Emeralds and Ashes

The rest of the summer break passed in a similar fashion. Harry would wake up early in the morning, immerse himself in physical training, and wait for James and Sirius to arrive. After having breakfast together, they would engage in practicing their magic, with Harry letting James and Sirius study a few tomes he had procured from various sources. Afterward, he would become akin to their professor and teach them advanced spells.

Their sessions reminded Harry of the DA in the beginning, and he would get reminiscent of the time he had spent with his friends. However, as the past couple of months passed, Harry had become more adept at coming to terms with what he now considered his previous life.

Nothing was tethering him to that timeline apart from memories, and realizing that it was nothing but something better left in the past had been important for him to look forward to the life ahead.

Dorea and Charlus also joined them a few times over the past weeks, and the two adults had a lot to teach. Even Harry learned a lot from them. Arcturus might have taught him immensely, but Charlus Potter was not revered as an immensely powerful wizard without reason. Dorea Potter was no slouch with a wand either – whether in defense, offense, or field healing. Any gaps Arcturus might have left in his tutelage had been adequately plugged by Charlus and Dorea.

Harry had been elated at the rapid progress James and Sirius had made in their spellcasting as well as the variety of spells they now had in their arsenal. The two boys were going into their OWL year, but Harry was sure they could pass their NEWTs if they wanted to.

He had admitted as much to them, and their response had equal parts surprised and impressed him.

"OWLs and NEWTs seem so trivial now that I've not even thought about them," James had remarked once after their training, and Harry recalled Sirius nodding in agreement.

"I get what you mean, Prongs. To think that we all could die just because we support a cause that doesn't align with this monster's. I'd rather take as many of those bastards down than let him kill those I hold dear."

Harry had gone extra hard on them the next day, much to their complaints and his amusement. He had simply told them to expect intensified training now that they were done with what Hogwarts had to offer. The battlefield won't care for academic spells, and they would need the ability to cast in the heat of the battle if they wanted to survive and come out on top.

What had surprised Harry the most since their discussion about the Hogwarts houses and magic was how James and Sirius' perceptions regarding what was light and dark had changed for the better. Harry had to admit that the two could have been called prejudicial in the past. However, that was no more the case. It had become evident when the two had readily helped out another student from the house of snakes when they had visited Diagon Alley a few days ago without even batting an eye at the Slytherin insignia on his robe.

However, that did not mean the pair were no longer cocky. They were still full of themselves, and even he had not been spared from their little pranks. Harry was sure Lily wouldn't give James the time of the day if the boy didn't man up. He had been working to fix their attitudes, if only so they could have some success with their respective ladies. However, so far, there had been little success.

Another surprising development over the holidays was the exchange of letters that had started between him and one Narcissa Black.

Harry still remembered the teasing he had gotten from James and Sirius regarding the young woman, and try as he might, he could not refute them. Sirius had gone one step further and used his teachings against him. The boy copied his handwriting and delivered an opening letter to his cousin addressed by none other than him.

When Harry came to know about it, he had attacked Sirius with vicious stinging hexes until the boy had been rendered moaning painfully on the floor. He had stopped only when James came in with a letter in his hand and a smirk on his face.

Harry remembered immediately snatching the letter from his cousin and going over to the side, feeling a foreboding feeling come over him. However, his relief had grown with each word he'd read until he had been left feeling contented with how the situation had turned out.

Sirius had indeed gotten a few pain-relieving potions after the incident.

Ever since then, they had taken to write to one another every few days. The letters were fairly mundane, all things considered. However, they had lit inside him the desire to get to know the woman even better and try to develop whatever it was between them. Apart from Cho, she was the only girl he had felt attracted to, and he wanted to get to know her better.

Not everything was positive though. He had still not managed to get a meeting arranged with Arcturus Black. He had wanted to talk to the man about the perils of Voldemort's upcoming rise and what he might expect. However, the man had left for eastern Europe with his wife to consult a few healers. Harry hoped the woman somehow pulled through. It was important for Arcturus to maintain firm control over his house. Harry did not think he would manage to do as much as he could for them otherwise.

Charlus had also reported that although he had firm control over the members of his alliance, the other lords and ladies were not too concerned with the possible rise of Voldemort. There had been a few dark wizards since Grindelwald who had tried to wreak havoc across Britain and Europe at large. However, they had been thwarted easily. That made them believe that this Voldemort would be another of the bunch who could easily be dealt with by the auror force.

Harry could only shake his head at that. While a part of him understood where their confidence came from, the rational part of him knew things would turn worse sooner rather than later. He only hoped they saw reason before the chips went down.

It was the first of September and Harry found himself apparating over to the King's Cross Station to board the Hogwarts Express. He had received a letter from Dumbledore which told him that he could either be sorted before the first years in the staff room or choose to be sorted with them. Harry had politely chosen the first option. Thus, he would be traveling to the castle with the others.

He appeared on the other side of the platform and immediately gazed upon the Hogwarts Express in all its glory. The crimson engine of the train glowed in the sunlight and Harry smiled.

Students were bustling across the platform, and once again, Harry marveled at the sheer number of witches and wizards that crowded around the train. It was easily double the number he had observed back in his timeline.

Shaking his head, Harry walked ahead and kept looking around for James and Sirius. It didn't take him long, and he smiled when Dorea spotted him.

"Harry," she smiled back, enveloping him in a gentle hug. Harry happily hugged her back, more than used to her affections.

"Hey Aunt Dorea, Uncle Charlus," Harry greeted the older man with a hug as well before clasping arms with James and Sirius.

"Ready to go?"

Harry nodded at Charlus with a smile.

"Okay. It's almost eleven. You should get going now," Dorea remarked, looking at her watch. They nodded. "And Harry?"

Harry turned to look at the woman who smiled at him.

"I'm repeating once again. You'll have to spend the Christmas holidays with us at Potter Manor. I won't accept a 'no' for an answer."

Harry chuckled. Dorea had told him as much the previous evening when he had visited Potter Manor. He nodded, smiling.

"I promise I'll be there."

"Good lad," she patted his cheek warmly before hugging James and Sirius, who quickly pulled away, chuckling good-naturedly.

"Okay, okay, enough hugging already," James chuckled as he grabbed his trunk.

"Yeah. You'll make all the lovely ladies think we're still little kids," Sirius complained with a chuckle. Dorea snorted.

"Go on, you idiots," she replied, smiling. Chuckling, they turned around and boarded the train, waving back at the Potters who nodded.

"Thank you," Harry smiled, "for everything you've done for me."

"Oh you silly boy," Dorea couldn't hold herself back from hugging him one more time, and Charlus clapped him firmly on the back.

"Remember what I said, Harry?" The man asked rhetorically with a smile. "Family does not thank each other. And you are family, no matter how distant in blood we might be."

Nodding meaningfully, Harry pulled back and joined James and Sirius, who shook their heads at him. Together, they walked ahead and started looking around.

"Alright, Harry. Since you're the fifth marauder now, it's time for you to meet the remaining two members. Don't worry, they're harmless, mostly," Sirius grinned. Harry managed a convincing one of his own.

He had been looking forward to getting to know Remus a little better, and he was sure the boy would be as sharp as he had been in his timeline. However, it was the other boy he had to particularly steel himself for.

Peter Pettigrew – the traitor. The fucking cunt who had destroyed everything he held dear.

If there was someone in the long list of people he hated with every fiber of his being, it was the rat-faced betrayer. Too many times did he have to hold himself back from going out and killing him since coming to this timeline. Whenever James or Sirius mentioned him, he had to actively utilize his Occlumency to calm himself down lest he did something he'd regret.

He would repeat Arcturus' words over and over in his mind. These were not the people he knew from his past. They had not done anything that might condemn them, and it would not be right if he didn't treat them as such. His purpose in this timeline was to save as many as he could and prevent people from joining Voldemort. Much to his disappointment, Pettigrew also fell into this category.

Over the past months, Harry had come to terms with it. Now, he could separate who they had once been from who they currently were. Hell, he had managed to treat Bellatrix cordially, and she had been the first faithful servant of Voldemort he had relished killing. Pettigrew was nothing compared to that.

He would give every Death Eater an opportunity. A shot at redemption. However, the moment a Death Eater stepped even one foot out of the line, then it was fair game. He would take care of them as soon as possible, no questions asked.

They walked down the corridor looking for either an empty compartment or one occupied by Remus or Peter. However, much to their disappointment, they found none.

"Guess we'll have to join a few students," Harry remarked. James and Sirius shrugged.

Harry started to look for any compartment which was occupied by only a few people and smiled when he found one. Only a girl was sitting inside, and he knocked on the door before sliding it open.

"Excuse me, could we…"

His voice failed him when he saw who it was.

Dark red hair flowed down her back in waves as her emerald orbs stared at him in surprise.

Harry quickly found his wits back and smiled at the girl.

"We couldn't find an empty compartment. Could we sit here?"

The girl nodded with an inviting smile as the boy came in and levitated his trunk on the rack. However, it was the sight of those who followed that made the smile on her face vanish.

"Potter! Black! What are you two doing here!?"

James Potter and Sirius Black looked at the redhead in surprise before grinning. James walked forward and immediately took a seat to the redhead's left, giving her a winning smile.

"Hey, Lils! What a good fortune I must have to see you before even getting to Hogwarts. Pretty sure this year would be the best."

Lily scooted as far away as she could and sneered at the smirking boy.

"And I'm sure my year would be rotten to the core, pretty similar to how you are, Potter."

Harry watched their interaction with wide eyes. He had heard that his mother detested his father in the beginning, but he could never imagine the extent of her disgust. It was truly a marvel that his father had managed to win her over.

"And for the umpteenth time, Potter. I am Evans to you, and I'll appreciate if you didn't butcher my name like that."

James shook his head as Lily looked over at Sirius who had taken his seat beside his best friend.

"And wasn't this one enough? I had to get saddled with you too?"

"Ah, come on, Evans. Loosen up a little. Anger leads to premature ageing, I'm sure you won't want the firsties to call you grandma," Sirius smirked. Harry shook his head and sat opposite Lily, who shook her head in disgust before looking at him critically. He smiled.

"I'm Harry Peverell."

Lily shook his hand uncertainly and nodded.

"Lily Evans. I don't think I've seen you before."

Harry nodded with a smile. "I've been homeschooled. Decided to attend Hogwarts for my NEWTs."

"You're a year senior then," she nodded, relaxing. "I'll give you a little advice, Harry Peverell. Stay as far away from these two as you can. You'll be much better off if you do."

"Oh come on, Lils! We're not that bad, mostly," James chuckled as he looked at Harry with a grin. "And I'm afraid you're a bit late with that little warning. Harry here is actually the fifth marauder. Has been for weeks already."

Harry looked at James in exasperation, before looking at Lily who looked at him with a sigh.

"Then I hope he turns out more like Remus than you two. Hell, even Pettigrew would be better."

Harry had to hold back a wince at the mention of the rat.

"I wonder why those two are so late," Sirius muttered, expertly ignoring what Lily just said. The redhead gave him a disgusted look and went back to staring outside the window.

"Must be getting hugs from their mums. You know how they are," James replied with a snicker.

"Like you and Aunt Dorea?" Harry quipped with a chuckle.

"Oi Harry!" James exclaimed, before whispering. "Not if front of Lils, mate."

Harry had to hold back a chuckle as Lily rolled her eyes.

Suddenly, there was a knock on the door, and they turned to see a couple of girls walk in, surprised.

"Uh… Lily?" The brunette said, looking around with a frown. Lily looked at James and asked in as calm a voice as she could muster. "Would you mind sitting over there with your friend? I'd like to sit with mine."

James smirked at her and shrugged. "Sure, Lils. Whatever you want."

Harry shook his head with a sigh as James and Sirius sat down beside him. The latter was pointedly looking at the roof of the compartment.

"I don't deserve even a glance now, is that it?" The blonde witch who had come in with the brunette asked with a raised eyebrow. Sirius shrugged. "Prick," she muttered and dropped into the seat beside Lily as the brunette took the seat beside her.

"What are they doing here?" The blonde asked Lily, who sighed before she started to explain.

"You're way too nice sometimes, Lily," she replied, before looking over at Harry in surprise. Lily looked at her and made the introductions.

"This is Harry Peverell. He'll be joining the sixth years as a transfer student. Peverell, Marlene McKinnon and Alice Fawcett."

"Peverell? As in the tale of three brothers?" The blonde who he now identified as Marlene McKinnon said in surprise. Harry chuckled.

"The one and only."

"Don't think I've ever met a Peverell," Alice remarked.

"We've been a secretive bunch," Harry replied.

"Why come out of hiding now then?" Marlene asked bluntly, which earned her a sharp elbow from her redheaded friend.

"Reasons which will be revealed soon enough," Harry replied cryptically. The girls looked at him in surprise. However, they were even more surprised to see the intense looks James and Sirius sported.

Lily, in particular, was looking searchingly at James who, for once, stared at her with an unwavering gaze that was filled with utmost seriousness. Beside him, Sirius looked the same.

"Merlin, that's unnerving," Marlene muttered as she looked away from Sirius and looked at the door. "Great. More Marauders in our compartment. At least it's the tolerable pair."

Remus and Peter entered the compartment, looking around in surprise. Meanwhile, Harry kept his eyes firmly on the rotund boy trailing behind Remus as he also looked around. His former defense professor looked as rugged as he did back then, albeit much younger. Peter, on the other hand, looked more like a human. It made him wonder whether spending so much time as the Weasley's pet rat had made him look like one.

"Uh… Prongs, Padfoot… what's going on here?" Remus asked uncertainly as he stared at the unexpected faces.

"Couldn't find anywhere else to sit, Moony. And I see you're the prefect. Can't congratulate you on that, mate. Come on, grab one," James replied with a smile. Remus nodded with a resigned smile and levitated both his and Peter's trunks on the rack before looking around.

"You can sit here, Remus," Alice said with a smile, and Remus nodded before taking a seat beside her. Peter shrugged and sat down beside Sirius, who punched him in the belly.

"You've gotten fatter, Wormy. Stop munching so many sweets already," he remarked, picking out a wrapped chocolate frog from the boy's pocket and stuffing it inside his mouth in an instant. The girls shook their heads in disgust. Harry sighed once again. These two still had a long way to go.

"I'll bite. What's up with those names you boys call each other?" Marlene asked. "I've always wondered that."

"Is that so? You could've simply asked and I'd have told you long ago, Miss McKinnon. In private of course," Sirius replied with a winning smirk, having finally gotten over whatever had been irking him. Marlene stared at him with a deadpan look.

"I've already told you I've no interest in becoming another one of your conquests, Black. Quit your lecherous ways and we can talk."

Sirius shrugged.

"That's a bit private, McKinnon. Sorry but we can't tell you all," James replied. "However, if some of us get a bit closer than we are, then perhaps we could come to trust each other enough to share these secrets."

Lily pursed her lips at the suggestive look on James' face and pointedly turned to look outside. Beside her, Marlene shrugged with a chuckle.

James expertly ignored the redhead with another smirk and turned toward Harry.

"Harry, meet the remaining two Marauders. This is Remus and this is Peter. You can call them Moony and Wormtail, or Wormy for short."

Harry turned toward Remus and shook his hand before he did the same with Peter.

"Prongs," Remus began searchingly as he looked at James. "Does he…"

James nodded immediately. "Yes. Harry is the fifth marauder now. Just needs to find his special friend. That's all that remains."

Shocked, Remus looked at Harry who nodded at him with an understanding smile. The boy shakingly nodded.

The rest of the train ride passed with constant bickering between Marlene and Sirius, and James continuously trying and failing at wooing Lily over, at least until she revealed that she was also a prefect and had to go with Remus to the meeting and patrols. All the while, Harry sat there, either looking on or looking outside at the passing countryside.

He and Lily did have an occasional chat about academics when she and Remus finally returned, and if James already didn't know about his interest in Narcissa, the boy might have taken his interaction with Lily otherwise. As such, he chimed in occasionally with what he had learned over the summer, much to Harry's pride and Lily's obvious surprise.

It was in the final stretch of their journey that the girls went to the bathroom, and Sirius remarked how he had no idea why girls always went to the bathroom in groups. It was only a few minutes later when they returned, dressed in their Hogwarts uniforms.

The moment the train pulled into Hogsmeade station, the girls stood up, greeted the other three males normally, and walked out of the compartment without a glance at James and Sirius. The two boys simply shrugged, almost as if they were used to such treatment. Harry could only shake his head, yet again.

They took the carriages to Hogwarts, and Harry took time to pet the Thestral that would be pulling the carriage they were to sit in. The scene oddly reminded him of the time when they had first met Luna, and after telling the other boys about Thestrals, they got into the carriage.

Harry was supposed to be sorted upon arrival, and he found none other than Professor Flitwick waiting for him in the entrance hall alongside Professor McGonagall.

"Mr. Peverell, I presume?"

Harry nodded at McGonagall, who glanced at the Marauders with a sigh before looking at him, frowning.

"Please tell me you're not involved with them. They are more than enough. We could really do without more of those."

Harry chuckled. "Trust me, Professor. I'm more sensible than those two. If it gives you any consolation, consider me another version of Remus."

"That would be more than enough for me. Thank you, Peverell. Please follow Professor Flitwick here. He'll escort you to the room where you can be sorted in front of the headmaster and the other heads of house."

Harry nodded and smiled at his friends as he followed behind the diminutive Charms professor.

"The headmaster shared your OWL results with the staff, Mr. Peverell. I must say, all of us were very impressed."

Harry smiled. "It's an honor to hear such words from someone like you, Professor. I've heard a lot about your exploits on the duelling platform. Perhaps we could have a few sessions during my stay here?"

Flitwick chuckled. "If you can keep up the good work, I'm sure we can arrange something. However, for now, your sorting awaits."

Harry walked behind the professor through the door and his eyes immediately fell on the headmaster who was standing in the middle with a chair by his side. The Sorting Hat was placed on the chair, and Harry saw it perk up as it gazed at him.

"Hmm. Older than the ones I normally sort. Well, at least there would be some change for me," the hat remarked.

Harry looked around and identified the younger-looking Professor Sprout. She had fewer wrinkles and white hair, but her eyes held the same kindness they always did, his fourth year in the previous timeline notwithstanding. He quickly looked over at the other man, and his eyes gained a calculative gleam as he gazed at the rotund old man.

This was Horace Slughorn – the Potions master, the head of Slytherin, and the man who had inadvertently aided Voldemort in his quest for immortality. The only man apart from Voldemort who had any idea about how many Horcruxes there were.

Dumbledore had explained how Slughorn had hidden that memory deep in his mind and had only parted with a fabricated one. It was a given that the man would not part with the information easily, which left him with very few options. Harry had opted to go for the non-violent route. However, if the man continued to prove difficult, he would have no other choice but to force the information out of him.

Harry smiled at the other heads of house and took his seat on the chair as instructed. The hat dropped on his head and his vision blackened.

"Hmm… interesting… very interesting…"

Harry was oddly reminded of his first encounter with the hat when it had spoken the same words. The hat chuckled in his mind.

"Oh I see it clearly… oh yes…"

"Are you going to convince me that I'd do great in Slytherin?"

"Hmm? Oh no, no, no… Not at all, Harry Potter… oh… my apologies… I meant Harry Peverell."

Harry rolled his eyes. "Just get it over with, Hat. I'm honestly famished."

"You are a belligerent one, aren't you? Well, no matter. It's not Slytherin for you. That much is obvious. That house has, sadly, gone so further down the path of darkness that it would take a tremendous effort to save most of them. I'm afraid you'll end up killing most of them once you spend a few days in the House of Snakes. No, Mr. Peverell, your destiny lies elsewhere."

Harry sighed. "I had truly hoped to sway a few away from his clutches. Guess it was all wishful thinking on my part."

"Oh no. It is no wishful thinking. You can certainly save a few. However, I am afraid you can do nothing for the vast majority. Keep an open mind, Harry Peverell, and do not forget your inner Slytherin in…"

"GRYFFINDOR!" The hat shouted, and Harry felt Dumbledore take it off his head. He stood back up and returned the old wizard's smile before he looked at the other heads that were gathered. While Flitwick and Sprout gave him encouraging smiles, Slughorn's seemed to be forced. Harry chuckled. It seemed Arcturus was right once again. The man liked to collect influential witches and wizards and was disappointed that he was not one of his snakes. Harry decided to pay him no further mind. There would be numerous opportunities for him to establish himself close enough to the man. It was necessary for extracting the secret information.

Greeting the professors respectfully, Harry walked out of the room adjacent to the entrance hall where he was met by McGonagall. The old woman smiled on seeing his uniform.

"I wish you all the best in the House of Lions, Mr. Peverell. You may join your peers in the Great Hall for the opening feast."

Harry nodded and followed the way indicated by the Transfiguration mistress, even though he needed no instruction. There was barely anyone more familiar with the layout of this castle than him, after all.

He saw students still entering the Great Hall and quickly made his way over to join them.

"Ah, Lord Peverell, I see you've been sorted into Gryffindor," Lucius Malfoy's slimy voice turned borderline condescending in the end, and Harry looked at the boy. In his Hogwarts uniform, Lucius bore a striking resemblance to his ponce of a son. Harry could understand that. Draco had tried to emulate his father in every possible manner.

"Heir Malfoy," Harry greeted politely. There was no need to create a scene when he could easily avoid one.

Lucius smirked. "I'd like to introduce you to a few… associates of mine. I have two of them with me right now. This is Rudolphus Lestrange, the heir to the Ancient House of Lestrange, and his younger brother Rabastan."

Harry simply nodded, making no move to do anything else. Malfoy and his associates must have noticed because their faces became much stonier.

"I look forward to discussing matters important to the welfare of Wizarding Britain with you soon, Lord Peverell. Welcome to Hogwarts."

Harry simply nodded and watched as Malfoy and the Lestrange brothers walked through the doors without a second glance. He rolled his eyes at the idiot's pretentious behavior and walked forward, only to suddenly stop as he almost hit someone.

"Oh, I'm sorry, are you okay?" He asked, and his eyes widened slightly when he saw who he had almost stumbled into. She looked as beautiful as she did on that dinner evening. However, clad in her Hogwarts uniform, Harry had to admit that Narcissa Black was truly a vision. With her blonde hair tied in a ponytail and her uniform giving an ample hint as to what lay underneath, Harry could not help but entertain certain not-so-innocent thoughts about her.

"Careful, my Lord Peverell, or you might stumble into something you don't want to," Narcissa replied with a playful smirk before walking forward. Harry caught Bellatrix's catlike grin as she winked at him and he shook his head.

Smiling to himself, Harry walked through the large double doors and took in the sight of the Great Hall of Hogwarts. The first thing he noticed was how large the hall looked compared to his time. The four tables were much longer and extended from one end of the hall to another. He saw the raised dais in the distance and the teachers' table near the wall. A massive Hogwarts emblem was etched on the wall right behind the Headmaster's seat which was currently empty.

"Harry!"

Sirius' shout made him look over, and he smiled. Walking over, he sat down beside James.

"Knew you'd be in the best house," the Black heir remarked smugly from across him. Harry chuckled.

"There was no other house for me," he replied honestly. Gryffindor was his house, and it would always remain the one for him, no disrespect to the other three. He smiled at Remus and Peter, who gave him an uncertain one. Harry reasoned that Remus must be wondering about the fact that he knew about his furry little problem, and he resolved to talk to the boy about it.

It was only a few days before Hogwarts started that James and Sirius had filled him in on everything the Marauders knew. While Harry was happy with the trust the boys had shown in him, he was a little disappointed that they parted with such a secret so easily, particularly when it was not theirs to share.

He had told them as much, and the reply had shocked him. The Marauders trusted one another above all else, and they kept no secrets from each other. It was not as if they agreed to include any random bloke in their group. Only those they trusted implicitly were ever included, and there had been no one else so far. Harry was deeply touched by the sentiment, but the fact that they could share each other's secrets amongst themselves did perturb him slightly. It meant he could not tell them everything if they would just reveal it to the other two. Although Harry trusted Remus, he had no faith in Peter. It could be catastrophic if Peter got to know something confidential and turned out to be the traitor in the end.

He looked up and down the table, trying to see if he could recognize anyone else. Apart from the boy who bore a striking resemblance to Frank Longbottom, he could not recognize anyone else from Gryffindor.

He wondered how many had perished in Voldemort's purge and how many lost their lives fighting against him. Many had also been displaced from their homes – people choosing to flee instead of staying and either getting persecuted or murdered.

Hogwarts was so lively before Voldemort's rise to power, and even though the Slytherins still looked as unapproachable as they did in his time, things were much better now than they had been in his past.

Not for the first time, Harry resolved to do as much as he could so that he could ensure a better future, no matter how little it might be. The people he loved deserved to live a happy, long life, and so did the other innocents who had to suffer.

He smiled at Lily, who gave a tentative smile back and looked toward the entrance to the Great Hall where McGonagall led the first-years through. A new year had begun, and he was looking forward to what it would bring.

-Break-

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