Harry Potter and the Ebony Orb

By tati1

Disclaimer: sorry, but no, I do not own Harry Potter. Which really bites.

WARNING: This story is R for a REASON! It is NOT NC-17, as I have read much/much/ worse that was permitted, so I have abused nothing! Rated for violence, serious angst (later on), and rape. If you have a problem with it, go read something else because I didn't write it just to be safe. It's written because it's how and what I write. So buzz off. :

(and if my mean attitude offends, I do apologize but I'm sorta protective of my work.)

A/N: Apologies for not updating as soon as promised. Any of you heard of the S Bot Worm, or something like that? Yes? No? Well, anyway, it was on the net, and I didn't really want to risk my comp freezing up and then dying on me, so until we get the proper patch… Well, I haven't been online. It's not like I asked for this to attack, so please don't hate me. sighs

I would like to apologize ahead of time for the long A/N, but some people have questions that other reviewers may also have as valid concerns/curiosities. I hope this helps clear some stuff up.

Someone mentioned (they did not leave a name or e-mail address) that Hedwig would not naturally bring Harry dead mice in chapter two of this fic. Here's the review:

From: ()

"She seemed pleased with the name and like a cat, faithfully brought him her kills." -- That's highly atypical owl behavior, unless Hedwig is gracing Harry with her lovely regurgitated meal carcasses.

Okay. Page 88 of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone says: "…Hedwig swooping in and out of the open window as she pleased. It was lucky that Aunt Petunia didn't come in to vacuum anymore, because Hedwig kept bringing back dead mice." Don't pester me with this, please! I just took what the precious JK wrote and transcribed it into my own words. Essentially, she said exactly the same thing. You have a problem with it; please take it up with her.

From: e()

that review was rather pitiful...and on the first chapter too? While I do not think that your story is the best written nor the most original, rather slow to the point and shabby on the suspense, you still have the right to post on so long as you follow the rules, which you have (i think) except for the no author's notes clause recently enacted by the administrators...your story does however have a charming idea and a brilliant start...I just wish that you had been able to carry that over to the later chapters...why are you taking so long to finish Harry's 'awkward and every one hates me' stage...it almost seems that you are stuffing too much action into too little time with too little detail of what Harry is going through...I wish that you would develop his caracter more...on another note, to hell with that other reviewer...if you enjoy writing, just do it

grins Yes, I know my work is crappy, but thanks for the support from the evil review. No author's notes clause? I thought that was just on the 'No chapters that are only A/Ns.' Besides, if there really is a 'no A/N clause,' then there's going to be a lot of unhappy authors on I like reading authors notes on other fics. I may not always do so, but it's nice to see that the writers are actually people behind the skill … I hope you're wrong about this…

Thanks for the compliment on the plotline, but frankly, I hate my fic up until about the last few chapters. grins I think that the first chapter is crappy and poorly written, as is the rest of it. 'Awkward and everyone hates me?' Um, I hate to say this, but … Duh. That is what I like to write, frankly. Besides, these things just don't go away that easily. Have you ever been depressed? I have, and it just doesn't end like that snaps fingers; it takes wanting to end the pain, and no matter how great or little a masochist one is, it's not easy. I don't enjoy being depressed, but it was all I could remember and I was comfortable with it. Anything else was change. It was new, different, strange. And what if it didn't work? Then where would I be? In for a world more pain than I would have had otherwise. It was a terrifying prospect, and still is …

Apart from that, yes, I agree with all your negative points about my writing, but that's why I'm here, writing on isn't it? To grow in my (limited) talents as a writer and learn from mistakes in what I write and in the talents or lack thereof that I see in others? At least, that's my philosophy, and I like writing, so thank you for the support and criticism! It was very welcome, despite the fact that I hate being criticized. laughs Hope you keep reading!

I also received a public, formal apology from Narishma (we had a slight altercation over the fic and reviews and homosexuality and flames) and I'd like to thank him here, publicly, for the apology. While his attitude saddens me, I am grateful that he was mature and responsible enough to take the correct course with it. I hope that this reflects on who you are as a person, 'cuz if it does, you're a really great guy. Thanks for apologizing – it's the first one yet.

From: terrorofthehighway()

okay, what did you say about that silencing charm in the Slytherin dorm? I didn't really understand it. Can Harry tell Dumbledore? When will he know about Sirius's new rooms? When is his quidditch practice? You're updating too slowly for me to read! (okay, so what if I'm self-centered, Malfoy is, but no one cares ) When is Wormtail gonna be captured? Is he gonna tell anyone about the torture from the Dursleys? What about Mcgonahal? Isn't she under the Imperious? If so, who is it? When will he become friends with the rest of Gryffindor hous or Ron? Please exscue my spelling, i am not really good at it. Who are the others,i didn't really notice them in the Harry Potter series. I know this is an alternate universe, but how did Harry know the names so quickly? What rape? there was none. Or i didn't sees it. I don't think you're that sick, are you? I think Percy was brave. Is Harry ever going to sleep in Gryffindor tower? Is your story going to end with Harry dying? My friend said
so, but I don't think she reviewed, so you won't know her. Can you update very very very quickly? I know you have to study, but pretty PLEASE!

Good God! faints Enough questions there? Alright, Slytherin dorm…

(1) The silencing charm is placed on the doorways of each passage that goes from the common room to the dormitories. This way, those in the dorms won't be bothered by excess noise from the common room, so if there's a party among the older years, the younger years can go to sleep without being kept up by all the racket. I hope that explains it suitably.

(2) Why would Harry tell Dumbledore? He doesn't like the man – he's far too blind concerning Harry's problems (though admittedly, Harry doesn't think about it that way). I concede though, that Dumbledore will probably find out about it, but I'm not sure. It depends on what my muse wants.

(3) To be honest, I forgot about Sirius' rooms. Maybe he'll be taken to them this chapter, but I haven't written the chapter yet, so… shrugs I'm just answering reviews today. Chapter tomorrow (though it's on this, don't worry. I just take the writing in small bits).

(4) Quidditch practice is on Thursdays, remember? It's in chapter … fifteen, I think. He was attacked by Tom on Saturday, so wait a bit please. I need him to take his entrance exams first.

Sorry about the lack of updates. Yes, I know it's annoying, but I have over fifty fics going in my notebooks (not online/posted) and that and reading takes me away from this sort of thing. Plus school was a big factor. My teachers were starting new chapters on the last week of school! I'm trying to remedy the update shortage.

(5) I don't know about Wormtail. I might have him escape to … oops, not telling. Um, beats me. Leave it to the muse. Right now we've got closer fish to fry.

(6) No. Harry will not tell about his relatives, though his friends might find out on their own, especially if Draco catches Harry in the shower or something, where he can't hide his scars. I know I keep saying this, but … we'll see.

(7) Hehehe… Imperius? Nope. But she is out to get Harry, and Dumbledore knows her secret. However, if he'll reveal it or not is to be seen… Probably. I like keeping all these secrets though, so… chuckles evilly Ahem, pardon.

(8) He won't become friends with the rest of Gryffindor. He's a prodigy; they usually live apart from everything. Look at Hermione's first year before she made friends with Ron and Harry! However, yes, he'll become friends with Ron at a later, unforeseen date. I'm not so clear on when though, so … 'we'll see.'

Ahem, technically speaking, those characters aren't in the books. I just needed characters. Writer's license and all that.

Know what names so quickly? And he doesn't know names so quickly; he was friends with Fred and George, and Hermione implemented his destruction, and he saved Neville, and Draco is his first friend, and Sirius said he loved him. Oh, and Zabini, Crabbe, and Goyle beat him up. Why wouldn't he remember those names? I know this stuff normally takes awhile, but events like that tend to stick. If I still need an excuse, I'll pass it off with the fact that he's a genius.

No rape. It's just in the warning that I include in all my fics, in case I decide to implement it. THERE WILL BE NO RAPE IN THIS STORY! Sick? Yes, rape is sick, but it does happen, so why shouldn't I write about it? I've done it before and I'll do it again! So there. sticks tongue out childishly Apologies, but I think I took offense. blinks

(9) Nope, he probably won't sleep in Gryff.

(10) No, I said that a few chapters ago. I was planning to kill him off, and I might have told your friend that (I told someone) but I've decided not to. Several people pleaded, so I conceded!

(11) Studying is over – I said that in the last chapter. And I'm updating, I swear. It's just hard when the right muse doesn't strike. Right now it's got me stuck on a novel-length fic that I'll post when it's complete (so I can update more often). I love that fic … 's very good, far better than this one, so please forgive my distraction. Besides, I'm FREE FROM SCHOOL! It's got me on a high. I swear I'm trying to get down from it, but I'll adjust to summer and then give you an estimate of when I'll update.

Thanks for the review! Too many questions, but I'm thrilled you've thought about it that much, so I won't complain (too much). grins Bye!

Pleasenote that Tom is NOT having sexual relations with/going to rape Harry. NOT AT ALL. TOM IS COMPLETELY STRAIGHT.

Thank you all for your support and reviews. I hope the next chapter clears up any questions you may have.

Chapter 17 – Counseling

Last time:

And Draco had to make sure he stayed that way.

As Harry slowly regained consciousness, the first thing he noticed was the pain. The pain throbbed over his entire body, and his skin tingled horribly. He felt dizzy and more than a little nauseous, but he remembered what had happened.

He wished he didn't.

Up so soon? purred a voice. My, my, you are strong! It sounded happy, but Harry flinched as he recognized it, recalling what that voice had said before he passed out … Oh yes, but it was necessary Harry, and its not like I killed you. At least now, you'll never be bullied again. That's what they think this is, you know, Tom added. And you are not to tell them differently.

Wh-why … stuttered Harry mentally, his thoughts shrinking in fear. Tom answered anyway.

Being in your head is convenient, heir, he sniffed. With a little work, you will be a valuable addition to my forces, but we'll discuss that later. And stop cringing. If you do that every time I speak to you, someone will realize I'm here.

Why are you here? asked Harry curiously.

Ah, said Tom, pleased. Now that is a story. The book that I held—I was bound to it. Around fifty years ago I opened the Chamber of Secrets as Salazar Slytherin's heir and released Myrrh on the Muggleborns of the school. Eventually she killed one—whiny girl named Myrtle—and I was forced to seal the Chamber once again. But Salazar's great work could not be wasted! he shouted. Especially not as it was still unfulfilled… so I sealed a memory of my sixteen-year-old self, locking it away until the time was again ripe and I could be released to rid the world of Mudbloods permanently. Someone you are not familiar with, Gregory Parsham, one of my disciples, was given the diary by Lucius Malfoy. He promised to give me flesh once again … and so, he wrote in my diary, and I wrote back. As he penned his words, I fed upon them and began to give a little back … we traded pieces of our souls … he paused as though to savor the memory. Finally, I became strong from his tiny spirit and last night I killed him, and used the remainder of his soul to bring myself back. He was a greedy fool anyway, he added judiciously. Harry felt ill. I traveled to Hogwarts, Tom continued, but without the use of a wand … I planned to steal one by setting Myrrh on a student or professor and taking that wand afterwards for my own use—at least, until I found my real soul. He isn't dead yet; I can feel him. Obtaining you, Harry Potter, was a bonus. In more ways than one, he added softly. But I have released myself from that cursed diary, and now I have you, until I am strong enough to either kill Dumbledore or find my other soul.

And then you'll kill me, said Harry thoughtfully. Tom laughed. It rang unpleasantly in Harry's head.

Kill you! Hardly. I have plans for you … That sounded ominous, but there was nothing Harry could fathom to do about it at the moment, so he opened his eyes, blinking into a fuzzy, familiar world.

Hospital Wing, he thought, reaching to the bedside table for his glasses.

Yes, Tom agreed. Harry shifted nervously. Having someone else residing in his skull was uncomfortable, to say the least, and it wasn't as though Tom had been the nicest houseguest so far. Harry just hoped the other would leave soon … Oh, Harry, I wouldn't get my hopes up about that, mocked Tom, a gleeful edge to his voice that reminded Harry frighteningly of the teen's reaction to his screams, I intend to keep you with me for a long time. A … very long time. He sounded dreamy. Oh, to have found you … what remarkable luck; the Fates must have lent a hand in this, to be sure.

You read Greek and Roman mythology? asked Harry, trying to dispel Tom's unnerving mood. It didn't really work.

Yes, he said simply, but Harry, I do believe you have forgotten your place. Should I wish to do something, you have no right to keep me from it, and if I wish to think … I strongly suggest that you refrain from speaking, unless it assists my thoughts, which will never happen as I am greater than you, so you will never speak when I am pleased. You do not wish to see me displeased, do you? Harry got the distinct impression that the dark-haired youth was smiling, but not kindly. Let me show you what might happen if I were …

The lightening-scarred child felt a nasty twist deep within his mind, and braced himself, barely in time to keep himself from screaming as the pain coursed through him. He slapped his hand over his mouth to muffle his whimpers as the invisible lance of agony pierced through him, finally settling on his left arm to throb in agonizing waves. His muscles pulsed, cramping as it grew in intensity, and when it finally grew to a blinding red shot with yellow streaks, Tom stopped, and Harry collapsed back onto the bed, only now realizing that he had arched off it in his punishment. The hand that he had clamped over his mouth was reluctant to be removed, and Harry dazedly noted that it was bleeding freely, with distinct markings where his teeth had punctured the skin in his blindness. He tried to burrow into his bed as he felt a soothing touch on his mind from a very satisfied Tom.

There, child, that went well, didn't it? The feeling of pleasure emanating from the other boy grew as Harry whimpered again when his left arm shifted. Ah yes, that will hurt awhile. After all, the lesson cannot stick if you do not have a constant reminder of it, right Harry? Hush, I'm not angry … Actually, he sounded rather far from that emotion, if Harry were any judge. But remember this lesson: When you hold the power, you must make sure to keep it. Punish anyone and everyone who tries to thwart your power through incompetence, stupidity, jealousy, or ambition. And above all, always remember to revere those more powerful than you. Your entire purpose in life is to serve your master. In time, heir, you will learn that that master is me, and you will learn why. Until then, I fear that I cannot yet trust you with quite that much information. Now, pet, go to sleep. I'll be here when you wake up. Harry felt Tom touch yet another part of his mind, but this time it did not hurt, but sent him deep into slumber, Tom's dark laughter ringing through his mind.

"Are you sure that you're fine?" asked Hermione as Draco opened his mouth, probably to ask the same thing. Harry restrained a frustrated sigh.

"Yes, I'm fine," he replied, yet again.

"But don't your burns hurt?" she queried anxiously; glancing at his bandaged hands and partly bandaged face. His hair looked even wilder than usual as part of it had been fried in the fire, and he looked paler than before, though none of the others could even guess close to the reason why.

Tom.

Harry desperately tuned out the smoldering anger emanating from the older boy, and smiled reassuringly at his Mudblood friend—Muggleborn, he muttered, scowling mentally at Tom, who had yet again placed the word in his thoughts. He didn't know how the other did that, but it was terrifying that he could take control so easily, and Tom also kept trying to combine their emotions. So far though, Harry had resisted the brainwashing with more or less success.

"Yes, a little, but not enough to keep me out of classes," he told her. She and Draco still looked unconvinced, but the twins grinned at him.

"The mothers onto you, Potter?" Fred joked. He dodged Draco's fist and shook his head reprovingly. "Violent parents you got there, Harry."

"But all the same," added George, "we'll have to agree with them on this one. What were you thinking, going out alone?"

"I just wanted a shower," Harry mumbled, and got a reproof from Tom for his trouble.

Don't mumble; it's a sign of weakness, and you are not going to be weak, no matter how you've lived. Harry winced as Tom mentally jabbed him in the ribs. That hurt.

"And you nearly died in getting it!" snapped Draco, glaring at him. "Do you have any idea what you've put me through? I thought you were dead!"

"I'm sorry," Harry soothed, contrite. "I didn't mean to worry you, and I had taken precautions … I'm sorry, Draco." The Malfoy didn't look happy about it, but he did look slightly satisfied.

"Just make sure this never happens again," he said sternly. Harry nodded, and they continued walking to the Great Hall.

"It wouldn't anyway," Harry added, as they left Hermione, Fred and George, and sat at the end of Slytherin table. "Now that Sirius," he lowered his voice, "is sharing his rooms with us, sleeping shouldn't be a problem." Draco nodded reluctantly. Sirius scared him a bit—the man's dog form was huge, and Draco had been raised on tales of the evil, death-bearing Grims. Even Harry had to admit that his godfather did look like one, but the myth didn't unnerve him in the same manner it did his friend.

Still, he was grateful for the safety measures, and he definitely wouldn't change it—unless he could move into Severus' rooms—so Draco didn't say anything further on the subject and settled for watching Harry eat, carefully monitoring the smaller boy's every mouthful.

Harry had escaped Madame Pomfrey's fussy care within a day, and had rested enough that even she deemed him ready for classes. It was Monday again, and the Entrance Exams for the school competition were fast approaching. The eleven-year-old studied at every spare moment, despite Draco's worries about overtaxing himself, but the blonde did get his way in the late afternoon.

"Harry, you're supposed to meet with Professor Snape today," the boy reprimanded, shoving open Harry's bed curtains to reveal his friend bent over a book. Harry looked up at him, startled.

"But—" he protested. Draco grabbed him by the left arm and hauled him up … and then released him in surprise when Harry cried out in pain.

"Are you alright?" gasped Draco. Harry nodded frantically.

"Yes—it's just one of my burns…" But Malfoy had already hauled up Harry's robe sleeve, and the smaller boy's arm was, well, still burned, but it was also black and blue, mottled with unhealthy streaks of purple and yellow, and shot throughout with red. Harry hadn't been using it since his punishment from Tom, and it hurt to even move it. Unfortunately, Draco realized that as well.

"What happened?" he gasped. Harry miserably looked down at the covers.

"I … I can't tell you. It wouldn't be safe."

"My arse it wouldn't be safe!" the other barked. "It's not safe for you right now! Whoever hurt you, we need to take care of it, Harry!" Tom smirked in the back of Harry's head.

Just you try, little boy, he sneered. I'll take much pleasure in ripping your skin until you beg for my mercy—

"No!" Harry yelled, clutching his head and shaking it from side to side. "No, Tom—! You won't touch him!" His magic began to surge.

Fine, snapped Tom, sounding surprised and … shaken? Fine, you can have your precious little Veela, but keep him away from our secret. We can't have anyone knowing about this, little … Potter.

"Harry? Harry?" Dimly, the black-haired boy looked up at Draco's frightened face. "Harry, are you alright?" He shook his head to dispel the clouds and then smiled up at his friend.

"Yeah, 'm fine," he assured, and pulled his sleeve back down as he clambered off the bed. "We're supposed to meet with Severus?" he queried. Draco nodded, still watching him closely. "I'm fine, Draco," Harry sighed, "I swear that I'm fine."

Looking up at a quiet rap on his office door, Severus saw Harry timidly standing in the doorway, green eyes bright in the dim lighting. He straightened in his chair and motioned for Harry to enter.

"Harry, I'm glad you came," he said quietly, weaving a Silencing Charm about the room so they would not be overheard. "Have a seat on the couch." His small charge did as he was told, and Severus looked him over critically.

Harry was tiny, and obviously still underweight, though he didn't look half as bad as the Potions Master had expected—he wasn't gaunt, for one thing. The serious face framed by slightly singed, unruly black hair seemed too much like a mask for comfort, and the emerald eyes were weary. His robes were a tad overlarge—obviously with the hope that the small boy would grow into them—and his sneakers were frayed, but apart from that it was difficult to tell that the child had been injured at all …

Until you saw the bandages poking out from under the robe sleeves.

It had been terribly frightening for Severus to find his young friend in such a horrible condition, and he'd been enraged at whomever had harmed the boy in such a manner. Unfortunately, the culprit had not yet been caught, and Harry claimed to have not seen his attacker. Severus still didn't believe him, but there it was.

"Harry," he said finally, giving the boy one more glance-over, "Could you tell me a little bit about why you seem to feel like you deserve to be hurt?" It was blunt, but to the point. He had done the same for his last depressed Slytherin, and Merlin, there seemed to be a lot of them. Distantly, he wondered what the other children did, if they were depressed and not in Severus' House. It was a redundant thought.

The eleven-year-old visibly braced himself, and he snuggled a little further into the soft leather of the couch.

"When bad things happen, it's always my fault," he whispered. Unconsciously, he began dry-washing his hands. "If everything's my fault, then shouldn't I be punished for it? Uncle Vernon said that living was probably the worst thing I've done, but I don't particularly want to stop—"

"Your Muggle uncle tells you that you should be dead?" asked Snape evenly. Harry nodded.

"I'm a burden; I should have just died with my parents instead of foisting myself off on my relatives. They—they give me food and shelter and clothes. I should be grateful for them teaching me how to behave, and—"

"Harry, do your relatives abuse you?"

"No!" said the child vehemently. "They're good people! They are! I'm the bad one—I'm always doing bad things. Stupid and evil and useless," he added angrily. Severus leaned forward gently.

"Harry … good people don't tell anyone that they should be dead. Your being dead would be a very bad thing—I'd miss you, for one, as would Draco and Black, and all your friends. From what you're telling me, your relatives haven't been nice to you at all—"

"You're wrong!" snapped Harry. "They showed me how to be useful, so I'm not just some stupid leech—without them I'd be some pathetic, arrogant weakling with no respect for anyone else, and—" He suddenly stopped, looking horrified. "I'm sorry sir, I didn't mean to shout at you." He seemed utterly miserable.

"That is the point of these sessions, Harry," Severus sighed. "So that you can tell me what is bothering you, and that maybe the two of us can come up with solutions to keep these things from bothering you, or to fix them.

"I don't think that you're a horrible person at all, Harry," he continued. "In all the years I've known you, I've been forced to admire your intelligence, your tenacity, your bravery and your strength. You are, quite possibly, the most amenable person I have ever met—and you have a tendency to let others walk all over you because you seem to think that they're all better than you. Listen to me Harry—they're not. You're one of the best people I know, and it's hard to see you doing this to yourself, to believe such utter trash about yourself when in reality you're more wonderful than anyone will ever know, or indeed even recognize." Harry tried to hide it, but Snape saw his skepticism. "I know you don't believe me, but it's true, and I'll say it until you realize it yourself.

"If someone told you that Draco was a horrible person, just because they disliked him, and then said that, because Draco is a horrible person, he has to be punished, would you agree?" Harry shook his head. "So how can you be a horrible person just because your uncle says you are? How can he be the judge of you when he dislikes you? Anyone will badmouth someone they dislike; you have merely had the unfortunate experience of being badmouthed to your face by your guardian. It is no fault of your own—Albus should have checked in on you over the years. I should have checked in on you over the years." His voice was heavy with regret.

"I will personally make sure that you are not returned to the Dursleys."

"No!" protested Harry. "Why?"

"What they have done to you, in a court of law, constitutes as abuse—"

"But they didn't abuse me! They're good people!"

"Emotional abuse can be even worse than physical, in the scheme of things," said Severus sternly, "and telling a child that they should be dead is most certainly unacceptable. Harry, I apologize if I'm hurting you, but we cannot risk you being hurt in such a shameful way by those we have entrusted to guard you. As your counselor, I will not reveal anything that goes on in our discussions unless I have reason to believe that you will cause harm to others or yourself, or are being harmed by others. This behavior displayed by your uncle is most assuredly harmful to you, and as your counselor and your friend, I will not stand by to see that hurt continue." Harry still looked rebellious, but didn't say anything.

"Are we done?" he asked, after a few minutes of silence. Snape sighed.

"Yes, for now. However, whenever you think you need to be 'punished' over the course of the next week, I want you to write it down on this paper…" Here he paused to reach for a parchment, which he handed to Harry. It was sectioned neatly, and instructions were written across the top. "You will fill in each section, stating what had just happened to make you feel like a bad person, what you felt like doing, what you thought I would want you to do, and how you felt after you reacted, whether that reaction was submitting to a punishment, fighting back, or just writing about it. Next Monday we will go over your sheet, and discuss what makes you feel so horrible." He smiled gently as Harry stood to take his leave. "I will see you in class tomorrow, Harry. And remember, anytime you need to talk, my office is always open."

As the door shut over Harry's soft, "Good night, Professor," Severus sighed again.

"I'm getting too old for this," he muttered, and turned back to his papers.

A/N: Was that good? It was about seven pages … flutters worriedly Oh, I hope it's enough. The counseling scene is quite accurate, so I don't want to see any flames about it. I was planning to include a bit of what Harry thought after the session, but, well, it's bedtime, and I'd probably screw it up in the morning. I'll start the next chapter soon, and work on both getting Harry through the exams and exorcising Tom, 'kay? I hope you enjoyed the chapter; it's one of the most realistic yet, I think (despite the whole Tom-is-in-Harry's-head thing … Um, yeah …), and it took quite awhile to decide on a counselor's method of approach (I finally went with what mine did).

Sorry again about not being online for the past … two? weeks, but I swear, I don't control the Internet Worms! It's not my fault, and I would be online if I could … sighs heavily You have no idea how full my inbox is going to be … shudders