**Updated 23/04/2019**

25th August 1998

11:45am

I woke up the next day with a jolt. I barely remembered falling asleep, and for a few seconds I felt my stomach flip with the anxiety that came with thinking everything had been a dream. Then reason caught up to me and I realised that ordinarily, light would be streaming through the moth-eaten curtains and light duvet cover over my head, there would also be at least one lump poking my back in the old mattress at Grimmauld Place. In direct contrast, the room was still dark as pitch and the mattress felt like I was lying on a cloud and I poked my head out from under the fleece comforter to take a look around the room.

The previous day, I'd stumbled into bed, barely away and I hadn't had time to really see my surroundings. Now when I flicked my wand at the lights I snorted. The room had obviously been decorated for a young girl and had pink wallpaper, pink carpet, pink bedsheets and pink hangings from the four-poster bed I had slept in. I had literally fallen asleep in a princess room.

Now I could see the layout of the room, I flicked my wand to the pink curtains to open them and couldn't contain my gasp of glee as I observed the floor to ceiling renaissance style bay window. Nestled into the space, was a window seat piled with what was easily thirty pink fluffy cushions. On the windowsill itself sat a small collection of, what appeared to be, children's books that looked dusty and old even from where I was sat.

Drawn to the area, I slipped out of bed, allowing myself just a second to relish in the feel of the plush carpet beneath my feet, and made my way to the window. Hesitantly, I reached out and picked up one dust covered book and wiped the well-worn cover. The title was written in Italian, but on the cover, my birth name had been stamped in gold. I felt a small smile grace my features as I placed the book back and looked out the window as the green lawns of the front garden with unseeing eyes. It was reassuring to know that my love of books was something started by my birth family, rather than being adopted from the Grangers.

Tearing my eyes away I admired the rest of the room. My bed faced the large window against the opposite wall and two sets of double doors lay opposite each other perpendicular to my bed. I knew that one of those doors, the one set in a wall lined with a few bookcases and an oak bureau, led back to the sitting room that I assumed was for entertaining guests. The other set of doors was set in a wall that was only adorned with a few scenic paintings that were no doubt priceless originals. Deciding to settle my curiosity immediately I pushed these doors wide.

"Holy fuck," I gasped, then I let out a small chuckle as the profanity reminded me of Lydia, an American exchange witch with a quick tongue and foul language. The profanity was warranted however, because while I had expected a bathroom of sorts, this was something else entirely.

The room was floor to ceiling white marble with a window that spanned one entire wall and more, considering the sunken bath, that was the same size of the prefect's bath at Hogwarts, used the window as one wall. I could feel the delicate thrum of magic from the window and I figured that no one on the sloping back lawns of the manor would see a thing other than their reflection. Opposite the monstrosity that was the bath, was a marble counter stocked with all manner of beauty creams and potions and a plethora of bath oils. The only normal thing in the room was the toilet, because even the shower was entirely too extravagant. Made entirely of glass, the shower was big enough to fit four people comfortably without touching.

A sudden pop had my wand held tight in my hand as I whirled to find a tiny elf in a little black dress.

"Nippy did not mean to alarm Missus. Nippy has only come to ask if Missus will be joining Mistress for lunch," The elf squeaked, but something looked incredibly familiar about the elf and I couldn't immediately respond.

"Nippy… do I know you?" I asked quietly. Apparently, as always when I dealt with house elves, I'd put my foot in my mouth because she promptly burst into tears.

"Missus remembers!" Nippy cried loudly.

As I tried to console the elf I heard heavy footsteps and moved to open my bedroom door to allow Blaise entry.

"I don't know what I did. I just asked if I knew her," I mumbled as I indicated the elf. Blaise rolled his eyes muttering about 'over emotional elves' but moved to kneel gently in front of Nippy.

"Nippy, why don't you go and get a calming tea and have a short break? We'll be happy to have you in the dining room when you've had some recovery time." Nippy only hiccupped in response to Blaise's suggestion, but disappeared with a pop and I sighed in relief before I narrowed my eyes at Blaise.

"I don't know how I feel about us keeping house elves Blaise," I said quietly as I let my hair down from its ponytail, wincing at the knotted mess as I did so. Blaise only chuckled and rolled his eyes as he moved to my wardrobe and opened it.

"Where are your clothes?" Blaise asked. With one raised eyebrow I flicked my wand at my beaded bag and my clothes began to fly out and populated a meagre amount of the space. With a snort Blaise began perusing my belongings and I bit back a remark.

"To answer your 'feelings', don't worry, they're all free. The elves at the manor have been free for as long as I can remember actually. Nippy was your nanny elf, she's actually your personal elf as well," Blaise finally said.

"Why are they still here if they're free?" I asked as I moved to my bathroom mirror and began to apply a generous amount of Sleakeazy's to my hair.

"House elves love to work little sis. So, Mum decided to pay them. They accept 10 galleons and two days holiday a month."

"That's fucking pitiful," I scoffed as I avoided making eye contact with myself. I still wasn't used to the jarring change.

"That's all they would accept. You try and increase it and see what happens. You'll either have floods of tears on your hands or they'll start wreaking havoc on everything you own, nothing is safe," Blaise snickered, then he held out a set of robes. "Wear these."

The robes he held in his hand were the pale green set I had bought for interviews before I knew I was going back to Hogwarts and I raised my eyebrow when I realised he was deadly serious.

"You know Blaise, in Australia, I got remarkably good at sharing my personal space, but no one ever rifled though my stuff and told me what to wear," I said conversationally as I deftly parted my hair and plaited it into two cornrows. Blaise just gave me a cheeky grin and shrugged.

"Sorry," He smirked, but he was evidently not sorry, and I rolled my eyes unable to help the grin that crossed my face. My brother's humour was infectious.

"So why do I need to wear my good robes?" I questioned as I moved to take the robes from Blaise.

"These are your good robes?" Blaise questioned, flabbergasted as he handed over the robes.

"I think you've forgotten who I am," I glared, and I knew my eyes would be flashing the way Harry and Ron had said they used to. I had no idea what the effect of that would be now my eyes were gold, but Blaise looked suitably humbled as he started to head to the door.

"Sorry…You're just so different from the bushy, haired know-it-all you were back in sixth year," Blaise murmured.

"Can I be frank?" I suddenly asked, pausing Blaise's movement as he stood in the doorway.

"Who the hell is Frank?" Blaise questioned, eyebrows raised in confusion and I giggled.

"Muggle phrase. It means can I be honest with you. Can I speak my mind without judgement?" An unreadable expression crossed Blaise's face as he stepped back into the room and let the door swing shut.

"Let's get something straight Hermione. You can always…'be frank' with me. I don't want you to be anything else," Blaise said gently, and I smiled gratefully at him.

"I don't feel like the same person. Before I left for Australia, I was still a girl who had seen too much, been through too much and was expected to know too much," I said quietly as I turned to face the window with my arms crossed over my chest. "It was part of the reason why I ran so far, so quickly. I could have stayed behind after the trials for just a bit longer but I just… I couldn't." Blaise came up behind me and placed a soothing hand on my shoulder and I didn't dare turn to face him with my facial expression so open.

"Hermione… what you, Potter and Weasley went through, wasn't something anyone should have ever had to deal with. Dumbledore was a fool and he shouldn't have put all that responsibility on the shoulders of three barely of age wizards who hadn't even completed their Hogwarts education. So quite honestly. I don't blame you for wanting to run, and I don't blame you for having fun while you were out there, and yes I know you had fun." Blaise smirked at the guilty look that flashed over my face as I looked at him.

"How do you know that?" I asked, not liking his insinuation despite the fact that if he spoke to the right wizard, he'd discover the truth.

"Because, firstly, witches don't just acquire tattoos for the sake of it, secondly, I don't think I heard a single cuss word cross your swotty mouth in the entirety of our Hogwarts years," Blaise chuckled then he leaned in closer to my ear. "Plus, you're a Gryffindor. You wouldn't know how to hide your guilt if several manuals on hiding smacked you in the face in the Hogwarts library." Blaise danced away from me as I lashed out to smack his arm, crowing with laughter.

"You are a fucking arse Zabini! I'm surprised you even noticed Potter's little mudb-,"

"Don't finish that sentence," Blaise cut in, his green eyes flashing as he glared at me. My mouth closed with a snap as I realised I'd crossed a line but Blaise wasn't looking at me. "I never liked the fact Draco used that word. Mother took me away after your supposed death and I spent a lot of my childhood in Italy. The wizarding culture there is a lot more accepting of muggleborns… they have to be since there's so few witches and wizards. It's the most fucked up, stupid-,"

"I'm sorry," I cut in but Blaise just shook his head vigorously.

"I don't want to hear you apologise. In fact, I'm fucking sorry. I shouldn't have allowed my friends to treat you and every other muggleborn like shit," Blaise sighed heavily.

In response to Blaise's outburst I just nodded and then rolled my eyes as I noticed the time.

"We're making Mother wait. We should get a move on," I said with a soft smile. Blaise grinned at me and then with a polite incline of his head he spun on his heel and headed to my sitting area. Sighing heavily, I dressed myself in my only good pair of robes and dreaded the fact that at some point I'd be dragged around shopping to get a new wardrobe.

1:00pm

"Ah, so nice of you to finally join us, Hermione, Blaise," Mother spoke when we finally appeared in the doorway. Glancing around at the beautiful room decorated in tones of green and gold, my face set into a scowl as I noticed the two blonde Malfoy's sat at the table, one of which was slumped in his seat.

"I didn't know we had guests Mother, apologies, I kept Hermione overlong when I was helping her pick an outfit for today," Blaise said with a charming smile as he pulled out the chair opposite the Malfoys for me to sit in. As I sat down, I noticed the odd stare Mother gave in Blaise's direction, but when he walked around to my eyeline and sat next to Malfoy, his expression was neutral.

"Not to worry Blaise. Hermione do you feel rested?" Mother asked with a soft smile at me and I just nodded with a small smile of my own.

"As rested as I can after being awake for a whole day on two hours sleep following a very long journey and a different time zone," I said politely. Mother nodded and then clicked her fingers. Another female elf, a lot older than Nippy popped into existence at Mother's elbow and clicked her fingers. A soup and various breads appeared on the table and the elf cleared her throat as Nippy appeared at my elbow to pour a glass of water for me.

"Lunch today is a cheese and broccoli soup with a selection of bread, to be followed by strawberries and cream. The elves wished to give Missus a welcome home treat Mistress," The elf squeaked happily. Mother smiled warmly at the elf and nodded, and the elf disappeared with a small curtsey to the Malfoys.

Not wanting to launch into conversation too soon, I tucked into my soup when Mother raised her spoon and I found that for the first time, I was grateful for the etiquette lessons I'd had at my all girls primary school. As I ate, I listened to Draco and Blaise talk about their plans for next year, but quickly changed my perspective when their conversation moved to the Slytherin quidditch team.

"- Flint is becoming quite immovable on the matter," Narcissa sighed, which piqued my interest although I tried not to let it show on my face.

"How so?" Mother asked with a roll of her eyes.

"He wants the law instated by Christmas, stating that with the war, a lot of the youngsters are out… enjoying," Narcissa toyed with the word as if it tasted foul, "their freedom, instead of settling into their responsibilities. He used his own son as an example," Narcissa finished her comment with a sniff of disdain and I barely repressed my shudder as I thought of the troll Marcus Flint, utilising his freedom.

"That boy can barely be used as an example surely," Mother scoffed but Narcissa only rolled her eyes.

"I wish that was the case, but Parkinson and Greengrass both expressed that their daughters felt the same and then there was Macmillan , who said his son was adamant that he was going back to Hogwarts then he was off travelling." Mother sighed in response to Narcissa's words and slowly tore into a piece of bread, her long, slender fingers delicately tearing the soft dough to pieces.

"How do we make this law more palatable to our own?" Mother eventually asked, her eyes flickering first to me and then to Blaise, who stiffened as he felt Mother's eyes on him and I had a feeling neither he nor Malfoy were actually invested in the quidditch conversation and were actually paying as much attention to the conversation as I was.

"We have one idea already, but I thought you were more for love than convenience," Narcissa said slyly.

"I can be an idealist sometimes Cissa. Is the soup to your liking Hermione?" Mother asked and I looked up from my barely touched food with a quick smile.

"Much more palatable than the thought of the ministry whoring me out to the highest bidder," I said with a smirk. Narcissa hid a wide smile behind her hand and Mother outright laughed as Blaise chuckled opposite me.

"And how do you think we should avoid that?" Mother asked. The challenge was evident in her voice and I deliberated carefully as I thought about how to make any matches much more palatable.

"What ages are they matching?" I asked.

"17 to 20," Narcissa answered immediately and I nodded thoughtfully. The image of a bright pink magazine advertising lip-gloss, blue eyeshadow and 'how to tell if your crush likes you' quizzes swam to the front of my mind and I bit back a snort.

"Some muggles set a lot of store in compatibility tests," I said quietly. Narcissa raised one aristocratic eyebrow at me as she leant forwards.

"Compatibility tests, what are they?"

"They're tests that basically compare different attributes of your personality. The aim is to be matched to someone who you're actually compatible with. I'm sure magic would have a better way of doing this. Maybe if everyone sat under the sorting hat, or compared their amortentia scent to different people or something like that." Blaise smirked at me and I realised that my voice had slipped into lecture mode and I poked my tongue out at him.

"If the marriage law was brought in, this would help up place people in relationships that had the best chance of succeeding?" Mother asked. I made sure to finish my mouthful of soup before I frowned slightly.

"I guess so, nothing is perfect, but if they came up with a test that actually worked, I'd be less inclined to fight the betrothal if Malfoy and I came up compatible," I said as I finally spared a glance to the other blonde in our company.

"Less inclined?" Malfoy repeated icily, addressing me for the first time since he'd laid eyes on me.

"Yes, less inclined. I', not just going to roll over for you," I said acerbically.

"And what makes you think I want to go through with this anyway?" Malfoy sneered.

"Because you persist on gracing me with your presence, both yesterday and today, which promotes willingness to some degree, don't you think?" I pointed out. Malfoy snapped his mouth shut with a click and then glared at me.

"My presence here doesn't dictate my willingness for this situation," Malfoy spat and I bristled at that. Something about the way Malfoy always spoke to me, quickly got my hackles up.

"What, so you're just being dragged along… again?" My response was a jab, aimed to hurt and I felt a sick rush of delight as I hit the mark. Malfoy was on his feet and stalked around the table to loom over me in his anger but I didn't bat an eyelash, Malfoy didn't scare me.

"You talk about things you don't understand," Malfoy growled. Slowly I stood up from my chair, pressing Malfoy away from me with a forefinger and ignoring the jolt of electricity through my fingers at the contact.

"It's all about choices again Draco… You going to make the right ones this time?" My voice was saccharine sweet now and Malfoy's mouth popped open before he ground his teeth together in anger.

"Leave it alone Granger… I'm warning you," Malfoy snarled.

"Or what? Also, it's Zabini by the way," I challenged, crossing my arms over my chest.

"You'll always be Mudblood Granger to me," Draco bit back and I drew a sharp breath in as the word pounded through my psych.

The following second passed in a blur. Dimly, I registered Blaise jumping to his feet as both our Mothers issued vehement warnings, but what held my attention was the instant remorse in Malfoy's eyes as the word slid past his teeth. Yet, despite that recognition, my body was already a step ahead and I pulled back my fist and punched him soundly on the nose, breaking it properly this time with a satisfying crunch.

"FUCK! Witch, you've broken my nose!" Draco screeched, his hands coming to cup his nose as blood flowed down his chin.

"GOOD! What was the point in me even testifying at your trial when you turn around and say shit like that? Fuck you Malfoy!" I snapped back as I pushed him roughly and then stormed from the room.

I marched through the manor, my magic a tumultuous whirlwind inside of me and I figured that was the reason why as I stormed around certain doors would open until I found myself out on the back gardens. As I stomped around I could hear heavy male footsteps behind me, but I ignored it, recognising from the familiar tingle that it was Blaise.

I came to a sudden stop at the top of the stone stairs and felt Blaise come up beside me.

"You okay?" He asked quietly and I looked over at him to see him stood with his hands in his pockets and shoulders relaxed. I just grimaced as I turned back to face the sloping lawns and then shrugged.

"He rubs me up the wrong way, knows how to push all my buttons. I knew he didn't mean the slur as soon as he said it, but I still punched him. Will we ever reach a point where he doesn't make me act like a fourteen year old child?" I groused.

"I don't know Granger… Will we?" Malfoy echoed from behind me and Blaise and I wheeled around to face him, finding him stood in the doorway with his hands held up in front of him.

His nose was healed, the only evidence of me breaking his nose, was the small blood droplet on the collar of the white shirt he wore underneath grey robes. Malfoy approached me slowly, but stopped about a metre away.

"Malfoy… Is this a good idea?" Blaise asked quietly. He had taken a slight step forwards which placed him slightly between me and Malfoy but he was clearly siding with me on this and it was a nice feeling to be sided with.

"Zabs, go owl Davies or something, let me talk with her," Malfoy sighed, rolling his eyes before he smirked at his life-long friend. Blaise turned to me, his eyes searching my face for my approval but I only sighed and nodded slightly, I could handle Malfoy.

"Hurt her…again. I'm going to curse you bald Malfoy," Blaise threatened. Malfoy only smirked.

"Nice to see out life-long friendship now takes a back-seat," Malfoy quipped.

"What can I say? When it comes to my sister, everyone takes a backseat," Blaise said smoothly, then he was gone, disappearing back into the house, leaving me alone with Malfoy.

"Will you take a walk with me Granger?" Draco suggested, walking forwards and offering his arm politely.

"It's Zabini," I repeated as I faced him but I didn't move any closer to him.

"Old habits die hard," Malfoy deadpanned and I bristled.

"Is that your excuse then?" I snarked and Malfoy groaned out loud.

"For the love of Merlin woman, please, just walk with me. I suck at apologies so I'm trying to do my best here." I watched the blonde man for another second and then decided to swallow my pride and stepped up to link my hand through the crook of his elbow. "Thank you," Malfoy said quietly as he started to lead us down the stairs and out across the gardens.

For some time, we walked in a strangely companionable silence and Malfoy led me around the flowerbeds, pointing out the magical plants that blended smoothly with the muggle ones. When he'd exhausted his knowledge there, he pointed into the distance where six quidditch hoops emerged from the forest that lined the edge of the gardens, before finally stopping at a gap between some hedges.

"This is a small maze, you can't get lost and if you did, you could easily apparate to your room if you want to storm off and leave me in there to fend for myself," Malfoy said, a smirk crossing his features as he looked sideways at me. I barely registered his sly look I was in such awe of the gardens and their beauty and something about the maze was appealing to me.

"What lies in side?" I asked.

"Nothing but a few benches," Malfoy shrugged. "I used to find Blaise hiding in here when he'd invite us all around for an afternoon of quidditch," Malfoy said softly and I looked up to see a mischievous glint in his eye.

"What was he doing?"

"I think the correct question is who was he doing?" Malfoy grinned and I couldn't help the shock that graced my features this time. If I was honest with myself, it was the first time I had seen Draco Malfoy, truly, truly smile and then I scowled when I realised I liked how he looked when he smiled.

Draco Malfoy looked good when I actually looked at him. He'd filled out after the war, putting on muscle in all the right places and his face had lost the sharp pointy features of his childhood. The whole appearance of his face was aided by the fact that he no longer slicked his hair back and instead let his hair fall into his eyes and over his ears, brushing the back of his collar occasionally when he moved.

"What?" Malfoy asked, grey eyes narrowing as he noticed my scrutiny and my scowl.

"Nothing… Who was Blaise doing?" I asked, evading the question. Malfoy's mouth twisted into a half smirk and I knew that he would be storing the staring for a later date, unlike Harry and Ron who usually just accepted when I changed the subject.

"Tracey Davies," Malfoy said and I nodded absentmindedly.

"Half-blood?" I questioned and Malfoy shrugged, shoving his hands deep into the pockets of his trousers.

"Blaise wasn't one to really care about blood status… Come one," Malfoy nodded towards the maze and I glanced at him apprehensively. "Come on Granger, where's your Gryffindor courage? Is that lioness just for show?" Malfoy said, gently tapping his finger against my bare forearm. My robes had shortened sleeves which meant that not only was my skin quickly tanning in the summer sun, but my lioness who was sitting patiently, tail swishing in patient agitation, was on show. Steeling myself, I removed my hand from Malfoy's arm and flounced into the maze.

At the centre Malfoy, who had annoyingly followed me easily, despite my sly attempts to lose him, sat down on the stone bench and patted the space next to me.

"Granger I don't bite," Malfoy smirked.

"How many times do I have to tell you that my name is not Granger anymore?" I growled as I stood in front of Malfoy, reflexively tapping my foot.

"Have you specifically gone to the ministry to change it?" Malfoy asked.

"I imagine it was on a list of things to do today before you showed up and made yourself a nuisance," I snarked and Malfoy groaned, leaning back and letting his head hang over the back of the stone bench.

"Merlin and Morgana, my parents couldn't have betrothed me to a more infuriating witch," Malfoy hissed under his breath and I glowered at his prone form.

"What was that Malfoy?" I groused. Malfoy's eyes flew open and he stood quickly causing me to take a quick step back away from him.

"I said. Merlin and Morgana," Malfoy stepped forwards again and smirked at my answering back step. "My parents." Step. "Couldn't have betrothed me." Step. "To a more infuriating." Step. "Witch." One more final step found that I had my back pressed against the hedge and I had nowhere to go unless I wanted to crawl through the bush.

Just as I contemplated side stepping Malfoy's hands came up to cage me in and I stared at him in shock.

"What are you doing Malfoy?" I asked quietly. Our chests were a mere inch away from each other and his face was far too close to mine and his proximity was causing my heart to beat a bit quicker in my chest as I tried to control my breathing.

"I'm trying to make you open your eyes Hermione," Malfoy said quietly. His words had my eyes flying up to meet his and he didn't flinch. In fact he held my gaze easily and I realised in wonder that his eyes were a little bit more silver than they were actual grey, and were ringed with a brilliant blue that I assumed came from Narcissa. Trapped in his mercurial gaze, I struggled internally as the man's physical presence forced thoughts to the front of my brain. Then my ears caught up to my brain and my mouth popped open in shock.

"What… what did you just call me?" I whispered. But before I could say anything else, Malfoy caught my chin and pressed a quick, hard kiss to my mouth, stealing my breath as my heart stuttered in my chest. Then it was over and he stepped away and I almost yearned for the feel of him again.

"I'm sorry," Malfoy murmured, but he didn't sound apologetic. " I don't need some compatibility test to tell me what I already know," Malfoy said then he smiled.

Reason caught up to my hormone addled brain pretty quick I curled my hands into fists as itched to smack him.

"What are you apologising for Malfoy? You brought me out here to apologise right?" I bit out. Malfoy had the good sense to look sheepish but I held my frosty glare.

"I'm apologising for kissing you, but I also recognise that I need to apologise for everything else, or this will never work," Malfoy huffed as he pushed his long fingers through his hair, sweeping it back off his face.

"I'm waiting," I said after a few seconds of silence.

"I'm sorry for being a total, utter shit to you when we were kids. I'm sorry for calling you the foul names I was taught in my youth and I'm sorry that I reverted to that petulant spoiled child and tried to hurt you with the slur again today." Malfoy's sincere expression morphed into one of sheepish mirth and I wondered what was coming next. "I'd apologise for being an arsehole, but I know it will more than likely happen again so instead of apologising how about this? I endeavour to not be as much of an arsehole in future." Malfoy gave me a dazzling smile and I chuckled despite myself, but silenced my laughter when his face became serious again and he reached up to twist the end of a braid around his finger. "Because Hermione… Whether you admit it or not, you're attracted to me…and I'm also intelligent enough to keep up with you. I have no technical need to work and neither will you once you get your name reinstated, so I wouldn't mind being a stay at home dad when you want to work. I won't hold you back. I'd push you forwards. So, this betrothal doesn't have to be a bad thing," Malfoy finished.

For the first time in a long while I could only stare at the blonde menace, completely speechless and Malfoy chuckled.

"Well would you look at that… Hermione Zabini… speechless," Malfoy said softly and then before I could react, he stepped close and pressed, a this time gentle kiss to my lips. With a gasp my hands came up to his hair unbidden, holding him in place and Malfoy wrapped his arms tightly around my middle as he nibbled on my lower lip. With a groan Malfoy tore himself away and I deliberately didn't open my eyes, wanting to savour the feeling of the fire licking beneath my skin, caused by his contact.

When I finally opened my eyes, I brushed my fingers over my lips when I realised, I was alone save for an origami bird that fluttered its wings on the stone bench. Curiosity burning in my brain as my desire cooled, I gently picked the bird up from the bench, marvelling as it unfolded itself.

Don't count me out yet Princess

His words brought a smile to my face even as I stamped down on the part of me that yearned for more. But no matter how I tried to ignore it, the image of those silver eyes branded into my brain caused desire to pool in the pit of my stomach.