Enjoy!
Charles walked back into his study as he surveyed the signs that his son had been there.
The boy's school robe and shirt were still on the armchair; his satchel was still on the floor. The jars of salve were still on his desk and the slipper was still lying on the floor.
Charles felt a small wave of guilt rush through his body at the severity at which he had just punished his son. It was certainly the worst spanking that James had ever endured. There was a part of him that was tempted to go up and heal the child while he slept but he quickly pushed the thought from his mind. It had been the second time recently that James had been in trouble for the same offense. That alone was enough to earn him a longer punishment; on top of that he had been suspended. Besides, if he was honest with himself, he really hadn't been that hard on James. Yes he had given him a long punishment but in actuality he had not hit him all that hard. He was sure that being punched in the face by Regulus had hurt much worse than his spanking had and he hadn't shed a tear over that. But then he knew his son well enough to know that his tears had very little to do with his punishment and more to do with his feelings.
Charles walked over to his desk. He pulled a piece of parchment from his top drawer and picked up a quill as he quickly began to write out a letter.
James would be fine, he as sure of it. By the time the boy was sitting at the dinner table he was sure that his backside would hardly smart at all and that the young teenager would be back to his normal cheeky self.
It was his other son that his concern fell on now.
Despite the fact that over the course of the summer Sirius had been on the receiving end of punishment three times while living under his roof, Charles knew that the child still harbored some fears.
The first time he had punished Sirius it had been the boy's idea. He had gotten into trouble with James and he had been determined that he would take whatever punishment his best friend had endured. Charles hadn't been very stern then.
The second time was different. The boys had been getting into little trouble for days, minor offences that started racking up. Knocking over an antique frame and causing it to shatter, being caught awake and playing a game of Exploding Snap hours after their bedtime, leaving the bathroom an absolute mess after an experiment with some muggle water balloons. They had been scolded, sent to bed early, and sent to their rooms on each of those occasions. The final straw had been when they had been told that they were not to be on their brooms due to a horrible storm that was moving in. When Charles and Lydia had come home from the market and the boys and their brooms were nowhere to be found he had been furious. He had been extremely stern with both of them and he hadn't forgotten the look of worry – of fear – in Sirius' eyes. Of course after the inevitable punishment he had been sure to spend a long time with the child. He had reassured him, cuddled him, and allowed him to cry into his chest for nearly an hour.
Still, he knew that Sirius was still healing from his past life. He knew that the child hid his feelings deep inside, only allowing them out when he couldn't stand to hold them in for a second longer.
He couldn't help but wonder why Sirius hadn't been the one fighting his brother. Of course Charles certainly didn't want that, but it was still peculiar to him that he hadn't.
He signed the letter before placing it into an envelope and addressing it. He walked across the room to the fireplace and dropped the letter inside causing it to fly up the chimney.
He did hope that his memory was serving him correctly as he patiently waited for a response to his letter.
In an attempt to kill time he walked across the room and picked up James' satchel. His Care of Magical Creatures book was peeking out of the top of the bag causing Charles to chuckle at the sight of it. Despite the fact that his son was very smart he was not the most studious boy. He had been blessed to be naturally intelligent. He rarely studied for tests and yet always passed them with ease and on more than one occasion one of his Professors had sent a note home in regards to James not doing his homework. Charles was sure that James only brought a schoolbook home in hopes of looking like he was being good and likely in hopes that it would somehow lessen his punishment.
Charles placed the satchel on the chair with James' robe and shirt. His fingers gently traced the outline of the rip in his son's robe. He was sure that his wife would be out tomorrow purchasing him a new one. Just as he was sure that when she returned from her sister's and heard about the day's events they would be having James' favorite dinner and likely his favorite dessert. It was her way. Charles had learned over time that it didn't do any good to question it. Of course she would be disappointed in James for being suspended. She would likely even scold him causing her son to blush in shame but then she would spoil him rotten in her own little ways. She would make his favorite foods, go up to tuck him in at night and spend longer than necessary comforting him. On Sunday she would likely send him back to Hogwarts with a bag full of sugary sweets. Charles chuckled at the thought as the floo roared to life behind him.
He turned on his heel and smiled softly as he saw his young guest.
"You wanted to see me?" Sirius asked in a soft voice.
Charles nodded. He could hear the apprehension in the boy's voice. He was sure that the child thought he was in trouble for something as well.
"I did," Charles replied as he waved a hand beckoning Sirius to join him. He quickly moved James clothes and satchel to the floor before sitting down. "Come have a seat."
Sirius walked across the room and sat down in the armchair next to his.
"I was going to come to Hogwarts but I didn't want to embarrass you," Charles quickly explained. "I know I've popped over to check up on James once or twice and he was just mortified by me."
A small smile formed on Sirius' face at these words. He could see James making a huge deal about his dad coming to the school. Sirius however wouldn't have been embarrassed at all. He actually thought it might be quite nice. "You wouldn't embarrass me," he replied.
"That's excellent to know for the future," Charles grinned before growing quite somber. "James mentioned to me that you wanted to come home for the weekend which of course you are always welcome to do. However, it made me wonder if you were okay. I am sure that you are aware that James is in quite a bit of trouble at the moment. I was afraid you were worrying over him or rather his fate."
Sirius blushed slightly at these words. It was true he had been worried. He had hardly heard a word of the lecture in Muggle Studies and he had completely missed Peter telling him about the holiday his parents were taking him on over the summer. His thoughts had been completely consumed with James. He wasn't quite sure why he was so worried either. He knew that Mr. Potter was fair. He knew that James wasn't lying bloody and broken somewhere. He knew that he wasn't like his father.
"It's quite alright," Charles continued noticing the color in the child's face. "Of course I am not going to divulge James' punishment to you, despite the fact that I am sure he will, as it is his own business. However, I must tell you that he is okay. He and I had a talk and his behavior was dealt with and although he is being punished quite severely I assure you that he is not being abused."
Sirius nodded quietly as he turned his head so that Charles could not see his face. He knew that he was blushing, ashamed of his thoughts. Embarrassed that he had even for a second worried about James. His eyes drifted across the room instantly spotting the slipper lying on the floor. Sirius cringed involuntarily at the sight of it. He was pretty sure he knew exactly how James had been punished.
"That should have been tucked away," Charles said softly, "A careless mistake on my part."
Sirius was silent as he willed his face to return to its normal shade.
Charles gently cleared his throat causing Sirius to look back at him.
"I suppose my other concern is why James is fighting your brother and why you are not."
"I didn't ask him to do it," Sirius quickly replied. "I swear I didn't."
"Oh Love no," Charles said in a kind voice. "I was not implicating that you had. I was more curious as to why you weren't the one in trouble for fighting."
Sirius made a confused face at these words. Surely fighting his brother wouldn't be excused if he had done it.
"Not that I am encouraging you to do so by any means," Charles hastily replied. "Do not take my words the wrong way. Fighting will only find you in the same position that James is in now and trust when I say that it is not a comfortable one. However you do not seem like the type to stand by quietly and allow someone to bully you. I was simply curious as to what is making you do so."
Silence reigned as Sirius turned his face away once more. He could feel his ears and cheeks burning in shame.
"Is it because you fear punishment?" Charles asked softly.
Sirius nodded. "Some," he answered honestly in a whisper.
Charles felt a feeling of dread rush through his body. He often worried that treating the two boys exactly the same was not what was best for Sirius. The child had come from an abusive household and Charles did not pretend to know how that felt nor did he pretend to know exactly how to deal with it correctly. "Do you fear me?" Charles asked in a gentle voice. He could feel the fear taking over his heart.
Sirius quickly shook his head as he turned his head. Now looking at the man he answered honestly. "No. I'm not afraid of you at all."
Bewildered, Charles questioned the child. "You just said that you fear punishment?"
"Not punishment from you," Sirius replied. He was sure that his face was going to burn right off of his skull at any moment. "I'm afraid that if I get in too much trouble you'll decide to send me home and I'm afraid of what he would do if I hurt Reg."
"Oh Sirius," Charles said in a sad voice. He held his arms out inviting the boy onto his lap. Had it been James he would have resisted the invitation for as long as possible. In his opinion he was far too old to be cuddled on his father's lap. Sirius however was out of his seat and in the man's arms seconds later. Charles lifted the boy with ease depositing him onto his knee. "I want you to listen to me very carefully okay?"
Sirius nodded. He didn't trust himself to speak. He was close to tears though he didn't have a clue as to why he was suddenly feeling so emotional.
"When my wife and I made the decision to formally adopt you we did not do so lightly. You are a child and we certainly do not expect your behavior to be perfect at all times. We know that you will get into mischief. We know that you will make mistakes. It is to be expected. We don't care how much naughtiness you get yourself into – we aren't going anywhere." He paused for a moment. He wanted to be sure that Sirius really heard him and understood. "We aren't going anywhere," he repeated the words once more. "And neither are you. I don't care if you burn the house down. I promise you that we will not send you back to them. Understood?"
"Yeah," Sirius nodded. He was overcome with a feeling of security and love. He felt silly for having ever doubted anything.
"Besides if we were in the business of kicking unruly children out of this house, James would have been wandering the streets years ago," Charles joked.
Sirius chuckled at these words. Acting completely on impulse he found himself wrapping his arms around the man's torso and hugging him tightly.
"We love you Sirius," Charles said in a soft voice, "As if you were our own. I sincerely hope that you never doubt that."
Sirius didn't answer with words. Instead he squeezed the man tightly once more. Had James been in the room he would have been absolutely mortified by his actions. He trusted Mr. Potter though, more than he had ever trusted an adult in his life. He knew that he could let his guard down without worry.
"I am going to speak to Professor Dumbledore about how your brother has been acting," Charles informed the boy. "It's gone on long enough. I think it's time that it is dealt with."
Sirius nodded in agreement even though he didn't really agree at all. It felt too much to him like being a rat and he hated that.
As if reading his mind Charles continued. "Making the Headmaster aware is not shameful. Your brother should not be allowed to get away with his misdeeds. However if you are questioned about it and it makes you feel better you can blame it all on me – tell your friends that you argued with me about saying something but I insisted that I must."
Sirius smiled softly. "Thanks."
"Are you feeling better now?" Charles asked.
Sirius nodded, "Loads."
"Then I think it's time you get yourself back to school. It'll be nearly dinner time soon and I don't want you to miss a meal."
Sirius slipped off of the man's knee. He turned back towards the man and threw his arms around him hugging him once more. "Thank you… for everything."
"Of course," Charles smiled softly as he gave the child a tight squeeze. "I will see you on Friday. See if you can't make it home for dinner."
"I will," Sirius smiled brightly as he released his grip. He couldn't help the feeling of pure joy that was rushing through him. He wasn't quite sure what he had done in his life to be lucky enough to have found the Potters but he was forever grateful that he had.
Sirius knocked on the bedroom door. Over the summer he had never knocked. He had walked in without a single apprehension whether it was eight in the morning or ten at night. Despite the fact that he felt awkward knocking now, he couldn't shake the feeling that he would feel more awkward just walking in. He wasn't sure why he felt that way; he was only sure that it was a feeling he couldn't deny.
It wasn't until he heard the voice telling him he could come in that he turned the doorknob and walked into the room shutting the door tightly behind him.
"Why'd you knock?" James asked causing Sirius to feel stupid for doing so.
Sirius shrugged as he walked across the room and stretched out on his stomach on James' bed, "School work?" He asked.
James made a face as he nodded. He stood up from his desk chair abandoning the open Potions book and the piece of parchment he was using to write his essay. He stretched before walking over to his bed and lying across it on his stomach, his head now next to his best mates.
"I finished everything I was supposed to. I was just working ahead a bit," James explained.
Sirius raised an eyebrow at these words. Surely he had to have heard James incorrectly. His best friend didn't work ahead; he barely even did the homework that was assigned.
"Dad said that we could only hang out this weekend if I got a good amount of school work done," James went on. "I was really just trying to make sure he couldn't say that I haven't."
"That's decent of him," Sirius replied. "I mean letting you hang out."
"I've been doing nothing but chores and schoolwork for the last two days," James said in an exaggerated hurt voice. "And that's after he nearly put my bum in St. Mungo's for death by slipper."
"Git!" Sirius nearly shrieked. "You got suspended! What did you think?"
James shrugged as he grinned. "I guess you're right. Still he could have been a bit more understanding." Despite the fact that James said the words he didn't fully believe them. He knew that in the grand scheme of things his dad hadn't really been that hard on him. He had walloped him for a long time but he hadn't done so that hard and James knew it. He didn't have to – the simple fact that he felt the need to make him stand in the corner and then take him over his knee was enough to send James into hysterics. He hated to disappoint the man.
Sirius couldn't help but chuckle at James words before he grew quite somber. "About fighting with Reg …you can't do that anymore okay?"
James nodded. "Yeah I know. It's just hard you know? I hate that he says things about you. You're my brother Siri it hurts me that he does that."
Sirius felt an overwhelming sense of love for James. He swallowed hard as a large lump appeared in his throat. He would feel like a complete arse if he started crying. "I know but we just have to ignore him. You can't get suspended again and I can't at all. Plus I'm pretty sure that your bum really will end up in St. Mungo's next time."
James rolled his eyes at these words as he grinned.
"Besides he'll probably stop now. He got suspended too you know," Sirius continued.
"No offense but will your parents really care?" James asked in a cautious voice. "I mean that he got suspended for fighting me because he was picking on you?"
"No," Sirius answered honestly. "But they will care that he got suspended and made the Black name look bad. Luckily for him my parents won't do what they would have done if it was me but I'm sure he suffered a fate similar to yours."
James smiled widely at these words. He had imagined Regulus being praised for his suspension. He had even pictured Mr. Black taking him out and buying him a new broom and a bag of sweets for his actions. It was nice to hear that that likely hadn't been the case.
"So what do you want to do this weekend?" Sirius asked changing the subject completely. He didn't want thoughts of his parents to ruin his weekend home. They were best left out of his thoughts completely – they did the least damage that way.
James smiled widely as he rolled onto his back. "I was thinking maybe I could talk them into taking us into London."
"You're barmy," Sirius laughed.
"No but just think – they might feel bad for punishing me and think it's a brilliant idea."
Sirius laughed once more as he rolled his eyes playfully. He was absolutely sure that even if he lived to be a hundred years old he would never experience a moment that could top the ones that he spent with James. It didn't matter if the two of them were having a daring adventure or simply lying on James' bed and talking – these were the moments that Sirius loved the most in his life. James was more his brother than Regulus had ever been and he was sure that he would never find a way to thank him for it but he would never stop trying.