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I wrote a story on Harry Potter. Please read it! I don't expect it to be published one day, because it's plagerizing, but it's fun to write anyway.
Harry Potter & the Letters of Sorrow
*Author’s Note: All characters and settings belong to J.K. Rowling.
Chapter 1
Harry Potter, a boy of fifteen, blinked open his eyes, then glanced at his alarm clock, which read 5:47 a.m.
He sighed and rolled over, burying his head in his pillow. Why had he woken up anyway? He concentrated hard, trying to remember the dream he’d been having, but the details of it had somehow leaked out of his ears. He did recall one thing, however. The awful, panicky, numbing feeling that started in his stomach and quickly spread, immobilizing him as if the body-binding curse had been placed upon him. The full body bind was one of the handy spells that he had learned the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, the school he had been attending for the past four years.
For Harry Potter wasn’t an ordinary boy. He was a wizard. Harry lived with his horrible aunt and uncle for almost all his life, ever since his parents had died under an evil curse. It was conjured by the very feared Lord Voldemort, one of the most feared dark wizards for almost a century.
Harry had met Voldemort (also known as You-Know-Who, because it was even ever so frightening to people to say his name) several times before. Voldemort had killed Harry’s mother and father. Harry was only a baby that time. He then turned onto Harry, and tried to kill him, but it backtracked and cursed him instead. Voldemort became weak and close to death, and so he fled. Harry was only left with a lightening bolt-shaped scar on his forehead from the curse. This was how he became famous—the famous Harry Potter. The only one to ever survive Voldemort.
It was a clap of thunder that woke Harry up. He sat up in his bed, at 4 Privet Drive, his bed sheets soaked in his own sweat. It was a terrible feeling.
“It’s only a dream, it’s only a dream.” He murmured to himself.
Harry put on his glasses, got out of bed, and looked at himself in the mirror. He looked normal—his messy black hair falling over his forehead, his bright green eyes, his close-to-broken glasses, taped in the middle because his cousin Dudley always punched him, and his unique lightening bolt scar.
Harry’s scar was the only thing he liked about his appearance. His scar used to hurt last year, but now it was all right. Harry supposed Voldemort was getting weaker, but this was very hard to believe.
Outside, a large tawny owl flew by his window. Harry opened it. The owl had a letter attached to its foot and carrying a parcel by its sharp talons. This was the wizard way of sending mail. The owl hooted importantly.
Harry opened up the cage of his own messenger owl, Hedwig, and let the tawny owl have a drink of water before flying off again. Harry then eagerly opened up the letter. It was from Hermione Granger, one of his best friends at Hogwarts. The letter read:
Dear Harry,
Happy birthday! I do hope you haven’t forgotten. How are you? I’m fine, spending the summer in Bulgaria. Remember last year, when Viktor invited me over? It’s absolutely splendid here. If your scar ever hurts again, tell Professor Dumbledore right away.
Have you heard from Sirius lately? I hope he’s all right. It must be awfully hard and scary hiding away like that.
Oh, and I have the most wonderful news: I’m a prefect! I’m just so anxious to start the new school year. It’s our fifth year at Hogwarts, and we’re taking the O.W.L.s. Of course, I’ve been studying hard all summer. (Harry gulped; he had forgotten all about the O.W.L.s.)
If you haven’t already heard from Ron, we are meeting in Diagon Alley on September 1st, the first day of the new school year. Hope to see you soon!
Love from,
Hermione
Harry smiled as he set down Hermione’s letter. But how on earth would he get to
Hogwarts this year? He might have to convince his Uncle Vernon to drive him there.
Harry picked up his present from Hermione. Inside were two wrapped parcels. Harry unwrapped the smaller package. It was a book called “Tips and Tricks for the Advanced Quidditch Player”. Quidditch was a wizard sport played on broomsticks.
“Cool, Hermione!” Harry said to himself, as he flipped through the pages.
He opened up the second package. It was oddly shaped. A piece of parchment fell out. Harry read it:
Harry,
This is an O.W.L. helper. I thought it might come in handy, I have one, too. When you’re studying for your O.W.L.s, or any other test or exam, this will test you and tell you what to study. Since I figured Ron wasn’t studying either—I know you two too well—I also gave him one. Well, enjoy the rest of your summer!
Hermione
Harry studied the oddly shaped machine trinket. It flashed the words: What are the ingredients to a death stopper potion? Harry smiled; then frowned. The question reminded him of his least favorite teacher at Hogwarts: Professor Snape, the Potions master.
Just then, a small, twitty, little mini owl was at the window. Harry recognized it; it was Ron’s owl, Pigwidgeon, or Pig for short.
Like the other owl, Pig had a letter attached to its foot and carrying a parcel way to big for him. Harry opened the window, helped Pig with the package, and then opened the letter. It read:
Dear Harry,
Happy 15th birthday! Has your scar been hurting lately? Mum has been out of her mind worrying about you.
Guess what? Fred and George started a joke shop—no, I’m serious! When we got home for the summer, they showed us this heap of gold they got! I guess ol’ Ludo Bagman finally came in for them, huh? (Harry smiled, for it had been himself, not Ludo Bagman, who had given the twins the gold that he’d won in the Triwizard Tournament.)
They’ve decided not to open their shop until they graduate, but they have a site reserved near Honeydukes, in Hogsmeade! Dad pulled a few strings at the Ministry to get them that, and they’re positively hopping with excitement. Mum nearly fainted when she found out. She still wants Fred and George to work at the Ministry like Dad and Percy, but I think she’ll come to her senses soon enough. Can you imagine Fred and George at the Ministry? Nothing would ever get done!
By the way we’re meeting Hermione in Diagon Alley on September 1st at 10:00 a.m. If the Muggles give you a hard time about it, send me an owl and I’ll take care of it. I hope Pig gets this to you all okay. See you soon!
-Ron
Harry laughed as he placed Ron’s card next to Hermione’s on his nightstand. He couldn’t wait to see Ron, Hermione, and Fred and George’s joke shop when it was completed.
Harry then opened Ron’s present. It was a big bag of Cockroach Clusters, Dungbombs, a crate of fake wands, Canary Creams, Ton-Tongue Toffees, several bottles of butterbeer, and other sweets from Hogsmeade, the wizard town at Hogwarts.
There was also a small package labeled Body Expanders. A note from Fred and George was pinned to it. It read:
Harry,
These are Body Expanders. Like ‘em? They’re our new invention. Each Expander is shaped like a body part (i.e. arm, head, foot, etc.). Whichever one you choose to eat, it’ll make your matching body part expand three times the length and width! Cool, huh? Try them! Don’t worry, they’re safe all right, from our joke shop laboratory.
Fred and George
Harry put down the note and stared at the Expanders. He pulled out one that was shaped like a foot and slowly put it in his mouth. The strangest sensation came over his left foot, it reminded him of the time when Professor Lockhart, a previous Hogwarts Defense Against the Art teacher, inadvertently removed all his bones in his arm in Harry’s 2nd year at Hogwarts.
Harry watched in amazement as his foot grew…and grew…and grew…. until it was larger than Hagrid’s!
Harry utilized the convenience of having a large appendage while it lasted. He tried to walk around the room, but only got as far as his nightstand before falling back onto his bed. He tried to do this quietly, in case the Dursleys came in and threw him out of the house for being even more of a freak than usual. Which wouldn’t be too bad, come to think of it, Harry thought, as his foot shrank back to usual.
Just then, a large peregrine falcon flew up to Harry’s window. Harry gaped at it, astonished. The falcon had two letters attached to its foot and carrying a large square package in it’s talons. The first letter read:
Dear Harry,
Happy birthday! How have ye’ bin? Hope yer havin’ a good summer wit yer Muggle family. An’ I also hope ye like yer present. Oh, and did ye see Frightful? (Harry instantly looked at the falcon.) Ain’t she jus’ a ravin’ beauty? Bin raisin’ her since the beginnin’ of the summer. She’s bin’ lookin’ well, so I thought ye might wanna see her. Well, have a nice birthday and summer! See ye’ at Hogwarts on Sept. 1st!
Cheers,
Hagrid
Harry smiled at Hagrid’s letter. He opened up the present from Hagrid. It was a photo album with pictures from Harry at the Triwizard Tournament last year at Hogwarts. There was a picture of Harry on his Firebolt, fighting off the Norwegian Ridgeback during the first task. Because in wizarding photos the characters and settings moved, Harry saw himself actually moving and flying.
He flipped through all the photos of the album. It brought back great memories.
Harry then picked up the other letter attached to the falcon’s talon. It was written from Professor McGonagall, the deputy headmistress of Hogwarts. Each Hogwarts student received the annual letter each year. He skimmed through it, making a note of all the books and necessities he’d need to buy in Diagon Alley on September 1st.
Harry gave Frightful the falcon a drink of water, then released her, Pig, and the tawny owl from Hermione. Hedwig nipped at Harry affectionately.
“Would you like to deliver several letters for me?” He asked her. She nodded. Harry wrote three letter replies to Hermione, Ron, and Hagrid. Hedwig flew off.
Harry then remembered Sirius, his godfather. Was he in trouble? He quickly wrote a letter to Sirius:
Dear Sirius,
Hi—are you doing all right? I’m fine. Fortunately, my scar hasn’t been hurting anymore. Have any idea why? Do you suppose Voldemort is getting weaker? I don’t know.
I’ll be starting my fifth year at Hogwarts on Sept. 1st. Well, so long!
Harry
Harry attached the letter to Hedwig and watched her fly off until she was only a speck in the sky.
Chapter 2
Days passed by…summer was there, then gone. On the morning of September 1st, Harry was outside pulling weeds from his Aunt Petunia’s garden. His horrible cousin, Dudley, ran around on the spots of the soil that Harry cleaned, making him clean them all over again.
“Ha, ha!” Dudley shrieked, his large piggy bottom waggling as he ran.
Harry groaned. Then he had an idea. “You know, it’d be so much easier if I could use magic to pull these weeds.” Harry said to Dudley, his bright green eyes glimmering.
Dudley stared at Harry. “You…you…you said the ‘m’ word! I’m telling Mum!” He yelled, and ran inside.
Harry snickered. He’d probably have to do more work, but it was worth teasing Dudley, after all the bad things he did to Harry.
Aunt Petunia stomped outside. “That’s it! Go to your room, NOW!” She shrieked. Behind her, Harry could see Dudley laughing.
“All right, all right,” Harry said quietly, and went into the house. He just then remembered that he had to go to Diagon Alley to meet Ron and Hermione. He’d have to buy the books he’d need for Hogwarts.
Harry dashed on over to Uncle Vernon and pleaded. “Uh, today I need to go to Diag—, I mean, London, to meet my friends. It’s also the first day of school.”
Uncle Vernon looked up from the newspaper he was reading. “You expect me to send you there?” He demanded. It was more of a statement than a question.
“Well, er, yeah,” Harry replied.
Uncle Vernon furrowed his brow. “Didn’t Aunt Petunia tell you to go to your room? Since you think you’re so smart, THINK OF A STUPID LITTLE MAGIC TRICK TO GET TO YOUR RUBBISH SCHOOL!” He bellowed, and went back to his newspaper.
Harry sighed and dragged his feet up to his room. Now what was he going to do? He didn’t want to bother Ron and Hermione, so he decided to take this into his own hands.
“I’ll show them…I will use magic to get to there.” Harry muttered to himself.
He flipped open The Standard Book of Spells, Grade 4 and tried to find some kind of charm to get him to Diagon Alley.
“Maybe…nah, that won’t work.”
Harry finally thought of an idea. He could make his luggage and bags weightless, then tie them onto his flying broomstick, the Firebolt, and he could fly to Diagon Alley.
“Yeah, it might work.” He said. Harry skimmed through his books. He finally found a spell—Wadissio.
Harry pulled up the sleeves of his shirt, twirled his wand, and yelled, “Wadissio!” He then tested it and tried to lift up all his bags. They were lighter than a feather. Harry tied them onto his Firebolt. He hopped on, and flew gracefully out the window.
Dudley was outside playing in the mud. He looked up and saw Harry twenty feet above the air, flying.
“Mu…mu…. MUUUUUUMMM!” He screamed.
Harry tried hard not to laugh. He needed to concentrate on where to go. The view of London up high was marvelous. Several Muggles pointed up and stared at Harry strangely. He tried not to create a commotion. Who looks up at the sky, anyway?
Then, Harry saw a large brick wall. This was the entranceway to Diagon Alley. He glanced at his watch; it was 1:08 p.m. He’d have enough time to buy all his books.
Harry landed on the ground smoothly. Several people stared at him. He walked over the brick wall above the trash can.
“Three bricks up…two across…” Harry muttered. Just then, the brick wall split and opened. Diagon Alley came into view.
Chapter 3
Harry gazed around at all the unique shops. First thing: he had to buy his books.
He walked on over to Flourish and Blots, it had all the wizarding books.
Harry looked at his supplies list. He only needed four books—The Standard Book of Spells, Grade 5 by Miranda Goshawk, Bewildered Beasts by Ima Toad, The Rosetta Herbs Collection Book, Level 1 by Rosetta Parkinson, and The Complete Etiquette Book for Young Wizards and Witches by Rupert Peterson.
Etiquette? Harry thought. What did they, fifth years, need to know manners for? Perhaps they needed to learn correct table behaviors for eating dinner.
“Can I help you?” The salesman asked.
“Uh, yeah, I need to buy four books—The Standard Book of Spells, Grade 5, Bewildered Beasts, The Rosetta Herbs Collection, Level 1, and The Complete Etiquette Book for Young Wizards and Witches.” Harry replied, looking at his supplies list.
In a jiffy, the man brought out the four books. “Now, which level of the Rosetta Herbs Collection do you want? Levels 1-300.” He replied promptly.
“Level 1,” Harry said.
The man handed him the books. “Seems like every kid has been buying ‘the etiquette’ book this year.” He commented. Harry counted four Sickles in his hand, and handed the wizard money to the salesman.
“Hey—Harry!” A voice said. A pair of arms flung around Harry. It was Hermione.
“Hi Hermione!” Harry said. “How’re you doing?”
“Great,” Hermione said, waving her hand as if it was of no importance. “How are you? I’ve been awfully worried…did the Muggles give you a hard time about sending you here?” She asked.
“No, not really. I flew here.” Harry replied quickly.
“You flew? But oh Harry, if someone from the Ministry caught you, do you know how much trouble you’d get into?” Hermione said worriedly.
“Come on, Hermione, give it a break,” Ron came into the rescue. Ginny, Fred, and George were also there, standing next to him.
Before Hermione could say anything back, Harry spoke. “Ron! Hey Ginny, Fred, George…want me to help you with your bags?” Harry asked politely. The Weasley family was carrying loads of luggage.
“Nope, we’re fine,” George said.
“Good man, Harry!” Fred added.
“Where’s Mr. and Mrs. Weasley?” Harry asked.
“Oh, Dad’s busy working at the Ministry and Fred and George convinced Mum that we were old enough to go to Hogwarts alone.” Ron replied.
Hermione caught up with everyone as they were walking. “Oh I just can’t wait to start the new school year. I can’t believe I’m a prefect!” She said.
Ron rolled his eyes. “Yeah, neither can I.”
“Wow, you’re a prefect?” Ginny asked, astonished.
“Yes.” Hermione said to her, in a briskly tone.
“I’ll have to be more stricter with the rules. I’m not letting you guys get in trouble again. Likewise.” Hermione said, with a look very much like Professor McGonagall.
The group one by one, walked through the solid barrier between Platform 9 and 10 (Platform 9 ¾), and onto the Hogwarts Express.
Chapter 4 *Disclaimer: All characters and setting belong to J.K. Rowling except for Lily Brown.
“There’s no room on this train!” Ron said. It was true; the Hogwarts Express was packed than it had ever been.
“There’s got to be an open compartment,” Harry replied, as they all walked through the isles, tripping over bags of luggage.
There was an open compartment, all the way in the back of the train. Lavender Brown, a little girl, and Parvati Patil were sitting inside. They spread their luggage everywhere, so it looked like it was full.
“Do you mind if we sit here?” Hermione asked Lavender.
Lavender glared at Hermione and gave her the evil eye. “Yes we do, go away, you’re not wanted—I mean, sure!” She said, spotting Harry. She giggled nervously at Parvati.
Parvati looked at Lavender in an odd way then glared at Harry. She was probably still mad at him from the Yule Ball last year. Harry had gone with her (he had no choice, it was time for drastic action!) and basically ignored her the whole time. But Harry had to admit he would’ve been mad if he was she.
“I don’t think there’s much room for you guys to sit here, too.” Parvati said stiffly to Fred, George, and Ginny, who were behind Harry and Ron.
“Oh no, that’s okay!” Fred said sarcastically. The three walked away huffily.
The little girl sitting next to Lavender looked at Hermione curiously. “What’s your name?”
“Oh…I’m Hermione—Hermione Granger.” Hermione said, surprised, straightening up to look important.
“Ooh, my name is Lily! I’m Lavender’s sister! This is my very first year at Hogwarts!” The little girl quipped.
“Cool!” Hermione said. Lily looked pleased with herself.
“Now, Lily, we don’t talk to strangers.” Lavender said to her sister. She and Parvati looked at each other and snickered.
Lily ignored Lavender. Her eyes fell onto Harry. She looked at his lightening-bolt scar, then cupped her hands over her mouth. “You aren’t…Harry Potter!” She shrieked.
Harry nodded, feeling very stupid indeed. He always felt that way when people pointed and stared at his forehead.
“Yeah! Hey Lavender! Isn’t Harry Potter also the boy who you have a crush on? The one you really, really lik—?”
“SHUT UP, LILLIAN AMANDA BROWN!” Lavender yelled, her face red with embarrassment and anger. She grabbed Lily’s hand and the two stormed out of the compartment.
Pretending he was unaware of what just happened, Harry turned and started conversing with Hermione. “So, er, how was the summer in Bulgaria?” He asked.
Hermione shifted her weight uncomfortably. “Well, it was nice—”
“Did some ‘magic’ brew between you and Vicky?” Ron interrupted.
“How many times do I have to tell you—don’t call him Vicky!” She said.
“Go on,” Harry said patiently.
“Well, the thing is…oh how can I say this…Viktor and I…WE BROKE UP!” She blurted out loud. Parvati snickered.
“Why?” Harry asked, trying not to laugh.
“Well, because my parents said that they didn’t want me dating some strange eighteen-year-old boy who lived in the mountains when I was only fourteen. So now we’re just friends. I hope Viktor didn’t take it too hard. It’s hard to maintain a long-distance relationship, anyway.” Hermione said sensibly, letting Crookshanks, her ginger cat, out and petting her.
“Yeah, don’t worry, he was never right for you anyway,” Ron replied. Hermione missed the sarcasm.
Just then, the compartment door opened, and Lavender and Lily entered. Lily was looking very sullen and Lavender, very red and hot.
“Excuse us,” She said hotly, tripping over Crookshanks. The cat hissed angrily.
Hermione narrowed her eyes and picked up Crookshanks, petting his injured spot. “I’ll be meeting with the other prefects. Be right back.” She said to Harry and Ron.
They nodded. Harry opened up The Complete Etiquette Book for Young Wizards and Witches. “I wonder why we need this book,” He muttered, flipping through the pages.
“Dunno,” Ron replied. Just then, an owl appeared at the window. It was trying to keep up with the train that was moving very fast.
Harry opened the window and let it in. The letter was for him. He tore it open. It read: …Last night your parents died. Expect the unexpected.
Harry gaped at it. “But my parents died years ago…”
“What is it?” Ron asked uncertainly. By the look on Harry’s face, he wasn’t sure if he wanted to know.
Harry gulped and showed Ron the note. Ron’s expression was the same as Harry’s. “And what do they mean by, ‘expect the unexpected’?” He asked.
Just then, Hermione walked in. “Guess what! Hannah Abbott is a prefect, too! I chatted with her. Her skirt accidentally caught on fire by her new pet, a Chinese Laughing Dragon named Ha-Ha, but everything’s all right now. Lucky I read about the fire putter-outer charm.” She said casually. Then, noticing Harry and Ron’s face expressions, she panicked. “What happened? Are you two all right?”
The compartment slid open again. It was, unluckily, Malfoy, flanked by his two sidekicks, Crabbe and Goyle.
“Well, well, well! Look who we have here.” Malfoy said sarcastically, his eyes shimmering maliciously.
Harry quickly tried stuffed the note into his pocket, but Malfoy was too fast for him. He snatched the note from Harry’s hands, read it, then burst out laughing. Crabbe and Goyle stared at him. Malfoy punched their stomachs. Then they understood what he meant, and started to laugh as well, very stupidly.
“Aw, look at Potter now, he’s gonna cry! Poor mommy and daddy. Tut tut, it’s a tragedy—so sad that they died.” Malfoy added sarcastically.
Ron stood up. “Shut up Malfoy, or I’ll, I’ll—”
“You’ll what, Weasley? Punch me?” Malfoy asked dangerously.
It all happened so fast. In a split second, Ron was on the floor punching Malfoy. Parvati and Lavender screamed; Hermione scolded at the two; Crabbe and Goyle laughed again for no reason; and Harry joined Ron in the fight.
“STOP IT, NOW OR I’LL GO GET A TEACHER!” Hermione yelled, with her hands on her hips. Everyone stopped to look at her. Malfoy had a bloody nose, Ron a broken wrist, and Harry a black eye.
Hermione was serious. She sprinted out the door. There were no teachers on the bus; so she returned with the old witch who pushed around the food carts on the train.
“Goodness, what’s going on?” She asked, helping the boys up.
“It was Weasley! He came over and punched me a ten times! I’m innocent, I swear!” Malfoy shrieked at once.
Ron sputtered, but didn’t say anything, and started to massage his hand. Harry got very steamed up. For the millionth time in a row, Malfoy would get his way. “You deserved it! You’re always on our case, following us around! When will you just stop?” Harry yelled back.
The train stopped to a halt, banging everyone’s head against the compartment walls. All the students filed out into the halls quickly. Malfoy, cupping his hand over his bleeding nose, shook his finger dangerously at Harry and Ron. “If you two ever, EVER, touch me again, I swear, I’m getting my father. And you won’t be so happy then.” Malfoy glared at them, looking very serious. He then walked out the door.
Parvati and Lavender, not wanting to be involved, grabbed their belongings and rushed out the door after Malfoy without saying a word. But Lily stayed behind to say good-bye to Hermione. “Will I ever see you again?” She asked sincerely.
“Yes, I’ll be sure of that.” Hermione replied, flashing a smile. Lavender ran back to the compartment and snatched Lily’s hand, glowing at Hermione, Harry, and Ron.
Hermione then turned to Harry and Ron. “Are you two all right?” She asked. “You’ve got to stop getting into mischief. Just try to ignore Malfoy.”
“Ignore him! How can you?” Ron said indignantly. His arm was too tired, so Harry and Hermione carried his luggage. They were the last ones left on the train, so they had to hurry up. None of them noticed five other messenger owls with letters, swarming and pecking at the window of the compartment that Harry was just in.
Chapter 5 *Disclaimer: Again, all the characters and settings are J.K. Rowling’s except for Lily and the Sorting Hat students.
The Great Hall of Hogwarts was magnificent as usual. Hermione, the Gryffindor House prefect, led all the students except for the first years, to their seats at the Gryffindor House table. She then sat down next to Harry and Ron. All the students of the four Houses, Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff, and Slytherin, eagerly waited patiently for the Sorting Hat ceremony to begin.
Professor Albus Dumbledore, the headmaster of Hogwarts, stood up from his seat behind the teachers’ table. All the students stopped talking to look at him. The man with a silvery-white long beard and purple half-moon spectacles hardly looked one hundred fifty years old, but he was.
“Attention my fellow colleagues and students, we gather here tonight for another spectacular, amusing, and not to mention adventurous school year at Hogwarts. First, I would like to present the first years, led by Hagrid, to be Sorted into their proper Houses.” Dumbledore said wisely and calmly.
He turned to the first years who were standing in front of the long teachers’ table. Harry looked at all the teachers. All of them he recognized, except for a pretty young woman with dark brown hair, sitting at the far end of the table.
“Who is she?” Harry whispered to Hermione.
“The new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, probably. It’s the only job open.” She replied, not surprised.
Professor Dumbledore cleared his throat and continued with his speech. “The House you are Sorted in will be like your family. You will have classes with them, eat with them, and sleep with them in your dormitories. You will make many friends.” Dumbledore paused and winked at Harry, Ron, and Hermione at the Gryffindor table. They smiled back.
Just then, Professor McGonagall
*Author's Note: This is all I have so far! Do you like it? Email me at Gryfndrhermi0ne@aol.com. Thanks!
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