Ch 15 Detention: Hagrid Style and other punishments

That night they walked down to Hagrid's hut for their detention. Hagrid greeted them warmly, even though they were in for detention.

"I know yea boys are here as a punishment but," Hagrid said as he handed them a hammer each, "that doesn't mean we can't enjoy ourselves,"

"What exactly are we doing Hagrid?" James asked as Hagrid grabbed a bag of nails.

"Well, I can't use magic you see," Hagrid then brought out some wood, "But I have to build a paddock fer some new animals I got. We're gonna have to build one instead. That's what yea will be doing on yer detentions with me,"

"We have to act like muggles?" Sirius asked looking at the hammer, "But we're wizards… and James and I can use magic."

"Professor Dumbledore said…"

"I have an idea Hagrid," Sirius said before Hagrid could finish, "James and I will use magic to finish the paddock, we could probably get it done in like five minutes, then we can just sit around, drink tea, and talk during the time we should be working on it."

"I like that idea mate," James said lifting his wand, "We could finish this in no time… and it would probably look way better as well. I've never used this hammy thing before."

"I don't know," Hagrid said sounding apprehensive, "I would like it done neatly but Professor Dumbledore said…"

"He won't mind Hagrid," James said, "As long as we get it done right?"

"I suppose," Hagrid muttered.

"Great!" Sirius said and he flicked his wand, causing the hammer to float in the air and the nails to float in front. James levitated the wood to line up and they worked on getting the paddock done.

"Are yea sure this is how it's supposed to look?" Hagrid asked looking at the area after Sirius and James said they were done.

"Look at this Hagrid," James said handing him a piece of parchment, "It looks the same right?"

"Yea," Hagrid said.

"Then it's right," Sirius grinned, "So can we have tea now?"

"Well, yea did finish it and its still early so…"

"Great!" Sirius said and led the way to Hagrid's front door. Hagrid set the kettle to the fire and waited for it to boil and grabbed three mugs and tea bags. He set them on the table, along with sugar and cream and then grabbed the vastly boiling kettle.

"Just say when," he said pouring into one cup. Sirius stopped Hagrid before it got too full and James stopped as well when he had enough water. They set about making their own teas, adding sugar and cream and then, after everyone had theirs made, Hagrid broke the silence.

"So I've heard a lot about you boys,"

James and Sirius smirked to each other. "What sort of things?" James asked.

"About yer pranks,"

"Like?" Sirius probed, they both loved it when others discussed their work of art.

"Like last year when that Snape boy had his food tampered with,"

"Well that one was brilliant, even if it landed us in a fair bit of trouble,"

"This year you also got in trouble with the Snape boy didn't you?"

"He eggs us on," James shrugged, "He shouldn't be so bloody annoying."

"I also heard about what happened to you last year James." James stopped mid-sip of his tea and spit it out.

"How'd you hear about that?"

"Dumbledore," Hagrid said grimly, "It's terrible to happen, especially since it wasn't yer fault, bloody You-Know-Who," Hagrid grumbled.

"But everything's fine now, no need to talk about it," James said trying to get off the topic but Hagrid didn't seem to want to.

"Then with everything that's happened this you, to both of yea," Hagrid said shaking his head, "Just sad,"

"Yea but they won't do it again," Sirius said, "I know for a fact they won't."

"Sirius just because it's your brother and cousins doesn't mean they'll stop!" James said.

"James, mate, you worry too much, I've got it all under control,"

James wasn't too sure.

The next few days went the same as the first. They'd go to class, go to meals, all escorted by Remus and Peter, with occasional teachers close behind or the portrait occupants following them around. Then after dinner they'd get a bit of homework done and then go to Hagrid's for 'detention' when they were really talking with him in his hut. James and Sirius had started to grow quite close to the half giant; he was nothing like they thought he was.

Then, before they knew it, term was closing and Christmas holidays were approaching. James and Sirius had their trunks packed and Selena was waiting for them in the Entrance Hall.

"So you're staying with us for the holidays then?"

"Yup," Selena said as the three of them gathered in a carriage, Peter and Remus were running a little late. Remus couldn't find his potions text to get his homework done and Peter had misplaced his wand, again. They made it just in time.

"Johnny will be in tomorrow,"

"It'll be great to see him again," James said, "He's always such a laugh,"

"I can't wait to see your older cousin Caroline,"

"Sirius," James said, "She's three years older then you and attends that French school... Beauxbatons I think,"

"Exactly," Sirius grinned.

"Ugh," Selena said, "Anyways, Johnny said he's brining some girl with him."

"Johnny has a girlfriend?" James asked interestedly, "Why is this the first time I'm hearing of this?"

Selena shrugged, "I'm interested to know who'd date my brother,"

"Johnny was always popular with the girls though," James said, "Remember that girl he dated three years ago? The one with the nose pierced?"

"Oh yea," Selena said and she shuddered, "She was creepy, like that thing she always carried in her pocket."

"You mean the thing to keep vampires away?" James chuckled, "It would never work, she said it could never get wet so I took it while she was out in the back with Johnny and it just happened to slip into the sink while I was getting a glass of water," Selena giggled.

"Served her right,"

The ride from Hogsmead station to Kings Cross was spent with laughs and jokes as James and Sirius thought up new ways to get Snape and a few fun things to pull on cousins with Selena and Johnny's help. Remus and Peter discussed their holidays and plans as well. When they reached Kings Cross, James' mom and Selena's mom was waiting for them. Along with someone James didn't expect to see.

"Johnny!" James said running to his cousin and giving him a hug.

"James mate, how's the pranking going?"

"No pranking going on at all," he said winking as Sirius and Selena walked up as well, Peter and Remus close behind.

"Here's my little sister," Johnny said hugging Selena, "And Sirius," he shook the boys hand.

"Johnny," Sirius nodded back.

"Remus, Peter, how nice to see you," Vallery said, "It's funny how my son goes to his cousin before his own mother," James laughed and gave his mother a hug and then his aunt. Vallery pulled Sirius into a hug as well.

"It's nice to see you again Mrs. Potter but we've got to get going," Remus said, "My dad is waiting for me outside the station."

"My parents are over there," Peter pointed across the station, "They just arrived,"

"Well it was nice to see you boys again; you're welcome over the holidays if you have time,"

"Thank you," the boys said and went in their separate ways.

"Well shall we head out you lot?" Vallery asked. They group left the station and towards the Potter house, all chatting merrily.

When they arrived there Sirius and James went straight up to James' room. Selena went to one guest room with Johnny trailing behind talking about his life and Selena about school. James and Sirius set their trunks aside and looked at each other.

"So what now?" Sirius asked lying back on the bed Vallery set up for him.

"Well we could always…"

"Oi," Johnny said from down the hall, "Would you two get over here!" James looked at Sirius.

"This has got to be good," the boys got up and ran towards Johnny.

"What took you lot so long?"

"Didn't realize you wanted us," James said.

"James I thought you'd learn by now, here," he handed them a piece of parchment. "More places I thought of that I'd found while I was at Hogwarts, should help you with your mischief,"

"What mischief," James grinned.

"Oh don't try that one on me," Johnny said, "I'm not stupid, I know you've got in trouble, Selena was just telling me about some duel you got into…"

"Oh yea," James said his smile faltering, "Mum's not going to be happy…"

"I'm surprised she didn't lay it on you as soon as she saw you,"

"Well, maybe she's forgotten,"

"Or maybe she hasn't thought of a good enough punishment," Johnny said, "I know she'll lay it big on you, she's probably talking to mother right about now about it,"

"Let's find out," James said and Johnny grinned

"Lead the way mate," Johnny said. Sirius looked confused so he expanded, "James has found the perfect place to listen into all of his parents' private conversations in a room just above the kitchen. There seems to be a crack in the floor or something and I just happened to have placed a charm on it to hear better when I became of age,"

"Brilliant," Sirius grinned as they rushed towards the library above the kitchen.

"Over here," James whispered, kneeling by a bookshelf, "We should all fit," The boys squeezed in and a split second later Vallery and Sally started to speak.

"I just don't know what to with him," Vallery sighed, "I mean he's worse then Johnny was at that age, and Johnny got in some pretty bad stuff,"

"But Johnny's grown up," Sally said, the boys smirked at each other, "James looks up to him and he seems to be taking after him,"

"I know," Vallery sighed, "I don't know what to do about it. Sirius is no better but… I don't know, the boy has no discipline, I suppose his family doesn't even care about what happened. They don't even seem to love the boy,"

"Val, Sirius isn't your responsibility,"

"I know but he's James' best friend… I feel like he's a bad influence though. Nice boy though just… rubbing off the wrong way on James,"

"James has always been a jokester though; remember when he and Johnny glued Uncle Hank's hair to his head?"

"James was only five at the time," Vallery reminded her.

"I know but you see what I'm getting at? There have been early signs of this for years,"

"But after last year when he got in trouble with Albus over the little joke he pulled on that little Snape boy I thought he'd stop,"

"Jokes will be jokes Val," Sally said.

"But what if he get's himself in so much trouble… I mean look at what happened earlier this year. He ended up in the hospital Wing along with Sirius,"

"We don't know if that was because of his jokes though,"

"Well no, it wasn't Albus said it had something to do with You-Know-Who but… that's not the point,"

"You-Know-Who did that to them?" Sally asked placing a hand to her mouth in shock, eyes widening.

"Not on his orders… I'm not really supposed to speak of it, Albus doesn't want it spreading around, forget I said anything,"

"Alright," Sally said not convinced, "But, why are you so worried about them? I'm sure James can handle himself, and Sirius seems like the kind of boy who can take care of himself,"

"I know, but I don't want to lose James. You know it was a miracle for me to have him… I never thought I'd be able to have kids and when I found out I was pregnant with him, after all those years of trying… well, you know how happy I was."

"I do," Sally said nodding.

"I don't know what I'd do if I lost him,"

"What are you going to do then?"

"I'm going to have to punish him for duelling," Vallery said, "But what can I do, that will get it through his head?"

"Well one thing I always made Johnny do was clean the floor with a toothbrush, without magic. Also de-gnome the garden, although he always had fun swinging those little things around,"

"Yea James loves chasing them around outside," Vallery sighed, "But cleaning with a toothbrush sounds good, for now, I'll have to think of more punishments later,"

"And Sirius? Didn't you say you wanted to punish him as well?"

"Yes, I mean I don't have a right to but… I think of him as a son. We may not have known him long but he is a good lad and he needs to learn discipline."

"So will he be helping James then?"

"In a different room," Vallery said, "James can do the ball room for Christmas, Sirius can do the kitchen. It's much smaller," Chairs scarping across the floor was heard as the two women got up and the three boys exchanged looks.

"Aunt Sally is not on my favourite people list right now," James grumbled.

"Neither is your mom," Sirius muttered.

"They mean well boys," Johnny shrugged, "Take the punishment and don't complain or else it can get much worse. I'm going to go see what Sel's up to." Johnny walked off then leaving the two friends in bad moods.

Later that day, Vallery called the boys down and handed them the toothbrushes, explaining what they were to do.

"Oh and hand over those mirrors," she said, "I know you have them with you," the boys sighed and handed the mirrors over. "I'm sorry boys but this is what you get for misbehaving,"

"Yes mum," James sighed as he walked off to the ballroom to clean the huge floor. Sirius went to the kitchen to clean it.

James complained the whole time, under his breath, about cleaning. Johnny would, on occasion, come into the room and make comments about missing spots and James would throw the toothbrush at him, then he'd have to get up and collect the toothbrush while Johnny laughed.

"It's not funny," James grumbled after the tenth time Johnny did it in an hour.

"Sure it is mate, trust me, I had to do the same thing so watching someone else do it is hilarious,"

"None of the rooms in your house are this big though," James muttered as he started to clean by the stage in the room where bands would play for parties and gatherings.

"True, Uncle Victor sure is successful,"

"That's what happens when you work at the ministry and are highly respected." James wiped his brow, "How's Sirius doing?"

"Terribly, he has a house elf apparently who usually does all this stuff, except for his room apparently, but he's not used to this kind of manual labour,"

"Maybe it'll show him not to use Kreacher for everything then, I mean I know house elves are supposed to help you out with chores but Sirius tries to get his house elf to do every little thing, even hand him his homework. Of course Kreacher doesn't usually listen to Sirius and hates him,"

"I thought house elves were supposed to respect their masters," Johnny said as he leaned against the door frame.

"Well yes but Kreacher listens and follows Sirius' mum and his mum despises Sirius so Kreacher follows her lead,"

"Interesting," Johnny said looking at his watch, "Oh man gotta go pick up…" he trailed off and blushed slightly. James looked up at his cousin.

"Your girlfriend?" James smirked and Johnny glared.

"Selena?" he asked and James laughed and nodded, "I'll kill her,"

"No you won't you love her, she's your little sister,"

"Yea, yea, sister or not she's dead," then he laughed, "You got some dirt on your face everywhere by the way," James wiped his face and the dirt smudged and went everywhere. Johnny laughed and James glared and turned back to the floor.

"Alright I'll be back later, have fun cleaning James,"

James grumbled under his breath and Johnny left laughingly. James sighed, turning back to his work and continued to clean until Vallery came in a few minutes later.

"Well it's looking good James, I want you to go get cleaned up, Johnny has left to pick Olivia up. He'll be back in about an hour so go take a bath and put on some nice robes,"

"Yes mum," James said and stretched as he got up and left the room. He met Sirius on the way up.

"How'd it go for you mate?" James asked and then noticed Sirius was already cleaned up, "when did you finish?"

"Your mum let me off an hour ago to get cleaned up. I was just coming to see how you were doing," James looked at his friend shocked.

"She just let me off!" Sirius laughed and James pushed him slightly. "Shut up mate it's not funny."

"Yes it is,"

"I've got to get cleaned up, go find Selena and keep her company for a little bit,"

"Sure," Sirius grinned and turned to walk off.

"NOT THAT WAY!" James shouted and Sirius laughed some more. James sighed and continued his way to his room to clean up.

A/N: Alright I'm sorry for the long wait for this chapter, I was having trouble coming up with ideas and stuff so I decided to just skip along to Christmas and stuff but I hope you liked it anyways. Some of you are prob thinking that punishing Sirius shouldn't be aloud but the way I see it Sirius is part of the family and so therefore should be treated as such, even if he gets it a little easier. Anyways hope you liked it and please review!