A/N: Hi, all. I'd like to start with a disclaimer. I own nothing in or around the Harry Potter enterprise. All of these lovely things belong to JK Rowling. I have created the character Astrid.

I haven't posted any fanfiction in a really long time, so be kind, please. Reviews are always welcome, though. This is rated M for language and sexual situations. I do hope you enjoy. I'm not entirely sure what direction everything is going in. I have a general idea, but there are a couple possibilities rolling around in my head. Thanks! :)

Chapter One

"James, there are loads of girls in this school willing to sleep with you. Bloody hell, there are loads of girls that have slept with you." Astrid argued, brushing her bangs out of her face with her fingers.

"I slept with them to get myself off, I didn't care if they did, too." James returned.

"First," Astrid began, "that's just rude. Second, why don't you just start worrying about their pleasure, too."

"Because," he began, "I'm worried they'll expect a commitment or something. I don't want that. With you, we know nothing romantic is going to form. We've known each other since we were kids. You're like a sister to me." He paused. "That came out wrong. I could never love you in a romantic way." He floundered for words.

Astrid would have laughed at him, but this situation was too absurd. How could he ask this of her? She'd never thought of James in that kind of way. He was still her dorky friend that pulled pranks. She'd never even looked at him in that way. She looked at him now. He'd developed since they were kids. His once lanky body was thicker, muscles formed from years of Quidditch; she could see his biceps poking out from under his muggle t-shirt. He was a finely shaped male. How had she never realized that?

"Az, please?" He'd resorted to pleading and using her nickname he'd given her when she was little. His face formed that pout that she could never turn down. He looked up from under his lashes, his eyes glossing over.

Goddamnit. She thought. "Fine." She huffed. "I'll let you practice for Lily. But we'd better keep this under wraps. If you guys get together, I don't want her thinking I fancied you or anything. The last thing I need is some jealous girl on my heels for something that you begged me to do."

James hugged her and spun her around exuberantly. "Thank you! You have no idea what this means to me!"

"Yeah, yeah. Put me down." She complained. "You owe me, though."

"You got it." James was too ecstatic to realize he'd just locked himself into an obligation. Astrid had no idea what she was going to ask for, but it would be big.

"When did you want to do this?" She asked, wanting to fulfill her end of the deal quickly. Get it over with. "Where do you want to do this?" They were currently in an alcove James had pulled her into while she was on her way to lunch. It had been quite a fright, being pulled into a dark area not knowing who was abducting her. Of course, she calmed down when she saw it was just James.

James mussed his hair, thinking. "I was thinking we could meet every Wednesday after lunch. We both have a free period. I know I don't mind skivving off class, but you do."

Astrid's eyes widened. "Every Wednesday? How long were you planning for this to go on? I thought once, maybe twice. That's it."

"I've got a lot to learn. I've tried asking Sirius, but when he was explaining it, I was confused. He said it'd be best to practice with the real thing." James explained. "I think about a month would do. Four sessions?"

Astrid's mind was reeling. She'd always had a little thing for Sirius. What girl didn't? What would he think of her sleeping with James so easily? What did it matter? She'd already told James she would do it, and she always kept her promises. "Fine. Four weeks. Tomorrow is Wednesday. How about we start then? But I'm going to say it again. Let's keep this between us. I don't want anyone to know. It can't be helped that you've probably already told Sirius (you guys share everything) so I'll need to extract a promise that he won't tell either..." She was talking more to herself now.

"Sirius doesn't know." James said a little loudly to catch her attention. He knew once she got focused on one train of thought, it was hard to derail her. Her head snapped up, confusion in her eyes. "He suggested I find some random bird and shag her senseless, but like I said before, I don't want to be weighed down by commitments. I thought I'd ask you before I did that."

She nodded understandingly. "That makes sense. So no one will know other than you and I. So we've got the when. Now, about the where...?"

"Well, we'd want somewhere comfortable and private, right?" Astrid nodded numbly. "I know just the place. Follow me." At her look, James added, "It's not far, and we'll be back in time for you to at least grab a sandwich." With that, he quickly lead her up the stairs to the seventh floor.

"...What're you doing?" She asked as he began to pace in front of her.

"You'll see." He responded as he turned on his heel one last time.

Astrid gazed, open mouthed at the door that just appeared before her. "Well, that's new..." She said lamely before she opened the door. The room inside was gorgeous. There was a fire going to the left, a plush rug laid out in front of it, it's deep red complimenting the dark cherry wood floorboards. There were two armchairs facing the flames, a small table between them. On the wall straight ahead, there was a bay window with a thick cushion of midnight blue on the seat. The view outside of the window showed the Dark Forest in all of it's foreboding beauty and a bit of the lake could be seen to the left of that. The afternoon sunshine was reflecting off the small waves, winking at her. To her right, a giant fourposter bed sat. The implications of her decision sinking in, Astrid swallowed thickly. The bed shouldn't be that intimidating. It was beautiful, the blankets plush in red and gold, gauzy curtains hung about the posts lazily. The atmosphere of the room was nothing if not romantic. There were no lights save for the fireplace and the window. There were candles placed sporadically around, but none were lit at the moment.

"What do you think?" James asked triumphantly after she'd taken in the room.

Astrid cleared her throat. "It's fine." Her voice came out a little too high pitched, her eyes still taking everything in. She took a deep breath and steadied her tone. "How do I come in myself? I think it'd be pretty suspicious if the both of us left lunch at the same time and headed in the same direction every Wednesday."

"Oh, that's easy." James acted as though he hadn't noticed her tone. "Just come straight up to this hallway, and pace three times in front of Barnabus the Barmy and think, 'I need a place to shag.'"

Astrid laughed lightly. She'd needed the giggle. "Okay, I can do that." Her stomach rumbled. "I'm headed to lunch. I'll meet you here tomorrow, alright?"

"Yeah." James said as she turned to leave. "Astrid?" He said quietly. She paused at his tone and spun slowly on her heel. "Thanks, a lot." His eyes brimmed with sincerity. "You have no idea what this means to me."

Astrid took the two steps she'd taken away from him back, pulling him into a light hug. "You're my best mate. I'd do anything for you. You should know that by now." She smiled lightly, kissing him on the cheek. "I'll see you tomorrow."

As Astrid went back down the steps to the Great Hall, she felt better. This was an odd situation and she was sure she'd flounder a bit when the actual thing happened, but James was her best friend. They'd been neighbors and had known each other since she was born. And despite him being a year older than her and being in different houses, she'd never had a friend as close to her as James. It'd hurt when he left for school before she had, when he'd written to her and told her about all the friends he'd made. Sirius, Remus, and Peter. She'd felt she'd been replaced, but she'd never found anyone who she could confide in about these feelings. Most people would think that she harbored a secret love for him. It was nothing like that, she just didn't have any other friends. If she told James about these things, he'd feel guilty. Astrid didn't want him spending more time with her just because he felt obligated to. She literally would do anything for him; give anything to him. Including her virginity, which this asinine plan would most likely take from her. She'd put it off as long as she could, but she wasn't sure how long that would be. Maybe she could show him how to pleasure women with just his hand or mouth... She could at least try. Even with her trepidation, she felt she was doing the right thing. Helping a friend in need, there was nothing better than helping others, right?