The next morning Hermione watched the Slytherin table with a hint of sadness. Theo had placed himself as far away from Malfoy as humanly possible while still sitting with the older students. While Hermione wasn't particularly fond of his relationship with the prat, Theo seemed to see something valuable in it and she hated to have come between them. Still, Theo met her at the entrance to the Great Hall just after Malfoy exited for their shared subject: Charms. Before she could question him on it Theo pulled her quickly into an alcove and snogged her until they risked being late for class.
He had left her with mussed hair and far too turned on to be publicly decent by the time they entered the classroom. She took her seat near the front while Theo slipped in next to Malfoy just as the door swung shut. But as Professor Flitwick started to greet the class, Hermione could smell the cold anger rolling off Malfoy in waves. By the time the lecture let out she was all but scrambling to the relative safety of a waiting Neville.
Hermione had shot out of her chair, successfully making a mad dash for the door before either Slytherin had even stood. She crashed straight into Neville's chest, with a muffled thump.
"Hermione? Is everything-" His face screwed up into a snarl as he roughly shoved her behind him, eyes trained on the still open door.
"Neville? What-"
Her mouth snapped shut as a frigid, angry scent rolled through the air all but freezing everything in its tracks. Malfoy's anger in the class had been cold, this was Arctic . But, beneath the instinctive reaction of fear for Theo, a shred of concern bloomed for the blond. Surely Theo being friends with her and Neville didn't warrant such a violent response but something had to. Hopefully nothing that bad.
When Malfoy glided through the door his face was frozen into a mask of calm. His eyes flicked over to her, tucked tightly behind Neville. His steps didn't pause but, oddly enough, he nodded at Neville and continued on his way. Before Hermione could so much as begin to process whatever that meant Theo strolled out. To anyone else he may look casual and carefree but Hermione could see the tension in his jaw and the way his eyes flashed.
"Theo? Are you okay?" she asked.
Neville relaxed a bit but when she tried to push in front of him he just cajoled her back in place. Theo looked over, letting a lazy grin pull at his lips as he brushed back his hair.
"Fine Hermione. Malfoy is just being a pissy little git. Go on down to lunch, I'll see you in the library."
Neville stared for a moment then nodded, tossing his arm around Hermione's shoulders.
"Let's go 'Mione," Neville rumbled, the first of the student's cautiously wandering out of the classroom. He pulled her toward the Great Hall just as Theo turned and set off after Malfoy, a stony frown etched onto his face when he thought she wasn't looking.
She let Neville guide them away until they merged into the stream of students. It had given her just enough time to make up her mind.
"I'm going back." She shook off Neville's arm and maneuvered herself back into the stream of students heading back toward the Charms classroom.
"Hermione," Neville groaned. "Leave it alone."
"Do you know what they're doing?" She paused, giving Neville the chance to catch up. He was larger and couldn't just slip through the crowd like she could.
"It's…" He knocked down (and subsequently helped up) a second year who couldn't get out of the way fast enough. As soon as he was righted the second year shuffled off and Neville strolled to her right. " Male stuff. You know."
Werewolf stuff. Joy.
"Well then it impacts me doesn't it?"
"I really think-"
"I'm going. You can come with me, but don't try to stop me ." Her voice seemed to pitch a bit deeper than usual and she saw Neville flinch. She was about to apologize — though she wasn't sure what for— when he sighed and twitched his head back the way they had come.
Hermione shoved her nose in the air in victory and immediately guided them through the crowd with ease. The doors had just snapped shut for the next period when they made it back to Professor Flitwick's classroom.
"Now what?" Neville asked, sniffing at the air cautiously.
Hesitantly, Hermione did the same, inhaling deeply and closing her eyes as that new part of her brain tried to sort out the scents. Malfoy and Theo choked the air, even among the sea of teenagers and hormones that always sprinkled the hall. Theo's scent brought warmth and comfort to her soul, immediately setting her at ease.
She guided them in his direction, following the markers of where he had brushed against a wall or a statue, until she lost the scent of warmth and spice to the ice cold fragrance of the Forbidden Forest. She was vaguely aware of some compulsion charms before shrugging them off easily as she made her way forward.
When they rounded the final corner she was watching the two males snapping at each other in an abandoned corridor. Hermione paused Neville with a finger to her lips as she focused on listening to the low conversation. She quickly cast a notice-me-not-charm on them as she and Neville watched the argument unfold.
"I told you this would happen. I fucking warned you," Malfoy hissed. All semblance of calm had disappeared and his eyes were flashing ferally to mirror the sneer tugging at his lips. Compared to the blank mask he was wearing earlier, he felt oddly more human to Hermione this way.
"I don't care," Theo responded.
"Obviously. Or else you would have stayed the hell away."
"This isn't what I wanted!" Theo groaned. "You know you're practically a brother to me. Don't act like you don't feel the same compulsion, I can see straight through you."
"I don't," Malfoy growled. "I just-"
"Are too much of a coward to try to fix things." Theo groaned and dropped the square of his shoulders. He sighed and rubbed absently at his shoulder. "Just tell them. It'll be so much easier that way. If everyone knows what's going on-"
"I'm not doing that to you. Or them. Or anyone. If they want to know then they can damn well come ask. They want to be as far away from all of this as possible and they can't be if they know." Malfoy settled against the wall with a far off look to his eyes. "I should have never told you in the first place."
"We would be pretty well fucked if you hadn't, huh?" Theo responded. "We only have a couple weeks until the next moon. What are you going to do when instinct can't be ignored anymore?"
"I-" Suddenly Malfoy cut himself off, he glared in the general direction of the Gryffindors. His eyes flashed and his scent rolled through the hall aggressively. She felt Neville suppress a cough beside her.
"Merlin, Draco." Theo scowled stepping back from the blond. "Knock it off. I can't breath-"
"We aren't alone."
Malfoy glared at where Neville and Hermione stood before pushing off the wall with an air of disgust. He pinned Theo with one more meaningful look and strode from the hall, breaking the compulsion charm with a crack.
Knowing that they were caught, Hermione dropped the spell. The tension in Theo's shoulder relaxed when he saw them.
"Just us, mate," Neville said.
"I know." A weak smile tugged at Theo's lips as he strolled closer. "I smelled you ages ago. Draco can get in such a mood when he's like that he doesn't notice the obvious."
"You wanted us to hear?" Hermione questioned as he threw an arm around both her and Neville. If she was not mistaken she was being held significantly closer to his body though.
"Slytherin. Remember."
"Why not just tell us yourself?" Hermione questioned with narrow eyes. Theo frowned then tried to cover the action with an overly bright smile.
"Slytherin. Remember," he repeated.
Neville laughed but Hermione stared at Theo's eyes. After a moment she recognized the losing fight when she saw it. Whatever he had was not to be shared. If she wanted to know she would have to talk to Malfoy— so naturally she would never know.
"Fine. Keep your secrets," she said and shrugged off his arm. That elicited a pitiful frown that mirrored a kicked puppy rather well. "But don't bother asking for help later when you muck it up."
"How do you know I will muck it up?" he questioned with one eyebrow raised.
"That's easy," Neville said, pulling Theo forward as the trio began to walk. "Experience."
"Ugh. Don't group me with Potter," Theo groaned loudly. With the last of the tension chased away his face fell into an easy grin and he threw his arm back around her shoulder (this time not doing the same with Neville's). "Let's grab lunch from the kitchen today. I don't want to deal with people."
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"Good morning, my little lions."
Hermione's mouth fell open when Theo shouldered his way between her and Neville at breakfast the next day. He had been pulled away from them by another secret 'House Meeting' last night and this was the first they had seen of him since.
Neville simply grumbled, glaring at the Slytherin before hunching back over his coffee.
"Theo?" Hermione questioned doing her best to ignore the gawking from the rest of the table.
"Yes, Hermione?"
The green of Theo's robes were out of place amongst the sea of red. Apparently he did not notice or care as he began to pile food onto his plate, every once in a while finding a choice rasher or particularly plump sausage to slip onto her plate. Whereas Neville piled food into a tall tower, Theo seemed to have perfectly mastered the art of maintaining a modest but constantly full platter.
"Not that we don't appreciate your company but-"
"What in the bloody hell are you doing here?" Hermione and Neville spun on Seamus with a glare. The Irishman had the decency to cringe back slightly. "Sorry, couldn't hold it in any longer."
Theo sighed dramatically, taking a moment to pop a sausage link into his mouth and chewed thoughtfully. Suddenly his eyes shot wide in confusion before slicing into a second sausage.
"Huh, you guys have rarebit filled ones here. I'm suddenly feeling discriminated against."
"Theo?" Neville grumbled shouldering away Pavarti from where she practically leaned over him to gawk at Theo. "Please just shut them up so I can start my day in peace."
Hermione narrowed her eyes at the brunette briefly before turning to Theo. He stiffened and stared down at his food. She dare not do anything to overt with so many people looking, they already drew enough attention walking to class together these past few days. Instead she slipped her hand under the table to rest it lightly on his thigh. He twitched but that was the only indication he had noticed.
"Was it about last night?" Hermione asked softly. That only focused the table's attention more and she regretted her phrasing. "What did they want?"
Theo cleared his throat and forced a causal smile on his face before continuing his meal.
"Oh the usual. Mostly to warn me away from the lion's den. Which may have been more convincing if the main point hadn't been how it tanks my marriage prospects." He smirked at the outward offense on her housemate's faces. "I told them about my island plan but they didn't go for it. So I am moving in with you lot. Pass the gravy please."
The muted sounds of the Great Hall echoed around them. The little pocket of seventh and eighth years sat speechless.
The only one who seemed unaffected was Ginny who was staring at Theo with a measuring look. After a moment she politely passed the gravy over to him. When he took it with a thanks he seemed to have passed her test.
"Do you snore? The eighth year boys dorm is full but it's further away so they'll have to make room if you do."
A small smirk pulled at Theo's face even as Lavender questioned Ginny.
"What? The dorms?"
"Well if he's moving in he has to sleep somewhere." Ginny smiled deviously at Hermione. "Unless he plans on bunking with Neville."
Neville choked on his coffee even as Theo barked out a laugh.
"Your sordid fantasies are ruined Brown." Theo smiled even as Lavender blanched. "Oh yes, I know all about them. Unfortunately for you, I am strictly women only."
"So you'll be sharing with Hermione then," Ginny finished.
Neville sputtered and Theo was trying not to laugh. Hermione glared at Ginny who primly sipped on her tea as the rest of the table tittered nervously.
"You should have been a Slytherin, Weasley." Theo's face scrunched up in confusion. "That's not a sentence I ever expected to say."
"Better just go with Ginny or Gin," Ginny responded. "I have too many brothers to respond to Weasley anymore."
Theo smiled widely and Hermione tried to warn him away with a shake of her head.
"What about Giner-"
"I can cast my Bat-Bogey curse wandlessly," Ginny interrupted with a glare. Hermione couldn't help but notice the slight smile tugging at her lips. "Just so that you are aware... roomie."
Theo laughed and the table broke into bubbles of private conversations and whispers, seemingly accepting but also still cautious. When enough attention had been pulled toward the upcoming quidditch match she drew Theo's attention with a tug of his robes. He dipped his head lower, seemingly leaning over his food.
"Yes Hermione?"
"Are you sure about this?" she whispered making a point not to look over at the Slytherin table where she could already feel Malfoy glaring at her. His scent was drifting through the hall, the cold anger apparent, even over the heavy scents of food. "I don't want to make your life harder."
"It's fine."
"Jokes aside, you still have to live with them. Is it safe? What about-"
"-Nothing. Draco and I are the only returning eighth years and he's not the type to set a trap. Nothing but straightforward confrontation with that one. No one else can get in the dorm."
"But aren't you just-"
"Sick of worrying about what people think? Yes." Theo answered sitting back up. The Gryffindors turned their attention back to him as he spoke in his normal cadence. "Going to do whatever I damn well please? Yes. Absolutely over this conversation? Also yes. Ooo, apple tart."
Hermione sighed but handed off his favorite snack, sliding it onto his plate. Theo smiled and slipped his hand under the table to grip hers once, sliding his thumb across her wrist. She begrudgingly returned to her food, Theo taking Neville's place in filling her plate.
"I expected you to be more princely," Lavender said with a frown.
Theo opened his mouth to respond but Hermione cut him off.
"Whatever innuendo is about to leave your mouth had better be worth an elbow to the stomach." Theo smiled and tucked back into his food, sending a wink at Lavender that made her blush to the roots of her hair. Hermione couldn't help but laugh when Neville reached over to smack the back of Theo's head lightly and set the both of them bickering while she finished breakfast, all the while studiously ignoring the feeling of silver sliding over her spine.
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Over the course of the week Theo had become somewhat of a defacto presence at the Gryffindor table, much to the overt disapproval of his house. Hermione was content to just stew and let them have their glares until a tripping jinx aimed for Theo's back caught her shield in the middle of the hall. All the green within the general vicinity was suddenly pink and by the time the trio sat down to dinner with the rest of Gryffindor, half of the snake's table was wearing a shade of bubblegum and the other half was pointedly staring down at their food.
The arrangement of walking each other to class quickly shifted, much to Theo's chagrin. Now it was Hermione, Neville, and oddly enough Lavender (only on Thursdays to Ancient Studies) escorting Theo to class. Hermione bristled at that at first but she couldn't very well refuse the offer for him and Theo didn't seem bothered by it.
When a pair of Slytherin sixth years arrived at lunch with bright red lipstick and heavy mascara painted on their distinctly male faces Hermione conceded the point. For now.
She wished she could just take care of it. It was almost impossible to choke down the urge to insist he didn't go anywhere without her. But as it was, they already were the topic of enough conversations. It wasn't that Hermione was ashamed of anything, Theo was a wonderful person who could win over just about anyone if given the chance. The problem was she wasn't sure he would ever get that chance, no matter how much he deserved it. She was still thinking about that fact when she pulled him into an empty classroom during dinner.
The door shut behind them with a snap, a smug grin pulling at his lips as when she finally dropped his tie.
"Well aren't you-"
"Shut up."
She blushed at the forceful move but he was absolutely driving her crazy. It wasn't fair that he could just pull her into an alcove and snog her senseless while whispering things without actually delivering on them.
Still he took pity on her, lifting her up to sit on the table and nudging his way in between her thighs in sure, smooth motions.
"Was there something you wanted, Darling?" he hummed, brushing his lips across her cheek. "You seem needy."
"You are absolutely-" she sighed when he nipped lightly at the shell of her ear. "Incorrigible."
"You are the one yanking school boys around by their ties."
Theo's low laugh echoed through the room, filling the place with the sound. The new moon had risen last night and with the lack of overly wolfy senses, Hermione had missed the ease of when she could pick up his scent. This close however, the warmth enveloped her, simultaneously settling her and pulling at the desire he had been taunting all week. Fully aware that she probably looked insane, she burrowed herself in the crook of Theo's neck, pulling him flush against her body as she inhaled deeply. One large hand ran up and down her thigh while the other supported her back. He let out a contented sigh when he shamelessly nosed his way into hair as well.
Letting her instinct guide her she licked softly at the elegant curve between his shoulder and neck, smiling when his movements froze. An answering rumble reverberated through his chest, sending vibrations shooting between her legs.
"Hermione-" It was his turn to choke on his words when she bit down strictly harder than a nip, laving at the spot to sooth it afterwards. He shuddered and tightened his grip around her. "Don't tease."
"You've been teasing all week Theo," she reminded him, tracing the opposite side with her nail until he was twitching against her.
"That's different," he said roughly. His voice was scratchy and hot against the skin of her neck as he licked at the same spot on her. It started a slow heat in her stomach that built on each pass. When his teeth scraped against her skin she almost wished he would bite harder.
"Oh really?" she asked.
He let out a groan as she sucked the abused skin into her mouth, her teeth worrying at it softly. She had never been the territorial type, but then again she did not have the best record when Lavender was involved.
"Do tell. I'd love to hear it."
"Stop gnawing on me for a bloody minute and I may be able to form a sensible response," he groaned, his palm twitching against her.
She paused her ministrations, pleased to note the darkening skin just under the collar of his shirt. Hermione only gave him a moment to recover before pulling him to her by the tie until his lips crashed into hers. She sighed when he kissed her in that infuriating slow way that promised nothing and everything at the same time.
Thoroughly sick of gentle and patient snogs, she laced her hand into his hair and attacked, pushing her tongue into his mouth at the momentary surprise. He recovered quickly enough, folding his arms around her body and pulling her to the edge of the table. By the time they broke Hermione was breathless and more than a bit impatient.
"You are going to get us in trouble, Darling."
"It's an abandoned classroom during dinner. Who's going to catch us?" she questioned nibbling lightly on the unmarked side of his neck. She was pleased to have discovered the sensitive spot and he appeared to love her work, judging by the light swearing in her ear.
"I don't want to-"
She released his skin with a pop, kissing her way up to his jaw to look at him. His usually humor filled eyes had darkened to a deep azure that made her breath catch. He stared down at her in warning, but she was sure of what she wanted.
"I'm not a doll, you don't have to worry about breaking me."
"What if we get caught?" he sighed softly against her lips as she pecked him lightly. "I just… I'm starting to think that this isn't such a good idea for you. I don't imagine that I am a wise choice-"
"How about you let me make my own decisions?" she chided softly. "I like you Theo. Don't get cold feet on me now."
"Are you sure? You deserve more than stolen moments in an alcove with a Death Eater's spawn."
Hermione pulled back narrowing her eyes at the out of character self-loathing. Theo was looking anywhere but her eyes, his shoulders hunched, like he was expecting her to agree and pull away. Still, his hands were looped around her waist, fingers trailing over her lower back soothingly, almost possessively. She sighed drawing his face back to hers until his wary cerulean flooded her vision.
"You probably deserve more than a werewolf know-it-all who has turned your whole house against you so let's call it a draw."
"But that's not-"
"Honestly, Theo," she tutted. "I can't wait to just drag you by your hand down the hall. Just give it some time for your housemates to forget and for me to tell Ron and Harry. We don't need to fight that war on two fronts."
He seemed like he was about to continuing arguing so she silenced him with another heated kiss that left them both breathless and hungry.
"Wanting to notify the family at barely a week in, Granger," he growled. "Isn't that a bit sudden?"
Hermione swatted at his chest.
"Fine," he mumbled, kissing her forehead. "I want to be there when you tell them. Can't send you into the lion's den alone."
"I sent you into the snake's lair," she mused even as she frowned. If he wanted to be there it only left one option and she didn't like it overly much. "It'll have to be at Hogsmeade then."
"Are you just trying to get out of our date next month?" he questioned with a raised eyebrow.
"Never," she responded with a casual kiss. It was amazing how quickly she settled into a comfortable rhythm with him. Their chaste kisses quickly dissolved into the frenzied snogging from earlier that had her toes tingling.
When she felt his fingers drifting up her thigh she came back to herself with a rush of determination. Hermione jumped from the desk, pushing herself hard against him. She felt his length through his trousers and the thought of it sent a pleased ripple up her spine. With a few insistent shoves, she guided them back until Theo was leaning against the wall with his hands wrapped around her waist.
With him unguarded she snuck her hand between them and gripped him firmly in her hand. She was rewarded when his whole body jolted and his eyes shot open, hazy with lust as his brain tried to fish for words.
"You don't have-"
She cut him off by pulling her palm up the considerable length of him. When she had started all this she had not considered this aspect. She hadn't really gotten a good feel for his shaft trapped between clothes and robes as it had been last time. Rather than worry about the size of it she found herself anticipating her task.
With far more curiosity and grace than the last time she had tried this for someone, she gave him one last kiss to distract him while she freed the length of him from his trousers. He shook minutely when she wrapped her hand around his cock, her eyes widening as she got a feel for the silky softness of him. He was thicker than she expected and she wasn't really sure her jaw could manage it for very long. But still, it sent a little purr through her. Theo's eyes drifted open, a confident smirk on his face.
"You seem pleased," he breathed.
"As do you," she hummed back, running her hand over the tip and gathering the bead of wetness as she swirled her thumb around. She nipped one last time at that spot on his neck before sliding down to her knees with a wandless cushioning charm.
"Her-" She flicked her eyes up to catch his, a tight scowl pulled at her lips in challenge. He blinked once, his lapis eyes glittering in the muted afternoon light. He shook his head lightly before smiling. "Well, carry on then I suppose."
"So gracious." Hermione couldn't help but roll her eyes as she stared up at him.
"Well I think-"
He was cut off when she ran the flat of her tongue from the base of his cock to the tip. His head lulled back against the wall, even as his hand came to rest behind her neck. She kissed up the side his length, occasionally sucking at the skin until he let out a strangled gasp. She instantly pulled away, worried she had somehow mucked it up.
"Theo?"
"Yeah?" His voice was tight and she could see him manually controlling his breathing. His head was still tilted back against the wall but she could see the tightness in his jaw slowly start to fade.
"Did I hurt you?"
"Just my pride," he grumbled. When she didn't move he finally looked back down at her, his eyes glazed and impatient. "Oh, you're serious. No darling, you didn't hurt me. Though I think I may die if you just keep sitting there like that."
"Hmm, seems a bit dramatic," she said, taking advantage of her reignited confidence she darted out her tongue to flick at his tip. He groaned but kept his eyes on hers this time, watching as she experimentally swirled her tongue around him before pulling back before his eyes drifted shut.
"I'm not sure if I am doing this right. So you'll have to tell me-"
"Yes yes. You're doing a bloody fine job reducing me to a simpering mess. Please Hermione. I promise I will return the favor in spades."
"Oh?" she questioned swirling her tongue again, watching the thick muscles of his thigh clench.
"Anything you want," he groaned when she slowed. "Just don't fucking stop."
"Ever the predictable Slytherin."
Hermione smiled before slipping the tip of him fully into her mouth and closing her lips around him as she swirled. He made a sound far to masculine to be a whimper but still indicated such complete submission that she couldn't help but preen. He was always so confident when he was in control it was absolutely addictive to see him turn to putty under her unskilled ministrations.
As she sunk lower on him, rolling her tongue under him as she moved, she picked up what he liked versus what he didn't. Even the slightest graze of her teeth resulted in a flinch so she avoided that. But when the tip of him pushed against the roof of her mouth before sliding back to her throat he swore and his fingers tightened in her hair. Unfortunately she was a bit over ambitious when it came to the length of him and she could barely fit half of him at before she found herself choking.
She tried all the things she had read about in magazines and books of various repute until she had completed everything she could without calling the house elves in for an assortment of editable aids. It seemed like good timing considering Theo was practically shivering with every pull and she had to lean him against the wall with her hands on his hips to keep him from taking over.
With a somewhat aching jaw she released the pressure holding him in place. Almost instantly his hips snapped forward, driving further down her throat than she had been able to force herself to take him. She gagged, withdrawing to clear her throat before casting a simple wandless charm she had learned in a rather dubious edition of Witch Weekly.
"Fuck. Sorry I-"
She was back on him a moment later, blessing the ease of magic as he thrust back against her with considerably more control. The charm would keep her from gagging but she had to make sure she was getting enough air. She took another few inches of him but asking any more of her would be anatomically impossible.
Instead she fisted her hand around the base of his cock, pumping in time with his thrust. After a few more moments they grew erratic and Hermione felt the tightness in his body just before he released. He yelled something that may have been her name, a swear, or a prayer before harshly tugging back on her hair. She closed her eyes as the unexpected ribbons of hot cum landed on her face lightly.
She waited until the grip on her hair released before cracking open one eye. Her tongue was tired and her jaw ached. She was vaguely aware her hair was probably a frizzed out mess from where he had tangled his hands in it and that she looked no less than obscene with him all over her face and neck. None of that mattered though because he was staring down at her like a man who had just found real magic for the first time.
"So I suppose I deserve at least an Acceptable for that?" she joked softly. Falling back on her heels and reaching for her wand.
"What?" Theo asked dumbly before shaking his head. "Oh. Oh! I… fuck. I didn't mean to do that. I just didn't know if you wanted to… well..."
Before she could draw her own she found Theo's warm magic rolling across her skin softly, wicking away his mess from her face, hair, and neck. She shivered when it passed directly over the sensitive spot he had kissed so thoroughly earlier.
"I don't mind," Hermione hummed pulling herself up and trying in vain to smooth back her hair before giving it up and casting a quick braiding charm on it. "Though I might have if we didn't have magic."
"Well sorry anyway. It was rude."
"You don't need to apologize Theo." Hermione smiled and licked her lips, surprised to taste just the barest hint of salt across them. Though he was spent Theo lazily tracked the moment with a dark look. She waited until his eyes met hers again before pressing against him to purr in his ears.
"But I do expect you to keep your promises."
Theo blinked once before a positively evil smile pulled at his lips. She whined softly as his fingers tickled along her bare thigh.
"I always do darling. I always do."