A/N: 400 reviews! Thank you so much huhuhu. Thank you to my lovely Beta, lozipozivanillabean. Enjoy!

xxiii.

surely someone will reach out a hand

(A Safe Place to Land by Sara Bareilles)

October 5, 1977

Hermione swallowed down her nervousness as she entered the library. She immediately spied Regulus who was as usual, flanked by Barty Crouch Jr. and Evan Rosier. The Slytherins were busy doing their homework, and it made her disconcerted a bit at the sight. Here were a bunch of Death Eaters, still doing menial, student things like studying. Hermione almost laughed at the odd sight.

Purposively walking towards Regulus, she ignored the other two, even though she saw that Crouch was the first one to notice her. He hit Regulus with the end of his elbow, prompting the Black heir to scowl. But then, Crouch tipped his chin in her direction and Regulus followed his line of vision.

Brief surprise flitted in his silver eyes but it was soon replaced by cold indifference. Hermione fought the urge to shiver at his steely gaze and instead concentrated on the shrinking distance between her and their table.

"Regulus," she stiffly greeted. "I'm here to return a book."

The other Slytherins glanced at Regulus uncertainly, who had now narrowed his eyes in suspicion. "You didn't borrow a book from me," he pointed out.

Hermione tightened her grip on her fifth year Transfiguration textbook. "Yes, I did," she ground out as she slammed the book in front of him.

Regulus knitted his eyebrows in suspicion and glanced at the book. Both Crouch and Rosier looked affronted at her actions and were blessedly distracted when Regulus opened the cover of the book. A small piece of parchment fluttered out. Hermione watched as his eyes scanned the words she had written on it – 'I know you are a Death Eater. I know you are working for Voldemort.' Her heart turned to lead and dropped to her stomach when he furiously snapped the book shut, effectively hiding the parchment from prying eyes.

"What do you want?" he growled ferociously, baring his teeth.

"You haven't returned my Potions textbook either," she hastily lied, surprised she had managed to utter such words when her tongue felt so thick and dry. "I wish to get it back."

Regulus's grip on the book tightened, his knuckles turning white.

"Get out of here, Blood-Traitor," Crouch taunted, his tongue flickering out menacingly. "If you know what's good for you."

"I'm not talking to you," she hotly said. Out of the corner of her eyes, she saw Regulus hastily scribble something on the parchment she'd given him. He then suddenly shot up from his seat and stomped towards Hermione.

He stood at his tallest height and towered over her. His grey eyes were tumultuous, like a raging storm over troubled seas, but Hermione met his gaze, unwilling to back down.

"Keep it," he hissed, slapping the Transfiguration book against her chest. "I don't need your grubby little germs contaminating my things."

Ire flared in her eyes when Regulus turned away and sat back down on his seat, now resolutely keeping his eyes glued on the parchment in front of him. Hermione darkly glared at his snickering friends, before turning on her heel and stiffly walking out of the library.

Once she had emerged out of the wooden doors, her anger and nervousness fizzled, replaced by exhaustion and anticipation. She immediately strode towards an alcove and eyed the book in her hand. She had an inkling that what Regulus had just done was all for show, to appease his Slytherin mates, and Hermione fervently prayed that she was right.

Shakily opening the cover, the piece of parchment she'd tucked inside was still there, only this time, a new note was scribbled on the back.

Hermione picked it up and read the words: 'Astronomy Tower. Midnight.'

A relieved smile bloomed on her face. At least she'd finally caught Regulus's attention.

The Ravenclaw pulled out her wand and Incendio-d the letter before striding out of the alcove, anticipating tonight.

-ooo-

Hermione's eyes widened when Peter slid down on the bench beside her.

"What are you doing here?" she asked, scanning the Great Hall in search of her best friends. She caught Lily's eyes as she was striding inside, her boyfriend trailing not too far behind her. The redhead's eyes narrowed in her direction, before pulling Severus towards the Gryffindor table, ignoring his protests.

"Can't I eat with my sister?" Peter snorted with a flourished eye roll.

Hermione frowned. "You never eat with me when we're at Hogwarts," she pointed out matter-of-factly.

"He and Mary had a row."

The brunette craned her neck and was surprised to see the other Marauders standing casually near the Ravenclaw table. It was Sirius who had spoken, seeing that Peter's glaring eyes were directed at him. The curly-haired Gryffindor ignored him and grinned, taking the seat across from Hermione. "It was fantastic, Whiskers," he said, "you should have seen it."

Remus greeted her with a small smile and clambered on the seat beside Sirius.

"What are you all doing here?" she asked incredulously.

Hermione instantly stiffened when James chose to sit on the vacant seat beside her. "The Gryffindor table is particularly sad without Wormtail," the bespectacled wizard joked, prompting Peter to lean towards him and smack his arm. Hermione, who was sitting between the rowdy boys, found herself leaning towards James, her right arm briefly pressing against him. Her cheeks instantly flushed red and she immediately moved away, managing to topple Peter nearly off his seat.

"Blimey, Hermione," her brother whined, straightening himself on the bench.

The other wizard beside her was silently shaking with laughter, his hazel eyes lit up in amusement.

Hermione noisily cleared her throat and focused all of her attention on Peter. "I didn't know you and Mary were going serious," she claimed.

Peter's cheeks flushed red and he moodily stared at his empty plate. "I'm not sure if we'll ever be going there anyway," he murmured under his breath.

"Nonsense, Petey!" Sirius gasped. "The girl's smitten with you. You should have seen how she was making googly eyes at you during classes. It was honestly sickening, but sweet." Sirius made a face. "But sickening."

"Yeah, yeah, I get it," the sandy-haired boy said with a light glare, his cheeks dusted with pink once more. He slumped despondently on the table and sighed. "Maybe I was a complete buffoon a while ago."

"What did you do this time, Peter?" Hermione asked with narrowed eyes.

Peter merely snorted and started gloomily piling food onto his plate. Hermione glanced at his friends, but James and Sirius merely shrugged their shoulders. Remus, surprisingly, was the one who answered her question.

"Something about meeting the family," Remus casually said, coolly spreading jam over his muffin. "I'm not entirely sure. There were a lot of groans from Peter and shrieks from Mary." The corners of his lips twitched in amusement. "You should have seen it, Hermione. It was bonkers."

"It wasn't bonkers," Peter whined. His cheeks reddened more and he steadfastly avoided Hermione's eyes. "She thought it might be lovely if she could come over next break and meet Mum." Peter shyly glanced at Hermione and grimaced. "And you, apparently. She said she hears a lot of things about you from Lily, and they are quite close. She thought it would be wonderful if you and her got close, too, you know. She had always been intrigued by the smartest Pettigrew."

Hermione looked at him dubiously. "And what the hell is wrong with that?" she exclaimed. "Mum's been pestering us for years about our love lives."

The corner of Peter's lips twitched upward. "Yeah, Mum's been particularly interested with the boys in your life," he said with a weak chuckle.

James choked on his pumpkin juice. Peter gave him a weird glance whilst Remus leant forward and thumped his back. Hermione, on the other hand, could feel a blush creeping up from her chest and resolutely avoided looking at the boy who had apparently liked her for months.

"So, yeah, I don't see any problem - why do you not want to bring Mary over?" Hermione continued. "Mum will be over the moon. I'm sure she'll cook another feast if she discovers you're bringing over a guest at Christmas."

Peter groaned and rubbed his face. "But it means things have gone way serious," he pointed out matter-of-factly.

His sister knitted her eyebrows in confusion. "Correct me if I'm wrong, but based from what I've deduced, I think it's what you wanted," Hermione deliberately said.

The older Pettigrew expelled a soft sigh as a blush dusted his cheeks. "I don't think I deserve her, Hermione," he murmured sadly. "Mary's a… Mary's wonderful and very pretty. I don't know what she sees in me, honestly."

"I wonder about that sometimes, Wormtail," Sirius piped in.

"Shut it, Pads, not helping," James snorted, throwing a small grape towards the annoying Gryffindor. Sirius deftly dodged the fruit, which unfortunately bounced off Remus' cheek. Annoyed, the werewolf grabbed a piece of his muffin and flicked it towards James.

Hermione rolled her eyes as a mini food fight broke out amongst the three. She could see the other Ravenclaws were staring at the Gryffindors, obviously unused to such a ruckus on their table.

"So, the point is," Peter lamented, "I told her that maybe it would be better if she came over after we've graduated." He blushed and absentmindedly scratched his chin. "After I got accepted as an Auror. Maybe then, I'd be something. I think Mary interpreted it differently and it made her angry."

The brunette huffed in frustration and leant over to whack him on the back of his neck. Peter scowled at her, surprised and indignant at the same time, but she ignored it. "Blimey, that's some load of codswallop, Peter Pettigrew," she admonished with a dark glare. "If you don't bring Mary over for Christmas dinner, I'm going to tell Mum and demand her to send you a Howler until you get those ridiculous thoughts out of your head," she threatened.

"I don't know about you, mate," James piped in, his mini food fight with his friends ceasing. "But I think you should listen to your sister."

"She gets terrifying when she gets that look," Remus concurred with a firm nod.

"I think she might send you a Bat-Bogey Hex if you still refuse," Sirius offered with a smile.

Peter slightly paled and warily stared at Hermione. "You won't do that, will you?" he deliberately asked.

"If my brother continues being a berk, then I just might," Hermione said, casually brandishing her wand from her robe pocket. The other boys started snickering under their breaths, prompting Peter to send a scathing glare their way.

"Fine, blimey," Peter exclaimed in exasperation. "I knew it was a bad idea sitting beside you today."

Hermione broke into a grin. "Mum will go ballistic with Christmas dinner," she said with a short laugh. "I'm bloody well sure of it."

"Why don't you ever invite us over to your house, Petey?" Sirius complained. "Your mother's lovely and we've always been curious as to how you and Hermione grew up in a Muggle neighbourhood."

"You grew up in a Muggle neighbourhood," Hermione retorted with a quirked eyebrow.

"Ah, well, my situation is different," Sirius said with a dismissive wave of his hand. "I honestly don't know why my ancestors, Pureblood bigots through and through, wanted to stay in a Muggle townhouse of all places."

"Maybe because your family is barmy?" James helpfully suggested.

Sirius barked a laugh and vigorously nodded his head. "Yes, of course, the infamous Black family curse," he continued.

"I didn't invite you over because I know you'd prank our mother and face her ire first hand," Peter said with a smirk. "If it helps, her temper is worse than Hermione's. Probably a Selwyn trait, I'm not too sure."

Hermione snorted, absolutely agreeing with Peter's claim.

"But maybe sometime in the future," Peter said. "Mum really likes visitors. You should have seen the feast she made when Lily and Snape came over last summer. It was enough to feed the whole Gryffindor House, honestly."

"Speaking of Lily and Snape," James casually piped in, staring pointedly at Hermione. "Is it true they're going out?"

Hermione's heart thudded at being addressed by the wizard beside her. Forcing indifference, she coolly looked at him and said, "And why do you care?"

The brunette internally cringed, berating herself for choosing – of all things – to ask that question instead. She wanted to tell him the truth just to get it over with, but there was this annoying itch in her heart that made her irrationally annoyed at his interest.

James quirked an eyebrow at her question. "Just curious, Whiskers," he plainly said. A small smirk grew on his face as he ducked his head closer, the distance appropriate enough for Peter but mighty dizzying for Hermione. "Lily's old news. You know that."

His hazel eyes held a silent challenge and Hermione didn't want to back down. She knew her cheeks were already blazing red from his close proximity, but that stupid smirk on his face, or that glint in his eyes forced her to stubbornly keep the stare.

"Yes," she breathlessly replied. "I know that."

Lily and Sev didn't bother hiding their relationship now that their other best friend knew. No one really batted an eye when the two came inside the Great Hall, hand-in-hand, without any care in the world. They'd been really close after all. However, they were all waiting for James Potter's reaction, which, to the dismay of the student body, never came. James gave their hand holding a brief stare, before he deftly shrugged and went back to his conversation with his friends. It wasn't hard to conclude that the Head Boy didn't like the Head Girl anymore.

"Don't tell me you're still interested with Evans, mate," Sirius said with a snort. "She's bloody off limits now, even though it's with Snivellus." His nose scrunched up as if he'd eaten something rotten. "Blimey, I didn't think she'd settle with that greasy-haired git."

"Who happens to be my best friend too, Black," Hermione snapped, throwing him a scathing glare. "Watch it."

He raised his hands in defence and sheepishly smiled.

"Lily's old news," James insisted once more. He went back to his plate and secretly smiled. "I like somebody else now."

The chorus of 'whats' shook Hermione, as the brunette paled and stared at James, wondering if he'd confess to his friends what he'd told her back at Hogsmeade.

"Calm down, wankers," James said with a laugh. "I'm still waiting for her reply."

"Waiting?" Sirius gasped with wide eyes. "Since when do you wait for a girl to agree to go out with you?" He threw his hands at the general direction of where Lily and Sev sat. "Exhibit A: Lily Evans."

James coloured in embarrassment. "She told me she doesn't like the grand, obnoxious gestures," he reasoned out.

"Lily didn't like the grand, obnoxious gestures either," Remus quipped, cocking an eyebrow in amusement.

"Yeah, well, this girl isn't the same as Lily."

Hermione could feel her cheeks heating up once more, and refused to look at James.

Peter whistled under his breath. "Whoever this new girl is, you must be absolutely whipped," her brother quipped, oblivious to how Hermione had stiffened beside him. "James Potter never waits for a reply. Bloke's too impatient for things like that." He burst into loud laughter as he looked at his other friends.

"Bloody impatient," Remus agreed with a sigh, the corner of his lips twitching into a small smile. "Do you remember back in third year when he hexed Sirius because he came an hour late to Diagon Alley?"

Sirius snorted. "Bloody git turned my hair pink," he scowled, touching his curls reverently. "Whoever this girl is must protect her hair at all times, honestly."

Hermione unconsciously clutched some of her curls and stared at James with wide eyes. The wizard's cheeks were blazing red with embarrassment, once again attempting to instigate a food fight by throwing grapes in Sirius's direction.

Remus lazily swished his wand and disappeared whatever food James was clutching in his hands. "Sorry to disturb the fun but we have to get going," he declared. "Transfiguration's in a few minutes."

"Shite, I haven't finished the career essay yet!" Peter cried, immediately scrambling from his chair.

Sirius's eyes were wide. "What career essay?" he gasped, paling in panic.

"Berk, of course you forgot about it," Remus said with a laugh, sliding off the bench to sling his bag over his shoulders.

"Moony let me copy yours," the raven-haired boy pleaded.

"We have different career paths, Sirius, blimey." Sirius persistently hounded on Remus as they followed Peter, the latter doing a good job at writing on a parchment whilst walking.

James finally slid off the bench. "Later, Hermione," he said with a small smile, before turning around and following the others.

Hermione stared at their retreating backs, smiling fondly at the small ruckus they were making.

She packed up her things to get ready for her Charms class. Hermione slipped her wand back inside her robe pocket, but then paused with a frown. She rummaged inside her pocket and pulled out a few pieces of toffee. She clearly remembered she didn't have any in her pockets this morning.

Blushing, Hermione glanced at James, as he threw an arm over Sirius' shoulders and pulled him away from an annoyed Remus.

Merlin Almighty, he was really making everything hard for her.

-ooo-

Later that night, after making sure that her roommates were fast asleep, Hermione slid down from her bed and walked towards the door. She peeked out to see if any students were still awake and burning the midnight oil. Predictably, some seventh years were bent over their desks, furiously scribbling notes on their parchment or mouthing out words.

Before striding out, Hermione pulled out her wand and Disillusioned herself. Although the lights were still on, at least she'd blend in with the background. The seventh years might merely get distracted by some distortion in the air and attribute it to their lack of sleep.

Hermione slowly strode out of her room and managed to reach the entrance door without a hitch. She slipped out of the Tower and breathed a sigh of relief. Hermione removed the charm on herself and closed her eyes, concentrating on her Animagus form.

She felt the familiar shifting and melting until it had stopped. When Hermione opened her eyes once more, the world was blurrier and taller. She briefly gazed at her paws and was pleased to note that she could transform herself without using her wand anymore.

Hermione, in cat form, slinked through the corridors, making sure to hide herself by blending in with the shadows. Her vision was distorted, like the world had suddenly became less colourful, which was a downside of becoming a cat. The good thing, however, was that she could see more clearly in the dark. Hermione took advantage of that by slinking into dark corridors until she had reached the Astronomy Tower.

She hovered near the door, uncertain as to whether this was a good idea. She was going to be alone with a Death Eater. Granted, he was a newbie and maybe he hadn't yet committed darker crimes that would put him in Azkaban in a heartbeat. But the fact that he was Branded, meant he was already deeply entangled with Voldemort and his web of evil and deceit.

'No, you were the one who wanted to reach out,' a voice firmly told Hermione. She couldn't back out now. She told herself she wouldn't turn a blind eye anymore. Now that Regulus needed someone to help him get out of this mess alive, Hermione knew it was up to her.

Hermione transformed back into her human form and slowly crept inside the Astronomy Tower. She instantly found Regulus wearing down the stone floor. He wasn't wearing his usual mask either. Raw panic showed on his face as he mercilessly worried his bottom lip. At this distance, Hermione could see that his stark, silver eyes looked dangerously like liquid mercury.

She'd been through war and fought many battles. Hermione instantly knew what that look meant – fear. Danger.

She pulled out her wand and tightly gripped it in her hand, cautiously stepping forward to approach the panicking Slytherin. Hermione accidentally stepped on a creaking floorboard, which alerted Regulus to her presence. He instantly stood still and Hermione watched as he carefully crafted a mask to cover all the tumultuous feelings he was experiencing.

"Regulus," she greeted, slowly approaching him again until she was a few meters away. Her eyes flickered to his hand, noting that he too, was tightly gripping his own wand.

"You cannot prove anything," he spat in return.

Her grip tightened on her wand, resolutely staring at him. "Yes, I can," she coolly replied.

Before Regulus could act, Hermione lifted her wand and boomed a loud "Expelliarmus!" His wand flew into the air and she deftly caught it. Regulus looked murderous, his teeth bared, and tried to stomp towards Hermione, but she was faster. With another wave, she exclaimed "Petrificus Totalus!" and then pointed her wand swiftly at the ground and hissed "Molliare!"

Regulus became as rigid as a board and he toppled forward, his face landing on the cushioned stone floor.

For a moment, everything was still except for Hermione's loud breathing. The Ravenclaw then shakily placed Regulus's wand inside her robe pocket, lest he stole it back and tried to hex her in retaliation.

Hermione closed the remaining distance between her and Regulus. Once she reached him, she turned him over so that she could see his face. His stormy eyes were the only thing that moved, darting to and fro, to relay how furious he was.

"I'm sorry," she whispered, tears already pricking her eyes. "It's the only way I can prove it."

She then grasped onto his left sleeve and pushed it up to his elbow. Hermione's breath hitched at the familiar image of the black tattoo, the snake slithering mockingly, making her remember all the horrible things Hermione Granger had gone through. Bile rose up from her throat as horrified tears slowly trailed down from her eyes.

Hermione tentatively looked back at Regulus's eyes, only to discover they had stopped moving all together. Regulus was staring at her with wide, terrified eyes, knowing that she had finally discovered his well-kept secret.

"Oh, Regulus," she whispered. "What have you done?"

She instantly thought of older Sirius, hate and disgust on his face for his Death Eater brother, unknown to him that he was trying to right his wrongs in the end.

Eyes hardening, Hermione grew resolute. She wouldn't let that happen, wouldn't let Regulus die in vain. She wouldn't even let Regulus die at all! She was going to help him, however she could, and she'd be damned if Regulus refused her help.

The spell soon wore off and Regulus was left to stare at Hermione. His breathing grew shaky and ragged as he slowly sat up and angrily covered the Dark Mark once more.

Before Hermione could move, Regulus's hand was tight around her arm. His initial shock disappeared and was replaced by a murderous glint in his eyes. "You had no right," he angrily spat through gritted teeth. His face twisted, a mixture of fury and panic marring his pale face.

"You wouldn't tell me, even when I was persistent," Hermione murmured through her thick tears. "I had to get proof."

His hold tightened around her arm. "What now, then? Will you tell your precious Dumbledore? Will you tell him that the Black heir is finally Branded by a mark so vile that even you cannot tolerate to look at it?" His words poured out harshly from his pale lips, but his eyes spoke of unadulterated, genuine fear of what Hermione would actually do with her newfound knowledge.

Hermione vigorously shook her head. "No, no, that's not my intention at all," she protested.

Regulus paused and knitted his eyebrows in confusion. "Then what is?" he asked in exasperation. "Isn't that what you wanted? To threaten me with your stupid words?"

Despite her tears, Hermione expelled a soft, hollow laugh. "Is that what you think this is all about?" she asked. "Blackmailing?" His hand loosened as he faltered. Another laugh escaped from her lips. "Why do all Slytherins think all good deeds have ulterior motives?"

"Because they do," he interjected. "They always do."

"No," she grounded out. "No, Regulus, I'm doing this because you are my friend. I'm doing this because I want to help you."

He recoiled at her words, as if he had been slapped. Hermione's heart clenched at his genuine confusion. Perhaps, Regulus had never really understood what friendship truly meant. She always thought he was joking when he said he merely thought of her as an acquaintance, but maybe it was the only thing he knew.

"Let me help you," she whispered, reaching out to hold his hand. "You don't have to go through all of this alone, Regulus."

Conflicting emotions rushed through his face. Hope bloomed in Hermione's heart, wondering if she was actually getting through him.

But then, Regulus hardened his expression once more and roughly snatched his hand away from Hermione's. "You can't help, Pettigrew," he furiously replied. "Nobody can help. The Dark Lord is bloody fucking powerful. We are mere bugs under his sneering, red eyes. He could crush us without blinking an eye. I— you—" He shakily took a deep breath, his anger now replaced by an unending despair. "You are asking for a death sentence if you plan to leave his tyranny. He is invincible."

"Wrong," Hermione exclaimed with unwavering vehemence. "You're wrong. He's not."

Regulus made a face and lightly glared at Hermione. "Did you hear what I just said, Pettigrew? I said—"

"I know what you said and I am telling you, you are wrong," Hermione interjected. "All wrong." She swallowed down her trepidation and pierced him with a pointed glance. "I know what his downfall is."

The Slytherin gaped at her in disbelief. "What?" he managed to crack.

"I know what his weakness is," she continued resolutely. "And if you agree to let me help, then there's a chance you'll get out of it all alive."

Regulus stared at her with wide eyes, before deflating once more, his eyes turning wary. "If you're just pulling my leg, Pettigrew—"

"Damn it, Regulus!" she shrieked, much to his surprise. "Just trust me for now."

He clamped his mouth tightly into a thin line, his silver eyes now curiously scrutinising her face, trying to see any sign that she was lying. "How do I know I can trust you?"

Hermione sighed. "I cannot show any proof yet," she said in apology. "But… please, Regulus. Can't you hold on to my word for now?"

He hesitated for a bit, understandably so, because Hermione knew it was bloody weird how an ordinary Ravenclaw sixth year would suddenly be spouting about weaknesses of a Dark Lord Regulus believed she had never met in her entire life.

"Fine," he sighed. His steely eyes bore into her blue ones and he continued, "Tell me what this weakness is?"

Her heart calmed down in relief as she shook her head. "Not today," she replied. "I— this is bloody dangerous, Regulus. Once you start with this – this task, there is no turning back. If you think this path will be much easier than becoming a Death Eater and blindly following the bastard with his stupid ideologies, then I'm telling you that you would be wrong. You might be forced to give everything you have – your family, your prestige, your… your life. But I promise you, if you let me help, I will do whatever it takes to help you bring Voldemort down and to free you from whatever tight hold he has on you."

Before he could retort something, Hermione pulled out a spare parchment from her pocket and the turkey quill she still hadn't returned to James. She tore a piece and scribbled down words, then shoved it into Regulus's hands. "If you've thought this through, and you still want to do this, search for me and bring that. Think of it as a proverbial olive branch for even thinking you could avoid me, Regulus Black."

Hermione then wordlessly stood up and pulled out Regulus's wand. She slowly placed it on the floor beside him, but Regulus didn't seem to notice it at all. Hermione turned on her heel and started to walked away.

"Why are you doing this?"

She paused in her steps and deliberately turned around. Regulus was still on the floor, the pale moonlight shining on his equally pale face. His silver eyes were the clearest she'd seen in the past few weeks, as if he'd finally found something that could bring him out of this hellhole.

"Because," she started, "you're my friend, Regulus. I just can't…" She lifted her hand to swipe a few tears from her face. "I can't turn a blind eye anymore."

A/N: Thank you for all the kind words. I know you have a lot of questions (I mean, A LOT) but I can't answer them all at once because, you know, spoilers. They'll be answered gradually. I promise.

See you all tomorrow!

With love,
WickedlyAwesomeMe

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