Hermione's POV

Severus wants to meet with me, but I'm not sure what it's about. His owl this morning was vague, but the tone was urgent. I haven't really had a one-on-one with Severus, since I left his service to take on Draco, and that was over eight months ago. Draco is lounging on the window seat, quietly reading a book. I glanced over at him, and he immediately snapped to attention.

"Do you need me, Mistress?" He asked.

"Not at the moment. Thank you, Draco. However, Severus will be here soon, so when he arrives I'd like you to have tea and biscuits ready." I responded. I tried to keep my normal demeanor, as there is no reason to worry Draco with my anxieties.

He's such a good submissive, and I am learning a lot with him. I smiled to myself thinking about these last eight months. Although Draco is generally well behaved, he has his moments. His disobedience generally comes after I have spoiled him, as he tends to get entitled. We've been working on that together, and he has improved. I am more careful when I indulge him, as it's a Dominant's place to know what is good for their submissive. I also think that it helps that we are in a platonic relationship. I absolutely care for him, but I am not in love with him, nor do we partake in any sexual activities. I am able to learn and to teach, without the messiness and inevitable heartbreak. I came here to learn the intricacies of becoming a Domme, in hope that when I return to Ron, we can finally work towards a life together.

There is a knock at the door, and Draco strode over to open it. Severus walked in, and his face is full of concern. I asked Severus to sit down, and had Draco fetch our tea. Severus did not speak for a few minutes, and it was clear that he was looking for a way to explain. Draco set down the tray, poured two cups, and handed them to Severus and I. He then knelt on the floor by my side, and laid his head on my lap. I stroked his hair softly, and Severus began to speak.

"Hermione, I'm not sure where to start, but I guess the gist is that Harry is back in London. He is currently in my home, sleeping off the remainder of a hangover." Severus continued to explain about Harry's return, the fire whiskey, the car, his demeanor. "I'm just not sure what would help him. So I've come here to ask if you have any insight or advice. You grew up with him, and were as close as siblings. What do you think? He finished.

I sat quietly for a few minutes, absorbing this information. Draco has moved from his spot, and appeared to be sulking in the corner. Harry has always been a sore subject for Draco. He desperately wanted to be popular, and had tried to buy friendship. Although there were some who followed him, they were only interested in what Draco could give them, and weren't looking to have a meaningful relationship with him in any way. We never spent any time with Draco at school, unless it was during an argument. Now that we're out of school, and I have spent significant time with him, I have found that there is more to Draco than his money. He is quite intelligent and gentle. He's sensitive and really does care about others. However, he is prideful and holds more grudges than true friends. I did not scold him, but I knew we had to discuss this behavior and his attitude after Severus left.

"Well, I can't say that I am surprised that Harry is not dealing with his pain in a healthy way. While we were in school, he would regularly bottle up his emotions, and then burst out in anger. Unfortunately, during these outbursts, it was generally when he and Ron weren't speaking, so I was in between them. I, though not intentionally, spent more time delving into Ron's issues rather than Harry's. I would talk to Harry, but it was mostly me telling him Ron's side and asking him to move on and be friends with Ron again." I felt guilty thinking about how much I have neglected my friend. Granted, I was a teenager when all this was happening, but I should have known better.

"Believe it or not, this helps me some. I think-" Severus started, but was cut off by Draco.

"So, Potter can't deal with all his popularity. He had to run away and become a fucking alcoholic. Boo. Freaking. Who. I can't believe, after all this time, that he hasn't gotten over himself. Fuck, I mean-"

"That is enough. Go kneel in the corner, until I tell you to get up." I said sternly.

"Really? Hermio-"

"It's Mistress to you, Malfoy. Corner now, and be silent. You're acting like a child." I could feel the anger and disappointment growing, but knew I needed to keep my head. This is a part of the training. I must maintain my demeanor regardless of how I feel.

Draco stomped over to the corner, knelt and started banging his head against the wall, not hard but clearly in defiance of my orders.

"Severus, I do apologize for my submissive's behavior. It will be dealt with. Now, in the hopes of helping you a bit further, I would like to mention one of the last conversations that Harry and I had before he left for his travels. He told me that he wasn't sure what to do with his life. He believed that his passion was becoming an auror, but had several offers to join professional quidditch leagues. He was sought after because of his father's ability, and since he possesses similar skills, they hoped he would prove a true asset. He doesn't want to play quidditch, but feels as if it's his duty. I think part of his issues may lie in the need to please everyone but himself." I tried to get out the explanation quickly, while Draco was making more and more noise in the corner. I stood, walked over to him and gave him 3 warning swats to his jean-clad bottom, with my hand. "You are being utterly disrespectful, and you will be punished severely. Kneel in this corner and be silent. If I hear your breath, you will be in even more trouble than you are now." I whispered in his hear, and felt him stiffen and go pale.

"Thank you, Ms. Granger. You have been ever so helpful. I need to get back to Mr. Potter before he wakes. We have much to discuss. I will leave you to your duties." Severus stood and left the room.

I was pissed, and needed to calm down before I spoke with Draco. I wish I could have had more time to talk with Severus, as I am worried about Harry. I walked to the kitchenette and got a glass of water to help relieve some of the tension I was holding onto. The rush of cool liquid quickly stifled my growing anger. I walked into Draco's bedroom and picked up his hairbrush. I walked back into the living room and went into my closet. I retrieved an old worn slipper. I set both implements on the sofa near the fire. I sat down and waited. Draco had gone silent, but it was obvious that he was still fuming. It took about 20 minutes of silence before I saw Draco's shoulder's begin to shudder and heard a small sniffle.

"Draco, come here please." My tone was calm but authoritative. He slowly stood and walked over, head bowed, and kneeled in front of me. Tears were streaming down his face. I'm sure he was feeling guilty for upsetting me, but I needed him to understand that harboring this grudge against Harry was unhealthy for him. He needed to let it go, or it would continue to consume him, and he would never be able to be happy. I stroked his hair, and allowed him to lay his head on my lap. Draco doesn't get spanked often. When I do have to spank him, it's usually a handful of licks with the belt over the couch, just to emphasize my displeasure. His usual punishments consist of the loss of privileges, which seems to work well.

A lot of his arrogance and entitlement stem from his privileged life, despite his parents being who they are. Lucius and Narcissa were good parents, but they gave into Draco. He was given anything he asked for, and had limited boundaries. He did feel the wrath of Lucius' spankings, but rarely. It only came to that when he would disrespect his mother, of whom Lucius has a vicious protective side. Draco has always been naturally submissive, like his mother. So, when he was in trouble, he would become submissive and immediately behave. Part of it was that he hated upsetting his parents, the other was pure manipulation. The latter is what I have been working on breaking him of.

Draco's tears had stopped, and I could tell he was looking over at the brush and slipper. I had already made up my mind that he would not be getting out of this spanking. He acted like a petulant child, and he was going to be punished like one.

"Draco, please sit up. We need to discuss your behavior."

"Yes, Mistress. I'm sorry, I just got so angry when Potter was brought up. All those old feelings of being left out, of not having real friends, of him always being better than me." Draco started to cry again.

"First, you need to start calling him Harry. Using "Potter" only brings back the anger you have been holding onto. Second, we need to work on releasing this hold you feel he has over you. You were both eleven when you decided not to be friends, and you held it against him because he was famous. You believed you deserved his friendship, instead of trying to earn it. You must find it in your heart to forgive any past wrongs he may have done to you, but you also must forgive yourself for letting it effect you so much. You have grown immensely since Hogwarts, and Harry needs that chance as well. Do you understand?" I spoke softly because I really wanted him to hear this. I wanted him to understand how much he was hurting himself by not letting this go.

"Yes, Mistress. I guess I have always looked for his approval, because that would mean something. It would only mean something to me, though. I just can't help the anger that builds inside me whenever I hear about him. He became famous when he was one years old, and didn't do anything to deserve it. I worked hard for the person I have become, but I still feel as if I play second fiddle to him. I guess I was also jealous that you showed so much concern for him, when you and Master Snape were talking. I don't want to share you, or worse lose you. Especially to him." He spoke evenly, trying to control his tears. There was still some anger there, but something of our conversation was getting through to him.

"Draco, I want you to understand something. I will not be leaving you for Harry. I want to help Severus and Harry anyway I can, but I certainly cannot take him on as a submissive. As you know, when I complete my training, I will be leaving to hopefully start a life with Ron, as he is the man I hope to spend my life with. That being said, you mean so much to me, and I would never hurt you or abandon you like that."

"Thank you, Mistress. I am truly sorry for how I behaved. I will do better." He glanced over at the brush again, and his face flushed.

"I accept your apology. However, your behavior warrants a punishment. I'm afraid that this is a circumstance where I have to spank you. Regardless of the situation and your emotions, you chose to act like a child. Therefore, you will be punished like a child. Please strip down to your boxers and lay yourself across my knee." My authoritative voice was back, and it left no room for argument.

Draco's face fell and I could see his trepidation, but he obeyed. He laid himself over my knee, and buried his face in his arms.

I brought my hand down with an echoing smack. He gasped at the pain, but remained in his position. I rained down several more hard smacks, before lowering his boxers. His normally round pale ass, was now a nice pink. I continued to spank him with my hand, and took my time making sure to get every inch of his bottom and upper thighs. He needed to be reminded of this punishment when he sat down.

Once there was a deeper shade of pink covering his ass, I picked up the brush. I landed it hard, directly on his sit spot.

"Ow, Mistress, please. I'm sorry" Draco reached back to cover himself.

"Move your hand, young man, or I will be forced to restrain you. If that happens, you will also be receiving the belt. You deserve this punishment for your behavior, and I will not listen to your pleading." He moved his hand, and grabbed a throw pillow and shoved his face into it.

I continued my assault. He was squirming slightly, but was trying to maintain his position. I landed five hard smacks to each of his thighs, causing him to cry out, but he did not beg for it to stop. He was sobbing at this point, and I knew he was close to his breaking point. I needed him to get there. He needed to learn this lesson if he was ever going to get through his anger.

Once his bottom was a deep shade of red, I picked up the slipper. The slipper has a similar impact to the brush, pain-wise, but this is one of the few implements that his father used when he was young. This was meant as a reminder of his childish behavior. As I continued to spank him, he began to cry out again.

"Mistress, I'm sorry. Please. I have learned my lesson. Please."

"We are nearly done, Draco. Now, no more pleas. I don't want to add more."

He sobbed harder into the pillow and kicked his legs slightly at each stroke. Finally, he went limp over my lap and gave in. I landed two more spanks to each of his thighs, and tossed the slipper onto the couch. I rubbed his back and he cried into the pillow once more. It took him about ten minutes to calm. Once he stopped sobbing, I pulled up his boxers gingerly, not wanting to cause anymore pain. I sat him up on my lap. For a man, who is a good six inches taller than me, he has a delicate tiny frame, which shrunk into me as I held him close. I rubbed his back and let him snuggle into my chest. He was nearly asleep.

"Draco, I do hope we don't have to repeat this. However, if you ever choose to act this way again, especially when it comes to Harry, you will be punished just as I have done today. Is that clear?"

"Yes, Mistress. I'm so sorry." He whispered, and let out a yawn.

"Very well. Let's get you to bed for a nap. If you are good for the remainder of the day, and behave at family dinner tonight, I will look into getting you some salve for after your bath this evening."

"Thank you, Mistress."

I helped Draco into his bed, on his stomach, and covered him with his blanket. I left the room, and went into my study. I need to send a letter to Ron about Harry. He needs to know that he is back, and what has been going on. I am sure, without a doubt, that he will not respond well.

——