The next chapter is up. Sorry it took me so long. Enjoy! R&R

Thanks for all the reviews!

Reminder: Harry Potter and the other characters are not mine….

Chapter 12: A bad joke

Harry took a cold shower before heading to the breakfast. When he looked at his scars on his back, he noticed that some of them still hadn't healed, although enough time passed. Some of the scars got an ugly red color and were pretty painful when the water touched them. 'Maybe the Glamorous Charm prevents them from healing,' he mused, and decided not to cast the spell on him anymore. When he got dressed, he looked at himself in the mirror. His body looked thinner without the spell and the clothes he was wearing, bigger. 'I guess I hadn't gained much weight, after all,' he thought. To cover it he put another shirt and another pair of trousers beneath his school uniform and decided he would stay in his upper robe, claiming it was cold. (A/N He has school uniform like in the HP movies.) When he left the Common Room he realized that he didn't need to pretend it was cold. He was really freezing due to the cold air in the castle, but he didn't care, at least it was keeping him awake.

He found Malfoy at the Slytherins' table, and when their eyes met, he patted on his schoolbag and nodded as a sign that the mission was complete. Malfoy nodded back.

Harry turned to look at his table. He noticed Ron and Hermione sitting on the other side of him and talking quietly. A wave of guilt washed him. He suddenly wasn't angry at them anymore.

Ginny sat in front of him, "You should apologize, you know," she said to him.

"It was their fault too," mumbled Harry.

"Maybe, but they were really worried about you and you just insulted them, calling someone a traitor was a really awful thing to do" she said.

"I'm sorry about it now," Harry muttered.

"Don't tell me, tell them," Ginny nodded towards Ron and Hermione.

"Do you think they would forgive me?" he asked weakly.

"I'm sure they will," Ginny patted him on his hand.

Harry made his way to where his friends were sitting.

"What do you want, Potter?" Ron addressed at him as he saw him approaching.

"I just wanted to apologize," Harry said quietly.

"Well, I don't want to hear you," snapped Ron, "go and be friends with Malfoy."

"Ron…" nudged him Hermione.

"No, Hermione, we talked about it already," and he got up, pulling Hermione on her feet.

"Have a nice life, Potter," Ron turned to Harry before leaving the Great Hall with Hermione.

Harry just stood there looking at the direction where Ron and Hermione just left.

"I'm sorry, Harry." Ginny stood beside him, putting her hand on his shoulder.

He shook her hand away. "Well, I'm not!" he snapped. And of course he was lying.

-aaaaa-

Harry arrived to the Potions class two minutes before it was late and sat on his new place, beside Draco. It became his place two weeks ago, when Ron refused to sit with him after the incidence in the Great Hall. Ron expressed it pretty loudly for everyone present to hear him including Snape.

Harry was about to go sit on the back of the class, where an unoccupied place was when Snape called him.

"Mr. Potter, I hope your highness wouldn't be offended if I ask you to grace us with your presence in front of the class," he said with a smirk.

"NOW POTTER!" Snape said in a loud voice when Harry wavered a little. Harry made his way to the front of the class and sat where Snape was pointing at, beside Draco Malfoy. Harry found out that it wasn't bad after all. Surprisingly Malfoy wasn't bothering him at all. For now they hadn't had to work in pairs, so Harry didn't have to work with Malfoy.

Today, as Harry sat down, Malfoy leaned towards him and whispered: "Today, midnight, Astronomy tower, use the spell!" Harry nodded in agreement.

-aaaaa-

Harry made his way to the bedroom as soon as he got from his tutoring with Remus and climbed to bed, pretending to fall asleep.

He intended to cast the spell on Neville again, so he waited for him to show up.

Soon Dean, Seamus and Neville came up and retired to bed. Harry previously noticed that Ron had been busy snogging with Hermione, so he had enough time to cast the spell and be on time at the Astronomy tower.

Harry crawled out of his bed and stoop near Neville's pointing his wand at the sleeping boy. He was about to finish the spell casting when he heard footsteps that were nearer and nearer and the doorknob began to turn. Startled, Harry cursed and lowered his wand.

"What are you doing, Potter?" Ron eyed him suspiciously as Harry retreated from Neville's bed.

"None of your business, Weasley," Harry mimicked Ron's tone.

"You were trying to curse Neville, aren't you?" Ron shouted it loud enough to wake the three other boys.

"He was trying to do what?!" cried Neville.

"I wasn't doing anything!" shouted Harry back at Ron.

"Then why are you holding your wand?" pointed Seamus.

"I was going to wake Neville up and ask him something!" Harry found an excuse that wasn't totally a lie.

"So, what was it?" inquired Ron.

"It's none of your business. It's between me and Neville," snapped Harry.

"Well, I think you are lying, Potter!" stated Ron, "I saw you hiding the wand as I entered!"

"Is it true?" asked Neville.

"Of course not," Harry made an offended voice, "Weasley is being a prat as usual!"

"Take it back, Potter!" shouted Ron.

"I won't think about it!" was Harry's reply.

"WOULD YOU BOTH SHUT UP!" suddenly roared Dean, "It's bloody midnight! People want to sleep here!"

"Fine!" Ron and Harry shouted at Dean simultaneously.

"So, Harry, what had you wanted to ask me before?" Neville turned to Harry.

"I… er…Let's talk outside," Harry decided to ask Neville's permission to cast the spell.

"As long as you know what you are doing," said Neville after Harry explained him about the spell.

Harry cast the spell and Neville felt dizzy for a moment.

"I felt the same in the morning," said Neville thoughtfully.

"I should go," Harry changed the subject, "Thanks Neville, I'll take the spell of off you as soon as I'm back, you wouldn't feel anything." With that Harry left the Gryffindor Tower to meet Malfoy.

-aaaaa-

"You are late, Potter!" announced Draco Malfoy as soon as Harry showed up in the Astronomy Tower.

"Had some problems with Weasley," explained Harry.

"Never mind, do you have the stuff?"

Harry pulled from his schoolbag the block of cigarettes, "Give me the photos!" he outstretched his hand toward Draco.

Draco pulled from his robes the photo he showed Harry two weeks ago.

"What about the rest?" Harry inquired.

"There is no rest," said the blond simple, "I give you the wizard's oath."

"But you said…" Harry began to say.

"I lied! I needed this stuff and I made you bring it to me. End of story," Malfoy shrugged.

Harry took the photo and handed Draco the cigarettes.

"So, who was it, Potter?" suddenly Malfoy asked as Harry was about to leave.

"What are you talking about?" Harry turned around and looked at Malfoy who lit a cigarette.

"I bet it was your uncle, you live with him during the summer, don't you?" Malfoy continued not paying attention to Harry's question.

"What are you talking about?" Harry asked again.

"Your uncle hit you this summer, doesn't he?" Malfoy looked straight into Harry's eyes.

Harry took a step back, "W…What a…re you ta…talking ab…bout?" he stammered.

"Stop repeating yourself, Potter, and don't play damp, I saw you this term," sneered Malfoy, "So, who is his hostage?"

"Ha?" Harry still was shocked from the turn the conversation took.

"My father uses my mother, who is your uncle uses to insure your silence?" continued Malfoy.

"Hedwig," said Harry still shocked.

"Your owl?" confirmed Draco. Harry dumbly nodded.

"Here, you'll need it," and Malfoy threw him one pack.

Harry turned the pack in his hands, then shook his head and lit himself one cigarette. He inhaled the smoke and began coughing.

"Don't inhale to your lungs," informed him Malfoy. Harry nodded. They lowered themselves to the floor of the tower and sat there in silence. After a while Harry felt good and a little lightheaded. For a time being he forgot that he was sitting with his school rival, Draco Malfoy and broking a lot of school rules.

"So, how long was it going on?" Malfoy suddenly broke the silence.

"Since the beginning of the summer," Harry replied without a protest, "You?"

"Since the end of the first year, when Granger, the mudblood, got higher marks than me," Draco shrugged.

"O…" replied Harry. He even hadn't noticed that Malfoy once again called Hermione 'mudblood'.

"Yea, so, why didn't you run to tell Dumbledore or Lupin or whoever baby-sit you? I bet they could rescue your owl and hex your muggle relatives" asked Malfoy.

Harry shrugged, "I can deal with it." 'Besides, it was a punishment for killing Cedric' he thought to himself, 'and I deserved everything I got'.

"Playing the hero, Potter?"

"Why didn't you complain to anyone?"

"Ego, maybe…" replied Malfoy, "and besides, it's better me than mother."

"But nonetheless you are following your father steps," said Harry, lighting another cigarette.

"It has nothing to do with father," said Draco, "and when I'm trained enough I'll deal with him."

"I think you are making a huge mistake," said Harry, "You read about his methods…"

"They were just filthy muggles," spat Draco, "think about it, he could help you deal with your relatives."

"After he murdered my parents!? No, thank you" Harry frowned, "he is nothing but a murderer." Harry got up on his feet, "It's getting late, I should go," he took two last inhales and banished the remaining of the cigarette.

"Already? Why don't you join me for a drink?" Harry saw Malfoy pulling a bottle of Fire Whisky from his bag, which Harry just noticed lying on the floor, "I promise we won't talk politics…"

"Why do you suddenly so civilized with me?" asked Harry suspiciously.

Draco shrugged, "Don't know myself. I bet I won't be in the morning," and he took a sip of the liquid, then passed it to Harry.

"So, did he actually beat your mother?" Harry asked after a long pause, where they took turns drinking from the bottle and lighting another cigarette.

"Once, I threatened him to call the Aurors after the first beating and he showed me what would happen if I do." Draco said quietly.

"At least you know she is alive…" said Harry.

"Who?" Draco asked.

"Your mother," answered Harry, "I don't know if Hedwig still alive, he locked her away at the beginning of the summer, it was almost five months ago…"

"I bet she is alive. He'll show her to you next summer so he could still threaten you. Trust me," assured him Malfoy, "by the way, what happened that he started with the abuse?"

"As funny as it sounds, he was told by Moody to treat me good over the summer," chuckled Harry

"Big mistake!" laughed Malfoy. "Huge!" Harry joined him. They were both pretty drunk by now, so they laughed hysterically about the situation that wasn't funny at all.

"I think we should go back," said Harry after a while, "McGonagall will kill me if I wouldn't lift the spell from Neville."

"Yea, good idea, let's go," Malfoy tried to stand up but realized that it's harder than he thought. "I think I'm stuck!" he giggled.

"No you are not," giggled Harry and helped Draco to his feet although he, himself was barely standing.

Swaying, they made their way down, from the tower, helping each other.

On their way back they suddenly ran into Mrs. Norris, Hogwarts' caretaker's cat. The cat eyed them for a moment and then gave a loud mew. Soon a footsteps where heard.

"What do you have, here, my sweet?' the voice of the caretaker, Argus Filch sounded.

The boys exchanged looks. "RUN!" they shouted in unison and sprinted down the corridor to their dormitories, Mrs. Norris on their trails.

Harry stumbled to the Common Room, and climbed the stairs to the boys' dormitories.

His hands were shaking when he pulled his wand and managed to take the tracking spell of Neville. Then he ran to the bathroom since his stomach didn't agree with the amount of the Whisky he drank. When he finished, he washed his face, cast the cleaning spell and the air-refreshing one, and then miraculously managed to climb to his bed, falling asleep.

-aaaaa-

The end of November was coming fast. Since their meeting at the Astronomy tower, Harry and Draco met two more times, and actually had a civilized talk. They weren't friends; they just set there, smoked and talked about their home life. Harry was surprised that Draco never tried to use their talks to mock Harry about.

"I'm leaving tomorrow," said Draco when they met once again.

"I know," answered Harry, "to the Death Eaters meeting."

"You know about it?" Malfoy was surprised, "and you aren't going to do a thing about it?"

"Nobody will believe me anyway," Harry lit a cigarette, "I tried to tell to McGonagall, she just gave me a detention."

"Doesn't it bother you to talk to me when you know my intensions?" inquired Draco,

Harry shrugged, "You hadn't killed anybody yet… you just were acting like a spoiled brat… and besides, it's not as we are friends… we just meet here, smoke and drink and talk about our miserable life."

"What about when I will join?" Draco took a sip of a whisky.

"Then I won't hesitate to curse you to oblivion if we ever meet in the battle." Harry snatched the bottle from the blond's hand.

Harry realized that he pretty enjoyed those meetings with Draco. First of all, he wasn't sleeping and that meant no nightmares. Second, he was able to share his 'summer experience' with somebody who didn't pity him or could endanger Hedwig by confronting his relatives. Third, he felt like he was taking control over his life again, without adults who tried to rule his life. He was sick of being the Good Gryffindor Boy and those meetings with the Slytherin were like a rebellion for him against Dumbledore and everyone who messed with his life.

-aaaaa-

The next day Harry made his way to the Great Hall for breakfast. Everybody were exited about the Hogsmead visit. Harry was the only one, besides the first and second years, who wasn't allowed to go. He was sitting alone at the Gryffindor table, while his friends or 'ex-friends', as Harry thought were enjoying themselves and discussing their plans in Hogsmead.

"Hey, Potter, come and sit with us," suddenly called Draco Malfoy from the Slytherin table. Everybody looked at him. It wasn't strange that during the breakfast and lunch students were eating with their friends from other houses at the different tables, what was strange is that a student from Slytherin invited anybody to sit with him, especially from Gryffindor and especially Draco Malfoy inviting his rival, almost sworn enemy, Harry Potter.

Harry surveyed the Great Hall, everybody were looking at him, expecting to see his reaction. Harry noticed that Ron was frowning and saying something to Hermione, and both of them were looking at him. At the Head Table most of the teachers looked at him with curiosity, Lupin with worry, Snape with his usual sneer and Dumbledore was just amused.

Slowly Harry got up, he sent a glare at the student and teachers as if daring them to say something to him, and crossed the Hall to the Slytherin table. He took the seat in front of Draco, beside Blaze Zabini.

When the breakfast was over Harry made his way to the DADA class, where Remus was waiting to tutor him. However, when he got there he was met by the Grim look black dog.

"Padfoot, what are you doing here?" Harry whispered to the dog, ruffling its fur. Padfoot sniffed Harry and then growled at him as if showing displeasure then turned to the godfather of the Boy-Who-Lived.

"You were smoking!" was the first thing Sirius told his godson as he transformed back and that wasn't a question.

"What? No hello? Glad to see you?" teased Harry.

"Harry, it's not funny. Where did you get the cigarettes?" asked Sirius, not amused at all.

"A friend," answered Harry.

"Draco Malfoy?" Remus joined the conversation.

"It was just once," lied Harry, "I tried it, didn't like it, end of story!"

Remus and Sirius exchanged looks and then burst in laughter.

"What's so funny?" demanded Harry.

"It was exactly what James said to his father when we were caught smoking in his backyard," said Sirius through laughter.

Remus ruffled Harry's hair, "Just don't do it again, cub, it's not good for your health."

"I won't," promised Harry, suddenly feeling guilty for lying to his godfather and Remus.

"The reason I'm here is because The Order has a meeting with Fudge today," said Sirius, "I'm coming as Snuffles, of course."

Harry was glad that he could spend the day with Sirius. Remus excused himself and grabbed a stack of parchments to grade and left the godfather and the godson to theirs own.

"Harry, I heard some disturbing news," said Sirius when Remus left, "the Professors worried that you might fail your O.W.L. exams."

"It's hard to concentrate on studying when you are locked inside for almost a month," snapped Harry, "My brain lacks of oxygen and I have a bloody tracking spell on me!"

"I will be over soon," assured him Sirius, "Dumbledore promised me that your grounding will be over on Monday, but you have to try harder and improve your behavior and grades."

"I'll try," promised Harry, "would you help?"

"Sure, pup," Sirius gave him one handed hug. Harry winced. Sirius was about to ask what's wrong but Harry changed the subject.

They spend the day doing Harry's homework and talking about various things. Harry, for once, concentrated on his work, and actually understood what he was reading and doing.

They made brakes for lunch and another snack, although they eat in the Remus' office, since Sirius couldn't go to the Great Hall as himself. At seven o'clock Remus interrupted their lessons and reminded that their meeting is about to start.

Before they were about to leave, Prof. McGonagall entered.

"Mr. Potter, I had a talk with your godfather and Prof. Lupin and we decided to lift the trucking spell of you to the remainder of the week, since you proved yourself trustworthy and didn't break your grounding rules."

"Thank you, Professor," Harry mumbled, not daring to look into his Head of the House eyes, his cheeks reddened with shame for lying to her and breaking her trust.

"You may go to the dinner," said Remus, "then straight to the dormitory, your punishment isn't over till Monday morning." Harry hugged Sirius one last time before he left.

-aaaaa-

Harry made his way to the dinner table. Most of the students that were there had been first and second years, since most of the elder students still didn't come back from Hogsmead. Harry filled his plate; he was in a good mood from meeting Sirius, from the trucking spell being lifted and the fact that his grounding was about to end and actually felt pretty hungry.

When he finished eating he left the Great Hall to go to the Gryffindor Tower. He saw that the older students were coming back from Hogsmead and wondered if Ron and Hermione came back too or they are snogging somewhere in the village. He mused about Draco Malfoy and his Death Eater meeting. He didn't notice where he was going till he ran into someone.

"Bloody hell, Potter!" exclaimed the person which appeared to be Ron Weasley, "Watch where you are going!"

"Sorry, Weasley, didn't see you there," replied Harry, not sorry at all. He was about to pass Ron when the redhead grabbed him by his robes.

"Tell me, Potter, where is your new Slytherin friend?" asked Ron.

"None of your business, Weasley!" retorted Harry.

"Ron, lets go, don't start a fight with him," Hermione tried to drag her boyfriend away.

"No, Hermione, I want to know why he called as traitors while hanging out with Slytherins, especially Malfoy," Ron pulled his sleeve out of Hermione's grasp.

"You know pretty well why I called you traitors!" shouted Harry, "You had no right to go and tell them about Hedwig!"

"We were worry about you, you were our friend!" Hermione said quietly.

"Well, I don't need friends who would babble your secrets that you are trusted them with!" snapped Harry.

"No, you better be friends with a future Death Eaters!" said Ron.

"It's my business who I'm friends with!" answered Harry, his hand reached for his wand.

"So, you admit that Malfoy is a Death Eater?" demanded Ron.

"I didn't say it, Ron!" retorted Harry.

"Maybe you are one yourself!" accused Ron, he tried to grab Harry's left arm to expose his forearm.

"Don't dare to touch me!" Harry yanked his arm from Ron's grasp and pulled his wand.

Ron's eyes grew wide and he backed away, misinterpreting Harry's reaction "You… You…Death… Eater," he stammered.

Harry suddenly felt an urge to shock Ron and to scare him more, without thinking of the consequences he crossed his arms on his chest and smirked at Ron.

"And what if I am?" he asked, "What are going to do about it?"

Ron and Hermione paled at his statement.

"You are lying, Harry," Hermione whispered, "You are lying…"

"And what if I don't?" he asked, an evil smile on his face.

"But you are!" protested Hermione, still in shock.

"Well, then you are wrong, Granger, I am a Death Eater, I'll show you!" he was about to pull his sleeve up, just to see their reaction and just to show them his unmarked forearm when a loud "Incarcerous" was heard and Harry found himself bound with ropes.

"What the hell?!" he shouted.

"Mr. Potter, you are under arrest for admitting being a Death Eater!" a wizard with an Auror uniform approached him, wand pointed. Behind the Auror was Cornelius Fudge, the Minister of Magic.

"I was joking!" Harry shouted, "Let me go!"

Ron and Hermione backed against the wall and looked pale.

"Mr. Potter, you see, you just admitted with whole seriousness in being a Death Eater, and now you claim that you were joking, do you think we can release you without checking the truth?" asked Fudge.

"But I was joking. I really am," Harry began to panic, "You can check my arm…"

One of the Aurors approached him and lifted the sleeve of his robes. As Harry claimed there wasn't any sign of the Dark Mark. The Auror looked questioningly at the Minister.

"The lack of the Mark doesn't prove anything, we'll take him for the questioning!" stated Fudge.

"But he is Harry Potter, he sure can't be…" one of the Aurors started to protest.

"He tried to tell me in his third year that Black was innocent and last year he claimed that Cedric was killed by You-Know-Who, although we know for sure that no such thing could happen, so famous or not the kid has some problems and I won't be surprised if he joined the Death Eaters as an act of rebellion," said Fudge, "Take him to the Ministry, if he is not a Death Eater it will be sorted there!"

One of the Aurors grabbed Harry and began to pull him towards the exit of the castle. Harry was straggling against and shouting to let him go. Ron and Hermione looked at everything that happened with shocked expressions.

They almost made their way to the stairs when: "WHAT'S GOING ON?!" a loud voice of Albus Dumbledore sounded. Behind him were Minerva McGonagall, Remus Lupin, Severus Snape, Arthur, Molly and Bill Weasley and a few more people whom Harry didn't know and Sirius in his dog form.

Everybody turned around.

"Release the boy that instant!" demanded Dumbledore.

"You see here, Albus, the boy just admitted in being a Death Eater," said Fudge.

"Is it true, Harry?" asked Dumbledore, the twinkle gone from his eyes.

"I was just joking," said Harry, almost pleadingly, "It was a stupid thing to do. I just wanted to scare Ron and Hermione. I didn't mean to do it."

"For once you are right, Potter, it was very stupid thing to do!" stated Snape.

Not even Lupin reacted to this statement.

"Minister, I can assure you that Mr. Potter is no a Death Eater, please release the boy," said Dumbledore.

"No, Dumbledore, he is coming with me!" said Fudge stubbornly, "we can't take a risk, you said so yourself just a moment ago at the meeting! I'll owl you for his hearing!" and with that Fudge turned to leave.

The Aurors began to drag Harry with them, but the boy decided that he wouldn't go without a fight. After that everything went really fast. Harry managed to kick one of the Aurors on the shin, which caused him to let go of the boy, then the other one backhanded Harry hard on the face. Harry fell. Meanwhile, the other grownups were arguing with Dumbledore and shouting at him to do something. When the Auror hit Harry, he was suddenly attacked by someone that was supposed to be on the run. Sirius, as he saw his godson being attacked, forgot about being careful not to be found out, transformed and launched at the offender.

A few moments later, a screams from Remus "Sirius, no!" and "It's Black! Get him!" from Fudge and Sirius found himself stunned and bound.

"This is getting more interesting with every moment," said Fudge scanning the crowd in the hallway, "Take Black to the ministry and make sure he receives the kiss as soon as possible," he ordered to the Aurors. They got a tight grip of Sirius and of the gold chains that were on their necks and disappeared.

"Sirius!!!!!" yelled Harry as he saw his godfather disappear with the Aurors.

"The boy may go, for now," announced Fudge, "I have more serious matter to deal with right now. But, let it be clear, anything suspicious from the boy, like last year and I won't hesitate to send him to share a cell with his godfather!" with that Fudge pulled out his emergency portkey and disappeared.

Dumbledore released Harry from the bounds and helped him to his feet.

"I'll deal with you later, Mr. Potter," he said in a quit voice, "right now I must go to the Ministry!"

"It's my fault…" said Harry with tears in his eyes.

"No, it's my fault…" mumbled Ron; looking at Harry, "I was stupid, accusing you… I'm sorry…" he was white as a sheet of paper. Hermione buried her face in Ron's shoulder and was sobbing.

"Dumbledore will solve it, everything will be fine," Remus tried to comfort them but wasn't very convinced himself.

"Come," ordered McGonagall, she led the way to the Hospital Wing. "By the way, thirty points from Gryffindor."

In the hospital wing Madam Pomfrey administered them with a calming potion. As soon as she turned her back, Harry spilled the potion into a near plant.

An hour later Dumbledore entered the Hospital Wing, Remus right behind him.

"Where is Sirius?" Harry jumped from the bed he was sitting on.

"I'm sorry, Harry," said Dumbledore, "Sirius was transported back to Azkaban…"

"NO! He is innocent!!!" Harry yelled. Hermione gasped.

"I'm sorry, Harry, I'll try to do my best to release him. We have a week to convince them that he is innocent and Pettigrew is alive before they would give him The Kiss," signed Dumbledore.

"What's about a Veritaserum?" asked Hermione.

"Unfortunately, Ms. Granger, Minister Fudge insists that Sirius immune to that potion," said Dumbledore.

"No… No… No…" Harry mumbled, "I must to get out of here… May I go, Professor?" he began to hyperventilate.

"Yes, Harry, you may go," Dumbledore sent him a painful look, "but if you need to talk, you know where to find me."

Harry stormed out of the Hospital Wing. His main goal was to run as far as possible from the suffocating castle. He needed to get out. To breath a fresh air and… a drink!

aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

I know I promised that in a three chapters the abuse is to be found out, but I guess it will take some another two chapters. Meanwhile, enjoy!!!