Happy Thanksgiving to my fellow Canadians! Also, a big thank you to those who reviewed! You guys are just the best kind of people.

March, 1999

Hermione sat alone in the den of the Burrow, reading a book while Ginny and the boys played Quidditch outside. It was one of her last days of Easter holidays and she felt it a good idea to get a head start on her studying before greeting the intense workload that would meet when she returned to school.

"Good afternoon," Molly Weasley said as she entered, pulling Hermione's attention away from the book. "I thought you'd like a cup of tea," she said, handing her a warm mug. "Two milk, one sugar, right dear?"

Hermione smiled and accepted it, putting her book down beside her. "Yes, thank you."

"So," Molly said, taking a seat. "I've been meaning to talk to you. I'm sure your own mother already has, but just for good measure..."

"About what?" Hermione asked, taking a sip of her tea.

"Sex."

She choked and nearly spat the tea out. "W-what?" she asked, coughing.

"Sex, dear. I spoke to my mother-"

"You... what?"

"And we both agreed that it's high time we spoke to you and Ron about it, now that your relationship is getting serious. You're adults now and you've been together almost a year. We weren't born yesterday, you know."

Hermione fished around her head for words to say, but could not think of anything. Instead she stared at Mrs Weasley and waited, feeling more uncomfortable and awkward than she ever had in her entire life.

"So," she went on. "I assume that a smart witch like you has already learned a few protection spells, but I have something for you anyways." She reached into the pocket of her apron and pulled out a small phial of purple liquid with a piece of paper attached. "This is a contraceptive potion," she said, handing it to her. "You must drink it once a week. The paper attached is a recipe so that you can make it for yourself at home."

Hermione turned the phial in her hand, inspecting it. "Thank you," she managed, avoiding eye contact.

"You're welcome," Molly said. "You needn't be embarrassed, it's all part of growing up. Now on a much more serious note, remember that no charm or potion is completely foolproof. Sometimes accidents happen, so you need to always keep in mind the consequences. Just try to be as careful as possible, we don't need any more Weasleys running around just yet."

Hermione smirked despite her discomfort. "Thank you," she said again. "We'll... be careful."

"Good," Molly said, standing up. "Have a nice day, dear," And with that, she left the room.

Hermione sat, alone once more, completely speechless. Her head shot up when she heard someone in the doorway again. She had expected it to be Mrs Weasley, back to give her more uncomfortable advice. But it was only Ron, and he hurried in.

"How was the game?" she asked, her nerves calming.

"I didn't play for long. Dad called me in to 'talk' to me." He shuddered.

Hermione noticed that his face had moved passed red and into a shade of purple, and couldn't help but laugh. "I see you got the talk too?"

Ron nodded. "Wait, what do you mean, 'too'? Bloody hell, he didn't talk to you as well did he?"

"No, your mum."

"My mum?"

"Yes, she gave me a contraceptive potion."

"She what?" He stared at her, jaw open.

"Oh, don't worry, Ron. It was sort of sweet despite... you know."

Ron continued to stare at her and dropped onto the couch behind him. "Women," he said to himself. "They're all bloody crazy."

"Well what did your dad say to you?" Hermione asked.

"A whole lot of rubbish that I'm trying to forget. And he gave me these," he said, pulling a handful of small square packets from his pocket. "They're called columns or something. Some weird muggle thing."

Hermione laughed. "They're called condoms, Ron. And they're for-"

"I know what they're for! And how they work and how to put them on... Please, love, I'm trying to get that conversation out of my head."

"Well, now that we're both thoroughly uncomfortable, why don't we have some lunch? I'm famished."

"We can do whatever you want, love, as long as it's not putting these columns to use. Believe it or not, I couldn't be less up to it right now."

"Well, don't you worry," Hermione said with a laugh. "I'll be gone in a few days and you'll have almost three months to get over it."

"Oh, I'm not that scarred. I'm sure I'll be back to normal by tomorrow."

"We'll see," said Hermione before opening the phial and drinking the potion all in one gulp. "We'll see."