A/N: I have surpassed 150K words for this fic in drafts! (As well for Knight of Mine). I am pretty confident by now I will reach the 200K for it... there is still so much to explore!

We will be getting into the staycation soon. A lot of true hinny-ness, Ginny meeting Sirius and some other fun moments... but first dinner with the parents!

The snippet about the Queen was written when the actual Queen was still alive so I decided to leave it in. Who would've guessed she'd die before I got around to posting it! (Clearly not me)

Thank you so much for continuing to read!


"Ginny, what should I wear?" her mum asked, walking into her room.

She looked up to see her mother pause in her doorway. "It doesn't matter, I am sure they don't care."

Her mum raised her eyebrows. "What will you wear?"

She stood up and showed her the dress she had picked out.

"Oh, I love that dress," Molly said with a fond smile.

Ginny glanced at her dress. "I know, I call it the 'parent pleaser'."

"But what should I wear?" Her mum wrung her hands. "They are...rich, I don't want to arrive there looking penniless."

She walked towards her mum. "They don't care and they definitely won't think of us that way, mum. Besides, you're just there to talk about your irresponsible children."

Molly gasped. "That's not why we're going!"

"That's what it feels like," Ginny said. She took her mum by the hand and walked to her parents' room. She pulled open the closet. "Let's see... Oh!" She took two pieces out. "This blouse looks so nice on you. Or this dress."

"And do you know what's for food?" her mum asked, taking the two options out of her hands and laying it on the bed.

"No, but Harry is going to lend a hand with the cooking and he asked all about what you like and he knows what I like, so it will be absolutely fine." She handed her a pair of jeans to go with the blouse.

"You're lucky you've got Harry, you know that right?" Molly said.

"Sure."

Her mum nodded. "At least that's one thing less that I have to worry about."

She frowned. "You don't have to worry at all, I am able to take care of myself," she responded strongly.

"It is my job to worry about you, dear." She smiled and glanced down at Ginny's belly. "You'll understand soon enough."

Ginny sat down on the bed. "I already worry now." She looked up at her mum. "Will that ever stop?"

Molly shook her head and sat down beside her. "No. First, you worry if they're hungry or cold or sick, then you worry if they'll make any friends, if they're doing alright at school. Then comes boyfriends and college... The things you worry about change, but the worrying never stops."

"You must worry a lot, with seven of us," she said, glancing at her mum.

"Always, really." Her eyes softened. "And between you and your brothers...plenty to worry about."

Ginny chuckled softly. "Sorry."


"No! That has to go over there." Lily pointed at the other corner.

Harry sighed, setting the vase in the spot his mum had indicated. "You know that Ginny's mum is not the actual Queen, right? You have met her."

Lily shot him a sharp look.

"Yes, I know. This is all my fault." He picked up the parasol and put it into its base. "I hope it won't rain."

"It won't rain," she said. "Now go help your dad in the kitchen, I'll finish setting the table."

"Sure, because god forbid a fork lies out of line," he mumbled.

"I don't appreciate the tone, Harry," Lily said. When he turned around, she had her arms crossed.

"I am sorry; putting all of you together just stresses me out!" he admitted.

Lily sighed. "We are all going to be grandparents of the same nugget soon so it makes sense we want to be a little more acquainted than a 'hi' and 'goodbye' at football matches or parent-teacher meetings." She walked to him and hugged him softly. "You're going to be living together soon. We're basically in-laws; we just want to chat." She released him and met his equally green eyes. "You should be glad you have so many people who care about you and the little sprout."

He looked down to the floor. "I am sorry, I know you didn't have that. And I can't even remember grandma at all," he said. Euphemia had died before he was old enough to remember. "Do you think your parents would want to know they're having a great-grand-kid?"

She moved back to the table, adjusting a napkin. "They haven't seen you since you were a baby. I wasn't already on speaking terms with them but I thought... they'd want to know about you."

"That didn't go over well?" Harry asked.

She let out a sour chuckle. "You could say that. You mustn't forget I wasn't married when you were born... you were a proper bastard child born out of wedlock."

"Okay, so I shouldn't bother?" He had no attachment to them, but he had wondered if he perhaps owed them the courtesy of letting them know.

She shrugged and looked back up at him. "If it makes you feel any better, you can send them a card but I wouldn't expect much."

"Good to know."

"Harry, I need your help over here!" James called from inside.


Ginny rang the doorbell of the Potter house, something she hadn't done for years, if ever at all. Her parents stood beside her, fidgeting nervously.

The door opened and Harry appeared, which immediately put her parents more at ease.

He stepped aside. "Come on in."

Her parents greeted him as they stepped inside the house. Harry told them they could walk on into the living room..

Ginny paused there, the greetings reaching her ear as her mum handed the flowers over, with a 'you shouldn't have!' followed. She put her suitcase by the foot of the stairs to bring up later.

"It's been insane," Ginny commented quietly.

Harry's eyes widened. "It was worse here. The place has never looked this pristine. I don't know what their problem is."

She stood on their tiptoes and Harry kissed her, who gently caressed her belly. Then they entered the house before their parents could wonder where they were.

Lily smiled as Ginny appeared out of the hallway. "Ginny, how are you?"

"Good, good." She hugged Lily.

"How is that grand-baby coming along?" she asked.

Ginny patted her belly. "Pretty good, I think."

"I made dad stock up on food," Harry joked.

Ginny smiled. She looked over at Lily. "I assume he disappeared back into the kitchen?"

"Yes." Lily nodded. "Putting the flowers in a vase with water and checking if the oven snacks are ready."

"Am I allowed in or…?"

"You probably have special permission," Lily said.

Ginny nodded and walked into the kitchen as Lily led her parents outside onto the terrace. James was filling a vase with water. As he spotted her, he set it down.

He hugged her. "Welcome back. I would ask you how you are but Harry talks when I make him chop vegetables."

Ginny chuckled. "Nothing too bad, I hope?"

James shook his head, quickly glancing into the oven to check on the appetisers. "No, no. The usual. I love Ginny. Ginny is great. The bump is so cute. I wonder what Ginny is up to…"

"Oh, good god. I am so sorry," she said with a smile, she found it so endearing. She glanced around. "Anything I can already carry out?"

He frowned. "No, of course not. You are a guest tonight. Go outside and relax, I got it all handled."

She shrugged. "Fine, fine. I'll go. But if you need help…"

"Ginny," he said in feigned seriousness.

She turned around and walked out. She took a deep breath. Despite the fact that it amused her that their parents were so nervous about this dinner—she was nervous about it for different reasons.

They had settled down on the outdoor lounge. She took a seat beside Harry, at least she could trust him to be on her side. He squeezed her leg shortly.

"Moving in together in three weeks, are you ready?" Lily asked.

Ginny shook her head. "It doesn't feel quite real yet. We've only been there once, so it's difficult to envision it."

"It looked nice from the photos I've seen," Lily said with a smile.

James came out with a first batch of oven snacks. He let everyone pick one off the plate and then set it down on the low table. "What does everyone want to drink?"

"Can you make that red cocktail thing again?" Ginny asked.

James nodded. "Without alcohol this time, I assume."

"That would be great," she said with a smile.

After some polite negotiation on the drinks between her parents and James, he walked back inside. Harry stood up to help carry the drinks.

"It's been quite a few years since we have met, haven't we?" Arthur asked.

Lily nodded, frowning slightly. "Their high school graduation, I believe."

"I think that must be it," Ginny agreed.

"There was that one meeting after you two got three detentions in two weeks," James commented, setting down the drinks.

Harry walked out carrying the rest of the drinks as well as more appetisers. "I am afraid that third one was my fault."

Her mum looked at her. "I am sure Ginny had her part in the blame."

Harry sat back down beside her, taking up his own drink.

"I am willing to take bets on how many detentions the baby will have," Ginny said. "If she doesn't get at least one, I will be incredibly disappointed."

Lily chuckled. "You know most parents look forward to other milestones."

"Sitting up, walking, detention… Aren't those the important ones?" Harry added, grinning at Ginny.

Lily took up her glass and raised it. "To a good move and of course the little baby. May she grow up happy and healthy with just a little detention."

They all sipped their drink. Ginny made a move towards the appetisers. She plucked two off the tray.

"Are they any good?" James asked.

She nodded, buying her some time to chew and swallow the bite she just took. "They are great. Nugget likes it."

"Will you keep calling it nugget?" her mum asked.

"It's a working title," she argued. "And I think it's cute."

"No worries," Harry said. "She will not be named Nugget Potter."

Ginny grinned at him.

"No." He quickly shook his head. "I am not naming our baby Nugget because it would be funny for five minutes. That's for the rest of her life!"

"Okay," she conceded. "If you get the tattoo sleeve."

He scoffed. "That's likely."

Lily's eyebrows raised. "Tattoo sleeve?"

"Harry is going to get a tattoo with my face on his arm and then below one or more kiddos, and then under them our pets," she explained.

Harry shook his head at her.

"I am going to insist on putting your beloved parents on there too," James said, smiling at Ginny.

"Nugget Potter is starting to sound great, actually," Harry added, sipping his drink.


"At least they found each other," Arthur said.

Lily nodded in agreement. She put her fork down and took a sip of her wine. "Took them long enough."

Harry shifted closer to Ginny. "It's like we are not even here."

"At least they can bond this way," Ginny muttered.

Molly nodded at Lily. "I kept asking her 'What about Harry?' but she insisted it wasn't like that and …"

"Harry wasn't going to date." Lily shot a look at Harry. "Working well, isn't it?"

"I just didn't think it was for me," Harry argued. "I don't see the point in dating necessarily just for the sake of it."

"Yep," Ginny commented, having nothing to say for herself.

He looked at her. "But if someone comes onto your path that you actually love—I'd be an idiot to ignore that."

She glanced away from him, her cheeks colouring with embarrassment. "That's enough of that, Harry."

"No," he continued. "I think because we were so close before we started dating, it just makes everything better, and easier. I knew we could make each other happy."

Ginny squeezed his hand. She smiled softly, cheeks red. "I know. I know ."

"Do you know," Molly started. "That Ginny didn't tell us about Harry? She just said she was bringing her boyfriend."

Lily nodded. "Harry mentioned it."

"I was worried, because if it is serious enough to introduce him to us…" Molly glanced at the pair of them. "I have to say I was quite relieved when Harry appeared."

Ginny looked at Harry with a smile.

"I just want to say, for the record, that I did ask her why she wasn't telling you that it was me," Harry told her parents. "But she wanted it to be a surprise, because she thought it would be funny."

"That wouldn't have worked with us," Lily commented. "I knew it had to be her."

"I still don't know how—" Harry started.

His mother laughed. "Did you really not know?"

Harry's eyes turned to his plate. "No."

"All in all, and I've said this to Harry before," Ginny said. "I am glad it went the way it did, because if we hadn't realised it at the same time, this situation could have more complicated and our friendship is too important to me."

"We have to discuss the plans for holidays this year," James said. "I am sure the two of them would prefer to attend parties together. We wouldn't want to split you up so close to your due date."

Ginny looked up in surprise. "I don't think I will be going many places by then…"

"We always celebrate Christmas Eve together," Molly said. "So if you don't mind missing Harry on Chrismtas Eve, I'd like to keep it that way."

Lily nodded. "Of course! We can have Christmas Day then." She looked at the both of them. "What do you think?"

"Sound good," Harry agreed. "And it's probably for the best we don't plan anything for New Year."

"I have plans," Ginny commented, taking a sip from her coke.

Harry looked at her with such surprise, she laughed. His brows furrowed.

"It's okay; you're invited," Ginny commented. "And baby is too."

Realisation dawned and Harry nearly rolled his eyes. "I am glad I'm invited."

"Of course, I must squeeze someone's hand to bits," she said cheerily.

He nodded along. "I had a preview of that during the ultrasound," he said. "My hand still clicks a little where you squeezed."

"Liar!" she retorted. "They're going to think that's true!" She pointed at the rest of the table.

He grinned. "You did squeeze pretty hard for someone with such tiny hands."

"I was nervous," she defended.

"Clearly."

"You're going to have to take the hand-squeezing, Harry," his mum said. "It's the least you can do."

"I'm just concerned if she squeezes too hard, I won't be able to hold the baby," Harry continued with a wink at Ginny.

She patted his hand. "Like that would stop you."


They settled back on the lounge set after dinner. Ginny tucked against Harry silently as their parents chattered amongst themselves. Everyone felt more at ease after the pleasant dinner. Now they weren't under close scrutiny, Ginny felt more comfortable cuddling close to Harry as she sipped on her coke.

"You do have a wonderful house," Arthur commented as he looked around. "I hadn't seen it since you moved out of town. Perhaps when picking up Ginny once."

"Thank you," James said politely. "I did like it there but it was just more practical with our jobs. Less of a commute."

Arthur nodded in understanding. "Of course! You do work together, don't you? Never get tired of each other?" he teased.

Lily looked over at James. "Not usually," she said fondly.

"We all have our moment naturally, but all in all I really enjoy it. And it's how we met, so we already knew how to work together," James replied.

"What kind of work do you do again?" Molly asked curiously.

"Government based, great benefits," James said. "It is mostly following up on dossiers, it has to do with general security."

Ginny was intrigued by how they had evaded saying the truth without really lying. As if Harry had sensed it, he squeezed her hand.

"I bet the paperwork is awful if it's for the government," Molly asked.

Lily let out a sigh. "You have no idea. Every little thing you need to document. They'd nearly ask you to log when you got up to get a coffee!"

"Paperwork seems a hassle no matter where you work," Arthur said. "You really need to document anything these days."

"Is Fudge still the CEO of your company?" James asked. "His reputation hasn't been the best."

"He enjoys sticking his head in the sand," Arthur said. "But what can do you? He'll be replaced in a year or two hopefully."

James and Lily nodded in agreement.

"Do you ever barbecue?" Arthur asked.

James smiled. "Yes. I've been thinking about getting one of those grills for outside." He glanced at his wife. "Lily thinks it rains too much here to really get a use out of it."

Arthur chuckled. "Perhaps we can share a grill, and split the cost," he joked. "What do you think, Molly?"

"Who is driving that thing back and forth?" she asked.

"Details," Arthur said. He shrugged. "You do have to come over for a barbecue sometime before the end of summer. It'll be great."

Harry leaned into Ginny. "Are they making plans without us or do you think we're invited?"

"Hang on," she replied. She squinted. "Let's see."

"Sounds lovely," Lily agreed. "Once these guys are settled, we can set something up." She nodded towards them.

Ginny nodded and whispered back to Harry. "Looks like we are."

"Cool," Harry said.

"Somewhere after my birthday could probably work," Ginny suggested.

"Oh no, what are you going to do on your birthday when you can't drink?" Harry teased.

She sighed. "I don't know. But if I have to be sober on my birthday, so will you."

"On my birthday or yours?" Harry replied.

"Mine."

"Fine," he agreed.

"The poor guy," Molly said with a chuckle.

"Speaking of poor guys, Harry told us you have a mean right hook," Lily said.

Ginny looked at her parents, who had barely heard the details about it. "You told them about that?" she asked Harry.

"Of course." He grinned. "I was very impressed. You turned around so smoothly and then the cracking noise…" He sighed happily. "It was glorious."

"The guy had it coming," Molly commented. "I've never seen you less than when you were with him, which should have been enough of a red flag."

She sighed. "I know."

"I was just checking if she needed any help, but she clearly didn't," Harry explained further. "Blood everywhere."

"I don't usually resort to violence… but just this once. And I can always blame the hormones."

"Does she use her 'get out of jail for free' card a lot?" James asked. "Should we be prepared?"

"Definitely," Harry said.

Her mum chimed in too. "For sure."

"You bet," her dad finished.

She pretended to sigh dramatically. "If you knew how tired I feel most of the time, you'd know it is completely warranted."

Harry looked at her and smiled. "It's been getting better recently though. And you're cute when you nap."

She met his eyes with a soft smile, momentarily forgetting their parents.

"Aw," Lily went.

Molly sounded emotional. "Aren't they the cutest couple?"

Ginny quickly averted her eyes from Harry, feeling her cheeks heat up. She hid her face against his shoulder in embarrassment. "We're not."

Harry hugged her a little closer.

"Yes, you are," Lily added. "Just look at you two."

"Mum," Harry warned. "If you continue talking she may not show her face for the rest of the evening."

"Thank you," Ginny said.

"And that kid is going to be so cute," James added.

Ginny looked back up now. "That's a safer topic." She sat up a little straighter again. "Harry thinks she'll have black hair because of a dream I had."

"Got any clairvoyance skills?" James asked her with a chuckle.

"It's not unreasonable!" Harry said.

She shook her head. "Yes, but based on a dream where we were in a car crash. I want something different. And the odds for red are pretty good."

"Unusually high," James observed. "In the end, it doesn't matter. She'll be our granddaughter and therefore she'll be the best."

Ginny chuckled as Harry patted her bump with a smile. She looked at their parents. "We will have to have a talk about spoiling the nugget."

Her dad met her eyes. "Of course. Do we spoil her a lot or a whole lot?"

"I vote for a whole lot," James said. "Maybe perhaps she'd like an outdoor grill?"

"James!" Lily said, though she was laughing too.


"I had such a lovely time!" Molly said. She was slightly tipsy. "We'll see each other on moving day!"

"Molly, dear," he said softly. "They have work in the morning. Let's go."

She turned back around. "And you have to give me the recipe of the dish with the courgette, it was delicious!"

James smiled. "I will. I'll ask Ginny to give me your email address."

Arthur tried to softly guide her to the door but she wasn't done yet.

"And Ginny, please be polite and kind," she said.

Lily smiled. "Don't worry, we love having her here, and she is always well-behaved. You've raised her very well."

Molly smiled proudly and turned back to Ginny. "I will see you in a week. Take care." She embraced her in a warm hug.

"Bye, mum. Goodnight. I promise I'll behave. Drink some more water when you get home." She released her mum.

She looked offended. "I am not that drunk!"

Ginny looked at her dad. "Drive safe and take care."

Her dad smiled and finally managed to guide his wife out of the door. Ginny watched by the front door and waved as they drove off.

As soon as the door closed, the Potters set to work. They started taking the last of the dishes and food and sort everything in the kitchen. She felt really drowsy but helped them clean up for a bit before going to bed.


Harry walked into the kitchen with more plates and started loading them into the dishwasher as his mum scrubbed at some pans.

"Ginny", his mum said. "You can go to sleep; we are fine here."

Harry looked up. Ginny looked like she was sleepwalking.

She shook her head. "No, it is fine. I can help."

Lily didn't press on and returned to the pan as Ginny shuffled back out of the kitchen slowly. Harry looked up at his mum who offered him a sympathetic smile. He put in the last plate and then walked after Ginny. He intercepted her halfway through the living room before she could reach the sliding doors that led outside.

"You're fine to go, I know you are tired," he tried softly.

Despite her sleepy eyes, she managed to shoot him quite a scathing look. He slowly pulled her to him, his arms coming around her before he picked her up carefully, one hand under her butt, the other against her back to support her.

Her arms wrapped around his neck. "No... This is bribery, Harry." She weakly objected as her head rested on his shoulder and she made no attempt to get back on the ground. "I will not stand for this."

"Good thing you are not standing then," Harry retorted with a grin.

Though Ginny did not lift her head, he could guess she was wearing a mildly annoyed look right now.

He turned around and walked up the stairs, careful not to trip. "You know," he started softly. "Growing our baby is tiring. You can rest when you need to."

She lifted her head as he reached the top of the stairs and she looked at him softly. "I know, I just..."

"Yes, you are a trooper and you could if you wanted to. We know you are tired and we're okay cleaning up without you. You have earned your rest." He walked into his room and carefully placed her on the bed. He took her pyjama shirt from her suitcase he had brought up earlier. He handed it to her so she didn't need to stand up to get it. "Goodnight."

"What do you mean goodnight? I won't fall asleep in the twenty minutes it will take you to clear the rest," she objected.

Harry smiled softly at her. "Alright. Not goodnight, Gin." He kissed her cheek and she waved her hand dismissively. He stood up and left her to get into bed while he helped clean up the last few items.

When he re-entered the kitchen with the last of the items, Lily looked up. "Got her into bed?"

"Very reluctantly," he replied with a fond smile. "I don't know why she has such a need to prove herself. She could take advantage of having a reason to rest." He found the remainder of his drink and downed it, putting the glass in the dishwasher too.

Lily took the dishcloth and started wiping down the counters. "She is a girl with only brothers and she's the youngest. She has been needing to prove herself all her life."

He put the trash away and crossed his arms as he leaned against the counter, frowning slightly. "Not to me."

"Doesn't matter." She rinsed out the dishcloth and hung it to dry. "My sister and I, Petunia, ... she's the older one... she was good at the things my parents cared about. Even though my grades were fine, I was always hanging out with what they deemed the 'wrong crowd'. Didn't present myself a certain way and they certainly did not approve of the men I brought home."

"Dad was the final straw?" he asked. He had heard some parts of this story before.

"That and he was an escape route. And it was freeing, he couldn't care less what they thought of him." She washed her hands by the sink and carefully dried them as she spoke. "It took me a long time to figure out what actually mattered and what didn't, worried what people would think if I didn't live up to expectations." She sighed. "Getting pregnant when you don't plan it, even if you want it, it's a lot to come to terms with. You don't want it to impact you as much as it does, continue as planned... it's difficult to adjust, and it is difficult to give into. Sometimes it works out, but for some things it doesn't."

Harry nodded. "I know she's stubborn. I simply worry sometimes that she's making it hard on herself."

"She'll figure it out," Lily reassured him.

James walked in and paused. "Am I interrupting something?"

Harry shook his head.

"Harry's figuring out Ginny is stubborn," Lily joked.

James snorted. "Yeah, no kidding. Wouldn't want to butt heads with that one."

"That's because you are equally stubborn, dear," Lily said smugly to her husband.

Her arm came around James' waist and Harry thought that was his cue to leave. He pushed off the counter.

"I'll go see if Miss Stubborn is still awake like she said. Goodnight."

"Night, Harry," his dad said.

Harry walked to the stairs when he could hear his parents' voices again.

"What do you mean, stubborn?" James said.

"Sweetheart, you know you are," his mother replied.

Harry picked up his pace, while simultaneously making more noise so they knew he was still within earshot—not that they seemed to care.

"Take it back!" James said.

Lily giggled. "James, stop!"

Harry shook his head warily at his parents and quickly escaped up the stairs. He closed the door to his room and then he paused to look at Ginny. As he had expected, she was asleep already. He got changed and then joined her on the bed. It was a good thing too he made it to the bed, as he could feel the last glass of alcohol starting to take effect.

She stirred, her eyes opening the slightest bit. "I fell asleep, didn't I?"

"Nonsense, you are clearly wide awake," he said with a grin.

Her eyes opened further now, meeting his. "When you said 'our baby' before... it made me realise something," she spoke.

"I am sure I have said that before," he replied quietly.

She shook her head. "Not like that ," she said. She leaned into his touch. "I know you want this baby, but that made me realise you actually want this baby." She sighed. "I am not making any sense, sorry."

His thumb stroked against her cheek. "No, I think I know what you mean."

"I hadn't considered that. I didn't see it that way before." She glanced away for a moment as she gathered her thoughts. "I know you would have loved this baby. It just clicked for me that you look forward to it, you're not just along for the ride. That you are patiently waiting for me to grow it."

Harry turned on his back, his hand finding hers. His fingers pressed into her palm as their hands slid together. He swallowed. "...I can't put it into words properly, but I don't take it for granted you are growing our baby. And I am thankful I am having a kid, and that it's with you and you are amazing." He felt tears well up in his eyes.

"Are you crying?" she asked immediately.

He blinked rapidly. "No, I am emotional." He chuckled to himself. "I am a little more tipsy than I intended to be." He pinched his fingers of his free hand together to show how little. He felt his eyes close but he fought against it.

"Are you kidding me?" she let out loudly.

The door opened and he could see his mum standing there, looking in. "Everything okay?" she asked.

"It's fine," Ginny said. "Harry is drunk. He'll probably tell you all his secrets."

Harry's eyes dropped closed again.

"Alright," his mum said, sounding chipper. "Who is your favourite parent?"

He snorted. "I refuse to reply without a lawyer present." He could hear Ginny chuckle beside him.

"Who do you love more?" Lily tried now.

"Ginny," he replied without hesitation. "Of course."

Ginny patted his shoulder. "I guess he is in 'I love Ginny' mode."

"Isn't that his default?" Lily replied, sounding happy with herself.

"I heard that." He didn't bother reopening his eyes.

"Alright. Goodnight you two."

He waved sleepily as Ginny said goodnight. He heard the door close again.

"What did you drink? You are getting drunker by the minute."

He shrugged. "Don't remember." He turned on his side and slumped against her. "I am in 'I love you' mode," he mumbled. "You should be happy about that."

"If you opened your eyes you would see I am grinning like a fool."

He popped open one eye and looked at her. "Pretty," was all he said, then he slipped right into a deep slumber.