April - Harry, age 9
Snape stood outside the elementary school waiting patiently for dismissal.
The weather was starting to warm up and he was thankful as standing outside in the cold waiting was not always pleasant.
Snape heard the bell ring faintly seconds before the doors opened and students began pouring out. Snape's eyes scanned for Harry.
The man was hoping for a nice afternoon with the child. Today marked the end of another marking period which meant that Harry had the next week off from school. It also meant that he would have a brown envelope with him that contained his report card.
Snape was not worried about the child's grades. He brought his assignment book home every evening and Snape made sure to check it as well as assist the boy with his homework when needed. There had been times over the past three years that Harry had struggled with school however, every time the child had come to him and asked for help.
Snape spotted the child walking out of the school and in his direction.
Harry had, of course, looked at his grades before he left the building. Everyone did. Everyone had to prepare for themselves for either going home happy or dreading it.
And Harry? He was dreading it...
He had thought he had done enough work in math to bring up his grade, but he had not. Almost, but not enough.
It was only one point from failing and he had to get the card signed by his guardian.
Slowly, Harry approached towards Snape, the envelope held tightly in front of him.
Snape raised an eyebrow at the child. "Holding onto that envelope for dear life?"
He held a hand out for the report card. "You must be excited to have the next nine days off. That means nine whole days at Hogwarts."
Harry swallowed as he slowly placed the envelope in Snape's hand, otherwise ignoring the man's words.
A curious look swept over Snape's face as he took the envelope from the child tucking it into a pocket in his inner robe.
"Are you feeling okay?" He reached a hand out placing it gently on Harry's forehead.
Snape had expected the child to come rushing out of school excited, not looking as he did.
"Yeah, 'm fine." Harry forced a smile up to the man as he leaned into Snape's side. He lowered his gaze to the ground as his smile faded. There wasn't going to be a way out of this.
"You're sure?" Snape questioned as he began walking down the street in the direction of their house. "I expected you to nearly knock me over with excitement."
"I'm fine." Harry sighed, shrugging a shoulder. "I'm just a little tired. That's all." He swallowed hard.
Snape accepted the excuse as he paused at a corner, holding an arm out in front of Harry before he looked both ways. His arm lowered as he began walking across the street. "You can go to bed a bit early tonight."
"Would you like to go to Hogwarts tonight or in the morning?"
"Can we go tonight?" Harry glanced down the road as Snape led him across. Maybe he could keep Snape distracted enough to not look at the report for awhile.
"We can," Snape nodded as they turned the corner that led to their street. "When we get home you can start packing. Do you have any homework over break?"
"No. I had some science work I did during study time." Harry wrapped his arm around Snape's, resting his head against the man's arm as they walked.
He couldn't help but wonder if they'd be going to Hogwarts at all once Snape opened the envelope. He hoped that they got there before he did.
Snape nodded in reply as he wrapped an arm around the boy. A moment later they turned up their own front walk.
"Make sure you pack everything that you need for nine days." Snape waved a hand over the front door knob unlocking it. "We can go as soon as you are all packed."
Harry nodded as he went ahead of the man. "I won't take long!" He promised, quickly going upstairs to pack. The sooner they could leave, the better.
Snape smirked softly as he watched the child rush off. He knew that Harry was thrilled at the idea of spending the next week at Hogwarts.
Snape moved into the parlor sitting down in his armchair. He reached into his cloak and withdrew the envelope he had tucked in there.
He pulled the report card from the envelope, a small smile resting on his lips as his eyes scanned the grades and comments from Harry's teacher.
The smile however, quickly vanished as he saw his child's math score. One point less and the child would be failing. Snape was near ready to walk back to the school and voice to Harry's teacher that he should have been informed when his eyes moved to the comment stating that two letters had been sent home requesting a meeting about the grade but neither had gotten a reply.
Snape felt his annoyance grow and quickly turn into anger. He would have bet all his money in Gringotts that he knew exactly what had happened to those letters.
Snape slipped the report card back into the envelope placing it on the table next to him.
Harry couldn't help but slow his packing process. Snape had to of looked at his grades by now. He had been crazy to think that he would somehow make it to Hogwarts before his guardian did. Snape always looked at them once they got home.
Tears burned his eyes and he blinked in an attempt to keep them at bay. He hated math- always had! He wouldn't even need math at Hogwarts! Would he? Maybe not a lot if he did.
Harry finished packing, sitting on his bed as he took off his glasses. He sniffed loudly, resting his face into his hands.
Snape sat in his armchair waiting patiently for the child to come back downstairs. A part of him would have liked to go upstairs and punish the child but he knew it would not do. He needed to let Harry attempt to explain himself first.
Snape's eyes roamed to the clock. Harry had been upstairs for nearly half an hour. Snape was sure that he would be down any moment.
He was also sure that Harry was aware of what his report card said. He did not believe for a moment that the child had not looked at it.
Harry rubbed at his eyes, taking in a deep breath as he placed his glasses back on his nose. There was no helping it... although he was surprised Snape didn't come charging through the door and demand an explanation.
The child carefully took hold of his satchel, making his way back downstairs slowly. He paused at the bottom, swallowing heavily as he looked into the parlor.
Snape looked over at the noise on the staircase seeing Harry peering over at him. "Come here please Harry." He worked hard to keep his tone normal.
The guilt was written all over the child's face. Snape was beginning to wonder if it had been there since he picked him up from school.
Harry gave a soft whine as he left his spot at the bottom of the stairs, moving over towards his guardian. This was it. The man knew.
"Hi," he whispered softly, stepping in front of his guardian.
"Go put your satchel on the couch. It seems that you and I have quite a bit to discuss. So much in fact, that I highly doubt we will be going to Hogwarts today." Snape gave the child an exceptionally stern glare.
Harry's chin trembled as he raised a hand to rub under his glasses. He knew it.
Slowly, the child turned and walked over to the couch, placing his satchel on it. He made no attempt to move back over to his guardian, sniffing softly as he stared at the ground.
Snape cleared his throat before crooked a finger at the child, calling him back over to stand in front of him. "Perhaps you can tell me what exactly we need to discuss?"
"My report," Harry muttered softly, slowly stepping back over to the man with another sniff.
The moment that Harry was close enough, Snape reached out and gently pulled the child to the spot in between his moved his hands, resting them on his knees as he gave the boy a firm look. "Your teacher left an interesting comment next to your math grade. Can you tell me what it says?"
Harry swallowed, his eyes falling to Snape's right hand. "I don't wanna," he whispered softly, a tear trailing down his cheek before he quickly wiped it away.
Snape raised an eyebrow at the words. "Tell me what the comment next to your math grade says young man." Snape's right hand moved from his knee, firmly tapping the small rear end.
The child jumped slightly at the tap, several more tears falling. "About the n-notes," he whispered softly.
Snape forced a confused look to take over his face. "Funny, I don't remember receiving any notes from your teacher about your math grade." Snape's hand moved to tap the small backside firmly once more. "Perhaps you can explain to me about these notes?"
"I-I.. I was trying hard to get it up so you wouldn't be mad!" Harry sniffed, rubbing at the tears on his cheeks.
Snape leaned forward putting his own face inches from Harry's. "Let's you and I get one thing very clear. I am not mad about your grade. If you are struggling with the material, I understand and I am not angry about that. I am however, quite cross that I never received the notes that your teacher says she sent home requesting a meeting. I am also not pleased that her comment also says that you do not pay attention during math." Snape's hand moved once more landing a third firm tap. "I am also disappointed that when I picked you up at school you did not tell me about this yourself. I suppose you hoped I would forget to check your report card altogether? Therefore never finding out about all of this?"
Harry shook his head, wiping away several more tears as he jumped slightly at the tap. "I-I was j-just hopin' we-we'd get to Hogwarts fiiirst." The child whined softly as he pressed both his hands to his face. Soft sobs shook his shoulders as shook his head once more.
Snape raised an eyebrow at the words. "As it stands I'm not even sure you will be going to Hogwarts this week. You certainly don't deserve to do so after all the lying you have been doing." Snape's hand gave another firm tap.
"I'm sorrry!" The child sobbed, rubbing at his cheeks with the sleeve of his shirt. "I am! It was exactly what he thought was going to happen. He shouldn't of even packed!
"You are sorry for what?" Snape's hand tapped the child's backside once more. "Why did you keep the notes from me in the first place?"
"Stooop," Harry whined, starting to shift away from the man. "Because I didn't want you angry!"
"Do not tell me to stop!" Snape landed the hardest tap yet. "Are you struggling with math or are you doing poorly because you are not paying attention?"
"I just don't get it! I don't like math!" Harry sobbed, rubbing at his eyes roughly.
Snape nodded at the words. "You hid the notes from me because you did not want me to be cross. However, if you are truly struggling I would never be angry over such a thing."
Harry sniffed loudly, a whine passing his lips as he rubbed his tears away. Slowly he lowered his hands, his eyes settling back on Snape's knee. "'M sorry."
"Keeping those notes from me was as good as telling an outright lie. As was knowing you were doing poorly in math and not telling me." Snape tapped the small rear end once more. "Tell me Harry, what happens when you lie?"
Harry's chin quivered and he shook his head. He didn't want to say, he didn't want to be punished! "Nooo."
Snape raised an eyebrow at the child. "Get your eyes off of the floor and answer my question little boy." His hand landed another firm tap.
Harry raised his eyes, cringing at the taps. They hardly hurt, but the meaning behind them spoke volumes. "I didn't really lie," he whispered, pulling at the sleeve of his shirt nervously.
"Oh you absolutely lied. Omission of the truth is still lying. You knew that your teacher gave you notes for me yet I never received them. You knew that you were struggling with math yet I was never made aware. That is lying and I plan to treat it as such. Now once more I will ask you, what happens when you lie Harry?"
"Slipper." Harry's voice was hardly above a whisper, tears welling within his eyes once more. "I'm sorry," he whispered softly.
Snape eyed the nine year old carefully. His words were true, he had promised the child on several occasions that if he lied he would take a slipper to him. So far the threat alone had worked. Harry rarely lied and when he did he typically confessed long before he was caught or he lied about something so minor that Snape could hardly get to cross. Still, Snape wasn't quite sure that nine was old enough for such a punishment. He was sure it was far too harsh.
"You are aware of that and yet you lied regardless?" Snape tapped the child's bottom once more. "You must want your first dose of the slipper then?"
Harry quickly shook his head at the man's words. He never thought the man would go through with his threat of the slipper. The idea of it alone made Harry try to stay truthful. "N-no. I dooon't!" He pressed his hands to his eyes once more, this time refusing to move them as sobs shook his small frame.
Snape reached out gently pulling the child's hands away from his eyes and holding them at his sides. "Have you any idea how disappointed I am in your actions? You are barely passing math because of your lying. Had you come to me when this all started I could have helped you study."
Harry raised his eyes up to the man, sniffing as several tears continued to fall freely down his cheeks. "I w-wanted to do it m-my seeeelf.. and you say you wouldn't of been mad but you would of! I knooow it!" Harry very nearly stomped a foot for emphasis, instead he slouched just slightly. "You s-still would of been d-disappointed!"
Snape released his grip on the child's hands before raising his own right hand to gently tap Harry's chin. "I will never be cross at you for struggling in school nor will I be disappointed." Snape's voice was far more gentle than it had been since their conversation started. "If you are having trouble with your studies and you come to me I will do everything I can to help you. Are we clear on that?"
With his hands free, Harry raised them both to rub at his cheeks to help clear away his tears. He slowly nodded, sniffing softly. "Yeah."
Snape nodded at the agreement. "I recall last year when you were having difficulty with science and you failed a test. Was I cross or disappointed then?" His hand reached out gently tapping the boy's chin once more.
Harry raised his gaze up at the gentle taps, shaking his head once more. "No," he murmured raising a hand to wipe away more tears as they fell.
"I am cross now Harry because you lied. I am also upset because your teacher said that you do not pay attention during math." Snape fixed the boy with a stern look despite his voice remaining gentle.
"I try to!" Harry sniffed, rubbing at his cheeks once more. "I really do!" The child sniffed loudly as he removed his glasses to rub at his eyes easier.
Snape held a hand out for the child's glasses. "Are you finding it hard to pay attention because you are confused about what is being taught? Or is it something else?"
Harry passed his glasses over to the man, sniffing still as he shook his head. "I don't get a lot of it." His voice remained just hardly above a whisper.
Snape placed the glasses on the table next to his armchair before sitting back up straight, his eyes locking with Harry's. "I suppose we will need to spend some time fixing that problem then won't we?"
Harry slowly nodded, forcing his eyes to meet Snape's as he did so. "Yeah. I'm sorry." He shifted in his spot, clearly wanting to go sit down.
Snape nodded at the boy's words. A moment later his right hand moved once more, firmly tapping the small rear end. "What are we going to do about the lying you did Harry?"
Harry took a step forward to get away from the tapping hand, giving the man a pleading look. "I'm sorry. I w-was just trying to make it better so-so you wouldn't get mad."
Snape shook his head firmly. "That is not an excuse to keep notes from your teacher instead of giving them to me." A stern expression took over the man's features. "Perhaps I should transfigure up a slipper and take it to your backside?"
Harry's chin quivered, several more tears falling as he shook his head. "Nooo." He raised his right hand, using his sleeve to wipe away the tears.
Snape watched the child carefully. He hardly meant his words. In his opinion, the slipper was far too serious to use on a nine year old. Still, he needed to stand by his words of promising a more serious punishment if the child lied. He was sure that if he didn't Harry wouldn't take him seriously at all. "Go to the kitchen and retrieve the wooden spoon from the drawer."
A broken sob passed the child's lips, shaking his head at the words. "Snaaape nooo." Harry pressed both his hands to his eyes, hot tears falling as he continued to shake his head slowly.
Snape raised a stern eyebrow at the words. "I asked you to do something and I expect you to listen young man."
Harry kept both his hands to his eyes as he slowly walked into the kitchen, his soft sobs shaking his shoulders. He paused when he reached the counters, leaning against them as he continued to cry into his palms.
Snape closed his eyes as he leaned back in his armchair. He slowly and silently counted backwards from ten before opening his eyes to find the child still wasn't back.
"Now Harry!" He called out in an annoyed tone. "If I have to get up in order to make you listen you have my word that you will go back over my knee at your bedtime tonight!"
Harry lowered his hands from his face at the call of his name, slowly opening the drawer and taking out the wooden spoon.
His bottom lip continued to quiver as he made his way back into the parlor and back to Snape's side. The child's face was red already from his tears with the promise of more to follow.
Snape held his hand out for the wooden spoon. He sighed softly as he took in the child's appearance. Harry was a mess and it was absolutely breaking Snape. "Calm down," Snape instructed, his words coming more harshly than he had wished them to.
Harry cringed at the tone, his breath hitching as he placed the item in Snape's outstretched hand. "I-I'm sorrry." As soon as he had both hands freed, he covered his eyes once more. He had mucked up royally this time.
Snape sighed softly as he placed the spoon on top of the boy's report card on the table next to him. He reached out and grabbed a hold on Harry's arm gently pulling the boy in between his knees once more. "Deep breath," Snape instructed in a much calmer tone. "Take a deep breath and just calm down. Let's talk about this a bit more."
Harry allowed himself to be pulled closer to the man once more, lowering his hands back to his side as he took in a deep breath. A softer sob passed his lips, sniffing loudly as he continued to take in several steady breathes. The child's eyes lowered to Snape's knee, blinking as several more tears fell from his chin. After a few long moments, Harry was able to look up at the man, his lip still quivering.
Snape gently picked the small boy up, placing him on his knee. "This is quite a bit of tears for a little punishment." Snape's hand moved, tenderly rubbing the boy's back. "You are acting as though you were not aware of what lying results in."
"S'not a little p-punishment thoooough!" Harry rested his head on Snape's shoulder as he was adjusted on the man's leg. "I-I wasn't lyyying! I just didn't want you m-mad.. and it didn't woork."
"Did your teacher give you a note and tell you to give it to me?" Snape questioned in a gentle voice. His left hand reached out, his fingers gently tapping the boy's knee. His right hand continued to rub the boy's back.
Harry slowly nodded, raising his left hand to rub at his eyes once more. "Yeah."
Snape nodded as he tapped the small knee gently once more. "I know that you know that she did so because she wanted me to come in for a meeting about your math grade. Correct?"
Once more, Harry nodded slowly. He sniffed softly, rubbing his cheek against Snape's shoulder.
Snape hummed softly. "But what did you do with that note?"
"It's in my bag still." The child lowered his gaze to his knees, resting his hands on his lap.
Snape nodded. "I'm sure that when I did not reply to the note your teacher questioned you about it. What did you tell her?" Snape's voice remained calm and gentle.
"I.. I told her that you weren't able to...that you were to busy," he murmured softly, his tears finally fading as he rubbed at his cheeks.
Snape made a soft disappointed sound at the words. "Then I am assuming some time passed and she sent a second note home with you. Is that correct?"
Harry kept his eyes down, slowly nodding at the words. "Told her the same thing."
Snape reached out a hand gently tapping the child's chin. "Now tell me how often do I ask you how your subjects are going? If you need help with any homework? If your teacher has sent anything home for me? I believe I do so nearly daily, do I not?"
"Yes Sir," Harry whispered, raising his gaze back up to the man at the tap on his chin. Fresh tears welled within in the child's eyes, Harry blinked causing several to fall.
"By my calculations you lied to me every time I questioned you about school." Snape reached a hand out, gently brushing a tear away that was running down Harry's left cheek. "You lied to your teacher as well. Then on top of your lies, you kept the notes from me."
Harry lowered his eyes once more, curling himself on the man's lap at the words. He didn't think he had lied that much.
Snape's hand tapped the boy's knee slightly firmly. "Are you not fully aware that if you lie the consequence is a spanking?"
"Yeah but.. but I didn't want you upset at my grade," Harry sniffed, rubbing under his eyes.
Snape nodded at the explanation. "That hardly excuses your lying Harry." He cleared his throat softly. "Furthermore as I told you already, I have never been upset with a poor grade that you have brought home as long as you are honest about it and tried your best."
Harry's lower lip pouted out at the man's words, several tears falling as he sniffed. "I'm sorry."
"Being apologetic about your actions is very good of you. However, it does not erase the bad behavior does it?" Snape's fingers gently tapped the small knee once more.
"It should," Harry whispered, nestling his head against the man's shoulder as he watched Snape tap his knee.
Snape hummed softly at the words. "I think that perhaps we should get your punishment over with Harry."
"No." Harry shook his head, fresh tears burning his eyes as he raised a hand to them. "It won't happen again."
"I know that it won't." Snape gently nudged the child in an attempt to get him to stand. "We are going to make sure of that."
"Noo Snaaape!" Harry attempted to keep himself still. "No I really promise! I just didn't want you maaad."
Snape sighed softly as he shook his head. The child was making this harder than he imagined it would be. "My mind isn't going to change little boy."
"Just once? I sweeear Snape." Harry whined softly, rubbing both his eyes. "I-I'll even keep the pro-promise the rest of the year!"
"You have but a moment to cooperate Harry James," Snape forced his tone to go slightly stern. "If you are unable to do so you can certainly go stand in the corner before going over my knee."
Harry lowered his gaze, slowly pushing himself off of Snape's lap before he stood in front of the man. Several tears fell as he kept his eyes on the floor, sniffing loudly. "Sorry," the child whispered softly.
Snape breathed a soft sigh of relief as the child finally cooperated with him. He reached out and gently tapped the small chin. "Eyes up please and tell me what you are going to go over my knee for." His tone was soft.
Harry raised his eyes up, his lower lip quivering as he stared at the man. "For lying," he whispered softly.
Snape nodded. "And?" He prompted softly.
"Hidin' the notes." Harry's voice was hardly above a whisper, his eyes shifting down to Snape's knee.
Snape nodded as he gently took hold of the child's hand and began guiding him to his side. "Let's get this over with shall we?"
Tears started to fall as Harry was lead to the man's side, raising his free hand to rub them away. "I'm sorry."
Snape nodded as he released his hold on the child, reaching out to unsnap his jeans before he pushed them down. "I know that you are."
Tears started to fall at the action, his breath hitching. There was no changing the man's mind.
Snape carefully guided the child over his knee sighing softly as he did so.
In the last three years Snape had never spanked the child with anything more than his hand but then Harry had never lied in such a way either.
Once the child was in position Snape took hold of the small underpants and peeled them down.
Harry's hands gripped at Snape's leg, his back tensing as his underpants were lowered. A sob passed the child's lips as he started to squirm. "Snape noo!"
Snape ignored the whining as he wrapped his left arm around the squirming child's middle. His right hand raised landing a stinging swat to the small rear end.
A yelp passed the child's mouth,his wriggling stopping instantly. Harry pressed his face into his arm, his shoulders shaking from his cries.
Snape raised his hand once more, finding a rhythm as he landed several more swats.
"Snaaape stoooop!" Harry sobbed, twisting slightly in an attempt to reach a hand a back to cover his rear.
Snape paused for a moment as he reached over and picked up the wooden spoon. He tapped Harry's backside lightly with it. "Is anything like this going to happen again?" He questioned.
Harry's body tensed, his hand falling back to grip at the man's leg. "N-no!" He sobbed, eyes closing tightly. "No I promise!"
Snape raised his hand, bringing the wooden spoon down smartly on the small rear end. "When your teacher gives you notes for me, you will give them to me?"
Snape let the wooden spoon fall once more.
Harry yelped loudly, a broken sob passing his lips as he shook his head into his arm. "I mean yes! I wiiiill!" He sobbed, his legs kicking up at the second smack.
"Tell me about lying Harry. When is it going to happen again?"
Snape let the wooden spoon fall twice more, once on each side of the boy's rear end.
"N-neveer!" The child's breath hitched, his legs kicking up as he sobbed loudly. "I'm sorrry!"
Snape paused for a moment. "Are you sure that you can behave yourself or do we need to continue with this spanking little boy?"
"I proooomise!" Harry sobbed, coughing as he attempted to catch his breath. "I'll be gooood!"
Snape let the spoon fall twice more, once on each of the child's sit spots before he placed it back on the table next to him. The arm that had been around the boy loosened before he began gently rubbing the small back.
Harry's sobs shook his small frame. His bum was on fire! "'M sorrrry," the child cried, his fingers tightening their hold on Snape's leg.
Snape cringed slightly as he looked down at the small punished backside. He carefully took hold of the boy's underpants, returning them to their rightful spot. A moment later his hand moved back to Harry's back rubbing it softly. "Okay," he said gently. "You are okay Harry."
Harry winced as his clothing was returned, his breath hitching before a loud sob passed his lips once more. His shoulders shook, raising one hand to rub at his face.
Snape continued to rub the small back for several moments before he reached out hooking his arms under Harry's armpits. He placed the child on his feet before lifting him once more and setting him on his knee. Snape's arms instantly wrapped around the small child. "Okay," he said softly. "Remember to breath."
Harry wrapped his arms tightly around Snape's neck, taking in a deep breath before it released as a hard sob.
"I-it huuurts," Harry whined softly, burrowing his head into the man's chest. "I'm sorrry!"
Snape felt a surge of guilt rush through his body at Harry's words. It was always that way. It did not matter how much it was deserved, Snape always felt horrible about dishing it out.
"I know it hurts a bit," Snape said softly as he gently rubbed the boy's back. "You will be okay."
It took several more minutes before the child finally started to calm down, his breath only hitching every few breaths. Harry shifted his head against the man's chest, raising a hand to rub under his eyes.
Snape whispered soft reassurances to Harry for several long moments as he tried to calm him down. When his tears finally started to lessen, Snape leaned down, carefully pulling Harry's jeans off his legs. Harry didn't complain as the man worked, only shifting his head to Snape's shoulder. When the pants were completely off of the child Snape laid them over the arm of his chair opposite of Harry. The man silently summoned a pair of Harry's pajama pants. "Stand up for a moment so that we can get these on you."
Harry's eyes settled on his pajama bottoms, sniffing loudly as he slowly stood up from Snape's lap. The child's lower lip quivered, his hand reaching back to rub at his bum with a soft "Owwww."
Snape leaned down holding out the pajama pants so that Harry could step into them. "Come now, they will be much more comfortable than jeans would be."
Harry did as he was told, his arms instantly wrapping back around Snape. He didn't wait to be prompted before he sat back on the man's leg after the pajama pants were on.
Snape leaned back in his chair, bringing Harry with him effectively taking some of the weight off of the child's rear end. He waved a hand once more summoning a blanket which he plucked from the air and put over Harry. "Okay?" He asked gently.
Harry slowly nodded his head against Snape's shoulder, stretching himself out slightly as his guardian leaned back. Several tears escaped, trailing down his cheeks. His eyes closed slowly, curling himself up against Snape's front.
"Why still the tears?" Snape asked gently before leaning down and placing a kiss on the top of Harry's head. "I'm not cross with you. I forgive you. You know that don't you?"
"Yeah," he murmured softly, raising a hand and rubbing at his tears. "I-I dunno w-why." Harry's breath hitched, his head tucking under Snape's chin.
Snape hummed softly at the words. "There must be some reason. Could it perhaps have something to do with Hogwarts? Or the state your rear end is in?" Snape's right hand moved to gently rub the child's back.
"Both," Harry whispered, rubbing his face against Snape's front. He gave a soft whine, wrapping his arms tightly around his guardian's neck.
"Talk to me about it then," Snape said gently as he wrapped his arms around the child tightly. "What's going on in that head of yours?"
"I-I really wa-wanted to gooo." He raised his right hand, rubbing his face. "I.. I wanted us to go be-before you read it. So at least w-we'd be theere." Harry lowered his hand back down around Snape's shoulder, sniffing.
Snape was silent for a long moment as he mulled over the child's words.
He cleared his throat, his fingers gently tapping Harry's back. "Do you think that if we go tomorrow you will be able to behave yourself there for the next week?"
"Yes," Harry instantly replied, leaning his head back to look at the man. "I promise."
Snape looked down to the boy, his face growing slightly serious. "Make no mistake Harry, if you find yourself in trouble while we are there we will come right home and you will go right back over my knee for another dose of the spoon."
Harry cringed at the promise, his shoulders hunching over slightly. "I said I promise," he replied softly.
"Okay," Snape said nodded. He hugged the child a bit tighter to his chest. "We will go tomorrow after breakfast."
Harry smiled brightly, his painful bum forgotten as he hugged the man tightly in return. "Thank you!"
"Do not thank me just yet." Snape returned the hug. "We are going to spend some time every day working on helping you understand your math work. Without whining and complaining about it. Is that clear?"
"Okay," Harry nodded, releasing Snape's neck to use both his hands to rub at his eyes.
Snape nodded with a soft sigh as he looked down at the child. He leaned back a bit further in his chair, adjusting Harry on his lap before he waved a hand summoning a washcloth. He quickly charmed it to remain cold. "Lie your head back."
Harry rested back against his guardian, his eyes closing as he laid his back on the man's shoulder. He sniffed softly, releasing a breath.
Snape held the washcloth, gently tending to the skin around the child's eyes. "Perhaps a bit of a nap before dinner?" He held the washcloth firmly yet gently under Harry's left eye.
Harry looked ready to argue before his body relaxed completely. "Can I stay down here?" He whispered, peering his right eye open to look towards Snape.
Snape nodded. "You can stay right where you are on my lap if you like." Snape moved the washcloth to under the boy's right eye.
Harry smiled softly at the answer, nodding at the words as he closed both his eyes once more. "Kay then," he whispered. "Love you." The child adjusted himself on the man's lap, nestling further against him.
Snape set the washcloth on the table next to him before leaning his head down to place a kiss on the boy's forehead. "I love you too, very much."