46

When Severus returned from his call to the Headmaster he informed the teens that Dumbledore had promised Hagrid he would remain with him for Buckbeak's execution. He advised no one to panic as the prophecy didn't say the servant would escape from anywhere near Hogwarts but he agreed with Severus' plan to keep the young witch close. As for Harry, Dumbledore had advised that he would send Professor McGonagall to check on him through the evening. With so little information being divulged in the prophecy the hope was that it was more of a warning of what was to come than of something that could be intervened by any one at the school.

"It would be nice if we could stop it though," Emily sighed as she ladled the last of the Wolfsbane potion into the large goblet.

"I know, but sometimes fate takes those choices away from us." Severus tapped the now empty cauldron with his wand and it levitated over to the large sink where it could be scrubbed down later after a magical clean. Severus was insistent on using both magical and muggle ways to ensure the cleanest cauldrons possible when brewing.

"So, we just wait."

"He was always going to come back, he's somehow tied himself to this earth and I doubt he can truly be defeated in his current state."

"Will I be expected to fight him?"

"Yes."

"And Harry?"

"Will probably have to fight harder than you. It is not my belief that the Dark Lord has ever had any intention to kill you like he does your brother. All we can do right now is ensure you are prepared."

Emily nodded in understanding, now was not the time to worry. This prophecy was, at the very least, a warning that her world would soon change. Looking down at the slightly smoking mug she was reminded of the task at hand, "Where are we taking this?"

"We'll take it to the shrieking shack. That's were he has been transforming since he went to school here."

"Is it actually as cursed as they say it is then?"

"No, its mostly heavily warded and the rumored screaming is just on the full moon."

Emily shook her head, "Has he been coming here once a month, even before he took the position for Defense?"

Severus nodded his head as he motioned the girl to follow him from the lab. "Though this is the first year it has been requested I prepare the potion for him."

"Why not ask sooner, if he was here?"

"I'm sure the Headmaster has offered my services before, but he's always turned it down. The potion was part of his contract, either he accepted it or he would have to decline the job. Lupin has had a hard time finding a job since the last war and he really needed this position, he had no option but to agree."

"Why, being a werewolf he only needs to ask for a day or two off a month for his transition. Surely a magical employer would understand."

"The only magicals who accept werewolves, are those who associate with the darker side of things and Lupin has always put the morals of the light above everything else. He won't take a job in Knockturn Alley even though it's the only place that would welcome him in London."

"So, what does he do then?"

"He mostly takes random jobs in the muggle world, feigning some chronic illness to excuse himself for his transformations. You will find that transformations become more difficult on the werewolf the older they are and the longer they are infected, without the wolfsbane I bet there are times when he needs a full week to recover."

"Is there no way for werewolves to get the potion?"

"There are a few apothecaries that provide the potion but it comes at a high cost and all of them are run by people who Lupin would never agree to do business with."

"Then why hate him so much? If you know he's living this hard life, is he not suffering enough?"

Severus smirked, "Does one suffer more greatly because I have a distaste for them?"

"I doubt it helps."

"Lupin has the ability to help himself, his sorrows are often of his own design whether he realizes that or not is another matter. He has opportunities but sees himself above them, unwilling to see that perhaps not all people who dabble in the dark are out to end the light."

"I see."

"Aren't you two supposed to get that potion to him soon or are we going to have to lock down the school because there's a loose werewolf on the prowl?" Draco interjected staring at the pair who were conversing in the living area now.

"We are heading out now, you may stay here if you like or go to the dorms. It will take us some time to get back as Lupin should already be at the location for his change."

"I'll wait here, just be careful."

The pair walked quietly through the halls careful not to discuss the topic further incase they were overheard. When they reached the grounds, they started walking in a direction Emily wasn't used to going. "Shouldn't we be going towards Hogsmeade?"

"There's an entrance on the grounds."

Before Emily could ask where the entrance was, they saw a worried looking Lupin sprinting towards the Whomping Willow. With a wave of his wand he seemed to dive for the trunk and shortly after vanishing from sight the tree seemed to shake back into life.

"Is he always that nervous?"

"No, he usually waits for me and we go through together to ensure all the wards are set. Be cautious as we proceed, do everything I say and do not hesitate to use your wand if needed."

Emily nodded and dropped slightly behind Severus as she followed him towards the tree until she almost tripped over something. "Sev." Reaching down the air shimmered slightly and she could feel magic radiating as she picked up the invisible item. "I think this is my father's invisibility cloak. Harry has had it since first year…"

With a quick motion of his wand the tree froze, "Bring it with us, I want you to put it on once we get into the tunnel."

Agreeing, the pair moved forward quickly and slipped down into the gap of the roots. Emily did as instructed and put the invisibility cloak over herself holding tightly onto the goblet that held the Wolfsbane. As they exited the tunnel, the young witch followed the Potion Master up a set of rickety old steps. The noise they created was likely drowned out by the yelling that could be heard coming from above them. Severus tucked himself into a corner by the open doorway unseen to the occupants of the room. Emily for her part stood in the doorway taking in the scene, hidden from view by the cloak she was wearing.

"…I saw you leave Hagrid's hut, but you were accompanied by someone new." Lupin stood blocking the three teens from a dark and dirty figure. The man looked a bit mad but there was a clarity in his eyes as he stared intently at the rat held in Weasley's hands. The boy looked worse for wear and had a bleeding leg. Granger was kneeled beside him and Harry stood a bit forward as if he intended to protect them. "I thought I was seeing things for a moment."

"The map never lies!" The gruffy man yelled.

"I know Sirius," Emily looked back at the man and finally she realized who he was, this was Sirius Black. Severus twitched as if he might move but Emily reached out and squeezed his arm with her free hand halting him. She wanted to hear more.

"No one left with us! We were alone!" Harry looked panicked as he searched the room, for what Emily was unsure.

"I rushed from my quarters and watching the map as I ran. Suddenly Sirius Black had appeared, he seemed to collide with all of you before two of you disappeared into the Whomping Willow."

"You mean me," Weasley stated grumpily looking down at his leg and cringing.

"Not just you, Ron do you mind if I were to examine your rat?"

The boy held his pet up to his chest, "I just found Scabbers, he's scared."

"I'm sure he is, but not for the reason you think."

"Please just leave him alone, he's just a rat!"

"He's a wizard!" Black yelled. "He's a traitorous one at that."

"Clam Sirius," Lupin pleaded edging his way closer to Weasley.

"You're both mad!"

"I'm afraid Ron that Sirius is right, how long has Scabbers been in your family?"

"Twelve years…"

"That doesn't seem curious to you?"

"I don't know, he's just a rat."

"Common rats don't live that long," Granger whispered.

"Correct Miss Granger and that is a strong point as to why that is not a rat."

"Maybe he's magical?" Weasley retorted.

"There are no magical rats," Hermione answered her friend.

"Then what is it?!" Harry yelled clearly losing his patience.

"An Animagus, Harry," Black said his focus still trained on the rodent. "You may have heard of him before… he goes by the name Peter Pettigrew."

"You killed him!" Harry exclaimed moving himself to block Remus more fully from his injured friend. "I've heard the story, you killed all those muggles and all they found of him…"

"Was a finger," Lupin finished.

"Oh, enough of this!" Black threw himself at Weasley and landed on his bad leg.

"Sirius, you need to be patient! Harry doesn't understand yet, they need to know why or else it will never work."

"I have been patient, for twelves years I have waited for justice and no one came! Imprisoned for a murder I never committed! Well tonight we remedy that!"

Lupin moved Black away from the teens, staring directly into the other man's eyes he tried to calm him, "I know and I'm sorry. In my own ignorance I thought you guilty and abandoned you to a terrible fate. I will spend the rest of my existence making it up to you my friend, but Harry deserves the truth." Turning back to the three Gryffindors he held out a hand to halt their further outbursts. "What changed my mind was the Map, it cannot lie… Peter is alive and Ron is holding him. Let me show you."

Pulling an old folded parchment from his back pocket he opened it and touched it with his wand, "I solemnly swear that I am up to no good."

Harry seemed to freeze as he took the parchment, what he was seeing Emily had no idea but he couldn't tear his eyes away from it. "I've never seen the shack on here before."

"It's hidden usually, it is only revealed to a certain few just in case it fell into the wrong hands."

Granger seemed to be struggling with something internally before she finally stood up and put her hands on her hips, "This makes no sense, I looked up the list of registered Anamagi for my transfiguration homework. Peter Pettigrew wasn't on the list, he would only have been removed if he truly died!"

Black laughed, "Not all people follow the rules girl!"

"The Ministry was never made aware of the three Animagi that ran around Hogwarts, sometimes its better to remain unknown," Lupin added earning a scandalized look from Granger.

"How can you say that? You're a teacher!"

Emily moved slightly causing the floor to creak. All the heads in the room turned towards the door, Emily stayed frozen in her place not ready to give away her presence yet. Weasley was the first person to snap out of it, his motivations likely driven by increasing pain in his leg. "Would you all come off it, this place is haunted, there's probably a ghoul or two out there."

"The Shrieking Shack was never haunted," Lupin answered his head titled to the side before returning his attention to the others in the room. "All the screams and howls heard throughout the village were made by me. I was what haunted these walls."

"But…"

"Hush Ronald," Granger said cutting off the boy with a quick swat to his head.

"Hey!"

"I said shhh!"

When it was clear he would not be interrupted again Lupin continued, "I was bitten as a young child. It devastated my parents as you can imagine. They did everything they could to help me but nothing could be done, they worried my life was over. It wasn't until recently, in the last few years, that the Wolfsbane potion was created. Professor Snape has been providing me with the potion this whole year. It allows me to keep my mind during the transformation, essentially I become a harmless wolf as I wait for the moon to wane.

Before the potion, I truly turned into a monster. My parents were upset because how could they send their child to a school knowing what he was and who he would become. What would people do if they found out?

My mother settled on trying to educate me from home and use the funds that were meant for my tuition to go to bringing in tutors to help her. But then Dumbledore took the Headmaster position and he heard about my situation. He had this house built and the tunnel carved out for me, I know I mentioned to you Harry that the Whomping Willow was planted the year I came to school. The tree was meant as a deterrent, so others would not discover the tunnel and come across me while I was dangerous.

Transforming as a child is horrendous. Your mind isn't as settled and so your monster side is just as youthful, it wants to play, to hunt, to bite… being restricted here alone I wasn't able to do those things and so I ended up harming myself. The sounds I must have made… the terror spread through the village and Dumbledore was quick to encourage anything that kept people away.

Of course being infected was terrible but being at Hogwarts was the happiest I have ever been. I got to act like a normal wizard, I made friends specifically three friends, Sirius Black, Peter Pettigrew and James Potter.

It was obvious to them that I vanished once a month. They never pushed but still I made up all sorts of lies to try and cover my absence. I couldn't handle that if I didn't give them some excuse they might find out what I really was and leave me in their dust. I should have known better… We were always up to something and it took them an incredibly short amount of time to put it all together.

My fears were unfounded. Instead of abandoning me they became Animagi. It took them several years but Sirius and James were always top of our class and by fifth year they managed the transformation."

"I don't see how that helps you," Hermione said she was sitting down again, her posture more relaxed as she looked intently at the Defense Professor.

"As humans, I posed a threat to them, but as animals they could be by my side. Sirius and James were large enough creatures that they could keep me in check. We spent a lot of time in the forest and roaming the grounds on the nights of the full moon. It's how we came up with the idea for the Marauder's Map and then our animals inspired our nicknames. Sirius is Padfoot, Peter is Wormtail, James was Prongs and I am Mooney.

Severus has been very kind this year though, brewing me the Wolfsbane Potion. Its been hard not having my companions all these years."

"Severus?" Black questioned "As in Severus Snape?"

"He's the Potion Master up at the school. He's a teacher now."

"You trust him to brew something you have to ingest?!"

Harry seemed to nod in agreement to Black's outburst. Lupin tried to calm his friend, "He wouldn't hurt me, but what we did as teens still hasn't left him."

"He shouldn't have gone poking around then!"

"Or perhaps you shouldn't have shown your face tonight Black." Severus stepped forward his wand extended at the fugitive. Emily moved back no longer able to see the others in the room.

"Severus…" Lupin said, Emily could hear the surprise in his voice.

"Did you forget that we were to meet, you have yet to take your potion and I came with your goblet. Imagine my surprise when I see you dashing and throwing yourself into the tunnel."

"Don't over react Severus, we just want justice. We are just trying to explain to Harry and his friends our background."

"Yes, sadly I got to be privy to your storytelling as well." Emily notice Severus took another step forward before he was suddenly lifted off his feet and he flew off to the side and into the wall. He was clearly unconscious as he slid down the wall and Emily's heart began to speed up and anger filled her as she could clearly see the room again, Harry was standing wand pointed at the Professor.

Setting down the goblet carefully in the hall she threw off the invisibility cloak and all focus was on her as she started for her brother, "Are you insane?!"

Lupin was quick to hold her back, trying to keep her arms down in an attempt to stop her from casting a spell. Unluckily for Harry, Emily was skilled in her casting and didn't need to make big movements. The shock on her brother's face was quickly replaced by pain as he rubbed his now sore arm. "By the goddess you have to be an idiot! Why on earth would you attack him?"

"She's right Harry, Professor Snape could have helped us." Granger looked apologetically at the other witch.

"How can you side with the Snake?" Weasley yelled.

"I'm not siding with anyone but if everyone has forgotten we are standing in a shack with an escaped criminal, a werewolf and a supposed traitor in the form of your rat!"

Weasley looked down at the rat that was desperately trying to get away from him and tightened his hold, "You can't believe all this?"

"It makes sense," turning to Harry she shook her friend, "And you, you attacked a teacher! What on earth were you thinking?! We are going to be in even more trouble than before, if he didn't already hate us just think of the detentions he will assign now."

"And Harry deserves it."

"Oh, you're feisty! Your mother was very similar when she got mad, though I doubt she could have performed a stinging hex so casually at your age while restrained." Black looked impressed by the newcomer.

"Let me go or I swear you will see what I have learned from Severus!"

"You actually like the git?" Black tilted his head and looked back at the dark man on the floor. Shortly Black found himself rubbing his own arm. "That really stings!"

"You should be careful Sirius, Severus is Emily's Head of House and they are quite close." Lupin turned his attention to the annoyed witch in his arms, "If I let you go will you promise not to kill you brother?"

"If I wanted him dead, he would be already."

The glare she leveled at her brother as she was released from Lupin's hold made the boy take a step back. She turned to check on Severus, quickly she turned back around and within seconds Harry was clutching his nose. He looked towards his friends but all Granger did was shrug.

"Come here Harry," the wizard hesitated, never taking his eyes off his sister, who was glaring daggers at him as she checked over the Potions Master. "I promise I just want to stop the bleeding." Harry nodded and moved forward, shortly the room heard the crack as his nose was righted into place. "You might want to have Madam Pomfrey look at it later, your sister knows her bone breaker curse well, you may need another adjustment that's stronger than the charm I just did."

"It's fine," Harry mumbled backing away slightly again. "I only did it because he was interrupting and there's still something I don't understand. Say I believe you, how do you know this is the right rat? There has to be millions of rats around Scotland."

"But not all of them are missing a toe on their front paw," Black announced pulling out a piece of paper from his pocket and passing it over to Lupin.

"All the reports… he cut it off himself didn't he?"

"He made a huge scene, I had been chasing him for some time. He knew we were in an area where we would be observed, he knew I would hesitate…" Black turned and slammed his fist against the wall. "He was right and before I knew it the street had been blasted to pieces and he had vanished."

"And so he's been hiding all these years from you? Now you've come to finish him off?"

"Yes, he has earned death!" Black cried.

"I should have let Snape take you!"

"Harry you aren't listening," Lupin interjected.

"Of course he isn't," Emily rose from her position next to Severus and took a few steps forward. "What they are trying to say, is that Pettigrew faked his death when Black tried to track him down for betraying our parents."

"She's quick."

"She's first in her year," Lupin smiled at the witch.

"Lily would be so proud! Do you get into much mischief?"

"YOU KILLED OUR PARENTS!" Harry yelled. "YOU WERE THE SECRET KEEPER! WHEN THEY CARTED YOU OFF THEY SAID YOU EVEN ADMITTED TO KILLING THEM!"

"I as good as killed them," Black sighed. "I was set to be the secret keeper, everyone knew the bond James and I had. I even ran away from home and lived with his family while I finished up school as the pressure to take the mark rose within my own. It would be the ultimate prank, everyone would come after me and while I was busy being the distraction Peter would be the true secret keeper.

That night when I showed up at his apartment it looked ransacked but there wasn't a trace of magic. No stray spell marks or anything that looked like there had been a true fight. My stomach dropped and I knew, I knew we had made a mistake. When I got the house…"

Emily could see the man struggling with emotion and while she felt for the man, she was ready for this all to be over so she could get Severus back up to the school. He was never going to forgive himself for being bested by her brother. Walking over to Weasley she wrestled the rat from his grasp, the boy looked at his friends for support but neither one moved. Once she had the rat she held it up to Lupin, "What next?"

"Hold him out and away from your body." Emily did as instructed while Lupin had Black step forward. "Together and on the count of three."

The two men started counting and the rat tried desperately to wriggle himself free but the more he moved the tighter Emily held him. On three a flash of blue and white lit up the room, Emily felt the rat be pulled from her grasp and suspended in midair. Weasley squealed but everyone else remained silent watching closely. Suddenly a blinding light filled the room and as everyone opened their eyes the rat started to grow and take on human characteristics.

He squirmed as his body was forced back into his human state. With each second he became clearer, he was a short and plump man, his hair was very thin and grey with a large bald patch in the center. Emily could see easily how this man's animagus form would be a rat just from his human characteristics, even his hands stayed close together and rubbed quickly in nervous circles and his nose was pointed just below very beady and watery eyes.

"Peter, so nice of you to join us tonight," Black said and for the first time that night there was a darkness in the man that Emily could feel. Her own magic tingled in acknowledgement, as if it was greeting someone it knew well. It was a similar feeling that she would get to being around Harry.

Pettigrew's eyes darted around the room, seeking out an exit or a friend. Emily moved so she was blocking the door, this man was going no where if she could help it.

"S-Sirius… R-Remus, m-my old friends… i-it's been s-so long…"

"I don't know how much you heard Peter but we've been having a small chat while you have been attempting to escape over there," Lupin stepped forward but with no place to go the portly man seemed to shrink in on himself a bit more.

"You don't believe him, do you Remus?!" Peter looked up pleadingly. "He's come back to kill me! He's the reason Lily and James are dead!"

"You see we've been hearing a different set of events then we were led to believe…"

"You have to help me!"

"We will do nothing until we have sorted everything out," Lupin replied calmly but there was a dangerous glint in the back of his eyes that even Emily could sense.

"But can't you see he's come back to kill me! I knew he would, I've had to hide for twelve years!"

"You knew Sirius would break out of prison, when no other wizard has accomplished the feat before?"

"Who knows what He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named taught him! I'm sure he prepared him to escape in case he was ever captured!"

"Voldemort would rather me dead than prepare me to escape Azkaban," chuckled Black. Pettigrew flinched at hearing the Dark Lord's name and was quick to try and take a step back but Harry pushed him forward. "Do you fear your master's name? I wouldn't blame you, I heard the way his followers would speak of you…"

"I'm sure I don't know what you are talking about Sirius," though the words were mutter it was obvious to everyone in the room it was a poor attempt at feigning ignorance, even Weasley's face fell.

"You didn't need to hide from me Peter," Sirius smirked. "No, you needed to hide from all of the other groveling idiots who weren't thrown in prison. We both know there are plenty with enough money who were able to escape a life sentence, pretending they've been freed of their burden when really they are just biding they're time. I've heard things Peter… They feel like you betrayed them… Voldemort went to Godric's Hollow on your information but he never returned, did he? They think the spy for the Dark double crossed them."

"No!" Peter was looking nervously for an exit again but everyone's wands were now pointed at him. "You can't believe him! Remus, please!"

"I'm having trouble Peter understanding why an innocent man chose life as a rat for the last twelve years instead of living freely in the world…"

"I… Well I…" Peter was sweating profusely and he fiercely wiped at his eyes with his sleeve.

"We should have seen this sooner, you always clung to those more powerful than you for protection. It wasn't a large leap for you to see the strength of Voldemort and run to bow at his feet. In fact after the first time we faced him, I can't remember you ever being present for another fight again. James, Remus and I on the other hand…"

"Of course I was with you fighting!"

"Sirius is right Peter, you were mysteriously absent from those fights. How did we not see this?"

"It will forever be my burden to bare," Black said shaking his head. "The perfect bluff handed you everything you ever could have dreamed for. I'm sure you felt so important the day you strode up to Voldemort and offered up your old friends the Potters. What were their lives when you had found a stronger protector?"

"Professor?" Hermione had raised her hand as if she was in class. "I have a question."

"Please ask it, Hermione. No need to raise your hand right now."

The girl blushed but nodded her head, "Well this man, who is also Scabbers, has been sleeping in the same dorm as Harry for the last three years. Why did he not try to kill him if he is You-Know-Who's servant?"

Emily's head ached as her mind was pushed to the prophecy from earlier, she looked over to her brother to see a similar clarity in his own eyes. Both teens held onto their wands, neither one wanted the prophecy to be fulfilled.

"Peter has never done anything without knowing what was in it for him," Black answered the witch. "He wouldn't commit murder right under Albus Dumbledore's nose. No that would key Dumbledore into the secret and why kill for a master who has lost all his power? No, you wanted to wait it out, you found a magical family that would care for you so that you would always be updated on the news, just in case the winds ever changed back in your direction."

"Mr. Black… or do you prefer Sirius?" Hermione asked looking at the scruffy man.

"You may call me Sirius."

"Okay Sirius, um how did you escape Azkaban if you aren't his follower?"

"Mostly luck I would say and the knowledge that I was always innocent," Sirius answered slowly really thinking back over the past twelve years. "Dementors feed on happy thoughts, they diminish your joy until all you have is pain and sadness. It's hard to feed off someone who is already down trodden, who knows they are innocent and who worries about the children they left behind in their rush for revenge. That line of thought kept me sane… it helped me keep my powers, certainly not at my most optimum levels and there was pain from the in ability to use my magic but it was something. When my magic or the thoughts became too much I would transform into Padfoot and run around my cell. Dementors have no eyes to see you, but they can feel and when you are less human they just assume you are, like everyone else in that prison, losing your mind.

I won't lie, I was extremely weak and unable to use my magic except to transform. But that picture from the Daily Profit when Fudge tossed it to me was the day I was reignited. I knew Peter was close to Harry and Emily and that I needed to be free. I couldn't protect them from Azkaban.

The clarity that knowing I had to leave somehow gave me strength I had been missing for years. Being the only person who knew Peter was still alive meant I needed to get to where he was residing. So one night while in my dog form when they brought me food I slipped passed them, they seemed confused by an animals presence when ever I passed one of them but they never stopped me. I swam from the island to the mainland as a dog and by the time I was done I was exhausted. I decided I needed a rest before I found some food and made my way here to Hogwarts."

Peter fell to his knees and started begging for mercy, giving up all pretense of innocence. "You can't let him kill me, Remus we are friends!"

Lupin turned to Black, "Shall we do this together?"

"I think so."

"No!" Harry said shaking his head.

"Thank you, Harry you are such a kind boy! Lily and James would be so proud…"

"Don't speak of them to Harry!"

"I…" Harry started to back away from the groveling man.

Emily sighed tired of all the back and forth, "I think what Harry means is that while we would enjoy the many creative ways you might come up with to kill this rat…"

Peter gulped at the thought and Weasley mumbled, "Speak for yourself."

"If Sirius ever wants to be free, the rat needs to come with us to the castle as evidence."

"Is that what you both want?" Black asked looking between the two teens. At their nod he moved over to Weasley and cast a spell to wrap up his leg, making sure to create a splint to hold it straight. "Then let's get back up to the castle quickly, I'm ready for some justice."

"And Professor Snape?" Hermione questioned as Weasley was helped to stand.

"I'll take care of him," Emily waved off the worried girl as she moved towards the sour man. Kneeling down she put one of her hands over his and felt him squeeze it. So he was awake, leaning closely into him she asked, "Should I pretend to wake you?" Feeling a slight nod Emily moved her wand, acting as if she was casting an enervate spell.

Severus took a moment to open his eyes, looking around the room as the group was strapping Pettigrew to Ron and Lupin he turned to Emily, "Explain."

"I think it's best we get back up to the school as quickly as possible," the witch offered helping the Potion Master to stand. "But apparently Weasley has been harboring a felon as his pet rat for the past few years in the castle."

"Not on purpose," the boy mumbled, his anger clear as he glared at the man now shackled to him.

"I see."

"Severus, please just bear with us until we can get everyone safely to the castle." Lupin looked pleadingly at the other teacher unaware that he was already clued into the situation.

"By all means wolf lead the way."

With that the group headed out of the room.