CHAPTER 5- FINDING OUT YOUR NOT THE CENTER OF THE UNIVERSE
The weary warriors finally arrived back from the Burrow. As they exited the floo Harry noticed how proud, yet tired, they were. They appeared to be running on adrenaline but quickly running out of energy.
Everyone shared hugs and tears, knowing that things were going to be difficult this summer. Nobody realized just how difficult. Things just seemed to be moving much too fast.
There was so much emotion flowing that Harry's glasses fogged up and he had to wipe them with a clean napkin. At least that is what he wanted everyone to think. Actually, he was shedding a few tears just watching this wonderful family as they supported and shared encouragement with each other. It must be wonderful to have such a family he thought to himself.
The family seemed to sense when everyone was once again brought out of their depression or fog and ready to face the day, no matter how good or bad it might be. As a single body, they seemed to stand taller...... and all looked at Albus.
Albus had cleared his throat and went on to suggest that all the adults meet in his office and he would send for refreshments. "Since you will be here at least for a few days why don't you kids get yourself settled in the Gryffindor Tower until we can settle on a course of action."
Molly added, "Don't go running around, and stay in your common room until your Dad and I come to talk with you, do you hear me?"
"Yes Mom," they all replied more out of habit than comprehension or acceptance.
The kids all started out the door toward their common room. Harry started to go with them when Madam Pomfrey called him back. "Harry, if you don't mind, I need you to finish that project we started and then you can go with them, OK?"
Harry had forgotten all about his punishment. He was so indebted to Madam Pomfrey for how she called him back, allowing him to retain some of his dignity and not be embarrassed in front of his friends. Yet, he felt himself blushing a bit anyway.
"Sure Madam Pomfrey, I will get right on it."
"I'll see you guys in a bit and we can talk."
Having said good-bye he went back to his bed and began to work on defining all those cuss words he had cut loose with. It seemed that this happened so long ago. He felt like it was turning into a very long day.
He finished his assignment in about half an hour and took it to Poppy's office.
"Have a seat Mr. Potter while I read it over."
Oh no, she's going to read it while I am here, he thought to himself. He so wanted to just hand it to her and leave.
To his knowledge she had not said a word yet to his Head of House or Professor Dumbledore. With that in mind he just said "Yes ma'am" not wanting to rock the boat.
He could not really tell what she was thinking by the look on her face other than it was a serious look, and that could not be good, could it? He was fiddling with his cuticles, swinging his feet and squirming; all those things a young boy does when they are nervous and in a place they did not want to be.
"There is a lot more honesty and emotion written here than I expected Mr. Potter. I feel like you really mean what you have written so I accept your apology and you are forgiven."
Harry breathed a sigh of relief then said "Thank you! I'm not really sure where some of those words came from but I will work very hard not to let it happen again."
"You may go then Mr. Potter but please come back in one week to let me check on your injuries and make sure there are no further complications or infections."
"Is that it?" asked Harry.
"What do you mean, 'Is that it'" replied Poppy.
"You're not going to send me to the Head Master or Professor McGonagall?"
"No Harry, as Professor Snape would say to one of his wayward students, 'We have taken care of your transgression, you have been punished, and you are now forgiven'."
"Go on now and catch up with your friends."
Harry was smiling from ear to ear as he said "Thank you" and flew out the door hearing a stern but jovial Healer yelling "Do NOT run in the hallways!"
She knew it was wasted breath but she was happy to finally see a smile on Harrys' face once again. She just hoped it would stay there for awhile.
Albus ordered lunch to be brought into his office for everyone. "Let's eat and deal with what we have to deal with so we can all get some much needed rest."
"Molly, Arthur, you can't go back to the Burrow it's not safe and not even livable right now! The kids can all stay in the tower and I can have the House Elfs fix up a couple rooms in the guest quarters for you two, Bill and Charlie when he arrives."
"That would be great Albus," replied Arthur. "It would give us all a chance to breath and figure out what we need to do. It would be nice not to worry about where to farm out the kids or find a place to rest our own weary heads. It's really kind of you. I know summer is also vacation time and all these kids being here is going to change things a bit"
"Nonsense Arthur, we also have Harry and Draco to take care of this Summer so the more the merrier although I am sure Severus would definitely put it differently." With that bit of humor, Severus arched his eye brow as he uttered a deep groan and everyone chuckled.
"Well Severus' eye brow does have a point" said Minerva.
"What with this many students at Hogwarts for the summer, there will have to be some kind of structure put in place. Heaven only knows what they would be up to without some oversight."
"Most definately" Severus replied snappishly. "There needs to be structure and discipline or we will all be taken over by sneaky wanderers, played out death-wishes, pranks and who know what other type behaviors"
Albus smiled, the twinkle in his eye speaking volumes. "You are right of course. I assume Arthur that you, Molly, Bill and Charlie will be working on restoring the Burrow? I can help you with the wards when you're ready for them."
Lupin laughing turned to Minerva and said, "What do you think Minerva? Can we accommodate a blend of structure, summer fun and sanity at Hogwarts?"
Minerva took a bite from her sandwich, realizing that the senior supervisor of the students had just been handed to her and Lupin by Albus in a most manipulative manner. So what's new? The old-coot has been pulling this on her for years. Yet, even though she would like to kill him at times and save Voldemort the aggravation, she still loved him with all her heart.
"Yes" sighed Minerva. "Albus and I will be here along with Severus and Lupin. We also have a number of teachers on site this summer along with Hagrid."
"I suggest this format for them; Mandatory meals, study with one or two instructors from between breakfast and lunch. The topic of study will change periodically to be determined by which instructor is available, but will be in preparation for their next year at Hogwarts. Recreation time from after lunch till dinner unless they are being punished."
"Play time can include supervised flying, visits to Hogsmeade, swimming in the lake, and other activities that may be developed. They will not be allowed out of the castle after dinner, and are to use this time for homework that might be assigned by the teacher or teachers of the day. They are never allowed to enter the Forbidden Forest. They will never leave Hogwarts grounds without adult supervision and will have a nine o'clock curfew."
As she verbally shared the structure, Minerva's pen was also writing it down so that it could be posted in the Gryffindore Common Room and Draco's room.
Minerva added, "I see all of them staying in their house rooms as they are all Gryffindore and there is room to add more just in case this summer gets any crazier. Draco, I see staying with Severus as Sev is his Godfather and Draco just might feel a bit outnumbered by all the Gryffindores. Also they don't really get along very well outside direct supervision. Over time he might desire to move but it should be between him and Severus and the other kids."
Alice had been sitting quietly through all this and felt it was time to speak to an issue that had been overlooked.
"You know both Harry and Draco have not dealt with their issues of abuse. I would be more comfortable if Remus was hired on for the full summer as a teacher, and since he is licensed, a counselor who could start the process with them. I don't know about Draco but I notice that Harry is acting as if nothing happened and that is just not normal. I know he has had a couple of outbursts but nothing even close to the anger he should be feeling. Since we seem to have them safe and cornered here at Hogwarts this summer what better time to tackle the problem?"
Remus was shaking his head "yes" along with most of the others.
Albus was not sure they should drudge up wounds if they were healing but because of his history in this area AND look Minerva was giving him, he decided to acquiesce.
"I agree," soothed Albus.
Minerva just rolled her eyes and said "Good, Remus could you set up a schedule with them?"
"Sure, I will take care of it" replied Remus.
"Along those lines, we need to finish up with the Dursleys Severus." Said Albus. "We need background information on Harrys' school, doctors, abuse and the like. Severus do you think you could find the time to take care of that?"
"Me?" answered Severus, "Why Me? You know how I feel about your Golden Boy!"
The twinkle went out of Dumbledore's eye and he replied, "I don't often put it this way but it should be you because I asked you to and that should be good enough OK Son?"
Severus blushed! Albus had not embarrassed him in front of others in a very long time. But perhaps he had been pushing his negative comments a bit this week and Dad had finally just had enough of it.
"Fine! I'll take care of it." Severus answered with enough snip in his voice to let his Dad know he was not happy but not so much as to cause another rebuke.
Minerva looked at her son and smirked to herself. It's good for him to come back to the land of the living once in awhile.
"GOOD, GOOD, GOOD, NOW..... with all that settled I suggest that you go and inform the students of their new summer holiday plans."
"I have an appointment with the Minister to go over the status of our community and the Death Eaters. Of course he will not agree with me but perhaps seeing them in a pensive might change his mind on the subject."
An old man can always dream, he thought to himself then stood up to leave thus inviting them to do the same.
Minerva, Molly, Arthur, and Remus took a slow stroll over to the Gryffindore common room to talk with the kids. When they arrived it would seem that someone was assigned as lookout since they were all sitting there expectantly each with that innocent look that strikes concern in the heart of any parent.
Minerva shared with them their schedule for the summer since she was a person that the team felt the kids would be less inclined to pop-off at. The kids were definitely not happy but the plan worked except for one student. They looked disappointed as they had planned on many adventures through the castle and grounds this summer. This was the last thing they were expecting, adults taking over their vacation time.
Ron went ballistic! "THIS IS OUR VACATION TIME," he shouted! "We shouldn't have to do all that school work, the other kids don't have to do it. Why are you punishing US? THIS IS DAMN BLOODY UNFAIR, you just want to control everything and treat us like we are babies, I'M OVER IT! With that he stormed out of the common room in a great stomping huff, heading off to the grounds.
Everyone just sat there for a couple minutes. The kids knew that he had really crossed the line and that they were probably better off just keeping their mouths shut for the moment.
Minerva informed them, "I will have your schedules out tomorrow at breakfast. Are there any further questions or comments you would like to make?"
When no one offered any comments so Arthur stood and said "If you will excuse me I have to find my youngest son and adjust his attitude."
Everyone blushed as they knew what was going to happen to Ron and they wanted to get as far away from it as possible. Bill stood up, quickly taking control of the situation and said "anyone for some flying before dinner?"
They all answered without words but a whole lot of action as they were falling over each other to get outside to the Quidditch field and the broom storage closets.
Arthur found Ron sitting down by the lake, throwing rocks at the giant squid. Arthur had to smile as Ron had to jump up and move fast when the giant squid started throwing globs of mud back at Ron.
Ron threw one last rock, cussed at the squid, turned to walk away. It would have been perfect escape except that when he turned his father was standing in his path, and he didn't look very happy.
"Let's walk and talk Ron," said Arthur,
They started walking around the lake and as they walked Arthur inquired "What was that outburst all about Ron?"
As Ron was walking he was trying to form an answer that he thought might cause his Father not to be so angry. Ron knew in his heart that this meeting was not going to end well. To put that another way, his "end" his "back-end" was where it would probably stop, but he was going to work hard to avoid that.
As Ron was forming his answer Arthur causally reached up and broke a switch off one of the many trees around them. As they walked along he was pulling the leaves off and stripping the bark off.
"It just isn't fair Dad! Summer vacation is just that summer vacation. We shouldn't have to be the only students who would have to stay at Hogwarts and attend summer school. It's just not fair. We should be with you rebuilding our home. I know I am only twelve years old but there is a lot I could do there."
"You know what Ron" replied Arthur, "It is not fair that someone decided to get their kicks by trying to burn our house down around our ears. It's not fair that there are evil people out there that want to kill my family, my wife and my children. It's not fair that I am going to have to take off from work to try and rebuild our home. It's not fair that Charlie and Bill are taking time off their jobs, time that they cannot financially afford, to help us rebuild our home so you kids have a place to live. It is not fair that we have to take charity from Hogwarts so that I can be sure my kids are safe because I can't protect you and work on the house at the same time. It's not fair that teachers have to give up their vacations and sacrifice for us, just because they are our friends. It's not fair that Harry and Draco were beaten up pretty bad but all the attention has been drawn to you because you don't want to do homework.
There are a lot of things that are not fair Ron and guess what.....YOU ARE NOT THE CENTER OF THE UNIVERSE. There are bigger things to worry about than whether you feel you're getting enough flying time."
He had finished stripping the switch. It was about two feet long and as big around as his little finger. It ought to bring the message home.
"Let's stop here Ron." They stopped right beside a big log that was lying on its side but was about as tall as a desk, just right thought Arthur.
Ron had heard the words of his father and they had made him feel about three inches tall. He had totally lost the big picture and when his Father explained it in such a direct way he wondered how he had missed it. But then he had a problem with always thinking about himself first, he knew that. But this was a biggy!
When he heard his Father tell him to stop, that was the first time he noticed what his Dad had in his hands. His face went pale, and his legs started shaking. He had never been switched but Bill had, years ago, and had told him about it. Bill said that if given the choice he would take the paddle. The switch not only stung like hell, the sting seemed to last forever.
"This is a pretty secluded and private area here Ron, no one can see us, so I want you to lower your jeans and your shorts and bend over this log". With that Arthur laid his cloak down on the log so that the bark would not bite Ron's skin.
Ron looked at him with a pleading look, with eyes that already had tears forming, begging Arthur to reconsider.
"NOW Ron!"
Ron fumbled with his pants for the longest time. His fingers just wouldn't work and the button was stubborn. Arthur gently pushed Ron's shaking hands aside, undid the button and zipper for him, turned him toward the log then pulled his pants down to Ron's knees.
"I want you to bend way over the log so that your head is almost touching the ground" said Arthur.
Ron knew that this would make his bottom the highest point and it would also make his thighs a more visible target. His Father was really upset and not messing around today and no pleading was going to circumvent what was coming.
Ron positioned himself over the log. He grabbed onto the bottom of the log near his head and hoped that he could keep from reaching back to protect him bum.
"Ron, this is to remind you that a lot of people are making sacrifices for our family. These strokes are to remind you that WE, (swak) not (swak) just (swak) you, (swak) not (swak) me (swak) but (swak) WE (swak) are (swak) family (swak) Ron. We work together each doing their share."
Ron was crying by the time he was stung a number of times. Not just because of the sting in his bottom but because of what his Dad was saying. Why couldn't he just spank him and get it over with, why did he had to add all that stuff that makes you feel so rotten.
Arthur stopped for the moment but Ron knew that this was not the end of it. Arthur looked at the marks and saw that he had covered the fleshy part of the bum. There were red lines, but they would not last very long as Arthur was not swinging the switch that hard as he was going for the sting and not the damage.
"This is to remind you Ron that you have embarrassed your whole family by your behavior. Arthur began the second set applying them to that sitting area on the bottom of the cheeks and joining with the thighs.
(SwaK) These were harder than the last and Ron started pleading. ooooowwww .....(SwaK)........Nooooo "Dad..I'm Sorry, I really am" (Swak)
"I know you are Ron, but I want you to remember" after it is over....NOOO.........OW!
"OW, OW Dad I'll remember, I promise.
"Be still Son, we are almost through".....said Arthur.
Ron was no longer crying but beginning to sob. This is what Arthur was waiting for, that point where he would quit fighting and accept the punishment.
Arthur didn't need to go much further, just a few more swats to bring it home to his hot tempered son. He was such a good son except for this thinking he was the center of the universe. Most teens have that problem but he started having it so young. Arthur hoped he would grow out of it sooner than his other sons.
"No .....I'll be good, I promise no More". Said Ron. "Hush Ron, and we will be finished soon. Then it will be over with and not spoken of again, you will be forgiven.
"This Ron is to remind you not to embarrass yourself. You are a kind, gentle, loving and caring person. You are a fine son, a wonderful brother, and a great best friend. Ron, don't lose sight of that again and act this way."
Ow, ow.................OW .....Stop" Ron squeezed his eyes shut. "Oh I am Sorry......Please OW............nooooo "Please OW"
Arthur threw the switch away and sat down on the log next to his son and rubbed his back as Ron began to sob less and calm down.
Arthur remembered the sting from his own childhood, it was not a nice memory, but he did remember why he received the sting even to this day, so perhaps his son would also.
After awhile Arthur noticed that most of the red lines were disappearing already and by dinner time about all that would be left would be a very uncomfortable bottom and the sting. He helped his son up and helped him pull up his pants. They stood together looking at the sunset.
As the sun went down, Molly walked out of the shadows over the Father and Son and stood with them as they watch the day end. What a day, one she hoped would not be repeated soon.