A/N: There are a few very subtle surprises in here if you pay attention. There is an obvious (or less subtle) one. And there is an extremely subtle one. I will explain at the end of the story.

Also, I want to give you a warning. We live in 2020, and there is a particular expectation of what is acceptable socially. I happen to think we've gone off the deep end, but it is what it is for now. However, the Harry Potter series is set in the mid 90s, and even in non-magical culture, what was socially acceptable was very different. And even then, pureblood culture was still in the late 1800s, and thus had a very different set of societal mores. I am going to approach some topics in a way that might be offensive to some. Just accept that I'm trying to work with what is, in a very real way, a different time, and roll with it.

Put another way - put on your big boy or big girl pants and let me tell the story how I want. Just because I'm telling a story does not mean I am in any way condoning - or not condoning anything. It's a story and that's what stories do. Sometimes I put a lot of myself into a story. And sometimes I just let the character speak. This is not a story where I put a lot of myself into it. At least I don't think so. Harry does have aspects of my personality here, but this is not by any means a self insert.

My dearest daughter,

Thank you for writing to me with your concerns. While I appreciate your informing me of recent events, I agree that Mr. Potter's intervention and your antecedent tongue-lashing of the Deputy Headmistress has closed the matter for now. While I am beyond pleased that you have "found your voice", as it were, please be cautious as to how you exercise your newfound voice. Some people are not worth making enemies of. That said, I find myself utterly unconcerned with how those in authority at Hogwarts feel, as it is very clear that they have no concern whatsoever for the well-being of students. For if they had, your "curse" would never have happened and we would not be in the situation in which we find ourselves. As far as I am concerned, you can tell any one of the "professors" there where to shove their authority, pardon my language, and I will stand behind you. Please don't, of course. But you need not fear my reaction if you stand up for what is right. As long as your cause is just, I will fight for and with you to the ends of the earth and back.

Draco Malfoy takes after his father in many ways, but to be frank, I am not sure how he managed to get sorted into Slytherin. He is brash, rude, does not hesitate to make enemies on any perceived slight, and the way he treats the fairer sex is an embarrassment to his family. Or should be, if they were embarrassed by such things. At least his father has the common decency to keep his many indiscretions behind closed doors. Even the most indiscreet of purebloods know, or should know, to at least not display their indiscretions in such a way that there are witnesses. The younger Malfoy does not understand, and does not seem to be able to understand this, and I fear that he will not last long into adulthood if he does not change his ways. If you and Mr. Potter had not dealt with the issue yourself, I would consider the younger Malfoy's behavior to be worthy of a feud amongst our families. For their sake, I hope I do not hear of any further indiscretions. The Malfoys are a formidable family, but like every family that chooses the path they have, they have a weak underbelly, and I will not hesitate to expose that underbelly to the world if so warranted.

That said what Malfoy lacks in cunning and discretion, he makes up for in spades with cruelty and being able to hold a grudge. Do not let your guard down. He will think nothing of trying to get to Harry through you, and the fact that you participated in his very public humiliation paints a target on your back as well. I am confident you can handle yourself, but people such as him do not play fair, and a Malfoy will do everything they can to stack the deck against you.

On more pleasant topics, I believe your concerns about Mr. Potter are correct. It does seem that no one has bothered to teach him things that he must know, as he is to be installed as the Lord of his line on his seventeenth birthday. Quite honestly, he should have been installed in a limited fashion on his eleventh, but it is clear that whoever his guardian was or is seriously "dropped the ball", as they say. It almost seems as if the wizarding world's use for Harry ended at the time he-who-must-not-be-named was finally vanquished. But as with many recent developments, one must work with what is.

However, we have a much more pressing concern. Since the two of you have decided to continue your relationship, and I assume that you have decided to continue the physical aspects of your relationship as well, commensurately our families must make your betrothal official, as to not cause any further embarrassment to our family. Keep your mind at ease, little one, as I recognize that neither you nor Mr. Potter were the cause of this embarrassment, but there is a great potential for embarrassment nonetheless. Any issue that may occur as a result of your relationship without even a betrothal contract will cause significant issues. I recognize this is both an embarrassing and uncomfortable topic, but these things must be taken into account in our society. On the topic of issue, by the way, I assume that you are taking suitable precautions. Harry indicated that he had no idea what those precautions were. While I do not fault him for this, as our society appears to have let him down in almost every conceivable way, for now, that responsibility lies on your shoulders. I do not wish to have a hurried wedding, and I am confident that you also would consider this to not be an optimal outcome. I trust, of course, that you will remain discreet. Or as discreet as two young people who want nothing more than to shag like rabbits can be. Oh, give it a rest, Lav-lav, as I imagine the look of shock on your face as you read this. I was young once as well, and I remember not being able to get enough of your mother. It does not pass, but it does change, and it matures. Enjoy being young, little one, for you will have many expectations in due course. My greatest concern for you was that you be happy. Now that I have seen who you have ultimately chosen, I am content. Be discreet, do not harm the reputation of the family, and otherwise enjoy yourself.

All that being said, there are many things Mr. Potter must do, and quickly. He has much lost time to make up for. Please invite him, and yourself, to our house this weekend. He may stay over on Saturday evening. While I recognize that the both of you will have a difficult time keeping your hands off each other, please do so for one night. I do not need to hear my daughter getting properly shagged this early in my life. You will have plenty of opportunity to partake in the delights of each others' flesh outside of my earshot, of that I am quite confident.

I am neither ashamed nor embarrassed, daughter, and I confess that I believe that you could have done far worse in choosing a partner. If you need, please put Mr. Potter's mind at ease. I fully approve of your choice, and welcome him to the family. Your mother knows him by reputation and approves on that basis, though she does wish to have a talk. Your grandmother, also, is very enthusiastic about this news, and you are aware of how conscious she is of the standing of our family. There are simply formalities that must be taken into consideration in order to keep our position in our society. I trust you understand the importance of this, as our position is one of the things that allow us to keep purchasing the clothing and pretty trinkets you love so much.

I await your response,

With love,

Charles Brown

Lavender closed the letter, her face beet red. Her father had always been a very blunt and forthright person, and he had not tempered these proclivities for her benefit. She had to admit that he was correct, but a betrothal contract between their two families - even if Harry was the only member left of his own - was a major step. She was willing to take it in order to be with Harry, but it did make things real. Up until now Harry had been, to her, a very competent lover and someone who she was committed to working at building a relationship with. Now… he truly was to be her betrothed, with all of the benefits and baggage that consisted of in her culture.

But, she thought, she wasn't that upset about this outcome. At least, unlike Pansy Parkinson (she shuddered) she got to choose who she was to be betrothed to, and she thought she had made a very good choice indeed.

She put the letter in her desk and locked it. She had to speak to Harry, and quickly. But first, she needed to pen a response.

Father,

Thank you for the timely response. Your point is taken. I have been taking precautions, to be frank, for quite a while. While I had no intention before now of accepting a boy into myself, one must be prepared for any indiscretions on the part of males who are intent on taking for themselves that which does not belong to them. This is a lesson you have taught me well, father. I am sure you will be quite relieved to know that Harry is the first boy whom I have taken into my body, willingly or no. And, magic willing, he will be the last. While there are many things to be concerned about, this is, thankfully, not one of them.

You have reminded me that I did not tell Harry of this fact, however. I must do so as soon as I can. Thank you for the reminder.

Now, with all that said, while I understand your point about not causing embarrassment to the family, and I understand that you are expressing your approval (or at least lack of disapproval) of the relationship otherwise, including its physical aspects, must you be quite so embarrassing about it? About all that was missing were tips on how to increase enjoyment of the act! And I am not asking!

I will invite Harry to the house this weekend. I do not know Harry well, father, but I do believe that he has absolutely no idea what a real family is like. Please be forgiving and do not hold him to the same standards to which you would hold someone who has had the proper training. Even if I were not pursuing a relationship with him, I would consider that grossly unfair. Also, please rein in grandmother. I fear that she would chew him up and spit him out, all before dinner. Please do not allow her to cause him more discomfort than the situation will already cause him.

Since Harry is not a member of the family yet, he may encounter some difficulties in leaving the castle. Please make sure that the professors are aware that he is to be allowed to leave, as I suspect without a finger firmly on the scale, he would be denied permission. "For his own safety". It may be that you will personally need to collect him.

I must find Harry and discuss this with him.

I remain, your daughter,

Lavender Brown

Harry and Lavender had decided, instead of spending time in their "room", they would take a walk instead. So, after dinner, they walked out the door, hand in hand, and began to take a walk around the lake. Lavender had changed out of her school robes, and was instead wearing a long, flowing royal blue dress that shimmered in the late evening sunlight, and had very thin straps that exposed her flawless shoulders. Lavender really deserved her reputation for being good with fashion, he thought, that dress suited her very well. He was very taken with her and said as much.

She blushed, and even her shoulders turned red. "I don't understand something, Harry."

"What's that?," he asked quietly, as their feet crunched on the gravel.

"You've seen… all of me, Harry. Things that no boy has ever seen before. You've touched things no boy has touched. You've… seen me in ways I haven't even seen myself. How is it that you sometimes seem to think I'm more beautiful in clothes than out?"

Harry thought for a while as they walked. "I… don't know," he said. "Maybe… maybe sometimes the imagination is more powerful than reality."

She looked puzzled.

"Think of it this way. That dress… shows me hints of what's underneath, and makes my head fill in the blank. It makes me want to see for myself."

"But you've seen!," she protested.

He nodded. "But I don't see", he said.

Understanding dawned. "The past…"

"Isn't as important as the present." He nodded. "I so want to rip that dress off you right now and ravish you until you lose the power of speech. But the dress… helps make me want to do that."

She blushed. "You really want me that bad?"

"Worse," he said earnestly. "Keeping my hands off of you is one of the most difficult things I do on a daily basis."

She lowered her head, and he squeezed her hand. "You don't understand," he said softly, "The power your body has over me. And the power you are starting to have over me."

She sighed. "Maybe not," she said. "But more than you think. You have no idea what I would do, and you only have but to ask."

He blushed. She giggled. "I just saw so many things go through your head," she said, still giggling. "But what you don't realize is, most of them I would absolutely do. If you were but to ask."

"Most?"

She swatted his arm. "I know how you boys are. I do have limits." She blushed. "But I'm finding… they're not nearly as ironclad as I thought they were."

Harry was quiet.

"Harry, never be afraid to ask. The worst I will do is say no. And as long as you don't push, I won't hold it against you. I trust you. And I meant what I said. My body is yours." She blushed. "In every way."

He leaned over and whispered softly in her ear. Her face changed from interest, to shock, then to desire. She stopped, and looked at him with heavily lidded eyes. Her skin had turned red. "You… you want to… do that.. to me… with your..."

He smiled. "And it looks like you want me to, as well."

She moaned, and kissed him soundly. "That sounds utterly delicious!", she exclaimed. "Oh, Harry. Don't ever stop being you." She got her breathing under control, and they continued walking. "I'll hold you to that," she said, huskily.

He smiled and squeezed her hand. "It does sound delicious, doesn't it?" He frowned. "If it tastes as good as it smells…"

She turned even redder. "You like how… it…?", she asked, incredulously.

He cupped her chin in his hand and looked her straight in the eyes. "More than you could possibly know," he said, his voice deep with desire.

She was quiet for a little while, and she was grateful she was wearing a long dress, as it took a while for her skin to cool down and the warmth in her belly to dissipate. How did he do that to her?

"Harry, my father wrote me back."

His face turned pensive. "What… what did he have to say?"

She squeezed his hand, and they came upon a bench, which both of them sat down on. It really was a pretty evening.

"Well, he wanted to make sure I wouldn't get pregnant."

Harry sputtered. "Huh?"

She laughed. "Don't worry about it. I've been… taking precautions for years."

"Why? Were you… did you have anyone in mind?"

She blushed. "Yes. I had quite the crush on..."

"Who?, " he asked, his face a mixture of curiosity and trepidation.

"Filch," she said, trying to keep a straight face.

"Filch? You - you're having me on! You have to be!"

She laughed. "Of course I am. Who'd want that old pervert? Sme folks think Mrs. Norris is his wife, cursed to be a cat. Even now… they say…" she busted out laughing… "they can hear them… having…" She finally gave up and fell off the bench, whooping with laughter.

Harry smirked. "Are you done?," he asked, a touch of amusement in his voice.

"Come on, Harry, that was funny!"

"A little," he said. She hauled herself up and plopped herself back down on the bench, and pouted.

"It was funny!"

"I don't like Filch," Harry said matter-of-factly. "He abuses people and I don't like people who abuse people."

Her smile faded. "I didn't think -"

"It's okay," Harry said quickly. "It might have been funny if it were someone else."

They were quiet for a moment.

"I was afraid… someone might rape me," she said seriously.

"In Hogwarts?," Harry said, surprised. "I mean, I know the professors are useless, but even then…"

"Harry, you don't understand us. Purebloods, I mean. A lot of men… think they can take what they want from women. And they… they teach their children the same."

"Did your father -?," Harry asked quietly.

"No!," she said quickly. "I can't believe…,"she almost shouted, then she stopped and thought. "I guess…," she said in a calmer voice, "I guess he is a pureblood. I don't like the question. I love my daddy, and it makes me a little angry." She got herself under control a little more. "But I understand it. It's a fair question." She put her hand on Harry's arm. "It's okay, Harry. You don't know my daddy."

Harry nodded, sighing a little with relief.

"He's a pureblood. But he… he thinks for himself. And he loves me more than anything. If a boy tried to take what doesn't belong to him there would be a smoking crater, and then the crater would be cursed. His… his love for me is far deeper than his love for pureblood culture. No, he never taught me that. If a boy tried that I'd cut off his bollocks, and my father would hire the best lawyer, have me found innocent, and then cut the bollocks off his father."

Harry sighed. "Good. I don't think I could respect him if he had."

She squeezed his hand. "Harry, I understand that. I respect it. But pureblood culture has many things. Some you may not like. Some things you might have to just accept as being… what they are."

He looked at her. "How can you accept that at all?," he asked, a little angrily.

She shook her head vigorously. "I don't. Why would I? I'm a girl, Harry. Do you think I'd like it if someone like Malfoy forced himself on me? But let's say he did. He would see nothing wrong with it. His father would see nothing wrong with it. The aurors and wizengamot might see nothing wrong with it. My father would, but it would be him against an entire system. He's powerful. He might even win. But he might not. And I would just have to deal."

"I wouldn't deal," Harry said. "I would kill anyone who did that to you."

She squeezed his hand. "Thank you, Harry." She knew that that would probably cause more problems, but that was enough arguing. "I think my father would, too."

"Anyway," she said, "that's why I've been taking precautions. Having a child outside of marriage is very much looked down in our society. And frankly, no matter how it happened, I'd be blamed."

"I don't like pureblood society," Harry said definitively.

She sighed. "Well, unfortunately, you're kind of in the thick of it. There's much that no one's told you about who you are."

"What do you mean?," he asked.

She sighed. "My daddy invited you to his house this weekend. You should come. He wants to draw up a contract between our two families. A betrothal contract."

"A - what?", he asked. "A contract? Why would we need a contract?"

She looked at him imploringly. "Trust me, Harry. Please.", she said softly. "There is much you don't know. It's necessary, it really is. But I'd rather my daddy explained it." She squeezed his hand. "Even if we weren't together, you'd have to deal with many of these things, just because of who you are. Now that we are together, there's even more to deal with, because of who I am. Trust me. Please."

He sighed. "I still don't like it."

"Just hear him out," she said. "I promise you'll understand when he explains it."

He sighed and looked out onto the lake. "Lav… can I call you that?"

She nodded. "Not Lav-lav?"

He shrugged. "It's cute, but feels a little infantile to me. It makes sense for your father to call you that. I'd rather not." He thought. "I could call you Bubbles," he said, smirking, and looking at her chest shamelessly. "They are like two very beautiful…"

"Lav is okay," she said quickly, turning red. "It'll be your pet name for me."

It was his turn to squeeze her hand.

"You know... you know I want to be with you. You know that I couldn't be happier to be with you. But at the same time… my life is not my own. It has never been my own. First, I ended up with my relatives. I didn't choose that. I didn't choose to be a wizard, I didn't choose to go to Hogwarts - even the way I got rid of Voldemort was pure, dumb, luck."

"It - what?"

"I'll explain later. But it was pure luck, from events set in motion from before I was born. I basically just had to be there. Everything else took care of itself."

She was quiet.

"And then, I really didn't even get to choose with whom my first time was going to be. I don't get to choose anything, Lav. And now, you're telling me that there's more stuff I don't get to choose." He sighed. "I don't like it. I really don't like it. I'm tired of not getting to choose anything."

She stared out at the lake, and thought for a bit. "So you think anyone else gets to choose?," she asked quietly. "I didn't choose to go to Hogwarts. I didn't choose to be a witch. I didn't choose to be a pureblood. Up until now, about the only thing I get to choose is what I wear - when I'm not in class." She looked down at her royal blue dress. "It's not much," she said, sadly. "It's a choice, but it's not much."

She looked at him. "I didn't get to choose you either," she said. "Would I have chosen you? Maybe not," she said, sadly. "I wouldn't have known what I was missing, but I probably wouldn't have chosen you. Maybe I'd have chosen someone pretty and shallow. A Slytherin, maybe?" She shrugged. "We all have to deal with what we're dealt. And for whatever reason, no one told you what all your cards are."

She smiled. "But it's not all bad," she said. "Trust me. My daddy has good news for you as well. Just go. Try to have a good time. Get to know my parents." She squeezed his hand. "Do it for me."

He sighed. "I'll give it a chance."

She hugged him. "It will be okay," she said. "Oh," she said, "My daddy said he would rather we kept our hands off each other while we're there. He doesn't want to…. Hear us shag", she said, blushing.

"It'll be hard," he said, "in more ways than one."

She giggled. "I like it hard."

He laughed. "I know. And I like it slippery. But okay. We'll just have to get it out of our system some other time."

She turned serious. "I'll let him know."

He nodded, and let go of her hand. She looked disappointed, but he lifted his arm. She accepted the invite and snuggled into him, her legs tucked under her dress. She sighed. "How did I go without this my whole life?," she said, putting her arm around him as well.

He caressed her hair. "I don't know. But I got dealt a good card."

She smiled, and they watched the sun set slowly over the lake.

A little while later, they both came back into the castle, and immediately found an abandoned room. After some hastily fired locking charms, she attacked him, kissing him soundly. "You have…" she breathed around kisses, "No… idea… how much… I … want.. you", she said, her breath hot. He smiled at her ferocity, and with a tug, her dress was suddenly pooled around her ankles.

"Harry! That dress is expens- mmph!", she said, as he kissed her hungrily. After he let her go, her pale skin flushed with desire, he said simply, "are we magical or not? Should be a simple repair."

She nodded and wrapped her arms around him, the heat of her body radiating off of her in waves. He held her for a short time, then he led her over to a desk. He bent her over the desk, and with a surprisingly deft move, he had her chest bare. With a tug, her knickers were also down around her ankles. He pushed her legs apart, removed his robes and other clothing, and positioned himself behind her. Every time she tried to get up he gently pushed her down again. She felt his hands on her hips, positioning her in just the right way, and couldn't hide her excitement as he prepared her for the main event. She moaned at the feeling of the cool air against her bare skin. She had never felt so… exposed.

"Harry? What are you… Oh! I… OH!", she said, as she felt herself suddenly and unceremoniously being filled. He gently swatted her rump. "I'm reminding you that you're mine," he growled in a low voice.

"I'm yours," she whined softly, clawing at the surface of the desk. "All yours," she whispered, as she, for the first time, surrendered completely. She knew what she had said, but this was the first time she knew what it meant, and it was so intense all she could do was feel. At that particular moment, she could not think of a single thing that she would deny him, whether he asked or not. With her last conscious thought before the sensations overcame her, she thought it was a bit of a paradox that it was the very fact that he wouldn't take advantage of it that allowed her to surrender to him so completely.

Several minutes later, with a squeal, she collapsed on the desk, completely losing control of her body, as her legs lost the ability to hold her up. Harry held her up by her hips as her legs flailed out uncontrollably. That was all of the prompting he needed, and he grunted as he shot his pleasure into her.

Harry left her prone on the desk as she slowly recovered her senses, and took the opportunity to grab her underthings and stuff them into his pocket. Finally she regained the ability to move, and she slowly pushed herself up.

"Harry," she panted, "What got into you?"

"I think the question is more, what got into you?" He asked innocently.

"You…," she said, her voice full of wonder. "You got into me. So that's what it feels like to be…. Shagged. Not made love to, but proper shagged!"

"Did you like it?," he asked nervously.

She exhaled. "Harry, I would not be exaggerating to say that was the single most intense thing I have ever experienced. You took me. You bent me over that desk, and you had your way with me. You… you had complete control over me. I would have done anything you asked, Harry. Anything. I have never felt so exposed and vulnerable and… and…," she shivered, "I can't wait for you to do that to me again."

"It was…. It wasn't too much?"

She leaned over to him, her breath hot against his face. "I had no idea it would feel that good to be taken by a boy. A… man."

"You make it sound like…. Like.."

She swatted his arm. "If I want you to stop, I'll tell you to stop. Otherwise, I've already told you. You can do anything you want. Until I tell you no. If we ever cross that line I think we'll have to have a long talk first. Until then, don't worry. I promise. If I haven't said no or stop, it's okay. You don't have to ask for permission for everything."

He put a finger under her chin, and kissed her. "Someday very soon you need to tell me what your limits are."

She nodded. "I agree." She looked around. "Where are my knickers?"

He smiled. "They're mine now. I'll smell them when I'm missing you."

She turned red. "You… you… pervert!" But her eyes were dancing. She swatted his arm and went to find her dress. He admired her as she bent over to pick it up. She felt his gaze and gave him a bit of a show.

He laughed. "You bring out the worst in me."

She repaired the dress with a simple spell, and after a gentle but thorough cleaning charm, slipped it over her bare skin. Harry got dressed as well.

Even though the air was cool against her skin, in ways she'd never experienced in public, and her dress tickling her already oversensitive body in ways that made her weak in the knees, she did not complain. Not even a little.

Before they left the room, she smoothed her dress down and gazed at Harry, a look of utter adoration in her eyes. "You… I don't think I could be happy with anyone else, even if I wanted to. You spoiled me."

He put his hand on the small of her back, a little too low on purpose, and pinched. She giggled and 'eeped', and they walked out of the room, hand in hand.

When Harry and Lavender returned to the common room a couple of minutes later, Hermione was waiting for them. She called over to them, and they sat down next to her. The room was, for the most part, empty, as curfew was close and many of the students had gone to bed.

There were tears welling in Hermione's eyes. Harry did not understand why, but Lavender seemed to.

"Just tell me one thing," Hermione said. "Why Lavender?"

Harry looked confused. "Hermione, I don't understand. Why do you care?"

Lavender put her hand on his arm in a "hold on" gesture. She looked Hermione in the eye.

"You love him," she said, without preamble. Hermione looked down and blushed. Harry looked gobsmacked.

"I had -", Harry started, but Lavender squeezed. Harry shut up.

"I didn't know," Lavender said gently. "Obviously Harry didn't either. We didn't want this in the beginning. But -"

"Marriage contract?", Hermione asked.

"Not really. Well, not yet," Lavender said. "It's really complicated."

Harry spoke up, having had enough of being told to be quiet. "I didn't know, Hermione. I'm sorry."

Hermione nodded. "No one is forcing you into this?"

Harry shook his head. "The relationship started because of something we were forced into, but we chose the relationship of our own free will."

A tear leaked out of Hermione's eye. "I… I understand. I think. I'm… I'm sorry too. I should have said something sooner. It's my own fault. I hope you two are… very happy. I… I…" She stood up and walked over to Harry. She leaned down and kissed him, not a long kiss, but one with much feeling. He did not kiss back, but he did not stop her. She tasted salty, and very different than Lavender. Lavender just sat quietly. Finally Hermione broke the kiss. "I'm sorry," she said. "I just… I just… I just wanted one kiss. To know what it's like. At least now you'll always be my first kiss. I'm… I'm sorry." She turned to Lavender. "I'm sorry, I won't do that again." Lavender nodded. Hermione wiped her eyes and ran up the stairs.

"Why did you shut me up?," Harry asked, just a little peeved. "And," he said a little softer, "why did you not say anything when she kissed me?"

"Because I'm a girl, and I understand what she's going through. You may be one of her best friends and even love her, but you don't understand. At all."

"I made it worse?"

Lavender shook her head. "You would have. But it turned out… as well as can be expected. She's hurt, Harry. Very hurt. I let her kiss you because… because… well, I owe her that much, anyway. I took you away from her. I think that's why you did as well, and why I'm not very angry with you right now."

Harry sighed. "I didn't mean to hurt her…"

Lavender took his hand and squeezed it. "Of course you didn't. I'm a girl. I recognized the signs. You're a boy. You probably wouldn't have recognized the signs if she'd held up one of those big reflective signs the Muggles are so fond of over her head."

Harry looked a little peeved at that, then deflated. "I'd be upset with you, except obviously you're right. I didn't notice."

"What do I do?," Harry asked.

"Give her time," she said. "She just needs to grieve."

"Grieve? Why grieve? It's not like anyone died or anything?"

Lavender sighed exasperatedly. "You're such a… boy… sometimes," she said. "Something did die. A piece of her heart. Let her grieve. I'll try to befriend her, when it's time. But right now, let her decide when she wants to talk. And… please don't kiss her again."

"I didn't… I didn't want to kiss her the first time."

Lavender squeezed his hand. "I know." She sighed. "Honestly, the fact that you let her speaks much better of you than I care to admit. You really do love her," she said.

Harry nodded. "She's been one of my best friends for years. Ever since I rescued her from that troll. I… I don't know what I would do without her."

Lavender was lost in thought. Finally they gave each other a good night kiss and went up their individual stairs.

The weekend arrived, and Harry found himself being unceremoniously dumped out of a floo, with Lavender not far after. She saw Harry sprawled out on the floor, and giggled. "No one taught you how to do this, did they?", she asked and with another giggle she helped him up. He looked a little sullen. "There are many things I don't seem to know how to do," he grumbled.

"At least you know how to make me scream," she whispered in his ear, and he turned red. Right at the moment, Charles Brown and someone whom Harry assumed was his wife walked through the door and into the room, along with an older lady who looked ike an older version of his wife. Lavender ran over to her parents and hugged them. Harry noticed she did not hug the older lady, but greeted her formally.

"Mr. Potter," he said, after Lavender had disengaged and moved on to her mother.

"Mr. Brown," Harry replied, offering his hand.

Charles shook it. "It's actually Lord Brown, Harry. But you can call me Charles. After all, it doesn't do well to be on formal terms with your betrothed's father, does it?

Harry chuckled nervously. "Then you can call me Harry."

"Oh, where are my manners. This is my wife, Sakura." He waved at a woman who looked very much like Lavender - medium height, long, blonde hair, a heart shaped face, and pretty blue eyes.

She put out her hand, knuckles up, and waited patiently. Lavender nudged him. "Brush your lips on her knuckles," she whispered loudly. Sakura giggled approvingly when Harry did as he was instructed. "I see where Lavender gets her beauty," he said, a mixture of cheekily and nervously.

Sakura laughed. "You little charmer!," he said. "No wonder Lav-lav is so taken with you!" She looked merrily at Lavender. "I'm sure there are other reasons too," she said saucily.

Lavender turned beet red, and Sakura looked as if she'd won the lottery.

"And this is Sakura's mother, Lucy White," he said. She looked Harry up and down like he was a piece of meat, and got a look on her face that he could only describe as "satisfied".

"How do you do," she said, and presented her hand in the same way that Sakura did

Harry brushed his lips along her knuckles dutifully. "Pleasure to meet you, Madam." he said.

"Likewise," she purred. "You will do just fine," she said silkily. She was giving off a vibe that he did not like. But thankfully, she said very little throughout the rest of the evening.

"Shall we sit down?," Lavender asked, desperately trying to change the subject.

Charles chuckled. "Of course, of course. Actually, Snoopy has dinner ready. Why don't we go eat?"

Lavender muttered in Harry's direction "I didn't think I was going to be the one regretting this." Harry suppressed a giggle.

After what Harry had to admit was a dinner fit for a king, they retired to the sitting room. Well, Harry and Charles did. Sakura pulled Lavender aside for their own talk. Lucy retired to bed, saying that she was tired and could not possibly socialize after such a wonderful meal. Lavender looked very relieved at that news.

After Harry and Charles had made themselves comfortable - well, Harry as comfortable as he could be - , Charles spoke first.

"Well, Harry, I had rehearsed this moment in my head from the moment that Lav-lav was a baby. I thought I was going to ask what your intentions towards my daughter are, maybe while cleaning my wand, and then finally welcome you to the family after having put the fear of Merlin into you. But," and he sighed, "that won't work now. The situation is far too unique for that."

Harry did not speak.

Charles sighed. "Look, Harry. There are only a few things that you really need to know about our society. Probably the first is that our view of sex is very much oriented towards continuing lines. The ability to have issue, or children, is of utmost importance. This is why certain kinds of people - those who either by choice or by nature are incapable of having, or unwilling to have children - are generally shunned in our society. This is why it's so important for the two of you to have a betrothal contract. Your line is at stake, and my daughter's role in the continuance of your line must be spelled out in detail. If you were to have issue without marriage or a contract, it would be very detrimental to my daughter's standing in our society, as she will have given you a bastard. Do you understand?"

Harry frowned. "Not really. I think a little."

Charles leaned forward. "Let me spell it out a little clearer, then. You are a future lord to your line, as I am a lord to mine. You have chosen my daughter as the vehicle through which to continue your line, and in doing so, have ensured that our line will continue through your heir. This merges our families. While the fact that you may not be able to keep your hands off each other" - he gave Harry a pointed look, to which he dutifully looked down - "is certainly important to the both of you, that is of secondary concern to society. The primary concern to society is when you will have issue and with whom. No one cares who you have sex with, as long as you will make a child when it is time with the proper person. Is that a little clearer?"

He nodded. "I think so. I'm merging our families and continuing your line through our future child."

Charles sighed. "So little you've been taught about our ways."

Harry frowned. "Lav has told me a little. I'm not sure I like all of your - our - ways."

"What did she tell you?"

"She told me that many purebloods will do what they want with a woman and no one will care. She told me that she's been taking precautions for years just in case someone… er… rapes her." He blushed. "Sorry for being so blunt."

Charles waved him on.

"She also told me if she ends up with child, she would get blamed. So pardon me, sir, if I'm not too impressed with your society right now."

Charles blew out a breath. He did not speak for a little while.

"That is true. To a degree. What she did not tell you is that this is one reason why a betrothal contract is so important. I did not sign one for my daughter because I didn't want to put her through being stuck with someone she hated. Some fathers love their daughters more than others, and I like to think of myself as one of the good ones." He shrugged. "That was a calculated risk. But with a betrothal contract, or a marriage, anyone who tries such a thing has committed the crime of line theft. That is treated very seriously in our society." He shook his head. "Stealing the property of another man in such a way is… not honorable, and most severely punished."

"Property?"

"In our society, Harry, at least in a legal sense, a wife, children, and her virtue, are property."

Harry looked offended, but Charles raised his hand.

"That does not mean they are slaves, Harry. The reason they are considered such has, again, to do with the continuance of lines. The line is the inheritance of the lord, therefore, those who continue the line are the property of the lord. But, on the other hand, the heir of a lord, and by extension, the woman who provides him, are to be his most treasured property, as they most certainly are to the family of the wife. Lords who get too full of themselves and begin to treat their family badly often end up prematurely… in need of a coffin."

Harry frowned. "You would kill me if I got out of line"

Charles sighed. "That is an… unpleasant topic. You need to understand how justice works in this society. It never comes from the government. In fact, the government usually doles out the opposite of justice. It usually comes from the family of the wronged. You may be called upon to dole out justice sometimes, Harry, to protect your family and property. I hope you never have occasion. I hope the same. But realistically, you probably will at some point. I will protect my daughter, Harry. But I hope to have you alongside me, protecting her as well. I would much prefer that, Harry."

"Do you think -"

"No. No, I don't." Charles said with certainty. "Quite frankly, if I thought you were the type to hurt my daughter, this would be a very different conversation, and the conversation my wife is currently having with our daughter would also be going very differently. I think you will protect my daughter. But, you did ask."

Harry sighed. He did, after all.

"So, now that we have agreed to be betrothed, it is in her interest for us to sign a contract as quickly as possible, so she has some measure of protection against the likes of, say, Malfoy?"

Charles nodded. "Right in one. She understands the risks, but I imagine she would breathe much easier if she were under the protection of a contract with your family. A betrothal and marriage contract, Harry, has nothing to do with love, though if love can be found it's so much the better. It's an agreement. Our side of the family agrees to produce an heir for you, for the consideration of a reasonable dowry and the protection of your family. That's why you need a barrister. You two can shag until the cows come home, look at their watches, and leave again, and it doesn't matter. But it's the contract that gives it teeth. The minute it is publically known that there is a contract between our families, even Malfoy will know to interfere at his peril. " Charles looked sad. "Normally, I would be negotiating the contract with your father. But that is impossible."

"I don't like this," Harry said. "It seems barbaric."

"Maybe it is, at that," Charles said. "I don't like everything about our society, either. But for me, it's what I was born into. For you, while you were raised as a Muggle and have other options, it's the price you will pay for marrying my daughter. She is a pureblood. It's just how it is."

Meanwhile, in a room upstairs, Sakura was having her own talk with her daughter. They walked in, and Sakura closed the door with a definitive "click". Truth be told, Lavender felt a little trapped. The door wasn't locked, but it might as well have been, as far as she was concerned.

"Your father told me what happened," Sakura started.

"What did he tell you?", Lavender asked neutrally.

"He said that you were forced into shagging. That he broke your maidenhead. And that the two of you have decided to continue your relationship, and that he will be signing a betrothal contract for your hand very soon."

Lavender sighed. "Pretty much true."

"So how do you feel about it?," Sakura asked quietly.

"I couldn't be happier," Lavender said.

Sakura did not say a word, gazing at Lavender with penetrating eyes. "I'm your mother, Lav-lav. I think you're telling me the truth. I also don't understand why you are so sure after such a short period of time. It doesn't make sense.."

"What do you want from me?," she cried defensively. "Why does it have to make sense?!"

Sakura leaned back in her chair. "Because I worry for your heart. Is it the sex? Is he that good?"

Lavender blushed. "He is wonderful, mum," she said. "Better than I had ever dreamed."

"Well, I'm happy for you. Every woman deserves to get well and truly reamed out every now and then." Lavender blushed. "I remember when your father would bend me over a…" her eyes became unfocused, and shook her head as if returning to the present. "But that's not enough. Frankly, I taught you better than that."

"We've only known each other for a week. Surely you don't expect us to be in love yet!"

Sakura shook her head. "No, of course not. I know the two of you were put in a very difficult situation. And truthfully, I respect and admire the fact that the two of you are making a go of it. But I'm not sure how wise you are being."

Lavender was quiet.

"It will be difficult, daughter. Eventually you will get so annoyed with him that you can barely stand it. Or the opposite, he will get annoyed with you. Sex isn't enough to save a relationship where the parties don't respect each other. Can you respect him when he proves he's not quite the man you were expecting him to be?"

"I… don't know, mum. I never promised him that I would stay with him forever. I did promise him I would work at it. And I meant it. I suppose the contract will make that more permanent, but I still meant it."

"Why?," Sakura asked. "Why do you consider him worth even that?"

Lavender thought. "Because… because he may not yet love me, but he treated me as if he did. And when he loves you, mum, you get his entire attention when he's with you. You're the only thing that matters. He would do everything he could to protect you, to satisfy you, to love you. He has already gained my complete trust. How could I let him go, when he is so… Harry?", Lavender implored.

Sakura nodded. "I see. He is not just a penis."

Lavender blushed deep red. "No, mum, of course he isn't! Do you think I'd stay with someone just because they're a pretty face and have a cock, even if they knew how to use it? What kind of shallow harlot do you take me for?," she almost shouted.

Sakura responded evenly, "I take you for a sixteen year old girl who knows nothing of love, nothing of men, is positively reeking of hormones, and is just as likely to make the worst decision of her life right now as the best. I know you, daughter. I fear that you will latch onto the first man that pays you any kind of attention at all, give him your soul, and then wonder what happened as he chews you up and spits you out."

"Mum!", she shouted.

"I don't think Harry is like that. He does seem like a perfectly nice young man. But I'd never met him before today. You've never known him before a week ago. Tell me you wouldn't feel the same in my shoes. Tell me that honestly, daughter!"

Lavender was seething, but she didn't say anything.

"What's done is done," Sakura said. Even if I wanted to, there's little I could do to dissuade you from your chosen path, and frankly you're a grown woman now. You can make your own decisions."

"You don't approve," Lavender said sadly.

"I don't know enough to approve or disapprove!", Sakura said, raising her voice. "Tell me, daughter. Why did you not send us a letter when Dumbledore told you that you would have to do this? Why did you not seek our counsel? Why did you instead allow yourself to be herded into the slaughterhouse on the word of authority figures that you know to not be trustworthy? Harry can be excused, but you know better! So you let him take your virtue, decided you liked it, and agreed to continue a relationship with him, even to the point of wanting a betrothal contract? Have you lost all sense, girl?"

Tears were filling Lavender's eyes. "Have you heard all the rumors going around school about me, mum? Nearly everyone thought I was a slag! No boy would ever want anything to do with me except to just get in my knickers and have a bit of a romp! I'm too beautiful to be loved. I didn't tell you because I wanted to, mum! I was sick and tired of having the reputation of being a slag and none of the fun! It not being my choice gave me the freedom to actually find out what it was like without worrying about the stigma!" Lavender's voice was breaking. "I can't be a slag if it's against my will!"

"So I ended up in that room with him, and I was prepared to let him have his way with me, and then leave me, like all the other boys would have. I could play the part of being angry about it, let him semi-violate me but with my secret acceptance, and he could go on with his life and I could go on with mine, at least knowing what everyone was going on about. But… but… Harry didn't want to. He won my heart, mum, when he didn't want to take my virtue, and yet he made it as special for me as he could, because that's who he is!" Lavender panted, tears spilling down her face. "He didn't want to, and he still took the time to make it special for me! He took the time to give me an orgasm! More than once! I love him because of that! Not the orgasms, but the fact that he took the time to give them to me, because that is how he felt I deserved to be treated! And everything he has proven to be since just makes him all the more wonderful!"

Lavender's chest was heaving, tears were running down her face freely, and she was beet red. Sakura was quiet for a few long moments,

"I see. He earned your heart. You were going to give him your body, and he stole your heart instead. I understand now. That's enough for me. That's all I ever wanted for you, someone who deserves your love. I approve."

Lavender ran over to her mother and threw herself on her, bawling. Sakura patted her back and let her cry it out. "I didn't realize it was that bad for you, daughter. Why didn't you say anything?"

Lavender sniffled. "What was I going to say, mum? Everyone thinks I'm a slag and I gossip about people to get back at them for gossipping about me?"

"Lav-lav… you're not alone, you know."

"At Hogwarts… it feels like I am."

Sakura frowned. That hit home far closer than she cared to admit. She needed to have a long talk with Charles. If Lavender felt like she was alone.. How did Harry feel?

A/N: And… I think I'll end it here for now. This was a tough chapter to write. I have the larger plot already in my head, but I'm arguing with myself over a couple of plot points that I'm not sure I want to pursue or not. It may well be that I need to go back and revise a few things here and there. But I'm pretty happy with this. Next chapter you will probably find out how the internal struggle has resolved!

I want to reiterate what I said in the beginning a/n: I am presenting some pretty offensive ideas and I am not going to speak for or against them, either in my voice or in the voice of characters designed to speak in my voice. In my story, it's simply how things are, and while the characters get to have their own opinions, I'm not going to do what a lot of folks do and turn this into some kind of moralistic tale where every idea that doesn't fit within twenty-first century morals gets bashed.

Now all that said, I hope you're enjoying. This is a fun story to write, actually. It is not easy to stay on this side of MA, but I'm trying, and I hope succeeding. I am sticking to euphemisms and deliberately obfuscated descriptions. Maybe I will post a more explicit version elsewhere when I get a chance.

Oh, and in case you're wondering what happened to Ron.. well, he's avoiding Harry and being a prat. He'll probably make an appearance soon.

8/6: made some small modifications to make the story flow better. There were some minor contradictions I did not change any substantial plot points.