Hey everyone! :) I had to post this chapter real quick tonight, since today is kinda special for me! :)

Exactly one year ago, I posted the first chap of my first Thomas fanfiction, Taming Thomas- and I had no idea back then that a year later, I would already be at story number 8 (Taming Thomas was the only one I had planned to write lol) and how many amazing, wonderful people I would get to meet through writing! (That's you all!) :)

I am so so grateful for all of your support, your comments, Kudos, bookmarks etc., so THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH! :)

Hope you all like this chap ;)

WARNING: SPANKING!

Another day.

He had been staring at himself in the mirror for ten minutes now, still not sure what bothered him so much about how he looked this morning. He was still handsome, even though he had been eating nothing but junk and the occasional apple, and mostly drank liquor and the shit that his coffee machine was trying to make him believe was coffee.

Tom sighed, trying to comb his hair with his fingers to get in under control when he suddenly remembered it. A hand in his hair, very soft, very gentle, and then…

Good boy.

Good boy.

Good boy…

He stifled a sob, hating the fact that he had not pulled his head away when Gryffindor had touched him, hating the fact that he had fucking liked it, and hating hating Gryffindor for ruining everything again. He felt like punching something, himself, the mirror, Gryffindor, everything, but then his gaze fell over to the cabinet. Weeks ago, they had stolen some stuff from a drug store, just for fun, and one of the things they had taken was a huge bottle of hair gel. Before he could stop himself, he had opened the bottle, and then he got to work.

You won't touch me ever again, Gryffindor.

When he was done, he looked more like Quilliam the hedgehog than a college student- his hair was all stiff and spikey, and it would certainly prevent Gryffindor from ever coming close to him again. Somewhat feeling better, he got dressed, grabbed a bag of pretzels to eat for lunch, and then he left the apartment, Pettigrew still drunkenly passed out on the couch.

Today would be a good day- no Ancient Magic class, no Gryffindor, no stupid Sean, and his hairstyle keeping everyone away from him. His first class was Advanced Arithmetic, and the Professor returned the exam they had taken a week ago, and he smiled when he saw the scribbled Outstanding at the bottom of the page, three exclamations points behind it.

Today is a good day.

The arithmetic class was interesting, the Professor kept them engaged and he was even tempted to participate one time when they discussed the formula he'd been pondering about. After arithmetic, he had Advanced History of Magic, got another Outstanding for the test he had basically managed to finish in less than thirty minutes, and then it was time for lunch.

Tom never ate in the cafeteria with the others, it was too loud, too crowded, and too much for him, and besides, he wouldn't know where to sit since he did not have any friends. Therefore, he always went to his secret spot behind the main building and ate his lunch by himself, usually reading a book at the same time. It had gotten cold, but Tom did not care- anything was better than spending his time around these fools.

He hungrily opened the small bag of pretzels, wishing again he'd brought more- Pettigrew had gone shopping the other day, but Tom always forgot to pack his lunch in the morning, he just grabbed a bag that was laying around and left, and then at lunch time, he always regretted that. His book was interesting, and he absently shoved pretzels in his mouth, unaware to anything and anyone around him.

"A little cold to eat your lunch out here, don't you think?"

Oh hell, no!

He looked up, irritation on his face, "can I help you, Professor?", he kept his voice cold and distant, hoping Gryffindor would get the message and leave him the fuck alone.

"You can, actually", Gryffindor had the nerve to smile at him now, like the last two days had never even happened, "but I'd rather discuss that in my study than out here- it is freezing."

"I have nothing to discuss with you, Professor", Tom went back to his book, trying to pretend Gryffindor was not standing right in front of him, "I see you in class tomorrow. Have a good day."

He could hear Gryffindor laugh, and to his annoyance, he sounded amused, "you are one stubborn boy, aren't you? I make you a deal- if you come with me and let me ask you a few questions about your homework, I get you lunch. A real lunch, not just a snack like you are eating there."

"I am not hungry, thanks", he lied, forcing himself to focus on his book, "and if there's anything wrong with my homework, you can tell me in class tomorrow. I'd like to be alone now, this is the only break I have in the morning."

"There's nothing wrong with your homework, Thomas", Gryffindor replied after a short pause, "and I promise, I only ask you about the assignment, nothing else."

"Yeah, sure", he had to snort, "just like you did the other day, right? My hand is still sore from that. Just…leave me alone. I don't want to talk to you, and I don't want any lunch, either."

Of course his traitorous stomach had to grumble loudly just at that moment, and his ears turned red with embarrassment, "that's…I haven't eaten my other food yet, and…"

He could hear Gryffindor sigh, "three questions, big boy- and you'll get pizza for that. A whole pizza, just for yourself. How does that sound?"

That sounds awesome.

"That sounds awful", but then his stomach grumbled again at the mention of pizza, and Gryffindor let out a small laugh, "I think you are outvoted, Thomas. Come on, I am about to turn into an icicle."

He had a feeling Gryffindor would not leave him alone anyways, so he put his book away, grabbed his satchel and stood up. He followed the Founder back into the main building to a smaller side building where the Professor's offices were. It did not surprise him to find out that Gryffindor had one of the biggest and nicest studies, right next to the Dean's, with a small kitchen, a living area, and even a bathroom. He stood around in the fancy office uncomfortably, knowing he was totally out of place here.

This was a bad idea. I should leave.

"Why don't you take a seat at the kitchen counter", Gryffindor suggested, "your pizza will be coming right up- what's your favorite?"

"I…uhm…I don't know. I…I like…pepperoni I guess", he felt like an idiot for not knowing that, but the truth was that no one had ever asked him what his favorite pizza topping was.

"Good choice", he could hear Gryffindor open a drawer, and then another drawer, and then he mumbled something that sounded like a spell, and seconds later, a huge, steaming pepperoni pizza appeared in front of him, and the smell was so irresistible that his hand automatically reached for a slice.

I'm so hungry.

"Usually I would ask you to wash your hands first, but since you are already eating…", Gryffindor just winked at him, leaning back on the counter opposite from him, "how is it? Good?"

It's perfect. It's the best pizza I ever had.

"It's pretty okay", he reached for another slice, not bothering with any cutlery, "I can eat the whole thing, right?"

"Yes, Thomas, you may do that", there was a flicker of something in Gryffindor's eyes now when he watched him reach for his third slice, but it was gone too quickly for Tom to analyze what it meant.

He had not realized how starved he really was until he had started eating. Pettigrew had no clue how to cook, and since he mostly spent his time as a rat, he did not need to worry about where his next meal would be from- downtown London was like heaven on earth for a rat, but Tom did not have those options, so he often went to bed hungry, the liquor filling him up a little.

"So, what do you wanna know about my homework?", he asked, not bothering to close his mouth while he was chewing on slice four. His face was already a smeary mess of grease, tomato sauce and cheese, but Tom did not care. He did not even remember the last time he had eaten something warm, something that was not junk food, and he was going to finish this pizza until the last crumb.

"Let's talk about that after you ate, Thomas", Gryffindor just said, and Tom snorted, "that's going to take a while- I am not leaving you a slice, Professor", he smiled, exposing his tomato sauce stained teeth, and to his utter surprise, Gryffindor smiled right back at him, "I am not expecting you to- what's with the new hairdo by the way?"

"It's…gel."

"I can see that- looks like you used a whole bottle of it."

"Just half", Tom replied, munching on slice five, "it's super stiff, too."

"Hmmm…looks like it might hurt if someone touches you."

Tom tensed, hastily swallowing a piece of pizza, "yeah. They're spikey. No one's gonna touch me with hair like this."

He had no idea why Gryffindor's smile suddenly seemed forced, and to cover his confusion, he reached for the last slice of pizza, hastily stuffing it in his mouth, his face and hands a mess.

"I'm done- what's your questions? I have to go back to class soon", truth was, he still had plenty of time, but being around Gryffindor made him nervous as hell, and he wanted to get out of here.

"We are going to go to the bathroom first", Gryffindor told him, his voice calm, and Tom's whole body stiffened, the memory of the day before still fresh on his mind.

No no no, no that again…

"I…please, what…"

Gryffindor seemed to understand, because he sighed, "to clean your face and your hands, Thomas. You look like you fell into a jar of tomato sauce."

"Oh…yeah, of course. Uhm…sure. That's…a good idea", he was rambling, but he did not know what else to do, Gryffindor's presence making him more and more nervous.

"Follow me, Thomas", he led him to a small bathroom, and then he opened a drawer and took a bar of soap and a small towel out, "you even got tomato sauce on your nose, Thomas", he sounded amused, "must have been pretty good pizza, hmm?"

"Yeah", he was staring at the soap and the washcloth, knowing what to do with it and what was expected from him, but he suddenly could not move, could not turn the water on and wet the washcloth and rub the soap into it and clean himself.

Don't just stand there. Do something, damnit!

"You need some help, big boy?", Gryffindor's voice was surprisingly soft, and Tom had meant to ask him why he kept calling him big boy, but he could not concentrate on asking anything right now. His brain became foggy, and he was trying to fight it- knowing there was another episode coming soon, and he did not even have Quilliam to snuggle with…

Shit, shit, shit, I need to get out of here, I need…

And then he felt the warm washcloth in his face, and he made a surprised sound, and he heard Gryffindor chuckle, "hold still, Thomas. Be good."

Be good. Be good.

He had no idea how to be good, so he tried to pull away, and Gryffindor hummed something, holding him close, "almost done…getting you all nice and clean, hmm? Getting all that messy sauce of you…can't have you sit in class like that, right?"

"N…no", he whispered back, staring into the mirror in front of him, watching with fascination how Gryffindor was cleaning his face, and then the Founder gently held up his hands, cleaning them as well, "good boy…being all nice and quiet for me now, hmm?", he sounded pleased, and Tom turned red, the fog slowly lifting a little again. The episodes never lasted long, because he forced them to end, ashamed and confused by the things they made him do.

"All clean, Thomas", he put the washcloth away, and Tom blinked, slowly coming back to reality- a reality where he had Godric bloody Gryffindor clean his face and hands like he was a messy little toddler, and he had to bit his lips, turning his head away from the mirror.

Fuck me. I cannot believe this happened.

"Uhm…did you…want to ask me something now? About the assignment?", he blurted out, desperately trying to change the subject, and to his relief, Gryffindor let him, "I do- let's go back in the living space", he was more than ready to leave the bathroom, and once they were back in the office, Gryffindor made him sit on the couch, then took a seat in the armchair next to it, "your homework was brilliant, Thomas", he began without an introduction, "it was disorganized and had no structure, and it smelled like you bathed it in Firewhiskey- but the content was brilliant."

Tom stared at him in shock, clearly not been expecting that, "uhm…okay. That's…so, what do you want to know?"

"Isn't that obvious?"

Tom blinked, and then he understood, "oh, I get it- you want to know how such a screw up like me can write a paper like that, right?", he hated how bitter he sounded, "you think I cheated?"

Gryffindor sighed, "I did not say that, Thomas. I just don't understand this. You. Last time I saw you, you were screaming in my face that you wanted to kill me, that you hated everyone and everything, and that you would build up a new Dark Order- and a few months later, you are suddenly ahead of everyone, students who are years older than you in the most difficult class at college? Something is not adding up here, Thomas."

"I don't owe you any explanations, Gryffindor", it sounded hostile.

"Yes, you actually do, Thomas", Godric was beginning to lose his patience, "your Death Eaters are rotting in Azkaban, while you got to get a second chance- do you even know how difficult it was to get you accepted at St. Francis?"

"I didn't ask you to send me there."

"Are you telling me right now that you'd rather be in Azkaban?", and now Gryffindor's tone was cutting, "because I could make that happen, Thomas."

The boy got up, his expression darkening, "you asked your three questions, Gryffindor", he spat at him, grabbing his satchel, "I have to go back to class. Just…leave me the hell alone. What I am doing with my life is none of your business, you are not my fucking father!", and before Gryffindor could say anything else, the boy had stormed out of the room, slamming the door shut behind him.

How dare Gryffindor to accuse him of not being intelligent enough to write a simple paper for his goddamn class! A monkey could have written that! He was angry enough that he did not even bother to attend his other classes, he just went back home, and for the rest of the day, he and Pettigrew got drunk together, then went into the kitchen and made a game out of throwing empty bottles at the roaches, and eventually, they both passed out in the living room, Pettigrew still holding his glass.

He was still hangover the next day, and knowing Ancient Magic was his first class today did not help brightening his mood. He wouldn't go, fuck Gryffindor, and fuck everything. He needed a drink. So, they ended up spending another day lazing around, with Peter suggesting again to move out, but Tom did not want to hear about it- so they actually ended up getting into a fight, Pettigrew more and more frustrated by their living arrangement. By the afternoon, he was agitated, missing college, missing the excitement of pondering over things, and missing the library. It had been a mistake to stay home, but he just couldn't face Gryffindor right now.

The next day, he went back to Seymour's College, his hangover cured by lots of sleep, and he had even managed to take a shower and put some clean clothes on. Today was Friday, so he'd only had to survive Gryffindor today, and then he'd get to enjoy a two day Gryffindor-free weekend. He got to the classroom early, Gryffindor was not even there yet, but most of the other students were, and a few of them were staring at him.

"What's with the hair, Samoal?", Sean eventually asked, his tone mocking, "did a spell go wrong?"

Some other students laughed, and Tom's eyes began to sparkle with anger, "you wanna see a spell go wrong? Look in the mirror!", he hissed at him, and Sean stiffened, "take that back!"

"Why should I? You started it, Yawn", he grinned when Sean flushed, he knew the boy hated that nickname, "and mind your own fucking hair in the future, you little shit!"

"It…it was a joke, I…"

"Anyone ever told you that you are not a fucking clown?", he had gotten louder, not caring the slightest who was listening, "If you ever make fun of me again, I fucking kill you, you hear me?"

Sean whimpered, obviously terrified of Tom, "I…I am sor…"

"You don't have to apologize, Sean", Gryffindor had not even spoken very loudly, but his natural authority made everyone fell silent instantly- even Tom, who had to swallow hard at the look on Gryffindor's face.

Shit.

"I think the only one needing to apologize here is you, Samoal", he was looking him straight in the eyes now, "we do not curse or threaten anyone in this classroom, do you understand me?"

Fuck you.

"He started it, he said…"

"I do not care what he said, Samoal", and now Gryffindor's tone was murderous, and Tom reflectively stepped back, "I asked you to apologize and that is exactly what you are going to do- or you can see me after class for detention."

The way he said the word detention made him wince, suspecting he was going to be in for a lot of pain- but what was that compared to being humiliated in front of Sean and the whole class?

"Sorry that you are such a dull, dumb, dimwitted douchebag", he grinned when Sean's face turned white with anger, "I hope you accept my apology", he added, his tone sickly sweet, enjoying the fact that Sean looked like he was about to burst into tears now.

Serves you right, moron.

"I hope that was worth it, Thomas", Gryffindor leaned over to him, speaking quietly enough for only him to hear, "because you'll do a hell of a counting for this stunt later. See me after class", and then he walked over to his desk like nothing had happened, "take a seat everyone- we have already wasted enough time this morning. Open your books on page 83, we are going to start with some reading today. After that, we…"

Tom tuned out, not caring at all what they were going to do. Gryffindor's words kept repeating themselves in his head, his confusion growing.

What does he want me to count? Like, counting numbers?

None of this made sense, so what the fuck was Gryffindor planning to do to him? Not knowing what was going to happen to him later was another form of torture, and he was unable to concentrate on anything Gryffindor was saying, his mind whirling with possible punishments, one of them worse than the other.

"Continue, Samoal."

His head shot up, having no clue what Gryffindor was talking about, "I…continue?"

The Founder raised an eyebrow, "I believe that is what I asked you to do, yes", it sounded sarcastic, and Tom bit his lips, his mouth suddenly very dry, "I…rather not."

I don't know what to do, I wasn't paying attention.

It was silent enough in the classroom to hear a pin drop now, and then Gryffindor casually walked over to him, leaning over his desk, "do you really want to keep defying me, boy?", he kept his voice low, "because I am about to make you stand in the corner until you are ready to behave again if you keep this up."

His face started to burn with mortification at that prospect, and he balled his hands into fists, "I told you I don't participate", he hissed, "and…and I don't want to count!", he had not meant to say that out loud, but now it was too late.

Gryffindor's lips curled into a smile, "I see- someone is being worried about being disciplined later, hmm?", he sounded amused, "Here's another deal for you, Thomas: Be a good boy for the rest of class, and I might subtract five", his voice was still quiet, "page 83, paragraph eight- if I were you, I'd start reading now", and then he turned around and went back to his desk, and Tom hated himself for the fact that he did open the book, and that he did look for paragraph eight, and before he knew it, he was reading- not seeing the flicker of approval in Gryffindor's eyes. Eventually, Gryffindor let another student take over, and then he asked them to close their books.

Finally. I need this class to be over.

"Since today is the last day of the week, I figured it would be time for a little…quiz", he smiled when his announcement was met with excited murmurs, "just to check how everyone's understanding of our topics is."

Tom could not stop himself from feeling excited as well- a test, a test he would take here, in front of Gryffindor's eyes, which would show Gryffindor he really was smart.

That will show him! He can subtract a fucking hundred then!

"Here is how it is going to work- I am going to ask you a question from my list. If you answer correctly, you get a point, and if you don't, you are automatically out. The student with the most points is going to get a reward from me."

The excitement grew louder, and Tom's heart started to beat faster. A reward. He'd never gotten a reward before.

I have to win this. I just have to. I want the reward.

Gryffindor began, and he started with Lisary, the girl who was sitting close to him. She answered incorrectly- surprise- and the girl next to her did as well, but a thin boy named Darius who was sitting by the window gave a correct answer and got a point. Tom usually never cared for classroom quizzes like this, but this one was different- he found himself paying close attention, and when it was finally his turn, he was more nervous than he wanted to admit.

"Samoal…which one of the Unforgivable Spells is the oldest?"

"It's the Avada", he blurted out, not even needing to think about it, and Gryffindor hummed in approval, "one point for you, Samoal."

He could see the sneer on Sean's face, but he did not care. He got a point! He was totally going to win this. They kept going, and after ten more minutes, only him, Sean, Darius and a girl named Cassandra were still playing, everyone else was out. Then Darius answered incorrectly, Sean answered correctly, he answered correctly, Cassandra answered incorrectly, and then…it was just him and Sean. And for the final round, they were going to have to answer the same question, and whoever answered faster, would win.

I am so close. I am going to win. I'll show these idiots that I am the smartest one here!

His smile turned arrogant without him even being aware of it- but Gryffindor, who had never taken his focus off the boy, did see it.

Time for another lesson, Thomas.

"Here is your final question: Which spell influenced the creation of the Preclius spell?"

The…what?

He felt a lump forming in his throat when he heard Sean answer instantly, "the Longovia spell", Sean sounded smug, "that was easy- we just talked about that yesterday."

Yesterday?

Tom flushed, desperately trying to force back the tears. Yesterday…the day he had mostly spent in bed, curing his hangover and arguing with Pettigrew about the damn apartment instead of attending class.

Well played, Gryffindor- asking me something I wouldn't know because I missed class yesterday.

He had been so close to getting the reward, to make Gryffindor prou…

And before Gryffindor could praise Sean and tell him what the reward was, Tom had started to run. He knew he was being childish, he knew he'd get punished for it, and he knew they would all talk and gossip about him, but he did not care. Seeing Sean getting a reward from Gryffindor was too much, especially after what had happened in the beginning of class. He hated the fact that he had to leave his satchel behind, but it could not be helped now. He had to get out of here, he had to get away from Gryffindor, so as soon as he was in the hallway, he started to run faster. He would go home, hide in the apartment for the weekend, and by Monday, Gryffindor would hopefully have forgotten the whole thing.

Or he'll be even more angry.

He stormed towards the entrance, not bothering to watch out for other students walking his way, and when he saw the entrance doors coming closer, he wanted to exhale in relief.

I am outta here.

He reached for the doorknob, ready to leave, when a very familiar voice suddenly stopped him, "running away again, Thomas?"

Fuck me.

He swallowed hard, his hand still on the doorknob, "I…I am not running. I am just…leaving."

Great, I sound like an idiot.

He could hear Gryffindor walking closer, "you know very well you have detention with me now, Thomas."

"And you know very well I had no fucking clue what the Preclius spell is!", he spat out, his anger bubbling to the surface again, "you…you tricked me because you wanted your precious Sean to win!"

My precious Sean? Oh, Thomas…

"I did not trick you- it is hardly my fault you did not show up for class yesterday, Thomas. It would be unfair to Sean to not ask any questions about yesterday's topic", and then Gryffindor carefully turned him around, making him face him, "let's go, Thomas."

Tom refused to let go of the doorknob, holding onto it like the lifeline it felt, "it is your fault I did not show up yesterday! You basically accused me of cheating, you think I am an idiot, and I am sick of all this, and I am sick of you!"

"You are not an idiot, Thomas- you are by far the smartest boy in my class", he gently removed his hand from the doorknob, "come on, the other students are going to come out any second, and I am pretty certain you don't want them all to know about our private business, hmm?"

"We have no private business! We have no business at all!", the boy spat out, but he did let him led him back to his office, not the classroom, but Tom was too worked up to even think about the other students right now, "I don't have anything to say to you, Sean started it, he was rude as hell and then he said it was a joke, but I knew it wasn't, and no one is going to make fun of my hair, it's a fucking work of art! And I just ran out because I did not want to see Sean's smug face any longer when he's getting his dumb reward!"

The reward that I deserved.

"You seem to have a lot to say for someone who just told me you don't have anything to say to me", Gryffindor remarked, closing the door behind them, "and I would advise you to use another tone with me- and a little less cursing."

The boy rolled his eyes, "you gonna give me a bedtime and chores next?", it sounded as sarcastic as it was meant, "seriously, just…leave me alone."

"I've done that before- and I am starting to think that was a big mistake", Gryffindor replied calmly, and the answer came so unexpected that Tom tensed.

What the hell does he mean by that? He can't mean that he…no. Don't be ridiculous.

"So, what do you want me to count?", he blurted out, desperately trying to change the subject, "there's no stairs here, or do you want me to just count to a hundred?"

He did not understand at that time why that made Gryffindor laugh, "no, Thomas, not like that- take a seat. I think we need to have a conversation first."

The boy's eyes were full of mistrust and confusion when he sat down on the couch, "fine. Whatever."

If the boy was his, he'd gotten a spanking for that answer alone, but he wasn't his, and he better remembered that.

"Do you know what happens to little boys who are being naughty and disobedient, Thomas?"

He froze.

No. No way. No, he does not mean that, he wouldn't do that, he can't do that, I am his student, I am eighteen, there is no way. He's just trying to mind fuck me, he's playing games with me, he…

The Founder kept watching him silently, having his answer when the boy paled, "I think you know what I am talking about, hmm?", he kept his tone mild, not wanting to scare the boy even more, "have you ever been spanked before, Thomas?"

"You…you can't do that", Tom stood up, his face distressed, "that's…I am eighteen, I am…"

"You are fifteen, Thomas", Gryffindor corrected him softly, "and even if you were eighteen, I'd still spank you for your behavior today."

"I am leaving", he tried to make a run for the door, but Gryffindor had expected him to and grabbed the boy before he was even able to make it past him, "you don't get to run away anymore, Thomas", he told him quietly, "sit down."

"No! No, I fucking won't! This is crazy, I am not letting you…"

Gryffindor wordlessly turned the defiant boy around and then he delivered one hard smack to the boy's backside, "keep it up and I am going to use my belt on you later, Thomas", his voice had gotten cold, "now sit down."

The boy was staring at him with wide eyes, obviously still processing what just happened, and Gryffindor knew all he had to do was wait now- and his patience got rewarded when the boy hesitantly sat down again, his face dark red with shame and anger.

"Good boy", he praised him, needing him to know that being obedient would be rewarded, "now, let's do a little counting, shall we?"

The boy did not respond, but Gryffindor had not expected him to, "you are going to get five for getting into an argument with Sean, five for disobeying me when I asked you to apologize, and five for leaving the classroom without my permission- which is how much in total?"

"Fifteen", his voice was barely a whisper, but Gryffindor had no problem understanding him, "fifteen…what?", it was really about time the boy learned some respect.

"Fifteen, Sir", it did not sound very respectful though, but Gryffindor knew it was a start.

"Good boy. Usually, I would make you drop the pants, but I am aware it is still too early for that. You will count though, and if I don't hear you counting nice and loud, I am going to repeat that number until you do."

"That's messed up, Sir."

He had to smile, "it's a punishment, Thomas. Come over here now", he patted his lap, hearing the boy sobbing with mortification in response. He did not move, though, he stayed frozen to the couch, and when Gryffindor slowly got up to get the boy, he pressed his body even harder into the fabric, "no, wait! Wait!"

It sounded desperate, and scared, and nervous, and since Gryffindor knew this was his first time getting spanked, he did wait- looking at the boy expectantly, "anything you wish to tell me, Thomas?"

"Please, not…not that, I…I apologize to Sean, I will, on Monday, first thing in the morning, I swear!"

"Oh, you will", Gryffindor agreed calmly, "and you are also going to apologize to me for being disobedient and for running out of the room and for not showing up for class yesterday- you will be a very sorry little boy once I am done with you."

"Not…a boy", Tom whispered, panic forming a lump in his throat, "just…let me go, we just forget everything, and…I won't even tell Hastings what you did to me in the bathroom and in that closet, we can be even, and I do extra work, I could…"

Godric listened patiently, knowing that the panic had taken over and that the boy was desperately trying to think of ways out of his situation, and he also knew he would have promised him about anything right now.

It's scary to get real consequences for your actions for the first time, hmm?

"And…I could answer more questions, any question, anything you…"

"That won't be necessary, Thomas", he kept his voice calm, "all I need you to do is come over here right now", he patted his lap again in encouragement, and Tom sobbed, "I could…bend over the desk, or…"

"How I discipline you is non-negotiable, Thomas", he got the idea the boy was simply too stressed and scared to come to him voluntarily, so he calmy walked over to him, took him by the shoulder, sat down in the armchair again then he carefully pulled the boy over his lap, not surprised when Tom instantly started to kick and struggle, "no, what…are you doing, let me go! I don't want this!"

No, but you need this.

"I will let you go once your punishment is over", Gryffindor kept his voice even, adjusting the squirming boy on his lap, "by the way, there is something else we need to count."

What. The. Fuck. No more!

Tom started to struggle again, kicking him, "I don't want to count anymore! It wasn't even my fault! It was Sean! Sean started it!"

"I do not care what Sean did or not- I care about your behavior, Thomas", he responded, his voice still very calm, "and I was actually going to subtract five- you were behaving really good in class for the most part, and I promised you I'd reward that."

There was a silence.

"If…I had won that silly quiz, you would have subtracted ten, right?", the boy on his lap sounded miserable now- and sad, even though he was trying to hide it.

"No, I would not have done that, Thomas- you wanted to win really bad, hmm? You wanted to show me what a smart boy you are, right?"

Yeah.

"No, I just like to win", he lied, and he could hear Gryffindor chuckle, softly patting his backside, reminding him of the humiliating position he was in, "being honest might get you another five subtracted, Thomas."

"Don't care! I was being honest! I want to leave!"

The boy started to struggle harder again, he was kicking and squirming, and Gryffindor knew this would take a while- but he also knew that eventually, Thomas would have no choice but to give in and accept his punishment. He patiently held the struggling boy in a tight grip, humming something, something soothing, and Tom kept kicking, punching, and boxing, but after about ten minutes, his struggles slowly lessened.

"Getting tired there, big boy?", he chuckled when the boy kicked his feet again, and then he grabbed his legs with one hand, using the other one to hold his hands together, and he could hear the boy sobbing in despair, realizing he was effectively being trapped now, unable to move.

"Now, do you want ten or tell me the truth and get five, Thomas? What's it going to be?"

He could hear the boy sob again, "fine! I did want to win, I am tired of you thinking I am too dumb for your class! I am really here to learn, and if I had known you'd be my new Professor for Ancient Magic, I would have stayed in my bed!"

He waited for Gryffindor to reprimand him for being disrespectful again, but to his surprise, the Founder just laughed, "alright- five it is. Remember to count them, Thomas", and before the boy could respond, he lifted his hand and delivered the first hard blow to the boy's backside.

Tom bucked, "that…was one?", it sounded questioning, and the Founder smiled, "yes, that was one", he agreed, delivering another smack.

"Two! Second one!"

"Smart boy, counting so nicely for me", it sounded fond, and he could see the boy's ears reddening with embarrassment, and then he gave him another spank.

"Threeee! That hurt! I want up!", he squirmed again, but when Gryffindor tightened his grip, he instantly stilled, calming down.

Interesting.

He gave him another quick spank, and this one made the boy howl, "four! I don't want anymore!", he was bucking helplessly, but there was nothing he could do, there was no way out from his punishment, "one more- and then you are all forgiven, Thomas", the last one was the hardest one, and the boy screamed, "fiveeeee! Fiveeee, I am sorry! I am sorry!", and then, he started to cry.

"Shhh…all done- you are all forgiven, Tommy", and then he carefully lifted the crying boy up, pulling him close, "shhh…you did very well, such a good boy…counting so nicely for me, my smart, sweet boy…", and then he started to rock him, and the boy sniffled, clutching his hands into his robes, snuggling closer, "good…boy?", it sounded like a question, and he was looking at him with the same wide eyes he had the other day when he had let him wash his face and hands, "yes, you are my good boy, Tommy", and as soon as he said it, he knew it was the truth- the boy was his, he had just been too angry and disappointed with him to see it, "you took that very well…and I am so proud of you."

The boy smiled, blinking, and for the next couple of minutes, they stayed like that- him rocking and praising the boy in a low voice, telling him how good he had been, softly caressing his spikey hair- it did not hurt to touch it after all- and Tom quietly listening, snuggled into his chest.

This is nice…this is…so cozy…I am so warm…it's warm…wait…what…what am I doing here?

The fog had lifted again, and when Tom realized he was snuggled into Gryffindor of all people after the man had just freaking spanked him like a naughty little boy, he tensed, struggling to get up, "I…I have to go, I…I need to leave", he was in such a panic that he did not even hear what Gryffindor was saying to him, he just stormed out of the room, and then he ran, and ran, and ran, until he was finally home.

He opened the door, went into the kitchen to get a drink, and the box on the counter where they kept their stolen money was gone, but there was a note- a note from Pettigrew. He'd left- he had left to find some other place to live, and he had taken all their money, all their savings with him- everything. He had left him nothing so he couldn't even buy himself some food, he had nothing.

And he was officially alone now.

poor tommy...but gryffindor is gonna come to the rescue ;)

I would love some feedback from you all! :) Thank you in advance!

xoxo,

Antonie :)