The Bribe:
Ariadne met George and Fred at the Gryffindor table for supper. None of them touched their food. Snape had demanded that they present themselves in his office by 6 p.m. and not a minute later.
"Let's just not go," Ariadne suggested smiling.
George and Fred smiled back at her.
"We could use a shield charm," Fred said smiling.
"How about a reflecting charm? Let him know how it feels," George suggested.
"How about the confundus charm?" Ariadne suggested.
"Imperio always works," Fred said.
"That charm is illegal," Hermione said not looking up from her book.
"Gee, Hermione we didn't know that," George said.
"Thanks for telling us," Fred said.
"Yeah, I would hate to go to Azkaban," Ariadne said.
"Why not? Isn't that your family's summer home? I bet they still have your daddy's cell waiting just for you," Malfoy sneered.
Malfoy felt three spells hitting him at once. Ginny hit him with bat bogey hex, Harry with the jelly-leg jinx, and Ron with the jelly-finger jinx.
Snape strode over from the head table and reversed the spells within seconds. McGonagall who wasn't far behind dragged the three culprits out after taking 150 points from Gryffindor.
"Your friends didn't help your cause. Twenty minutes," Snape said walking Malfoy out of the Great Hall.
"That was great," Ariadne laughed.
"Bats flying out of his nose," Fred laughed.
"Flopping on the floor like a fish and not even able to beat the bats away," George laughed almost falling onto the floor.
"Do you think they planned it?" Ariadne said as a howler landed on the table between George and Fred.
"MUM," the twins said in horror.
"WHAT WERE YOU THINKING? HOW DARE YOU BE OUT OF BED AFTER HOURS AND TURN THE SLYTEHRIN FURNITURE INTO WILD HORSES. I GUESS I WASN'T CLEAR THIS SUMMER. TRUST ME, I WILL BE THIS WEEKEND WHEN YOU COME HOME. PLUS DRAGGING LITTLE ARIADNE INTO YOUR SCHEMES, I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU WOULD DO SUCH A THING."
The howler tore itself up and the trio glared at Percy.
"I warned you," Percy said as he walked away smirking.
"Like you dragged me into anything," Ariadne said rolling her eyes.
"Oh Percy is going to pay," Fred promised.
The three sat in silence contemplating Percy, the Howler, and Snape. Finally George said,
"Snape awaits."
"Who would you rather face tonight? Mum or Snape?" Fred asked as they walked out of the hall.
"Snape. Dad might still be at work," George said.
"I would always rather face your dad," Ariadne said smiling.
"Where were we when we were so rudely interrupted?" Fred asked trying to lighten the mood.
"Imperio and I think that is the best bet.I've always wanted to control everything that Snape does throughout the day. I would make him give 200 points to Gryffindor and hex Malfoy," Ariadne laughed.
"I think cunfundus. Think about it Snape would be able to put a thought together, let alone administer punishment," George said.
"How about a memory charm, let him forget all about last night?" Fred suggested.
"I wonder if we could get away with a cushioning charm," Ariadne said
The three contemplated different ways to stop Snape from delivering the dreaded punishment, laughing the entire way to the dungeons. They knew they wouldn't be laughing anytime soon.
"Let's go face the giant bat," Fred said when they reached the classroom.
"I thought we were going to call him a prat this week?" George asked.
"I prefer greasy git," Ariadne said laughing.
"I prefer Professor Snape or Sir," Snape sneered. Making the teenagers jump. "In."
The three grimaced and followed Snape into his classroom.
"Miss Lupin and George Weasly you may find a corner, while I deal with the other Mr. Weasly."
Ariadne and George gave Fred a small smile before they found a corner. Fred followed Snape into his office and saw the dreaded paddle sitting next to the desk.
"Mr. Weasly you know the drill by now."
Fred dropped his trousers and bent over the desk to await the punishment. Snape always made it worse by tapping the paddle lightly on his backside while explaining the full extent of the punishment.
"You will receive twenty swats, Mr. Weasly. After we are finished you will switch your with your bother. You will stand there with your arms at your sides and you will not rub the sting out until I give you leave, finally you will write 200 times 'I will respect my professors at all times'. That's for your little conversation in the hall about what you should call me. Do you understand?"
"Yes sir," Fred said miserably trying to prepare himself for the first blow and promising himself that he wasn't going to cry. He would not give Snape the satisfaction.
CRACK. CRACK. CRACK. CRACK. CRACK.
'Ok,' Fred thought crying is going to have to go back on the table. That really hurt, Snape wasn't holding back tonight. No begging, yeah that's what he'll do. No begging.
CRACK. CRACK. CRACK. CRACK. CRACK.
"Halfway there Mr. Weasly," Snape said without emotion.
'Merlin's beard only half way and his bum was on fire. Why couldn't Snape leave him with the delusion that he was almost finished? The man was evil, plain and simple,' Fred thought.
Fred yelped as Snape delivered the next three swats and the time for begging was upon him,
"Pleeeeese sir. I'm soooooorry, Pleeeese stop, I promise that I will never prank your house again. Pleeeeese Professor."
Snape ignored Fred's pleas and continued the spanking. The boy brought this on himself and needed the lesson. Fred gave into his sobs after another three swats with the vicious paddle, hoping it would be over soon.
Snape closed the spanking by putting his full strength into the last two swats, wanting the boy to feel it every time he sat down for the next day or so. Fred sobbed on the table for a few minutes not realizing it was over. Thinking Fred had enough time to compose himself, Snape said,
"Right your cloths and send in your brother. Remember don't even think of rubbing the sting out."
Fred walked stiffly out into the classroom, still crying.
"Your turn," Fred said taking George's spot in the corner and giving him a sympathetic smile.
George walked into Snape's office angry. How dare someone hurt his brother like that, but then remembered that he was going to hurt that bad a few minutes from now. Well, he wasn't going to cry or beg not matter what.
George resolve lasted one swat longer than Fred's before he was begging Snape to stop.
Ariadne hated that she was last, but also didn't want her punishment to start. Fred was still sniffling in the corner, so she knew it was going to be bad. She also heard, George's pleas begin a few seconds ago and she cringed in sympathy. All too soon, George walked out and said,
"Your turn."
Ariadne walked slowly into Snape's office; unlike Fred and George she didn't notice a paddle instead she saw a vicious looking cherry hairbrush.
"I considered using the paddle on you, but I feel you are too young and small to stand at the desk and take it."
"I can take it," Ariadne said stubbornly. She hated being small for her age and didn't like when anyone pointed it out to her.
"Always arguing, why is that?"
"Because you're always wrong," Ariadne said not thinking.
"Not wise, Miss Lupin, not wise. Now I have to deal with your disrespect as well. Come here child," Snape said shaking his head and thought 'she has no sense of self preservation.'
Ariadne walked over and Snape pulled her over his knee. Snape did not make her take her trousers down, instead he transfigured them into light pajama bottoms. It would have the same effect, but would not affect her modesty.
"You were only going to get twenty with the brush, but you earned yourself another five with your little act of disrespect a few seconds ago."
Ariadne's mouth wanted to say something else but her bum told her to shut up. Like the boys she vowed not to cry or beg Snape to stop, but she knew she was deluding herself. The few times Snape had spanked her, she was a sobbing mess before it was close to being over.
Snape began and swatted each spot twice before moving on. Like always he gave just enough times between swats for the stinging flames to subside only to double in strength when the brush landed again. By the third time around, Ariadne was crying and begging him to stop.
"We would have been finished, but your cheek has added these and I am going to make the last five really count," Snape said tipping his leg to give him full access to her sit-spots. He used a great deal of force, as he brought the brush down over and over.
Ariadne was sobbing when he brought her back into the classroom.
"Mr. Weasly you may try and rub the sting out now. Miss Lupin you have the thirty minutes to wait and then the three of you will complete the lines," Snape said sitting at his desk to grade papers.
After the thirty minutes were up, Snape gave Ariadne all of five minutes to rub the sting out before leading the trio over to a desk and making them sit on stools that would not allow their feet to touch the floor so they could write the lines.
"Remember I need to be able to read them. I know in your condition you want to finish as quickly as possible so you might tend to scribble the lines out. I will not hesitate to make you write the lines again," Snape sneered.
It took them another hour to finish the lines before they were finally released.
"Ok, no pranking Snape for a while. Twenty with that paddle will stay with me until the weekend," Fred said rubbing his still stinging bum.
"Just in time for Mum," George said miserably rubbing his as well.
"I got twenty-five with the brush and I am sure Uncle Remus won't give me time to recover," Ariadne said, "plus I have the escape and hexing Harry to deal with. I really don't think my bum is going to be able to recover from this."
"You hexed Harry," Fred asked incredulously.
"Why?" George said.
"Because, I'm a git," Ariadne said miserably.
"He was talking to you about Sirius," Fred said.
"I bet he understands why you did it," George said.
"He does and he isn't mad, but Uncle Remus is big on the no hexing people thing," Ariadne said.
"Well this is where we leave you," George said.
"When you're finally finished being grounded, we want to show you something," Fred said.
"I hate when you do that. Now I am going to be living in suspense for weeks," Ariadne said.
"Think of it like Christmas," Fred said.
"The waiting is usually worth it and I promise it will be," George said mischievously.
Ariadne walked into the residence and saw Harry was in the corner rubbing his bum for his actions in the Great Hall.
"Sorry, Harry," Ariadne whispered to him as she walked by, making Harry smile.
"SIT," Remus said pointing to the couch thankfully. Ariadne still couldn't sit without tearing up and hissing.
"Please don't spank me. I'm sorry for sneaking out and hexing Harry. I know I was wrong and you have every right to punish me for it. I just can't take another spanking tonight. Snape was ruthless," Ariadne said with puppy dog eyes that were tearing at the thought of another spanking.
Remus tried not to smile, she looked absolutely adorable when she made that face. He knew Severus was not going to let the three of them off easy and he shouldn't have.
"Professor Snape and whose fault is that?" Remus asked instead.
"Mine, but I got twenty-five with the brush, had to stand in the corner for an hour and a half, plus write lines on a hard stool. My bum is killing me," Ariadne whined.
"Severus said he was only giving you twenty with the brush and no lines. What else happened?"
Ariadne cursed in her head.
"I was cheeky right before he spanked me and we kinda called him names before we walked into his room. Of course he heard," Ariadne said spitefully.
"What did I say I would do if Severus had to punish you for disrespect?"
"Awe, come on. Uncle Remus," Ariadne whined.
"Ariadne."
"A good mouth washing and I would be grounded for a week."
"Scourgify."
Ariadne mouth filled with soap and tears streamed down her face as the rancid taste astounded her senses. Remus made her hold it for almost five minutes and she was gagging by the time she was allowed to spit it out.
"Harry, your corner time is over. Feel free to go to your room," Remus said.
Harry walked away and Ariadne saw the red rims and spat,
"You should have heard what Malfoy said."
"And you should watch your tone," Remus warned.
"Harry was protecting me and you spanked him for it. It's not fair."
"Life isn't fair."
"Yeah, I know. Look at mine and Harry's. Our lives haven't been fair since October 31, 1981," Ariadne said bitterly crossing her arms.
"Ariadne, come here," Remus said.
"UNCLE REMUS, PLEASE DON'T SPANK ME," Ariadne begged tearing up.
"Come here," Remus said again.
Ariadne walked toward her uncle crying, knowing arguing would only make things worse. Remus picked her up and hung her injured posterior off his leg as he held her. She leaned into his chest and he held her until she stopped crying. When she was finished he sat her back down gently and said,
"I know, a lot has happened in the past few weeks. I know you think that your life isn't fair and you're right. Voldemort has taken so much away from you and Harry."
"Why am I so angry about it and Harry isn't?"
"Harry's had more time to deal with it. Voldemort killed his family when he was two. When he found out the truth about that night he realized that his parents were not the horrible people his Aunt and Uncle said they were, instead he found out they were heroes. You on the other hand learned that your father was a mass murderer only to find out he spent twelve years in Azkaban for something he didn't do and the only reason you grew up without a family was because of an impulsive choice he made."
"Uncle Remus, you know that I love living with you and I'm so glad that you have always taken care of me. You're the best father in the world," Ariadne said smiling, "It's just that I can't help but wonder what my life would have been like if Harry's father and Sirius hadn't made the choices they did."
"Who doesn't think of how their lives could have been different? I wonder all the time of how different my life would have been if I wouldn't have been bitten as a child," Remus said.
"I hate feeling this way. I wish I never heard of Sirius Black," Ariadne said resentfully.
She heard Remus sigh sadly before he asked,
"So, you wish your father was still in Azkaban?"
"I'm not saying that. Peter Pettigrew could have been found without me knowing who he is."
"Remus, can I come out," Harry asked. He had been listening at the door the entire time.
"That would be fine," Remus said. He knew Harry could help and felt bad about spanking the boy earlier. He was planning on grounding Harry for an extra week, but the boy's temper and attitude left him with little choice in the matter.
Harry walked over and sat gently on the couch next to Ariadne, wiggling to find a comfortable position without having any luck
"If we hadn't found out about Sirius in Hogsmeade, we never would have learned about Pettigrew and noticed his name on the map," Harry said.
"But when Uncle Remus took it, I'm sure he would have noticed him," Ariadne argued.
"No, I wouldn't have," Remus said picking up the map, "I solemnly swear I'm up to no good."
The map appeared.
"Look at all of the people on the map. There is no way to find a specific person without knowing who you were looking for," Remus said.
"It's true. The only reason I saw Pettigrew was…" Harry's eyes darted in Remus's direction, not wanting to admit what he was looking at the map for.
"You were going to sneak out of the castle or around the castle after you promised you wouldn't. You wanted to see where I was and where other members of the staff were," Remus finished.
"Yes sir," Harry said looking embarrassed and a little apprehensive.
Remus just shook his head. These two were going to be the death of him.
"Well I was looking at every corridor, because I couldn't find Mrs. Norris, when I spotted him. I went looking for him, but couldn't find him."
"And the next day you told me to look for him, so that was my focus," Ariadne said.
"And when I confiscated the map, it was my main focus," Remus said.
"So, if we didn't know about what Sirius did, he would still be on the run or be back in Azkaban," Harry said.
"I still don't like feeling this way," Ariadne pouted.
"I understand that. Why do you think I am pushing you so hard to accept Sirius?" Remus asked.
"Because he is your friend and…." Ariadne stopped herself.
"And?" Remus asked.
"I'm tired," Ariadne said getting up only to have Remus grab her arm to stop her.
"And?" Remus asked a little firmer.
Ariadne looked at Harry and Remus both and debated if she should answer the question truthfully or keep it in her head. Remus would deny it no matter what and she didn't want to worry Harry. Harry loved living with them and he lost so many things. She made a decision that would probably cause a row, but wouldn't make Harry worry.
"Nothing," Ariadne said stubbornly.
"You don't end a sentence with and, because it means you have something more to say," Remus said trying to keep his patients.
"And I don't want to tell you," Ariadne snapped.
"Ariadne, I love you and want to know what is going on in that beautiful mind of yours. For some reason you are looking at everything through a negative light when anyone mentions Sirius. It worries me," Remus said.
"Uncle Remus, I'm fine," Ariadne said crossing her arms and setting her jaw in defiance.
"No you're not," Harry said before Remus could say a word.
"Some friend you are. You're supposed to be on my side," Ariadne said harshly.
"I'm on your side, by telling you the truth."
"You know what, I'm done with this conversation," Ariadne said getting up again. This time Remus said something,
"You will sit back down right now and we will finish this conversation."
"FINE," Ariadne said.
Remus counted to twenty in his head before speaking again,
"AND what?"
"I'm scared," Ariadne said in a small voice.
Harry grabbed her hand and squeezed. That was something he never expected to hear from Ariadne.
"Of what?" Remus asked.
"Losing everything," Ariadne said.
Remus pulled Ariadne back onto his lap wrapping his arms around her hoping to make her feel secure as he said the next words,
"Why would you lose everything?"
"He's my father. He has the right to change everything. What if he wants us to move out? You know he has just as much right to Harry as he does to me. He could pull us out of school or he could make it so we can never talk to you again."
"Not going to happen," Remus promised.
"How do you know? He hasn't had time to process much yet. What if he decides he's mad at you for not believing him?"
"Two reasons. First, he wouldn't do that and second I wouldn't let it happen," Remus said.
"Ariadne, Sirius doesn't want to take us away from Remus," Harry said.
"How do you know?" Ariadne asked.
"Because, if he truly loves you like I know he does, he never would hurt you so bad," Harry said.
"I'm still scared."
"Come on," Remus said getting up taking Ariadne's hand.
"I don't want to go up there," Ariadne said.
"I think it's the only way," Remus said gently.
"I don't," Ariadne argued.
"Come on, what would it hurt?" Harry asked.
Ariadne looked at both Harry and Remus deciding that arguing wasn't going to work tonight, so she might as well follow them up to the hospital wing. It didn't mean she was going to talk to Sirius.
Before she knew it they were there. Sirius wasn't expecting visitor and appeared to be asleep.
"Guess we can go," Ariadne whispered walking back towards the door.
"I'm awake," Sirius mumbled sitting up. The look of absolute disappointment on his daughter's face broke his heart . "I love having visitors."
"Hey, Sirius," Harry said.
"Hi Padfoot," Remus said.
Ariadne just crossed her arms, but knew better than to look away. Remus was already shooting daggers at her for not saying hi.
"How was your night?" Sirius asked.
"Awful," Harry said.
"Why?" Sirius asked.
"I decided to hex Malfoy and Remus decided to punish me for it," Harry complained glaring at Remus.
"So I take it you don't want to sit down?" Sirius teased.
"I'd rather not," Harry said blushing profusely.
"Sirius, I'm going to leave you with these two. I know you want to talk to them about things," Remus said walking away. As he passed Ariadne he whispered, "Give him a chance, if not for you for me."
Ariadne looked at him and saw the sad look in his eyes. So she said,
"Ok."
Remus gave her a hug and walked out of the hospital wing.
"Hi, Ariadne," Sirius said.
"Hi," Ariadne said grudgingly.
"How was your night?"
"You already know," Ariadne snapped making Harry push her slightly. "Sorry, it was awful like Harry's."
"Remus said you think I am going to take you away from him," Sirius said cutting to the chase.
"Aren't you?"
"What would you like me to do?" Sirius asked.
"Keep everything the way it is," Ariadne said honestly.
"How about you Harry?"
"I still want to live with Remus, but I want to spend time with you too."
"Well, Remus and I talked last night and we came up with a plan. I'm moving into his quarters and you both are moving back into Gryffindor tower. I know you're grounded for a few more weeks, but Remus and I think it would be a good idea to let you get back into a somewhat normal routine, because of everything that has happened in the last few months. The only difference is you will come down to the quarters every night for supper, so I can get a chance to know both of you."
"Why?" Ariadne asked.
"Because you're my daughter and Harry's my godson."
"What's going to happen after school gets out?" Ariadne asked.
"That will be up to you and Harry. I have a long road to recovery and Remus is being nice enough to take me in until I am better. He is doing this as my friend and because of you two."
"Sounds good, Sirius," Harry said.
Ariadne narrowed her eyes still not trusting the man, but was happy that she wasn't going to be grounded anymore. Fred and George had something they wanted to show her, plus she was ready for some more fun next time without getting caught.
"So you're bribing us," Ariadne finally said.
"I guess you could call it that," Sirius said smiling.
Ariadne had to smile at that. Maybe Sirius wasn't so bad after all.
A/N: I am finally moved :) Thanks for the reviews, story alerts, and story favorites. They really make my day :) Sorry the first draft had so many mistakes.