Harry Potter Junior Level: Year Two

Ch. 37

Professors, Pixies and Plans

The following day after the disastrous Hogsmeade Trip, Sirius calls Ron and Blaise to his office in the Astronomy classroom.

"Boys I am very disappointed in your behavior yesterday. Deliberately defying the rules by leaving the castle grounds without permission. Sneaking out under the invisibility cloak to Hogsmeade and then stealing candy! You took this cloak from Harry's trunk without his permission which is also stealing. He did not even know the cloak was there so either both of you or one of you broke into his trunk and took it. Both of you have lost 20 points each! Ron, I know your parents have taught you not to steal and would be extremely disappointed in your behavior. Blaise, I don't know your father well, but I do know he would not find your behavior at all acceptable. I have thought about your punishment overnight and have also talked to the Headmaster. We have decided to give you two boys a choice. You may choose accepting punishment from me, as your Head of House or we can contact your Fathers, have them come to the school to talk about what went on yesterday. I'll let you think on that for a few minutes. You two remain right here and I'll be back for your decision in just a few minutes."

Leaving the two boys to ponder their punishment, Sirius takes the time to go over to the Gryffindor dorm. Walking in, he finds most of the students are outside enjoying a warmer sunny day. Quickly moving up the stairs to Harry's room, he checks the lock on his son's trunk. Finding it unlocked he looks inside. The photo album, plush toy, and other assorted items are all there. Closing the lid, Sirius places a simple locking charm on the trunk. Taking his wand and casting "Alohomora" he hears the lid unlock. Closing the lid once more, Sirius performs a more difficult spell to magically lock the trunk. Raising his wand, pointing to the trunk he intones "Coloportus". Hearing the lock fasten he tries the Alohomora charm once more. The lid stays locked until he casts "Aperta" which opens the trunk. Satisfied he has successfully locked Harry's possessions from other children, he leaves the dorm to return to his office making a mental note to teach these spells to Harry.

While Sirius is performing charms and spells on Harry's trunk, Ron and Blaise are discussing their fate.

"If we choose for him to punish us, what does that mean? What does Head of House punishment mean?" Blaise asks.

"It could mean anything from writing lines or essays, to detention, to being confined to the dorm room or a spanking. I've had all of those from him. The absolute worst is the spanking! His hand is bloody hard and that ruler he has in his desk burns more than my Dad's hairbrush."

"Your Dad paddles you with a hairbrush? That's barbaric, Weasley! You ought to turn anyone who hits you in to the Child Wizarding Authority. My parent would if someone paddles me! My Father never paddles me! He might send me to my room for an hour or take away my broom for a few hours but he never hits me. Hitting is just wrong."

"Well Blaise, my parents don't think of it as hitting. It's punishment to show they are displeased. It is on my bum and they never leave marks. Draco can tell you what abusing a kid is like. His Father used to abuse him with a cane. He has scars from it on his back. That is what Child Wizarding Authority thinks is abuse, not spankings."

Having heard the last part of the conversation while standing just outside his office, Sirius can guess what the boys have been discussing. Walking in, he deliberately sits down on his chair and opens the drawer containing the ruler. Reaching in, he places the thick wooden instrument on his desk in full view of the two children.

"Well boys, what is your decision. Do I need to floo call your parents or do we handle this right now? Either way, your parents will be notified. If you choose Head of House punishment, I will be sending an owl detailing what the misbehavior was and how it was dealt with. Mr. Weasley? What do you prefer?" Sirius asks the red headed boy.

"I am sorry Professor Black. I was wrong to go along with a plan I knew was breaking rules. I know better than to steal and my parents would be so disappointed and hurt. I choose Head of House punishment, sir." Ron replies quickly returning his tear filled eyes to the floor after looking at Sirius.

"Very well. And you Mr. Zabini? What have you decided?"

"I want to talk to my Father. He won't allow you to punish me." Blaise informs Sirius loftily.

"Very well, return to your dorm room and you will be called when your Father arrives. Oh, and Mr. Zabini? You and Mr. Weasley have detention with Mr. Filch for one week, for leaving the castle grounds. Two hours beginning after supper each night. Professor Dumbledore asked me to inform you of this punishment."

Twenty minutes later one boy with a slightly sore bum walks into his dorm room.

"So, what punishment did our oh so mighty Head of House use?" Blaise asks in a bored tone as he puts the comic book he's reading to the side.

"The ruler. I got twelve licks and a long lecture. I also have to write 200 lines by Tuesday evening of "I will ask permission before going through someone else's belongings."

Just as he finishes speaking, Dobby pops into the room.

"Mr. Zabini's Father arrived. Professor Black and Headmaster Dumbledore say come to Headmaster's office now. Dobby will pop you there."

Arriving in the Headmaster's office, Blaise sees his Father sitting in front of the Headmaster's desk and Sirius sitting beside him.

"Father, they are wanting to punish me. I did nothing wrong at least nothing others didn't also do."

"Your Head of House tells me you left school grounds without permission. That is one of the rules, Blaise. Is it also true you stole from a fellow student and from a candy shop?"

"So did Weasley! He's not enduring a lecture!"

"Ron Weasley chose to allow me as Head of House to administer his punishment. You chose to have your Father called to the school." Sirius reminds the petulant child.

"Weasley is a whinging baby. I'm not. Father, they want to paddle me. I told Weasley that I'd have you report it to Child Wizarding Authority if they hit me! Also they expect ME to scrub dirty toilets and floors for detention! That's below a Zabini, right Father?"

Listening to the scornful tone of his son, Mr. Zabini turns to Sirius. "Is it true that you spank the boys?"

"With parental permission, yes, I do use spanking as one form of discipline. I also assign lines, essays, take points, assign detention as punishment. Spankings are reserved for extreme misbehavior or when a student has been disciplined other ways and continues to misbehave. I treat my dorm children the same as my own son. He doesn't get by with breaking rules and they don't either. I don't have a Permission for Corporal Punishment form signed for Blaise so we called you. This is not the first or even second time he has been caught breaking rules. He has been in detention six times and that's in this term only."

"I understand. Would you mind gentlemen, if I take care of this here in this office? If you will kindly give me one of those consent forms I will sign it today. For some reason, I never saw the original." Mr. Zabini replies while looking at his shocked son.

"By all means. Sirius and I will leave you for a time to discuss this. The form is here on the corner of the desk." Dumbledore answers waving his wand over the corner indicated.

"Well Blaise Addonis Zabini? What do you have to say for yourself? I am appalled at this report I've been given. Your Mother and I raised a son who seems to think he's superior to other children. That is wrong. You are here to receive magical training and the best education in the United Kingdom! Instead, you become an insolent little thief! I will not allow you to ruin your educational career by breaking the law! I'm signing this paper giving your Head of House permission to punish you as he sees fit. I will ask to be notified beforehand though."

"Father! What are you doing?" Blaise asks, as his Father transfigures one of Headmaster Dumbledore's books into a sturdy wooden ruler.

"Precisely what needs to be done. You, young man are about to receive a long overdue paddling! Your mother doesn't believe in this but I do! Today it will be ten with the ruler and the rest with my hand. If I have to be called away from work to come here again, because of your behavior, it will be all fifteen with the ruler!" Mr. Zabini replies pulling his child over his lap.

"You are also going to serve the detention assigned, young man. When you decide to break the rules then you will accept the consequences. I am ashamed of your behavior but I still love you." Mr. Zabini informs the now crying boy in his arms.

"I'm sorry, Dad. I will behave better. You spank so hard!"

"I meant this lesson to be remembered. Now, I am going to call in your professor and Headmaster as you are to apologize to them as well. After that, you go straight to your dorm room and stay until morning."

Outside the Headmaster's office, Dumbledore casts a silencing charm before scolding "Sirius Orion Black! Eavesdropping! I know for a fact you would punish your son for doing such a thing and here you are doing it yourself!"

"Yes, but my son is ten and I'm an adult."

At the stern disapproving look he receives with that comment, Sirius explains "I want to hear the boy get what's coming to him. The child has such a superior attitude. He reminds me of Draco before Severus took over raising him. Draco is a different boy now with love and guidance." Sirius answers smiling back at the twinkling eyed older man.

"I too, wish to see the boy disciplined. That love and guidance makes all the difference in children."

While everyone was out of the dorm room, Ron takes the time to open Blaise's side of the wardrobe. Unleashing the pixies he caught during Magical Creatures class he quickly slams the door shut. Giggling to himself at what will happen later, he joins Neville in the common room for a game of chess. Trying to teach Neville chess has been an ongoing event for weeks. The boy is making progress but very slowly.

The spanking over and having apologized both to the Headmaster and Sirius, Blaise makes his way back to his dorm. Coming in through the portrait hole he finds Ron and Neville playing exploding snap.

"Hello Zabini, wanta play?" Ron asks the boy.

"No thank you. I'll just go up and do some homework. I'll see you for dinner later."

"He actually used manners. What's gotten into him?" Neville whispers, shocked.

"I think he got his bum busted. He's teary eyed and walking stiffly. He wanted his Dad to come instead of letting Professor Black take care of his punishment. Something tells me this didn't quite go as he planned! I kinda feel for him as I think this is his first ever." Ron whispers back.

"First ever what?"

"Spanking. I guessed that he's never been walloped before from his reaction. I don't even remember my first one!"

"Ron, you listen to the twins too often and try to follow in their footsteps so you get in trouble often." Hermione speaks up from the lounge chair where she's reading.

"How do you read and follow conversations at the same time? Besides, who asked you for advice?'

"No one but someone needs to give you some! Maybe then you'd stay out of trouble and Harry could also! Friends don't get other friends in trouble, Ron."

"Just read and leave us be. We're fine, thank you." Ron answers back.

Minutes later the children hear shouting and loud bangs coming from upstairs on the boy's side of the dorm.

"What is going on up there?" Hermione asks.

"Beats me, it must be Blaise throwing things in a fit." Ron answers hiding the smirk from his too inquisitive friend.

"Ron! You need to go check on him. He could be hurt and needing a professor."

"Fine, Hermione. I'll go look but I'm not staying there with him. He got me in serious trouble with Professor Black!"

"Zabini? Is that you doing all that screaming? Do you need Professor Black to come?"

"No, don't call anyone, just come help. There are pixies in here!"

"Merlin! How did they get in here?" Ron asks, pretending shock and trying hard not to smile at Blaise dashing around the room.

After ten minutes of running and trapping the pixies under pillowcases and blankets, the boys had them caught and put in a pillowcase for the trip to Hagrid. Blaise wanted to let them loose outside but Ron insisted on taking them down to Hagrid the following day.

Two weeks later as the boys are leaving Care of Magical Creatures as Harry asks "Drake? Have you decided who you are asking to your birthday party?"

"Dad said I could have four guests plus you. Harry? I don't know what to do at a birthday party. Could you help me plan one? Lucius and my Mother always arranged for their friends and their children to come to a dinner on my birthday. I never was able to do much but be a "perfect host." We never had games or birthday cake or fun as you did at your birthday. I don't know how to do a party like that."

"We'll think up a fabulous party. Don't worry. How about a prank war party? That would be brilliant! We could get pranks from Gambol and Japes!"

"Harry! I think you've forgotten who I live with. Your Dad would love for you to have a Pranking Party but mine would never allow me to do such a thing! What do you think about a Quidditch party? We could go down to the field and have a mock game."

"Yes, that's good but you need more than six people to play Quidditch. Maybe we can convince Uncle Severus to allow a few more guests if we say we'll have an outside party. Let's go talk to him and I think I can get him to come around."

"I don't know if this is a good time. He was irritable in Potions, remember? He took points from both of us and gave us that look."

"What look? I missed seeing a look as I was a little busy reading the text."

"You know! One of those Dad looks. The kind where they are telling you straighten it up or suffer a sore bum! Merlin, all we did was 'accidentally' drop some ingredients in Jeremy's cauldron. It didn't even blow up. It just turned that wonderful sick green color. Jeremy didn't even get hurt. He deserved to have his potion ruined as he's been awful ever since his brother was punished by Dad."

"Yes, it's not your fault Matthew was punished for misbehaving at Hogsmeade. Jeremy just took that as a reason to cause you and me too, more trouble. If I wouldn't get in major trouble, I'd hex him! Dad would burn my bum if I did! Yours would too so stop thinking about it! You don't want to get punished."

"How'd you even know what I was thinking? Can you do that legeligism thing now?" Draco asks, frowning at his cousin.

"Legilimens" and no, I don't know how to do that. You have to be taught how and no one teaches that at Hogwarts. I can tell you were thinking of hexing by the look in your eyes. I know you well now, Drake!"

"Now back to the first topic, Uncle Severus knows we were the ones who ruined the potion? I thought he docked points for us whispering! Hmm, yeah this isn't a good time to be going to talk to your Dad about your party. I think next week might be better! He will have calmed down by then. Let's go to the Black Lake and see if the Giant Squid is awake. I don't want to go to the castle just yet. A few more hours and we might be able to sneak into the dorm. We'll just have Dobby bring in dinner and skip the Great Hall tonight too. I don't want to risk running into your Dad."

"Good plan. It's a good thing we aren't grounded. We can walk around outside as long as we are with someone. It gets boring being stuck inside all the time." Draco answers.

Sitting under a tree watching the lake, Harry asks "Is this lake named after my Dad's family? Do you know?"

"I don't know but I'm sure Hermione would. Here she comes, so ask her."

"What are you two doing out here? Don't you know it's time for dinner? Harry, your Dad's been looking for you. He wants you to come by his Quarters tonight before curfew."

"Hello to you too, Hermione." Draco replies glaring at the girl.

"Hello Draco. Professor Snape sent a message to you. He was going to owl it but when I said I saw you two going to the lake and would go get you, he sent it along. So here you are." Hermione answers passing over a folded piece of parchment.

Taking the parchment but not opening it, Draco reminds Harry, "You were going to ask her something, remember?'

"Yeah, Um, Hermione? I was wondering if the Black Lake was named for my Dad's family. You have memorized Hogwarts, A History so I'd guess you'd know."

"It isn't mentioned in the book but I would say it's named after the color of the lake not a family. You ought to be asking your Dad not me. Draco, aren't you going to read the note? He told me to say "Read the note and obey." I think you had best do what he says."

"Merlin, Hermione! Do you always have to be such a ..." Draco starts before Harry quickly puts his hand over his cousin's mouth.

"No, don't say it! I think you best read the note and we need to start back. It is getting later than we thought."

Nodding, Draco unfolds the parchment to read:

"Draco,

We need to have a discussion. You can not avoid me forever.

Be in our quarters by five o'clock or I will come to the dorm and you won't be happy when I arrive!

Your father,

Severus Snape

"What time is it?" He asks looking at Harry.

"Four forty. What did the note say?"

"I'm to show up at home at five or he'll come up to the dorm. We best start back as you said. I guess we are both in trouble after all. You having to go to your Dad at the same time as me doesn't look good."

"We need to hurry then, it's a long walk." Hermione informs them.

"You walk if you want. I'm running!" Draco answers taking off at a fast pace.

"I'll walk with you Hermione. He's worried about being in trouble for what he did in Potions today. Did you see it? It was brilliant!"

"Harry! It wasn't brilliant. Yes, I saw the potion. You mean Draco caused that mishap?"

"You sound like a grown person with the word 'mishap'. Talk like a kid sometime! You are only a little older than me! Yes, he dropped the ingredients in the cauldron on purpose. I was the one who told him which ones to get. I wanted to be sure it wouldn't explode. I'm hoping no one but you knows that part."

"You can keep hoping that, young man but you will be wrong! Hello Hermione, go on to dinner now. I'll have Harry in the dorm by curfew." Sirius's voice says from behind them.

"DAD! Where did you come from? How did you get behind us when we didn't see you?"

"I AM a wizard, Harry. I use magic to do some things. Say goodbye to Hermione."

"Goodbye Hermione. I'll see you later, maybe."

"Goodbye Harry and Professor Black." Hermione replies turning and walking off towards the castle doors.

"Well, son, what would you like to tell me about this Potion's incident today?"

"I'm sorry, Dad. Jeremy Pippen has been harassing me and Draco for two weeks. He trips us in the corridors, makes us drop our books, he pushed Draco and nearly made him fall down the moving staircase but I caught his robe. It's been something or more every day. We wanted to get back at him. Draco wanted to make the potion boil over but I said no. We were brewing a boil cure potion but it still could have hurt him or someone."

"That was good of you to stop Draco but why is it Jeremy is aggravating the two of you? What happened to cause this?" Sirius asks as they walk.

"He said it was our fault that you caught his brother at Hogsmeade and Uncle Sev had his brother sent home for a week! It's not our fault Matthew was a prat and tore up the store."

"You're right, it isn't anything that you or Draco caused. The blame falls on Mr. Pippen for his reprehensible behavior. Nevertheless, what are you to do if someone is causing trouble and you can't handle the problem?"

"Come to you or another adult. But Dad, I felt I was handling it. I haven't hexed him or anything. I mostly ignored him."

"Until today. It's a good thing for you, you haven't hexed him! So you told Draco which ingredients to add to make the potion turn colors? You didn't drop anything in the potion?"

"Yes sir, honest. I only told him what to use. Am I in trouble?"

"If you had deliberately caused the potion to be ruined by dropping something in, I would turn you over my knee! As it stands, I think two hundred lines of 'I will not help others damage someone's schoolwork again.' will be enough. You have until Friday to turn them into me."

"Yes Sir. Dad, Draco wants to have pranks at his party but Uncle Sev is against it. Can you help me think up some that we can do for Draco? You know really brilliant ones and which are not so bad."

"Nice change of subject there, son. Yes, I'll help you and we'll even buy a few from Gambols and Japes. A birthday party should be fun and now don't you repeat this, but your stuffy Uncle Sev needs to loosen up some! We'll go shopping next week for those and some gifts also. Let's go eat dinner." Sirius says opening the castle door for his giggling son.