A/N: This fic will contain corporal punishment and I'm genuinely sorry if that offends you – please don't proceed if it does.
This is set in PoA, after Remus finds out that Harry has the Marauder's map. It's quite a quick read, sorry.
The perspective has a little bit more omniscience than I intended which might make it feel a bit disorganised to read – apologies. It also hasn't been beta'd, so forgive me for any small (or glaringly obvious) mistakes. This is my first attempt at HP fanfic, so I'd be really grateful if you could drop me a review. Thanks, and enjoy!
Remus Lupin shut the door to his office with slightly too much force, betraying the fury that coursed through the usually equanimous professor. He strode across the room, coming to a halt in front of his desk, gathering himself and assessing the sight before him; one that never failed to send shivers down his spine.
He was confronted by the perfect image, albeit a currently very contrite and anxious one, of one of his closest childhood friends. The boy had all of James Potter's qualities down to a T, from the ruffled black hair cascading over his eyes to the almost defiant stance that emanated easy confidence and readiness for action. Presently, however, the most prominent characteristic in Remus' mind that young Harry shared with his father was his blatant disregard for rules designed to protect him.
"Explain," Remus began curtly, "what on earth you were thinking, keeping an object such as this in your possession. In the wrong hands this would most literally provide a map to your location, Harry, and with Black on the loose, the amount of danger you are needlessly placing yourself in is inconceivable. And with what benefit, hm? The opportunity to play some amusing pranks, is that it?"
The angry diatribe from his normally reserved professor left Harry struggling for words. "I'm not sure, sir, I… I wasn't thinki—"
"Yes, Harry, that is most clear to me." Remus cut in, "From what I have heard from other teachers, your abysmal lack of forethought has caused you to endanger yourself countless times during your Hogwarts career, and it is something that I intend to put a stop to immediately."
"And, uhh, how do you intend to do that professor?" Harry said, his anxiousness manifesting itself in a slight waver in his voice.
His professor's reply was short and to the point. "By spanking you, Harry."
Harry blanched. The word itself made him cringe, making him feel like a small child, and yet he knew from an unfortunate experience involving Molly Weasley and the back of a hairbrush during his stay at the Burrow in second year that the immense pain a spanking could cause was by no means childish. Squaring his shoulders, he said, "Isn't that a bit… medieval, professor?"
Amused by the boy's delaying tactics, Remus decided to humour him. "Elaborate."
"Well, you see, nowadays many critics concur that corporal punishment is a most barbaric and positively hypocritical practice; to avoid inflicting physical pain on the child and instead simply explain the negative impacts of their disobedience, emphatically impressing upon them not to repeat their actions is the most effective course of action."
Despite the situation, Remus struggled to suppress a grin at the lad's use of words. Again, he was reminded so much of James as a teen, trying to worm his way out of a detention with McGonagall, stringing together as many long words as possible to sound factual and important.
"Did you just call me barbaric?" Remus questioned, arching an eyebrow. He held up a hand to quell Harry's stuttered response, allowing a small smile to show he was not serious. "Perhaps you could count out for me the number of times someone has 'impressed upon you' not to repeat your actions and put yourself in danger?
Harry pondered over this for a moment. "Well, there was Professor McGonagall in my first year, after the dragon incident, and then again after the whole thing with the philosopher's stone, and I suppose Mrs Weasley when Ron and I… Ah," Harry paused, "I suppose I see what you're trying to say, professor."
"Yes," Remus nodded, "it has become evident to me that despite the numerous attempts by those who care for you to instruct you to desist from unsafe activity, you have proceeded with behaviour consistently endangers yourself. It seems that it warrants a more emphatic course of action, no?"
"Well, maybe, but you don't have to be so bloody dramatic about it. A detention would do me just fine." Harry replied, frowning.
"Language, Harry," his professor admonished, "It would be well advised for you to curb this attitude, as I will not tolerate it. Are you telling me that you believe that a single detention would leave a serious impression on you? And Harry, please answer me honestly."
Harry considered Professor Lupin's words. In all fairness, he could not count the number of detentions he had received this month alone on one hand, and, whilst it went against his every fibre in his body, he conceded that perhaps the punishment his teacher had in mind would be more effectual. Acquiescing, he sighed "I guess not, sir."
Remus nodded in approval. "Will you submit to a spanking without a fight, then, Harry?" He said gently, understanding the lad's internal battle.
Harry turned beet red. He had never imagined that what had started out as a slow evening perusing the map would end up with him in such a humiliating situation, and yet he daren't defy Professor Lupin. The man, who in class seemed so harmless and amicable, with his oversized knitted jumpers and mugs of steaming tea, had turned out to be a force to be reckoned with, with a stern side that left Harry feeling like a very young child. He had been relieved when Lupin had saved him from Snape's wrath, but that relief had quickly turned to terror when the professor had grasped him firmly by the back of his hoodie and dragged him towards his office. He made a mental note never to cross Remus Lupin again.
"Yes, professor." Harry ground out in disbelief at what he was agreeing to.
Remus, relieved at the boy's cooperation, said, "Alright, Harry, let's get this over with. Unclasp your robe and come over here."
Remus settled into the armless chair that sat in front of his desk. Despite the residual anger at the carelessness the boy had exhibited, he watched in sympathy as Harry unclasped his robe with shaking hands and lay it over the back of a chair. He was clearly nervous, and Remus began to question whether he was being too hard on the lad. No, he had known James for a decade, and he was certain that his old friend would have dealt with his son in this way for the same infraction. He was not under the illusion that this spanking would be much easier on himself than it was on Harry, though. Even if the child thought he would enjoy punishing him, quite the opposite was true. Inflicting pain on his students was not his number one hobby, and the fact that this was his friend's son meant that this would hurt Remus even more deeply to do so.
Remus felt a twinge of pride as Harry, who had had hovered anxiously for a period, drew his shoulders back and lifted his head up high, walking over to him without stalling any further. Facing up to his punishment with a bravery that almost equalled that of his parents; this boy was truly James and Lily's child.
Giving him a reassuring glance, Remus guided Harry over his lap, drawing the thin body against his own. With a sharp swish of his wand, he charmed down the younger one's trousers and shorts.
Harry gave a small whimper at the loss of his clothing. He had resolved to take his punishment like the man he was, but this was an unexpected turn and made him feel very much like a five year old. He gasped as the first smacks began to rain down on his unprotected backside.
Remus wasted no time in lighting a fire on Harry's bottom, evenly and methodically covering his bum and upper thighs in smacks. Harry's attempt at maintaining composure was admirable, Remus had to say, but before long his backside was a deep shade of pink and each smack summoned an indignant yelp. Remus decided it was time to begin discussion.
"Why are we in this position, Harry?" Remus asked.
"'We' isn't really ouch! accurate is it, sir? I'm the one AH! over your lap!" Harry replied.
Arching an eyebrow, the professor elevated his right knee slightly in response, exposing Harry's sit spots, to which he applied a volley of extremely forceful smacks, eliciting a pained screech in response. "Now is not the time for attitude. Try again."
"AH! I kept the OW! Marauder's Map!" Harry squealed.
"Which was dangerous because…?" Remus encouraged.
Harry, who felt as though a fire had been ignited on his arse, managed to garble out, "Sirius AGH no! Black is on the loose and he could.. OUCH please, sir, STOP! he could use it to find me."
Remus upped the tempo of his spanking, asking, "And why am I spanking you, Harry?"
"You're sp—punishing me because.. AH! I endangered myself" He replied, straining to keep the little dignity he had left and refrain from crying like a child in front of his professor.
"Whilst that is true, Harry," Remus said, keeping up the furious pace of smacks, "I am doing this because I care for you. My world would be shattered if you were harmed, and I know the emotional pain it would cause many others too. Please, Harry, promise me you will not put yourself in any more situations that are even the slightest bit dangerous?"
Lupin's pleading tone and words of affection caught Harry off guard, causing the tears he had held back for so long to come unbridled.
"I promise," He whimpered, his words punctuated by heaving sobs.
The boy's voice was dripping with remorse, and Remus decided it was time to wrap up the punishment. Delivering five final resounding smacks to the small, deep scarlet bottom before him, the professor righted Harry's clothing, gathering the lad into his arms, careful to avoid contact with his smarting bum.
At any other time with any other person Harry would have objected to this close contact, but he took comfort in the professor's presence and leaned into his chest, clinging onto him. Remus allowed him to remain like this, quietly sobbing into the older man's shirt, until Harry made the move himself to stand up.
Finding the silence suddenly awkward, Harry felt the need to apologise once more, properly. Developing a sudden fascination with the floor, he mumbled almost imperceptibly, "I'm really really sorry, sir, I didn't think how my actions could hurt others, too."
Fortunately, Remus was quite capable at interpreting 'contrite young lad', and placed a finger under Harry's chin, gently tipping his head upwards to look into his eyes. "Son, there's no need to apologise further. The spanking is over and you took it with admirable dignity. You are forgiven. Better get yourself back to bed before your friends notice you're missing and embark on a mission to find you, hm? I don't need any more children roaming the halls at this hour."
Harry responded with a crooked grin that reassured Remus that he had not been overly harsh. "I think Ron's far too involved with tap-dancing spiders to worry about me!" He said, heading towards the door.
Remus shook his head in wonderment. There were some things about teenagers that would never cease to confound him.
"And Harry," He called after the boy, who swivelled round, "No detours. I will know." Remus tapped the map that lay on the desk in front of him, directing a knowing look at lad. Harry gave an unsurprised laugh and a nod of acknowledgement, and continued out the door.