September 1, 1993

Ivy couldn't sit still. Sirius was there, and she and Neville had both managed a corporeal patronus now, but after Henry's warning she felt she was allowed to feel a bit nervous. She didn't have any conscious memories of the night her parents were murdered, but apparently that wouldn't matter if faced with dementors. Which was fine, really, if you ignore the part where they might end up on the train. This was one train ride she was not particularly looking forward to. Maybe she should have taken up Henry on his offer to get her to Hogwarts another way. Students were supposed to ride the train, but if anyone could find a way around that it would be him. Well, it was a bit too late for that, so now she'd just have to make the best of it.

Practicing the patronus charm in a controlled, dementor-free environment and casting one against a real dementor were two very different things. Ivy had managed a wisp, but nothing more. Thankfully Sirius had cast a perfect one, even if his face was a little pale afterwards. It had all happened almost exactly as Henry had said it might, which was to say it was completely awful, but it was over quickly and everyone else seemed to be recovering nicely.

Neville had moved over to sit next to her though. Without a word they had understood just what it was the other one had felt. Thus, the rest of the train ride was spent pressed firmly against Neville's side, eating the occasional chocolate frog, and gradually recovering from the day's ordeal.

Albus had not been thrilled with the minister's decision to post dementors at Hogwarts. Actually, that was a bit of an understatement. He had not been successful in getting that decree revoked, try as he might, but now he was beginning to wonder if it might not prove useful in some way. The students were not yet at the castle but already he had heard the reports of the dementors on the train. Concerning, yes, but what was of greater interest to him was the fact that Ivy Potter was reported to have cast a patronus, albeit an incorporeal one, successfully. She had obviously had some training with that, but it would need to continue. Perhaps Severus could do it. Albus had been trying to think up a good way to test her power, and this could prove to be the perfect opportunity. After all, the dementors were here for the foreseeable future, and if the events on the train were any indication, it would not be an entirely problem-free stay.

It wasn't even technically the first day of school yet, and already Thomas was tired. And done. So done. He caught Percy's eye across the room, but his friend just shrugged and shook his head. With a sigh he turned back to the person at his right.

"So how long are you planning on staying here again?" he asked.

Fred Weasley, which he knew because Ivy had passed by and said, "hi Fred," grinned a grin that promised absolutely nothing conducive to a calm, peaceful, uneventful year. "A week, for now. Have to give the other houses a try, after all."

What Weasley had not said, and which Thomas decided he didn't want to know, was how the twins (because who else could have possibly been responsible for this), had managed to convince theentire fifth yearto switch houses. He honestly wouldn't be surprised if their trunks had all ended up in their "new" houses. The elves at Hogwarts loved exactly nine people by his last count, and unfortunately the Weasley twins were two of them.

At least it was Percy that was head boy. He could deal with it.

Ivy watched as Astoria practically skipped over to the Slytherin table, a large smile adorning her face. Astoria nearly took a seat next to Cedric, but Millie scooted over just in time offering a seat by herself and Pansy.

Ivy withheld a snort, instead catching Millie's eye and giving her two thumbs up.

Millie's face immediately turned an impressive shade of pink, but she gave Ivy a little smile anyway.

Ivy spent the next few minutes enjoying the sight of Millie talking with her crush, all the while being quite proud of her friend for actually managing to speak in the first place. Millie tended to get nervous about certain things, and Ivy felt that speaking to the person you've had a crush on since you knew what a crush could be reasonably counted as one of those things.

Just then she heard the name "Calanthia Nott" called out, mostly because Draco jabbed her in the ribs and pointed up the stool Theo's little sister was now approaching.

Attention now back to the sorting, Ivy watched as the hat deliberated for a moment, then called out "GRYFFINDOR!"

The loud proclamation by the sorting hat was followed by a low, but drawn out word uttered by Theo that had Cedric leaning across Millie to cover Astoria's ears. Theo, once he realized he had said it out loud, flushed a bit and ducked his head. Daphne patted his arm consolingly, and Ivy turned to Draco for an explanation.

"Lord Nott isn't know for his love of anyone or anything Gryffindor," Draco whispered. "He's probably going to be fairly upset," he said with a tone indicating how much of an understatement that was.

Ivy thought that was rather stupid, though she left that unsaid, but she knew how worked up some people got over things like that. Sirius had been in the exact same position, once upon a time when there were possibly still dinosaurs roaming the earth, after all. Some families reacted poorly to their children being sorted in houses other than their own. It was like they expected their children to turn out just like them or something. Again, rather stupid in her opinion, but Henry had long since informed her that sometimes people were just like that. Oh, now there was an idea.

Turning to Theo, she said, "You know, if you're worried you could always talk to Siri… I mean, to Professor Black. And I'm sure Uncle Henry could help somehow too if you write to him. He can fix all sorts of things."

The reaffirming nods coming from several of her friends at the table seemed to convince Theo, and he nodded as well, relaxing a bit and smiling. "Thanks, Ivy."

"No problem," said Ivy cheerfully, before returning her attention back to the sorting. Nothing else quite as eventful happened after that, but its completion signaled the beginning of the feast, which everyone seemed to be enjoying immensely.

Severus was not enjoying the feast. He had known Black was coming, he knewwhythe mutt was there, and he had thought he had prepared himself for this, but apparently it was not enough.

Merlin, he missed Lupin already, and wasn't that a sad thought.

How did the world come to this? Was this his punishment for his sins? Couldn't he just die and go to hell like normal people? Was this special sort of torture really necessary?

"…and that's why I need you two to stick close to Ivy this year, alright?"

To Draco's utter relief, Vince and Greg both nodded. He had been worried his two friends wouldn't be on board with his well-thought-out keep-Ivy-safe plan, but so far they seemed to be in agreement. With a smile and a nod Draco headed off to bed, task complete. He was a good friend.

September 2, 1993

"Oh, hi Greg, what are you doing here this early?"

"Draco said we need to stick close to you this year," Greg said, reaching over to grab a slice of toast.

"Because of the dementors," Vince added, joining them at the breakfast table.

Ivy nodded solemnly. "Yes, that's probably a good idea," she said. "Don't worry, I'll protect you both," she added brightly.

Both boys grinned back at her as they ate their breakfast.

Draco was a good friend for watching out for these two, Ivy thought.

"So, how's the talking going?" Remus asked, picking up Dante to prevent the cub from chewing on the chair leg any more.

Harry tried to say, "it's just fine, thank you very much," but it came out not quite right, which really rather ruined the point he was trying to convey.

Remus grinned. "You're already doing better than your dad did. Pretty sure all three of them avoided talking for the entire month. You know, I'm fairly certain Minerva knew what we were doing, but I think she was too relieved that James and Sirius were quiet for an entire month to put up much of a fuss. Although I do remember some books about animagus transformations mysteriously making their way into our dorm room…"

Harry snorted, since for the moment that was still easier than actually replying. Which he could have totally done if he wanted to. No problem. And yet, talking wasn't reallythatimportant a function of daily living, right?

"Any guesses what your form will be?" Remus asked.

Harry was slightly distracted by watching Remus pet the wolf cub. "Bird? To fly? Big cat? Annoy Sirius?"

"Oh yeah, I bet he would just love that," Remus said, chuckling. "Not like he mentions your patronus every single time he sees it or anything."

They both rolled their eyes at their friend's antics.

"So. Fatherhood?" Harry asked.

Remus looked puzzled.

Harry pointed to Dante, who was snuggled comfortably on Remus's lap.

Remus sputtered indignantly and Harry laughed. Maybe having the wolf cubs around wasn't so bad after all.

Harry ceased laughing a moment later when Luna came in and deposited Otso on his lap.

"Your grandchild was missing you," she explained.

Harry didn't think Remus really had any room to laugh, but that sure wasn't stopping him.

"Wait, how did you figure out how to talk so fast?" Thankfully she understood the basic gist of what he was trying to say.

"Flattening charm."

Harry sort of wanted to lean forward and bang his head on the nearest flat surface at the obvious solution but he resisted. "Tell me?" Short and sweet was the key. At least for the next twenty seconds until he had the leaf flattened sufficiently.

"Well, you didn't ask."

September 3, 1993

…any advice or help you might be able to offer would be most appreciated.

Sincerely,

Theodore Nott

Harry set the letter down with a sigh. He hadn't dealt with Lord Nott much, at least not one on one. He knew him a bit through the Malfoys and through the Wizengamot, but Thaddeus Nott was part of a different group than say Lucius, or Simon Parkinson, despite their common death eater past.

Thaddeus Nott was, as far as Harry had been able to gather, one of the original death eaters, at school with Tom Riddle, and a devout follower from the very beginning. Although he might not openly claim association with Voldemort now, he had in no way tempered his beliefs and opinions, and Harry could unfortunately imagine exactly what his reaction might be to having his daughter sorted into Gryffindor, the house many of the older generation especially associated strongly with the Light faction, muggle-lovers, and Albus Dumbledore. So, yes, Harry could see where Theo's worry was coming from.

He also had no idea what to do about it.

Time to ask the experts.

"So, what do you think?" Harry asked as Luna finished reading the letter.

"I think it's a good thing you have the name you do," Luna offered.

Harry groaned and put his head on the desk. "Please tell me I don't have to go try to intimidate some seventy year old death eater," he said, with both hope and resignation in his voice.

"Alright, I won't."

He groaned again, not feeling up to managing a different type of reaction at the moment.

"You could always ask Augusta. She probably knew him in school, or at least for however many years on the Wizengamot, and she might have some ideas."

Harry lifted his head up. "This is why you're the best," he said, before getting up and giving her a quick peck on the cheek. "If I don't come back you know where to look for my body," he called out half-jokingly.

Augusta humphed and muttered about "that old codger," but in the end she suggested he visit Carita Burke.

"If anyone knows how to deal with those good for nothing coffin-dodgers, it's her. Merlin knows she's been handling them since she first married into that family. Her father-in-law was a nasty piece of work, you see, and she handled him just fine."

Harry just nodded along, sensing he was about to get another crash course in British Wizarding Family history/gossip.

"And she always knew just what to say to Magnus. And Herbert Rosier. Long before your time, of course, but he was part of Thaddeus's group if you know what I mean."

Original death eater then, by the sound of it.

"That woman has a talent. Tristram listens to her on occasion and they've always been on opposite sides. Even my Chester would heed her advice on occasion, and he didn't listen to just anyone, you know."

Harry was mentally keeping track of all these people. Magnus Deverill he knew, Herbert Rosier he had never heard of but he could draw the connection, and Tristram Brown was Lavender Brown's… uncle? No, that wasn't right. Grandfather, there it was. Right, he was Lavender Brown's grandfather. And Chester Longbottom of course was Augusta's late husband. He really should just invest in one of those "Wizarding Families of Great Britain" books. Or ask Sirius. Sirius had it all memorized already.

Carita Burke sipped her tea as Harry told her all about his dilemma, nodding at different points but not as of yet offering much in the way of advice or a solution.

"So… Any suggestions?" Harry asked, slightly hoping that she would come out and say, "don't worry, I'll handle it."

"Well," she began, "Thaddeus has always been a stubborn one, and has never had a problem letting everyone know exactly what he thought of them, even if he didn't always use words. He's been quieter in recent years, especially since Amanda died, poor woman, but if anything it has made him more stubborn, clinging to views that have been tempered in some people's minds, especially since you arrived."

Harry didn't think he had really madethatmuch of a difference, but now wasn't the time to argue that.

Carita sighed. "Thaddeus took the Dark Lord's fall rather hard, and once his wife died I'm afraid he began to conflate the two. Unlike some of the others I do not believe he ever truly held Ivy responsible for the Dark Lord's defeat, but he certainly held a grudge against Dumbledore and some of the more…vocalmembers of the so-called Light."

Harry sighed and rubbed his eyes, going against at least half of Narcissa's etiquette lessons in the process. "Any chance he is not going to react poorly to this then?"

"I think if he knew about it we would already have heard of his reaction. As it is, I very much doubt he has been informed, likely due to Theo's own worry and a caution on his part to his sister to wait. Theo may be young but his name holds enough weight that the other students would withhold that information from their own parents for the time being as well at his request. So no, I do not think Thaddeus's reaction will be pleasant. However, he does love his children, and perhaps having someone to remind him ofthatfact first would prove useful." With that Carita raised an eyebrow indicating exactly who that person was going to be.

Harry sighed again. "Anything particular I ought to say then?"

Carita put her tea down. "Use your name to its full extent," she said, ignoring Harry's audible groan. "Thaddeus is many things but a fool is not one of them. Use your connection through Ivy to his son, and do not try to hide your power. If there is anything Thaddeus respects, it is power, both magical and political, and you have both in abundance. If that is not enough, bring up the Dark Lord."

Harry's head shot up at that, wondering just what good she thoughtthatwas going to do.

"I know you had something to do with it," she said, looking at Harry pointedly. "I may not know how you were involved, but I do know that the dark marks disappeared, and I have absolutely no doubt that you were involved in some way."

Harry didn't respond but also didn't try to deny it.

"So," she said lightly, "if he does not listen at first, do not hesitate to strike with information that will bolster your position."

Harry wondered if she could discuss the finer points of stabbing someone with a dagger with the same lightness. Probably.

"Morgana only knows we made a great enough mess of the world," she murmured. "No need to drag our children into it now."

Severus missed staff meetings that revolved around such simple, mundane things as "we need a new defense teacher for the second time in a month" or "seventeen students came back from the holidays with pet snakes." Those were such easy, straightforward problems to solve, especially since neither of them affected him directly. But this…

"It's really an impressive bit of charm work, you see…"

"Really, Filius, this is not helping matters any."

"I think it's wonderful to have them experiencing different houses. Perhaps we should make this a regular thing."

"Perhaps not in their O.W.L. year though…"

"Quite right, dearie. Perhaps in one of the earlier years? Second or third year perhaps. I think…"

"Maybe before they get sorted in the first place? Get to know all their classmates that way, before they go into the houses."

"Well that might just make it harder for them to settle in, what with constant changing and all that."

"Well that's true. I…"

"As interesting as it would no doubt be to debate changes to the sorting process, perhaps we can return to the matter at hand?"

At least Minerva was sticking to the point. Albus meanwhile was sucking a candy and looking unhelpfully amused.

"Severus? Sirius? What are your thoughts on the matter? The two of you have yet to weigh in."

And Severus had a reason for that, though he doubted Minerva would much appreciate it.

Black cleared his throat. "Well, I don't really know what houses they were to begin with," he said, "except a few, that is. But are you sure it's the entire fifth year? It looked like Wood and Flint were both at their own house tables."

"Wood and Flint are both seventh years, Black," Severus said, happy to take part in the conversation for the first time.

"Ah. Well, that would do it then." Black clapped his hands. "Well, at least it's just the fifth year, right?"

Minerva did not look impressed with Black. Severus grinned on the inside, because Merlin forbid he ever let these people see him doing it for real. It would get out to the students somehow and his reputation would be shattered.

"Er, I mean, well…" Black turned to Filius. "So tell me more about the charm work they did?"

"Well you see, they took the school registrar, and instead of trying to override the existing charms, they merely added a layer on the section containing the current fifth year. Made into a sort of rotating list, like how you put several advertisements in the same spot on the newspaper. Much more complex, of course, but…"

"Filius," Minerva said with a sigh. "Please. None of us are questioning the Weasley twins' ingenuity, but we still have to deal with the problem that is the entire fifth year not being where they are supposed to."

"Just for curiosity's sake," Black said, "are we sure it was the twins?"

Everyone, including Severus, turned to stare at Black. It was probably an uncomfortable moment for Black, which made Severus feel a small little twinge of glee, but alas, it was over too soon.

Black mumbled something along the lines of "never mind," and the conversation resumed.

"Albus," Minerva prodded.

"Hmm? Oh, right. My apologies. Where were we?"

Lost in conspiracy theories, old man?Severus thought.

"The fifth year students, Albus."

"Of course, of course. Any indication how long they intend for this to last?"

"Three weeks," Filius said, with all the conviction of a wizard who knows he's right.

Severus could practically see Minerva counting to ten in her head.

"And what ever gave you that idea?" she asked.

"Well they want to try out each house, of course. One each week."

"Filius, do you by chance know anythingelseabout this…prank?"

"Nothing at all," came the reply.

Severus couldn't help but notice Black eyeing Filius with a profound degree of respect. Then the charms professor gave Black a wink and Severus wondered if he was worried about the wrong staff member being the instigator of chaos.

"Didn't the twins work on a project with you last year?" Septima asked.

"They did indeed. Nothing related to this, of course, but there are always plenty of cross uses for charm work."

Filius's face was the personification of innocence, even while everyone else's showed exactly how much they believed that. Merlin, Filius could have been a Slytherin. Maybe he would be up for a trade… It was the thing to do at the moment it seemed. Also, neither of the Weasley twins were currently in Ravenclaw, which had absolutely nothing to do with that idea. Unexpected benefits and all that.

September 4, 1993

Cold. Wet. Awake.

Sirius was very much awake now.

"Ivy," he said, upon seeing the culprit, "what time is it?"

"Seven."

"It's Saturday."

"Yes."

"You woke me up at seven on a Saturday."

"Mmhmm."

"Merlin, you weren't this much of a morning person before. What changed and who do I have to beg to change it back?"

"It's the school year, Padfoot."

"I should have stayed in the village," Sirius grumbled into his pillow.

"Yes, well, you said since Sabrina wasn't going to be there yet that you would take this weekend to spend more time with your kids. That's me. So, rise and shine."

"You are way too cheerful for a Saturday morning," Sirius grumbled, though he did stand up.

"Lessons or breakfast first?"

Sirius sighed. "I truly want to say food, but honestly it's too early to eat right now. Let's get this over with."

"Great," Ivy said, entirely too cheerfully for seven o'clock on a Saturday morning. This was a point that bore repeating.

Sirius sighed once more dramatically, for emphasis and for the slight possibility that Ivy would somehow decide it was a great time to go back to bed and sleep in like respectable folk.

Finally giving up that one last bit of hope, he grabbed his wand.

"Legilimens."

Harry tried to relax as a house elf showed him into Nott's study. He had faced down much more intimidating people than this, but he wanted this to go well, which meant that charging in there wasn't really the best plan. Not that he had agreatplan, per se, but at least his plan was better than that. He hoped.

"Ah, Lord Slytherin, do come in."

Well that was a good sign, at least, according to Luna, Remus, Augusta, Carita, and Sabrina, all of whom he had consulted on various parts of his plan. He still wasn't entirely clearwhythat made a difference, but he had gathered that it had to do with which title the person respected more, and therefore how much respect they had for Harry, or something like that. Honestly it didn't make all that much sense to him, since any title could be used in a number of ways, including by someone trying to win your favor or someone trying to kill you. He'd experienced both plenty of times so he felt qualified to make that observation.

"Tea?"

Narcissa's voice from years ago echoed in his mind. "Yes, thank you." He could always cast a silent, wandless detection spell or two.

He accepted the tea offered but to his relief, and slight surprise, if he was being entirely honest, there didn't seem to be anything wrong with it.

"Now," Nott said, growing more serious, "I believe you have something to discuss with me. Am I correct to assume that this has something to do with my daughter?" He gestured to a letter sitting on his desk.

Harry maintained a neutral expression, and gave an internal victory cheer for his success. "It does. I assume you heard then?"

"That my only daughter sorted into Gryffindor of all places? Yes, I did manage to finally hear about that." Nott's tone bordered on something bitter.

Not quite trusting his mouth, Harry raised an eyebrow, hoping it would work half as well as Narcissa's did.

Nott sighed. "I'll admit my initial reaction was…unfavorable, but I am not the young man I once was. I'd like to think I am not so hotheaded and stubborn as I was once. Well, stubborn, perhaps. But at least a little better as seeing things clearly."

Harry gave himself a mental high five.

"I know why you're here," Nott continued, meeting Harry's gaze straight on. "It is not difficult to picture exactly how it went. Theo would have been concerned with his sister's sorting, must have worried over my reaction, one of his friends would have suggested you. The Malfoy heir, perhaps, or maybe Zabini's boy."

Harry made no verbal confirmation but Nott clearly took his silence as such.

Nott sighed. "You would not have ever met Walburga Black, but I'm sure you have heard of her? Black certainly would have mentioned her, if only to spit on her grave."

"I am familiar with her," Harry said. "And with Orion."

Nott scoffed. "Orion was weak. Forever under the thumb of first his father, then his wife. He might not have agreed with her on everything, but he sure as hell didn't stop her."

Harry had a vague idea of where this might be headed.

"I am sure you are intimately aware of the scandal then, that was young Sirius Black's sorting?"

Harry nodded.

"Walburga threatened to disown him on the spot, but old Arcturus would have none of it. He rather hated her on principle though, so it was anyone's guess what his thoughts on it truly were. But oh, did Walburga throw such a fit. And that was just the beginning. First their heir sorted into Gryffindor, then Cygnus's daughter ran off with a mudblood. Within a decade most of that generation of Blacks were dead, disowned, or in Azkaban, and any Blacks left were married outside the family or too far removed from the main line to matter. Many said it all started with the current Lord Black's sorting. A bunch of rubbish, that. No, it began the moment Walburga took a child's sorting at Hogwarts as a sign of betrayal towards the family."

Harry carefully masked any surprise he felt. This had honestly not been what he was expecting when he had arrived.

"I may not like it," Nott said, staring Harry down. "I may wish that my daughter had sorted anywhere else. I may yet be tempted to rant at the empty air after you have gone, or destroy some of the remaining evidence of my great-aunt's horrible taste in decor, but I willneverhurt my children, or fault them for not being exact replicas of their parents."

Harry's mind went back a ways, to a moment when Theo Nott was discovered to be free of the dark mark. When asked, he had simply said that his father had not allowed it. At the time many had taken it to mean that Theo's father had perceived him as weak, or too young, or of no great significance, but now Harry couldn't help but wonder if it was rather the opposite of that. He also suddenly had a newfound respect for Thaddeus Nott that he had never anticipated having.

"I have obviously failed, if my children were so afraid of my reaction that they hesitated to mention it to me, and sought outside help in mediating between us," Nott said, sounding much more his age than he had previously. "I will be the first to admit that I am not as openly affectionate with my children as some parents. Perhaps that was a failure on my part. I could never have filled Amanda's place in our children's lives, but perhaps I ought to have at least tried. Whatever my regrets, however, I would like to believe that there is still a chance that I will not alienate them completely."

"I imagine you would be quite successful there," Harry said, hoping what he was saying was alright.

Nott gave Harry a look indicating something Harry couldn't quite make out. "My reaction twenty years ago would have likely been much different, and not at all to my credit. But things change, do they not?Lord Slytherin."

"And in what manner would you say they change?" Harry asked, not at all intimidated by the way Nott said his name.

"Do not forget that I knew the dark lord long before he became what he was. I knew more about him then most of the so-called inner circle. Take from that what you will, but understand that I knowexactlywhat you must have done to now bear that title."

Harry met Nott's gaze, unafraid of what the man might know or say. Somehow, he felt that he truly had no reason to worry. "And your opinion of the result then, if I might be so bold as to ask."

"Why did you do it?"

Harry raised an eyebrow again. "Because it needed to be done."

"But why didyoudo it? Oh, I already know the answer to that. You did it because you protect your daughter. Because somehow, if you hadn't, she might have been placed in a dangerous position. So you took care of it."

Harry couldn't quite contain his surprise at that observation.

Nott chuckled dryly. "I was privy to many pieces of information, including things the dark lord would have rather preferred no one to know, I dare say. But are you going to tell me I'm wrong?"

"No," Harry said in reply. "No, you're not wrong at all." Maybe Nott didn't have the full picture, but really, when it came down to it, he was exactly right.

"You see then? You did what you did to protect your children, and somehow now that protection has been extended to mine. If I am not wrong, and I do not think I am, you will continue to fight for them, on their behalf, to protect them, and to make the world a little better their future. I have lived through two wars, Lord Slytherin, and regardless of my political views, I have no desire to witness a third."

As Harry made his way to the apparation point outside Nott's manor, he thought about the conversation he had just had. A conversation that had involved much less speaking on his part than he had anticipated for sure, not that he was necessarily complaining. It had been…insightful. Nott was almost contradictory, it seemed, as he was both holding to his views but simultaneously rejecting the path those views had taken in the past. He also seemed content to let his children form their own views, which Harry was relieved with. But he did hint strongly at knowing more than Harry was strictly comfortable with regarding Ivy and Voldemort. If nothing else, there was at least a strong possibility that Nott knew of the prophecy and of the horcruxes, which, admittedly, was quite a bit to know about, since prior to Harry's arrival the number of people knowledgeable about either was small and those knowledgeable about both was almost nonexistent. Dumbledore, perhaps, but that was it really. And yet Nott had not, as far as Harry could tell, done anything with that knowledge.

Harry couldn't help but feel that the entire interview had been nothing more really than a declaration of neutrality on Nott's part, and he didn't find himself all that bothered by that thought. Better a neutral party than an enemy, at least.