AN: Thanks to Yen, once again. Also, this grew. It should have only one more chapter, but it depends on the boys.

Meetings

Harry tried not to be nervous or excited when he met up with Severus Friday morning. Severus let him know yesterday that he's contacted Smeltings Academy and had gained permission for a meeting on school grounds under the supervision of a member of their staff. As the meeting time was around Hogwarts lunchtime and Severus planned to arrive by train, they had to leave during his first class.

It had amazed him that Severus excused him from all his classes. 'He said it was disruptive for a student to walk out during class, and he wasn't doing that to McGonagall. And we couldn't go on Saturday because he's announcing the school's going to open. He needs to be there to supervise any fallout from that.' Which Harry accepted but he did miss the Saturday plan - breakfast on the way, riding a train together, lunch, going to Diagon Alley to get the money to pay Severus back, dinner, and then finally back to Hogwarts. 'Not that Severus knew that was the plan, but I was going to talk him into it.'

With a large sigh, Harry let those plans go. With grass-stained fingers, he touched the compact in his pocket. 'I need to be glad that he is going with me at all.' Glancing over Hagrid's garden fence, he spotted Severus striding across the lawn towards him. He quickly reached down to pull the last few weeds out before Severus got there. 'Hagrid was happy that Hermione, Ron, and I joined him for breakfast today, but I think he was happier that I opted to remain here while they went to classes. He said it was because Fang would enjoy the company, but I think it was because I told him I'd weed the vegetable patch.'

"Good, you are here," Severus nodded brusquely and then gestured for Harry to follow him, "We will take Hog's Head floo to London, and then a train to Surrey."

'I still get the train ride!' Harry rinsed his hands off and fell into step with him, enjoying the feeling of companionship. "I thought Dudley would have changed schools when they moved."

Severus glanced at him, a small upward tilt to the corner of his mouth, "Changing schools can be difficult, and this one is a boarding school as well. You've travelled much further every year."

Harry acknowledged that and mumbled, "But they wanted me as far away as possible."

He was shocked to see that flash of understanding in Severus' expression.

"How are we getting out?" Harry asked as Severus stepped under the eaves of the Forbidden Forest. "I thought the school was to remain locked down until tomorrow?"

Severus studied the area around them, making Harry think he was checking that they were alone.

"It was discussed with the rest of the staff and decided that we should lower the lockdown level to where it was before you entered the school grounds. That was done an hour ago. Now, I can open part of the protective barrier to allow us to leave and enter," he continued into the Forest, "and tomorrow morning, we will set it to allow owls in and out, but bar any other entry or exit."

Harry followed him deeper into the Forest, his eyes searching the gloom for spiders and centaurs. "So, why are we in the Forest?" He thought he knew the answer but wondered what Severus would say.

Severus stopped and collected what Harry thought might be unicorn hair from the bark of a tree, "Because it is one of the most protected places, therefore, safest places to make a hole in the ward."

"Makes sense," Harry nodded, pleased that his supposition was correct.

The rest of the walk was done mainly in silence. Part of that was due to the path they were taking through the Forbidden Forest, part due to Harry helping Severus look for ingredients along the way.

Severus stopped them when Harry could see sunlight peeking through the tree line and thick undergrowth. "Wait here while I open the ward, then move through quickly. It will not be open for long."

"How will I know where to walk?" Harry asked while searching the air for signs of the barrier.

Severus gestured to two trees in front of them, "I will use them as the edges of the opening." He lifted his wand and pointed it towards one tree then the other, and then to the ground. "Go, now."

Harry moved, Severus barely not walking on his heels as they crossed between the trees. Harry then felt a snap of energy behind them and looked over his shoulder. "That quickly?"

Severus just nodded and stepped around him. "Now, I am going to disillusion both of us as we cannot be seen in the Wizarding World."

A tap of a wand on Harry's head left him feeling like raw egg was flowing over him. Severus then held out his right hand, "Take my hand so I will know where you are."

Harry stared at the offered hand and ordered his hormones to stay under control as he reached out and entwined his fingers through the long tapered ones. He suppressed the shiver that tried to course up his spine as Severus tightened his grip. 'I can't think about it... don't imagine those fingers doing anything else.'

Severus tapped his wand on his own head, and vanished from Harry's sight. Only the warm grasp let him know the other man was still there.

"Come," came from the emptiness where Severus was standing, "We have a train to catch. Head to the Hog's Head. We shall use the back floo to go to the Leaky Cauldron. You go through first, and I will go through after you. Wait on the right-hand side of the fireplace facing the door. I will find you and then we will step out of the building together. Once we are there, we will enter a place where I will cancel the spell."

A tug to his hand told Harry to start walking. It was a bit clumsy getting through the underbrush, but once they were free, Harry was able to keep up fairly easily. They made it to Hog's Head faster than Harry had ever done, and he was tugged through a backdoor he didn't even know existed – he still couldn't see it. They just walked through a wall.

Severus lifted their joined hands up to the mantle, and Harry saw the jar of floo powder. Letting go, he pulled a bit out and prayed he would get to where he was supposed to go. A toss and a firmly said 'Leaky Cauldron' had him spinning around.

The floo trip was jarring and far longer than he'd ever experienced. Stumbling out the other side, he moved quickly out of the way. The fire turned green again, then his hand was taken and he was pulled out of the building.

A few steps later, Severus had them in an alleyway, visible once again. "Good. Now, transfigure your robes into something more Muggle friendly and we are off to King's Cross."

Harry watched as Severus' flowing robes turned into an overcoat, but the rest of his outfit stayed close to the same. The coat and waistcoat morphed just slightly but remained as did his boots. Harry did the same to his robe but left the rest of his outfit the same. The uniform would be expected, he thought.

"Let's go, we have a train to catch," Severus bustled him off to Kings Cross – paying for their tickets to Guildford – and they finally boarded a train, settled into comfortable seats and let the countryside whizz by.

"I take it your home life wasn't the best?" Severus asked quietly.

Harry shook his head and gave a small shrug as he garnered the courage to tell him. "It could have been worse, but no – it wasn't."

"I gathered as much when you appeared at my house last summer," Severus paused to search Harry's face before continuing, "By your conversation last summer, your cousin turned a new leaf when he offered you help."

Harry looked out the window. He didn't see the passing scenery, but the last morning he saw Dudley. "Yeah, he did. Before that, I would have been okay with them being attacked." He jerked his head back toward Severus, "Not killed, but …" he gave a helpless shrug with the words eluded him.

The understanding was back touched with a bit of mortification as Severus said. "I don't know how long you can see him – he agreed to meet you without parental consent – but hopefully it will be long enough to nurture this change of heart."

Harry hoped so too.

The rest of the train ride was filled with idle conversation about the state of the school, how the Wizarding world was, and both of their plans for after the school year.

As Harry disembarked from the train, he wondered if he'd have a chance to do this again. It was nice to have a simple conversation with Severus. 'On the way back, but what after that?'

As they approached Smeltings, Harry marvelled over the fact that he wasn't completely aroused. He had expected to be even though Severus hadn't undressed in front of him. Even Ron had warned him it might happen. 'Another late-night conversation again, I guess.'

Severus directed him gently with a hand not quite touching him into the building and then into a nearby office. He spoke to the receptionist in a clipped but not cold tone, "Hello, I am Mr Severus Snape, Headmaster of Hogwarts, with Mr Harry Potter to see Mr Dudley Dursley."

The man behind the counter flipped through a book, scanning down the list of names. His finger stopped at a line halfway down the page. "Here you are. I'll let Headmistress Anderson know you are here. If you'll wait over there." He gestured towards a row of plastic chairs as he picked up a phone.

Harry and Severus waited only a minute before a different door opened, admitting a short, round lady with an expression that reminded both of them of Sprout.

"Headmaster Snape, Mr Potter, I'm Headmistress Anderson. It's my pleasure to meet you." She held out her hand for both of them to shake.

Harry was surprised at the ease that Severus did so and attempted to emulate it. Once that was done, she directed them out the door and into the hall.

"Mr Potter, I am glad to see you well. Mr Snape was telling me that your cousin was worried about you because of an accident that occurred around the Christmas Holidays at your own school." She glanced back at him, her brown eyes shone with intelligence and curiosity. "It has taken you this long to recover?"

Harry shook his head, "No, but it is the first time I could leave campus to see him."

She opened another door, letting them into a sitting room, "And you won't see him over the Holidays?"

"No ma'am," Harry shrugged lightly, "The family I am staying with is planning on travelling last I heard."

She turned to face him fully, "You are not staying with your family?"

"Harry's family passed when he was one, Professor Anderson," Dudley said as he came through the door. "He lived with mine until this past summer, but since we moved, he is staying with another."

"Oh," unspoken questions were heard in the sound, but both Dudley and Harry ignored them.

Dudley crossed the room, his eyes raking over Harry, looking for anything out of place. Harry just smiled, happy to see the worry fading. "Headmaster Snape sent me a message around Christmas saying the ..." Dudley's words failed as he glanced at the Headmistress. He stopped to stare in shock.

Harry glanced at her too and couldn't help the smile at Severus. Professor Anderson was gently sleeping in of the armchairs tucked around a small table. "Thank you, sir."

"You make talk freely, Mr Dursley," was Severus' only reply.

Dudley stared at him, his brows knitted. "You're the one that Harry said to get to, aren't you?"

Severus raised an eyebrow but didn't say anything.

Dudley turned back to Harry. "He's the one, right?"

Harry nodded, "Yes, this is Severus Snape – he's the one I told you to get to if you were captured. He is also the one whose house I was going to." Harry turned just a bit so he faced both of them, "Dudley, this is Severus Snape, Severus, this is my cousin Dudley Dursley."

Severus frowned slightly, but said, "Mr Dursley, I am amazed at your powers of observations and memory."

Dudley shot him a questioning look and Harry just shrugged.

"So, what happened Harry?" Dudley asked, leaving the other conversation behind.

Harry filled him in, leaving out only his growing attraction to Severus. He ended with, "I'll get my trunk this summer if you'll give me the new address."

Dudley searched for a scrap of paper only to stop as Severus held out parchment and a pen. Taking them with a mumbled thank you, he quickly wrote down the address and passed both to Harry. "Will you send me a post with your new address and a way to contact you once you settle after school?"

Harry grinned as he agreed. "So, do you like the new place? How are your parents?"

Dudley glanced at Severus before telling him about how he missed his friends but was enjoying the clean start.

Only ten minutes had passed before Severus used a spell to gently nudge the Headmistress awake.

§§§§§

Harry stepped into the Great Hall feeling well pleased with the trip. They had returned just early enough to make it to dinner because of the side trip Severus had asked him if he was okay taking. 'As if I'd have problems spending more time with him.' Sitting down, Harry grinned at Ron and Hermione as they both searched his face before smiling too.

"After dinner, we'll talk," Hermione murmured before turning to face the High Table.

Harry caught and held Ron's eye, his question plan to see. Ron glanced about the table and gave a head shake. Holding back a sigh, Harry wondered what Hermione was looking at. Glancing at the table, he spotted Severus settling next to McGonagall and Flitwick. Part of him hoped the man would look at him, but part knew that it wouldn't happen. 'Severus said they were announcing the opening tomorrow, not tonight. I wonder...' He was still puzzled when all Severus did was call for dinner to begin.

Afterwards, Harry followed Ron and Hermione to the Room of Requirement and began worrying about what they needed to say required this level of secrecy.

The door closed behind them, leaving them in a comfortable looking sitting room. Harry moved to one of the chairs and said as he sat, "What do we need to talk about?"

Hermione looked at Ron, who looked back at Hermione, who shrugged and tipped her head towards him.

Harry tried not to laugh at this silent conversation as he turned his attention solely on Ron, waiting to hear what he'd say.

Ron took a settling breath, making Harry focus more, and began in a serious tone, "Look, mate, we know you're interested … or rather attracted to Snape." He paused but didn't wait for Harry's affirmation, "And we know that you're not attracted to really anyone else around here. That's the key," Ron started pacing between the chairs – one of which Hermione had sat in – and the sofa, "around here he's the only male that is of his age group. All the rest are older or younger … and you could be attracted to older men." He huffed, ran a hand through his hair, and then stopped facing Harry with Hermione in his periphery. "What I'm trying to say is that there is a difference between love and lust."

Harry opened his mouth to speak but stopped when Ron held up a hand, obviously not done yet.

"In a moment – I need to finish or I won't." This time Ron waited until Harry nodded. He continued after a quick glance at Hermione, "See, I am attracted to Lavender – that was why I was able to go out with her for a while. And in all honesty – that attraction is still there. She's pretty … but that's about it. There is nothing mentally there for me. Somebody else might enjoy her conversation and such, but … but I need more." He cast another assessing look at Hermione, who had begun to look a bit upset, and pushed on. "See, I can lust after Lavender, but I love Hermione."

Hermione's frown faded as her eyes widened slightly. Harry wondered how many people knew that Ron loved Hermione, and just how often he'd told her.

"Hermione may not be as pretty as Lavender, not as curvaceous, but she fits me better." Ron shrugged diffidently, "Hermione attracts me both physically and mentally – that's a starting place for a relationship. Once there, you find out if you're compatible enough to stay together." He started pacing again, "I mean – it's not enough just to click once or twice, or even for an entire month. No, if you are going to have a good, long-lasting, meaningful relationship like my parents, then you've got to be compatible. Be able to argue and make up. Be able to understand and accept what makes the other one them. You don't go into a relationship thinking of changing the person, but accepting that the person might change."

He finally hazarded another look at Hermione and Harry thought it was a good time too because she was smiling and her eyes were glowing with happiness now, unlike the smudge of fear and uncertainty that had been then moments earlier.

"What I'm saying mate is that it's good that you know what you're attracted to, but don't go setting your heart on him unless you can be compatible." Ron finally looked at him as he sat on the edge of the sofa, "And the last several years of watching you two … mate, it doesn't bode well. I know things have been different since this past summer, but do you honestly think you can continue this?"

Harry throttled back his frustration and faced his uncertainty. "I … I think I can. I mean, if today showed what it could be … then yes."

Ron gestured for him to continue as he pushed himself back further onto the sofa. Harry could feel Hermione focusing on him, but kept his attention on Ron.

"The walk in the Forest – both ways, the train rides, and he invited me to go shopping with him with lunch out. Not in Diagon Alley, but at a small seaport town. He wanted to pick up some potion ingredients and some supplies that he had to check in person so we had lunch there too. It was great. Sure, a bit of student-teacher at the beginning, but most of it was more like companions. We walked and did things together like gather potion ingredients in the Forest. Shopping – he asked my opinion about things, even the potion ingredients." Harry paused as he searched their faces, "We talked, not about the war, not just about school, but about the future, about pasts, about beliefs, about … about simple things."

Harry's attention jerked to Hermione as she spoke.

"Can you remain just friends? Will it eat at you day after day, minute after minute," she glanced at Ron before she leant forward, pinning her intense look on Harry, "… every second of every day knowing that you'll be nothing more than that? That you need … a bone-deep …. soul-deep need … to have more from him?" She drew a shaky breath and continued, "Because, I know how that feels. Ron is that important to me and to see him with someone else, to know that he is just out of reach …" She pause, clasping her fingers tight, "well, you saw me during that time. You saw what I became. So, think now before you're too deep … could you be just friends? Professor Snape … actually, any man you are attracted to, may not lean the same way. May only wish for a friendship and nothing more. Can you do that?"

Ron's head dropped slightly, his apology clear to Harry. 'Hermione has to see it too.' Harry looked between them as he thought about what they'd said. Minutes passed in comfortable silence, the only change was that Ron had moved to where he could hold Hermione's hand.

"Severus and I did have a horrible beginning. He was angry and pushing his hatred of who my Father was on to me. I wasn't the best of students either. I know – he's the adult, has been the adult this entire time, but he didn't act like one in matters dealing with me." Harry breathed a sigh and leant forward. "But … people change. We've seen it throughout this war, and … well … he changed. I think he finally saw me when he opened his door last summer. He saw me, not some contorted version of his tormentor." Looking at his hands – now clasped tightly together – he rolled his bottom lip through his teeth before continuing, "And when he saw me, he acted like … like an adult. He listened to me, he helped me plan, he made sure I was supplied, he made sure I was capable of getting help, he -. I can't say he acted like a parent or a guardian, all I have are Ron's parents to go by as my Aunt and Uncle weren't stellar, but I guess he treated me fairly. Like I was competent, and then it grew from there." He searched Ron and Hermione's face, hoping to see and seeing acceptance and understanding. "I think we can be at least friends – especially after today – but I don't know about compatibility. I don't know if I could be just friends, either.

He turned to Hermione, "How do you know that you can't be before it gets to that point?"

Hermione shrugged slightly, "I don't know, Harry. I think the first thing you should do is see if you can be friends, and then find out his preference, and go from there. Just be careful."

"And know that if it gets too hard, if you pass over that line and nothing can be done about it," Ron added, "we'll be here for you."

Harry nodded, his shoulders tense with worry.

Ron and Hermione both crossed the room and enveloped him into a three-way hug and Ron whispered, "We'll be here no matter what, mate. No matter what."

§§§§§

Harry was still thinking about the conversation the next morning and decided to skip his morning message to Severus. There were too many questions and thoughts that couldn't be said, couldn't be hinted at. That morning at breakfast, Severus watched him as he sat down and served himself. Their eyes met and Severus stared intently before turning to talk to McGonagall.

"What was that about, mate?" Ron asked and Hermione leant closer to hear the answer.

"I didn't talk to him this morning," Harry whispered, "that's all I can think of."

They all glanced back at the High Table before applying themselves to breakfast.

Once the last student sat down, Snape stood up, drawing everyone's attention to him. "Good morning. Easter Holiday is starting this week."

Harry heard whispers running up and down the tables, all wondering why this was being mentioned – the school was in a lockdown.

Snape continued, ignoring the whispers, "Starting today, owls will be permitted into and off of school grounds with precautions in place for physically harmful post. On Monday, the lockdown will end, and you will be permitted to leave the castle."

Cheers erupted from all the tables and Snape sat back down.

Sprout stood as the volume returned to its normal level. "You have come a long way in setting aside or solving many issues since the lockdown. Please, do not forget what you have learnt while away. Also, remember when we come back that many will find little or scant happiness when they get home. Have compassion when we return, or even while we are gone. A letter from a friend – new or old – could help many in those situations."

Silence reigned as eyes darted about the room, many lingering on the Slytherin table. Slowly, the volume increased after she sat down, and students travelled about the hall gathering addresses – both for the floo and post.

"You are coming to my place, right mate?" Ron asked before looking at Hermione, "You're going home to see your parents?"

Hermione smiled and interlaced her fingers with Ron's "Yes, but I will come to the Burrow the day before we come back."

Ron turned to Harry, waiting to hear.

"If your Mum and Dad don't mind," he said.

Ron shook his head, "If you still have to worry about that after this summer … I'll tell Mum to let you know."

§§§§§

The Holidays came and with them, the trial Severus had been expecting. He'd considered not telling Harry about it, but the teen was on Holiday with the Weasleys and there was a good chance that it would be mentioned since both Arthur and Percy worked in the Ministry.

By Tuesday night he had his thoughts composed enough and opened the compact. He shrugged out of his jacket and waistcoat as he started.

"Good evening, Harry. I was alerted this morning that I would stand trial tomorrow afternoon, around four. You do not have to do anything. I do not require you be a witness nor to be there, but I will not stand in the way of either action. McGonagall and the other professors will be doing both." He began working the buttons on his shirt as he continued, "I just wanted to let you know in case the worst outcome occurs and I am not here when you return. If it does, do not fret – I have done enough harm to warrant it."

He paused, his fingers stopping with his thoughts, his eyes boring into where he imagined Harry's would be. "If I don't return, know that I think that if you keep doing as you are, you NEWT scores will be adequate, and to keep striving for the future you wish."

He closed the compact with so many words trapped between his teeth. Words of friendship, words about how Harry's trust had brought so many others to trust in him and that both together had healed such a large wound in him, words about hope for a brighter future for himself – one where Harry was a friend. He didn't dare imagine more.

He finished getting undressed, wondering if he'd be able to sleep at all.

The next morning, Minerva found him with a full pot of tea and piles of parchment on his desk.

"Severus, surely you've not been up all night?" she asked.

Albus answered her before Severus could, "Since early this morning, but not all night, Minerva."

"I did sleep some," Severus answered, "but this needs to be handled just in case."

Minerva frowned, "It'll keep no matter what happens. We're all going to be there, and we will tell them what needs to be said."

His fingers tightened about his quill, "Thank you, and as all of you will be there and there is nothing to prepare for the trial, I will continue this. If I don't do it now, it will need to be done later."

Minerva frowned, "Severus..." she trailed off and Severus heard Albus speaking.

"Let him work, Minerva."

"Fine, but you will be at lunch." His Deputy Headmistress walked out the door, making a point not to slam it behind her.

Severus dipped his quill into the inkwell and continued filling in the reports the Board asked for once the post was allowed in, "Thank you, Albus."

The morning passed quickly, and he did go to lunch. Severus knew for certain that if he hadn't, that Minerva would have had lunch brought to the office. The meal wasn't exactly a planning session for the trial, but it was. Even the few staff members who'd been uncertain about agreeing to Rolanda's plan of them knowing about his true allegiance from a secret staff meeting were actively working on the plans.

Doubting it would work, but praying to Merlin that it would, Severus straighten his robe and headed for the door after lunch. All the staff walked behind him.

When they entered the Ministry and passed through the wand check, he passed his wand to Filius. The small professor wrapped his fingers about it, his eyes showing the trust implied in the action was understood, and then Filius tucked it way.

He was surrounded by the staff – Minerva in front of him – when he entered the courtroom. A glance to either side showed the entire Weasley clan was there with Harry and Miss Granger. Lupin and Tonks were there as well as a few other Order members. Turning his attention to the Wizengamot, he waited.

"Headmaster Snape," Shacklebolt started. Severus was distracted by the scratching of a quill. Out of the corner of his eye, he spotted the recorder waiting with quill on the foolscap. The quill moved as Shacklebolt continued, "you are the last Death Eater whose trial is to be held."

Severus couldn't help but smile.

"You find this as a good thing," called an elderly member of the Wizengamot.

He saw no reason not to answer, "Yes, because that means I kept Hogwarts locked down long enough for the students to be safe."

The staff nodded tightly and Severus noted a few glaring at the speaker.

"And their safety was the only reason you kept the school closed?" Shacklebolt asked.

Severus compressed his lips before speaking, "Mainly. I was also hoping that without outside influences that the students could come to an understanding without bloodshed or loss of life."

"Did that work?" This question was addressed to Minerva.

"Yes, but it helped that Professor Babbling and Vector created a runic array that could determine if the truth was being spoken. On the first night of the lockdown, every staff member declared if they were for or against Voldemort while standing in the array. Then most of the students – of their own free will - did the same." Minerva looked over at the audience. "Once the air was cleared and positions were clear, healing and understand took place."

Eliza Gamp studied the way the Minerva and the others were standing. "I take it that Headmaster Snape proved not to be for Voldemort considering the entirety of the staff is protecting him?"

She turned her gaze to Severus, "Then Headmaster, please explain why you killed Albus Dumbledore and why you reported to Voldemort."

Severus looked from her to Shacklebolt. At Kingsley's subtle nod, he answered, "Albus ordered me to kill him so that a student wouldn't be forced to do so. Voldemort was holding the student's family hostage and their lives were at stake if they didn't succeed. I did so, and also succeeded in convincing Voldemort that it was the best solution. The family lived and the student was allowed to return to Hogwarts. This act also allowed me to be in a position to become the Headmaster. Albus had hoped it would work as it would put me – his spy – in a position to keep the students alive at the very least."

Marchbank sighed, "You still claim to be his spy?"

Severus nodded.

"And others believe you?" she looked at the staff, searching for doubt. "I see they do."

"I do too," Harry called from the stands.

As one, the Wizengamot jerked towards where he was standing.

Ronald and Miss Granger stood up next to him, "And we do too."

"And why is that?" Gamp asked.

It was Harry who spoke first, "He helped me throughout this past summer and school year. He kept me safe, told me where to go and not to go. He also killed Voldemort's snake and some artefacts that Voldemort left in the school that helped to hurt him."

"He alerted us to where the Death Eaters were and that Voldemort made his name a taboo," Ronald added.

"And he helped us get into the school before it was locked down, and made sure we were safe and well," Hermione finished.

Shacklebolt and Gamp looked back at Severus. It was Gamp who spoke, "We only have your word that Albus asked you to kill him."

Minerva shook her head, "Albus' portrait says he did too."

Silence reigned through the room for a moment.

"We need to talk about this, so we will adjourn. Wait here." Shacklebolt directed then to a row of chairs as a flood of purple flowed out a back door.

It was a full thirty minutes of silence that no one wanted to break before the door opened and the flood came back in.

It was Gamp that addressed them. "Headmaster Snape, we declare you were acting under orders and did the best you could under the circumstances. This case is dismissed."