"Yes," Daphne almost snapped. "It's why I was so angry with mother immediately afterwards. That charm is only permitted to be used under licence when a Betrothal Agreement is being drawn up, or being moved to a contract. It is used to test the bride still meets conditions of a contract if the contract requires the bride to be... unsullied."
"So, I had a right to be upset with her?" asked Hermione.
"Yes, Hermione; you did," replied Daphne. "So, there's no need to apologise you got angry with her, when you did."
"I thought I might have been out of line," she sighed.
"No," said Daphne, firmly. "Mother was out of line."
Harry asked, "Do I need to have words with Samuel about it?"
"No," replied Daphne. "What's done is done. And I really do not need Father to know you've already shagged me stupid. I do not want him to know until he has to know."
"That's your choice, Daphne," replied Harry. "If that's what you want, we'll go along with it."
The other two girls nodded.
_‗_
―==(oIo)==―
ˇ
Surprised with how quickly things moved, during breakfast the next morning both Harry and Justin were approached by Professor Sprout and told the Headmistress wanted a word with them both in her office immediately following the meal.
As they came together and walked slightly behind the Professor into the main corridor heading towards the wing that held the Headmistress's office, a worried Finch-Fletchley sidled over to Harry and asked, "Harry? Do you know what this is about?"
"I'm pretty sure I do, yeah," he replied. "If it's who I think it is, a couple of people want to talk to you and want to provide you aid. If I'm right, listen to what they say. Then, if you're not ready to make a decision about anything, say so. Tell them you will take it on board and consider it. I'm sure you know the drill.
"Nothing needs to happen, right now. Merlin, this can take years to come to fruition if people decide to drag their feet, or if you want it to. You're only fifteen at the moment, so you're still a minor. Just... hear them out, alright?"
Professor Sprout had dropped back and to the side a bit to listen. When Harry finished, she added, "Lord Potter is correct, Mister Finch-Fletchley. Who we're going to see only want to make you aware of some information, for now. Information you really should already be aware of, if not for Cuthbert Binns and his focus on goblin rebellions. Just be polite."
"Yes, Ma'am," Finch-Fletchley replied.
_‗_
―==(oIo)==―
ˇ
When they entered the Headmistress's office, Harry had to just about push Finch-Fletchley in through the door after Professor Sprout.
"Justin, relax," Harry quietly said from behind. "I swear to you, you're going to be fine."
Already in the room were Headmistress Lady Marchbanks, behind her desk; Miles Ogden and Amelia Bones were sitting before it. The latter two both stood and turned to the door as the three walked in. Both were gently smiling.
"Welcome, you two," said Marchbanks.
As they got closer, Professor Sprout faded away and went and sat on the stool in the corner as Harry guided Finch-Fletchley to the two 'guests'.
Harry was then quick with the introductions. Ogden first, considering his station. He also kept it informal.
"Justin," he said, "This is Chief Warlock Lord Miles Ogden. If you do not know, Chief Warlock Ogden chairs the Wizengamot in the same way the Lord Speaker chairs the House of Lords.
"And, Justin, this is Madam Amelia Bones, Director of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, Ministry of Magic for wizarding Britain. She's also Susan's aunt and guardian.
"Lord Ogden, Madam Bones, this is Lord Justin Finch-Fletchley, the Viscount of Lonsdale."
"Miles just gave a snort of amusement and held out his hand to Justin. "Hello, young man."
After carefully shaking Justin's hand, Ogden said, "To make it easy for you, just address me as Lord Ogden. This is an informal discussion."
"Yes, Sir," said Justin, almost by reflex.
Bones then stepped forward and offered her own hand. "Hello, Lord Finch-Fletchley. You address me as Madam Bones."
Justin shook it and said, "Ma'am,"
She then whacked Ogden on the arm and said, "Don't come over all over-Lordly."
Marchbanks cut in, indicated the chairs and said, "Take a seat, please."
With Justin and Harry sitting alongside one another and facing-in along a leg of a triangle from Marchbanks's desk, Ogden and Bones sat facing them and Marchbanks's desk, too, along the third side of the triangle based off the Headmistress's desk.
"Thank you for taking the time to see us, Lord Finch-Fletchley," said Ogden. "What we have to talk to you about has to do with how you're a muggleborn with a noble title who has entered our world."
Ogden went on to explain what that meant for Justin, with an explanation of how the original members of the Noble seats on the Wizengamot also entered the same way, upwards of centuries ago.
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