CHAPTER 26- LESSONS LEARNED THE HARD WAY
When they all arrived back at the castle they filled everyone in on what had happened. Albus called a quick meeting of the Order and they headed down to the meeting room. On the way Alice took her son's broom and dropped him off at Gryffindore Tower telling him to stay put.
Once they were gathered together Albus called the meeting to order and let them know that three of the kids, Harry, Draco and Ron had been captured. He also reminded them that the kids were wearing their port-keys so if Poppy and Minerva would stay in the hospital wing they could send the rest of them a message if the kids arrived there. With that said Minerva and Poppy left for the hospital wing.
Albus also shared with everyone that the day before, while they were at Gringotts he received permission to call Dobby and the House Elves from Malfoy Manor to Hogwarts.
"I think we ought to just call Dobby to us right now. Then we can ask him to tell us if the kids have been taken to Malfoy Manor," said Albus. The rest of them agreed so snapped his fingers and called for Dobby.
It took a couple minutes, which seemed like an eternity, but they finally heard a loud POP and Dobby finally appeared. He was acting crazy, hitting his head against the wall, pulling his ears and acting like he wanted to say something but couldn't.
"Dobby" yelled Albus, "listen to me!" With that Dobby calmed down and looked at Albus. He then took the opportunity to read to Dobby the Ministry letter which freed him from the Malfoy's and assigned him to Hogwarts. Dobby slumped down on the floor and started to breath normally again.
"Dobby" continued Albus, "Is Harry, Draco and Ron at the Malfoy Manor?"
This put Dobby into a tail spin again as he tried to share information but could not get it out of his mouth. Albus thought he figured out what was happening. Hogwarts was not in any danger at Malfoy Manor, not enough for Dobby to break the vow he had been made to agree to with Lucius. There had to be an immediate family member in danger to enable Dobby to break the vow without coming to great harm.
"Dobby, Harry Potter is now Harry Potter Snape. Now, he is a minor and is not allowed to own a House Elf but I can allow you to go to work for the Snapes if you desire? Then you would be responsible for Harry."
Dobby's eyes got big and a smile came to his face as he said, "If the Master of Hogwarts requests it of me I will gladly go to work for the Snapes sir."
With that Albus said, "Dobby you are now the property of Severus Snape and his family and will be their House Elf." With that said a white cord sprouted out of Dobby and wrapped itself around Severus then disappeared.
Albus looked at Severus and nodded his head. "Dobby" said Severus, "Is Harry, Ron and Draco at Malfoy Manor?"
"Yes, they are all there sir and they are being harmed, they are in great danger."
"Are they tied up Dobby, or are their hands free?" asked Severus.
"They are tied up sir, their hands are not free" cried Dobby.
"That means they can't get to their port-keys" said Severus.
About then an owl flew in the window and landed on Dumbledore's desk. Albus took the note and read,
Albus Dumbledore,
We have found my son and he is fine, I wish the same for you. When you see the boys let them know that I would personally like to thank them for once again saving my son's life.
Bane
Chief of The Centaurs
Harry, Ron and Draco woke to find themselves tied up in a dungeon. Draco recognized where they were and said, "We are in trouble, this is Malfoy Manor, which means Lucius has captured us. Our hands are tied so we can't get to our port-keys. When they come down here they are going to kill us. What they have done is send us ahead by port-key, but they will be here in a couple minutes."
About that time the Death Eaters walked into the dungeon led by Lucius. "Well, if it isn't the traitor Malfoy, the Boy Who Lived, and the Blood Traitor Weasley. Three when we were looking forward to only one. We are going to have a bit of fun with you over the next few days. You will wish you were dead and when you beg me long enough, I just might give you your wish." With that he yelled, "Crucio" at them, one at a time, letting them suffer then stopping it for a few moments.
Harry had never felt such pain, not even from his Uncle. It kept coming in waves, and every time he thought it was over and he could catch his breath it started over again. Finally it stopped.
When things finally came into view again he saw Lucius and two of his thugs sitting outside the cell with their feet propped up. "Catch your breath boys, we're not finished yet. You have no idea just how wonderful this makes me feel, seeing the three of you wetting yourselves and squirming on the floor."
"Dinner calls" Lucius said, "But I want to leave you with something to think about while I'm gone. With that he raised his wand and began whipping them with the 'flagrate' curse, ripping their shirt and pants all to shreds and whipping their skin causing welts, and cuts, some very deep. They kept up the whipping until each of them lost consciousness.
When they woke, it was dark and Harry couldn't see a thing. "Are you guys Ok?" he barely whispered. Draco answered him but Ron was still out. Harry could feel the cuts on his back, from his toes to the top of his head and the blood running down inside his tattered shirt. He could hardly move for the pain and laying still was not much better. But he had to do something, when Lucius comes back they may not live through the second round of curses.
Harry gathered his courage and rolled over on his side and said to Draco, "Turn around so that your hands are facing my hands."
Draco started to ask why but decided he hurt too much, and that this was a time in his life when he needed to just act and not ask. He rolled into place, holding back the scream that sat in his throat, so that their hands were close together. He then heard Harry whisper 'diffindo' very quietly and felt the bonds on his hands were free.
"I don't think I have any more energy Draco so you need to get us untied quick so we can get out of here" said Harry.
Ron started coming to, moaning painfully as Draco moved quickly and untied them. As soon as they were free they shook Ron until he was aware of what he had to do then they all grabbed their port-key's and squeezed them each saying "companions". Just as they disappeared, Lucius was entering the dungeon and saw them leave. He was so angry that he turned around and killed the guy next to him, then stormed out of the dungeon.
The three boys appeared just as quickly in the hospital wing and Poppy ran over to check them out as Minerva sent a Patronus to the Order meeting room, letting them know that the boys were back.
When everyone arrived they all saw the three bloody messes lying on the beds and Severus jumped in to help Poppy as she was struggling to stop the bleeding and healing all the many whip marks caused by the curses. She had checked them out for concussions and finding none put them asleep so she could work on them quickly, without hurting them too much.
When they finished Poppy reported, "They had been put under the cruciatus curse numerous times, and then whipped with the 'flagrate' curse. They would be in the hospital wing for the next few days but everything would heal, although they would have a few scars that could not be healed. They will not be able to answer questions for at least twenty-four hours so everyone might as well grab some sleep time."
Everyone but the three boys met for breakfast the next morning. It was quiet but Severus asked Neville, Ginny and Luna to share with them what had happened the night before. The girls shared the part about going out to fly since they knew that the adults were at a party. They told them about seeing Osito being chased by the Death Eaters. Harry had sent them to get the adults so they didn't know any more of it.
Neville picked up the story from there and shared how they thought Osito would make it and they would not have to land. They had only intended to harass the Death Eaters until the adults arrived so that the young Centaur could escape. But The Death Eaters had caught Osito and started to hex him so they decided to come down behind them and put them in full body binds which they did. What they hadn't counted on was more Death Eaters coming in behind them, stupefying them and binding them. It had been a trap all along, they were not after the Centaur, but were actually after them.
Neville explained that when he landed he happened to be behind a tree and they didn't see him. When he saw how many there were he knew he had to stay hidden so he could get the word out. Then he met up with the adults on his way back to the castle and that is all he knew.
The kids got very quiet and Cassy once again crawled up into Severus' lap but this time she started crying. "I want my Harry, I want my Harry." Severus didn't think twice, he just wrapped his arms around her and hugged her saying, "We have your Harry back but you can't see him until later today because he is asleep." With that she really shocked him because she sat way up in his lap and put her arms around his neck and gave him a big kiss. "I knew you would save my Harry, you're awful grumpy sometimes but you love Harry like I do" then she hugged him again. Severus, once again, was in shock and could do nothing but sit and hold on to her.
Albus interjected "Just so you know, we got word and Osito is fine. He is probably in trouble again, but fine. His father wants to talk to all of you when there is an opportunity."
"As we told you last night the boys are back but will not be released from the hospital wing for a few days. Madam Pomfrey says no student visitors for at least two days." The kids were relieved to hear this and were able to eat their breakfast.
After breakfast Molly told Ginny and Luna they needed to have a talk. Alice had hurt her shoulder in the forest the night before and asked Severus if he would take over the discipline of Neville. She explained this to Neville before breakfast, so he knew it was coming, and when he was told him by Severus to come with him, he did as he was told.
They all knew that there would be a price to pay for this mess but at least the boys were alive and with that knowledge they could endure anything, at least they thought they could, Neville had his doubts.
Molly took the girls to Minerva's classroom, locked the door and put up the silencer spell. She then told them to lower their pants and bend over the desk. She opened the top drawer of the desk and pulled out the leather paddle that Minerva kept there and quickly warmed the two bums to a very bright red.
About that same time Neville found himself visiting Professor Snape's personal study for the first time. "Sit" said Severus and Neville sat on the couch. "You are being punished because you were not supposed to be out flying at night. You will also be punished because you went into the forbidden forest and put your life in danger. Your Mother was beside herself with worry, you should be ashamed. I hope, with what happened out there, that perhaps you now understand that we have legitimate concerns about your safety. We don't put rules out there just because we want to make your life miserable, there are reasons. Do you have any questions?"
"Ok" said Severus, walking over to the couch and sitting on the end of its long arm. Come here Neville."
Neville walked over to him, tears already filling his eyes.
Severus placed him between his legs and then told him "lower your pants and shorts Neville".
Neville's face turned red but he did as he was told and was pulled over Severus' left leg, wedging him between the couch and Severus. When the first swat connected with him bum Neville jumped. His mom hit hard but this was different, this sting was going to last a lot longer. Severus continued to warm his bum, making sure that every inch was turned a bright red and was stinging.
Neville was crying quite openly, and trying to wiggle out from under the constant blows. "Why are you being punished Neville?" asked Severus.
Neville wasn't used to answering questions while trying not to drown in tears but he found his voice and answered, "Because I was out flying my broom after dark without permission."
"Right, said Severus as he continued to smak the reddened bum. "You can't see who is out there with you so it's dangerous, plus the fact that no one knew that you were out there."
Neville was sobbing by this point so Severus stopped to let him catch his breath. Neville hoped for a second that it might be over but then he felt the paddle being laid on his bum and he knew what was coming. Severus noticed him stiffening up and knew if he remained that way it would only hurt more so he asked him, "Neville what else are you being punished for?"
Neville let the air out of his lungs and answered "Because we flew into the forbidden forest and put our lives in danger."
"Correct," said Severus, "and you almost got caught while three of your friends did get caught and hurt." With that said Severus started spanking him with the paddle, hitting all the spots that he had previously swatted with his hand. When he was finished Neville was sobbing loudly and not fighting the swats at all.
Severus helped him up and with his wand put his clothes back in place. He then handed him a handkerchief and allowed him to wipe his eyes and blow his nose. Then Severus pulled him close and gave him a hug, letting him know that he was a good person and loved. He had just done some dumb things but he would make better decisions in the future.
Neville had never received this hard a spanking in his life. His Mother could swing a paddle with the best of them but it was nothing like this. But what stuck with him the most was the hug afterwards. It reminded him how much he missed his father. It was a manly hug that felt safe and secure. Neville was so worried about his mother all the time that he didn't realize how much he really wanted to have a father again and to be able not to be the man of the house like his mother always called him. He didn't know how to be the man of the house and always felt inadequate to the task.
Severus was ready for Neville accepting the hug, what he wasn't prepared for was Neville hugging back and holding on to tight. Then it dawned on Severus that this young man was just another boy being asked to grow up too soon. He had lost his father and Severus cringed every time he heard Alice call him 'her little man'. He wasn't a man, just a frightened almost teenager. Severus let him hug as long as he wanted and continued to let him know that all kids get in trouble but he would learn over time how to do better.
Once Neville was settled again Severus informed him that his broom would not be returned for the rest of the summer and he would serve detention with him two hours a day for the next week in the lab.
Neville was having trouble looking at Severus so he cupped his hand under Neville's chin and pulled it up. "Don't be embarrassed Neville, this is all part of growing up and I don't think any less of you for it. Now go back to your dorm and rest for awhile."
The Order, during their meeting earlier, had decided to pay a visit to Malfoy Manor. They were sure that since the boys had escaped that no one would be there. They knew there would be wards but doubted if Malfoy would return as he would think it was a trap for him. This would give them time to search the house, make sure that the House Elves were out and then, as they had decided, burn the place down. From what Draco had shared with them about the house there was no redeeming the house as it was soaked in black magic.
The Order set up a meeting at the ministry for Albus, Severus, Arthur and Alice and it was going to be during this meeting to discuss the kidnapping of the boys, that the house would be burned to the ground. They figured that Fudge would not be able to blame the Order if almost all of its leaders were sitting in his office at the time. And so that is how Draco would end up with no house to inherit, but Severus doubted if Draco would mind very much.
The Order also discussed the problem of Death Eaters being in the Forbidden Forest. What were they doing there? How could they organize something to warn them when this would happen again? Albus said he would talk to Bane, since his son was almost killed, perhaps he would be willing to help organize a watch group in the forest.
Severus told Dobby to help out with Cassy until Alice could get her shoulder healthy again and Dobby was happy to help out. Severus spent a lot of time sitting with the boys in the hospital. They were still sleeping a lot and had not shared their story yet but Severus would ask them about it in a couple days. They were healing nicely but the wounds would not be totally healed for another week. Severus knew they were sweating over the punishment they would be facing and he wasn't ready to share any information yet so he just let the rumor mill do its work.
Harry had hoped that the punishment that Lucius dealt out would settle the account but Draco didn't think it would. Father is pretty consistent and if Neville and the girls got a spanking then we probably will too. Ron wasn't happy about it but considering they might have died figured he would rather have the spanking.
The girls and Neville had filled them in so they knew that the brooms were gone until school started and there would be a week of detention in potions. Considering what could have been required of them they felt they were lucky. They were surprised when they found out that Snape had spanked Neville. Neville told them that he now knew how lucky he had been to have his mother discipline him all those years. "That man has a hand of iron, I swear" said Neville. Draco and Harry just grimaced and agreed with him.
Severus and Alice were going out this evening and Severus was really nervous about it. He was thinking about popping the question. He had given it a lot of thought and he really liked the idea when they were alone together. They were adults so they spent a lot of alone time as it was nobody's business. But when he started thinking about the fact that he had two sons, and she had a son and two daughters then he started thinking twice about it all. Five kids all at once, he wasn't sure he was up to it. Add to that the fact that neither of them had a house to go to and it seemed crazy.
He had talked with his parents about it and they thought it was great that they would have five grandkids. Then when Neville hugged him so hard........... all the doubts left his mind and he knew he was not only in love with Alice but loved by Alice, and needed by the kids.