I don't own Harry Potter just playing in their sandbox for a while!
After a game like that you know there will be a Celebration... hope you enjoy!
Warning! All those consuming alcohol in this chapter are of legal age... well for a witch or wizard anyway!
Chapter Seventy-eight
Celebration
All of Gryffindor poured onto the field to congratulate their team. Taylor and Hermione among them, pushing their way to the front, as Madame Hooch flew over with the Quidditch Cup.
A huge grin covered Harry's face as he stepped forward to take the Cup from the witch and then held it high over his head to a thunderous roar. His eyes immediately searching the crowd and finally coming to rest on his sister, as she cheered, jumping up and down in excitement. He passed the Cup to Ron who hoisted it up high to more cheers, but Harry stepped away from his best mate.
Taylor wasn't sure if she had ever been so happy, as she screamed watching as her brother hoisted the Cup. Tears of joy poured down her face and she cheered as Ron hoisted the Cup too. She laughed as she saw Hermione throw her arms around the redheaded wizard and kiss him right there. Only a set of red robes moving towards her made her look away and her eyes met her brother's green ones and she ran the rest of the way to him and threw her arms around him.
"You did it! You did it, Harry!" Taylor cried as she hugged her brother.
"Come on," Harry called by her ear, to make himself heard above the cheering, as he hugged her tight and he led her back to where the team was still standing and mounting his broom, he pulled his sister on in front of him. Ron mounted his broom, pulling Hermione on and the rest of the team did the same before rising up in the air to take a victory lap of the pitch.
Taylor laughed and held on tight, as the thrill of being on a broom once again filled her.
"You did it Harry! Oh Merlin, I thought I was going to die! I'm so proud of you right now! No Dementor would stand a chance! Not even a hundred!"
Harry laughed. "It feels great from this side too! I don't even think a thousand would stand a chance right now!"
Taylor could see the rest of the Gryffindor team as they swooped and weaved through the air to thunderous cheers from everyone except the Hufflepuffs and, of course, the Slytherins who had been cheering the Hufflepuffs on.
"Dad and Mum would be ecstatic! I'm so happy! I love you, big brother!" Taylor turned on the broom and hugged her brother and felt him laugh as he returned the hug.
"I love you too, sis." His voice sobered as they were nearly back to where they had taken off, the others already having landed. "I wanted to say thank you. I almost quit, but you wouldn't let me. This Cup belongs to you as much as to me. If things had been different who knows, maybe it would have been you out there catching that snitch instead of me. You'd have made one hell of a seeker!"
Taylor shook her head and laughed, as they touched down and she turned around properly and hugged him tightly. "You're the best seeker there is Harry! I think I'd have made a better beater! I have one hell of a swing!" Standing on her tiptoes she kissed him on his cheek as catcalls and wolf whistles went up as well as,
"Gryffindor common room, Party!"
Harry laughed as he rolled his eyes, "Try not to hit anyone between here and the party! And Taylor?" he could see the joy dancing in her eyes still, "bring the Hufflepuff along, he played a good game."
Taylor grinned as the crowd gathered around Harry and hoisted him up on their shoulders and carried him off. As the rest of the Gryffindor team whooped and celebrated with other Gryffindors. She stood there for a few minutes just savoring the wonderful feelings coursing through her. The vast majority of the Gryffindor fans and the team had left the pitch carrying the Gryffindor captain off to the party, when she thought about what her brother had said to her last. Looking around she didn't see a single yellow robe or any Hufflepuffs at all. A few straggling Gryffindors hurrying out of sight and some Ravenclaws and the odd Slytherin were about. She looked over at the changing rooms and wondered if maybe the Head Boy might still be in there.
Taylor gave a great sigh, wondering if maybe facing some Dementors might be easier than going over to the changing room after the Head Boy.
When she reached the changing room, she could hear talking from inside and decided that she'd try here first. A small smile pulled at her lips as she thought about her brother's other hint about not hitting anyone else. That might be a little harder to do, especially if she ran into Binns…
"Oi! What are you doing here? The Gryffindor gloating party already left!"
Of course it would be Finch Fletchly who would happen to come out of the changing rooms and find her.
"Yeah they have, but I came…" another voice cut her off.
"What's the matter? Potter drop you and now you want to come sniffing around for a real man?" Binns said in a nasty voice as he stepped out and shut the door.
Taylor snorted, "I always thought Hufflepuffs didn't resort to cheating to try to win! Good thing Gryffindor had more integrity! Or you'd still be wiping your team off the pitch!"
Binns eyes narrowed and he stepped towards her menacingly. "I seem to recall your, oh so innocent beaters nearly crushing Hunter's ribs!"
Taylor glared up at the Hufflepuff captain but didn't back up one inch. "That was in the heat of the game and you know it! What you did was despicable! You purposely told your players to take Harry out! You should be wearing green and silver not yellow!"
For a moment she thought the Hufflepuff captain was going to hit her before he curled his lip up at her, breathing heavily. "Get out of here Porter before I do something I might not regret!"
Taylor snorted again, "Unless you use your fists you don't stand a chance against me! But feel free to give it your best shot!"
"Binns! Porter! What the hell is going on out here!"
A few tense heartbeats went by before the Hufflepuff captain turned, gave Taylor a push and stalked through the small crowd that had gathered to see what the commotion was all about and back into the change rooms.
With a heavy sigh she looked up at the Head Boy standing in his undershirt and trousers, the heavy bandage visible through his shirt, hands on his hips glaring at her. She could see the others heading back into the change rooms leaving the Head Boy and her alone.
"Well?"
"How are your ribs?" Taylor asked contritely, as she glanced away from his angry glare.
"What the hell was that all about?"
Taylor flinched at his harsh demand and felt like a kid getting a dressing down. And she probably deserved it. She should have known the Hufflepuffs would be stinging from the loss.
"I'm sorry. I just came to see if you were alright," Well that was partly true, especially now that she was reminded that he'd been hurt as well in the game. She heard him sigh angrily.
"Maybe you should go. The guys are just a little sore at the moment!"
Taylor looked up into his blue eyes and saw the anger in them as well as something else… dangerous. Feeling a little confused at his attitude she merely nodded and headed around the changing rooms. She felt the last of the joy she had felt earlier leave her when he didn't even call out to her before she made it around the corner.
The Head Boy stood stock still as he watched his witch's retreating back. He really hadn't meant to be so short with her, but anger still coursed through him. He had thought he had his jealousy under control, but when he had caught sight of Potter taking his witch for the victory lap… Then he had seen her kiss him… It hadn't helped that a couple of guys on the team had seen it also and teased him about it. It'd been about all he could do not to hit something.
He stood there silently for a long while until finally he took a deep breath… and instantly regretted it, as pain shot up his side. He put his hand on his ribs and felt the bandage there. The one his witch had come out on the field to put on him… He pinched the bridge of his nose he walked slowly back into the dressing room. A bottle of Modgen's finest was pushed into his hand and he took a long swig before passing it on to Binns, who took a huge drink before passing it on.
"Ah! Forget about the bird! Let's just drink! If nothing else we can say we played one hell of a game!" Connor called from across the room as he tipped up a second bottle that was making its rounds and took a big swig.
Taylor wandered back to the castle. She didn't feel like going up to the party, not now anyway. Her brother wasn't likely to miss her for quite a while, so she sat down out in the courtyard by an old stone pillar. The sun would be setting soon, though hidden behind the clouds it wasn't visible. A light mist had started to fall again, making it feel colder than it was.
She glanced down at the two scarves that still hung around her neck and wondered if she had made the right decision after all. Slowly she took the yellow and brown scarf off, suddenly missing her robes that she normally wore and folded it neatly. Giving her wrist a flick she palmed her wand and shrunk the scarf, putting it in her pocket in her jeans. Then she did the same with the red and gold one. She had just put her wand away when…
"Huh! Well, look what we have here! Potter discard you already, Porter?"
Taylor felt herself bristle at just the sound of Parkinson's voice.
"If you know what is good for you Parkinson, you'll clear out. While the getting's good!" Taylor said in a soft, dangerous tone as she eyed the three Slytherins that had spotted her as they crossed the court yard.
"You think you're pretty tough don't you, Porter? But I don't think you are. I heard you cried like a little baby just last week…" Parkinson taunted.
"In case you've forgotten, I have my wand back now. So unless you have more than just those two to back you up, I'd leave. Now! Before I decide to get a little pay back that you owe me." Taylor slowly came to her feet, back to the pillar, glaring at the three Slytherins.
"Does there seem to be a problem here?" a pleasant male voice asked.
Taylor turned her head slightly to see the newcomer, while still watching the three witches in front of her.
"Oh no, sir, no problem." Parkinson purred, as the auror halted a short distance away.
Taylor could have retched at the way the Slytherin witch smiled at the wizard and coyly batted her eyelashes. The auror was one she hadn't seen before and he was quite young, and fairly good-looking she supposed. "No, there wouldn't be no problem here!" Taylor twisted the words just a little and saw Parkinson got the message.
"Good! Move along then ladies." The auror spoke cordially.
Taylor waited for a moment to make sure she knew where the Slytherins were going before she started into the castle after them. She didn't trust Parkinson not to try to get the drop on her and hex her in the back.
"Miss Taylor Porter isn't it?" the auror asked when she was about abreast of him.
Taylor paused and looked at him as she nodded, suddenly wary.
"I knew Mrs. Briggs. She was a fine lady. She always spoke very fondly of you." The auror paused and saw the witch give a short nod. "I am Flo's son. Mrs. Briggs played bridge with my mother all the time."
Taylor nodded again.
"You had better be getting along. It's not very safe to be wandering about this close to dark all by yourself."
"Yes, sir," Taylor said and walked into the school and, making a last minute decision, slipped behind the tapestry to the hidden staircase and sat down to wait for the Hufflepuff to return. His attitude toward her still rankled and she wasn't going to leave it alone until she found out what his problem was. She sat on the stairs for over an hour before she heard the voices that she recognized as Hufflepuff wizards and peeked out from behind the tapestry.
It was most of the Hufflepuff quidditch team, as well as Flinch Fletchly, who were walking across the Entrance Hall laughing and joking with one another. She waited until they headed down the corridor towards their common room before she glanced around and then stole across the empty Entrance Hall. The sun had gone down and it was dark outside, torches lit the way.
She was surprised, as she reached the corridor and slipped along it, that none of the wizards ahead of her noticed her. She was wondering how she was going to get the Head Boy's attention, before he went into his common room when she saw a bottle being passed from one of the wizards to the other. With a sinking feeling in her stomach she realized they were all drinking.
"Oh just lovely!" she said to herself. Her experience with those who were drinking told her that they tended to be rather unreasonable. Six pissed off Hufflepuffs who happened to be drinking was more than she'd rather take on. Stopping, she turned to head back down the corridor, figuring they wouldn't notice her before she reached the corner and was out of sight. She didn't quite make it.
"Porter! What are you doin' lurking down here?"
"Wha's a matter? Come lookin' fer a real wizard?"
"Nay! It's those Gryffindors, they jus' don' know how to party!"
Taylor knew that if she was smart she would just keep going, but when did she ever turn a challenge down? And the challenge in the Hufflepuffs' voices was loud and clear.
Turning slowly she looked down the corridor and saw the wizards walking towards her. A couple of them, she noticed now, were actually weaving a little bit. Hunter was one of them.
"I'm surprised at you Hunter. I thought as Head Boy you were supposed to set an example." Taylor said in a cool tone.
"Why Porter, I am setting an example!" He grinned down at her wolfishly, but it was the dangerous look in his eyes that had her suddenly ill at ease. "I'm teaching my mates here how to drink!" The Hufflepuffs all laughed.
"I meant a good example!" Taylor said evenly.
The Head Boy could see the unease in his witch's eyes, even if her voice didn't betray it. He could feel the Firewhisky burning in his veins as well as something… wild. He fought to think straight, his voice a little more sober when he spoke, "We were just doing a little celebrating of our own."
Taylor swallowed and caught her lip with her teeth, as the last thing her brother said to her made her voice a little uncertain.
"Oh, well… I was… well I thought maybe youcouldgotothepartywithme." She finished in a rush wondering how he was going to take being invited to the party of the team he had just lost to.
Binns' voice was loudest as he laughed and gasped, "Oh you are a cheeky little bird aren't you! Inviting Hunter to the bleeding Gryffindor party!"
Taylor felt her face burn bright red and looked down at the floor. What had ever possessed her to ask such a stupid question? She was going to hit her brother for even suggesting it!
In a voice she knew was lost in the raucous laughter, she muttered, "Well yeah, stupid me…" turning she headed for the Entrance Hall at a fast walk, willing herself not to run. She heard her name but she kept walking, too embarrassed to turn around, the laughter of the Hufflepuffs loud in her ears.
She was part way across the Entrance Hall when a hand caught her arm and turned her around, "Hey Taylor, wait just a second."
She didn't think she could meet his eyes so she didn't look up as she said, "Look, I'm sorry. It was a stupid thing for me to ask. Go be with your friends. I'll see you tomorrow." She turned to leave but his hand was still on her arm stopping her.
"Taylor," a finger under her chin lifted her eyes up to meet his, "I'm sorry about that. The guys, well, they're a little drunk but they were out of line. If you still want to take a loser who is a little tipsy to the party, well I'm willing if you are."
Taylor rolled her eyes and knew that was what he was after. "You git! You aren't a loser! Granted you might be a little tipsy, what have you been drinking? I can smell it!" Taylor waved her hand at him as he just chuckled.
"What are you two doing hanging around here? Move along."
Taylor felt the Hufflepuff's hand tighten on her arm at the sound of the auror's voice and he stepped partially in front of her. It was a different auror from before, and he kept walking and soon disappeared down another corridor on his rounds.
The Hufflepuff's voice was decidedly tighter as he said quietly, "Come on let's go," and led her to the tapestry she had been waiting behind and up the stairs. They were two floors up when the Hufflepuff finally slowed his swift strides and she could keep up without nearly running.
"What got into you?" Taylor asked quirking an eyebrow at him as they headed down a corridor for another set of less used stairs. She was surprised when the Head Boy drew his wand and put up a silencing charm.
"I don't like that auror. He always seems to turn up in odd places."
She waited for him to continue but he didn't. They came to the stairs partially hidden behind a marble statue of a wizard and she headed up, climbing steadily. She was on the landing about to start up the next flight of stairs when an arm caught her around the waist this time and pushed her back against the wall. The Hufflepuff's body against hers was holding her there. She looked up at him and felt her heart start to pound. That dangerous look was back in his eyes.
"I saw you flying with Potter… in the victory lap. You kissed him."
His breath fanned over her face and she could smell the Firewhisky on it. His voice was guarded and tense.
She caught her lip and chewed on it for a moment wondering just what to say, "Harry is my best friend. Why wouldn't he take me on the victory lap? Ron took Hermione."
"Exactly," his voice turned low and suddenly slightly menacing, "Ron took his girlfriend on the victory lap. Why did Potter take you?"
Taylor didn't know what to say. It had never occurred to her what it might appear like to other people, when Harry had taken her up as a way to thank her. She had just been overjoyed at the time for her brother and cherished the fact that he had shared it with her. She could see the intensity burning in his eyes as they searched hers, waiting for her answer.
"Greg, Harry is my best friend. But he is just a friend. I kissed him, yes, on the cheek! I was so happy for him I thought I'd burst! I'd have probably given Ron a kiss on the cheek too if he hadn't been snogging Hermione! They are my friends, and the only family that I have." She might have said more but the Hufflepuff's mouth closed over hers in a demanding, heated kiss. After a few seconds she returned the kiss as her arms slipped around him and held him tight, mindful of his bruised ribs.
Only the need for air finally made their lips separate and the Head Boy trailed his lips along her jaw and down her neck, eliciting a soft moan from the witch.
"You drive me mad witch!" The Head Boy whispered before he caught her lips again and kissed her tenderly. "I'm sorry. Can you forgive a stove-in, newly retired quidditch player for making an ass of himself over his girl?"
Taylor couldn't help but giggle at the way he said it, kissing her all over her face as he talked. "Sure, no problem. I guess I'll have to retire my broom bunny title also…"
A low growl before he captured her lips was his only response to her cheek.
"So are you going to ever show me this spectacular Gryffindor party or not?" The Head Boy asked seductively after a few minutes.
Taylor grinned up at the Hufflepuff and catching his hand led him up the stairs.
They were nearly to the Fat Lady when Taylor broke the comfortable silence, "So how're your ribs? I thought you'd have gone to see Pomfrey by now."
"What's the matter Porter? Second guessing your diagnosis?" but he stopped walking and turned to face her, his face going serious, "What you did out on the pitch was dangerous! What if one of the guys had noticed? Or Madame Hooch? Or worse yet one of the aurors?"
Taylor looked away but she felt his finger touch where her necklace lay and rub back and forth gently over her sweater. Shrugging a little, "I knew if your ribs were broken that you couldn't keep playing. It was the only way I knew to tell if they really were broken or not."
"Hey," his finger touched her cheek and turned her head so her eyes met his, "I appreciated the gesture, but it was dangerous. I don't want anything to happen to you."
For a long moment they stood just staring at one another before Taylor nodded, "Let's go to the party. I need to apologize to Seamus."
"Finnigan? What do you need to apologize to him for?" The Head Boy asked curiously.
"Quidditch Cup!" Taylor said to the Fat Lady as the sound of a party going on pressed through the stonewalls, before turning and grinning at the wizard beside her, "I think I might have broken his nose." She then ducked through the open portal into the pound of a charmed music player, loud voices and laughter.
Frowning, the Head Boy followed his witch and found her waiting for him when he straightened up.
"Taylor! Well Bloody Hell! It's about time you got here!" Ron's voice boomed out over the noise and he grabbed her up in a huge bear hug and swung her around before putting her back down. "Hunter! Glad you came! Care for a drink?"
Taylor wrinkled her nose as the smell of Firewhisky wafted off her friend. "Where's Hermione? Does she know you're drinking?" Taylor called up and saw Ron grin.
"Right here Taylor!"
Taylor turned to see Hermione grinning and holding a glass. She raised an eyebrow at her friend who started to giggle.
"Oh loosen up Taylor! I put a charm on the table so no one under age can have any! Besides it's not every day we win a Quidditch Cup!" Hermione looked over at the lone Hufflepuff and went pink in the face. "Sorry Greg… ah, want a drink?"
The Head Boy laughed at the Head Girl and said, "I'd love one!"
Taylor watched as Hermione led the Hufflepuff over to a table set up in the corner and saw an age line clearly drawn around it. A grin pulled at her lips, and she shook her head knowing where her friend had gotten that idea from. The two returned to her a few minutes later carrying a glass each.
Hermione pointed at Taylor and wagged her finger back and forth, "You can't have any Taylor! You are still underage! And don't be asking Greg either, like I told him, he'll be covered in boils if he gives any to anyone underage!"
Taylor rolled her eyes in exasperation her voice dripping in sarcasm. "Yeah, thanks for that reminder Hermione! I'll be the only sober seventh year, as well as a lot of the sixth years!"
Hermione just giggled as she took another drink before she and Ron drifted off to talk to Neville.
The music was loud, as was the boisterous crowd. A dance floor of sorts had been set up by pushing a couple of tables and a sofa out of the way. Several couples were dancing at the moment, one was Lavender and the fifth year beater on the Quidditch team. Their lips were locked and they didn't seem to be moving exactly in time to the music.
The Head Boy saw where his witch was looking and bending down by her ear to be heard asked, "You want to dance?"
Taylor looked up surprised and swallowed. She'd never danced before, "Nah I can't dance." She saw his eyebrows go up and, downing the rest of the drink in his glass, took her hand and led her to the dance floor. A new song started to play, one with a slow beat and the Hufflepuff put his hands on his witch's hips.
"Put your arms around my neck, and let me lead, its not that difficult," his voice was low and husky as he looked down at her.
Heart pounding, she did as he instructed. His hands pulled her hips against him and he moved easily to the beat of the song, his hands warm even through her jeans. He didn't try to kiss her, like the other couples but his gentle swaying in time to the music made her whole body heat up where ever his touched hers.
When the song ended he stepped back a half of a step and let his hands slip off her waist. "I think I could use another drink," his voice was husky and heavy as he led her over towards the table with the Firewhisky.
Taylor caught sight of her brother then, sitting in the corner in a large chair with Ginny sitting on his lap. She noticed that there was no bandage on his head and his cuts looked healed. His eyes were watching her though and he motioned for her to come over. She held up a finger to say she'd be there in a few moments.
After the Hufflepuff had a full glass in his hand and returned to her over the age line, he asked, "I see a table over there. Do you want a drink too?" Another table was set up on the opposite wall with pumpkin juice and snacks.
"You wait here. I'll get it." Taylor suggested, wondering what her brother wanted and deciding that maybe keeping the slightly inebriated Hufflepuff with his jealous tendencies away from Harry might be a good idea. At least until she found out if her brother was drinking as well and how that was affecting him. The Hufflepuff seemed to be a little more on edge than usual.
"So you finally made it. I was beginning to think I'd have to go looking for you." Harry said as soon as his sister stopped beside his chair.
Taylor noticed right away the brightness in his eyes, as well as the glass he held loosely in his hand. She said hi to Ginny before she shrugged, "I had to wait for Greg. I didn't think it'd be a big deal."
Harry found the tall Hufflepuff across the common room easily and noticed the other wizard was watching him closely as he sipped from a glass in his hand.
Harry looked away from the Head Boy and up at his sister. "It wasn't. I was just curious what was taking you so long. Taylor…" his voice held a sharp, warning tone, "don't leave Gryffindor Tower tonight. For any reason."
Taylor rolled her eyes, "Harry, I'm a big girl…"
"You are underage, and the Hufflepuff is drinking. Now please promise me."
"Ginny's underage! What…"
"I mean it Taylor! The girl's dormitories won't allow guys in them…"
Taylor could feel her temper flare. "Great so I can't drink and I have to stay in the common room! Anything else Daaad!" Taylor asked sarcastically but she didn't give her brother a chance to reply before she snapped. "Ginny either shut him up by snogging him silly or I'll hit him!" Wheeling she marched back across the room. Forgetting about the drink she was supposed to be getting in the first place.
"So what did Potter say to make you so mad?" Greg asked his witch when she stopped beside him, though his eyes hadn't left the wizard across the room yet.
"He's just being a git!" Taylor snapped before she noticed the Hufflepuff glaring at her brother. "Oh for the love of Mike!" she groaned and wrapping her arm around his elbow she tugged on him until he moved and she led him over where she couldn't see her brother.
They were silent for a few minutes watching several couples dancing as the music thumped out in a sensual beat, each thinking about the Gryffindor seeker, just in slightly different contexts.
"Don't you have patrol tonight?" Taylor asked as the thought occurred to her.
"Nope! McGonagall gave us all the night off. I think she suspected something like this." And he gave his hand a wave towards the rest of the common room.
Taylor nodded. "I'm going to get that drink."
The Hufflepuff's hand caught her arm. "I'll go, you wait here." He could see she was about to argue, "I promise I'll be a good boy and be right back with your drink, okay babe?"
Taylor nearly choked and he gave her a cocky grin before he headed across the room weaving only slightly to the punch table.
"Porter only you would bring a player from the losing team to a celebration party!" Seamus said loudly as he lurched over to where she was standing. She could tell he was completely drunk. So much for apologizing!
"Watch it Seamus! I'd hate to have to break your nose again today!" To her great disappointment the wizard didn't take the hint.
"Porter, you have got to be the cheekiest bird I know!" Seamus called out laughing.
"Finnigan go or I'll break more than your nose!" a hard voice said and made both Taylor and the drunk wizard turn to see the Hufflepuff with a glass of pumpkin juice in his hand standing not five feet away.
"Hunter!" Taylor knew before he continued that this wasn't going to be good. Seamus couldn't keep his mouth shut at the best of times. "Your broom not good enough for your witch? She had to go for a ride on Potter's?"
Taylor saw red! "Shut up Seamus!" she snapped as she stepped towards the Gryffindor wizard, her fist came back but before she could swing, a hand caught it.
A/N Oh! A bit of a cliffie! LOL! I know that this might be a bit out of charactor for some but I thought hey this is the last party any of the seventh year Gryffindor's will have at Hogwarts so it should be good! I know some of you are going to say hermione is way out of charactor too as Head Girl and all, but when I started writting this I wanted to show that Hermione wasn't such a goodie two shoes as she has been in the past! :) She isn't above breaking the rules... sometimes! LOL! I know some of you will be wondering where they got the Firewhiskey... but really do you expect the likes of Seamus to not know how to get some Firewhiskey? I kind of based this party off some that I have read from fanfiction stories from when James and Lily went to Hogwarts. I thought Harry, Taylor and the others deserved a little relaxing and partying like any normal seventeen year olds do! Hope you enjoy!
Thank you for your reviews! Alerts and Favorites! And thank you for reading! Thank you as well to my beta barbc! Well until next time(I promise I will not leave you hanging for long!) cyytpotter.