"Good, I'm glad you've woken up on time, boy!" Professor Slughorn said as he looked away from his potions. "I've heard that you actually have experience teaching already!" He shook his head amused.
Percy blushed, it was the second day of school since he got the first day to prepare from Slughorn. "I believe it was three Slytherins?" Percy smiled as he knew who talked, of course the three talked about him to the teacher. "How about you lead the first class and I'll correct you or steer you back on track?"
"Oh wow," This was something he did not prepare for, however he didn't want to disappoint the old man. "Of course, I'll try." He said with a smile. "The lesson plan was brewing potions and letting them identify it."
Percy nodded, and looked at the brewing potions, "Veritaserum, Polyjuice Potion, Amortentia, and" He got a closer look, a smile on his face, "Felix Felicis. I haven't brewed that one in a long while."
"Well, it takes a terrible long time to brew that potion." Slughorn shook his head, "But for the purpose of the lesson I have brewed it and will give it out as a reward, for the first day."
Percy nodded, "I'd like to announce it though, so don't spoil my announcement." Percy laughed and nodded again, looking over to the love potion before he swiftly grinded up some moonstone.
The man looked over at him with raised eyebrows as Percy dropped in the grinded moonstone, "It was a bit unstable, sir." He said.
"Certainly a talent, might be even more or equal to Severous." Slughorn squinted at Percy, as if analyzing him closer, "Congratulations, Perseus, you have a very bright future."
Percy just smiled and thanked the man, as a kid he didn't even know if he had one. It's certainly nice to learn that someone thinks he has one. They continued to have some small talk as Percy and Slughorn finished the potions up and put them on stands to present them.
Percy cleaned up the stations and looked up at the clock. His eyes widened and he quickly walked over to the door, opening it. "You're late." Draco snapped as he walked into the room. Other Slytherins followed and then the Hufflepuffs, the Ravenclaws and the Gryffindors.
Hermione kissed his cheek and he smiled, looking behind and seeing that no-one else was coming in. He closed the door, "Stand there," He ordered and pointed, he leant against the table. "Here we have four potions, is anyone able to identify them?" He asked, raising an eyebrow.
Everyone looked down at the ground, Draco was acting nonchalant again, everyone held their hands down, except for, "Miss. Granger." The girl beamed and walked on up, sending Percy nervous looks and sometimes glancing over at Professor Slughorn.
Percy gave her a nervous smile as well, "This is Veritaserum, the truth serum."
"How did you recognize it?" Percy continued to ask questions, get her to really explain.
"Well, it is colorless and odorless. Nearly like water." Hermione said, "Being that a lunar phase has passed recently, a great opportunity to make this potion." Percy definitely knows what a great opportunity it is to make the potion, and so does Snape. That's why he has been brewing eight different potions for the man. He certainly was tired of brewing it.
Percy nodded and gave her an approving smile, he looked at the back, seeing Harry and Ron walk through the door and hushed talking with Professor Slughorn. "That would be polyjuice potion."
He snorted quietly, ignoring the look that Hermione gave him. It was very entertaining to have her talking about it, especially with her history with the potion. "It's very tricky to make." Percy nodded, "It's still thick, dark and muddy, meaning that no-one has put anything in it to impersonate a person."
Percy looked over at the love potion, curiosity flickered in his eyes. "That one is Amortentia, a love potion!" Hermione exclaimed as she looked at the potion, "The smell is different to each person, according to what attracts them." She leant over and smelled it, "For example, I smell the sea."
Percy bit the inside of his cheek as he tried to smile not too big, it'd be very unprofessional. Hermione stopped herself from taking another whiff of the potions as she leant back, blushing as she looked over at Percy.
He heard a faint cooing coming from the back of the room. Percy raised his eyebrows at the back but no-one stood out. He nodded at Hermione with a smile and his girlfriend joined the rest, a blushing mess. "Thank you miss Granger."
He won't admit it unless she'd ask, but when Percy smelled the potion, it smelled of freshly brewed black tea, parchment paper and a touch of lavender. He was surprised at the lavender, but then quickly remembered that it is used in many sleeping potions, only she would smell like sleep to him. He smiled at her once again before he had to continue.
"Amortentia doesn't create actual love." He informed them, "That would be impossible," Even Aphrodite can't create love, she can however, enhance it until whatever point she likes. "It creates an infatuation or obsession." He looked at the other potions and noticed the girls leaning forward at the potion.
He quickly put the lid on, "It is very dangerous, probably the most dangerous one in the room." Percy watched as he noticed Lavender starting over at Ron, dreamily.
"What is the last one, Percy?" Katie asked.
Percy smiled as he began to take apart the stand that held the potion to hold it out in front of him, showing it to everyone. "This here, is a potion with a six month process. A little potion known as Felix Felicis. Personally, I've only brewed it twice."
"Liquid luck." Hermione said as she stared at it. Draco perked up and somewhere in him, the godling didn't know what to think of it. But sometimes everyone just needs a little luck, he understands that.
"Correct," Percy smiled at her. "Tricky to make, very bad if you brew it wrong. But if done right, it would have remarkable powers. One sip and all your actions succeed, unless it wears off, of course."
"But then why don't people drink it all the time?" Katie asked
"Well, too much would make you giddy, reckless and your confidence would be dangerous." Percy pursed his lips, "It could be deadly."
"Ever taken some, Grindelwald?" Blaise called out, a curious look on his face. Percy is quite surprised that he even considered talking to him.
"No," Percy admitted with a small smile, "I don't need luck."
Malfoy snorted, "You don't need luck?" Sure, not needing luck could come over as pretentious.
He shook his head, the fates had a plan for him. It is out of his hands, he'll have to follow their , it's not like he has a choice. "Sometimes things are meant to happen."
"But-"
"That's it, gentlemen." Slughorn interrupted. "You can win the vial of liquid luck if you brew an acceptable Draught of Living Death. Page ten." Everyone looked at the vial in Percy's hand, and Slughorn clapped, "In the remaining hour please."
Percy walked between the stations and looked over at Hermione, who was struggling with the Sopophorous bean. He cringed and so badly wanted to reach out and help her but he couldn't. With a curious look he shared with Slughorn they looked over at Harry, who was doing rather greatly. He quickly caught a flying bean before he continued to walk through the classroom.
Although Percy would have brewed the potion a little bit differently.
But nonetheless, Harry is doing great.
Some cauldrons overflow, Lavender eyeing Ron. Hermione grows more and more frustrated. Percy looked in adoration as her hair became frizzy because of the humid room. While it sucked to see her frustrated, she did that thing where she crunches her nose in concentration to get it right. He loved seeing her concentrate.
When the time came, Slughorn judged every single cauldron. Hermione watched in jealousy as Percy handed Harry the lucky potion. Percy quickly followed her out, "'Mione." He called out and reached for her. "You did better than most, it's a complicated potion." He comforted her.
"It just didn't work, Percy." Hermione said quietly. Percy smiled softly and reached over to pat her hair down a bit.
"Sorry, it was distracting me." He said, quietly before continuing. "You didn't have the time to properly prepare yourself, I know you thrive on being prepared." Oh how he knows it. He has seen her be prepared a few days before a dinner party they were planning.
He took her hands in hers, "Don't feel bad about not winning the potion." He said, "Who needs luck when you're extremely competent?"
Hermione raised an eyebrow at him, "Are you saying that Harry isn't competent?"
Percy sighed and looked at her with a deadpan expression, "I'm saying that he's unlucky. Like I was, at camp especially." He muttered. Hermione giggled softly. "I know you don't like to have your hair like that," Percy said and pulled out a little vail of his own. "Here." He said and handed it over.
Hermione immediately knew what it was and reached over to kiss his cheek, "Thank you."
"You know I love your wild curled hair." Percy said with a smile, "But I want you happy." He shrugged and shooed Hermione away, "You're going to be late."
Hermione rolled her eyes at him but he could see the small smile on her face.
—
Percy sat down on the grass with Hermione, at first she wanted to be up in the tribunes but Percy was queasy being so high up. He cringed as McLaggen walked up to them with his smug smile.
"Hey Granger, how are you?" Of course he was trying out for the Gryffindor Quidditch team.
Percy sat next to her with a confused look on his head.
"McLaggen." Hermione greeted back, clearly holding back a sigh.
The Gryffindor shook his head and smiled sickly sweetly at her. "No need to call me McLaggen, Cormac is fine." He flirted and Percy cringed and just squinted up at him.
"Just let me have one go at him." Percy squid quietly and Hermione laughed as she put a hand on his knee, a bit forcefully.
"You'll break him."
Percy nodded proudly, "Like a twig."
"Excuse me, Grindelwald, right?" Cormac started.
Percy looked up at him with stormy eyes, "That's correct, got a problem?" He nearly scoffed, acting as if the Gryffindor didn't know the Slytherin's name.
"Yes," Cormac stated and Percy raised his eyebrow. "You're interrupting Miss. Granger's and I's conversation."
Percy blinked a few times, "You only said about ten words to her, that's not a conversation." He was getting tired of the ballsy Gryffindor. Cormac sent him an irritated glare and in the background the two could hear Ginny shout at the kids.
"That'll be me, wish me luck Granger." He winked at her and walked away.
"Just one hit," Percy pleaded as he turned to her.
Hermione was cringing as she watched him walk away, "He can't just take a hint, can he now?" She complained and turned to him. "You'd traumatize him."
"Exactly." Percy nodded with a smile, he felt Hermione put her hand in his. She squeezed and he looked at her with a grin on his face.
"We're not going to hurt him." Hermione said and Percy sighed, putting his head on her shoulder. "He's quite disrespectful towards you." She hummed.
"That arrogant prick, I'll have his little uncle disciplined with a few owls." Percy grumbled and Hermione laughed, knowing fully well that some of his family members will go as far as pursue legal action. Just as long as that means to have Percy around them or their kids.
Everyone loves Percy.
"You'd be a mess if you were with us here, in our second year." Hermione mused, Percy raised his eyebrow as he looked up at her.
"What'd you mean?" He asked.
"Well," She snorted, "There was this one teacher, Lockhart-"
"That fraud?" Percy exclaimed, "He was a teacher here?"
Hermione cringed and nodded. "Lockhart had this bright idea of having some dwarfs in a costume fly around, serenading everyone who bought a song." She shook her head. Percy squinted his eyes at her.
"You didn't send one, did you?" he asked, and looked closer. At the start of a blush his jaw dropped, "Hermione Granger, had an inappropriate crush on Lockhart?" He laughed.
Hermione punched his shoulder and clamped a hand over his mouth, "Percy." She hissed and looked around, their friends already going through some drills. "They don't know."
Percy raised his eyebrow at her, "They don't?" He questioned, muffled. Somehow Hermione knew and shook her head, she looked embarrassed. The boy pulled her hand off of his mouth and held it. "I'd send you a dwarf." He winked.
Hermione rolled her eyes, "It was insensitive at the moment." She said quietly. Percy then remembered her second year. She was petrified for a month or two. He kissed her hand in silent comfort and pulled her closer before resting an arm over her shoulder.
"At first I was afraid, I was petrified." Percy hummed under his breath, "Kept thinking I could never live without you by my side." Hermione looked at him with a deadpan expression, "Sorry!" He defended himself and kissed her forehead.
"You know, I could apologize properly." He said and wiggled his eyebrows. Hermione looked scandalous and slapped his shoulder. "Percy!"
The boy grinned and pressed a kiss against her cheek. "I love you, Hermione." He said quietly.
Hermione bit the inside of her cheek, smiling. "Love you too, Perseus."
Normally he'd hate being called Perseus, but the way that Hermione says it makes a shiver go down his back. He looked at her with a coy smile on his face, "Are you sure I can't convince you?"
Hermione rolled her eyes and kissed his cheek before leaning over to his ear, "Maybe later." She whispered and Percy clenched his jaw. Gods Hermione doesn't know what kind of an effect she has on him. Or she does, he isn't sure.
—
Of course Slughorn wanted to have another dinner with them. He looked at Harry with a pleading expression to get him out of that dinner. The boy just smiled flatly and shrugged before he continued to his detention with Professor Snape.
Just a small gathering. Professor Slughorn had really emphasized that Percy should be there, and invited Hermione as well.
Percy and Hermione followed the man into his office and sat down at the table, Hermione by his side. The two were having a small conversation when someone clears their throat. They looked up at a standing Slughorn, "I'm glad you have all joined me." The man started and held his goblet up, "Here is to the future."
Everyone raised their goblets and smiled as they repeated after the professor, "To the future," They repeated. Percy shared a look with Hermione and he clinked his glass with hers. "To our future." He whispered. Hermione smiled at him.
"I know it is very unprofessional of me to ask, but how long have you two been romantically involved?"
Percy snorted and coughed as he choked on his drink, he looked up at the Professor. Hermione was rubbing his back, "We've been together for about eight months?" He said and looked at Hermione in affirmation.
The girl nodded, "We talked about this two weeks ago Percy." She said quietly.
"That's quite lovely." Slughorn laughed, "I hope you didn't mind me asking, Mr. Grindelwald." The man said with a polite smile. "I believe that we'll be spending a lot of time together."
Percy smiled and he looked over at Hermione with a small smile, "I don't mind professor." He said. Looking over he saw Cormac clench his silverware.
Percy rolled his eyes and continued talking with Hermione. He put a hand on her knee and started to mindlessly draw figures.
His chin felt a sudden sting of pain and he flinched it up into the table. He looked over at a smirking Cormac, "Did you just kick me?" He questioned.
Cormac's smile faded, not expecting to be publicly called out. Hermione put a hand on his upper arm.
"Now boys, what is this quarrel?" Slughorn asked as he discontinued his conversation with the girl whose family has huge apothecary chains.
"I don't know what he's talking about sir." Cormac said with his arrogant smile.
Percy stood up from the table, keeping his palms on it. "You know what I am talking about, McLaggen." Percy said, Hermione squeezed his arm again and he deflated back into his seat. "Back off." He warned.
Slughorn raised his eyebrow, conflict within the group is probably something that hasn't come up before.
Percy just couldn't stop fuming at the way McLaggen was grinning smugly. He threw his napkin on his table and stood up, looking at Slughorn. "If you'll excuse me." He said stiffly and turned to Hermione, "Finish dinner, love." He whispered and kissed her forehead before walking out of the room.
He knew she would follow him out if he didn't say anything. Percy would be fine without the club, Hermione could benefit from the advantages it gives. She's a very independent person and she wouldn't accept it if she didn't feel like she worked for it.
Percy admires her for that.
He also happens to worship the ground she walks on so it is very on brand for him.
—
"I really don't like him." Percy muttered as he looked up at her. They were in their secret room, in the library. Since the kids were getting their proper education it wasn't necessary for them to use it anymore.
So he and Hermione did.
"I know you don't." She hummed and flipped a page in the book she's reading. "I think Slughorn is rather glad you walked out." She chuckled, "You looked like you were about to make it storm inside."
Percy grinned, "That would make him shit his pants."
"You know, you could start some haters club with Ron." Hermione laughed as she looked down at her lap, where his head was resting.
Percy laughed softly, "Gods, he isn't anyone's favorite, is he now?"
She cringed, "Most like him, I don't see why."
Percy sat back up and kissed her cheek, the nap was very necessary. Especially after the enraging day he had yesterday. "Happy birthday." He said and smiled at her.
Hermione looked over at him with a smile, her eyes were squinted and Percy was thinking that no other could compare to her, not even Aphrodite. "Thank you, Percy." She said, her tone equally as soft as his.
She leant in and kissed Percy gently. "I'm glad that we have this room." She pulled away to say that before she went back to kissing him.
Percy put a hand on her cheek and kissed her back passionately before pulling away, "You're distracting me, 'mione." He said breathlessly.
Hermione giggled and looked at him, her brown eyes were shining and he wanted to shout and yell at everyone how beautiful they are.
Percy stood up and fumbled a medium jewelry box out of his breast pocket. He walked around the couch where he stood behind her. "Is it corny for me to ask you to close your eyes?"
Hermione laughed but closed her eyes either way. Percy fished the necklace out of the box and unclasped it to put it around her neck.
He struggled with clasping it together but got it after Hermione started to tease him. "I got it." He smiled and put her hair back over her shoulders.
He quickly transfigured a book into a mirror and held it out in front of her. "Do you like it?" Percy was nervous, the aquamarine gem was encased in gold. "I know you don't like flaunting a lot so I got you something subt-"
"I love it, Percy." Hermione said and turned around to look at him, she pressed a slow kiss against his lips and he hummed. "Thank you." She whispered out as she rested her forehead against his.
"It's enchanted," he whispered, "Some kind of location beacon, activated by saying 'vres me'. It's Greek to find me."
Hermione repeated after him and the gem glowed. Percy's camp necklace levitated and started to fly over to his girlfriend.
He gave her a smile, "'se vríka', is found you." He translated. "That way you'll find me."
She once again repeated after him and smiled as her necklace reacted the same as his. He put a hand on her cheek and kissed her forehead. "With all that is happening," he started. "I would like to be by your side, when it all gets hard."
Hermione's eyebrows furrowed and she pecked his lips, "We'll be fine."
Percy caressed her cheek and he gave her a strained smile, "Fine isn't great." He said quietly and looked at her. She was everything to him, he wouldn't dare to ever lose her.
"Oh Perseus." Hermione wrapped him up in a hug and Percy just hugged back. The warmth of the embrace made him happy.
His dreams have been putting him on edge again. Memories of the Giant war came up again and everything resurfacing made him think again. All the deaths, he can't handle any more deaths. He is tired of burying his loved ones.
"Percy?"
He took in a sharp breath and smiled at her, "I've got another one." Oh she is going to love the other gift that he had gotten him. He had spent a lot of time and hours engraving the runes and researching the charms that he needed.
He walked over to his robe and pulled it out of his secretly enlarged space. It was a book, he held it out in front of her. "Here."
"Astronomy?" She questioned and looked up at him with a small smile. "You know." She accused playfully.
Percy grinned, of course he knows. He knows of her recent obsession and her fascination with the universe. "Open it." He urged, hoping that she hadn't seen the runes yet.
The girl opened the book and gasped as it sucked all the light out of the room, "Percy!" She called out, "Seriously? If this is one of your pranks with the twins I swear-"
"Just a few more seconds, love." Percy said, amused by her reaction. The dark room suddenly brightened by the bundled together lights of the book. Percy looked at Hermione's confused face as she looked down at the book.
He reached out and gently pulled her chin up to look at the ceiling. He quickly pulled away, smiling. "Oh wow." Hermione admired.
Percy looked at her analyzing eyes and he smiled, "I know right." He whispered. He took the book out of her hands and put them on the table. "C'mon." Percy said and held her by the waist as they laid down on the couch together, looking up at the charmed projection of the night sky.
He pointed at the familiar constellation, "That's the huntress." He whispered with a sad tone.
"It's the new one, right?" It was a worldwide phenomenon, everyone could see it at night.
"Zoë Nightshade." Percy whispered and pulled Hermione closer a bit. "She was the lieutenant of Lady Artemis ever since she was kicked out of the garden."
"Was?"
Percy left out this particular adventure. It had been one of the most stressful times he had been through as a young kid. It was one of the deaths that affected him greatly, with Bianca's on top as well.
He explained the story from the beginning and finally got to the end, the lump in his throat growing more painful. "She sacrificed herself." Percy said quietly, "She fought against her father and sacrificed herself for Artemis."
Hermione just snuggled closer into his side, "You would have loved her, Hermione." His voice cracked. He held her even tighter. "I know that she would've loved you, she'd try to convince you to join the hunt." He fell into a quiet chuckle and he wiped away a stray tear.
"It sounds very lovely." Hermione joked and Percy bursted out laughing.
"It does, doesn't it." He hummed. "Can you show me some constellations?" He asked. His heart sputtered at how excited the Gryffindor was, she took his hand and pointed at the stars.
—
There was tension in the group, Harry was somehow at the center of it all. Hermione vented all of her feelings to Percy about the book that Harry has, how no spells showed any curses. She didn't like the unfair advantage the book gave Harry.
She also told Percy about Ginny, how she was afraid that it could have a curse on it, like some old diary.
Percy blinked and nodded. His jaw clenched as he resisted the temptation to lean over and take her mind off of everything. "You know that I don't follow every instruction in the book either, right?"
Hermione looked over at him with an incredulous look on her face, "What?"
Percy shrugged, "I know the effects of every potion." He said, "Of every ingredient and action that I do to the potion."
"That's probably because of your powers." Hermione huffed.
Percy snorted and nodded. Guilty, he kept the temperature constant, giving him a bit of leeway room. He can feel it get warmer or colder, to see if the reactions are turning stable or unstable.
He checked his watch and stood up, "Let's go." He held his hand out for Hermione and smiled as she took it. With intertwined hands they roamed the partially empty halls as students bustled through.
Percy was looking forward to Hogsmeade, he hadn't been in quite a while. "Mr. Grindelwald!" A familiar voice called out.
The godling stopped in his step and turned around, "Yes professor?" He replied to Slughorn's call.
The man stood in front of them, "Could you help me with the second year's potion essay?" He asked. "Quite a bunch handed them in early."
Percy bit the inside of his cheek and looked over at Hermione. The girl sighed and smiled before pecking his cheek, "I'll see you at dinner, yeah?"
Percy nodded at her, "Dinner." He watched as the girl walked away and he pursed his lips. Turning around he followed after Slughorn, "Sir, I hope you understand that I am now obligated to join her for dinner."
"Oh I won't hold you hostage for that long." The old man laughed. Percy weakly smiled as he looked back once more, watching Hermione's retreating figure in the distance.
He was correcting the papers and after half an hour the professor excused himself, saying that he needed to tend to a few things. Percy didn't think anything of it.
—
Percy hurried into the transfiguration class, he had bursted out in a sprint when he had heard the news. "Hermione?" He asked as he pushed the door open. She saw the three stand in front of Professor McGonnagal.
He jogged over and took her face in his hands, searching for any wounds. "Are you okay?"
Hermione smiled, "I'm fine." She said and her eyes went over to the opal necklace. Percy's followed hers, ending on the necklace. He kissed her forehead before stepping up to the transfiguration professor.
"Is that it, Professor?" He asked and slowly took his wand out. His breath hitched as he saw it closer, "This thing killed about 19 no-maj." Percy said in awe and flicked his wand. It slowly levitated to eye height. "I saw it in the book of most cursed items."
"You're just perfect for Hermione." Ron muttered under his breath. "Ron." Hermione scolded and nudged him, ignoring the blush on her face.
"What book did you read that in?" Harry asked, curiously.
"Some book for aurors." Percy said distinctively and muttered a curse revealer. It shone black and he raised his eyebrows, "Katie should be glad to be alive." He said quietly.
In the background he heard Hermione talk with Ron and Harry about his family being made out of auror's and that they like to quiz the aspiring ones on family parties. She herself had been quizzed despite not building towards an auror's career. Although his family was very impressed by her knowledge.
"Quite impressive, Perseus." A monotone voice said in the back, "Don't think that I'll recommend for you to take your Defense Against the Dark Arts early."
"One can only hope, Professor Snape." Percy replied and flicked his wand again, the opal necklace turned back to its original color and it laid back down.
"It was Malfoy." Percy froze and looked over at Harry. The two professors then proceeded to continue to question Harry further. The godling looked at Harry and noticed his determination.
It did make sense, if Draco was a death eater. It would also explain why they purchased many types of potions with great effects. It could be that Draco was in the business because of his father. Percy glanced at Snape's scandalized expression. He had listened accidentally to the last of Snape's and Draco's mothers conversation.
An unbreakable vow was serious. Especially with Snape's promise to protect the Slytherin. It could bounce back at the professor with Draco's impulsive actions and especially his temper. McGonagall dismissed them and said it is a staff matter.
He jogged to catch up to Hermione and he reached out for her hand. "Are you sure that you're okay?" He asked quietly.
Hermione took his hand in hers but she looked a bit reluctant. "Don't treat me as if I'm made of paper." She hissed in an equally hushed tone.
Percy frowned and pulled her aside, giving Ron and Harry a sheepishly smile. "What was that?" He asked, his eyebrows furrowing.
"You keep asking whether I'm fine or not." She said, "I already told you that I am. I feel like some damsel in distress and that you're some kind of hero who thinks I need saving."
Percy frowned, "I just wanted to see if you're okay." he argued, "I don't think that I can live with the fact if you ever touched that necklace."
Hermione looked frustrated, "I just," She started and put a hand on her forehead. "You're always around to protect me, I don't want you or anyone to think that I can't protect myself."
Percy looked at her and chuckled as he pulled her in for a hug, "'Mione, if people underestimate you they have no survival skills at all. Besides, I've seen you duel against my family members." Which is saying a lot, his family members can be ferocious and in other cases in a fight that determines living or dying, you better know that they're not dying. "I'm always around to help you out," he said, "I just don't want to lose another."
He leant back and kissed her forehead, "I can't imagine what I'd do if I ever lost you." He admitted. The only thing he would imagine is that it won't be fun for anyone.