A/N: Chapter fifteen is here! Enjoy!
review responses:
Fairywolf: I'm glad it was worth the wait :D I'm trying to space everything out realistically, but it does get hard when I find a particular plot line I want to write really badly! Thank you! It really brightens my day to hear that, but there are some real gems on here, you should have a read, I promise you'll enjoy! Don't worry, like I said, I've tried to space everything out, though I have to admit I had forgotten Sirius had said that, so thanks for reminding me! Please enjoy the next chapter, and thank you for reading :)
VampireWithTheGoldenEyes: Well, he had to be in the Marauders for something, right :D Ahhh GCSE's, I remember mine, I swear I almost had a breakdown, but really, they're not as hard as the teachers make them out to be. If I'm honest, I thought the mocks were harder than the actual tests, so no worries. Revise!!!!! (and finished coursework, if you have any!!!) my story can wait :D Thank you very much for reading, please enjoy this chapter, and good luck with your GCSE's!
Geniia: Your welcome! Oh I can't wait for the map...and when they finally become animagi...and Snape's Worst Memory...and just...everything! Don't worry, Remus' time of romance will come, (I already know who he's going to end up with, but I'm not telling just yet :P) Thank you :D Yes, Crabbe is Vincent's father, and hopefully there'll be a few more names you'll recognise, so keep an eye out :D Thank you for reading, and I hope you like this chapter too.
BloodMoonRising: Thank you! I'm really glad you enjoyed it! Please enjoy this chapter just as much, and thank you for reading!
quirky-as-alice: Haha, he does, but then again, he is a Black! Thank you very much for reading, I hope you like this chapter too!
splatteredpaint: I'm not too fond of rats either, lol. Oh, I'd definitely be a penguin. I love them, especially the way they walk :D Yes! The Marauders have begun! And things will only get worse (or better, whichever way you look at it) from now on! I love writing the blossoming relationships, I just wish they'd hurry up and get older so they can do something about it! Thank you for reading, as always, and please enjoy this chapter!
Bookworm315: Thank you! I'm sorry I didn't put much on Sirius staying at the Potter's, but he still has to spend summers and christmas's there, so there'll be plenty of time for it, I promise :) There'll be plenty more from the Marauders and their animagi quest, and of course from You-Know-Who, I hope you'll like it! Thank you for reading and I hope you enjoy the next chapter.
evershort: Thank you! :O a snow day? You're so lucky! It hasn't snowed at all where I live (and they say Britain is cold...pfft!) Oh I couldn't kill Jonny, I love him too! He's one of my favourites! Thank you for reading, as always, and enjoy the next chapter!
Disclaimer: I'm making no money from this...so don't sue me! J.K owns everything, including all of my time spent reading her books (which, I must say, is a lot!)
The Marauders Tale: The Hogwarts Years
Chapter Fifteen
The Woes of Miss Evans
"....and it's Brown to Potter, Potter streaking up the pitch and straight towards the goal. A good find this year of Captain Jonathan Knight, Potter has more than proved himself in only two games he is one of the best chasers we Gryffindors have seen in years..."
James glanced around as he sped towards the goal. Two Ravenclaw chasers were closing in. He turned sharply and tossed the Quaffle to Holly. The pair mirrored each other's moves and headed for the goals. Holly pulled up and dropped the Quaffle back down to James...
"POTTER SCORES! 70-50 TO GRYFFINDOR!"
James high fived Sirius as he passed him, and took off after the Quaffle. Chants of 'Go Go Gryffindor' and 'Potter, Potter' rang out through the pitch. James felt on top of the world.
"...and Brown intercepts the Quaffle once again, it seems boy Knight has put together too strong of a team to be beaten this year, Brown passes to Potter, who spectacularly dodges a bludger by Tim Stebbins, Ravenclaws newest member, passes to girl Knight, she shoots...TEN POINTS TO GRYFFINDOR!"
James pulled his cousin into a quick hug before tearing back after the Ravenclaw chasers. The game was going better than they'd thought, it was in the bag.
"...nice pass by Knight to Brown...wait...Fredrics is into a dive...the snitch has been spotted..."
James stopped and whipped his head around. Kelly was racing towards the ground, her arm outstretched.
"Come on Kelly.....come on..." he urged.
"JAMES! WATCH OUT!"
~**~
Something blurry was leaning over him; he assumed this was because he wasn't wearing his glasses, though it could have had something to do with the dull ache in his head. James tried to turn to find them when a sharp pain ripped through his skull, causing him to groan. He saw someone turn away, then place his glasses onto his face.
"James...mate are you alright?"
James squinted; adjusting his eyes to the light, and saw the identically worried faces of his friends.
"What...what happened," his throat was a little scratchy, he must need a drink.
"You got hit by a bludger just as the game ended...bloody hell you gave us a scare," chuckled Sirius. James laughed, then winced, "Pass me a drink will you?"
Remus, who was standing next to Sirius, looking as pale as if it was near a full moon (the full moon wasn't for another three weeks, so that couldn't be it), passed him a small glass of water. James gratefully gulped the cool liquid, and gingerly pushed himself up into a sitting position. It was then that he noticed Lily, Holly, Bridget and Chris, all equally pale and red eyed.
"Hi girls, couldn't stay away huh?" he joked croakily. For once, Lily merely rolled her eyes, though she was smiling.
"At least we know the bludger didn't affect his ego," she smiled.
James shrugged, secretly elated that she at least wasn't shouting at him. But then again, as much as Lily had a go at him, he knew she was a nice girl at heart.
"So...did we win?"
"230-50, Kelly caught the snitch just as you were hit," said Holly proudly, though her eyes were swimming with tears.
James grinned, and noticed the pain in his head was lessening.
"Only James could get hit with a bludger after a game had finished," snorted Sirius. The eight friends laughed, happy that James was alright.
"Alright, visiting time is over, Mr Potter needs his rest!"
Madam Pomfrey bustled over with a cup of steaming liquid, and thrust it into James' hand.
"Drink up; we don't want you getting a concussion."
James rolled his eyes and downed the goblet of bitter liquid. He gagged a little, and pushed the glass away.
"Well, we'll see ya tomorrow mate," Sirius clapped him on the shoulder, and after the others had bade goodbye, left them room. Lily however, hung back a little.
"Yes Evans?" asked James, settling back into his pillows.
Lily watched him for a moment, then gave him a small smile.
"I'm glad you're alright." She turned quickly and hurried out of the room, leaving a stunned, yet grinning James Potter in her wake.
~**~
It had been many years since the Gryffindor team had even won a game, never mind two in a row. James returned from the hospital wing halfway through their last lesson that day (potions) to a hearty round of applause from the Gryffindors and just as many boos and hisses from the Slytherins. Professor Slughorn seemed not to notice, and was far more interested in the Wiggenweld potion Lily was currently brewing.
"How're you feeling mate?" asked Sirius as James took his seat next to his potions partner (Slughorn had told them that he would allow them to pick their own partners for the first two years, but once they reached third year he would be choosing their partners).
"Okay, my head isn't hurting anymore," said James.
"Ahhh, Mr Potter, good to see you up and about my lad," Professor Slughorn clapped James on the back, his gooseberry coloured eyes shining.
"Thanks Professor," grinned James.
"And Mr Black, brilliant potion you seem to have brewed here my boy, I can see you have a fine talent for potions."
"I'm just that brilliant sir," chuckled Sirius, causing Holly to snort in disgust.
"Oh come on Knight, you know I'm amazing in all aspects of life," Sirius winked at her. James closed his eyes; waiting for the shouting to begin...it never came.
"Yet who was it to end your reign as wizards chess champion?" teased Holly. Sirius rolled his eyes.
"That was a fluke and you know it."
Holly shrugged, "Re match then?"
"You're on," Sirius winked again to a grinning Holly. He turned back to his potion.
"What?"
James was looking at Sirius with an indescribable look on his face, "Since when did you two become best friends?"
Sirius shrugged, "I dunno, after your accident we all stayed up in the common room, and, I dunno, we ended up playing wizards chess and getting on really well...it was kinda nice actually."
"Don't even think about it," hissed James, adding some moly petals to the potion.
Sirius held his hands up, "I wasn't thinking anything!"
James chuckled, "Actually, I know what you mean...Lily actually smiled at me before she left the hospital wing last night."
Sirius nodded, "She was pretty cut up about you falling, crying and everything. But then again, Holly, Bridget, Chris and the rest of your fan club were like that."
James rolled his eyes, "Thanks Black, ruin my dreams why don't you."
"It's what I'm here for," grinned Sirius.
There was a sudden bang, and the entire room turned to the bench behind Sirius and James. A cloud of thick green smoke was engulfing Peter's cauldron.
"Pete? Remus? You guys alright?"
James and Sirius wafted the smoke away to find an ashen faced Remus, and a boil covered Peter.
"What happened!" cried Professor Slughorn, hurrying over to the table. Remus pointed to something in the cauldron that looked suspiciously like snake fangs. Professor Slughorn shook his head, "Dear boys, I told you at the beginning of the lesson to follow the ingredients list exactly. Why did you add snake fangs?"
"We didn't," said Remus, coughing slightly through the smoke as Lily and Chris hurried over to Peter, "Somebody threw them in."
Professor Slughorn tutted, "Well, Mr Lupin would you please take Mr Pettigrew up to the hospital wing and get his face cleared up."
Remus nodded and took Peter away from the girls. Chris watched him go, then turned to James and Sirius.
"It was Rosier and Wilkes," she hissed, before hurrying back to her bench. James and Sirius turned to each other, and grinned.
"I always knew I liked Coddlesworth, care for a little payback?" asked Sirius.
"Oh, I would love to Mr Black," he scanned the room, and began to grin evilly.
"You see the jars of pickled toad's right above their table?"
"Already on it," muttered Sirius, pulling out his wand. He waved it several times, and the shelf exploded, sending pickled toads raining down upon Rosier and Wilkes.
"WHAT IS GOING ON HERE!" roared Slughorn, rushing around from behind his desk. The toads fell into a stunned Wilkes' cauldron, turning the potion they were making sickly yellow. The potion exploded, the two Slytherins and several surrounding tables receiving a face full.
"Look at their faces!" cried Sirius.
All those who had been hit with the smelly potion, their skin seemed to have taken the look and texture of cornflakes. James and Sirius began roaring with laughter as Rosier and Wilkes started flailing their arms and running about the classroom, pickled toads still hanging to their heads and shoulders.
"QUIET!" shouted Slughorn. The laughter died down as Slughorn rounded up those affected and ushered them out of the classroom. As soon as he had left, James and Sirius again fell into bouts of laughter, joined by the rest of the Gryffindors, even Lily. Snape, however, glanced at his friends Kyle Avery, and nodded. Avery raised his wand and pointed it at James.
"IMPEDIMENTA!"
James felt himself leave the floor and was flung across the classroom. Sirius roared in anger, and turned his wand against Avery, blasting him against the wall.
"STOP!" cried Lily.
James pulled himself up, and saw Snape smirking from behind Lily. He raised his wand and sent a jet of blue light towards him. Snape deflected it, and slashed his wand through the air. James felt a sharp pain in his arm, and saw a trickle of blood creep from beneath his sleeve.
"JAMES, NO!" cried Lily. She jumped forward and with the help of Bridget, pulled James away from the chaos, whilst Holly and Chris ran forward to pull Sirius away from Avery.
"Get off me, I'll kill him!" roared Sirius.
Chris and Holly managed to subdue Sirius as Lily rounded on James.
"WHY DID YOU ATTACK SEVERUS!? HE DIDNT DO ANYTHING WRONG!"
James pulled his sleeve up and thrust his arm in Lily's face.
"DIDNT DO ANYTHING WRONG! HE STARTED THIS WHOLE THING!" roared James. Lily's eyes widened at the gash on James' arm, and turned to face Snape.
"Sev?" she breathed, "Did you do that?"
Snape looked at James in disgust, and turned to help Avery up. Lily shook her head and turned back to James, who was having his arm bandaged by Chris. Professor Slughorn re-entered the classroom, but stopped abruptly at the sight of his students looking like they'd been dragged through a bush backwards.
"That's it, detention for all of you, and I'll be speaking to Professor McGonagall about this," he seethed. The bell rang and he waved his hand, "Get out of my sight!"
James felt himself being pushed along by Chris as far away from the Slytherins as possible. Behind him, Sirius was protesting about being dragged away.
"Why didn't you just let me finish him off!?"
"Will you shut up Sirius, we're already in enough trouble," hissed Holly, dragging him along by the front of his robes, "Just calm yourself down."
~**~
The six friends headed towards the hospital wing to get checked over, and didn't return to the Gryffindor common room until much later on, having missed dinner completely, where Remus and Peter (now free from boils) were waiting for them.
"What the hell happened to all of you?" asked Remus hoarsely, noting his friends bedraggled look.
"Slytherins," muttered Sirius.
Remus shook his head, and noticed Chris fussing over James' arm.
"Snape hit James, I think you'd better get up to the hospital wing," mused Chris.
"No way, I just came from there...it's just a scratch," mumbled James, dabbing the cut with a small cloth Chris had conjured. He determinedly avoided looking at Lily, who was quietly watching her friends in the corner.
"Bloody Snape, do you see what we mean now Evans?" spat Sirius, "He always starts it, he's an idiot, I don't care how good of friends you are, if I see him again, he's dead!" Sirius kicked the nearest table, sending the books and bottles of ink upon it toppling to the ground. Remus winced at his friends temper, and pulled Sirius into a chair next to him.
"You need to calm down mate, alright?"
Sirius ignored him, and gave the table another kick for good measure.
"Right, wrap that up and keep an eye on it," said Chris, putting a fresh bandage on James' arm. James nodded and thanked Chris, before flopping into the chair next to Sirius.
Lily watched him carefully, still not having said anything. She was finding it hard to believe Snape would attack James for no reason, or that he had anything to do with what Rosier and Wilkes had done to Peter's potion...yet for some strange reason, it seemed to be true. Maybe he just snapped, I mean, James and Sirius are always picking on him, she thought. Yes, that had to be it. Once again, it's Potter's fault, he shouldn't have taunted Snape all of those times.
Lily stood up, not looking at James having decided it was his fault after all.
"I'm going to bed, you three coming?" she asked Holly, Bridget and Chris.
"No, we'll stay here for awhile, you go ahead," said Chris.
"I'll come up with you," said Bridget.
Lily nodded, and wordlessly left the common room. James watched her leave, then buried his head in his hands.
"How many galleons are you betting she somehow makes this all my fault?"
"Alot," said Chris sadly, "Sorry James, but Sniv...Snape is her best friend, she knew him even before she started Hogwarts...and...well...she doesn't really like you that much."
James nodded, the usual happy twinkle in his eyes long gone. Would she ever like him? Probably not, he thought. Then why can't I just forget about her?
"Are you alright though James, I mean, you were literally thrown across the classroom," said Holly concernedly.
James nodded, "I'll live, I'm just so sick of the Slytherins! I mean, what's their problem?! Bloody idiots."
"We'll get them back, they're not getting away with this," snapped Sirius. Holly glanced at him, the usual squirm in her stomach no longer there. She smiled, and shook her head.
"I'm sure you will, just...dont let Lily see you doing it," she yawned, and stood up.
"Night guys, come on Chris."
Chris stood, and the two girls bade goodbye to the boys, before disappearing into the girls' dorm.
James waited until her was sure they were gone, then turned to Remus.
"So, are we ready?"
"For what?" asked Remus.
"We need to do some more research on the Animagi," stated Sirius, jumping to his feet. Remus buried his face in his hands, shaking his head.
"I know I sort of agreed to this, but I really think you should reconsider," Remus began; bu was stopped by James' hand.
James grinned, "I'll get my cloak."
~**~
"Lily? Lily are you alright?"
Chris and Holly had just left the boys downstairs, and approached Lily's bed, where Bridget was patting her back soothingly. The red head looked up, and sighed.
"I'm worried about Sev," she admitted, "Those people he hangs round with...you saw them today...it's not good for him."
Holly sighed, and sat on the end of Lily's bed, "You can't tell him who to be friends with Lil, that's his decision...you've just got to hope he makes the right one."
Lily nodded, and returned to her book.
"On a brighter note, we pick our third year subjects tomorrow, do any of you know what to pick?" asked Chris.
"I had a look at the list McGonagall put out last week, I think I know what I'm choosing," smiled Holly, "What about you Bridget?"
Bridget shrugged, "No idea, I might just pick at random."
"I'll just pick what I think I'll be good at," shrugged Chris, "Lils?"
"I like the look of Ancient Runes, or maybe Arithmancy," shrugged Lily.
Chris noticed her friend was still upset, and stood up quickly.
"Come on, we're going to get some ice cream".
"What?" asked Bridget, Lily and Holly in unison.
"We're going to the kitchens, and getting some ice cream, we still have a couple of hours before curfew."
Lily, Bridget and Holly looked at each other in confusion, and stood up.
"Chris we're not allowed in the kitchens," said Lily, "We'll get into trouble."
Chris rolled her eyes and grabbed her friends' hands, pulling them out of the dorm without a moment's pause.
~**~
"How did you find this place?" asked Holly incredulously as the four girls took seats around a small wooden table. The house elves had already taken their orders and were bustling about fixing them snacks.
"My cousin, she left a couple of years of years ago, she told me how to get there," smiled Chris.
"And you didn't think to tell us sooner!" cried Bridget.
Chris chuckled, and shrugged, "I was saving it for an emergency, plus we didn't have a clue back in first year, we'd have gotten caught straight away."
The house elves delivered the girls' ice cream sundaes, bowed respectively and went about with their usual tasks.
"So Lily, what is going on with you and James now? Are you talking or..." Chris popped a spoonful of ice cream into her mouth.
Lily shrugged, "I'm not his friend, if that's what you mean."
Holly sighed, and put down her spoon, "He isn't as bad as you think Lils, really, I think you should just give him a chance."
"What. Like you're giving Sirius a chance," smirked Lily, "Honestly Holly, one minute you hate the guy, then you fancy him, then you hate him again, and now you're all friendly with each other...I don't get it!"
Holly shrugged, and chuckled, "He can be pretty fun sometimes, but other times, I really could throttle that boy."
"Well there's a volatile relationship if I ever did see one," Bridget laughed. Holly pulled a face, and flicked a spoon of ice cream towards her.
"So anyway, what is going on with you and Ian?" asked Holly to Lily, as Chris conjured a cloth to wipe the ice cream from her face.
Lily sighed, "He's just a friend, alright. I'm twelve for God's sake, far too young to be having a boyfriend."
"Whatever," Chris rolled her eyes, "So, what do you guys think of Jose Talbott?"
Bridget, Holly and Lily glanced at each other, and burst out laughing.
~**~
The next morning, the Gryffindor second years were given something else to think about; third year classes. The students were given the morning off to choose the subjects they would be taking next year, and Chris suggested it would be fun to sit with the Marauders whilst they chose. Lily of course, was still reluctant to spend her time anywhere near James, however she knew how well Chris and Bridget got on with the boys, and joined them.
"So, anybody have any idea what they wanna take?" asked James.
Sirius shrugged, "I reckon I'll just pick the ones you're doing," he said with a grin.
James chuckled, and missed the annoyed look on Lily's face.
"What about you Remus?" asked James, turning to his friend.
Remus shrugged, and glanced at his parchment, "I like the look of Ancient Runes...and maybe Care of Magical Creatures...yeah, I think that's what I'll pick," he checked the boxes on the parchment and grinned.
"Oh, I'm taking Ancient Runes too," smiled Lily.
James scowled; sure, she'd smile at Remus!
"Well I've got mine," said Holly suddenly, "Care of Magical Creatures and Arithmancy," she set her quill down and looked over Chris's shoulder.
"Muggle Studies? Why would you wanna learn about Muggles?" asked Holly, wrinkling her nose.
Chris shrugged, "It seems cool, plus I know I'd ace it," she added with a grin.
"Pete? Have you decided?" asked Remus.
Peter nodded, "Muggle Studies and Divination, Muggles fascinate me, and I've always thought it would be cool to see into the future."
"What about you, Bridget?"
Bridget shrugged, "I'm thinking...Runes...and maybe Muggle Studies."
James nodded, and turned to his own list, deciding on Divination and Care of Magical Creatures. Sirius, as he had said, chose the same. Remus decided upon Ancient Runes and Care of Magical Creatures, whilst Peter stuck with Muggle Studies and Divination. Christina chose Muggle Studies and Care of Magical Creatures, whilst Holly had chosen Arithmancy and Care of Magical Creatures. Bridget decided to take Ancient Runes and Muggle Studies, whilst Lily, after a long hard think, decided upon Arithmancy and Ancient Runes, ever the studious type. With their subjects chosen, all thoughts of their futures were once again pushed from the second year's minds, and they resumed their normal twelve year old lives.
~**~
Now, James Potter was never a person to let something slide. After the encounter in potions, he and Sirius, a slightly reluctant Remus and an excited as ever Peter decided on a little payback; nothing too big, just a way to remind the Slytherins who they were dealing with.
Marauders, after all, were troublemakers, pranksters and (as Sirius had often pointed out), genius's.
So it was with great amusement the next morning, that the four boys turned up to breakfast, taking seats as close to the Slytherin table as possible, trying and failing to look as innocent as possible.
"They're up to something."
Holly set down her spoon and followed Lily's gaze, her dark eyes resting on the four Gryffindor boys. She glanced back at Lily with a bemused expression on her face.
"What do you mean?"
Lily tore her eyes away from James and his friends, her scowl deepening, "They keep looking over at Sev...something's not right."
Holly quirked an eyebrow, but was saved from having to respond, as Chris (who had been running a little late that morning), turned up with Bridget, a wide smile on her face.
"Morning all! And what a beautiful morning it is!"
"Someone's chipper," Holly commented with a smirk, "Did you hit her with a cheering charm?"
Bridget rolled her eyes, pulling a bowl of cornflakes towards her, "Jose decided to have a little chat with her on the way down, according to this one here," she jerked her thumb towards a beaming Christina, "He was flirting."
Holly snorted, and returned to her breakfast. Honestly, Chris was a strange one.
"AAARRRGGGHHHH!"
It was utter chaos. The girls snapped their heads towards the source of commotion, the Slytherin table. Apparently, someone had decided to spike their breakfast with Dr Deepak's Sizzling Fire Seeds.
The girls snapped their gazes over to Jonathan Knight, who was pointing and guffawing with Fabian Prewett at Gary Flint, who'd just taken a rather generous bite out of his bacon sandwich, only to receive a mouthful of the fiery kernels. His face grew redder, and redder, until he finally couldn't take it anymore and screamed, scrabbling at his tongue. Nancy Dunn was currently jumping in her seat, flapping her hand in front of her mouth and grabbing at her stomach, Wybock Grover had taken an entire pitcher of pumpkin juice and practically drowned himself in it, and Severus Snape seemed to have fallen out of his chair clutching at his stomach, his normally pallid face tinged with pink.
Through the screams and raucous laughter, four boys could be seen almost crying with mirth. James was currently clutching onto Remus' shoulder, Sirius was bent double and Peter had fallen out of his chair, clutching his stomach. Even Remus didn't hold back, a rare sight indeed.
"Oh I'm going to murder them all," hissed Lily, her eyes narrowing. Beside her, Holly and Bridget fought their laughter; Chris didn't bother.
Unfortunately, the girls weren't the only ones who noticed this, and a fuming Professor McGonagall pushed her way through the growing crowd, her face growing redder and redder.
"I should have known, Potter, Black, Lupin and Pettigrew...my office, NOW!"
"Awww Minnie," Sirius wiped a tear from his eye, "They should watch what they mix with their breakfast...I've heard of unusual tastes, but this taking it a little far!"
McGonagall's nostrils flared in anger, her eyes flashing with rage.
"BOYS! MY OFFICE! NOW!"
"Alright, alright, we're going," James stood up, closely followed by a still weeping Sirius and a chuckling Remus and Peter. They didn't even seem bothered they had been caught.
Holly could hear several cheers as the boys left the hall in single file, and whipped around to find her brother. She clambered out of her seat, hurrying over, desperately fighting her smile when Evan Rosier tripped over Snape, who was still on the floor.
"And just where did they get the equipment for that?" Holly asked her brother, who's own eyes were streaming.
"Awwww Jolly, they begged us," Gideon Prewett wrapped an arm around Holly, "You can't say they didn't deserve it, I for one think it's genius," he turned to his twin, "How come we never thought of anything like that?"
Fabian shrugged, and shook his head, "We're not as talented, I'll admit...those Marauders are my new heroes."
"Marauders," Holly quirked and eyebrow, slipping out of Gideon's grasp, "You lot are a bunch of idiots, you know that."
"We try, Jolly, we try," Jonathan sighed.
Holly rolled her eyes, but couldn't help but smile when Maria Meddle cast the Aguamenti charm, sending a jet of water flying towards her face and knocking her to the ground.
Did you like it? Let me know :)
I'm off to read LOTR (another of my passions, Tolkien was a genius!)
