Life continued much as it had before, Harry went to school and Greg went to work. Greg did start going out regularly, but Harry didn't mind having Mrs. Sprout as a babysitter. She was kind and a great cook. School was going well. Perhaps Mr. Snape paid more attention to Harry, but Harry wasn't surprised. He had left campus. That had been a big deal.

It was a Friday afternoon when Ron suggested they play at the park for a bit after school. "I have to go straight home, well to my babysitters' house."

"Aw, come on. She won't notice if you're a few minutes late. We'll just climb the rock walls for a few minutes." Harry agreed and he and Ron ran to the park. Before he knew it, Harry was involved in a complicated version of tag. There were specific rules for what you could do at each piece of equipment and how long you could stay there. Really, Harry and Ron and the other boys at the park just made it up as they went along, but it was great fun.

Meanwhile, Mrs. Sprout was worried and called Dr. House. Greg was concerned, too. Since he had already left work he agreed to drive the route from school to home to see if he could spot Harry. He didn't want to call the police without looking a bit. As Greg drove slowly by the park he noticed a bunch of boys running around like hooligans. Was Harry among them? He parked his car and headed toward the playground.

"Hey, who's the old guy with the cane?" laughed Ron.

Harry's heart dropped into his stomach as he turned to look. "Uh, oh, I gotta go." Harry grabbed his backpack and raced toward his father. Greg stood and waited for him. Then he escorted Harry to the car without a word. As Harry climbed in he felt a firm swat on his rear and wondered if there were more to come. The ride home was silent except for the occasional sniffle from Harry who was struggling not to start sobbing.

As soon as they got in the door, Dr. House told Harry to sit in the recliner and wait. Then he called Mrs. Sprout to let her know that Harry was safe and Severus to postpone their usual Friday date to Saturday. As Greg walked into the living room, he grabbed a box of tissues. Handing one of them to Harry and ordering him to blow, Greg seated himself on the end of the coffee table facing Harry. "You seem to have a problem with not being where you are supposed to be," Greg stated while forcing eye contact with his son. Harry just continued to sob. "Do you have anything to say for yourself?"

"I'm sorry," was all that Harry could manage.

"Do you realize how worried Mrs. Sprout was? When she called me she was practically hysterical. I was afraid that you had run off again." Harry continued to sob. "You're going to have to get control of yourself, kid. Breathe slowly. That's it. Now blow out through your mouth and breathe in through your nose." Harry complied and after a couple of minutes the sobbing stopped. "Calmer?"

Harry nodded and crumpled another tissue into his pocket.

"Do you have anything that you want to tell me?"

Harry shook his head, "Just, I'm sorry."

"You said. What were you doing at the park?"

"I just wanted to play a couple of minutes. I didn't think Mrs. Sprout would even notice, but I lost track of time."

"Do you know how important it is that I always know where you are?" Harry shook his head. "If I can't trust you to be where I expect you to be, I'll never know if you are safe or in danger. Understand?" Harry nodded. "Okay. Since this is your second offense, the punishment will have to be worse." Harry sucked in his lower lip. "You will write an apology to Mrs. Sprout which you will hand deliver to her tomorrow when she comes to babysit you. You will stay in your room until Monday. Your meals will be delivered." Harry nodded, but he was waiting for the other shoe to drop. "Finally, you will receive a spanking. Come here please."

As soon as he heard "spanking," Harry freaked out. He began yelling "No, No, No" and curled into a ball on the recliner. "Harry. Harry! HARRY!" Dr. House was not able to get Harry's attention, so he sat and watched Harry for a minute. He could tell that his son was terrified and probably having flashbacks. He kind of wished that he hadn't told Harry that he would get a spanking the next time he wasn't where he was supposed to be. Greg even considered not spanking the little boy, but he knew that Harry wouldn't be able to trust him if he didn't keep his word. Harry also wouldn't know what to expect until he actually received a spanking rather than a beating. Greg knew that if he wanted to be able to use corporal punishment in the future, he'd have to use it today. He considered just never spanking the child, but he knew that he was kind of lazy and didn't want to have to invent consequences and then follow through with them. Still thinking over his options, Greg got up and walked into the kitchen, got out two glasses, and poured cold water into them. He took a few sips from his glass and then carried both glasses into the living room where Harry was still sobbing in the recliner. "C'mon, Harry. Sit up." Harry complied, somewhat. "There you go, now drink this water, slowly. Just take little sips. That's it."

As Harry sipped, he slowly sat up a little more, staring at his knees. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to freak out."

Greg gently placed his fingers under Harry's chin and angled his face up so that they were looking eye to eye. Harry looked down. "Look at me, Harry. You never have to be sorry for being afraid." Harry nodded, just a bit. "Are you feeling calmer?

"Uh, huh."

"Okay then stand up please."

Harry's chin quivered as he put his glass down and stood in front of his father. Dr. House reached for the waistband of Harry's pants sticking his thumbs between Harry's hips and underpants. "NO, NO!" Harry yelled while attempting to push Greg's hands away.

Greg just pushed Harry pants and underpants down to his knees and pulled Harry over his lap. Harry was yelling. "Please, please, I'll be good, I promise" over and over again. Greg steeled himself and then smacked Harry's wiggling rear end. His handprint appeared in pink centered in the middle of Harry's bottom. Greg then smacked Harry's right cheek, followed by his left. Finally he spanked both sit spots right where Harry's cheeks met his thighs. Harry's bottom was slightly pink all over and Greg felt he had made his point.

Dr. House lifted Harry up by his armpits and righted the boy's pants. Harry just stood there crying so Greg grabbed another tissue and pushed it into Harry's hand. "Blow," he ordered. Harry did so. When Harry finished blowing, Greg encouraged Harry to sip some more water. Harry calmed down while taking small sips of the cool water and then handed the empty glass back to his Dad. As if just noticing the tiny sting in his bottom, Harry reached his hands around to rub. "Okay, off to your room then." Harry didn't need to be told twice. He rushed to his room and gently closed the door. Greg moved himself to the recliner, put his feet up, and took some deep breaths.

When he was a bit calmer, Dr. House debated with himself about whether or not he had done the right thing. Had he fairly punished Harry so that he wouldn't go missing again or had he given Harry another miserable childhood memory? Only time would tell. Greg slowly got up and walked to his piano. Playing music always helped him relax. After a few minutes he glanced at his watch. It was already 6:30! Where had the time gone? Although Greg wasn't hungry, he knew that Harry needed to eat so he made his way to the kitchen where he fixed a simple dinner for Harry. Then he carried the meal to Harry's door and knocked softly. Hearing no answer he opened the door slowly. Harry was sound asleep on his tummy. Greg put the plate and the glass on Harry's desk and called softly to Harry. "It's dinner time, kid." His son roused slightly and looked up. "Your food is right here. Wash your face and hands and then eat. When you are finished you may put your dishes in the hall outside your door." Harry rubbed his eyes and nodded. Satisfied that he had understood, Greg went back to the living room to read his latest medical journal.

After his spanking, Harry had rushed to his room, being very careful not to slam his door, and thrown himself onto his bed. His bottom stung a little bit, but it didn't hurt nearly as much as when any of his mother's boyfriends had whipped him. Somehow, though, he felt worse. He had been really embarrassed that he had reacted so strongly when his dad informed him that he was to receive a spanking and then when his dad had taken down his pants he was mortified. So he was lying on his bed sobbing and thinking about how he was never going to misbehave again when he heard his dad playing the piano. He loved it when his dad played music. It soothed him and soon he was asleep.

He was dreaming about playing tag at the park, but instead of kids chasing him, there was a belt. If it caught him it would whip him. That's when he heard his name and tried to wake up. It took him a minute, but his dad was patient. As his dad walked out of the room after reminding Harry to wash before he ate, Harry sat up and stumbled to the bathroom. He took care of his personal needs, washed, and headed to his desk to eat. Just as he lowered himself into the chair, he realized that he should have sat on a pillow. It was always difficult to sit in a hard chair after he was punished. However, it was too late when he thought of it and his bottom was already in the chair. Harry was stunned that it didn't hurt. He bounced up and down a bit, still no pain. He rushed into the bathroom to examine his rear in the mirror. He couldn't see, so he stepped onto his step stool. His bottom was pale white. Harry wondered how the spanking could have hurt so much and not left marks, but he was glad. He ate his dinner and went to bed. When his father checked on him later, Harry was sound asleep.

Harry spent all day Saturday in his room. His dad didn't say much except to verify that Harry had written his apology. When Greg brought Harry's dinner, he informed his son that he was going out soon and that Mrs. Sprout would be there to babysit. Harry could apologize to her then.

Mrs. Sprout had forgiven Harry quickly, but asked that he never scare her like that again. Then she had tucked him into bed and read to him a bit. Although Harry was perfectly capable of reading for himself, he loved the attention.

Meanwhile Greg was sharing the story with Severus who was supportive of Greg's efforts with Harry. The school where he taught had only banned corporal punishment a few years ago so Severus somewhat understood how Greg felt. Severus had encouraged the school to ban corporal punishment, not because he was against it, but because after spanking a few children he realized that it was too intimate for the school setting. Of course he hadn't bared his students' bottoms, but it still made him uncomfortable. After a couple of drinks at the bar, the men had gone to Severus's house for a bit more privacy, but Greg returned home by midnight to find Mrs. Sprout asleep in the recliner and Harry asleep in his room, presumably. He gently woke Mrs. Sprout, who praised Harry's behavior and his apology, and thanked her for her time. After checking on Harry, he went to bed.

Sunday evening when Greg delivered Harry's dinner he sat on Harry's bed while Harry was in the bathroom washing up. Harry was a bit surprised to see him there and froze in the doorway for a minute. "Come and sit down and start eating. We have a few things to discuss, but we can talk while you eat."

"Yes, sir." Harry sat at his desk and speared a potato with his fork. "Have I done something wrong?"

"Not that I know of. However, I think we need to discuss your spanking."

"Oh," Harry looked down at his plate.

"Does your bottom still hurt?" Harry grimaced, but shoved a potato into his mouth and shook his head, but his face reddened in embarrassment as he chewed thoughtfully.

After a minute, he added, "No, but it's kind of weird." He paused and Greg nodded, encouraging him to continue. "At first it hurt just as bad as when Mom had her boyfriends punish me, but then a few minutes later, it didn't really hurt anymore."

"Good. A spanking is just meant to sting for a bit.. Any other thoughts?"

Harry looked thoughtful as he chewed a piece of chicken, "Yeah, I know this sounds stupid, I think it hurt my feelings more." Harry took a bite and chewed before continuing. "I was always mad at my Mom, but with you, I'm just embarrassed or sorry or, I don't know, but I know that I deserved it."

"Thank you for being honest with me. Perhaps next time, if there is a next time, you won't be so frightened."

Harry smiled shyly. "I hope there's not a next time."

"As do I, now finish eating and get ready for bed. Tomorrow morning you may have breakfast in the kitchen. I'll be back to check on you in about half an hour."

"Okay." Greg smiled to himself when he noticed that Harry hadn't said 'sir' this time.

Just as Greg was about to shut Harry's door, he heard "Uh, Dad?"

Greg stepped back into the room, "Yes?"

Harry looked down, embarrassed. "Um, I have a question."

Greg sensed the gravity of the moment and sat back down on Harry's bed. "What is it Harry?"

"I w-wanted to ask you something." Harry, who was wringing his hands in his lap, glanced at Greg.

"What is it, Harry?" Greg was feeling impatient, but he avoided sighing.

"It's about . . . my pants?"

"Your pants?" Greg raised his eyebrows. Harry merely nodded. Greg studied his son's body posture and noted how uncomfortable the child looked. That's when he realized what Harry was trying to say. "Harry, do you want to know why I pulled down your pants when I spanked you?"

Harry nodded the tiniest bit. If Greg hadn't been watching so closely he wouldn't have seen the motion. "Harry, remember when you had that tantrum in school and you thought that I would whip you?" Again, Harry nodded. "Well, since then I've given it a lot of thought. I had to work out what I would do if I ever decided to spank you." Harry shrugged as his ears turned red. "That's when I decided that I'd have to bare your ass-uh, I mean bottom." Greg paused. "Harry, look at me, please." Harry looked through his bangs without moving his head, so Greg gently placed his fingers under Harry's chin and tilted the child's head up. "When my Dad punished me, he often left bruises or welts that lasted for days. I don't want to do that to you." Harry raised his left shoulder. "By pulling down your pants, I can see what's actually happening to your rear while I'm spanking you. Also, I don't have to spank as hard as I would to make you feel it through jeans."

"Oh," Harry responded.

"So, it's to make sure that I don't injure you." Greg didn't mention that it also made the spanking more intimidating and created a loud slapping noise that would make soft spanks seem harder. He couldn't let Harry in on all of his secrets. "Do you understand?"

"Yeah, I guess."

"Good. Finish your dinner and get to bed."

"Okay."

When Greg came back to check on his son, Harry was already sound asleep.