When Remus landed his broom on his front yard he picked Eric up -with some difficulty since the boy was almost as tall and heavy as himself- and entered the house, where a wide awake Tonks waited for them. He smiled at her sadly and placed Eric on the sofa on his side in case he'd throw up. Tonks summoned a wet cloth from the sink and she smoothly brushed it over the teen's face.
The cold surface made him wake up. As soon as he opened his eyes though he groaned and threw up on the carpet below him. Remus ran to his side and held his head high while he vomited the alcohol out. When he was finally over he let his head lean on his professor's chest and just tried to catch his breath.

Tonks summoned a glass of water and handing it to him he gulped it down at once, managing a thank you right after. She smiled at him and then told him, "Well it's not the best circumstances for introductions, but I'm Tonks, Remus' wife. Would you like to get some sleep now? It is late and you certainly are weak after all that drinking...".

Eric could bearly nod, "Yes please ma'am... Thank you so much...".

At that Remus took his arm and pulling it over his shoulder he helped the boy up and started leading him to the guest room. When he was there he gently lied him down on the bed, took his shoes off for him and pulled the covers up to him. Eric opened his eyes and looked at his professor with tears welling up.

"I'm so sorry professor. You've been so kind to me helping me with everything and I keep screwing everything up. I'm really sorry. I promise you to never bother you again in the future. I'll leave first thing in the morning...", but Remus cut him off firmly.

"You are not going anywhere young man! You did a very stupid thing today, true, but I never told you that I expected you to be perfect. I promised to help you and be there for you, to watch your back and punish you whenever I see you need it. And you need it desperately right now. Tomorrow you'll stay here. I'll excuse you from school personally. Tomorrow morning you'll get punished Eric and then you'll join us for meal. After that we'll go make sure your brother is all right and see from there. You are my ward and either you like it or not you won't get out of this that easily. Now get some rest please. You really need it.".

Eric stared at Remus' eyes and saw reassurance in there. And that was all he needed to relax and sleep. Remus stayed with him for a while and then went back to the living room where Tonks, after cleaning up Eric's mess, had
just let Sirius and Ses know everything was ok and that Eric was safe in their home. When he entered the room she smiled at him and hugged him.

"You, Remus Lupin, are the most considerate and wonderful person i've ever met. I love you", and with that she kissed him.

Remus smiled at her and hugging her back told her a little bit anxiously, "I didn't want you two to meet in such circumstances... I mean he is such a great young man. The couple of weeks we've been talking I've come to
care deeply for him and this is just not like him...".

Tonks shook her head reassuringly, "He is most of all a teen Rem... You
can't expect him to not get into trouble or experiment with stuff like alcohol... He had no one to answer to for so many years. What do you expect? It's among others a way to test how much you care about him and if you really mean that you'll stick with him no matter what. I'm sure i'll love him just like you do. I want him every day from now on here for either meal or dinner. It would be an excellent way to get to know him and start bonding with both of us. Then you can tell him of your thoughts about adopting him, don't you think?".

Remus smiled widely at that, "I think that's a great idea my love! I love you. Go get some sleep now ok? I'll stay up to check on him.", but Tonks shook her head at that.

"Quite the contrary honey. I'll stay up
to check on him and you'll get your rest. Tomorrow won't be easy for any of you.", Tonks answered.

Remus kissed her one more time and nodded. "Thank you my Dora...", and with that after checking that Eric was all right he went to sleep as well.

Everything was blurry. And loud. And smelled good. Fresh sheets, and bacon, and toast... But that couldn't be... He wasn't up so who was making breakfast? And he hadn't change any sheets, not to mention that they never smelled so nice... He made the huge effort to open his eyes. But the light was hurting so much! Why did the light hurt? And then he remembered. He remembered the last knight's incident, Remus collecting him, then talking to him... "Why did I wake up?", he moaned and pulled all of his strength together to pull himself up. He stumbled to the bathroom of the room and poured cold water on his face. Now that was a little better. When he went back to the room he found Tonks smiling at him.

"Good morning! Come on i've got breakfast
and a great hangover relieve potion!", and winking at him she guided him to the kitchen

Remus was already there. Eric's stomach clenched a little with anxiety when seeing the man. He did remember a punishment promise after all... But Remus just smiled at him and motioned him to join them.

When he sat down Remus passed him a vial and told him, "I didn't want you to get one of those. The hangover is one of the consequences of alcohol that you need to feel when you drink so much in my opinion, but Dora here
made me give you one.", his tone was not stern but it was not gentle either. Eric took the vial blushing and thanked him.

"For Merlin's shake Remus! Let the kid eat something before you start the lecturing!", Tonks scolded Remus half-jokingly.

Eric couldn't but smile at that. He really liked that Dora or Tonks or whatever she was called.

"S'ok Mrs Lupin, professor has every right to be mad at me. I screwed up big time...".

Tonks cut him off , "None of that Eric. We all make poor decisions now and then. Now you'd better empty that plate I have ready for you. And please don't ever call my Mrs Lupin again! It made me feel very very old! I'm Dora or Tonks.
Whichever you like!".

Remus added, "Yes Eric outside school you don't have to address us so formally. Try Remus with me as well ok?", Eric smiled at at that.

"I'll try sir!". Breakfast passed pleasantly with lots of joking mainly from Tonks which helped the ice to break.

When everyone ate though Remus looked at Eric sadly and told him, "Eric I would like a word with you in my study. Please come with me."

When inside, Remus closed the door behind them and motioned Eric to sit in the chair right in front of the desk while he sat himself in one right oposite him.

"Eric your actions last night were plainly inexcusable. Not only did you get drunk but you also drove your bike right after that? What on earth were you thinking?"

Eric was staring at his feet the whole time unable to meet Remus'
disappointed eyes.

Remus took a deep breath seeing how anxious the boy was. "Ok, lets start from the beginning. Why did you drink so much last night in the first place?", he asked much more gently this time.

"It was our first show in which I actually sang some of my own songs. And everyone liked them and I was so excited that I just drank and drank without really realizing it sir. It was a very important knight for me that's all. I wasn't really thinking... I am sorry sir... Honestly...".

Remus sighed at that. "I know you are sorry Eric but actions have consequences and you are going to learn that one way or another. Now let's get to the second
part, shall we? Why on earth did you get on that bike of yours drunk like that? I mean you probably knew more than well that you were wasted, so why did you do such a thing?".

Eric could only shrug at that. "I just wasn't thinking. I wanted to prove I could drive even drunk or something I guess. I have no excuse sir I know that. But honestly you don't have to punish me. I learned my lesson...".

"None of that young man. We made a deal. A deal with pleasant and unpleasant parts. You are not getting out of this!", Remus said
and lifting himself up he motioned for Eric to do the same.

Eric got up but pulled himself away from Remus. Now his teenage rebel-self
rising on surface.

"Eric I will advise you not to make it any more difficult on you. Come over here and bend over the desk. I'm sure you know by now what kind of punishment you've earned.", Remus sternly told him.

"No! I'm not just going to stay here and let you... do... that... to me! No way!
I aprreciate everything sir but this really won't work...", and saying that he tried for the door, but Remus had him before he was even near there.

Dragging him powerfully to the sofa at the corner of the study he pulled the boy over his knee and locking his legs with one of his own he started smacking the teen very fast and hard. Eric was squirming and yelling at him to let go, but to no avail.

"Keep this up young man and when we start with your real punishment your butt will already be toasted! I won't accept direct disobedience! You are my
ward. I care about you and you are going to face the music of your actions either you like it or not!",he said all those smacking without losing one bit of his rhythm. Eric gave up the fighting and just let his tears fall. Remus was now satisfied.

The goal was reached. With just a few smacks the kid had let out all the pressure. He rubbed his back till he calmed down some. Then helping him up he asked looking at him right in the eye, "Are you going to behave your age now and accept your punishment or do I need to continue this here?".

Eric shook his head answering at once "no sir! I'm sorry! I'm ready to take my punishment.".

Remus nodded and guided him to the desk where he bent him over it. Putting one arm on his back he rubbed him for a while o make him relax a little more. "You Made some poor decisions my child. And I care for you very much to let them go unpunished. Remember that i'm only doing this because I care for you Eric."

After those words Eric's body calmed down considerably. Then Remus lifted his right hand high in the air and brought it down hard on the jean clad bottom. Since he was already very upset and didn't want to upset him further by bearing him. Smack after smack Eric's reactions raised to yelps and 'OW's", to which Remus' only response was harder ones. Again and again he smacked his whole butt until the kid was openly crying and apologizing. Then he paused. Rubbing his back some more he pulled out his wand and casted a wordless spell which allowed him to see the kid's butt through his clothing. He didn't want to risk going too far and this needed to be a long lesson so he needed to have a clear image of his work. Seeing it was just a dark pink he conjured a paddle. A heavy wooden paddle that would be felt for sure no matter of the jeans. Raising it high he brought it down on Eric's butt in a tremendous swat that left the boy
howling. Swat after swat Remus turned the butt in front of him a cherry red colour and left Eric with no more energy for apologies and pleading.
He was just laying there accepting every swat. So Remus decided it was time to bring the punishment to an end.

"You SMACK are never SMACK going to drink SMACK SMACK SMACK alcohol again SMACK until you are SMACK SMACK of legal age! SMACK Did SMACK I SMACK make SMACK myself SMACK clear?".

Eric, bowling uncontrollably, howled "YES SIIIIR!".

Remus had tears in his eyes by this time. He threw the paddle on the floor and immediately gathered him in his arms and let him cry everything out.

"I'm sorry I had to be so hard, Eric, but you really left me no choice! What you did was irresponsible and dangerous... I won't lose you kid!".

Eric just hugged more tightly and mumbled apologies. Remus made the counter spell on his clothing without him understanding anything and just rubbed his back until the boy was calm again.

"I am sorry sir... Really..."

Remus cut him off putting a finger in his lips and smiling reassuringly told him, "It's over now kid. You got punished for it, it's put in the past. We're making a fresh start after a spanking. No need for apologies.".

Eric nodded. "And sir, I really didn't mean all the things about this not working... I don't want to lose your presence in my life sir. Please try to pretend I never said anything...".

"It's already forgotten Eric. I promise! Now let's get you to get some rest before lunch. What do you think? At least have a bath. It will help you calm some more.", Remus said and Eric nodded.

An hour later Eric went out of his room and joined Remus and Tonks in the dining room, where lunch was just being served.

Tonks smiled at him "I was just going to call you for lunch. Are you all right?".

Eric blushed at the question and avoiding her eyes answered truthfully "as ok as one can be after the paddling of his life!", but smiled at Remus thankfully.

"Have a sit! Dig in!", Tonks said pleasantly

Eric chuckling answered, "I think i'll pass the sitting part! I'll be doing it all day tomorrow at school so i'll save me today's discmofort if you don't mind..."

Remus smiled at that and nodded, "Suit yourself Eric!". The lunch went by much more pleasantly than lunch, all of them joking and laughing.

When they finished their dessert as well Eric turned to Remus. "I really should be getting home sir. Bill is alone and I need to check on him and make sure he eats...".

Remus nodded and getting up from his chair he got a bag with bowls full of food and told Eric, "We're going together. I'll help you take care of your brother and Tonks volunteered to tidy up your house a little bit. I guess that with all your schoolwork you could use some help!".

Eric looked at them almost teary eyed, "Sir you don't have to do all this. It's enough to take care of me, you don't have to lose your time with my responsibilities...".

"Not a chance young man! We are going!", it was Tonks that answered. And they helped him tidy everything up in his house, and take care of his brother who could not move many muscles making him depending for everything from Eric.

When that night the couple was back at home Tonks looked at Remus seriously. She was extremely upset when she realized how that young boy was living for all those years. She just couldn;t take it. After what she saw, after realizing everything that kid was obliged to do every single day she just couldn't let him stay like that any more.

"We're not leaving him back there Remus. Not for one more day. Tomorrow morning I want you to talk to Dumbledore and see what we can do the fastest way possible. I want the kid to move in here tomorrow and his brother to st mango's where we can visit and he can get all the help and taking care
of he needs."

Remus smiled and hugged her tightly.
Better days were approaching...

please review :) special thanks to V. L. Crawford who helped me make my mind about how the relationship of Eric and Remus would evolve. :)