After Midnight
Remus has received the position of Prefect and is very grateful for the trust Dumbledore has put into him. Can he hold Dumbledore's expectations when his Marauder friends approach him with a prank? Warnings and Disclaimers: Spanking is in this story and I don't own any of the characters-sadly.
*****Update 12/15/2012: The story takes a twist towards the 4th and 5th Chapters in which SB/RL form a more m/m relationship. It wasn't planned at the start but that's how the story is unfolding. If it's not your cup of tea, no worries. You don't have to drink it. If it is, please continue and enjoy the story. ******
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Remus walked into his Gryffindor dorm room and threw his bag on his neatly made bed. Running a finger through his light brown hair, he yawned from a tiring day. He had still a long night to go through before it was over. After dinner at the Great Hall, he had to fulfill his Prefect duties and make sure that everyone was in the Tower and be responsible. Apparently, Dumbledore thought it would be a good move if he were made a Prefect. He did try to be the collected one amongst his friends, but sometimes it could be rather complicated. He had grown to be a kind, considerate young man and just turned 17 this past spring. Perhaps it was time to put behind him childish ways.
He looked in the mirror and straightened his tie, making himself ready to join the others for their nightly feast. He smoothed out his robes and gave himself one more look in the mirror, tossing his wild bangs aside. He grazed his fingers over the last scar he unintentionally gave himself at last week's transformation.
He walked through the corridor and arrived at the Great Hall, smiling as he saw his three best friends. He loved the fact that they had each joined him with his monthly ailment in their animagi forms-it had made it easier for him. As he sat down at the table, he smiled softly at them.
"Hey, Mooney!" Sirius grinned from ear to ear.
James got an evil gleam in his eye, "Mooney. You ready for tonight?"
Remus' heart skipped a beat as he thought, Oh no. "What's happening tonight, Prongs?"
Sirius and James looked around, cautious that no one was paying them any mind. James leaned over and whispered in his ear, "The biggest prank of the year."
Remus picked up his fork and sighed, "Prongs, I have more responsibilities this year. I can't join you."
"Responsibilities?!" They said in unison and Wormtail smirked.
"You know Dumbledore gave me the position as Prefect over Gryffindor. I can't pull pranks like that. I have-to watch and make sure everyone is in line," Mooney said as he gave them all his best "stern" glance. The look only enticed a chuckle from the three.
"Right. You? Responsible?"
Remus breathed through his nose, "What is this prank anyway?"
"We stashed away a few crates full of crickets in a secret hiding place. Tonight, after everyone is fast asleep, we're going to unleash them in the Slytherin's dormitory."
Remus raised his hands and protested, "I can't have any part in this-I only just got the position. Dumbledore would not be happy, he's been virtually my father-basically adopted by him since I've been here and pulling strings. "
Sirius, James, and Peter looked at Remus with an arched brow.
"Don't look at me like that. I can't anyway like I said. I have to make my rounds tonight."
"You won't be doing them all night. You'll be done by midnight. We'll do it after then. Any more excuses? Come on. You know it'll be fun," Sirius nudged him and grinned.
"Yeah, come on. It will be THE prank to end all pranks," James added.
"Plus, these crickets aren't just any crickets, " Peter smirked.
Remus looked at the faces of his friends and raised his eyebrows, "What do you mean?"
James got that cocky grin on his face and said self assuredly, "If you want to know, you'll join us."
Remus looked up at the staff table and at Dumbledore. He had been essentially his ward while attending school here. His parents hadn't understood him and he was kind enough to take him in. He owed him so much but his heart was conflicted with his brain.
"After midnight?"
The other Marauders nodded their head and said together, "Midnight."
Remus nodded and took a giant gulp of pumpkin juice as he whispered, "Midnight."
The halls were very quiet and everyone was fairly well behaved on the surface. The first night on the job, Lupin did very well and made sure that everyone was helped if needed and mischief was managed for the most part. He kept looking up at the clock nervously and situated his Prefect robes. He walked over to Lily as she was studying near the fire place studying her Transfiguration book.
"Everything going all right, Lily?"
She looked up at him and smiled brightly, "Oh yes, very well. I am making sure I understand everything. I can't believe this is our last year."
"I know. The time surely does pass quickly, " he noted the clock said 11:30. He thought to himself, too quickly sometimes.
"And look at you. I haven't had the time to congratulate you properly. You look very handsome in your Prefect Robes, Remus."
The werewolf bowed his head shyly and smiled, "Thank you."
"I am sure you will do a fine job."
"I certainly will try."
She stood up as she closed her book and put it under her arm, "I have no doubt. I'll see you tomorrow?"
He nodded politely, "Will see you tomorrow."
Running his fingers over his robes again nervously, her words ate at his mind. I can't do this tonight. She has faith in me and so does Dumbledore. I'll tell them that I am tired and bid them goodnight.
The last of the Gryffindors were heading to bed and the lights were being turned low. Remus started downstairs and near the forest to meet with his friends. When he reached them, they had the crates of crickets ready to scatter in order to fulfill their plan.
Remus walked up to them and took a deep breath, "Hello. I can't do this. I wanted to tell you guys I need to sleep. I'm sorry."
The three boys went over to Remus, "Whoa, whoa, whoa. You abandoning us?"
James looked at Remus and sighed, putting his arm across his shoulders, "We're four Marauders, not three. You have to join us."
"But, Prongs-"
"Wait till you see the crickets. You'll understand."
Sirius stood at Remus' other side and Peter went to a crate to slide it back. Remus started chuckling as he saw the crickets dancing and singing.
"See? We've put a special spell on them. Each of them sing and dance. We even put them in Tuxedo robes for added effect, " Padfoot said proudly.
"Now, imagine, these little beauties in the Slytherin's rooms. Dancing with their tap shoes and singing in unison-All five hundred of them!" Peter grinned.
Remus couldn't stifle his laugh and nodded, "I admit it is good, but-"
"You know you want to, Mooney," Padfoot grinned.
Remus finally gave in and nodded, "Yes, let's do this."
They all clapped and smiled, each picking up the crates as they headed off to the Slytherin's house. Using the map, they followed the secret passages leading to the entrance to the main room. They all snuck in very quietly and Prongs said, "Okay. Mooney. Let yours out here. I'll take Severus' room. Padfoot, Wormtail: You two get the two rooms over there," he pointed to the closed doors.
They all took their positions and opened the cage door, letting the crickets loose . The tiny sounds of five hundred crickets hopping around with their tap shoes made such a noise the entire Slytherin house was starting to wake. They began to sing show tunes and the four boys took off running back to the passage and down the corridors. The laughter of the four was echoing throughout the castle and they stopped near the entrance to the stairs up to the Tower.
Remus tried to speak as he laughed, "That was brilliant!"
"See, Mooney? We told you!" Padfoot slapped his back and Prongs as well as Wormtail were in a fit of giggles.
Remus was bent over holding his knees when he heard the familiar voice, "What was brilliant, my boy?"
Remus' laugh stopped as he looked up slowly, his eyes falling on Dumbledore. He swallowed hard as he stammered, "Um...uh..."
Dumbledore looked at the four boys sternly as they stood up straight and wiped the smiles from their faces.
"Boys? Why are you out after curfew?"
Prongs tried to explain, "Sir. We were out to get some fresh air and to listen to the crickets-"
The Marauders couldn't hold back and busted out laughing.
Slughorn came running down the hall, "Good, I found you, Dumbledore. We have an infestation of crickets in the Slytherin house. Please, come quickly."
Dumbledore looked back at the four boys and arched his eyebrow, his eyes not holding their twinkle in the slightest.
"I want you four to go to my office right now. You will wait for me to return."
They made their way to Dumbledore's office as instructed and when they entered, Mooney plopped in his chair. He pushed his long robes to the side and crossed his legs, resting his elbow on the chair's arm and buried his face in his hand. I am so dead. I am so dead.
The other three boys sat in a chair as well and Padfoot looked to Mooney, "Hey. I'm sorry. We didn't think -"
"Exactly. There is no thinking involved in this entire matter."
Prongs looked to Mooney, "We were just trying to have some fun."
Wormtail was in his chair seemingly fixated on the end of his tie.
"I know, Prongs. I'm not mad at you three. I am more upset at myself. I should have never agreed to the prank."
"Listen, Mooney, " Sirius started, "we can tell Dumbledore that you were trying to stop us-"
He shook his head, "He saw me laughing just as hard as you three. Lying would only compound the problem."
"Good to see that you are thinking more clearly, Remus," Dumbledore's voice boomed as he entered the room. All four boys stood as Dumbledore made his way around to the back of his desk. Remus nervously put his hands behind his back and clasped them together. He knew for sure his title as Prefect would be ripped from him and Dumbledore's disappointment in him was already evident.
"Care to explain to me what you four were thinking tonight?"
They all looked to each other for the answer and Remus lowered his eyes, "Sir. We let loose some crickets in the Slytherin house tonight."
"Why did you choose to do this? Not only did you commit this juvenile prank, you were out after curfew. A Prefect for that matter."
"I have no excuse, Headmaster. I'm sorry."
Prongs watched his friend and sighed, "Sir. I convinced Remus to join us in the prank. He didn't want to do it at first but I helped persuade him to-"
"Thank you for your comments, James. However, Remus should have better judgment. Mr. Potter, Mr. Black, and Mr. Pettigrew, you will all three receive three weeks detention with Professor McGonagall. Mr. Lupin, please stay behind."
Remus felt his stomach churn and swallowed. He kept his eyes lowered as his three friends left the Headmaster's office. He clenched his jaw and wrapped his fingers over one another behind his back.
As the door shut behind him, Dumbledore sat behind his desk and looked up at Remus.
"Would you care to explain to me why you used such poor judgment tonight, Remus?"
"I really have no idea why, Sir. I am very sorry. I didn't mean to disappoint you."
"I have been more of your father the last seven years. I have taken you under my care, you stay with me over the summer and for holidays, and I thought that giving the position of Prefect would help you keep your mischief at a standstill. I am very disappointed in you. I had much higher expectations in regards to you."
Remus truly didn't know what to say. He lowered his eyes and unclasped his hands. He began to take off his Prefect robe and Dumbledore watched curiously, "What are you doing, Remus?"
"I don't deserve to wear this or the Prefect job. I truly am sorry. Will I be serving detention with Professor McGonagall as well?"
"You have been under my care for awhile now. Is that how I administer your punishments?"
"But, Sir. You haven't done that in a long time."
"You haven't needed it in a long time. Instead of detention as punishment, you will receive corporal punishment. "
Remus lowered his head and felt his hands shaking, holding on to is Prefect Robes tightly in his grasp. He knew he deserved whatever sentence Dumbledore passed but that did not negate the fact that his heart was racing beneath his chest. He nodded slowly and gazed up into Dumbledore's eyes.
"Yes, Sir."
"Please, place your robes on the chair and bare your backside. Bend over the desk, Remus."
Dumbledore moved to his cabinet and retrieved his paddle with holes from its home. Remus stepped forward to the desk and unzipped his trousers, pushing them along with his boxers to the floor. As he leaned over the desk, he felt his body tremble. He reached to the edge of the desk and held on to tight.
"Remus. I am punishing you because you are like a son to me and your behavior is unbecoming of a Prefect at this School. You have responsibilities now and you must learn to show more constraint. Do you understand?"
Remus nodded as Dumbledore spoke, "Yes, Sir."
Dumbledore looked down at the young man he'd practically raised as his own son with a heavy heart. He didn't really want to punish him in this manner but he had to learn to say no when it concerned his friends. He lowered the paddle down on Remus' exposed bum and tapped him gently.
"You will receive ten strokes, my boy," Dumbledore said as he reached his free hand down and placed it on the small of his back. "Are you ready?"
Lupin arched his back and clenched his jaw as he nodded, "Yes, Sir."
The young Remus held on tight as he felt the first CRACK contact his vulnerable backside sending him to his tiptoes. Dumbledore concentrated on the sit-spots and the center of his bottom as he chastised the young werewolf. Raising the paddle up and down with a resounding THWAP making Remus cringe in pain. He swayed his bottom from side to side as it was being lit on fire.
"Hold still, Remus."
Remus calmed down his movements and stopped moving his hips so much. He raised his bottom back in the air to accept the next strokes. Dumbledore swung them down hard and fast, turning his flesh a crimson red CRACK CRACK CRACK CRACK!
"Four more to go, my boy, and it's all over," Dumbledore announced as he tapped his wayward son's bottom. He aimed for the center for the final strokes and Remus lowered his head as he let the tears escape his eyes: CRACK WHACK SMACK CRACK!
"I am so sorry, Sir" he whimpered through his tears and relaxed his upper body across the desk.
Dumbledore put the paddle down and reached down to help Remus up. Pulling him close, Dumbledore gave him a gentle hug.
"All is forgiven, Remus. Please, use better judgment next time. You don't always have to go along with the tomfoolery, son. "
"Thank you. I am so sorry, I will try."
Dumbledore smiled with a twinkle in his eye, "You can pull your trousers back up now, Remus. And do get some rest tonight. You have another long day of classes tomorrow."
He turned around and gave Remus some privacy as he dressed himself. He put the paddle up and watched Remus' back as he walked towards the door. He looked on his chair and saw that his Prefect's robes were still there and went to pick them up.
"Remus?"
He stopped and gingerly turned around, wiping the tears from his face, "Yes, Sir?"
"I believe you forgot something," he said as he held out his robes.
Remus looked at confused, "But, Sir-I, I don't deserve-"
"You are maturing and growing into a fine young man. We all make mistakes. You paid for yours."
Remus smiled shyly as he took the robes from Dumbledore, "Thank you, Headmaster-for everything."
Dumbledore nodded and sent Remus on his way. Dumbledore started humming the tune of Funny Girl, "Don't bring a cloud to rain on my parade." He let out a laugh at the sight of all the little crickets dancing around and shook his head. I will give them this-they are very creative.
Remus vowed that he would try harder to not disappoint Dumbledore like that again. He hoped to keep that promise as he rubbed his aching backside and smiled at the robes in his hand.
TBC:
A/N: I have a soft spot for Lupin. Thanks for reading :-)