Chapter 16: Detention the Second
Harry turned and looked at Snape uneasily. His professor was sitting behind the desk, his forefinger and thumb massaging the bridge of his nose. Harry stood, uncomfortable with the situation. Finally, after a few more moments of silence, Snape looked out at Harry from beneath a curtain of greasy hair.
"Well?" he sneered.
Harry didn't understand "Well what?" he responded.
"Why do you persist on breaking rules, Mister Potter?" Snape said silkily. Harry didn't like where this was going.
"I don't know what you're talking about, sir." Harry replied, making certain to add in the moniker of respect.
"Last night, Potter. After you left my office." Snape said, looking him directly in the eye. Harry gulped.
"How did you get in to the teachers' lounge?" he continued.
Harry breathed a sigh of relief. This wasn't about Malfoy at all. His shoulders slumped as the tense moment passed. He knew Snape noticed, but he shrugged it off. "I've been there before. I listened at the door before going inside. I was looking for Professor Calabrone. I found her. That's all." he added a little too quickly. Snape narrowed his eyes but didn't say anything.
"Wand at the ready." Snape said tersely.
Harry readied himself, centering his feet and pulling his wand from his pocket. Snape squared himself off to Harry and said softly, "Legimens.
Immediately Harry felt the intrusion. He closed his eyes and pictured a curtain shutting over most of his thoughts. He let Snape pick through the events of the day, which he didn't seem to be overly interested in. He tried to focus on the previous night, but Harry pushed him out and into some of the memories from his summer-hours spent in his bedroom at Privet Drive, staring outside, through the bars, watching Hedwig, getting yelled at by Uncle Vernon, watching Dudley pick a fight. After a few more memories, Harry felt Snape pull himself out of Harry's head.
They looked at one another, each assessing the other. Finally, Snape lowered his wand. Harry did the same. Snape nodded minutely.
"Again." he intoned.
Harry barely had time to raise his wand before Snape muttered ÔLegimens.' Immediately, Harry was reliving the previous night after leaving Snape's office. Harry began to sweat at Snape saw him slip behind the tapestry to avoid Malfoy. Snape saw Harry poke his wand out and mutter the curse. Harry closed his eyes and concentrated. The memory continued. Harry saw himself laugh as Malfoy went down the hall, Crabbe and Goyle stumbling after him.
Suddenly, Snape was standing in front of him. Harry blinked, not remembering the spell ending. He looked up questioningly at Snape, not feeling defiant enough to bite out a response.
Snape said nothing, but stared penetratingly at Harry. Harry lowered his gaze and shook his head. Something wasn't right, Harry thought. "Well, Mister Potter.
Harry kept his mouth shut. It wouldn't be fair for Snape to give him a detention now, but then, Snape wasn't fair.
"Detention, Mister Potter." Snape hissed silkily. "For attacking another student in the halls. I believe first year you were told magic was not allowed in the hallways.
Harry's eyes flashed angrily. He balled up his fists, tightening his grip on his wand. He was vaguely aware of red sparks shooting from the end before the room swirled into dark.
Harry shook his head and looked around. He was no longer in Snape's office. He was in a hallway. Not in Hogwarts, Harry noticed absently. At least, no where he'd ever been in the castle. There were a few torches burning brightly along the wall, but they were the only light. Harry stuck his wand out in front of him and muttered "Lumos". Instantly, a crisp, white light poured over the hallway.
Harry looked around. A few feet from his left hand the hallway ended in a dead end. There was no door, no window, just solid stone on three sides. Walking slowly in the other direction, Harry stopped abruptly about fifteen feet from where he had started. This end of the hallway also ended in a dead end. He retraced his steps, and walked the length of the corridor twice.
There were no windows, no doors, nothing, except for four torches on either side, flanking the hallway. Harry looked around, trying to figure out how he had gotten there, and, more pressing, how he would get out. He walked up to one of the torches and placed a hand on the bottom portion of the shaft. Instantly, he felt himself go dizzy. He closed his eyes automatically.
When he opened them again, he was staring into the faces of Professor McGonagall and Snape, both leaning over him, peering closely. "Headmaster, he's awake." Professor McGonagall said anxiously.
Snape and McGonagall's faces disappeared, only to be replaced by Dumbledore's. His eyes looked worried, his forehead covered in wrinkles. Harry tried to lift his neck, but Dumbledore placed a hand on his shoulder.
"No, no, my dear boy. Relax." Dumbledore sat back and muttered a spell. The bed Harry hadn't known he was laying on raised up, allowing him a view of the hospital wing. Madame Pomfrey was bustling about in the far corner. Professor McGonagall was standing at the foot of Harry's bed. Snape, Harry noticed, was pacing in an agitated fashion in the space between the rows of beds, muttering to himself.
Harry turned his attention back to the headmaster. "Sir," he asked slowly. "What happened?
"Ah, Harry," Dumbledore said. "We had rather hoped you would help us with answer that question."
Harry looked at him, nonplussed. "What do you mean? How did I get here?
Dumbledore looked at Harry. "Where do you last remember being, Harry?
Harry answered, "Some hallway.
All three of his professors looked oddly at him. "What hallway, Harry?" Dumbledore asked softly.
"I don't know. I don't think it was in Hogwarts. It was just a short hallway with dead ends at either end." he answered.
"I'm afraid that's not possible, Harry." Dumbledore said.
Harry looked at him. "What do you mean?
Snape came to stop at the end of Harry's bed. Gripping the frame with both hands, he sneered, "Because, Potter, you were in my office. You suffered some sort of fit. I brought you here, summoned the headmaster and Professor McGonagall. Then, you woke up. Where, in that time line, would you have had time to visit a hallway?
"Severus." Dumbledore said sharply. Snape took to pacing again, throwing a glance in McGonagall's direction. She looked worried. Neither of them said anything.
Irritated, Harry asked again, "What do you mean?"
Dumbledore returned his attention to Harry. "What Professor Snape recounted is true, Harry. I'm afraid you had to time to actually visit a hallway. Professor Snape told me you were practicing occlumency when you swayed on you feet and went rigid. He tried to attract your attention, but was unable. He brought you immediately here.
"How long have I been here?" Harry asked, starting to grasp what had transpired.
"No longer than ten minutes." Snape said tersely.
"I don't understand." Harry admitted.
Snape snorted but kept pacing. McGonagall came to sit next to the headmaster on the bed next to Harry's. "Harry," she began, "do you think this could have been a vision influenced by, by." she trailed off.
Harry shook his head. "No. No, my scar didn't hurt at all. It hasn't hurt in a awhile, actually. No. I think this was something to do with-" Harry stopped suddenly, not wanting to tell them about the book and Professor Calabrone.
McGonagall and Dumbledore leaned forward, waiting for him to finish his sentence. When he didn't, the headmaster, prompted, "Yes, Harry?
"Nothing." he mumbled. He could see they were not satisfied with the answer and were about to question him further, when a sharp intake of breath was suddenly heard from the near end of the wing.
Snape was clutching his left forearm. With a quick nod to Dumbledore, Snape gave a bow and billowed out of the wing. A summons from Voldemort, Harry thought grimly. He turned back to look at the remaining professors. Dumbledore was still watching the door out of the hospital wing, looking thoughtful. McGonagall was looking down, her hands twisting a bit of her robes.
They look worried, thought Harry. After a few more moments of quiet, Dumbledore shook his head and looked to Harry. "My dear boy. I would greatly appreciate it if you would come to visit me for tea tomorrow afternoon. In the meantime, I feel you should perhaps return to your dormitory for a full night's rest. Professor McGonagall shall escort you. Goodnight.
Dumbledore ambled down to Madame Pomfrey's office. McGonagall helped Harry out of bed. They walked along in an uncomfortable silence for a few minutes, before Harry gathered the courage to ask a question.
"Professor?" he asked.
"Hmm?" McGonagall responded absently, her lips and forehead pursed in thought.
"How often is Professor Snape summoned?" Harry said.
McGonagall looked startled at the questions, but answered. "It varies, Mister Potter. There are days, almost weeks that pass with no word, and at other times, it is daily.
Harry said nothing but nodded.
"Mister Potter," McGonagall said, turning to face him, "do you feel safe here at Hogwarts?"
Harry was surprised by the question, but thought seriously before answering. "Yes. Hagrid told me the first time I met him that Hogwarts was the safest place in the wizarding world. I believe him.
McGonagall smiled warmly. "And so you should. If there is anything else you need tonight, please let me know. Good night, Mister Potter." she said tipping her head.
She turned and walked down the hallway, leaving Harry at the portrait of the Fat Lady. "Caspias Copernus" Harry said. The Fat Lady eyed him, but swung open to allow him in.
The common room was mostly deserted. Only a few of the upper years were still there. Harry noticed Ron and Hermione were seated together in on of the big armchairs next to the fire. Ron was dozing, head propped up by his hand. Hermione was idly flipping through pages of a book balanced on one knee, occasionally jotting down a line onto the parchment she had perched on the other. Taking a moment to suck on her quill, she raised her eyes.
"Harry!" she cried, jostling Ron from sleep, as she extricated herself from the chair. "Where have you been? You haven't been with Snape this entire time, have you?
Harry shook his head and joined them near the fire. Ron gave Harry a groggy grin, and tried to straighten himself up in the chair, stretching out a few kinks. Hermione was staring bright-eyed at Harry. She capped her quill and stared expectantly at him.
"So, where have you been?" she asked again.
"In the hospital wing." he answered truthfully.
Ron sat straight up. "What?!" he sputtered. "What happened?
"Nothing." Harry tried to assure them Based on the skeptical looks they were both wearing, he didn't think they believed him. "Honestly, you two. I'm fine. I don't know what happened.
"Harry." Hermione scolded.
Harry rolled his eyes. "Hermione, listen. I was in Snape's office, when I started to feel dizzy. The next thing I knew, I woke up in the hospital wing. That's all." Harry didn't realize it until he had finished recounting events, but he had lied about left out the hallway. For some reason he wanted to keep it secret. He wished he hadn't told Dumbledore and the other professors about it either. He wasn't sure why, other than he knew everyone would make a bigger deal out of it than it needed to be. Looking up, he saw Hermione staring seriously at him.
"Hermione, honestly. I think I overexerted myself during Occlumency. Don't worry about it. Professor McGonagall let me come back to the dormitory after all. Ok?" he said, a hint of exasperation creeping into his voice.
She held his gaze for a moment longer before nodding her head. "All right, Harry. How is Occlumency going anyway?" she questioned, pulling her book out again.
Harry sighed and relaxed. He recounted everything to Ron and Hermione. Hermione's eyes lit up when he told them how far he had advanced. Ron congratulated him sleepily. Finally, after a few more minutes talking, Hermione budged Ron out of the chair, asking Harry to make sure he made it to his bed.
Smiling, Harry helped Ron into their dormitory, bidding Hermione goodnight. Once in their dormitory Ron straightened himself up. "Thanks, mate." he said, giving Harry a light punch in the arm, "but I think I can manage on my own.
"You were pretending to be asleep, Ron?" Harry asked incredulously.
"Ok, Harry. Before you get all up in arms, do realize that Hermione expects me to do homework all night when we're together? Honestly, mate, you've got to get out of detention fast. She's already gotten me to write up one of the extra essays for DADA class. Besides, when I pretend to sleep, she lets me lean up against her and put my arm around her."
Harry laughed at Ron, who was trying desperately to look innocent, and failing stupendously. "Homework, Harry. Homework. Ick. I can't stand the stuff we regularly get assigned us during the day, let alone all the extra stuff she does. And not a good snog in sight." he finished, sighing.
Harry threw himself on the bed and shook his head at Ron. "Only one more night of detention with Snape, but we're going to have to continue lessons somehow. At least quidditch starts soon."
"Oh, right, thanks for reminding me. Angelina wanted me to tell you tomorrow night's the first quidditch practice for the year. Right after dinner. She's crazed this year again, she is. Says now that we've proven ourselves with an inferior team, we'd best have a repeat with a superior team.
Harry nodded, feeling butterflies at the prospect of flying on the quidditch pitch again. "Night, Ron." he said, turning in.
Night, Harry." Ron replied. Harry heard Ron extinguish the lights in the dormitory and everything went dark. Harry tried to sort out the hallway incident, but felt himself drift off almost immediately.
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A/N: Sorry about the delay in posting. We reshingled out roof this past week. FOUR layers of shingles had to be removed. FOUR! We're lucky we didn't have structural damage. Ick. Roofing is very hard work. Thanks for the lovely reviews. I appreciate them so very, very much.
Harry turned and looked at Snape uneasily. His professor was sitting behind the desk, his forefinger and thumb massaging the bridge of his nose. Harry stood, uncomfortable with the situation. Finally, after a few more moments of silence, Snape looked out at Harry from beneath a curtain of greasy hair.
"Well?" he sneered.
Harry didn't understand "Well what?" he responded.
"Why do you persist on breaking rules, Mister Potter?" Snape said silkily. Harry didn't like where this was going.
"I don't know what you're talking about, sir." Harry replied, making certain to add in the moniker of respect.
"Last night, Potter. After you left my office." Snape said, looking him directly in the eye. Harry gulped.
"How did you get in to the teachers' lounge?" he continued.
Harry breathed a sigh of relief. This wasn't about Malfoy at all. His shoulders slumped as the tense moment passed. He knew Snape noticed, but he shrugged it off. "I've been there before. I listened at the door before going inside. I was looking for Professor Calabrone. I found her. That's all." he added a little too quickly. Snape narrowed his eyes but didn't say anything.
"Wand at the ready." Snape said tersely.
Harry readied himself, centering his feet and pulling his wand from his pocket. Snape squared himself off to Harry and said softly, "Legimens.
Immediately Harry felt the intrusion. He closed his eyes and pictured a curtain shutting over most of his thoughts. He let Snape pick through the events of the day, which he didn't seem to be overly interested in. He tried to focus on the previous night, but Harry pushed him out and into some of the memories from his summer-hours spent in his bedroom at Privet Drive, staring outside, through the bars, watching Hedwig, getting yelled at by Uncle Vernon, watching Dudley pick a fight. After a few more memories, Harry felt Snape pull himself out of Harry's head.
They looked at one another, each assessing the other. Finally, Snape lowered his wand. Harry did the same. Snape nodded minutely.
"Again." he intoned.
Harry barely had time to raise his wand before Snape muttered ÔLegimens.' Immediately, Harry was reliving the previous night after leaving Snape's office. Harry began to sweat at Snape saw him slip behind the tapestry to avoid Malfoy. Snape saw Harry poke his wand out and mutter the curse. Harry closed his eyes and concentrated. The memory continued. Harry saw himself laugh as Malfoy went down the hall, Crabbe and Goyle stumbling after him.
Suddenly, Snape was standing in front of him. Harry blinked, not remembering the spell ending. He looked up questioningly at Snape, not feeling defiant enough to bite out a response.
Snape said nothing, but stared penetratingly at Harry. Harry lowered his gaze and shook his head. Something wasn't right, Harry thought. "Well, Mister Potter.
Harry kept his mouth shut. It wouldn't be fair for Snape to give him a detention now, but then, Snape wasn't fair.
"Detention, Mister Potter." Snape hissed silkily. "For attacking another student in the halls. I believe first year you were told magic was not allowed in the hallways.
Harry's eyes flashed angrily. He balled up his fists, tightening his grip on his wand. He was vaguely aware of red sparks shooting from the end before the room swirled into dark.
Harry shook his head and looked around. He was no longer in Snape's office. He was in a hallway. Not in Hogwarts, Harry noticed absently. At least, no where he'd ever been in the castle. There were a few torches burning brightly along the wall, but they were the only light. Harry stuck his wand out in front of him and muttered "Lumos". Instantly, a crisp, white light poured over the hallway.
Harry looked around. A few feet from his left hand the hallway ended in a dead end. There was no door, no window, just solid stone on three sides. Walking slowly in the other direction, Harry stopped abruptly about fifteen feet from where he had started. This end of the hallway also ended in a dead end. He retraced his steps, and walked the length of the corridor twice.
There were no windows, no doors, nothing, except for four torches on either side, flanking the hallway. Harry looked around, trying to figure out how he had gotten there, and, more pressing, how he would get out. He walked up to one of the torches and placed a hand on the bottom portion of the shaft. Instantly, he felt himself go dizzy. He closed his eyes automatically.
When he opened them again, he was staring into the faces of Professor McGonagall and Snape, both leaning over him, peering closely. "Headmaster, he's awake." Professor McGonagall said anxiously.
Snape and McGonagall's faces disappeared, only to be replaced by Dumbledore's. His eyes looked worried, his forehead covered in wrinkles. Harry tried to lift his neck, but Dumbledore placed a hand on his shoulder.
"No, no, my dear boy. Relax." Dumbledore sat back and muttered a spell. The bed Harry hadn't known he was laying on raised up, allowing him a view of the hospital wing. Madame Pomfrey was bustling about in the far corner. Professor McGonagall was standing at the foot of Harry's bed. Snape, Harry noticed, was pacing in an agitated fashion in the space between the rows of beds, muttering to himself.
Harry turned his attention back to the headmaster. "Sir," he asked slowly. "What happened?
"Ah, Harry," Dumbledore said. "We had rather hoped you would help us with answer that question."
Harry looked at him, nonplussed. "What do you mean? How did I get here?
Dumbledore looked at Harry. "Where do you last remember being, Harry?
Harry answered, "Some hallway.
All three of his professors looked oddly at him. "What hallway, Harry?" Dumbledore asked softly.
"I don't know. I don't think it was in Hogwarts. It was just a short hallway with dead ends at either end." he answered.
"I'm afraid that's not possible, Harry." Dumbledore said.
Harry looked at him. "What do you mean?
Snape came to stop at the end of Harry's bed. Gripping the frame with both hands, he sneered, "Because, Potter, you were in my office. You suffered some sort of fit. I brought you here, summoned the headmaster and Professor McGonagall. Then, you woke up. Where, in that time line, would you have had time to visit a hallway?
"Severus." Dumbledore said sharply. Snape took to pacing again, throwing a glance in McGonagall's direction. She looked worried. Neither of them said anything.
Irritated, Harry asked again, "What do you mean?"
Dumbledore returned his attention to Harry. "What Professor Snape recounted is true, Harry. I'm afraid you had to time to actually visit a hallway. Professor Snape told me you were practicing occlumency when you swayed on you feet and went rigid. He tried to attract your attention, but was unable. He brought you immediately here.
"How long have I been here?" Harry asked, starting to grasp what had transpired.
"No longer than ten minutes." Snape said tersely.
"I don't understand." Harry admitted.
Snape snorted but kept pacing. McGonagall came to sit next to the headmaster on the bed next to Harry's. "Harry," she began, "do you think this could have been a vision influenced by, by." she trailed off.
Harry shook his head. "No. No, my scar didn't hurt at all. It hasn't hurt in a awhile, actually. No. I think this was something to do with-" Harry stopped suddenly, not wanting to tell them about the book and Professor Calabrone.
McGonagall and Dumbledore leaned forward, waiting for him to finish his sentence. When he didn't, the headmaster, prompted, "Yes, Harry?
"Nothing." he mumbled. He could see they were not satisfied with the answer and were about to question him further, when a sharp intake of breath was suddenly heard from the near end of the wing.
Snape was clutching his left forearm. With a quick nod to Dumbledore, Snape gave a bow and billowed out of the wing. A summons from Voldemort, Harry thought grimly. He turned back to look at the remaining professors. Dumbledore was still watching the door out of the hospital wing, looking thoughtful. McGonagall was looking down, her hands twisting a bit of her robes.
They look worried, thought Harry. After a few more moments of quiet, Dumbledore shook his head and looked to Harry. "My dear boy. I would greatly appreciate it if you would come to visit me for tea tomorrow afternoon. In the meantime, I feel you should perhaps return to your dormitory for a full night's rest. Professor McGonagall shall escort you. Goodnight.
Dumbledore ambled down to Madame Pomfrey's office. McGonagall helped Harry out of bed. They walked along in an uncomfortable silence for a few minutes, before Harry gathered the courage to ask a question.
"Professor?" he asked.
"Hmm?" McGonagall responded absently, her lips and forehead pursed in thought.
"How often is Professor Snape summoned?" Harry said.
McGonagall looked startled at the questions, but answered. "It varies, Mister Potter. There are days, almost weeks that pass with no word, and at other times, it is daily.
Harry said nothing but nodded.
"Mister Potter," McGonagall said, turning to face him, "do you feel safe here at Hogwarts?"
Harry was surprised by the question, but thought seriously before answering. "Yes. Hagrid told me the first time I met him that Hogwarts was the safest place in the wizarding world. I believe him.
McGonagall smiled warmly. "And so you should. If there is anything else you need tonight, please let me know. Good night, Mister Potter." she said tipping her head.
She turned and walked down the hallway, leaving Harry at the portrait of the Fat Lady. "Caspias Copernus" Harry said. The Fat Lady eyed him, but swung open to allow him in.
The common room was mostly deserted. Only a few of the upper years were still there. Harry noticed Ron and Hermione were seated together in on of the big armchairs next to the fire. Ron was dozing, head propped up by his hand. Hermione was idly flipping through pages of a book balanced on one knee, occasionally jotting down a line onto the parchment she had perched on the other. Taking a moment to suck on her quill, she raised her eyes.
"Harry!" she cried, jostling Ron from sleep, as she extricated herself from the chair. "Where have you been? You haven't been with Snape this entire time, have you?
Harry shook his head and joined them near the fire. Ron gave Harry a groggy grin, and tried to straighten himself up in the chair, stretching out a few kinks. Hermione was staring bright-eyed at Harry. She capped her quill and stared expectantly at him.
"So, where have you been?" she asked again.
"In the hospital wing." he answered truthfully.
Ron sat straight up. "What?!" he sputtered. "What happened?
"Nothing." Harry tried to assure them Based on the skeptical looks they were both wearing, he didn't think they believed him. "Honestly, you two. I'm fine. I don't know what happened.
"Harry." Hermione scolded.
Harry rolled his eyes. "Hermione, listen. I was in Snape's office, when I started to feel dizzy. The next thing I knew, I woke up in the hospital wing. That's all." Harry didn't realize it until he had finished recounting events, but he had lied about left out the hallway. For some reason he wanted to keep it secret. He wished he hadn't told Dumbledore and the other professors about it either. He wasn't sure why, other than he knew everyone would make a bigger deal out of it than it needed to be. Looking up, he saw Hermione staring seriously at him.
"Hermione, honestly. I think I overexerted myself during Occlumency. Don't worry about it. Professor McGonagall let me come back to the dormitory after all. Ok?" he said, a hint of exasperation creeping into his voice.
She held his gaze for a moment longer before nodding her head. "All right, Harry. How is Occlumency going anyway?" she questioned, pulling her book out again.
Harry sighed and relaxed. He recounted everything to Ron and Hermione. Hermione's eyes lit up when he told them how far he had advanced. Ron congratulated him sleepily. Finally, after a few more minutes talking, Hermione budged Ron out of the chair, asking Harry to make sure he made it to his bed.
Smiling, Harry helped Ron into their dormitory, bidding Hermione goodnight. Once in their dormitory Ron straightened himself up. "Thanks, mate." he said, giving Harry a light punch in the arm, "but I think I can manage on my own.
"You were pretending to be asleep, Ron?" Harry asked incredulously.
"Ok, Harry. Before you get all up in arms, do realize that Hermione expects me to do homework all night when we're together? Honestly, mate, you've got to get out of detention fast. She's already gotten me to write up one of the extra essays for DADA class. Besides, when I pretend to sleep, she lets me lean up against her and put my arm around her."
Harry laughed at Ron, who was trying desperately to look innocent, and failing stupendously. "Homework, Harry. Homework. Ick. I can't stand the stuff we regularly get assigned us during the day, let alone all the extra stuff she does. And not a good snog in sight." he finished, sighing.
Harry threw himself on the bed and shook his head at Ron. "Only one more night of detention with Snape, but we're going to have to continue lessons somehow. At least quidditch starts soon."
"Oh, right, thanks for reminding me. Angelina wanted me to tell you tomorrow night's the first quidditch practice for the year. Right after dinner. She's crazed this year again, she is. Says now that we've proven ourselves with an inferior team, we'd best have a repeat with a superior team.
Harry nodded, feeling butterflies at the prospect of flying on the quidditch pitch again. "Night, Ron." he said, turning in.
Night, Harry." Ron replied. Harry heard Ron extinguish the lights in the dormitory and everything went dark. Harry tried to sort out the hallway incident, but felt himself drift off almost immediately.
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A/N: Sorry about the delay in posting. We reshingled out roof this past week. FOUR layers of shingles had to be removed. FOUR! We're lucky we didn't have structural damage. Ick. Roofing is very hard work. Thanks for the lovely reviews. I appreciate them so very, very much.