons Extreme Smut

Sookie moves in to a new apartment. Could her landlord just happen to be the man of her dreams? All human

Normally if he wanted something, he went after it and didn’t stop until either it was his, or he no longer wanted it. The same held true for the people in his life." Ian wants Charlie... but catching him won't be easy. Especially when Don finds out.

After receiving an enchanted Christmas present from Fred Weasley, Hermione thinks her life will never be the same. And she's right.

No Harry. No Ron. No hope. A broken Hermione goes through the motions of living until the one comes who can truly make her feel alive again. Canon through pg309 of DH. AU, Multiple Character Death, SS/HG. Rated M for reasons.

When the Ministry decides to enforce a marriage law, Hermione finds herself engaged to George Weasley. The two are already bonded by a secret only they share, and they grow even closer as they face their impending marriage vows. COMPLETE!

Charlie Weasley was not that fond of people as a general rule. He liked his solitude but a wounded soul he could not turn away.

After recognizing Godric during the events in Dallas, Sookie returns to Louisiana and must choose between Bill, Godric, and Eric. Full summary inside.

Eric invites Sookie to New Years at Fangtasia and danger and intrigue follow. Will their relationship withstand the vampire politics they're dragged into?

A marriage law has come to pass; an unfaithful boyfriend has been caught and an enemy has been chosen. Draco and Hermione discover the fine line between love and hate. Won 2nd place at the Dramione awards for best Draco and best action/adventure!

This story DOES NOT follow the series but does take characters and plot ideas from all of the books. Eric/Sookie and other pairings in the future. Rated M for violence, language, and sexually explicit material in later chapters.

A tale of emotional and physical dependency. A nineteen-year-old Hermione is back at Hogwarts, dissatisfied with life, and her bewildering new feelings for her Potions Master confuse her even more. HG/SS. M content. Age-appropriate readers, please.

With Severus being the cold hearted bastard that he is, and Hermione being broken hearted, will their hearts ever be able to love each other? A post Marriage Law fic. SSHG R&R pls. COMPLETE

Hermione comes back to Hogwarts to take her N.E.W.T.S. but she has changed since the war. Who else has changed a bit with her? What happens when they find their both attracted and where could it lead? SS/Hermione rated MA. Not for kids under age.

Four years after the war, a chance encounter with a wizard Hermione hoped never to see again leads her to question her life and discover things about herself she had kept deeply buried. HG/LM. A tale of discovery. Older readers only, please.

Hermione grew up as the daughter of a long line of muggles. She didn't know that once upon a time her mother's family came from a long line of witches. What happens when one witch foresaw the magic skipping generations? M for later chapters. Slight AU/AR.

MLC-Seventh Year student Hermione Granger decides to marry the one eligible wizard who did not ask for her-the horrid but powerful Severus Snape. Angst, humor and lemons. Award Winner COMPLETE

Sirius escorts Hermione back to England at Harry's request. NC17. Written for the Valentine's Day True Love Challenge over at the lj community hermionesirius.

Hermione never thought Charlie Weasley would be the one to help her deal with her nightmares. CharlieHermione.

Hermione encounters a strange lake-dweller one morning. Her new friend will give her insight into the most mysterious man of them all...

..Marcus/Hermione.. Hermione wants to be swept off her feet. She wants her own true love story. She just never expected to have one with Marcus Flint, of all people.

What happens when two people with lives manipulated by the ministry and harmed by pureblood mania decide to fight back? Begins with a marriage law and follows them through their struggles with the wizarding world. Complete! Epilogue to follow. SBHG NC17

Hermione is tired of being just one of the guys but refuses let it change her. Fred takes notice of her and George helps. FredXHermione. Story takes place starting with OotP through the books and into post-Hogwarts era. Complete! R&R

Hermione's life begins to fall apart right before her eyes. When she feels that she can't take anymore, hope comes from an unexpected source.

How Draco Malfoy's son helps him fall in love with the most unexpected person. Rated for language and later chapters. R&R.

What if certin people could come back from beyond the Veil? Starts off right after Harry drops the Stone in the forest. HGSBHP. mentions RLNT and HPGW.

Hermione needs help examing Dark Objects. In comes an expert, Lucius Malfoy, to help her. One item in particular will cause her trouble, and he will find that he needs to protect the little witch, who by the way, he thinks is quite fetching these days.

Hogwarts was playing host to the victory celebration to the defeat of one of the vilest wizards to walk the face of the earth and Professor Severus Snape must decide if love is worth the risk.

Sequel to Disowned. Logan and Rory's lives pick up a year after the end of Disowned with new jobs and a move to New York.

Rory went to Washington for summer a few things changed with her. This is the story of what happened afterwards. AU. Now Complete

Draco Malfoy was tired of dating the same type of girl. Knowing he could get anyone he wanted, one day he saw Hermione Granger walking down the corridor of his office and he decided something... he decided he wanted her. He was up for the challenge and it would appear that so was she. All he had to do was buy her a book and all she had to do was change his heart.

Rich!Snape and Adult!Hermione. 24yearold Hermione Granger is involved in private research to find a defense against the Killing Curse. After eight years, she runs into Professor Snape, who makes her an offer difficult to refuse. AU, MF, Lemons,MM Rape

How is it that Hermione Granger's life is in shambles? Nice, neat, everything in it's place Hermione Granger? Her life wasn't supposed to be like this. Now with new romances and other big events, how will she ever be able to put her life back together?

Hermione is the transfiguration teacher and when new teachers arrive at Hogwarts Oliver is asked by Dumbledore to watch over Hermione and keep her from harm. But whom is he protecting her from?

SEQUEL to Casual Romance witha Weasley A year has passed since George and Hermione got together. warninga: Adult language and themes. Now complete.

Post War, Hermione suffers a betrayal followed by the feeling of isolation from her friends. But a Weasley twin steps in and helps her get over both. Do they discover love along the way. now complete. Warning for language but will get more ma

Hermione is stuck in her boring monotonous life. One horribly boring day makes her realize she needs a little fun in her life. And you'll never believe who gives it to her.

Fred accidentally starts rumors that he's with Hermione, and encourages them for a laugh. When she find out, she's furious. Now the two of them are fighting to outembarrass and annoy one another... but they're also fighting their feelings for each other.

Logan wakes up from his first time with Rory with a whole lot of emotions he can't identify. So how is he going to make this work when he soon realizes Rory is just as unsure as he is. (Starts Angst but mainly Humor) COMPLETE

[Complete] Voldemort's defeated and now they've got the future to look forward to. Hermione's happily ever after doesn't happen as she had planned, and Draco refuses to live the life planned for him.