April - Harry, age 13

Snape walked down the long hallway slowly, peering into classrooms as he made sure students were in their Houses where they belonged.

With Sirius Black loose, the curfew for students has been changed. No student was allowed outside after dinner and no student was allowed out of their dormitory after eight at night without direct permission from a staff member. Even then, most staff members were escorting students back to their dormitory after a detention or tutoring session.

Just five minutes earlier Snape has stumbled upon two sixth years wandering the hall without a proper excuse and had instantly taken thirty points from each of them before ordering them to their dormitory.

He paused for a moment, careful to listen for any footsteps before moving on once more.

Harry ran up the cobbled stone to the castle, the sun having long set over the trees of the forest. He hadn't meant to allow it to get so late! He hadn't paid attention to the time at all as he and Hagrid spoke, and he felt terrible for cutting their conversation short once he saw the darkness settling over the grounds.

Hagrid had, of course, offered to take him up to the castle. But Harry refused. The man had enough to deal with when it came to Buckbeak's sentence and Harry was fine getting up to the castle. It wasn't that far.

Still, every noise made him more paranoid as he focused on the door of the castle. He felt as if he was being watched, and hated it.

Crossing the bridge, Harry entered the courtyard and opened the large door of the castle. He had been lucky to not be locked out.

He sighed as the door closed, albeit loudly.

Harry glanced around the dark entrance before he started to make his way up the stairs towards the tower.

Snape turned a corner as he heard the front door slam loudly below him. He was nearly certain that it could not be a staff member. Aside from Hagrid, they were all inside the castle and the man couldn't imagine a reason any of them would have for leaving.

He moved faster as he approached the staircase that led from downstairs, his disappointment and anger rising as he spotted his child.

His eyes narrowed in the back of Harry's head as he watched him hurry up the staircase. "Harry James!" Snape hissed loudly.

Harry felt his blood run cold at the voice, closing his eyes as he stood still. Of course, it was Snape patrolling. He bowed his head, releasing a slow breath.

If he could of been caught anywhere else in the castle, he would of been fine. But no—Snape had heard the door. He had to have.

It finally registered to the teen that he hadn't responded to his guardian and Harry turned to look at the balcony Snape stood from. "Dad," he breathed, not even caring if Snape heard him.

Snape remained silent, raising an arm he crooked a finger to the child before pointing firmly to the ground in front of him.

His child's cheeks were flushed, his hair was a mess, and Snape had absolutely no doubt that Harry had been outside.

Harry cringed at even the look before he continued up the stairs to where Snape stood. He hovered a few feet away before stepping closer, attempting to calm his breathing after his run to the castle.

"Where are you coming from?" Snape's tone was stern as he glared down at the teenager.

The teen didn't respond, still taking deeper breaths as he watched Snape's face. The man wasn't dumb. The door wasn't quiet.

Snape knew. Now the test was if he would confess or make things worse. And he did not want to make it worse.

"I didn't know what time it was." He started, chewing on his lip for a moment.

"That does not answer my question." Snape practically hissed the words as he leaned down slightly putting his own face closer to his son's. "Where. Were. You?"

Snape reached out and took a firm grip of the boy's arm, turning him. Snape resisted the urge to land a much deserved swat to his child's disobedient backside and instead cupped his hand firmly around the back of Harry's neck.

Snape was silent as he started off in the direction of the dungeons.

The teen kept his eyes closed as he was turned, expecting the swat. When he was instead nudged forward by the grip on his neck, Harry opened his eyes. He swallowed heavily as they walked towards the dungeons, staring at the stone as he walked silently.

Aside from the mumbling of several of the portraits as they passed them, the hallway was silent.

Snape descended the staircase to the dungeons, his grip on Harry's never loosening.

"Dad," he finally attempted, trying to slow his steps as they went down the stairs. "I can explain."

Snape remained silent as they stepped onto the bottom floor, heading towards their parlor door. With a wave of his free hand the man caused it to swing open. He stepped inside, bringing Harry with him and closing the door loudly behind him. Only then did he release his child; his hand traveling down to land a firm swat to the small rear end. "Corner!"

Harry jumped at the swat, moving a half step away from Snape as he looked over to him. "I just lost track of time!" He felt his heart racing, not making a move towards a corner as he stared back to the man.

"Corner!" Snape repeated the word harshly. "Do not make me tell you again young man."

The teen cringed at the tone, moving finally to a corner within the parlor. He released a breath, shoulders slouching down.

Snape let out a loud sound of annoyance as he moved over to his armchair, sitting down. As far as he was concerned losing track of time did not matter. Harry was not even supposed to leave the castle.

Harry sighed rather loudly, staring at the wall before looking down towards the floor with a frown. He shifted uncomfortably before he waited a moment, opening his mouth before closing it.

Snape was already furious.

"Dad," he started once more, nearly rolling his eyes. The corner was positively the most childish of his punishments, and he had learned that it was a way for Snape to gather his own thoughts before speaking to him. That didn't help with Harry's own patience.

Snape's eyes bore into the back of the child's head. "If you are unable to stand there quietly I can certainly walk over there and give you incentive to do so."

Harry released a breath, resting his head forward against the wall as he closed his eyes. He nearly muttered an apology, but kept it to himself.

Snape waited until nearly twenty minutes had passed before he cleared his throat loudly. "Are you aware that the entire staff of this castle is doing everything in their power to keep you safe young man?"

Harry was sure he could of simply dozed off from where he stood, blinking when he finally heard Snape's voice. He raised his head up, sighing softly. "Yes."

"Yet you leave this castle after curfew without a care in the world?" Snape's tone grew sterner yet.

"I was just at Hagrid's!" Harry turned, looking over to the man with a frown. He hated not only the curfew, but how he was simply trapped within the castle.

"I do not care where you were! You know the rules! You are not supposed to be outside after dinner!" Snape snapped loudly. "Use that blasted brain of yours!"

He took in a breath, shoulders slouching as he spoke. "I was fine."

"The rules are set for a reason! You do not just ignore them and do as you please!" Snape's tone grew louder as the man stood from his chair.

Harry felt his heart rate increase as Snape's voice rose, blinking several times. His gaze shifted to rest on the floor, leaning back to rest against the wall. "I'm sorry. I just wanted to be sure Hagrid was okay."

"Hagrid is an adult! He does not need you to care for him!" Snape exhaled loudly as he forced himself to sit in his armchair once more. His hand raised before he crooked a finger at his child.

The teen remained in his spot for a long moment, watching as Snape motioned him over. Frowning still, Harry pushed himself away from the wall and moved to stand in front of the man.

"When is it that you plan on learning that the rules are there for a reason? That they are not to be broken simply because you feel like doing so!"

Harry stared at Snape, swallowing at the harsh tone. "I'm sorry." He muttered softly, shifting his legs with a sigh.

"You are sorry that you were caught." Snape finally stopped shouting, his tone now lower than normal.

He released a breath as Snape's tone returned, closing his eyes for a brief moment before giving a small shrug. "I am sorry, I didn't really think about it."

"No, you did not. You left this castle without a single thought or ounce of respect towards everyone that is trying so desperately to keep you safe!" Snape let out an exasperated sigh.

"By keeping me all but trapped here!" Harry released his own sigh, folding his arms as he shifted in place.

Snape nearly exploded at the words. He nearly told the child exactly how selfish and immature he sounded. He very nearly pulled him over his knee without another word.

Swallowing hard, Snape shook his head. "Go to bed, Harry."

Harry felt fight leave his body at the words, his shoulders slouching down as he blinked. "What?" He had been ready for Snape to start yelling once more, something. Just sending him away didn't feel right.

"You heard me. Go to bed." Snape have the child a stern look. "If you feel as though you did absolutely nothing wrong tonight then just go to bed. I am tired. I do not have the energy to argue with you about this."

He took a step back, very nearly taking Snape on the offer. But it would only delay everything and Snape would just be in a worse mood. Even staying may have the same result, but he didn't care. Instead, Harry moved silently over to the couch and sat down with a sigh.

"I…" He sighed, resting his cheek in his hand as he rested against the arm of the couch. "I get it. It's just frustrating."

"It is extremely frustrating," Snape's nodded as he leaned over and picked up his book from the table beside him, resting it on his lap. "Imagine how frustrating it must be to work endlessly to keep someone safe only to have them continue to put themselves in dangerous situations."

The words made Harry fall silent, resting back into the couch as he lowered his gaze to his knee. It had been, perhaps, his worst year when it came to getting in trouble.

They had already had quite the heart to heart when Malfoy had discovered him. Now here they were again. Since then, Harry had been extremely careful since his guardian had returned the map to Remus.

But now, he had mucked up.

"Go to bed, Harry." Snape's fingertips tapped against his book.

The man was in absolutely no mood to shout any more. If the child could not—would not—own up to his own misbehavior than Snape was done.

"No," Harry replied, sighing as he finally looked back up to the man. He didn't want what happened before to happen again. "I am sorry. I know I wasn't thinking and I'm sorry, Snape. It was a stupid mistake."

Snape raised an eyebrow at the words. He hadn't expected his child to change his words so easily. "A childish mistake," Snape clarified with a stern glare.

Harry rested his head back, sighing loudly as he closed his eyes. He wanted to argue, to continue about how dumb the blasted rules were. For dealing with them since the start of school! To be kept away while his friends got to go out.

He didn't want to argue. If there was one thing he hated, it was causing Snape to raise his voice. It only made him want to argue more—and only dig his hole deeper.

"Sorry," Harry muttered softly, keeping his eyes closed.

Snape hummed softly at the words. "Regardless of how you feel about the rules you must realize that they are in place to keep you safe. To keep you protected. Rules are not made to make your life miserable."

"Mn," Harry blinked, looking over to Snape with a doubtful expression for a brief moment before he looked down to his knee.

"You also need to think about how unfair it is to those trying to protect you when you blatantly disregard those rules." Snape's tone grew slightly stern as he looked over at the boy.

He rested his arms over his middle, narrowing his eyes slightly at his knee. He wanted to argue that he didn't need all the protection. That he doubted anything would happen. Still, a chill ran up the teen's spine as he thought about how he had felt returning to the castle. What if someone had been there?

"And what is it that we are going to do about this disrespect for the rules?" Snape's questioned, his eyes not leaving his child.

Now it was the time Harry wished he did go to his room. To stay away from this part of the topic. He only shrugged a shoulder before whispering, "I don't know."

"No?" Snape's fingertips tapped against his book once more. "I happen to think that you know exactly what the consequence is for ignoring the rules and doing as you please."

Definitely should have gone to his room. Harry took in a breath, closing his eyes once more as he rested his head back. "I don't just do as I please."

"What do you call leaving the castle after dinner when you know you are not allowed to do so?" Snape raised an eyebrow. The man made a mental note to discuss this situation with Hagrid as well.

Harry didn't respond, keeping his eyes closed as he breathed deeply. He had been trying so hard—so hard—to not get in any more trouble than he had been throughout the year. Yet, in one moment he ruined it.

Snape's eyes remained on his child as he let out a frustrated sigh. "I could have sworn that after the last time we were here you promised me that you would behave yourself."

"And I've been trying. We've agreed I just wasn't thinking." Harry sighed as he rested his head into his palm.

Snape hummed softly at the words. "Then perhaps you need to be reminded to think, young man." Snape's tone went slightly stern once more.

"I don't." He shook his head, opening his eyes and staring back at his guardian.

"I disagree, Harry. You obviously need a very stern reminder of just how important the rules are and just how disrespectful to me as well as the rest of the staff it is when you break them." The man swallowed heavily as he sat up a bit straighter. "Five feet on the importance of the rules will be on my desk no later than this Thursday evening."

Five feet? Harry swallowed, slowly nodding at the words. He could still handle that. "Okay."

"You can also spend the next week down here on restriction," Snape continued. "You may go to your classes as well as Quidditch practice but aside from that I expect you to be in these quarters."

The teen chewed on the inside of his lip, nodding once in understanding. He couldn't find a reason to argue against it—he was already trapped within the castle.

"That restriction can either continue for several weeks or you may go over to my desk and bring me the slipper." Snape's fingertips once more tapped against his book. "I will leave that choice to you."

"How long is several?" Harry finally spoke, his frown returning. He was sure he already knew which he would prefer... but he was still curious.

Snape was silent for a moment as he thought the question over. "Six weeks." He cleared his throat softly. "Plenty of time for this particular lesson to sink in."

"Six weeks?" The teen took in a breath. Well, perhaps he had to rethink his plan. He frowned, adjusting his arms over his middle. "I'll... I'll take the stupid slipper."

Snape nodded in the direction of his desk. "Go on then."

Harry pushed himself up, blinking several times as he moved slowly across the parlor. Maybe if it had only been two weeks…he could have handled two weeks. But six? Might as well make it the rest of the school year.

His frown deepened as he opened the drawer, removing the slipper and dropping his arm to his side. He continued to blink, his eyes starting to burn with tears. "I don't need a reminder though," Harry muttered as he slowly made his way back to Snape.

Snape shook his head firmly as he crooked a finger at the child once more. Sometimes it amazed him how little Harry had changed since he was a small child. "I am certain whether or not you do is my decision."

Harry's eyes narrowed slightly as he stepped closer, holding the item out to the man. "I'm just sayin', it was a mistake."

"Mistakes have consequences." Snape took the slipper from the child before he reached out and carefully removed his glasses. Folding them, the man placed them on the table beside him.

Harry released a breath as his glasses were taken, closing his eyes before blinking and staring at the man. "Sorry."

"You are sorry for what exactly?" Snape's hand traveled down, easily undoing the child's trousers.

He blinked, feeling the tears rise and start to blur his vision altogether. The teenager swallowed, closing his eyes. "For leaving the castle," Harry finally muttered.

"When you behave like a child, you will be punished as a child would." Snape's took a gentle hold on the boy's hand, easily leading him to his side. "I am quite disappointed in your behavior."

"How was that being like a child?" Harry opened his eyes, ignoring a tear that escaped and trailed down his cheek. "If I had a murderer after me at…I don't know, nine! I wouldn't want to even be here."

"You blatantly disobeyed the rules as a child would!" Snape's tone went stern as he moved the book that had been sitting on his lap to the table beside him. "As if you haven't been taught to follow the rules since you were six years old!"

Harry took in a breath, swallowing once more as he raised a hand to rub under his eyes. He shook his head, closing his eyes. It was pointless attempting to argue.

"It is going to be quite the long year for you if you find these rules too difficult to follow." Snape reached out once more, loosening the child's trousers before pushing them down and out of his way. "You are far from too grown to go over my knee."

The teenager's eyes remained closed until he felt Snape guide him over his lap, his hand resting on the floor. "I am too grown." He muttered, closing his eyes once more as he rested his cheek against his arm.

"As always you are welcome to bend over the arm of the couch," Snape's fingertips tapped against the boy's back.

Harry shook his head, keeping his eyes closed as they burned with unshed tears. Snape has been offering to let him bend over the arm of the couch for years now but Harry was sure it would be worse than going over the man's knee.

In one quick motion, Snape lowered the boy's shorts as far as they needed to go before wrapping his left arm tightly around Harry's middle. He picked up the slipper once more, his right hand raising and bringing the slipper down in a smarting swat. "Do we need to make this particular punishment more serious in order for you to remember to obey the rules?"

He hissed at the first swat, bowing his head down. "No," Harry shifted his hand on the floor, taking in a deep breath.

Snape hummed softly at the reply, raising his hand and letting the slipper fall twice more. "No? Yet apparently the last lesson on this matter did not sink in appropriately."

His fingers curled up as he released the same breath slowly. Several tears forced from behind his closed eyes, trailing down his cheeks. "It di-did."

"Yet, we are here again." Snape let the slipper fall several more times, a bit harder. "How disappointing."

A pained yelp passed the teen's lips as a leg raised from a particularly sharp smack. His shoulders hitched slightly, the hand that had its usual hold on Snape's pant leg moved to rub at his face.

Snape nearly stopped as his child let out a cry of pain and kicked his leg. However, the man forced his heart to harden as he continued to pepper his unprotected target with stinging swats. "One would think that by now you would know better than to break the rules without thought of the consequences, little boy."

"Stop!" Harry reached a hand back in an attempt to protect his backside. A sob shook from his chest, causing him to cough down towards the floor.

Snape's left hand moved, easily taking hold of Harry's hand and pinning it to his side. "We are nearly done here." The man raised the slipper once more landing several stinging smacks, concentrating on the boy's sit spots.

The teen sobbed heavily, briefly attempting to get his arm free from Snape's grasp before giving up entirely. He attempted to speak, to tell the man to stop once more; yet he only coughed once more. His bottom burned terribly, the worse that he could remember.

Snape looked down at his now red target before a sigh passed his lips. "Are we going to have any more problems with you leaving this castle after the curfew Harry James?"

"N-no! No," Harry whispered as he took in several short breathes, blinking rapidly as tears fell to the floor. "No," He shook his head, closing his eyes tightly as the tears started to burn.

Snape set the slipper down on the table beside him. "Are we going to think a bit more about how important the rules are?" His hands moved to hook into the boy's shorts and carefully pull them back up to their rightful place.

He hissed as his clothing was returned, pushing himself up and away from Snape to right his jeans. Harry raised both his hands, rubbing at his face to clear away his tears.

Harry gave a small nod, keeping his eyes closed as he continued to rub at his face. His head felt light, nearly dizzy as he took in several breathes. "S-sorry."

Snape reached out, taking hold of Harry's hand and carefully pulling the boy the step towards him. He wrapped his arms tightly around the child, pulling him down to carefully sit on his lap. "Okay," Snape said softly. "You are okay. Take a nice deep breath."

"Ow-ow," he hissed as he was pulled down, nudging his head against Snape's shoulder. Arms raised and wrapped loosely around his guardian's neck and he took in a slow breath.

"You should know by now that when it comes to your safety, I have no qualms about lighting that backside of yours on fire should it work to remind you to follow the rules." Snape's hand moved to gently rub the child's back.

Harry blinked, rubbing his cheek against Snape's shoulder before taking in another slow breath. His face felt warm from his tears, his throat aching from the sobs. Not responding, Harry simply tucked his head closer towards his guardian's neck.

He had nothing to say. His bum burned, he had spoken his peace before the punishment, and now he simply felt terrible. All because he just…just didn't think!

Snape's hand moved to rub between the boy's shoulder blades. "That's it, just take a few deep breaths." Snape turned his head to press a kiss into Harry's temple. "I love you very much."

Harry closed his eyes, taking in a deep breath once more as he rubbed his tears away against Snape's cloak. "L-love you," he muttered softly.

Snape hummed softly as his hand continued to rub the boy's back. "Are you okay? Would you like to go lie down in bed?"

"No…no, 'm okay." He muttered, focusing on the touch on his back. Harry's breathing evened, releasing his hold on Snape's shoulder to brush under his eye.

"Would you like to discuss this some more?" Snape's tone was gentle as he continued to rub the boy's back. "Perhaps you could explain to me why you are so angry about the rules?"

"You know why." Harry opened his eyes, glaring to the side of Snape's neck. "It's frustrating. You don't understand. I can't have just one good year yet." Harry shifted, wincing.

Snape hummed softly at the words as his hand rested on the small of Harry's back. "You are not the only one being made to follow these rules."

"And I'm the only one getting a slipper for breaking any of them." Harry pulled his head up, looking down to his knees with a scowl.

"You may be at a disadvantage having your parent here with you," Snape admitted. "However I did give you a choice."

"Six weeks." Harry nearly huffed at the thought, shaking his head as he curled his legs up slightly. "Anyone else though will get what? Points taken away and…detentions?"

"Depending on the student, I suppose. Given the circumstances at the moment an owl is sent home for being outside of the castle past curfew. I cannot control how other parents handle that." Snape's fingertips tapped against the small of the boy's back. "I am strict. You have known that since you first set foot in our parlor."

Harry gave a faint nod, eyes fluttering closed as he rested his head closer to Snape's chest. "I know," he muttered, releasing a soft sigh.

Snape hummed softly as he looked down at the boy. "You also know that I do not allow you to put yourself in danger without serious consequences."

"Me just being outside at all is dangerous." He muttered softly, shaking his head.

Snape's fingertips tapped a bit firmly against the boy's back. "Watch that cheek, please." He gave the child a serious look. "It is far more dangerous outside after the sun begins to set. If you have no fear that is fine, Harry. I, however, do."

Harry smiled softly, his arms moving to wrap securely around Snape's neck in a tight hug from his position. "You don't have to worry so much." His eyes opened as he shifted his position with a small wince and rested his chin on his guardian's shoulder.

Snape wrapped his arms around the child, squeezing him tightly. "Nor do you have to take so many chances." The man swallowed heavily. "I will always worry about you, little boy."

He rested his forehead against Snape's shoulder, finally relaxing fully. He couldn't say he blamed Snape, not after how this year was going or the previous two. "Love you."

"I love you very much." Snape leaned down placing a kiss on the child's forehead. "More than you know."