Double or Nothing

Disclaimer: We don't own any of these characters, we just play with them.

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Chapter 3

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The following couple of weeks passed swiftly. After much coaxing from his parents, Harry became less and less shy and more and more bold. And though his parents were glad he had come out of his shell they were unprepared for the rebellion that came with it. It started with little things, like refusing to finish the vegetables on his plate, or mumbling under his breath when he didn't like something that he was told to do, but then he began to talk back and shirk his chores, and he became far to mouthy for ether James or Lily's liking.

They were unsure what was going on with the boy and they felt a little guilty about taking their yearly over night trip on their anniversary but Severus had assured them he could take care of whatever the two boys could dish out and they knew it was true as Severus didn't take anything from anyone.

"Now, boys, you be good for Uncle Severus." Lily said as she kissed the top of both her son's heads. Jamie nodded but Harry simply rolled his eyes and grumbled under his breath, something about not listening to the greasy git. If Lily and James had heard it they hadn't said anything about it, but Severus leveled Harry with a sharp glare that made him wilt slightly.

Harry had been trying for weeks now to get a reaction from his parents, anything that told him they cared what he did, but he'd gotten nothing, not so much as a scolding and Harry was getting frustrated. Why didn't they just send him back if they didn't care about him? By and large he was sure sending him back would be the less cruel thing to do as it was pure torture to have what he wanted so badly dangled in front of him like that only to find he could never have it. At least back in his world he wasn't teased like this.

James looked at Harry and then leveled him and Jamie with a stern gazes. "Be good." He said simply. The effect was ruined by the wink he gave a second later. Holding onto Lily, the two disappeared as the timed portkey took them away.

Harry slid away from the table leaving his breakfast dishes where they were even though he was well aware of the rule that they were each supposed to take care of cleaning their own dishes and such.

"Harry, clean up after yourself." Severus said firmly, pointing at the ignored plate.

"No" Harry said flatly before grabbing his broom and going out the front door. He was in the sky before Severus had much time to react this his disobedience.

Jamie just stared at his Uncle with wide eyes. *His* Uncle Sev was just taking that from his bratty brother? He would never be able to get away with that!

Severus seethed; how dare that brat be so disrespectful? More than anything, Severus wanted to pluck that boy out of the sky and pull him over his knee. But then Lily's words came back to Severus. She had told him of his neglect and abuse at the hands of the Dursleys and had asked him to be patient with Harry. Forcing down his anger, he decided to do just that. He would let both of them cool down before he sat down and talked with Harry about why his behavior was unacceptable.

Harry enjoyed the rush of the wind in his face as he flew. He gave little or no thought to the undoubtedly angry Snape he had left behind. He flew the entire morning away, not touching down till his stomach told him it was lunch time; he had become entirely too accustomed to having three meals a day.

He walked slowly to the house, his hair wind-tousled, dragging his broom behind him heedless of the fact that it was bringing dirt into the house.

"There you are!" Jamie said when he caught sight of Harry. "Uncle Sev's in the kitchen making lunch."

Harry simply shrugged and made his way into the kitchen, his broom bringing a trail of dirt along with it.

When Harry entered the the kitchen he was greeted by the sight of a Severus Snape in an apron. Harry sniggered at the image; sure, it wasn't a frilly apron but still...

"Harry, clean up your plates and then you can eat." Severus gave him a pointed look before returning to cooking the food.

"You clean it!" Harry huffed.

"No." Severus said firmly. "You know the rules, you have to clean up after yourself."

"No!" Harry exclaimed and then turned to leave the kitchen.

"Harry James Potter! You get back here this instant!" Severus said angrily.

Harry ignored the man and walked out of the kitchen. He put his broom away before plopping himself down on the couch and turning on the TV.

Severus cast a stasis spell on the cooking food before marching over to the petulant boy. "Harry! Now is lunch time, and if you want any I suggest you do as I say, NOW!" Severus said, pulling Harry off the couch.

"Fine, don't feed me! At least that would make this feel more like home!" Harry yelled. He then picked up the plate and threw it through the air like a Frisbee. Giving a satisfied smirk as it smashed against the far wall and broke into a million pieces, he turned and stomped off to his room and slammed the door behind him.

Jamie watched the proceedings with a wide eyes and an open mouth. Severus noticed his other nephew in his shock. "Go flying for a half an hour, lunch will be a little delayed."

Jamie's eyes widened a little more as he nodded and made his way to the broom cupboard. He recognized his Uncle Sev's expression, and he didn't want to be anywhere near him when he was like this!

After Jamie left, Severus made his way to the boys' shared room. He knocked on the door.

"Leave me alone Snape!" Harry called through the door, knowing being called Snape would irk the man.

Severus ignored Harry and entered the room. "That's 'Uncle Severus'. Now, I want to talk to you about your deplorable behavior from today..." Severus started in.

"Why bother knocking if you are going to just come in anyway, SNAPE!?" Harry exclaimed, making sure to emphasize the name.

"There is much to be said about manners, Harry, something that I find you are sorely lacking in at this moment. Calm down and we can talk about this in a civilized manner like adults." Severus did everything he could to control his temper. Merlin, this boy would test the patience of a saint!

"Go away." Harry insisted, flopping down on his stomach and hiding his face in his pillow thus ignoring the man's presence entirely.

Severus pulled the boy up to face him. "Harry, stop this behavior at once! When someone's talking to you, you should at very least sit up and pay attention. What you are doing is very rude." Severus scolded.

Harry pulled away from Severus and out of his grasp. "I don't want to talk to you, Snape, and I think you are the one being rude by not going away!" Harry spat at him.

"Watch your tone, young man!" Severus said warningly.

"Why don't you just sod off." Harry said, attitude dripping from every word.

Severus' very thinly worn patience snapped at that. Abruptly seating himself on the desk chair, he looked up at Harry. "That is it! I will not take any more of your disrespect! Bare your bottom and lie over my lap." He said in a hard voice.

Harry blanched; he had been pushing and pushing in hopes of a reaction, though this was not the person he had hoped to get a reaction from. It would figure though, with Harry's luck, that Snape would be the only one that would care enough to discipline him; it was the same way in his own world as well.

"No!! No, you can't!!" Harry yelled.

"I can and I will." Severus said sternly. "Now, I will give you to the count of three, and if you are not bare bottomed and over my lap by the end of it I shall be using the slipper on your bottom as well!"

"No, now go away, sod off! I don't want to talk to you, I want to be alone!!" Harry screamed. Even with everyone around him he had never felt so alone anyway, so honestly it didn't matter if the man stayed or went. Harry was totally and completely alone.

"One..." Severus said holding up a single finger.

Harry crossed his arms and glared at Snape through hurting green eyes.

"Two..." Severus said, raising another finger. "If you haven't been spanked by the slipper before, you can't imagine how much it stings and burns..."

Well, Harry had never been spanked before; no one really cared to correct him in such a way and that made the entire thing more scary for him.

"No, no! You can't!! I won't let you!!" Harry insisted.

"Three." Severus got up and pulled Harry over to the desk chair. Seating himself, he proceeded to unbutton Harry's trousers.

Harry struggled and flailed trying to pull away and he slapped at Snape's hand, trying to get him to let go and stop unbuttoning his pants.

"Nooo, don't! You can't!! Let me go! Let me gooo!!!"

Severus ignored Harry's pleas, and was undeterred by his attempts to get away. After he undid Harry's trousers, he quickly pulled the boy over his lap.

"Noo!! Let me go, you can't do this! You can't!!!! Please!!" He panicked. "Please, I've never been spanked before! Please don't!!"

"Yes, I can, and if this is your first spanking, then it is apparent that it is far overdue!" Severus said as he pulled down Harry's trousers and pants, baring the boy's bottom.

Harry whimpered and wriggled over Snape's lap, putting his hand back in a desperate attempt to pull his clothing back into place and hide his bare bum, not only because it was embarrassing for Snape to be seeing his naked rear but also because he didn't want it exposed to what he knew was about to come.

Severus easily swept Harry's hand up to the small of his back. Wasting no time, he brought his hand down with a sharp SMACK!

Harry let out a startled yipe the first swat taking him off guard and it stung, Snape's palm was strong!!

Severus lit into Harry's bottom at a furious pace, leaving no spot untouched and paying special attention to the sit spots.

Harry wriggled about and kicked his feet. He tried to be still and quiet, not wanting to give into the man and his damn palm made out of iron but it hurt! He couldn't take it, not in silence, and soon he was yelping with the swats and trying to wriggle off the man's lap.

"Why are you receiving this spanking, Harry?" Severus asked, not laying up in the least.

Harry gasped and kicked and soon the tears were falling. He could not believe the man was asking him questions when he was in this position! Oh, it hurt so badly!!

"S-Sttoo-ooppp, p-pleasee! No more!" Harry begged.

"I expect an answer, Harry James!" Severus said as he landed two swats on the boy's thighs.

Harry let out a sob and he bucked on the man lap.

"B-Because I t-threw a t-tantrum! P-please, Uncle Sev! OWWWWWWWWWWWWW! Please no more!!" he sobbed.

Severus sighed as he heard Harry call him 'Uncle Sev', he just had to make it harder, didn't he? Severus rubbed Harry's back waiting for his sobs to slow down a little.

When Harry's breathing had evened out, Severus conjured a slipper. "That spanking was for the tantrum and the disrespect you've shown me. This," he said, tapping the slipper to Harry's bright red bum, "is for disobeying me when I said to come and bare your bottom."

"Oohhhhh, no!! Pl-pleaseeeee; I'm s-sorryy! P-please don'ttt!!" Harry begged; he didn't want any more! It hurt so much already!!!

Despite appearances, Severus Snape *did* have a heart, and Harry's pleas did move him ever so slightly. He took into account that it was the child's first spanking (no matter how deserved), and decided to be lenient this time. "You will NOT disobey me again!" He said sternly as he landed the two token swats to the boy's sit spots and then banished the slipper.

Harry yelped loudly, the leniency of the swats not being felt so much on his end, and he sobbed hard, going limp over Snape's lap.

After Severus banished the slipper, he once more rubbed soothing circles on Harry's back. This time when Harry's sobs slowed he pulled him up into a hug.

Harry was too sore to be shocked by the fact that Snape was now holding him. He simply could not get the thought out of his head that Snape had been the only one thus far to care enough to discipline him in any way, shape, or form, which only made Harry sob harder and bury his face in the man's chest.

Severus rubbed Harry's back gently and rocked the boy. "Shh. All is forgiven now." He said gently.

This only made Harry sob harder. Why did Snape care about him when his parents didn't? Though he supposed they weren't really his parents, and really, what right did he have to expect them to care about him? They had already done so much for him.

Severus was a bit at a loss; sure, Jamie was emotional during spankings but never this bad. Why would Harry be so different? "Hey, now, what's wrong? It's over with and you are forgiven." He said as gently as he could.

Harry burrowed his face deeper into Severus' chest as he sought the words to explain what was going on with him, but none came; he couldn't think of a way to explain how he was feeling and so he just sobbed his heart out.

"Harry, look at me." Severus said as he pushed Harry's chin up so that their eye's met. "Legilimens." He incanted. Severus was almost floored by the mess of conflicting emotions his mind was assaulted with. After taking a moment to collect himself, he looked back into Harry's wide eyes.

"Harry, you know your parents love you very much, right?" Severus questioned as he looked intently at the boy.

Harry shook his head miserably, more tears rolling down his cheeks.

"T-They d-don't; they don't care what I d-do! They care e-enough to scold Jamie a-and correct him when he does things wrong, b-but they don't even react to me when I do something; t-they don't care if I break rules or do dangerous stuff." Harry sobbed out.

Severus mulled on that little bit of information. He had known that the Potter parents were being lenient on Harry because they felt he had been through enough, but this... this bordered on neglect. With a sigh, Severus said, "Harry they *do* care for you. They are just trying to be lenient on you right now while you are adjusting."

Harry shook his head. "Noo, I been trying to get them to react to a-anything but they don't care. They just let me do as I wish. They don't care for me like they do for Jamie - they wont ever care for me." Harry began to sob harder again.

Severus gave another sigh before pulling Harry close to him. It would take more than words for Harry to realize just how wrong he was.

"Do you want to talk about your behavior from this morning?" Severus asked.

Harry snuggled as close to Severus as he could get, his head resting on his chest. Snape... Uncle Sev, seemed to be the only one that cared what he did.

"D-Do we have to?" Harry asked as he calmed a bit.

"Yes, your actions were deplorable, and I want to know why you did what you did." Severus said firmly, leveling Harry with a stern gaze.

Harry whimpered and ducked his head into the crook of his uncle's neck.

"I sorryyyy," he mumbled miserably. "I didn't mean to break the plate, really, it's just... when you said that I couldn't eat 'til I did it, I just... it reminded me of the Dursleys. They were always withholding food, and I flipped. I'm sorry really. I d-didn't think it mattered what I did; I didn't think anyone cared. I guess I was pushing, I've been pushing the last few weeks but no one has done anything 'til now, you're the only one that seems to care at all..." He let out another whimper and clung tightly to Severus.

"Harry, I apologize. I had forgotten that food was withheld from you as punishment. I should have never made that threat." Severus said sincerely.

Harry raised his eyes though he didn't move to lift his head; at the moment it felt to heavy and really he was quite happy with where it was at the moment. "P-please just... don't do it again, sir. I don't like it," he said in a small voice.

"I won't, and that's 'Uncle Severus'." Severus corrected gently. "But Harry, I'm not the only one who cares for you. Your mother and father, and other uncles all care about you. You don't need to push us to know that. And besides," Severus said with a small smirk, "if you continue to push, you may find yourself with a very sore bottom." He said while patting Harry's very red bottom.

Harry wriggled a bit; his bum was awful sore at the moment, and he gave Uncle Severus an award-winning pout.

"They don't care, Uncle Severus. No one cares but you. I don't know why they don't just send me back, I...I think it hurts more to be unwanted here then it did to be unwanted there..." he admitted reluctantly.

"Harry, you are *not* unwanted here. You'll see in time how true that is." Severus said firmly. Severus helped Harry stand and redress himself. "Come, I was just finishing lunch, do you want to come help? Your brother should be back soon." Severus asked, trying to keep his tone light.

Harry gave one last sniffle and nodded. He wanted to believe the man, he really, really did, but he just couldn't, not when all the proof was telling him otherwise. He was, however, relieved that at least Snape cared about him. Harry rolled his eyes at himself; now if that wasn't the oddest thing he had ever thought in his life? Heaving a great sigh, he followed his uncle down to the kitchen.

The rest of the day passed smoothly, although Harry did squirm in his seat at meals and seemed a bit clingy to Severus. The trio ended up playing a series of muggle board games. At ten o'clock Severus announced that it was bedtime and told the twins to get ready for bed.

Jamie immediately obeyed, and Harry's protests were cut off by a sharp glare from Severus. It wasn't long until both boys were tucked in and sound asleep in their beds.

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It was early in the morning that the Potter parents returned home. Severus was savoring his morning cup of tea when the couple portkeyed in. Severus got up to greet the couple.

"How was the Bahamas?" He asked as he pulled Lily into a friendly hug.

"Hi, Sev," Lily said with a smile as she returned the hug. "It was great; we had a wonderful time."

"Any problems while we were gone?" James asked.

Severus grimaced. "Harry was being a brat, but I took care of it." A look of contemplation crossed Severus' face. "You know, you-"

"What do you mean you 'took care of it'??" James cut him off eyes narrowed.

"James," Lily chided, pulling away from Severus, "let him finish. What happened, Sev?" she asked..

"I told Harry to clean up after himself, and he defied me and went flying instead. When he came in for lunch, I told him once again to clean up after himself, and he pitched a fit and threw a plate. When I went to talk with him, he called me names and was very disrespectful." Severus explained. "So I disciplined him." He ended simply.

James face took a red hue and he glared at Severus. "Disciplined him HOW?" James demanded, knowing that if Severus was skirting the issue and not just coming out and telling him, then he had done something that he would not be very pleased with.

"I spanked him." Severus responded, with some heat, he did not like James' tone. "He was naughty and deserved it."

"You WHAT!?!?" James exploded. "After everything he has been through?! How dare you lay a hand on him!!"

"I didn't hurt him, I spanked him. There is a difference and you know it." Severus said with a steady voice as he glared at James.

"You don't lay a hand on my son, Snivellus! You touch him again and I'll blast your arse completely off!!" James threatened.

Severus was having flashbacks from school. "You can try, Potter!" He snarled.

"James!" Lily exclaimed. "Severus! That's enough!" Lily had a feeling wands would be pulled soon if she didn't say something to stop this. Even so, she herself was rather torn. Harry's behavior as of late *had* been rather bad, and she was sure Severus wouldn't have punished her newest son without due cause, but at the same time even she and James hadn't spanked the boy yet. "Severus," she said in a bit quieter tone, "you know James and I are trying to give Harry time to acclimate to his new surroundings."

Severus rolled his eyes. "You aren't doing him any favors by letting him get away with everything. Did you know that-"

"NO, Snivelly, you listen! He is OUR son and we decide if he gets spanked, not YOU!" James ranted.

"SOMEONE needs to take a firm hand to that boy, and you certainly were not doing the job!" Severus yelled back.

James saw red and without even thinking he had his wand out and pointed at the other man. Since third year, when Lily had managed to convince the Marauders that Severus would be a much better friend then enemy, they had been very close and yet, as strong and close as their friendship was, it was tenuous at times and often had the two of them at each others throats.

"James! Put that away!" Lily said firmly. She did *not* want to play referee in a duel between her husband and her best friend. Turning to Severus, Lily said, "Sev, it might be for the best if you leave."

"Fine!" Severus said abruptly and with that turned and disapparated from the house.

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The next few days, relations were frosty between Severus and James, but they tolerated each other for Lily's sake. Harry's behavior had gotten worse; he had progressed to coming home to dinner, hours later, and wandering about at all hours of the night. Severus was over more and more, since he seemed to be the only adult Harry would listen to. Both parents were at a loss, and were seeking counsel from their good friends.

"I'm telling you, Moony, I just don't know what's gotten into the kid. He was so sweet and shy when he first got here but now..." James trailed off, exasperated. Remus had come by to visit and he and James were talking in the parlor.

"He's testing you, both of you. He's confused and trying to find out just how far he can push before you push back." Remus said seriously.

In the kitchen, Lily and Severus were having a much similar discussion.

"I just.. I don't know what to do, Sev," Lily confided in the Potions master.

"You've got one very hurt little boy in Harry, Lily. He sees you and James correcting Jamie when he misbehaves, but you aren't doing the same for him and it's confusing him." Severus said to his best friend. "I think by trying to be more lenient on him to give him time to adjust you're actually hurting him more."

James looked over at Remus, considering the man's words, from where he sat perched on the arm of the couch. "What do I do, Remus? Harry's been through so much already..." And not even he and Lily knew the full extent of what their newest son had suffered at the hands of Lily's wretched sister and her husband.

"Be firm, but kind," Remus replied simply. "You already know what you consider acceptable and unacceptable; don't accept behavior from Harry that you wouldn't in Jamie. Make the rules and their consequences clear to him, because he is still trying to learn just what is expected of him."

"...and be consistent," Severus was telling Lily at the same time. "If you say you're going to spank him for misbehaving, do it. You already know what to do, Lily," Severus said gently. "Provide him with structure and accountability, and plenty of love, and you'll all be fine."

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Harry stared out the window in his bedroom. He wanted to go flying, but it was dark and he knew he wasn't allowed to go flying in the dark. Except, it didn't matter because his parents never enforced the rules. They didn't care if he got hurt because he was night flying. A sudden burst of anger and resentment filled his chest, and he grabbed his broom and stormed out of his shared bedroom. He WAS going flying.

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James looked at Remus apprehensively, "I don't really like the idea of spanking him... what with the abuse he suffered from the Dursleys... What if he doesn't see us as any different than them?"

"He won't." Remus insisted. "There is a great deal of difference between a beating and a spanking. I'm sure Harry will realize that."

"You sound just like Severus." James said, sounding exasperated again.

"Well... Do you really think he was wrong? And besides, you see how Harry reacts to him. He respects him now." Remus explained.

"You mean he fears him." James' eyes darkened a little.

"No... He respects him." Remus repeated. "You can tell the difference. He even calls him 'Uncle Sev' now, something he was stubbornly refusing to do before, if I recall correctly."

James scowled, he didn't like the thought of Severus being in the right and him in the wrong about Harry. But a part of him was starting to believe that Harry needed a firmer hand, and here Remus was agreeing with Severus. Well, perhaps they were right; perhaps Lily and he *had* been letting Harry get away with too much.

James let out a sigh. "I guess you're right. Harry shouldn't be treated any differently than Jamie. It's not fair to either of them and-"

Whatever James was about to say was cut off by the squeak from the front door. James' face darkened, he knew it must be Harry, the boy had taken to wandering at all hours of the night. They had told him before not to do it, but had not really scolded him yet. Well, that was going to change!

James walked into the foyer and opened his mouth to scold the boy when he noticed the broom. "Harry! Are you going night flying?" He asked sharply.

Harry looked up at James and shrugged. "Yeah," he said nonchalantly and then started to head back out the door again like he hadn't even run into his father. He walked into the back yard and mounted his broom.

"Harry!" James called after his retreating form.

Harry rolled his eyes at the man. "What do you care anyway?" He yelled but didn't wait for an answer as he took off into the dark sky on his broom.

James quickly summoned his own broom before following his errant son into the air. It wasn't long before he caught up to the child, as Harry hadn't gone far before starting to practice some of his more thrilling tricks.

"Harry James Potter! Get down this instant!" He yelled.

Harry simply huffed at him as if he were a nuisance. "Or what?" he asked with so much attitude James found himself wanting to toss him over his lap right there in mid air.

"Or I will not only spank you today and take away your broom privileges for a week, but I will spank you tomorrow as well." James threatened angrily.

Harry stopped, shocked by the threat; up until now his father had not even threatened to punish him.

"I...I..." Harry trailed off and touched down in front of the house. Unsure what to do, he stood there shocked.

James followed his son, the ride down had calmed him, and changed his anger into resolve for what he would have to do.

Clamping his hand on Harry's shoulder, he said firmly. "We're going to take care of this in the study as your brother is probably asleep by now." And with that, James guided Harry inside the house and into the study.

Harry gulped and dragged his feet. He had been pushing and pushing for this, had desperately wanted a reaction and, if he was honest, it was this reaction he was looking for, but now that he was faced with it he realized the entire thing had been an enormously bad idea.

"No... Please, Dad! I'm sorry, don't... please don't spank me!!"

Harry looked so pitiful that James almost caved, but Remus' words came back to him. If it were Jamie, he knew exactly what to do, and he shouldn't deviate from that. "No, Harry, you know the rules, and not only that, but you deliberately defied me. On top of all that, you were completely out of line; I don't tolerate disrespect from my sons."

James seated himself in the chair of the study. Feeling a sense of deja-vu, he called to his son. "It's late, let's get this over with. Bare your bottom and lie over my lap."

"Nooo! No, please! I'm sorry, I didn't think... I didn't think..." Harry was unsure how to go about telling the man that he didn't think he cared or that he would ever care to enforce the rules, didn't care if he obeyed or was safe but his face said it all pretty clearly.

James read Harry's face easily, he understood now just how right Remus and Severus had been, Harry was testing him, and was still testing him, seeing if he would follow though. James strengthened his resolve, he couldn't afford to be lenient on Harry this time. "Harry, you did all that on purpose, I don't care that you regret it now. You're gong to be punished. Now, come here! If I have to repeat myself, I'm going to change my mind about only using my hand." He said sternly.

Harry looked wide eyed and pleading.

"No, please! I won't do it again, I won't! Please, Dad, please! I don't, I don't want a spanking." Harry begged even he walked over to his father, though he couldn't bring himself to actually bare his bum. He had only been spanked once and that was by his Uncle Sev and that had hurt enough to let him know he didn't want another one.

James let out a sigh as he pulled his son over his lap, he had only said to come here, but had forgotten to repeat his earlier command for Harry to bare his bottom. He decided to let that slide, considering it was his slip. He took out his wand and bared Harry's bottom for him. Raising his hand, he brought it down sharply with a firm SMACK!

Harry yelped loudly, wrapping his hand tightly in the fabric of his father's trousers. He stiffened and tried to be quiet and take the spanking, not wanting his father to think he was some big baby.

"What is this spanking for, Harry James?" James asked as he continued to bring his hand down at a fast pace, peppering the upturned bottom with stinging swats.

Harry couldn't help it - he started to squirm about on his father's lap. His dad had a really hard hand and the swats really hurt! He could feel the tears bite the back of his eyes.

"OWWW OWWWW! B-becaussseee I was bad." he yelped.

James paused. "Harry, *you* are not bad. Your behavior was bad, but *you* are not. Now I want you to be more specific." He said as he picked up where he left off. "What is this spanking for?"

Harry couldn't help it; it really hurt and he started to cry, his legs kicking a bit and he wriggled his bum, trying to abate the sting.

"I I went f-flying and d-disobeyyyeeddddd" he cried.

James lifted his leg to target the sensitive under-curve. "That's right! You know you are not allowed to go night flying! And not only that but how did you speak to me?" James prompted as he rained hard swats to Harry's sit spots.

Harry yowled and kicked frantically. "OWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW! D-disrespectfully!!" he sobbed. "No m-more Daddy please!!!" Harry begged and couldn't help putting his hand back to cover his stinging cheeks.

"Harry!" James said sharply. "No covering up!" He said as he targeted Harry's thighs.

Harry howled and twisted about on his father's lap and kicked hard as his thighs were targeted; it stung so much more to be swatted there.

"Dadddyyy, pleaseeeeeeeeeeeee!!!" he sobbed, but he moved his hand away.

James landed two more swats to Harry thighs before pausing. He took in the sight of Harry's dark red bottom, and decided he was almost done. "Okay, Harry, ten more swats to go." He once more lifted his leg and aimed the final swats to Harry's sit spot.

"You SMACK! will SMACK! not SMACK! go SMACK! night SMACK! flying! You SMACK! will SMACK! not SMACK! disrespect SMACK! me! Do you understand me?" James asked thunderously.

Harry sobbed hard and bucked as the swats landed on the place his weight would be on when he sat, though he seriously doubted he would ever be able to actually sit again.

"N-No, I won't! I won't! I promise I won't."

"Good!" James said as he landed one last hard swat. James then rubbed Harry's back as he waited for his sobs to subside. He then gathered his son up into an embrace, mindful of his very sore bottom.

Harry cried hard into his fathers chest. "Please, Daddy, please... please don't send me back. I'll behave, I won't dis-disobey again, please don't send me back to the Dursleys." he begged through tears.

James rocked his son gently in an attempt to calm him. "Shhh. Don't worry, we'll never send you back to those monsters. No matter how much you misbehave. You are *our* son, and we wouldn't give you up for the world." James said fiercely.

Harry clung tightly to the man and his tears soaked his shirt. "Y-You really want me??" he asked with uncertainty.

"Of course we do! We love you, Harry." James answered, a bit of surprise tinged his voice. Was Harry really that uncertain?

"You do??" he asked, sounding a bit shocked. "B-but I'm not your Harry." he sniffled.

"You're still our son. Our love for you will never change." James affirmed. "Now, I want to talk about your behavior as of late."

Harry relaxed into his dad's arms. He really did love him, and it felt like a weight had been lifted off his shoulders even if his bum did hurt terribly bad. Then he heard his dad, he wanted to talk about his behavior, Harry let out a groan.

"Do we have to?"

"Yes, your behavior lately has been atrocious. I want to know why." James said firmly.

Harry whimpered and hid his face in James' chest. He didn't answer, he couldn't.

"Harry." James said in a warning tone.

Harry shook his head into his father's chest. He didn't want to talk about it, not one bit.

James shifted Harry so that he was looking into the boy's eyes. "Harry..." James said more gently this time. "Please tell me, you won't get into any more trouble. I want to know why so that you won't keep on getting into trouble."

Harry squirmed and lowered his head, not wanting to look his dad in the eyes.

"Didn't think you cared," he mumbled.

James was taken aback. "How could you think we didn't care. Your mother and I love you."

Harry shook his head.

"That night... When me and Jamie w-were doing those d-dangerous tricks... You scolded him and p-punished him for d-doing something d-dangerous because you cared and didn't want him to get hurt... You didn't even scold me, I d-didn't think you cared if I got myself killed flying upside d-down on my broom or anything..." Harry trailed off, more tears spilling from his eyes and down his cheeks.

James sighed and pulled Harry's head back into his chest, rocking the boy gently. "I'm sorry Harry, I didn't do that because I didn't care about you. I didn't scold you because I though you had already understood, and... and I didn't want to be like the Dursleys, always punishing you.

Harry didn't understand that and suddenly he felt angry...

"How in Merlin's name would I understand if Jamie didn't?! I've never had parents to teach me and he has all his life.... if anyone didn't understand it would have been me!!" he cried

"You seemed so contrite already, and I didn't want to add to your burdens at the time. We felt that it was best to be lenient so that you could get used to living with us. We never meant to hurt you." James said gently.

Harry's chest heaved a bit with large breaths as he tried to get his emotions under control. Everything was so confusing, and it all kept changing, and he felt like the world was spinning off its axis and into the sun.

James noticed the change in his son's breathing. He began to rock him gently, and hum a soothing lullaby under his breath, just like how he had done for Jamie when he was small.

Harry hid his tear-streaked face in his fathers chest and calmed himself. He had never had a parent to calm him, and he was finding the idea not totally to his disliking as he relaxed against James. It didn't take long before his father's ministrations had lulled him to sleep.

When James felt Harry's breathing even out, he picked him up and carried him to his shared room with Jamie. Sneaking in quietly, he tucked Harry into his bed, mindful of Harry's very sore bottom. He then plucked the glasses from Harry's face and transfigured his clothes into pajamas. He landed a gentle kiss on the top of Harry's head before he crept out of the room, closing the door gently so as not to stir the occupants. When the door was closed, James heaved a sigh of relief, at least now he knew what was wrong with his little boy and what to do. He'd have to remember to thank Remus later. And... and apologize to Severus. With a sigh he went downstairs to rejoin his friends and wife.