Authors Note: Thanks as always to my beta for correcting this and to those of you who have taken the time to review. Please let me know what you think of this chapter – believe me, it is one of the most important in the whole of this story! In case you don't know, the disclaimer can be found in the prologue!

Chapter four

The late afternoon sun shone brightly through the large windows of Hanwell's West Wing Conference room, picking out the shapes of the still figures seated round the large mahogany table, dominating its leader. All apart from one were sitting to attention, their eyes trained on the figure of Draco Malfoy, seated at the head of the table, parchments spread out before him.

At a slight nod from Harold Pinfold seated beside him, Draco started to speak, his well-modulated voice carrying effortlessly round the quiet room. "I've called this meeting today to discuss with you all, the new procedures I'll be implementing with regards the way finances in the hospital will be handled. I appreciate that some of you may not like these changes, but as Harold has agreed, they are vital to the smooth running of the hospital..."

From her position a few seats away from him, Hermione scowled at Draco's profile, a feeling of foreboding already beginning to take hold of her insides. Shooting covert glances at her colleagues, she was further dismayed to see the looks of rapt attention of their faces – all were leaning forward, eager not to miss a word of what was being said. Gripping her quill tightly, Hermione too, focused her attention back on Draco, knowing that whatever he had to say would probably directly effect her own department, and therefore ought not to be missed.

"…the changes I intend to introduce are simple and will allow me to keep an accurate record of exactly how much is spent and on what. Each department will be undergoing a financial assessment, in which factors such as the kind of treatment – long-term or short-term, is being administered, the number of staff the department has, and the kinds of research being carried out by the department, will be reviewed. Based on the results of this assessment, a budget will then be allocated to that department. All expenses must be accounted for by department heads..."

Hermione let Draco's voice wash over her, while she automatically started to take notes. By the sound of it, the changes he was proposing wouldn't be all that bad. She leaned back in her seat wishing the meeting would be over soon so that she could get home. Suppressing the urge to yawn, she glanced at her watch and saw to her consternation that ten minutes had already passed – so much for Harold's promise of a short meeting. She could see an expanse of cloudless blue sky through the window, and longed to be out there savouring the warmth of the day. It was perfect Quidditch weather, and with a slight grimace, Hermione pictured Harry, Ron and probably Ginny as well, racing each other up and down the Weasleys' make-shift Quidditch pitch – some things, she thought fondly, never changed.

The sound of rustling parchment made Hermione glance round at her colleagues. Draco had stopped speaking and was leaning back in his chair perfectly at ease. Everyone else was watching him closely, mingled looks of horror and admiration on their faces.

Smiling jovially round at them all, Harold now addressed the bemused looking group, "No need to worry, we have matters well in hand. Draco will meet with each of you in the following week to discuss the finer points of your department's finances and he'll take things from there. I'm confident that this system will work admirably. Now, I fear the meeting has overrun again – ah well, it can't be helped. Have a good evening all of you."

So saying, Harold pushed back his chair and rose to his feet. This was the cue Hermione, as well as the rest of the board of directors, was waiting for. Gathering her hastily scribbled notes together, she made straight for the door, anxious not to linger – she didn't feel like talking to Draco Malfoy right now.

"Hermione? Hermione, wait up, I want to talk to you."

Cursing silently, she turned to see James Sanderson hurrying up to her, a frown marring his face. In his early thirties, James was of middle height with curling brown hair. His eyes, a deep hazel, were narrowed as he studied Hermione's flushed face.

"What's the hurry?" he asked, reaching her side and holding open the door.

Stepping out into the corridor, Hermione shrugged, and keeping her voice light answered, "It was getting stiflingly hot in there, I needed some air."

"I suppose," James agreed, falling into step beside her, "so much for a ten minute meeting, eh? That must have lasted well over twenty minutes."

"Cheer up," Hermione consoled him absentmindedly, "it could've been a lot worse."

"Hmm, I suppose. What you think of the new finance system? Cleverly thought out, wouldn't you say? But then Malfoy is a whiz with numbers – almost makes me wish he'd taken over the Finance Directorship earlier."

"The new system's certainly thorough," Hermione commented dryly, as she pushed open the heavy outer doors of the hospital, "Malfoy clearly knows what he's doing with regards to finance."

The grounds were quiet as they stepped outside. A warm breeze ruffled Hermione's hair as they strolled along, the sound of their footsteps muffled by the springy green grass. The sun was sinking fast and twilight was taking its place. Hermione breathed in the warm fragrant air and felt her spirits lift as they always did when she was on her way home.

"Oh yes," James enthused, putting a companionable arm round her shoulders as they made their leisurely way across the grounds, "hopefully with the changes, my departmental budget will increase. Edward, bless him, still seemed to think there were no more than ten people working in my department, even though that number's almost trebled these past five years, and he could never understand why I needed more money to finance the department."

"True," Hermione couldn't hide her smile, "it'll be interesting to see how things pan out though."

"Won't it just?" came a drawling voice from right behind her. Both Hermione and James jumped and spinning round, saw Draco leaning casually against a tree watching them. His eyes were hooded showing no emotion but his mouth was compressed into a thin line which Hermione knew from past experience, didn't bode well.

"Draco," James said with a smile, recovering himself, "I didn't hear you following us – find it hot in there too?"

"You could say that," Draco replied, his eyes flicking to James and then back to Hermione's startled face, "or maybe I was curious to know why you two bolted for the door like that." He gave a thin-lipped smile, which did nothing to ease Hermione's growing apprehension, "One would think from the way you both exited that room that demons were after you."

"Oh no," James laughed, misinterpreting Draco's smile, "it was stifling in there, that's all."

"I see," Draco shrugged, not taking his eyes from Hermione as he spoke, "well, don't let me keep you, Sanderson."

James, still smiling said, "Oh first names please! We don't stand on ceremony at Hanwell's – it's what makes us different from other hospitals." He gave a proud smile and went on, "We're very informal here; it helps create a relaxed atmosphere for patients."

Draco said nothing, but stared pointedly at the apparition spot not too far away from them. For a moment, James looked non-plused, but then reluctantly taking the hint continued "Well…erm, I'll be off now – see you in the morning Hermione!"

Hermione turned and smiled broadly at him. "Oh yes, we'll definitely meet up some time tomorrow – maybe for coffee?" At James' nod she went on, "Good, I'll floo you in the morning to arrange it."

"Right," James replied curtly, preparing to Apparate, "have a good evening both of you." He Disapparated, leaving Hermione alone with a seething Draco.

Slowly Hermione turned back to Draco, pinning a bright smile on her face as she did so, "Well, I too must be off…" she began, but was cut off.

"Oh not so fast," Draco drawled, stepping forward and placing a hand on her shoulder, "surely you can spare the time to have a drink with an old friend?"

Hermione had to bite back a derisive snort at these words, but smiling determinedly, she responded, "No, I don't think so."

"Why not? I don't bite you know."

"No, I suppose you don't, but I've other commitments this evening, so can't spare the time." She gave Draco another smile which did not quite reach her eyes. It was important to be civil to him, as the amount of money her department would be allocated this year rested in his hands, but that didn't mean she had to have a drink with the man!

"I see," he clipped, his eyes boring into hers, "you can't spare the time to have a quick drink with me, but can spare the time to stand and chat with Sanderson – does that about sum it up?"

"Look," Hermione reasoned, unconsciously adopting the same tone she used when trying to reason with Aurora before one of her tantrums, "James and I are good friends, hence we like to spend time together. You and I, on the other hand, have nothing in common – never have and probably never will. Besides, I've other things to do this evening, so I can't spare the time even if I wanted to do so."

"I agree that we've nothing in common as yet," he spoke quietly, "but things change Hermione – did no one ever tell you that?"

Hermione took an involuntary step away from him, trying hard to keep calm. "What're you talking about?" she asked, irritation evident in her voice. She didn't like the way this conversation was going and was now even more determined than ever to put an end to it.

"Well," he smiled, "we have plenty of things to discuss – common grounds, you may call it," at her blank look, he went on, "for example, the financial state of the Department of Surgical Magic. What better way to do that than over a nice cool drink?"

"I don't mix work with pleasure," she snapped scowling, "it isn't good business practice you know!"

If anything his smile grew wider, and he agreed, "Excellent work ethics. So we'll simply discuss 'pleasure' over the drink then, shall we?"

Hermione could feel heat rising to her cheeks, and by his smirk, saw that he had noticed this. "No," she repeated, glowering, "no, as I said before, I don't want to spend any more time with you than is strictly necessary, and I don't classify having a drink with you as necessary. So good day to you."

"I tried to be nice," he shrugged, "but that doesn't seem to be something you understand all that well – what a shame! Oh well, that leaves me no choice – don't say I didn't warn you!"

With those cryptic words, Draco Disapparated, leaving her alone in the quiet grounds. She shivered even though it was not cold, and wished, not for the first time, that Draco Malfoy had stayed in America. At least there he could not hurt her and threaten the life she had so painstakingly built up these last five years. Shaking off her misgivings, she too prepared to Disapparate and attempt to turn her thoughts to the evening ahead.

XoXoXoXo

"It's an outrage," Hermione fumed, as she paced up and down her sitting room, "It's outrageous to think that they'd make her do that!"

Ginny, lounging on the sofa facing the large windows, sighed and said, "But that's life Hermione, the girl has no other choice. That's what society dictates!"

"But why? We're now in the 21st century and thanks to some antiquated rubbish, poor Patricia has to either marry what's his name or terminate her pregnancy! What about the baby? Where are its rights?" Placing her hands on her hips, she glowered at the unfortunate Ginny.

Ginny sighed again, and gave Hermione an almost pitying look. Then patiently she tried again, "Hermione, don't get angry at me please. I'm simply delivering the message, that's all. You know as well as I do that single mothers aren't accepted in Wizarding Society. It's just not done. If a girl's silly enough to get pregnant in the first place – and you must admit that she'd certainly be extremely foolish, what with all the contraception charms and potions available now; Its almost impossible to get pregnant unless you really want to, Patricia has really only one of two options – either marry the father or terminate her pregnancy. They're the only two accepted ways to handle her situation."

"Well, whatever it is, it's still wrong!" Hermione exclaimed, "My god, it's positively barbaric!"

"Be that as it may," Ginny replied calmly, "the fact remains that Patricia has two choices open to her and as you know, marrying Luis Danby isn't an option as he's already married!"

Hermione sat down heavily on the sofa beside Ginny and sighed deeply. "I can't do it Ginny," she said quietly, "I wouldn't be able to live with myself if I went through with it. I'm sure that Ernie'll understand when I explain it to him - Patricia being his sister, I suppose I was the natural choice to be the one doing the termination."

"Yeah," agreed Ginny soberly, "oh well, I did warn her you may say no."

"But why," Hermione questioned, a note of desperation creeping into her voice, "why can't she just have the child and bring it up? Her family's rich enough to afford it, so why not?"

"Wizarding Etiquette," Ginny answered with a slight shrug, "unmarried mothers are frowned upon in respectable society – they become outcasts. I don't suppose there's really any reason that single witches can't be mothers, but it's just the culture and custom."

Hermione was silent and then thoughtfully, she asked, "Ginny, supposing you weren't married and ended up pregnant, surely your parents'd let you keep the child?"

"No," Ginny replied seriously, "That's just it, they wouldn't. I'd either have to marry the father or terminate the pregnancy. There'd be no other option for me. That's why girls ensure they are never in that position – Merlin only knows how Patricia McMillan managed it!" She laughed and then continued, "I remember as though it were yesterday. Mum sat me down and warned me against the dangers of getting pregnant – she must have gone at me for well over an hour!"

"But surely you won't follow this nonsense?" Hermione couldn't keep the slightly frantic note from creeping into her voice now, "I mean, say in twenty years' time, your daughter got pregnant – surely you and Harry wouldn't force her to terminate, would you?"

Ginny said nothing for a moment, but Hermione noticed that her eyes, which had been fixed on Hermione's indignant face, slid guiltily away from her, so she was looking at a point over Hermione's right shoulder. "Well, I'd ensure she didn't get into such a position in the first place," she finally responded.

"You haven't answered my question – what would you do if she became pregnant?"

"Ensured she married the father!" Ginny replied defensively. "Any decent parent would do the same. I don't know, termination seems rather harsh though." Ginny fell silent and Hermione knew she was thinking about Aurora. Then she carried on in a harder voice, "But that Patricia – how she was stupid enough to get herself into this position, is still a mystery to me!"

There was a silence in which thoughts tumbled round Hermione's brain. The sound of birdsong drifted in through the open window, and not too far away, a lawn mower could be heard chugging over someone's lawn.

Finally, Hermione turned to look into Ginny's worried eyes, and quietly she asked, "Ginny, I don't understand, if what you say is the norm in wizarding society – and I don't doubt it is, then why wasn't I made to feel like an outcast when Aurora was born?"

"I've sometimes wondered about that, especially during the first few months of Aurora's life. I suppose it has something to do with your muggle background…I mean your parents were quite accepting about your pregnancy, weren't they?" At Hermione's nod, she went on, "Then there was your celebrity status in the wizarding world; youngest healer ever to join the Hanwell's staff, best witch at Hogwarts for over twenty years, member of the Order, close friend of Harry Potter and so on. I suppose people forgave you your little indiscretion in the light of all that – well, those who knew about it anyway, and there weren't many of them for obvious reasons. And by the time most people found out, when Aurora started nursery school, most just assumed that you must've had a husband but he died in the war – Merlin only knows we lost enough people in that damned war. Also, people are much more forgiving in war time."

"Yeah," Hermione smiled cynically as her thoughts churned restlessly. "If it weren't for my parents, I don't know how I would've coped," she mused, "those first few months were especially difficult – Aurora wasn't an easy baby to look after and then there was my post-natal depression to contend with, as well as the fear that He may discover Aurora's existence, well, let's just say that wizarding custom was the last thing on my mind."

"Of course," Ginny said gently," that's understandable, but Hermione, even with you, we've had to take precautions this past year what with Aurora starting nursery and stuff." At Hermione's raised eyebrows, she elaborated, "That man – your supposed husband and Aurora's father, the one who you invented when Aurora started asking questions, remember?"

"Of course," Hermione shrugged impatiently, "but what's that to do with anything? I just told Aurora that to curb her curiosity nothing else."

Ginny gave a short laugh and then carried on, "Well, I'm not sure if I should tell you this, but when Ron heard what you had told Aurora, he embellished it a bit so your husband was a muggle, in case anyone ever questioned Aurora's paternity. Actually in hindsight, I think it's a good idea he took that precaution, what with Malfoy being back on the scene. A muggle husband would explain the lack of a record of your marriage, if anyone cared to look into it."

"Yes," Hermione murmured, a lump lodging in her throat, "Yes it was very thoughtful of him." She felt deeply touched that Ron had gone to such lengths to ensure her child was accepted in wizarding society, and was deeply thankful for such loyal friends.

"Hermione, are you ok?" Ginny's anxious voice penetrated her thoughts.

Looking up, she saw her friend peering down at her, concern evident on her face. "Yes," she replied, "just… just worried, that's all. All this stuff about single mothers is worrying me a bit now that another girl is in the same position I was in five years ago."

"I wouldn't worry," Ginny reassured, "the muggle husband has his uses after all."

"Ginny," Hermione began thoughtfully, "If Luis Danby hadn't been married, would Patricia's parents've forced them to marry?"

"You bet," Ginny grinned, "They would've been married quicker than you can blink!"

The sound of voices made both women look round, and a moment later the jangling of the doorbell brought both to their feet.

"It'll be Harry back with Aurora," Ginny smiled, going out into the hall and opening the front door.

Aurora tumbled through, her cheeks shining with excitement. Behind her, Harry entered the hall looking very wind swept and grinning.

"Mummy, Mummy," squealed Aurora, running over to her mother and hugging her round the waist, "We went on Uncle Hawwy's bwoom and it was weally good!"

"That's nice," Hermione replied, gently disentangling herself from her daughter's effusive embrace and leading the way back into the sitting room. Mustering a smile she asked brightly, "Where did you go?"

"To the park down the road," Harry told her, "I put shielding and silencing charms round us so no muggles could see us and we were off, weren't we angel?"

Aurora nodded enthusiastically in agreement and he went on, "she's a natural Hermione; you should let her fly more often."

"Oh yes," agreed an excited Aurora, looking up at her mother through long lashes, "Mummy, can me and Uncle Hawwy go on his bwoom again please, please? I'll be weally good all the time if you let me go on Uncle Hawwy's bwoom, I pwomise!"

Across the room, Harry grinned at Hermione's flustered expression. Not being a particularly good flyer herself, she had made it a point to avoid brooms unless really necessary, and so it was not surprising that Aurora had never ridden on one.

Hermione took a deep breath wondering how to deal with this situation but grateful at the same time, as it had forced her to stop brooding about her single parent status and what this may mean for Aurora within wizarding society. "Well," she hedged, "we'll see – Uncle Harry is a busy man after all, so he doesn't have much spare time."

"Yes he does," contradicted Aurora thrusting her chin out defiantly, "he said me and him would go out at the weekend, didn't you Uncle Hawwy?" she turned to appeal to Harry for help, and obligingly Harry nodded.

"True," he said, "but as Mummy says, we'll have to wait and see!"

"Why?" Aurora frowned, and Hermione noticed that her lower lip had begun to tremble, "why do we have to wait and see? No one else waits and sees! Jenny's daddy takes her flying all the time, and so does Annabelle's mummy, so why do I have to wait and see, it's not fair!" Angry tears glistened in her eyes as she spoke, although she strove valiantly to keep them at bay.

Kneeling down, Hermione scooped Aurora up into her arms and hugged her tightly, "There there," she soothed, "we don't mean to be unfair, it is just that I don't like flying and Uncle Harry and Uncle Ron are both quite busy, but we'll see what we can do – how's that?"

Aurora knew defeat when she saw it, and realising there would be nothing gained in arguing further, nodded in acquiescence. She was determined to get her own way though, but instinctively knew that she wasn't going to get a better deal with any of the adults she knew, than the one she had just struck with her mother.

"Look," Ginny said brightly, pointing out of the window, "there's a thrush perched on the window sill – come and see Aurora."

Pulling away from her mother, Aurora wandered dejectedly over to where Ginny stood, and looking through the window, glared at the unfortunate thrush, which promptly flew off. "Don't like it," she muttered scowling, "it can fly when it wants to – it doesn't have to wait and see like I have to – not fair!"

Behind Her, Hermione sighed deeply, while Harry tried in vain to hide his grin. It would indeed be a long day and she couldn't wait for the end of it to come.

XoXoXoXo

The reference library was quiet as Hermione placed the thick dusty journal she had been looking through back onto its shelf. Moving along the shelf, she selected another volume, and tucking it beneath her arm, made her way back to the desk at which she had been taking notes.

There was only one other occupant in the library apart from the wizen old librarian, a young student who was busy writing at a corner desk. Hermione smiled at him as she passed but doubted that he had seen her. Seating herself, she was just about to open the musty volume she was carrying, when the library doors were pushed open. Ignoring this, Hermione focused her eyes on the cramped writing on the page before her, when an all too familiar voice reached her ears, and she sat bolt upright looking round her. From the sound of it, Draco Malfoy was talking to the amiable old librarian. Their voices were quiet in the silence that pervaded the library and she quickly lost interest. She had a report to finish by the end of the day and sitting around listening to Draco Malfoy talk, wasn't going to help her get it completed.

She shrugged and was about to turn away, when the sound of her own name reached her ears. In an instant, her earlier disinterest was replaced by curiosity, the half completed report lying in front of her forgotten. Getting up quietly, she made her silent way round some shelves until she had the two men in sight. She wanted to know what they were discussing, but more importantly, what she had to do with their conversation. She knew that eavesdropping was essentially wrong, but something about Draco Malfoy put her on the defensive and she was determined to know what he was up to.

Peering through a gap in the books in front of her, she saw that old Alan, the librarian, was standing leaning against a shelf piled high with journals, while Draco stood facing him, his back to the library windows. She had a side view of both men and shifting her position slightly, Hermione saw that Draco was leaning forward, a rapt expression on his pale face.

"But as you say," he nodded smiling at the old librarian, "you've been here since the hospital opened, so you must know all about it. I mean, being such an integral part of things, you're bound to know all the goings on here!"

From the friendly tone of his voice, this wasn't the first time he and Alan had talked.

Alan, normally quite reserved with strangers, seemed perfectly at ease as he surveyed the young man before him thoughtfully. "Oh yes," he responded, "you could say that. I mean, I was here since the first day the hospital opened, so yes, I know exactly what goes on. People don't often think I notice things, but I do all right."

"Hmm, I can imagine," Draco agreed, "I remember that in my school days, you worked at the St Mungo's library!"

"Oh that," Alan snorted derisively, "no manners those healers! They just barged in, and treated the books any old how; chucking them around, leaving them lying about once they'd finished with them… and as for the way they treated me," he huffed and shook his head in disgust. Hermione scowled as Draco nodded in agreement. "Now here – this is a different atmosphere altogether, the staff treat me as though I'm worth something, and they don't disrespect the books. Even the students put them back where they find them – that's what I call respect."

"Oh definitely!" Draco agreed smiling, "after all, books are the bringers of knowledge, are they not?"

"Of course," the old man enthused, "if people understood the value of books, they'd never dare leave one lying about. Now as I was saying, our Hermione, she knows the value of books all right, and she always has time to chat to me too!"

Was it Hermione's imagination, or did Draco's smile become, if possible, even broader? He certainly nodded his agreement to this statement and said "I remember at school, she was forever in the library when everyone else was doing other things," looking a little nostalgic, he added, "She's a real little bookworm, one might say!"

"You were both at school together?" There was a note of definite interest in Alan's voice now, "she never told me that."

"Yeah," Draco drawled casually with an elegant shrug, "we were in the same year at Hogwarts and did practically the same subjects."

Hermione didn't like the way this conversation was heading, and had half a mind to run out from her hiding place and put an end to it, but that would involve answering awkward questions and she didn't feel up to that right now. So she stood there, not wanting to hear any more, but at the same time unable to stop herself.

"I never knew," Alan mused, "but thinking about it, it fits. I mean you're around the same age and all that… but I'm surprised she didn't mention it though."

"It probably never came up in your conversations," Draco excused, "I mean I've been away from Britain for a while now, and she's been very busy."

"Oh yes, that she's been," the librarian chuckled. "Do you know, she's had twelve articles on the Integration of Magical and Muggle Medicine published in the last year alone!"

"Wow," Draco enthused with every appearance of being impressed, "she has been a busy woman then."

"But not so busy that she can't spare the time to chat to me," Alan smiled, a note of pride in his voice.

"I really must make time to catch up with her," Draco murmured almost to himself, "I wonder what's been happening in her life – apart from her academic success of course."

Alan just smiled and then to Hermione's slight surprise and relief, asked, "So what about you? What are your plans now that you have returned to Britain? I mean a nice young lad like yourself must have plenty of options open to him."

Draco gave a low and slightly cynical laugh, "Oh plenty," he agreed, "but I won't be taking any of the offers up just yet. I've other things to do first."

"Oh?" Alan's curiosity seemed to be getting the better of him.

"Yes, I intend to marry… and very soon at that!" Behind the books, Hermione's eyes widened and she peered out at the two men with renewed interest – Marry? This was a surprise and not an unwelcome one – maybe now he would leave her be!

"And who's the lucky lady?" Alan's voice filtered through her thoughts and quickly she focused her attention back on the two men.

"Ah, that would be telling!" Draco leaned forward and lowered his voice, and for the first time she could remember, Hermione wished she had one of Fred and George's Extendable Ears to hand. Her hearing was sharp though, and she caught his next words easily enough.

"Between you and me, my bride to be is someone with whom you are already acquainted. I'll say no more for the time being, apart from the fact that our children will be one clever bunch of little witches and wizards."

"I see. But why all the secrecy?"

"Oh no reason, we need to sort a few things out before announcing our marriage."

"Hmmm, intriguing. Well, I wish you both the best of luck…" At that moment, the library doors were flung open by a slightly harassed looking medi-wizard carrying a pile of journals. Hermione knew that no more would be said about Draco's plans and she moved silently back to the desk at which she had been working, her mind spinning.

Sitting down, she pulled the heavy book she had been attempting to read earlier towards her, a smile playing about her mouth. Draco Malfoy to marry? That was the best news she had heard in weeks – now perhaps he would have less time to spend at the hospital and maybe even, given time, he would drop the Finance Directorship. Hermione smiled again, knowing this was very unlikely to happen but his marrying would be a definite comfort to her. It meant he would have better things to do than to annoy her on a regular basis… and as for Aurora! She sighed with relief; Aurora would be safe as all his energies would be concentrated on his new wife and children, and not in trying to discover the whereabouts of a child of whose existence he was unaware.

Finally Hermione was able to turn her thoughts back to her report, but with a much lighter heart. Now maybe at last things could go back to normal and she could get a decent night's sleep at long last. She bent her head, and grinning once more, started to write.