Harry felt his stomach knot tightly as Arthur turned that patient, gentle blue gaze onto him and let him know that it was his turn now. The boy looked apprehensively over his shoulder to Ron (who was currently rubbing his tender, sore bottom in the corner) and winced. His friend's punishment had certainly looked painful, not to mention embarrassing, but it hadn't been too bad all in all. With the way Fred and George had been going on, Harry had expected Mr Weasley to give them both a good forty lashes with his belt or something.
"Harry?"
The boy looked up, oh right, he should be going over there now…right? This was all new to him, he wasn't aware of the cues or what to do at this point, at least Arthur seemed to understand that. Slowly, the young man rose to his feet and swallowed a nervous lump in his throat, which prevented him from saying anything.
"It's all right lad, come on over here." Arthur encouraged gently. After all, this was Harry's first experience with being smacked on the bottom, and he didn't want to frighten the child. The head of the Weasley family looked into Harry's eyes and felt his heart twinge with pain. He was the picture of contrite which was to be expected, but he could also see the guilt swimming in those leaf-green eyes of his. Harry was beating himself up internally, he knew it. Arthur gently took Harry by the hand when he was close enough and drew him nearer before opening his mouth to speak again. "What's going on in that head of yours, hm?"
Harry found it hard to look into Arthur's eyes when there were so many emotions warring inside of him, so many thoughts racing through his head. How was he supposed to articulate any of that into words? Into a coherent explanation?
"Just uh…I dunno sir." Harry answered awkwardly.
"It's all right to be a little afraid, Harry."
"...I'm not."
"Well?"
Harry sucked in a deep breath and exhaled slowly, trying to organize his thoughts and feelings, it was like trying to put a thousand-piece jigsaw puzzle together.
"I feel bad that uh…. I made you and Mrs Weasley mad at me.." Oh my god, could that have sounded more childish? Harry cringed inwardly at his own terrible, immature explanation and brought his gentle green gaze down to his feet. Oh hey look, that speck of dirt was new. Had his shoes always been that shade of black? Those laces were looking a little frayed.
"We're not mad at you, Harry." Arthur interrupted the boy's thoughts, and he smiled. The man put his finger under Harry's chin and lifted it gently so that the two of them were eye-to-eye again. "A little disappointed in your lack of judgement, yes. Most of all we were just deeply worried. I would never want anything to happen to you, neither of us would. Surely you know that?"
"Uh…s-sure?" Harry didn't sound so sure actually.
"You may not be our son, Harry, but you are still important to this family. You've always been a good friend to our Ron. You've always shown such kindness and bravery. I know you have a lot on your shoulders for a boy of your age, but you're never alone Harry, there are a great many people who care about you, us included. I would never be able to forgive myself if I allowed something to happen to you. Do you understand?" his tone was gentle but held a firm edge to it, which captured Harry's focus.
This was a lot for young Harry James Potter to process. He'd spent his whole life up until two years ago, trapped in a small world where everyone seemed to hate him. His Uncle, his Aunt, his cousin Dudley, the bullies at school, the uninterested and unsympathetic teachers. No one had ever really cared about him as such, no one had ever made him feel as though he was important. Not like the Weasleys had. He'd felt like part of the family that summer, and it was the happiest he'd been in a long time. Still, it was sort of hard for him to wrap his head around the idea that this family cared enough about him to put him over their knee if needed. Not to mention embarrassing to think about.
"Yes sir." Harry answered, a little more confidence in his voice this time around.
"It's perfectly natural to feel guilty about disappointing someone close to you," Arthur continued to explain, his voice ever gentle, "While a smacked bottom makes an excellent deterrent, it also helps alleviate a child or young person of the guilt they're carrying. You'll be punished, forgiven and we'll speak no more of it. In my home, if I say a slate is wiped clean then it is wiped clean. The incident will not be brought to light again." he promised.
That was also difficult for Harry to wrap his head around. Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia had very much enjoyed bringing up things he'd done in the past just to make him feel terrible about himself. He'd grown to learn that there was no such thing as a clean slate, but the confidence in Arthur's voice and the sincerity in his cobalt gaze made the young boy want to trust him.
"Okay."
Deciding that would be enough to put some of Harry's thoughts and worries to rest, the red headed man brought Harry to stand at the side of his knees, and then helped the child lay face down, directly over them. Unlike he had with Ron, he did not take down Harry's trousers. There were two reasons for that. One, that this had not been Harry's idea, and the boy had at least had the common sense to suggest waiting by the car, and two, this was his first time receiving a thrashing, and from someone he'd only known for a few weeks. While it was important for Harry to be punished, Arthur wanted to make sure he was comfortable, or as comfortable as he could be anyway.
Despite getting to keep his trousers up and securely over his bottom, Harry couldn't help his cheeks burning red with shame and embarrassment as he found himself over his best friend's Dad's lap, about to have his bottom smacked like a naughty child. He supposed that was the point though, you weren't supposed to like it or be okay with it. It was a punishment after all.
Arthur wrapped an arm around Harry's waist, tugging the boy closer to his stomach before raising his hand and delivering the punishment he needed.
SMACK! SMACK!
The first two swats caught Harry by surprise and he emitted a cry of shock despite himself. It didn't hurt too terribly. He could feel a slowly rising sting but he'd take this over being hurt (oh so creatively) by his Aunt and Uncle any time.
"You will not put yourself in danger, Harry James."
SMACK! SMACK!
"You will not steal, or think of stealing from me ever again."
SMACK! SMACK!
"You will learn to think of the consequences of your actions."
SMACK! SMACK! SMACK! SMACK!
"Do I make myself clear?"
SMACK! SMACK!
Harry wriggled around in place and kicked his feet a bit as Arthur's firm, steady hand came down again and again on his left buttock and his right buttock. Even through the fabric of his trousers it was hurting. He had never experienced a dull, slowly growing pain like this before, or the sharp pain growing in his gut and heart simultaneously. He had never been lectured quite so sternly by anyone other than the Professors at Hogwarts. This was different though. Being scolded by Arthur Weasley made him feel as though he was being scolded by a parent. A parent who loved and cared for him. Well…he supposed that was the case. In that moment however, it was as though Arthur was not just Ron's parent, but his own.
"I said, do I-" SMACK! "-Make myself-" SMACK! "-Clear, Harry James?" SMACK!
Those smacks felt a lot sharper this time around and Harry pulled himself from his thoughts to answer Arthur, yelps and gasps of pain being drawn from him with each swat. "Ah! Yes sir!" he replied quickly. He had to remember to pay attention to what the man was saying, and not just how this was making him feel. Hot tears began to burn in his eyes as the heat rose over his bottom and Arthur's well worked palm began descending on those sensitive under curves. Okay-that was pretty painful!
SMACK! SMACK! SMACK! SMACK! SMACK! SMACK!
Three to each side.
"Owww!" Harry couldn't help releasing a less dignified cry of pain at that point, the boy arching his back and kicking his legs with a lot more vigour this time. "Ahhoowww! Siiirrrrr!" he whimpered pitifully. "Ahhhh!"
Arthur felt his heartstrings being more than just tugged at, they were being ripped in half at the sound of Harry's pitiful wails, but he pressed onward, knowing this was best for the boy. He needed someone to hold him accountable for his actions, someone to answer to when he put himself in such danger. After all, this wasn't the first time and (he was unfortunately sure) it certainly wouldn't be the last. Harry needed to remember that he was just a child and that there were people in his life who would be devastated should anything happen to him. He and Molly included.
"Why are you being punished, Harry James?"
SMACK! SMACK! SMACK! SMACK!
The smacks now proceeded to fall firmly against the young man's upper thighs where the skin was quite sensitive. Arthur knew he wasn't giving the boy more than he could handle though, and he waited for the child's answer.
"B-Because we took the car and …and we put ourselves in danger!" Harry gasped through the pain of the smacks, tears dripping from his eyes and rolling down his flushed cheeks now. He felt so childish for crying when the smacks were just over his trousers, but they hurt! Each smack just ignited the sting over and over again and it was beginning to burn a little now.
"That's right young man."
SMACK! SMACK! SMACK! SMACK!
Arthur brought his hand back to the seat of the crying child's bottom and willed himself to continue despite the ever kicking feet, the wiggling and the arching back. He would have never demanded or expected Harry to just lay there still and unmoving. It was a natural response to the pain, and as long as Harry didn't buck himself or wriggle himself off of his lap, then he was fine with it.
"Owwww Mr Weaaasssllleeeyyyyy!" Harry howled, unable to stop himself from throwing a hand back to try and protect his stinging, throbbing bum. Arthur was quick though, and he'd seen it coming. He caught the hand and gently pinned it in place to the small of his back.
"No Harry, you don't throw your hand back." he gently scolded. Of course the boy probably knew it had not been the right thing to do, but as this was his first time being smacked, Arthur decided not to give him a penalty swat (which he certainly would have done if any of his own children had thrown their hands back, they knew better). His hand moved to the sensitive under curves again and he heard a sob catch in Harry's throat. They were almost there. "Will you do this again, Harry?"
"Noooooo!" Harry answered, his voice breaking as tears now cascaded down his cheeks, "I'm sorryyyyy!"
Arthur had thought briefly about applying twelve with the slipper across the lad's bum to ensure he really thought about the importance of his life, but seeing the boy so upset and already sobbing, he decided against it.
"Good."
SMACK! SMACK!
Mr Weasley delivered two more smacks to the centre of Harry's bottom and then stopped, his palm stung a bit but he was sure it was nothing compared to the pain both young Lion cubs felt on their tail ends.
"All right Harry, we're done. It's over." Arthur cooed down at the sobbing child before lifting him gently and pulling him against his chest into a warm, comforting hug. As expected, Harry latched onto his clothing like a life line, hiding his sobbing face in the deep wool of his sweater vest. Poor lad. The man cradled the lad's head close and carded pink fingers through his mop of shaggy dark hair. He had a feeling this was the first time in a long time that Harry had been held so securely, because the lad pretty much had a break down right there against his chest, holding onto the lapel of his navy jacket so tightly his knuckles shone white. "It's okay, shhh, I know." he whispered against the side of his head, rocking the twelve year old back and forth in his arms in an attempt to soothe him.
"I'm s-sorry M-Mr Weasley!" Harry stammered against the man, his limbs quivering and sobs racking through his skinny frame. Arthur had a strong feeling the boy wasn't only crying from the pain of his sore bottom. No. This ran much deeper.
"I know you're sorry Harry. It's over now, and you're forgiven. We'll speak no more of this, I promise."
While it took only two minutes or so to calm Ron down, Harry was still steadily crying even after four minutes had passed. Arthur didn't hurry him or mention it though, he just continued to comfort Harry as much as he could, his heart breaking for the boy. Something was going on with Harry that ran deeper than this punishment, that even ran deeper than the term at Hogwarts, with everyone thinking he was the heir of Slytherin. Harry had told him he had been smacked before, but not on the bottom, and Arthur intended to find out everything but without pushing the boy too much for information.
"Ron?"
Ron turned from his position in the corner, his heart aching for his friend. "Yeah Dad?"
"Your mum wants the Garden de-Gnomed by the time she gets back. Round up Fred and George and make a start on it please." Arthur instructed his child.
"Aw but Dad…" Ron whined.
"Ronald."
Again, the warning in Arthur's voice was clear enough, and Ron knew when to shut his mouth and just do as he was told. He grumbled as he left the corner and exited the bedroom, shutting the door behind him as he went. Thankfully, Harry had calmed down to sniffs and hiccups at that point and Arthur felt now would be a good opportunity to talk to him about what was really bothering him.
"All right now Harry?" Arthur asked softly.
"Y-Yeah.." Harry sniffed, wiping the last of his tears from behind his glasses with the back of his hand. "C-Can I…get up?" he didn't want to, but he felt so childish and pathetic laid there in Arthur's arms.
Arthur smiled and released his hold on the child. "Of course." he helped Harry to his feet and hid a small smile as the boy's hands went directly to his bottom to try and rub away at the sting. "Harry, I wonder if I might have a word?" he asked after a moment of watching the boy gather his bearings.
Harry cleared his throat to try and level his voice and he nodded. "Y-Yes sir?"
Arthur held Harry in front of him, he would have had the boy sit down on the bed, but he assumed the possibility of sitting down so soon was the last thing Harry wanted to think about. He didn't blame him. Oh he had been in Harry's very position more than once in his own youth.
"Before…well, before all of this, you divulged something that was quite concerning, despite wanting to or not." Arthur began. "You told me that you had been hit before, but not on the bottom." he recalled and winced when Harry's cheeks burned with realization. "I'm not going to force you to open up to me Harry, I never would." he made very clear, "But if there's something happening, perhaps at school, perhaps at home with your Aunt and Uncle, well, I'd like you to feel as though you could come and talk to me about it." he leaned in a little closer, his eyes locking with Harry's.
"Is there something you want to tell me, Harry?"