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Home » NEWS » TONI BRAXTON AND SON ATTEND MBJAM EVENT HOSTED BY MICHAEL B. JORDAN
TONI BRAXTON AND SON ATTEND MBJAM EVENT HOSTED BY MICHAEL B. JORDAN
It Was All About Lupus Awareness
Toni Braxton and her son, Diezel, attended the third annual MBJAM event hosted by actor Michael B. Jordan this past weekend. The event was held in support of finding a cure for Lupus, which is a subject close to Toni's heart. The celebrity mom was diagnosed with Lupus in 2008. Toni has worked to spread awareness about the disease ever since.
"No single factor causes lupus," Jennifer Haythe, M.D., of Columbia University Medical Center says. "Researchers believe it to be caused by a combination of genetic, hormonal, environmental, and immune factors," the doctor adds.
Lupus has a way of impacting the individual in unexpected ways. It was during a recent interview that Toni Braxton delved into how she believed her diagnosis led to divorce.
"I felt shallow because my ex-husband and I broke up for money issues," Braxton said of her and Keri Lewis' marriage dissolution. The couple was married for 12 years before calling it quits in 2013. "I couldn't make money because I had lupus," Toni explained. "That was my personal contribution to the marriage failing, because who wants to take care of a person who's sick all the time? He never said that, but I felt it."
https://www.instagram.com/p/B0eEz3bnvlb/
Toni Braxton has since learned the signs of a flare-up and has managed to combat things by natural means. Michael B. Jordan's event was right in her vein. All proceeds from this year's MBJAM went to Lupas LA, which was the organization that gave Jordan's mom, Donna Jordan, resources for living with lupus.
"When we moved to LA as a family and needed resources to help her," Michael B. Jordan shared with media during at the event. "Lupus LA was the first place we turned," he shared. "They've been awesome to us, so we wanted to give back in a meaningful way."
You can learn more about lupus here. Go to Lupus LA's website to stay informed about the nonprofit. Stay tuned for more celebrity charity news!
Photos: Getty Images
Tags: Diezel Braxton LewisLupusMichael B JordanToni Braxton
KEYSHIA COLE AND BOYFRIEND NIKO KHALE WILL WELCOME THEIR BABY BOY TODAY
LUDACRIS, WIFE, AND KIDS VACATION IN EUROPE


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Prosciutto doesn't ask silly questions, prosciutto understands…
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redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


The PRESIDENT - Order ! These interjections do not assist the debate or advance the standing of the Senate.
Senator DOBSON - Is there ever likely to be good feeling on behalf of Tasmania towards Western Australia when the representatives of the latter State are trying to draw £900 out of her coffers in order to make a survey to explore their territory, te see if there is land for farmers to open up, and whether there is enough water to supply a bandicoot? We have been told that there is not an emu to be seen for hundreds of miles, which is a splendid proof that there is no' water available. Let me here allude to a speech made by the present Premier of Western Australia. No one has ever suggested the- adoption of the. per capita distribution of the surplus after the bookkeeping period has expired without giving special treatment to that State. But in the next breath to that in which he advocated the construction of this railway ion Federal principles, the Premier of Western Australia denied the right of the Commonwealth to distribute that revenue per capita, and insisted that if it were adopted she must stand out of the Federation. When it is seen that there is a chance of getting Commonwealth money for the purpose of building a railway in her territory for a distance of 480 miles, the representatives of Western Australia pitch aside all Federal spirit and all sense of justice and fair play, and advocate this project, headed by Sir John Forrest, who if he cannot coax or persuade a man into voting for the Bill tries to bully him. The Minister of Defence ought to sei an example of fair play and justice. He absolutely refused to allow us to go into Committee to consider in what proportion the cost of a survey should be borne.
The PRESIDENT - It is not possible to go back into Committee at this stage.
Senator DOBSON - I am pointing out a very good reason why the report ought not to be adopted.
The PRESIDENT - If the report is not adopted we cannot go back into Committee at this stage.
Senator DOBSON - One reason why the report should not be adopted is that it is proposed to saddle the Commonwealth with the whole expenditure of .£20,000. I think that in my second-reading speech, I suggested that of the advantage which would accrue from the construction of the railway 80 per cent, would go to the States and 20 per cent, to the Commonwealth. The Commonwealth ought to be responsible for 20 per cent, of the cost of the work, because it would derive advantages in regard to the transport of mails and in centuries to come, when we had an army, in connexion with defence. The most important consideration with me is not the construction of the railway, because I believe that in years to come it will be built, but whether it should be built by the Commonwealth or bv the States concerned, and whether the expenditure ought rio be divided between the Commonwealth and those States in proportion to the advantages which each would derive from its construction. If we had been allowed to go into Committee I should have moved that the cost of the survey or any additional sum which might be expended should be borne in the proportion of one-third each, but I am now inclined to think that 50 per cent, of the cost ought to be borne by Western Australia, and 25 per cent, each by the Commonwealth and South Australia. The advantages to Western Australia from the construction of the railway would be far greater than those derived by either South Australia or the Commonwealth. Senator Neild has pointed out that, so far, Western Australia has been chiefly a mineral State. Nine-tenths of her prosperity has been due to the discovery of her minerals, but she is beginning, I believe with great success, to develop her manufactures and her primary industries. Yet to-day she asks the States who have built their own railways, although they did not possess the gold that she has, to help her to build a railway. In view of the advantages which that State would derive from its construction, I defy any one to say that the Commonwealth ought to bear the whole cost. Not one representative of Western Australia has ever had the temerity to say that my proposal is unfair. Their one idea has been to put their hands into the Treasury of every other State to get its money in order to- develop their State. Although I have advanced the proposition on three different occasions, after an interval "of a year in each case, still I have not heard it dealt with by one representative of Western Australia. They do not desire to discuss any question except that of grasping twenty thousand sovereigns and spending them in their self-interest.
Senator Turley - Western Australia offered to recompense South Australia if the latter would only help the former to make, the line.
Senator DOBSON - South Australia is in a verv peculiar position. On no occasion has the Minister of Defence taken any notice of the question of the gauge of the line. Can any one cite a single Railway Survey Bill in which the gauge of the line was not mentioned? Is this to be a rail way with a gauge of 5 ft. 3 in. or 4 ft. 8£ in., or 3 ft. 6 in., or is it to be a tramway with a gauge of 2 ft. 6 in. ? I appeal to Senator Keating, who has been very dumb for a week on this subject, if he has ever heard of a Railway Survey Bill being passed without a .provision as to the width of the gauge. Of course, the reason for leaving that point alone, in defiance of all commercial and professional experience, is that the only consent we have obtained from South Australia is really no consent, because Mr. Price has said, " Yes, I consent; but I must be consulted as to the route and the gauge." What instruction, I ask again, is Senator Playford going to give to Bie survey party about the question of the gauge? Is he going to tell them to survey a route for a line with a gauge of 3 ft. 6 in. or 4 ft. %\ in. ? Does he intend to tell the people of South Australia before he gets their consent what the gauge of the railway is to be ? Does he not know that the Premier of South Australia will have no chance of getting the consent of its Parliament even to the survey unless the gauge suits that State? Does he not know that if the line were built on a gauge which did not suit South Australia, she might have to spend hundreds of thousands of pounds in altering the gauge of her railways?
Senator Turley - -Oh, no ! It is proposed now that the Commonwealth should be responsible for the building of another couple of hundreds of miles of railway in South Australia, and the Premier says that we are quite welcome to do so if we are prepared to pay the cost.
Senator DOBSON - Can the Minister tell us what instructions the surveyors are to get?
Senator Playford - I cannot.
To provide, however, for the repulse of oversea invasion on the north and west, two transcontinental railways are unnecessary, and it is submitted that the line to the north should start from Bourke (New South Wales), and go aid Cunnamulla, Charleville, Longreach, Winton, and Cloncurry, Barclay Tableland, head of Roper River, on to Pine Creek (Northern Territory), as shown on map, rather than from Oodnadatta to Pine Creek. The former route would pass through good fairly watered country, already more or less occupied for pastoral purposes, would link up the three main Queensland trunk lines, and would be of considerable settlement and commercial value, and ultimately a mail route to Europe. The latter route (through South Australia) would pass mainly through desert country, and be no value either strategically or commercially until the many miles of desert had been passed through, and the better portion of the Northern Territory reached at no very great distance from Pine Creek. The Bourke-Cloncurry route is somewhat longer, but in spite of the extra distance, it would be financially the better of the two - possibly the less expensive to construct, and certainly the more remunerative when constructed - besides being valuable from a strategic and commercial point of view with the completion of each section of its construction.
The Port Augusta-Kalgoorlie line is also a necessary strategic line, if the west of Australia is to be satisfactorily defended, but under present circumstances it would seem to be less urgent than the line to Port Darwin.
The only . ground on which Senator Playford can suggest that the railway should be built is dissipated by those military gentlemen, who form the Defence League of New South Wales, and who tell him that the line to Port Darwin is the more important for defence purposes.
Senator Playford - Military gentlemen from Western Australia and South Australia might express a different opinion.
Senator DOBSON - We know that opinions differ, and I am talking to-night because ,my opinion is so fundamentally different from that of my honorable friend as to what is just, fair, and Federal. Has Senator Playford considered! where his defence policy is going to land him? How is he going to justify to his officers, the electors, and his conscience the spending of £5,000,000 on this railway, while he spends only £23,000 on the training of 240,000 cadets? Truly, the Minister has a keen appreciation of the proportion of things! A very remarkable article which appeared recently in the Melbourne Age, and which may be described as pessimistic, would lead one to suppose that it is more important to defend our ports and our shores than to spend .£5, 000,000 on the construction of a desert railway. I should advise the .Minister to practice a little of the economy which the Liberal Party are observing at Home, and endeavour to raise a really up-to-date, thoroughly-equipped army.
Senator Styles - The honorable senator means an Australian Navy?
Senator DOBSON - I am not very much in love with the idea of an Australian Navy, but I am more in love with that idea than I am with the proposal to construct a desert railway. I am sorry that Senator Symon is not present, because I wish to refer to the peculiar position in which we have been placed by his remarks. I suppose there is such a thing as political honour. Senator Symon is a better judge of his own honour than I can be, but if a representative from South Australia knows, or believes that there is no chance of South Australia consenting to the survey, with a view to afterwards consenting to the construction of the railway, is it fair that he should vote for the Bill before us and drag £900 out of the Tasmanian Treasury for the purposes of a survey which can end in nothing? That is not my idea of political honour, and I cannot understand the position of Senator Symon. Nor can I understand the position of Senator Playford, who also knows that under ,present circumstances South Australia will never consent to the construction, of the' railway. If there ever was an occasion on which stone-walling was justified, it is the present occasion. I do not know, however, that I am stone-walling, because I believe I am advancing some verv good, arguments, which I defy Senator Playford to answer.
Senator Playford - Vote against the Bill, and do not trouble further.
Senator DOBSON - The honorable senator is, leader of the Senate, and his honour- affects this Chamber. If the honorable senator carries out all legislation in the same way, we may say good-bye to the dignity and position of the Senate. In my opinion, Senator Neild was quite right in alluding to the Northern. Territory, which was also referred to by Senator Symon, who told us that South Australia is particularly anxious that the Commonwealth should take charge of that portion of Australia.
The PRESIDENT - What has the Northern Territory to do with the Bill ?
Senator DOBSON - I think it has everything to do with the Bill; because Senator Symon expressed the opinion that until the Commonwealth ' takes over the Northern Territory, South Australia will never consent to the construction of the line.
The PRESIDENT - I do not know that Senator Symon did say that, but, if he did, I cannot see what the Northern Territory has to do with the Bill.
Senator DOBSON - Senator Neild dealt with the broad political aspects of this matter, and contended that hours, or, indeed, weeks, ought to be devoted to the consideration of which transcontinental railway should be built first.
Senator Turley - And the decision might make a great deal of difference in regard to the consent of South Australia.
Senator DOBSON - Of course. If the Commonwealth were to take over the Northern Territory on fair terms, and it was decided that a railway to Port Darwin would not be so advantageous as a railway to Kalgoorlie, the South Australian Government might consent to the construction of the latter; but if it was decided that a railway to Port Darwin was the more necessary, we should never get consent for the construction of the railway now uncle:- review. That was what was foreshadowed by Senator Symon, who said that, under present circumstances, South Australia would never consent to the construction of this line.
The PRESIDENT - If South Australia would not consent, why is the honorable senator talking?
Senator DOBSON - I am talking because Sir John Forrest and other Ministers, with a all the influence and power that Ministers possess, would try to force the construction of the railway as they are forcing the survey. The people of Western Australia regard it as a breach of faith that, the Commonwealth has not built this railway ; and does any one contend that they will be satisfied with this expenditure of £20,000 on a survey ? Sir John Forrest, when he thought he had a majority and that the Bill was going through flying, did the best he could to clinch the matter by saying that he believed no man should vote for the survey unless he was prepared to vote for the construction of the line. If this flying and incomplete survey in anyway supports the construction of the line, every effort will be made to force the consent of Parliament to the expenditure of £5,000,000, or, as is more likely, £6,000,000 or £7,000,000. We do not desire to be always under the influence of Sir John Forrest in this matter, with his one day poking fun at us, and the next day endeavouring to bully us into voting for the project. There is lobbying going on in every corner1 of the Parliament ; and if this £20,000 can. be extracted out of the pockets of the public, it will be deemed all the easier to extract £5,000,000. If it is right and just for the Parliament to vote this £20,000, it would be right and just to vote whatever sum is necessary to construct the line, if anything like a fair case could be made out. But was there ever a railway, or any public work, for which a good case could not be made out on paper ? I should like to ask Senator Keating what he thinks of all these matters. I do not say that any honorable senator has voted for this Bill against his conscientious convictions, but until I am assured to the contrary, I shall hold the opinion that Senator Keating does not believe in the justice or Federal spirit of this measure. I believe that the honorable and learned senator previously voted against the Bill.
Senator Keating - - -I did not.
Senator Millen - Does the honorable and learned senator mean to say that he was not originally on-nosed to the Bill?
Senator Keating - I do. I did not vote against it before.
Senator DOBSON - The honorable and learned senator has always been against it.
Senator Keating - The honorable and learned senator might think so.
Senator DOBSON - I have always understood that Senator Keating was against the Bill, and I should even now like to have his assurance that he is in favour of the measure. The question is of very great importance to the people of Tasmania, who would like to hear what Senator Keating's views and opinions on the subject are.
Senator Clemons - Does the honorable and learned senator say that he has always been in favour of the Bill?
Senator Millen - He said so just now.
Senator Clemons - And asks us to believe it? It is straining one's powers of imagination.
Senator DOBSON - I am aware that the honorable and learned senator is a member of a Ministry that was pledged to bring in this Bill, and I have no desire to put him in any awkward position. But I should like to know what his real feelings on the matter are, and if he can justify the vote hegave the other night, I should be glad to hear him do so. I confess that I do not see how it will be possible for the honorable and learned senator to do so, because I contend that the whole thing is unjust and un-Federal, and I shall be surprised if one of my colleagues from Tasmania can show that it is just or Federal that that State, which has had to pay for her own railway construction, should be asked to assist in building a railway to develop other States. I do not admit that the honorable and learned senator . could convert me ; but it is, I think, due to the electors of Tasmania that he should pronounce some opinion on the subject, and should tell the Senate plainly what he thinks about it. I should like, before I resume my seat, to appeal to the Minister of Defence to take the third reading of the Bill to-morrow. If he will agree to do so, I shall resume my seat with more pleasure than I otherwise should. I do not think anything is to be gained by pushing the measure through to-night. The honorable senator is aware that there is a feeling on the subject which nothing will allay. We desire fair play and justice.
Senator Playford - It is all right ; we have a pair for Senator Symon.
Senator DOBSON - Then I shall resume my seat in the hope that the third reading will be taken to-morrow.
That the Bill be read a third time to-morrow.


text:
Q: How can I access array built in useEffect hook with React? I'm using useEffect to make 2 requests to 2 different API's. I'm building an array based on the info that's getting returned. I'd like to access this array outside of useEffect and use it in the return below, where I want to use the data to render points on a map. When I try to access it, like how I'm using parkData it says all_data is not defined.
import React, {useEffect} from "react";
import {MapContainer, Marker, TileLayer } from "react-leaflet";
import * as parkData from "./data/skateboard-parks.json";
import "./App.css";
import axios from 'axios';

let all_info = []

export default function App() {

    const validator_url = "http://api-1.com"
    const ip_url = "http://ip-api.com/json/"

    useEffect(() => {
      async function fetchData() {
        const result1 = await axios.get(validator_url);

        for (let i = 0; i < result1.data.count; i+=1) {
          const result2 = await axios.get(`${ip_url}${result1.data.results[i].ip_address}`);

          let ip_address = result1.data.results[i].ip_address
          let lat = result2.data.lat
          let lon = result2.data.lon

          all_info.push([ip_address, lat, lon])
        }
      }
      fetchData();
    }, []);

  return (
    <MapContainer center={[45.4, -75.7]} zoom={12}>
      <TileLayer
        attribution='© OpenStreetMap contributors'
        url="https://{s}.tile.openstreetmap.org/{z}/{x}/{y}.png"
      />
      {/* // HOW CAN I ACCESS all_info ARRAY HERE instead of using parkData? */}
      {parkData.features.map(park => (
        <Marker key={park.properties.PARK_ID} position={[park.geometry.coordinates[1], park.geometry.coordinates[0]]}>
        </Marker>
      ))}
    </MapContainer>
  );
}

A: You will have to store that data in the internal state of the component instead of the global variable.
import React, {useEffect, useState} from "react";
import {MapContainer, Marker, TileLayer } from "react-leaflet";
import * as parkData from "./data/skateboard-parks.json";
import "./App.css";
import axios from 'axios';

export default function App() {
    const [allInfo, setAllInfo] = useState([]);
    const validator_url = "http://api-1.com"
    const ip_url = "http://ip-api.com/json/"

    useEffect(() => {
      async function fetchData() {
        const result1 = await axios.get(validator_url);
        const tempData = []

        for (let i = 0; i < result1.data.count; i+=1) {
          const result2 = await axios.get(`${ip_url}${result1.data.results[i].ip_address}`);

          let ip_address = result1.data.results[i].ip_address
          let lat = result2.data.lat
          let lon = result2.data.lon

          tempData.push([ip_address, lat, lon])
        }
        setAllInfo(tempData);
      }
      fetchData();
    }, []);

  return (
    <MapContainer center={[45.4, -75.7]} zoom={12}>
      <TileLayer
        attribution='© OpenStreetMap contributors'
        url="https://{s}.tile.openstreetmap.org/{z}/{x}/{y}.png"
      />
      {/* // HOW CAN I ACCESS all_info ARRAY HERE instead of using parkData? */}
      {parkData.features.map(park => (
        <Marker key={park.properties.PARK_ID} position={[park.geometry.coordinates[1], park.geometry.coordinates[0]]}>
        </Marker>
      ))}
    </MapContainer>
  );
}

A: Try below:
{all_info?all_info.features.map(all_info => (
// your code

)):null}

A: Create a state using useState hook to store the array and use that rather than defining the array outside the function.
export default function App() {
    const [allInfo, setAllInfo] = React.useState([]);

    const validator_url = "http://api-1.com"
    const ip_url = "http://ip-api.com/json/"

    useEffect(() => {
      async function fetchData() {
        const result1 = await axios.get(validator_url);
        const data = [];

        for (let i = 0; i < result1.data.count; i+=1) {
          const result2 = await axios.get(`${ip_url}${result1.data.results[i].ip_address}`);

          let ip_address = result1.data.results[i].ip_address
          let lat = result2.data.lat
          let lon = result2.data.lon

          data.push([ip_address, lat, lon]);
        }

        setAllData(prevState => [...prevState, data]);
      }
      fetchData();
    }, []);
    ...
    }

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


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PRODUCTCAMP CINCINNATI ENABLES THE COLLISION OF IDEAS FROM PEOPLE ACROSS OUR REGION WHO ARE PASSIONATE ABOUT DELIVERING BETTER PRODUCTS.
ProductCamp is the premier "un-conference" for innovators, product managers, marketers, designers, and engineers eager to discuss best practices, share insights and make connections with top minds in the local product community. In our region, this means building upon our unique strengths in consumer experience by exploring stories and successes from product builders in the digital and tangible worlds.
Thank you! We will send you period emails about future ProductCamp Cincy events, preview speaker talks, and occasionally some information about our sponsors. Please reach out to us on Twitter or email ProductCampCincinnati@gmail.com if you want to connect!


text:
What's happening with the new Evanescence album? Amy Lee gives fans an update
By Scott Munro (Metal Hammer) 26 August 2020
Evanescence announced The Bitter Truth back in April but stopped short of a release date - Amy Lee explains why
Evanescence (Image credit: P.R. Brown)
Amy Lee has given fans an update on the progress of the new Evanescence studio album The Bitter Truth after it was first revealed back in April.
The band have released the singles Use My Voice, The Game Is Over and Wasted On You this year and debuted their cover of Fleetwood Mac's The Chain in November – but they've never given a release date for the Nick Raskulinecz-produced record.
In a new interview with SiriusXM, Lee explains: "We're still ongoing. We don't have a release date, but I like to look at it like it's happening now.
"The idea behind this whole thing was always to go one song at a time, release it while it's still fresh and live in the moment more.
"So, in my mind it is being released – this is part of it. We live in a new world where it's not all about dropping a big pile of music all at once. People don't always consume music that way… I don't.
"I still want to make an album, that's still who we are and I think that's important to our fans, so we're doing that. We will drop the back half soon, but I don't have a date because I never want to put a date down when I'm still writing. It has to be right."
Lee adds: "But we're getting there and it's sounding really cool and it's definitely not orchestral – we haven't put a single sting down yet. There's a lot of guitars!"
Use My Voice was released earlier this month, with the track featuring a number of guest artists, including Halestorm's Lzzy Hale, Within Temptation's Sharon den Adel, Taylor Momsen from The Pretty Reckless, violinist Lindsey Stirling and Amy McLawhorn, the wife of Evanescence guitarist Troy McLawhorn.
Also featured on the song are Amy Lee's sisters Carrie South and Lori Lee Bulloch, and Lee's friend and co-writer of the song Deena Jakoub from Veridia.
Evanescence will head out on tour with Within Temptation across the UK and Europe in 2021 on the rescheduled Worlds Collide tour.
Evanescence and Within Temptation 2021 Worlds Collide European dates
Sep 08: Zurich Hallenstadion, Switzerland
Sep 09: Milan Mediolanum Forum, Italy
Sep 11: Berlin Velodrom, Germany
Sep 12: Gliwice Arena, Poland
Sep 14: Leipzig Quarterback Immobilien Arena, Germany
Sep 15: Hamburg Barclaycard Arena, Germany
Sep 17: Amsterdam Ziggo Dome, Netherlands
Sep 20: Paris Accorhotels Arena, France
Sep 21: Düsseldorf Mitsubishi Electric Halle, Germany
Sep 22: Munich Zenith, German
Sep 24: Esch-Sur-Alzette Rockhal, Luxembourg
Sep 26: Frankfurt Festhalle, Germany
Sep 27: Brussels Palais 12, Belgium
Sep 30: Glasgow SSE Hydro Arena, UK
Oct 01: Leeds First Direct Arena, UK
Oct 03: Birmingham Utilita Arena, UK
Oct 04: London The O2, UK
Oct 07: Madrid Palacio Vistalegre, Spain (Evanescence only)
See more Metal Hammer news
Of Mice & Men preview Timeless EP with powerful new single Obsolete


We are a small, national charity that supports volunteer visitors to immigration detainees, wherever they are held. We have 16 member groups that visit in every detention centre in the UK, and some prisons.
We work to raise awareness of immigration detention and we advocate for positive change in the detention system.
More detail on our strategic objectives for the period 2016-2018 are available here.
You can find out more about the key areas of our work below.


On Monday, Starbucks joined the growing number of companies who have committed to banning plastic straws from their franchises, announcing an end goal to cut out the single-use plastic product by 2020.
The company claims this change will eliminate 1 billion straws from circulation every single year, CNN reports.
This is a big step in the campaign to end the use of straws, which contribute considerably to ocean pollution and marine life.
Not only companies are joining the charge—entire governments have begun to ban straws, hoping it will lead to a cultural shift that includes an awareness of the pollution caused by single-use plastic.
There is some debate in the move to ban straws when it comes to considering the needs of people with disabilities.
Many people with limited mobility or other issues depend on the availability of straws and their ease of use for daily purposes like eating, drinking, and taking medications. Activists ask that instead of calling for an overall ban, alternatives be considered.
The call to ban plastic straws without an affordable alternative for consumers has been criticized for a lack of consideration, but a giant brand like Starbucks getting on board might be a sign to factories that developing a plan for an affordable replacement is long overdue.
Starbucks has the reach to make entire design changes to its production line that will make the straws unnecessary. Their flat plastic lids will be phased out and replaced with a raised lip, similar to a sippy cup.
They will in fact offer straws made from paper or compostable plastic for their Frappuccino line and it's signature dome lid. Those sorts of straws will also be available upon request.
The switch will begin in Vancouver, Canada, and Seattle this Fall to test the success of the new designs, then gradually replace their old straw system over the next two years.
In a statement to CNN, CEO Kevin Johnson says the franchise considers the straw ban a "significant milestone" for the company, which has been working towards a number of sustainability efforts.
In March, the company opened up a contest with a $10 million reward to anyone who could come up with a compostable cup that could be affordably mass-produced.
According to Ecowatch, Starbucks uses 4 billion cups on an annual basis. At $10 million, an environmentally sustainable replacement would be a steal.


text:
Technology Gallery
HTC 10 India launch today: Key specs, features and more
Updated: May 26, 2016 8:20:27 am
Updated : May 26, 2016 8:20:27 am
HTC 10, the company's new flagship is finally launching in India on May 26. The smartphone was announced on April 12 at a global event. The device features a 5.2-inch 2K display, and an aluminium uni-body design. The pre-orders for the smartphone in the US was priced at $699. For HTC, which has seen its smartphone market share tank, there's a lot riding with the new HTC 10 device. There's no word on the India launch of this device. Here is everything you need to know about HTC 10. Read more here
HTC 10 will come with new BoomSound technology, Dolby Surround Sound and best in class DAC. There's also an HTC 10 Lifestyle version, which will have a Qualcomm Snapdragon 652 processor. As for specs, HTC 10 sports a 5.2-inch 2K display, and is powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon 820 processor clocked at 2.2 Ghz. It comes with 4GB RAM, and 32GB storage space. There's a micro-SD slot as well with 2TB capacity.
HTC 10 features a 12 megapixel camera with HTC's Ultrapixel technology, that will ensure high quality photos even when zooming in. HTC has included OIS in the rear and front cameras, and the rear camera supports 4K recording and comes with an f/1.8 aperture. The pixel size is 1.55μm. The front camera is 5 megapixels with 1.34 μm pixel size.
The battery is 3000 mAh, and HTC is promising up to 27 hours of talk time on this smartphone. The smartphone supports Quick Charge 3.0 and the HTC 10 can get to 50 per cent charge in just under 30 minutes. The smartphone supports USB Type-C charging.
In terms of connectivity, it has Bluetooth 4.0, Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac (2.4 & 5 GHz) support for Chromecast, AirPlay, and Miracast. There's also fingerprint sensor on the front button.
HTC 10 runs Android 6 with HTC Sense, which appears to be very closer to stock Android. HTC says that there is no duplication of apps.


The beginning of a new family is a momentous and holy event. What great joy there is when two people who love each other choose to make promises and take vows. And not just for the happy couple. As family and friends gather around the mystery, the beauty, the hope all shine bright. Their presence at the wedding is their blessing. But sometimes the blessings are spoken, as well. At the rehearsal dinner preceding the wedding, guests were asked to share a blessing or a Scripture if they so desired. We share some of them now with you along with photographs of the bridal and table bouquets.
As you begin your new life together, invite God to be your partner.
which the world cannot give nor take away.
Through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom be the glory now and forever.
The bouquets included dried grasses plucked from the groom's grandfather's pasture, wheat from the bride's uncle's farm, dried statice from my garden and of course, a variety of sunflowers, leaves, seedpods and other vegetation both dried and silk from Hobby Lobby.
"Oh, God of Love, you have established marriage for the welfare and happiness of mankind. Yours was the plan and only with You can we work it out with joy. You have said that it is not good for man to be alone, I will make a helpmate for him. Now our joys are doubled since the happiness of one in the happiness of the other. Our burdens are now halved. When we share them, we divide the load.
Dear Father, we would ask that you would bless Jesse. Bless him as a provider of nourishment and raiment and sustain him in all the expectations and pressures of his battle for bread. May his strength be her protection, his character be her boast and her pride and may he so live that she will find in him the haven for which the heart of a woman truly longs.
And dear Heavenly Father, we would ask you to bless Jessica. Give her tenderness that will make her great, a deep sense of understanding and a great faith in You. Give her inner beauty of soul that never fades. That eternal youth that is found in holding fast the things that never age.
Teach them that marriage is not living merely for each other. It is two uniting and joining hands to serve You. Give them a great spiritual purpose in life. May they seek the kingdom of God and Your righteousness and the other things shall certainly be added unto them. Loving You best they shall love each other the more and faithful unto You, faithful unto each other they will be.
The serene setting of the wedding. Yes, the guests sat at tables for both the wedding and reception.
But what God has joined together is united in the heart.
These are the cherished gifts that I pray for you.
Your commitment, your love and your time on your knees.
On balmy days or in stormy weather.
As you grow and you flourish in your home's sacred place.
Your companion, your lover, your friend by your side.
God has blessed me with a wonderful Christian woman and with three great Christian sons. For many moons we have prayed God would bring you two together as only He could. Now may He bless you both as God has graciously blessed us! May we always praise God for His grace and mercy.
Mason jars held bouquets with grasses and silver artemesia plucked from the groom's grandfather's pasture, statice from my garden and some silk flowers and leaves.
We want to bless you with the Apostle Paul's prayer in Colossians 1:9-10. "For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through spiritual wisdom and understanding. And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God."
Each table held two bouquets, one or two candles in Mason jars and a jar of something to snack on.
With a happy marriage free of stress.
With lots of kids to make a mess.
With love and joy and peace and rest.
And when the sin let them confess.
With things we cannot even guess.
'Cause we think they're the very best!
Great post, Bev! Thanks for sharing, and congratulations to you all!
Blessings and Bouquets look so nice to me. I had a great time watching the photos. We would be having a stunning ceremony with the sunflower theme that we will be hosting at one of the rental wedding venues Los Angeles. My cousin has been helping me immensely with the décor and other parts.


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Huskers keep pace with the big boys
Posted by Chesterville Record | Aug 8, 2018 | Sports | 0 |
Cornhuskers represent Dundas County
The North Dundas Cornhuskers travelled to the Scott Tokessy Memorial Tournament in Kanata on the weekend of Aug. 3-5 and were in a little tough against the city teams but put up a good fight against a team from Fayetteville, NY. This was the team's inaugural year and look to start soon next season to practice. The team made up of a combination the Winchester Sox, the Williamsburg Green and White Pioneers. Team members are: front from left, Dawson Coleman and Patrick Guy, middle from left, Ryan Wilson, Terence Mudde, Mason Hummel, Kyle Hermer, Alek Larouque, Cam Shaver and Aiden Hutt, back from left, coach, Geoff Guy, coach, Brian Shaver, Nicholas Guy, Marty McLeod, and coach Chris Guy. Absent from photo was Caden Holmes. Moore photo
KANATA — The Dundas Major Cornhuskers travelled to the Scott Tokessy Memorial Gold Glove Tournament in Kanata on the weekend of Aug. 3-5. The tournament was an open tournament so the competition was tough but was sanctioned by Canada Little League. The Corn Huskers were in a solid grouping with Nepean East, Kanata and Fayetteville in their Division. The tournament boasts to be Canada's largest little league charity tournament.
The tournament was established in 1996 in memory of Scott Tokessy who played for a Kanata home team. Tokessy hit a home run in the game and while running home suffered an irregular heart beat and suddenly passed away at the age of 12. The proceeds of the tournament go to the CHEO Cardiology department for new equipment and research.
Fayetteville 14 Cornhuskers 11: After the Huskers lost their first two games to Kanata and East Nepean, they were the visitors as they met up with a team from Fayetteville NY in their third game of the weekend on Sat., Aug. 4. The Huskers needed a win to keep their hopes alive to make it into the finals as the top two teams of each division would move on in the tournament.
The Huskers got off to a great start scoring the maximum five runs allowed in the top of the first inning and their pitcher, Nicholas Guy and their defence held Fayetteville off the score sheet in the bottom of the first.
The Huskers made it 7-0 after scoring a pair of runs in the top of the second inning. Fayetteville managed to get two back in the bottom of the second. The Huskers scored four more runs in the top of the third inning taking a commanding 11-2 lead.
The Husker's spirits were a little sunken when Fayetteville scored five runs in the bottom of the third to move to within four. Fayetteville's pitching got really hot in the top of the fourth inning not allowing the Huskers to get on the bases.
Fayetteville tied the game scoring four runs in the bottom of the fourth. The Huskers got a couple of runners on the bags in the top of the fifth but were unable to get them home and Fayetteville took advantage scoring three runs in the bottom of the fifth taking their first lead of the game 14-11.
At their last at bat, the Huskers only got one on the bags but two were struck out and one was thrown out at first to end the game. Fayetteville took the game 14-11 ending the Huskers tournament. Fayetteville went on to take the silver medal in the final on Sunday.
Scoring the runs for the Huskers were Cam Shaver, Patrick Guy and Terrence Mudde each with a pair, Dawson Coleman, Ryan Wilson, Aiden Hutt, Mason Hummel and Kyle Hermer all scored singles.
Pitching for the Huskers were Nicholas Guy in the first and second innings, Coleman in the third and Shaver in the fourth and fifth.
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One Look by PrincessPotter
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by PrincessPotter
Harry lay on his side, with his head propped up on his arm, tracing patterns lazily on her arm as they talked. She told him about last year, stories about when she was young, and he told her more about the Dursleys, about the horcruxes, and about his childhood. Some things were important and some things were random, but it didn't matter.
Harry was telling her what he felt was an very amusing story about a time when a spider was determined to move in with him under the stairs when Ginny raised her hand to his cheek. "Ron would have freaked," he was saying when he trailed off, seeing her expression. "What?"
"They're horrible," she said, and Harry smiled.
"They're not that bad really, I mean, Aragog was horrible, but he was like, a hundred times bigger than this one…"
"Not spiders, you're family… I'd like to see your cousin live in a cupboard…"
Harry smiled and leaned down and kissed her. "Oh no, Duddykins would never fit," he joked as he pulled back and her eyes flashed.
"Oh I'd make him fit," she said and Harry chuckled, capturing her mouth again. "Without magic," she added as the mood began to shift and they felt the tension begin to build between them.
"Protective are we," Harry murmured against her lips and she grinned.
She ran her tongue along his bottom lip and he opened his mouth for her, letting her slip her tongue inside. He groaned softly as she pulled him to her.
"I love you so much," Ginny said, moving to kiss his neck.
"I love you too Gin," Harry tried to reply, but it came out jumbled. His mouth and mind refused to communicate as he felt her lips on his skin. She rolled him over until he was on his back, and from her position on his chest she could see the hunger in his eyes and feel how much he wanted her.
"Gin," he began, but she silenced him with a kiss and gave him a small smile as she sat up and pulled her shirt over her head, shaking her hair out and dropping it onto the bed beside them. He groaned inside, feeling his resolve wavering as he reached out and ran his hands over her stomach. She could feel them shaking as he touched her.
She reached for his shirt and pulled him up until he was sitting with her straddling his lap. Her arms linked around his neck keeping him close as they kissed, their tongues dipping and exploring, dancing together. As the kiss became harder, more intense, Harry couldn't help it as his hands moved to her thighs and he pulled her more firmly against him. Ginny moved her hands down his sides and lifted his shirt up, breaking the kiss as he raised his arms, letting her pull it off of him. He's so beautiful, she thought as she looked at him.
He tried to keep his breathing steady as she ran her hands over him, feeling the muscles on his stomach and arms. She ran her fingers along the scar Riddle had given him on his chest, trailing soft kisses across it before moving up to his neck. He let out a low moan as she grazed her teeth over his skin and she smiled at his reaction as she continued her attack on his senses.
Ginny trailed her hand down his stomach and along the thin line of hair that disappeared into his jeans. She brought her head up and kissed him, grabbing his bottom lip with her teeth as she began undoing his belt. He brought his hand between them and caught hers, stopping her movement. "You, you don't have to do this," he said when she looked up at him. "We can wait…" She kissed him softly and then leaned her head into his chest.
"You're right. We should wait. I needed time to trust you," she sighed, not even trying to hide the disappointment in her voice; a feeling that matched his completely.
"That's probably best," he murmured into her hair, trying to be supportive.
She kissed his chest softly. "Do you think so? Do we really need to wait?" she asked as she raised her head and looked at him. He opened his mouth, but he didn't know what to say to her. "Will we be more ready or surer of our love if we wait?"
He shook his head, but just barely. He wanted this. He felt like he had to have her, to claim her as his and he certainly didn't want to stop her if she was talking herself into it. At least part of him didn't want to, the randy male part of him that was rattling the cage inside of him, begging to be let out after all this time of being without her. The other part needed her to be sure because if she regretted it later it would crush him. He took a steadying breath.
"You need to trust me remember? I need to prove to you that… that…"
"You need to prove what love?"
She was trailing her hand up and down his stomach now and finally he took it in his, stopping her movement so that he could think.
Harry swallowed. "That I love you. That I'm not leaving, ever."
"Do you love me?" she asked.
"Yes," he answered, watching her face. "You know I do," he added softly and she shut her eyes for a second.
He leaned his head in, resting his forehead against hers as he shut his eyes too. "Do you know what would have happened if you had died? If he had killed you?" he whispered.
"No," she breathed back and she felt him shake his head a little.
"I don't either. But I think… I truly think I might have just died with you. I am never letting you out of my sight again, so we can do this whenever you are ready love. We have the rest of our lives." Ginny took an unsteady breath and brought her hand to his cheek, running her thumb back and forth across his bottom lip.
"I want you to show me," she said and he struggled to swallow, to focus on her words and not the movement of her finger.
"Show you what?" he asked, his voice more ragged than he would have liked as he pulled back to look at her and Ginny gave him a hint of smile as she met his gaze.
"Show me how much you love me," she replied, biting her lip. Harry's eyes flew from hers to her mouth and any attempts by him to be the noble, honorable, sensible person he had been going for flew straight out the window.
He didn't say anything; he just took her face in his hands and brought her to him, catching her lips in a kiss that took her breath away.
They kissed hungrily and after a second Harry slid his shaking hands up her back, unhooking her bra and slipping it off before pulling her against him. Harry couldn't get enough of her; he felt like he had been starving for her and hadn't fully realized it until finally being able to have her. Ginny moved her hand back down his body; feeling him shudder under her fingers as they moved lower. She undid his belt with trembling fingers and pulled it off, dropping it over the side of the bed.
Harry's heart was pounding as he felt her pull the button free and unzip his jeans. She hesitated for just a second before slipping her hand into his boxers and Harry groaned into her mouth, his breathing becoming raspier and more labored by the second.
Neither one of them could believe this was actually happening and after a few more minutes Harry didn't think he could take anymore and flipped them over, coming down on top of her.
"Ginny, if you want to stop you need to tell me now," Harry ground out, searching her eyes while trying to keep control.
"If you stop Harry, I will never speak to you again," she gasped and he laughed before kissing her deeply.
"Well I couldn't have that," he murmured as he unzipped her skirt and slid it off of her. She was so incredibly beautiful to him that he just froze for a second, staring at her before pulling off his remaining clothes and bringing their bodies back together. He wanted her so badly as he fumbled for the wand he had left on the table next to them and performed a quick charm, he was amazed that he could think clearly enough to remember the words.
"I love you Ginny… I've always loved you," he said softly, looking down at her. His eyes were dark with passion and filled with emotion as she looked into them.
"I know," she replied, cupping his cheek in her hand and drawing him down for a kiss. He could tell she meant it – that she believed him - and he felt the last bit of his heart fall into place. "I love you too."
Harry went slowly, trying not to hurt her and they came together, giving themselves over to the love of the other. Harry had never felt anything like it. He would have sworn that she had been made just for him. With Beth it had always been soft and quiet, and just a little bit rushed because they didn't want to get caught, but this was different. He couldn't even pinpoint how it was different really, it just was. It was intense, emotional and utterly complete; it was Ginny. She was passionate and enthralling and he lost himself in her. Every touch, every kiss was amplified and he knew, absolutely knew in his soul that he would never be able to leave her, would never be able to get enough of her.
The intensity of the situation, of what they were doing and the feelings coursing through them was almost too much for them to bear as their love and desire overwhelmed them; their cries seeming to echo around them in the otherwise silent tower.
~..~..~..~..~..~
When they came back down Harry rolled onto his side, drawing her over with him.
"Oh God Ginny, that was…" He didn't know how to finish, so he pulled her against him, kissing her deeply. It had been so pure and emotional and unlike anything he had experienced. In his mind it had been perfect.
"Brilliant?" Ginny finished for him and he looked down at her.
"More than brilliant," he said softly, pulling her closer for another kiss.
They continued to hold each other for a few minutes and eventually, as their breathing became normal and they began to fall asleep, Ginny's mind ran back over what they had just done. She could still feel him. He had been everywhere; teaching her, loving her and filling her so completely that she couldn't think so she had finally just given in to the intensity of it all. It had been amazing, perfect… but… almost too perfect. There hadn't been any fumbling or awkwardness and her heart dropped a little.
Ginny's vision began to blur and she sat up, not wanting Harry to see her. She brought her knees up to her chest and wrapped her arms around her legs, wiping her tears quickly from her face as he sat up next to her.
He brushed her hair behind her shoulder so that he could see her face. "What's wrong love?" he asked softly, running his hand up and down her back. "Ginny?" She still didn't answer him and he furrowed his brow as he looked at her profile. Did she regret it? It had been everything to him, he wanted her to feel the same.
"Please talk to me," he said quietly, kissing her shoulder softly. She took in a shaky breath and wiped her face again. She didn't know how to say it. She looked over at him and saw his expression, full of worry and confusion and she leaned over and kissed him.
"This was… this was my first time," she said, her voice wobbly and he moved his hand into her hair, massaging her neck.
"Was it not… did you…" Harry trailed off. He didn't know what to say, didn't know what to ask. He didn't understand. Oh God, was I rubbish?
Ginny shook her head. "It was wonderful. It's just… it wasn't your first time was it," she asked softly, not really wanting the answer.
Harry's hand stopped moving on her neck and after a second he closed his eyes and rested his head on her shoulder and she knew. Ginny's mind began to race. He had slept with Beth. She wasn't sure how that made her feel, he hadn't cheated but…
"This wasn't how it was supposed to be…" she said softly and he kissed her shoulder before resting his forehead against it.
"I know," he said softly.
Ginny put her hands over her face. A second ago everything had been perfect and now… "Oh God, I've ruined the moment… I'm sorry… it doesn't matter… I…" Harry kissed her shoulder again.
She kept her hands over her face so he pulled them off and she opened her eyes to look over at him. He gazed at her and brought his hand to her cheek.
"It does matter. I… I have done this… but, but it has never been like what just happened." He looked at her, running his fingers through her hair as she gazed at him. His eyes were full of love and a peace she hadn't seen before. "I have never felt more connected to anyone in my whole life than I felt to you a minute ago."
Ginny bit her lip, blinking back her tears. "I haven't either," she said and he gave her a small smile.
"I'm sorry," he said, closing his eyes and shaking his head a little, hating the letters, hating everything they had taken from him. "It should have been you, but we can't change it." He opened his eyes again. "I'm here now, and I'm not going anywhere. You are the last person I will ever do this with love. That's what's important."
He kissed her softly before pulling away again. "I thought what we just did was incredible," he said searching her eyes. "Nothing can change that, or take it away from us. Please don't… don't let anything cheapen that."
Ginny looked at him and knew in her heart that he was right. It didn't matter. It wasn't how she wanted it, but he was hers. He was here with her and she brought her hand to his cheek. "It was amazing, and it doesn't cheapen it."
"Promise?"
He gazed at her and kissed her forehead before resting his own against hers, their faces close and their eyes closed. They sat there for awhile, warmth from the other flowing through them before Harry spoke. "Truthfully Gin," he said softly, lacing his fingers through hers, "It… well I'm not sure it would have been as brilliant… if we…well, if one of us didn't know what we were doing… at least the first time," he said awkwardly, feeling his face flush and feeling like a complete git for actually saying that thought out loud. Ginny was silent for a second before she began to smile and after a minute she let out a small chuckle.
"Way to look on the bright side Harry," she chuckled and he smiled.
"You know me, mister optimism… and you didn't ruin anything love. We have the rest of our lives to have moments like these," he said softly, running a hand down her cheek. "In fact," he said as he moved his hand down her neck to her chest. "We have right now…"
He began to kiss her, moving her back down onto the bed. "Harry," Ginny murmured against his lips as they kissed, heat beginning to build inside of her but he didn't let her finish.
"Please," he whispered between kisses. "Please let me show you… let me show you how much I love you," he practically begged, needing to be near her, needing to know that it was ok, that they were ok, and after a second she wrapped her arms around him and they lost themselves in each other.
When they came back down again she smiled up at him and he kissed her softly. Harry dragged a blanket over them and they fell asleep in each others arms; both feeling whole for the first time since last year.
Harry woke slowly, smelling roses and he smiled as he opened his eyes. He was on his side and Ginny was asleep beside him. He watched her for a few minutes, playing with her hair. He liked it long and decided she should never cut it. He began running his finger over her shoulder, tracing patterns with her freckles. His touch eventually woke her and she smiled up at him as she stretched, arching her back like a cat.
"Hi," he said, leaning down and kissing her lazily. He pulled away from her with a sigh. "I guess I should go," he said, "I don't want your mum to send out a search party."
She frowned playfully at him and he chuckled, leaning back down and kissing her quickly before moving to get off of the bed. He pulled on his boxers and headed to the bathroom. When he came back into the room he stopped. Ginny was sitting up on the bed waiting for him. She was holding a sheet up to cover herself and she looked gorgeous.
The sun had set while they were asleep and a fire had been started, causing the light to bounce off her hair as it fell in soft, messy waves to her elbows. Ginny saw his eyes flash as he looked at her and she dropped the sheet to her waist. "Are you sure you have to go?" she asked casually, even though her heart was pounding and even she was a little surprised at her boldness.
He stared at her, suddenly jealous of the hair on her chest. He smiled as he moved back to the bed, jumping up on it and crawling quickly over to her. She fell back giggling as he crouched over her. "Decide to stay?" she asked as he lowered his head to kiss her. It was a playful, yet passionate kiss and Ginny pouted dramatically when he broke away.
"Well," Harry said as he began to kiss her face, moving from her nose to her cheeks and down her neck. "I just remembered something important I needed to do."
"Oh yeah? And what is that?" He kissed her shoulder before raising his head to hers, his eyes a mixture of mirth and desire.
"I have to kiss every freckle on you body," he said with a smile before he dropped his head back down. He kissed her neck, sprinkling kisses down her throat to her chest.
"Oh yes, very important," she agreed in the most serious voice she could muster.
"You see Ginny" he said as he moved down, kissing her skin as he went, "I don't want any to feel left out."
"Oh course not," she sighed, her body beginning to tingle.
"I mean look," he said kissing her between her breasts. "Here's one." Ginny settled back onto the bed, sighing contently as the tingling increased. After awhile he moved on. "And then there are all of these," he said moving down her stomach, pulling the sheet down as he went. He kissed her hip, "and here's another one." He kissed under her belly button, "and another."
He looked up at her, his eyes flashing as he pulled the sheet off completely. "Did you know you had one here," he asked, as he lowered his head, shifting her leg so that he could kiss the inside of her thigh. Ginny was having trouble breathing as she watched him, not entirely sure where he was going with this. He looked up at her before dropping his head again, kissing the inside of her other thigh. Her heart was pounding when she heard the last thing she ever expected.
"GINNY!?"
Harry flew off the bed, scrambling over the side and landing in a heap as Ginny jerked the sheet up, tucking it under her arms. "Ginny, where are you? Are you here?" her mother called from the fire place. "They really need to fix the reception on this thing I can barely see… oh there you are dear, are you already in bed?" Ginny turned, trying to block the other side of the room, but she didn't really need to; there was nothing in the world that could have made Harry sit up so that he could be seen. His heart was trying to break out of his body and he swore he had just experienced his first real heart attack as he listened.
"I… I was just taking a nap mum, what did you need?" Ginny said, running a hand through her hair and trying to sound normal.
"I just wanted to see how you were doing. I know things have been hard for you… have you spoken to Harry?"
Ginny's mind raced, what can I say, yes? In fact, he's hiding behind the bed in his boxers?… she settled on, "umm, no, I haven't why?"
"Oh, no reason dear. I just thought… well never mind… I just want you to remember how special you are. Give him time, he will work it out…" Harry sat up slowly, staying directly behind Ginny so that he couldn't be seen and reached across the bed, taking her hand. Ginny squeezed it as Mrs. Weasley continued. "I know you love him, and I know he saved you but if he doesn't get it together, then he doesn't deserve you."
At this Mrs. Weasley's hand came into the fire and she wiped her eyes. "You know that right dear?"
"Yes mum," she replied as Harry squeezed her hand.
"Now, your father's birthday is coming up and we need to talk about what you are getting him." Harry had begun to trace patterns on her back and she struggled to focus.
"Um, mum, I have a lot of homework to do, can we talk later?"
"Well I really need to know dear so I can let your brothers know and…" Ginny tried to subtly swat Harry's hand away as her mother continued on about how they couldn't all get him the same present but it didn't work.
"Mum, I'll let you know about the gift tomorrow, I promise, but I really need to go," Ginny said quickly, trying not to squirm too obviously as she tried to move away from his tickling fingers. As soon as her mom was gone Ginny grabbed a pillow and threw it at Harry who was on the floor with a ridiculous grin on his face. "You're horrible! What if she had seen you?" He climbed back on the bed with a smile and drew her to him.
"She would have said 'Oh Harry dear, I'm so glad you got it together, of course you can be with my gorgeous daughter!'" Ginny laughed at his impression of her mother and kissed him. He became serious after a minute and ran a hand through her hair.
"I really don't deserve you right now," he said, playing with a piece of her hair. "But I will."
Ginny wrapped her arms around his neck and began kissing his face. "Oh shut up Potter, or I may start to believe you," she said as they fell back onto the bed, a tangle of arms, legs and fabric.
Ginny was lying on top of Harry, resting her chin on his chest as she looked at him. The sheets were gathered around their waists and he had his hands folded behind his head, looking at the ceiling as she traced her fingers lazily along his scar. "Was it bad? When you told her?" she asked.
He looked down at her and she saw his eyes cloud over. She could tell he didn't really want to tell her about it and she looked down. "I'm sorry… I shouldn't have… It's really none of my business," she said, shaking her head before she kissed his chest and turned her head, laying it on his chest. He looked at the top of her head for a second before moving one of his hands to her hair with a sigh.
"It was horrible," he said as he ran his fingers through it. "She just kept crying. She can hit pretty hard actually."
He twirled a piece of her hair around his finger as he thought back. "Although not as hard as you…" he added, reminded of the several times she had slapped him. She turned her head to look up at him.
"Does she know? That you didn't choose her?"
He shook his head. "I didn't tell her, but I'm sure she probably guessed… I just… I just couldn't tell her that." Ginny stared at him and opened her mouth to ask a question but changed her mind, turning her head and nestling against him instead. "What?" Harry asked, watching her.
"Nothing, it's not important," she mumbled, snuggling closer. Harry frowned.
"Ginny, what were you going to say?"
She sighed and turned back. "I… I was just wondering if you reconsidered."
Harry narrowed his eyes in confusion, "reconsidered what?"
"Well, reconsidered leaving her… thought about taking it back and staying with her… I mean it must have been awful and…" his eyes cleared and he reached down and grabbed her arms, pulling her up until their faces were level.
Ginny looked down at his face as his eyes watered.
"I hated, hated hurting her and it was awful, but no, that never even occurred to me…" Her eyes began to water too. "My heart is yours Ginny… " She swallowed, suddenly feeling foolish for even asking.
"I'm sorry, I'm so sorry you had to deal with this..." she trailed off as he brought her down to him, wrapping his arms around her as she nestled her head in his neck.
"It's ok, love. It was my mess to fix. And don't be sorry, it's not your fault." She laughed into his neck and pushed herself up.
"Isn't that my line?" she asked, leaning down and kissing him. He smiled and pulled her back down to him, wrapping his arms around her as she nestled her head back into his shoulder.
Eventually Harry really did have to leave. "I'll see you soon," he said, kissing her softly.
He smiled and kissed her again. "Yeah, I promise."
It was after three in the morning as Harry moved quietly through the burrow to his room, unable to keep the stupid grin off his face that he had had since leaving Ginny's room. He opened the door and slipped inside, closing it quietly.
"Where have you been?" a voice asked and Harry jumped in surprise, spinning around to find Ron sitting on the edge of his bed, waiting for him to answer.
"Lord Ron, don't do that!" He said, running a hand through is hair.
"Where have you been Harry?" he asked again and Harry stared at him for a second, not sure what the best answer to the question was. When he didn't answer straight away Ron spoke again.
"Hermione talked to Beth today," he said, watching Harry for his reaction.
"Did she?" Harry replied, slipping his shoes off and walking to his dresser.
"Are you going to hurt her?" Ron asked to his back and Harry glanced over his shoulder quickly before looking back down into his drawer, pulling out a shirt.
"I already hurt her. I'm sure Hermione told you that."
"Not Beth, Harry. Ginny. Are you going to hurt Ginny? I assume that's where you've been, judging by the state of you," he said, giving an automatic shudder and going into big brother denial about what had probably happened.
Harry turned around and looked at him for a second. "No," he said, sensing the importance of his answer. "I will never hurt her Ron. She's everything."
Ron looked at him, seeing the seriousness and the truth in his face and after a second he nodded and stood up. "Ok then."
He walked to the door and opened it. He stopped as he began to leave and looked back at Harry who was still watching him. He looked down for a second, fiddling with the doorknob as he tried to figure out what he wanted to say. "You know I love Beth Harry… but… well…" He looked up and Harry gave him a hint of a smile.
"I know," was all he said and Ron nodded, closing the door behind him and heading off to write a note to Hermione. She had threatened to hex him if he didn't tell her what Harry said the minute he talked to him and he didn't doubt she would do it.
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Character 1 Harry Potter Ron Weasley Hermione Granger Albus Dumbledore Argus Filch Rubeus Hagrid Remus Lupin Minerva McGonagall Poppy Pomfrey Horace Slughorn Severus Snape Pomona Sprout Sybill Trelawney Sirius Black Dobby Arabella Figg Mundungus Fletcher Kreacher Alice Longbottom Frank Longbottom Alastor Moody James Potter Lily Evans/Potter Kingsley Shacklebolt Nymphadora Tonks Andromeda Tonks (Black) Ted Tonks Arthur Weasley Bill Weasley Charlie Weasley Molly Weasley Percy Weasley Regulus Black Fenrir Greyback Bellatrix Lestrange Rudolphus Lestrange Lucius Malfoy Narcissa Black/Malfoy Peter Pettigrew Voldmort/Tom Riddle Cho Chang Vincent Crabbe Fleur Delacour Cedric Diggory Seamus Finnegan Gregory Goyle Viktor Krum Neville Longbottom Luna Lovegood Draco Malfoy Pansy Parkinson Dean Thomas Fred Weasley George Weasley Ginny Weasley Oliver Wood Blaise Zabini (M) Cornelius Fudge Rufus Scrimgeour Rita Skeeter Dolores Umbridge Teddy Lupin Scorpius Malfoy Albus S.Potter James Potter (II) Lily Potter (II) Delphini Riddle/Diggory Dominique Weasley Fred Weasley (II) Hugo Weasley Louis Weasley Lucy Weasley Molly Weasley (II) Rose Weasley Roxanne Weasley Victoire Weasley Godric Gryffindor Helga Hufflepuff Rowena Ravenclaw Salazar Slytherin Gregorovitch Grindelwald	Ollivander Bathilda Bagshot Elphias Doge Ariana Dumbledore Aberforth Dumbledore Percival Dumbledore Kendra Dumbledore Aunt Muriel Original Character Other Canon Chastity Barebone Credence Barebone Modesty Barebone Mary Lou Barebone Porpentina Goldstein/Scamander Queenie Goldstein Percival Graves Jacob Kowalski Leda Lestrange Seraphina Picquery Newt Scamander Henry Shaw Sr. Character 2 Harry Potter Ron Weasley Hermione Granger Albus Dumbledore Argus Filch Rubeus Hagrid Remus Lupin Minerva McGonagall Poppy Pomfrey Horace Slughorn Severus Snape Pomona Sprout Sybill Trelawney Sirius Black Dobby Arabella Figg Mundungus Fletcher Kreacher Alice Longbottom Frank Longbottom Alastor Moody James Potter Lily Evans/Potter Kingsley Shacklebolt Nymphadora Tonks Andromeda Tonks (Black) Ted Tonks Arthur Weasley Bill Weasley Charlie Weasley Molly Weasley Percy Weasley Regulus Black Fenrir Greyback Bellatrix Lestrange Rudolphus Lestrange Lucius Malfoy Narcissa Black/Malfoy Peter Pettigrew Voldmort/Tom Riddle Cho Chang Vincent Crabbe Fleur Delacour Cedric Diggory Seamus Finnegan Gregory Goyle Viktor Krum Neville Longbottom Luna Lovegood Draco Malfoy Pansy Parkinson Dean Thomas Fred Weasley George Weasley Ginny Weasley Oliver Wood Blaise Zabini (M) Cornelius Fudge Rufus Scrimgeour Rita Skeeter Dolores Umbridge Teddy Lupin Scorpius Malfoy Albus S.Potter James Potter (II) Lily Potter (II) Delphini Riddle/Diggory Dominique Weasley Fred Weasley (II) Hugo Weasley Louis Weasley Lucy Weasley Molly Weasley (II) Rose Weasley Roxanne Weasley Victoire Weasley Godric Gryffindor Helga Hufflepuff Rowena Ravenclaw Salazar Slytherin Gregorovitch Grindelwald	Ollivander Bathilda Bagshot Elphias Doge Ariana Dumbledore Aberforth Dumbledore Percival Dumbledore Kendra Dumbledore Aunt Muriel Original Character Other Canon Chastity Barebone Credence Barebone Modesty Barebone Mary Lou Barebone Porpentina Goldstein/Scamander Queenie Goldstein Percival Graves Jacob Kowalski Leda Lestrange Seraphina Picquery Newt Scamander Henry Shaw Sr.
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