I'm going to college, and classes are starting up again soon. I was trying to post once per 6 Days, but classes will probably delay my schedule. I'll try to post regularly, but I'm not sure what the timeframe will be yet.


Harry closed the compartment door behind him. He left Hermione and Ron behind as he followed Lisa Turpin. She was a lot like how he first met her. She had washed out the highlights from her hair, and she wore modest clothes instead of a bare midriff and overly short skirt. She was still Lisa, and Harry found himself timidly attracted to her.

The weight of Harry's promiscuity finally caught up with him. Since yesterday when he first met Lisa, he had sex with her, sixty-nined Susan, and just before Lisa collected him had sex with Hermione. Each encounter, he barely knew the names of the girls he slept with. He hardly even talked to girls before, never had a real female friend. He tried to make himself proud of his accomplishment. Wouldn't most boys brag. He did feel a little good but was because he felt wanted. Mostly, he felt awful. Harry was embarrassed and ashamed to look at her. Even though they explicitly didn't have an agreement to be exclusive, Harry tried to offer it to her.

Lisa drew them to an empty compartment. "This should be private for a while. The prefects recently checked this compartment."

Lisa sighed and turned to Harry. "What are you doing here?" she accused. "You could have told me you knew about magic when I mentioned muggles."

"I didn't know." Harry admitted. "I only learned today. After you disappeared, my guardians found me, and I got my Hogwarts letter at their house."

Lisa studied him for a while. "Well, it would have been better to know that you would be coming." She pursed her lips and looked away. "Listen, Harry. I was reckless back then. I told you I was just getting out my teenage rebellion. I think I told you, but I can't be like I was then."

"Why not,"

She looked at Harry, her eyes tearing up with sincerity. "I expect to have a marriage contract within a couple months. People muggle raised like you may not know, but they are common. My family has become close to a fairly renown house, and it's a great opportunity and I expect to like the boy, if I am correct who I am to marry."

Harry's mind raced, shame and embarrassment from his promiscuity, jealousy and desire at the idea of her marrying someone. Maybe it was just because she was the first person that accepted Harry, maybe he felt obligated to her the most because he had sex with her first, and without the provocation of a spell. But Harry decided that if he could only have one of the girls, it would be Lisa.

"No," Harry commanded, he was more firm than he expected. "No, that wasn't a one-time thing. We found each other, like fate; and we met again. Against all odds, we are both witch and wizard, and going to the same school. Not to mention," Harry got close to her so he could seductively whisper in her ear, "The sex was addictive."

He pressed into her slightly, pushing her against the door of their compartment, she tried to stifle a whimper, Harry could tell that he made her feel things. Dirty things. Seductive and shameful things. Lisa melted into him reluctantly. She wanted to, but her duty tried to dissuade her. Harry moved to kiss her neck softly. Teasingly. Harry caressed from her hips, up her side, pressing into her, teasingly pulling her shirt to expose her skin. She fought with herself to resist him, but she didn't. Harry grazed his fingers across her stomach. It was the same mixture of soft and toned. He pressed his hand along her skin. Harry was silently asking for permission. If she gave it, they both knew she would break entirely. She wanted to break.

Lisa pushed Harry off her. Their closeness reminded her thoroughly of their previous intimacy; even this little touch had her panting with anticipation, panting like she had yesterday. Harry smiled as he studied her and saw all of this.

"You want me," he calmly asserted.

She thought for a moment. It was almost like she expected this, had already steeled herself against her want for Harry. She thought she had reinforced her commitment enough; it was clear she hadn't. Harry's cock started to harden just from seeing how much she wanted him.

"Fine," She spat. "I'll give you one chance."

She slowly lifted her shirt, still fighting against her better judgment. She rested the shirt over her breasts and then unclasped her bra. She held it in place for a moment, and let it fall. Her breasts were beautiful, Harry forgot they were smaller than he preferred, they were perfect.

She wrestled her panties off, and then lifted her skirt. She was doing her best to undress the least possible while allowing Harry access to her.

"You have complete access to me," she explained, "For two minutes. Do whatever you want. If you make me cum hard enough, if you make me addicted to you, your touch, convince me that I can't give this up... Then I will allow this to continue until my marriage contract is in place."

She blushed heavily, she was so embarrassed she had her face turned away from Harry and her eyes clenched shut. Harry suspected that she was already close to addicted to him. He only needed to remind her body of his touch. Make her cum like he had just yesterday.

"One more condition. No cock. No sex. You can only use your face and hands." She waited for a moment. Her voice wavered with excitement and desire, "Hurry." she pleaded, "a minute fifty-five seconds left."

Harry wanted to suck and nibble at her breasts, he trusted that he would break her. But she was important enough that he wasn't going to mess around. He was immediately licking and sucking on her pussy. He moved to her clit to make room to stick a few fingers in her. He expected her to immediately feel him and squirm under the pleasure. He was sure she was feeling it. She remained stoic.

Harry realized that she was fighting against him. She wanted him, but she felt like she had to fight to fulfill her duty to her expected marriage. After nearly a minute, Harry started to wish she would give him instructions. Tell him what felt good, where her weak points were. He tasted her, desperately licking, nibbling, and sucking all over her vagina and clit. He had only brought her to the point where she was controlling her breath.

Harry pulled back to look at her. He looked in her face. She didn't notice him. Her face was contorted with pleasure, and she was absentmindedly groping her own breast. Her other hand landed on his head to push him into her. She was enjoying him, while still fighting to remain in control. He wasn't going to break her in less than a minute.

Harry's mind raced, trying to find a solution. He thought of his encounters with Lisa, Hermione, and Susan, trying to find a solution. For some reason, his mind was stuck on the acid pop that Susan had tricked him into eating. Then, he thought of the other treats as they shifted in his pocket. He wouldn't break her by tempting her to lick his body to get at sweets.

Then, Harry remembered the treat the Weasleys shared with him. He fetched it from his pocket and ate it. He pressed his face into her pussy and waited. His face started to buzz, vibrating back and forth, picking up speed, until Harry's vision was a blur. He moved back and forth so violently that he could barely control were his tongue was by feel.

Suddenly, Lisa gasped, she tried to close her legs, but Harry wouldn't let her cut off his access to her. She bent over, the sudden burst of pleasure from Harry's face becoming a vibrator made it hard for her to compose herself. She gasped, and moaned, and panted. Harry had started to get her wet before; now, she was gushing.

Her legs buckled, and she moaned carelessly as she slid onto the floor. Harry pressed his face into her the whole way. She squirmed, and pushed on Harry's shoulders, she tried to use her legs to get him off her. She seemed desperate for him to stop, he wanted to push her more, but relented.

His face stopped vibrating, and he pulled away from her. Harry took in the scene. She was panting with her mouth agape and tongue stuck out. Her face was glazed with mindless pleasure. A perfect ahegao face. Her breasts stuck out and heaved as she panted. Her pussy drenched in her wetness. She had cum, and it left her so sensitive to pleasure that it almost hurt. Harry decided to tease her, gently touching her clit and she jolted and pushed him away. It was a little mean, so Harry gave her a few minutes to calm down.

"That," she gasped between words, "Might have been adequate."

Harry gave her a scolding look. He knew that she was his. But her resistance to admit it annoyed Harry. He fingered the sweets in his pockets to find another of the Weasley's Buzzing Wizbees. Then, he found a different sweet.

Harry wouldn't normally think about doing something like this. But he owned her, and she wouldn't admit it. She needed to be punished, in a mischievous way. He opened the chocolate frog and let it squirm in his hand for a moment. Lisa's limbs were still weak from cumming so hard, Harry easily batted away her attempt to stop him. He lined the frog up with her pussy, and was just able to force it in. Lisa squirmed as the live dildo penetrated her. Harry kept her from digging it out, and watched her face contort as it squirmed against the walls of her vagina, pressing and scrapping against her as it dug in.

Harry let go of her wrists. Instinctively, she fingered herself, trying to retrieve the living dildo. She looked furiously at Harry, but it broke slightly from the pleasure the frog was causing her, So Harry smiled back. She couldn't reach the frog, and slowly her attempts to retrieve it turned into pleasing herself. She pushed roughly into her pussy, masturbating in front of Harry, silently cumming.

He controlled her now. She would melt into his commands. He could tell her to have sex with him, she would consent and beg for him if he commanded. But he was going to truly dominate her first. Make her need him. Make her beg. So, he slowly stroked his cock, giving her time to shift all her attention to him.

After cumming, she regained her mind a little. She clawed at her pussy half-heartedly trying to get the frog out.

"I need you," she pleaded, finally breaking down after rubbing herself again. "Use your perfect cock to dig this out of me." As she begged, she pushed her pussy forward and opened her legs. She used her fingers to reveal deep inside of her. He lined up to her, preparing to smear his cock into the poor frog squirming inside her.

"Wait," she fought herself. She covered her eyes, hiding either from him or from her responsibility, Harry couldn't tell. "I'll be yours until I'm promised in marriage. But that means I can't get pregnant. Do you have a condom?"

Harry wanted to truly dominate her, so he didn't like her retaining so much common sense. But she was right, he couldn't get her pregnant right now. He turned out his pockets, he already knew there was only sweets, but he wished that his hope would materialize a condom.

She pulled a sweet from his hand and started chewing. After a moment she pulled herself up so they could make out, sharing the gum. It mixed in their mouths, the gum was sweet, but he preferred how Lisa tasted. After a while of making out, Harry was breathless and she pulled away, sucking the gum back into her mouth.

She moved to deep throat Harry. He felt the gum covering him. She bobbed her head along her cock more than she needed to, a little extra just for Harry. When she pulled back, his cock was coated with the gum, and she leaned back to again expose her pussy to his cock.

She shyly explained, gently massaging her breasts as she waited for him. "Drooble's Best Blowing Gum. It shouldn't pop for days."

Harry smiled wickedly at her, lined up again, and slowly pressed into her. She bit her lower lip and looked into his face. She wanted him rougher. She wanted to be pleasured, but she was Harry's, so he was going to make her please him before she got was, she wanted.

Harry spent nearly five minutes slowly filling her and exiting. He laughed when he first saw the smears of chocolate on his bubblegum condom, and silently apologized to the frog. Then, he sped up, she held back silent moans and looked at her face, he would finally satisfy her.

He pounded roughly in her until they came together. He pulled out kneeled in front of her. She moved to suck on his cock. First, she sucked the chocolate off of him, and then she carefully pulled the gum off, and lowered the end with his cum into her mouth. Harry got hard again, he wasn't sure what was so hot about girls desperately eating his cum, but he loved to be found delicious.

"How many more condoms do we have?" she asked, she gave him a seductive smile as she played with her breasts. As he examined his pocket of sweets, she started massaging his dick with her breasts.

"I have two more of the buzzing whizbeess, and three more..." Harry stifled a snicker. "And three more condoms."

When they were done, Harry helped Lisa clean up. When they came down from their ecstasy, she quietly cursed at herself, complaining that it would be impossible to clean. She didn't want to go to the nurse of an infection "There" Her first week at Hogwarts. Harry apologized but tried to leave the door open to more lewd excursions with candy in the future. Harry wasn't sure if he ever wanted to do it again, but he decided it's best to leave the door open. Lisa fought against it weakly, but there was a silent concession that Harry was in command, and it he enjoyed flexing his dominance.

When there was nothing more he could do, Harry kissed Lisa goodbye and left. He was on his way back to the compartment with Ron and Hermione, but he passed the twins, Fred and George on his way. They were with a third person, who Harry didn't recognize, and he pulled the twins aside.

Harry whispered to them, "How much for the rest of the Buzzing Whizbeess?" He produced a few galleons. The twins examined his offer with awe. "And make more, exactly the same."

He had a hard time passing the galleons to the twins. They were excited about the money, but it was a lot to them, and they didn't want to take it. But Harry insisted that he wanted his money's worth of the treats and wanted to be part of future experiments. As Harry left, he smiled at their confusion about his sudden interest in their experiments. Only Harry knew his reasons.

"And Lisa," Harry joked to himself.

Harry returned to his compartment with Ron and Hermione. Harry was sure that he cleaned up well, but Hermione looked at him suspiciously.

"What did she want from you?" Ron asked.

"We met before, before I knew about magic at that. We hit it off as friends, but thought we'd never meet again. So, when we saw each other on the train, she was flustered and mad at me for not telling her I was going to Hogwarts. I had to explain I honestly had no idea at the time. It took a while to placate her."

He sat down next to Hermione. She scooted away from Harry a little. He didn't think she was upset with him. It felt more like she was being submissive. Maybe Harry was just full of himself because of what happened with Lisa, and maybe he was just having so much sex he was reading that into everything. But he still felt like Hermione was conceding to Lisa, and that she enjoyed the subservience.

Not long after, they reached their stop. The three got off the train together. He saw Lisa and smiled knowingly at her to make her blush. It was a success. They passed a lot of other students, Harry even brushed against Susan. He knew that she'd be on the train, she blushed and looked away. It annoyed Harry because she knew he was a Lord and treated him like it.

He briefly thought about confronting Susan. "I guess that I'm essentially dating Lisa, I don't really need have business with Susan." Harry thought to himself.

"Sett'e down," Hagrid's giantlike voice gently commanded.

Harry led Ron and Hermione, pushing through students to get to the giant.

"Hagrid," Harry smiled up at him.

"Harry, my boy," He smiled back. The giant kneeled to whisper to Harry. "How are you? Did things go well with." Hagrid shifted his attention to Ron, then Hermione, "With him?" he added cryptically.

Harry's face burned as Ron and Hermione turned to Harry. The sense of Hagrid's mystery made things awkward for Harry.

"It went well, Hagrid," Harry promised. He turned to Ron and Hermione, "Don't worry about it. I'll explain later." he tried to dismiss.

"With who?" Ron asked.

"His name was Leopold Inkwell," Harry tried to give just enough information to placate them without really explaining anything.

"Inkwell," Ron mused, before realization hit him. Ron whispered to the group, "That's a ministry agent, like my dad. Dad's mentioned him. What do you have to do with the ministry?"

Hermione's face lit with recognition. She was about to exclaim that he was Harry Potter. Harry stopped her with a glare. Hermione looked down meekly but kept quiet. Ever since Leopold explained that he was a Lord, Harry had been careful not to give out his last name. He didn't want anyone to overhear.

"I'll explain later," he said firmly.

Hagrid nodded, "Right," He rose and started to address the group.

"Hel'o," he started. "Name's Hagrid. I'm the grounds keeper, and one of the pleasures of my job is take'n yers first years to Hogwarts. I'll help yer onto the boats, and then I'll guide us to Hogwarts and lead yers to the great hall. Not to saw too much, but yer alls will be sorted."

Hagrid guided everyone onto the boats. Three per boat, so Harry, Ron, and Hermione stayed together. Hagrid needed his own boat, but he stayed close to Harry as he lead the procession of self-propelling boats across the lake. As they went, Harry heard whispers and rumors from the other boats. Hermione added to them, explaining that there is a giant squid in the lake. She scared most of the other passengers, some disbelieved her until as though on que a tentacle sprouted out of the lake and grew taller than trees. There were a few screams and most of the boats were full of terrified passengers.

"Aw, now don' be like that." Hagrid called out, "He's an harmless thing. Very friendly, especially to yers first years." Hagrid tried to soothe the passengers. The tentacle disappeared and the rest of the boat ride was peaceful. the murmurs continued, eventually turning from talk of giant squids to the Hogwarts houses.

Harry seemed to be the only one who knew nothing about Hogwarts. Leopold had told him about a Finishing school. So, they must have learned at least some basics about Hogwarts. Harry listened to the murmurs about the four Hogwarts houses. Many of the students had already determined which house they would be in, or guessed which one they would like to be in.

They dismounted the boats and were headed up a long flight of stairs. The murmurs about houses continued. Harry had heard there were four houses but could only make out talk about three. Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Gryffindor. He wondered why people weren't talking about the other house.

Harry and his friends were catching up on a pair of girls. One was short with a pug-like face, and a short haircut with the ends flaying out, she was brunette. Her companion was tall, slender, gorgeous. Not to say the first girl wasn't attractive. But the tall one was like a model. She had a regal face and blond hair. And Harry was just starting to overhear their conversation.

"We're sisters, Emmalia." the shorter one asserted. "That's why we will be in the same house. Why we should want to stay together."

The tall one pursed her lips. "Yes, we're sisters." She seemed to have a hard time saying it.

"That's why you need to be sorted into Slytherin with me."

"It is my preferred house," the taller one admitted. "Even if it is in conflict with my station."

"It does not," the short girl nearly shouted. "You are my sister. I am from a pure-blood house. There is no reason for you to have conflict with Slytherin house traits. You are cunning and ambitious. And you are a leader."

The tall girl looked away, like she was ashamed. She didn't fully believe her sister.

"Pansy," Emmalia started to beg. But Pansy shot her a look that stopped her.

Harry, Ron, and Hermione passed the girls, and a couple other groups until they lead the first years. Harry used their seclusion to ask about the Hogwarts houses.

"I've heard everyone talk about the Hogwarts houses. Where they will be or want to be sorted. But I've hardly heard a mention of Slytherin. What's wrong with Slytherin house?"

"Most of the dark lord's followers were from Slytherin." Ron explained.

Hermione added, "Many of them believe that only purebloods should be taught magic, as though they are superior. It was a leverage point for the dark lord to sway them. Slytherins are also somewhat more suspectable to dark tendencies. Each house has their values, Slytherins value cunning, ambition, and leadership."

"Perfect for those who want to take over the world," Ron finished.

Harry considered what they told him. He also had overheard a few more first years talking about Slytherin. Very few were excited at the prospect of being sorted into Slytherin. A lot of them were afraid of the house and whispered their fears and rumors amongst themselves. Harry just couldn't think of the house as evil. There had to be a lot of decent people in the house. And it couldn't help to treat them all like the bad guys just for being called ambitious and leaders. It was like people thought the traits were cunning, selfish, and tyrants. Harry could think of many people who used cunning, ambition, and leadership for good.

Still, he had to concede that those tendencies could make it easier for people to be selfish and self-centered. He examined the Dursleys, Petunia was the one who expressed the Slytherin traits the least, and she was the closest to kind. Mr. Dursley was like a tyrant, and he was the closest to the Slytherin traits.

"What about the other houses and their traits?" Harry asked.

"Gryffindors seek Courage, Determination, and chivalry" Ron stated proudly, sticking out his chest. Harry noted that he came from a large family of Gryffindor's. Ron deflated slightly and muttered "I hope I get sorted there."

"I'll probably be in Ravenclaw." Hermione said, matter of fact. "Ravenclaws seek learning, wit, intellect, and wisdom." Harry noted the numerous books she brought. But he had some doubts, Harry had a firsthand account of her having sex with someone she just met. In fact, at the time they were expecting Ron to return any minute, or for prefect to check on their compartment at any moment. That must've been brave of her. And he had heard enough rumors about Gryffindor having a secret trait "Rule-breaking" and that would easily qualify as rule breaking.

"Hufflepuffs are Loyal and hard working." Ron finished. "They also have a secret trait. An appetite."

They walked a little further, discussing the different houses. Harry wasn't sure which house he'd join. He finally decided that he wouldn't fit in Ravenclaw. He never liked school. He was hardworking back at home; although only because the Dursleys forced him, and he'd rather be lazy if he was given the opportunity. So, it was between Slytherin and Gryffindor. Harry was a little nervous to admit he wasn't afraid of Slytherin house. Still, if he was true to himself, Gryffindor was his favorite.

"I'm going to be in Slytherin," a smooth voice proclaimed; proud, but calm; firm, but regal."

Harry looked towards the speaker. The boy was a little taller than him. He had perfect platinum blond hair; he didn't have a large build but was probably slightly muscled. Harry would have swapped bodies with him if he could, even just for the manageable hair. He was handsome. But as Harry studied him, he could tell that the boy was snide and self-centered, among other traits you'd expect from a noble child raised the wrong way. Harry also saw that he was cunning, ambitious, and a leader. He made Harry believe the terrible rumors about Slytherin just a little more.

The boy noticed Harry watching him. "Well, I already have an admirer." he joked. He waved his friends forward, and they caught up with Harry. The boy wore a smile, he didn't smile, he wore a smile.

"My name is Draco Malfoy." the boy said calmly. He watched Harry, and when Harry didn't recognize him, he nodded. "Muggle raised." he added, with a hint of disdain in his voice.

Draco was trying to be regal, charming, endearing. But Harry lived with the Dursleys his whole life. He saw through Draco's tricks. But Harry knew that he was going to beguile many people. As long as he didn't interfere with Harry, particularly with Harry making friends, then he wouldn't care.

"Well, I should explain who I am." Draco continued. "The Malfoys are a great house. We are one of the twenty-eight pureblood families. Additionally, we retain a Lordship. My father is Lord Malfoy, and I am the Heir to the lordship."

Draco smiled; Harry saw more admiration than love. Draco loved his father. sure; but more than that, he appreciated his station. His Lordship that would one day become his. Harry stuffed his hands in his pockets to hide his clenched fists.

Draco's smile faded as he looked at Harry, who remained unimpressed. "Well, I suppose Slytherin isn't for everyone." Draco said in a comforting voice. "Which house do you expect to be in?"

"I was thinking Gryffindor." Harry put effort into not spitting the words.

Draco nodded and looked away. "An admirable house. Although, my houses rival." he mused.

"We haven't been sorted yet. What if you are placed in Gryffindor." Ron asked, trying to wipe the smugness out of Draco.

Draco was unphased. "If I am sorted into Gryffindor, it will prove that the houses are arbitrary."

The enlarged group, Harry, his friends, and Draco with his friends, moved together. The first years were herded into a room beside the great hall. There, they waited to be sorted.

"I see that you don't like me," Draco's smile and tone dropped. "I've tried to be cordial. I like when people like me."

Harry sighed, "Yeah. You seem insincere. I see that you are forcing a smile. You're conceited."

Draco nodded. He didn't argue. After a moment of thought. Draco pulled out his wand, with a flick of his arms, his friends started clearing a rectangle in the small room of first years.

"You have insulted me. I must defend my honor. It's a little too Gryffindor for my tastes," he joked, "But every house does some things right. Slytherin is by far the best though."

Harry looked at him, perplexed.

"I challenge you to a duel," Draco explained.

Harry would have liked nothing better and drew his wand on instinct. Then he faltered. He didn't know any spells. Draco took a few steps to get into position and saw Harry with his wand out. He pulled out a coin, "when this hits the floor, cast your spells." and flicked the coin in the air.

Harry was flustered, he was going to lose this duel without even defending himself. Still, he steeled himself. If the best he could do to stand up against Draco was not flinch, then that's what he would do.

"Expeliarmus," the word seemed to speak itself in Harry's mind. He remembered the feeling yesterday when he looked in the mirror like window wishing he could fix his glasses. A word spoke itself to him then, a spell, "Reparo," He didn't know about magic then, but now he knew he could trust this voice.

The coin clattered and Draco started to swish his wand. Harry didn't know what spell he was casting, but Draco flourished his wand so much that Harry expected he was showing off. That might give Harry just enough time to cast his spell first. If it didn't work, Harry would lose.

"Expeliarmus,"

Harry trusted his instincts as his wand swished in the air, he spoke the word as quickly as his mouth let him. He almost got tongued as he said it so fast. Draco's eyes widened. He didn't expect a muggle raised to know any spells. Draco was forced back a couple steps, and his wand was flung into the air and clattered at Harry's feet.

Harry finally noticed their audience. They all looked at him. Harry remembered Leopold mentioning a Finishing school, one Harry had not attended. Which means they all knew each other. Harry was a complete mystery to everyone there. They had watched the duel, and now their eyes flickered between Harry and Draco.

Draco took a few moments to compose himself. Then he started giving a hearty laugh and clapping. He approached Harry and smiled at him. He picked up his wand and clapped Harry on the shoulder.

"Please be in Slytherin or Gryffindor. A prodigy such as yourself either needs to be an ally, or a rival."

Harry expected to be tense at Draco's familiarity. But he relaxed. Draco seemed sincere, honest for the first time. Harry nodded and looked up at Draco.

"I'll be whatever you make me. I'd rather friends, if you can prove yourself decent enough."


While researching what Pansy Parkinson looked like, I found that most people think of her as a short haired brunet. Skinny, small boobs. I always thought of her as a blond, model like knockout (not to say the more conventional depiction of Pansy isn't or can't be attractive, just not what I thought). So, I added a new character, Emmalia Parkinson, so that I could do both depictions of Pansy Parkinson.

I am also trying to make Draco more than a sniveling "just there," entity. I grew up with the movies, and so my head cannon for the books I never read was that Draco was a proper foil to Harry. A student that rivaled Hermione even if he was always came second or third to her. A charmer like Tom Riddle was. The definition of a Slytherin to compare against Harry being the definition of a Gryffindor. But Draco was just a sniveling "I'm barely here," entity. So, I will be writing him closer to the head cannon I had for the books before I read the books.