Harry Potter Junior Level: Year Two

Ch. 44

No Biscuits!

Waking from his impromptu nap, Sirius groggily looks around for his son. Not seeing Harry in the vicinity, he calls for him "Harry, come here, son." When no young boy appears, he goes into the woods to search still calling Harry's name. Finding a damp towel on the boulder but no sign of Harry, he casts a Point Me spell. Following the path in the direction the wand points, he begins to make his way through the forest.

While Sirius is looking for him, Harry is following the leprechaun deeper into the forest.

"Mr. McKinnon? My feet are getting tired and I need to be going back soon. My Dad is going to be worried if I'm not there when he wakes up. Can we stop soon?"

"Just beyond that largest tree my child, is the fairy circle where you will teach me. Just a little more walking. Time is standing still so you will not be away long, I believe."

"How is time standing still? My Grandpa says you can't stop time. You can go back or forward but never stop it. If you can stop time then you are magical and don't need me. You can keep your treasure. I need to get back before my Dad finds out I left. I wasn't to leave the waterfall past that boulder I was sitting on."

"We made a bargain and I want your end of it to stay. Come now, show me the spell. Remember it is one for putting someone to sleep." Harry hears as they walk into a clearing.

"There IS a circle! Look at all those colorful flowers ringing it! I have a friend who loves plants and he would love to see this! I see tulips, daffodils, daisies, more flowers I don't know the names of and so much color! Red, yellow, purple, orange, white, blue! Blue flowers! I didn't even know there were blue flowers! Ireland is so beautiful, such greens and now these colors. Almost like a rainbow on the ground." Harry exclaims, turning in circles as he takes in all there is to see.

"Yes, Ireland is a beautiful country with rich colors, tis true. The blue flowers are named Delphinium. Now, let's practice the spell. I am waiting."

"Why do you need to know how to put someone to sleep? You said you don't have any kids so it won't be for a kid to go to sleep. What's it for?"

"You are an inquisitive young one, I see. Never you mind what I need it for! Just show me!"

"I can't show you if I don't know why you need to know. Besides, putting someone to sleep is dangerous and not nice either. Thanks for bringing me to the
Fairy Circle Flower Ring."

"Do you not wish for treasure? The gold pieces to buy candy and games? Here is the treasure but it can't be found until you honor your word. Are you an honorable child?"

"I'm not an honorable. I told you I wasn't a Lord. I'm just...

"HARRISON JAMES BLACK!" Harry hears as Sirius bursts through the trees.

"NO! Stay away from him! He has to honor his word!" McKinnon shouts flinging a large rock in Sirius' direction.

"STUPEFY!" Sirius commands pointing his wand at the leprechaun.

Watching his friend fall to the ground immobile, Harry asks "Why'd you do that Dad? How'd you get your voice to be so loud anyway?"

"Walk to me, Harry! Right now!" Sirius replies, keeping his wand trained on the small man on the ground.

"Dad? Why did you do that to Mr. McKinnon? What about your voice? Is that a spell? Do I get to learn it? It would be brilliant to know how to knock someone out that way! I could use it on Jeremy Pippen at school! I could use the Loud Voice spell to call to Draco from the tower to the lake!" Harry asks as he stands beside Sirius gazing somewhat sadly at Mr. McKinnon. "Are you just going to leave him lying on the ground that way?"

"Both are spells you will learn when you are older. I used the Stupefy to allow you to get away from him. Did he harm you in any way? Why did he take you from the waterfall pool? Do you know?"

"He didn't take me, Dad. I went with him. Mr. McKinnon didn't harm me. He wants to learn a spell to put people to sleep. I don't know that spell but he promised to give me gold coins! I could get real treasure, Dad! It's here somewhere if we can find it! I could buy so much with gold coins! Tell me the spell and I'll tell him so we can get that treasure!"

"YOU WENT WITH HIM? Voluntarily? Just to find some treasure? He didn't kidnap you? He didn't hold you against your will?" Sirius asks, his tone both disbelieving and stern.

"Um, Yes, Yes, Yes, No and No?" Harry answers trying to keep up with the quick questions.

Taking his son by the arm, Sirius delivers two firm smacks to the boy's damp swim trunks before saying "You deliberately disobeyed me! We will talk more about this later. For now, go wait by the large tree and DO NOT MOVE UNTIL I SAY TO!"

"OWW! DAD! No Fair! You aren't supposed to smack me in front of people!" Harry complains petulantly.

"Harrison James! I would watch my tone and obey if you don't want me to do more right here and now!" Sirius says bending down to look the boy in the eye. The tone of his voice has Harry moving to the tree he was told to stand by, without further argument.

Waiting for Harry to reach the tree, Sirius walks over to the man staring up at him from the ground.

"I don't know what you are up to here, Mister but I will not stand by while you harm my son! I will let you free of the magical bindings if you promise to leave.
Agreed? Blink for Yes or keep staring at me for No."

Watching the man blink, Sirius points his wand at the man and says "Finite Incantum" canceling the spell.

"Now, explain what you wanted with my child! He said something about you needing to learn a spell. Are you capable of casting?"

"I am. I wish to learn the spell for somnia. The child promised to teach me in return for gold coins. He is magical and kind enough to show me if you allow, sir." the small man replies speaking more clearly with Sirius than with Harry.

"What is your purpose for using the spell? If it is for ill intent, I will not help you."

"My home is being torn apart by a beast. I have no weapon nor desire to harm, only to protect my home."

"Where is your home?"

"That I can not tell you. You may turn on me again. It will be nearby."

"Perhaps I can cast protection barriers on your home. If you will show me, I will try and we will not bother you again. All I wish is to return to our cabin with my son. We will be leaving Ireland tomorrow. Your secrets are safe with me. I do not wish anything else."

"It is in the tree your son is standing beside. You do this for me and I will grant you three wishes."

"No, I do not need anything as I said. I will do this and we will leave. You did not harm my son so I will honor my word. Harry, come here son." Sirius calls waiting for the child to reach him.

"Mr. McKinnon wishes to have his home protected. You stand beside me and do not move while I cast, understand?"

"Yes Dad. Where is his home?"

"The tree you were standing beside. Now hush so I can cast the protection." Pointing his wand at the base of the tree, Sirius intones "Protego Totalum!" and moves the wand in a wide circle.

"Here you are. The home is now protected against beasts, unwanted guests, or weather. You may allow someone entry by simply announcing to the tree you wish for that person to enter and it will be safe. Anything else is repelled with an invisible barrier. Let me show you. Harry walk towards the tree slowly and let's see how close you can get."

At four feet from the tree, Harry has to stop. "I can't get any closer! It feels as if I walked into a stone wall and it won't move!"

"Good. Now reach down and pick out a large rock. Throw it up high towards the tree." Sirius calls to him.

"Merlin, Dad! It bounced off the air!" Harry calls as the rock hits something invisible and bounces back to the ground.

"There you are Mr. McKinnon, a safe home. The barrier is as high as the tree trunk so nothing will climb over it and it will extend four feet out in a circle. You may enter as it is your home but only those who are given spoken permission may enter. You may go in now."

"Thank you me lord! I shall remember this kindness. Goodbye wee Harry."

"What about the gold coins you said I could have? Dad helped you so we should get paid gold coins." Harry asks.

"Harrison James! I believe you know better than to ask for compensation for helping someone. I apologize for his lack of manners. We will be leaving now." Sirius informs the little man dressed in a yellow shirt, orange vest with gold buttons, green knee britches, orange and green striped socks and black shoes. With red hair and beard he is quite colorful to look at.

"DAD, No! He has treasure and promised me some! I want it!" Harry shouts as Sirius takes his arm to lead him away.

"Harrison James, you are treading in deep water! Stop this behavior immediately! We are leaving without compensation. Now, will you walk on your own or do I have to carry you as a small boy?"

"I can walk." Harry answers sulkily. Wondering how he could be walking in deep water as he isn't in water, he follows Sirius into the forest. As they reach the boulder, Harry feels a weight in the pocket of his swim trunks that wasn't there until now. Reaching in he pulls out a large gold coin. Glancing up at his Dad slightly ahead of him, he quickly puts the coin back in his pocket before Sirius can see it just in case he might take it away. Following Sirius to the pool by the waterfall, Harry waits while his Dad folds up the lounge chair and gathers the picnic basket. On the walk back to the cabin, Harry notices his Dad isn't talking as he usually does on their long walks together.

Entering the cabin, Sirius announces "Harry, go take your bath and get dressed for bed while I heat up something for our meal. We will discuss what went on after we eat. Put your swim trunks in the sink and let them soak while you are bathing. Be dressed and ready to eat in fifteen minutes."

"Yes sir." Harry answers as he walks glumly to follow directions. This solemn Dad isn't the one he wants to be around.

Going into his room, Harry gathers pajamas, underwear and robe pushing the gold coin deep into his robe pocket. With the mood his Dad seems to be in, he wouldn't put it past him to take the coin away. Hiding it seems the best plan for now. "Maybe in a few days, when we are home, I might show Dad my coin. Right now isn't a good time." Harry thinks as he folds the robe on the counter before stepping into the warm shower.

After his shower, he follows the smell of something cooking to the kitchen where he finds his Dad ladling soup into bowls.

"Just in time, son. We're having potato and onion soup with ham chunks, grilled cheese sandwiches and either milk or water for you to drink. You may also have a cup of tea if you wish."

"It smells so good, Dad. I could smell it all the way to the bathroom with the door closed! Dad, I'm sorry I wandered off today." Harry answers hoping his Dad will accept his apology and let the matter drop.

"Thank you for your apology, Harry. Let's enjoy our meal and we'll discuss the events of today later."

"Yessir." Harry answers, shoulders drooping as he takes his bowl to the table. Every time his Dad uses the word "discuss" it means he's going to hand out punishment. Most of the students at Hogwarts know Professor Black is the easygoing professor but if he ever wishes to 'discuss' something with them, they are in trouble.

Trying to prolong this 'discussion' as long as possible, Harry slowly sips small amounts of soup from his spoon as he takes mini bites of his sandwich.

Watching the boy, Sirius tries to hide his smile as he says "You may as well eat normal bites, Harry. However long it takes, we will still be having that talk. Even if you sit here all night sipping cold soup! It's your choice, however. You may like room temperature soup."

"I'm tired, Dad. I don't want to have a discussion tonight. Can't I just go to be early?" Harry asks a few minutes later after he finishes his soup and sandwich.

"You may go to bed as soon as we are through but you and I are going to discuss today. I believe you are finished so let's go to my room." Sirius replies as he stands and removes the bowls and plates.

"Dad! I just remembered! It's Friday night! Friday night is Bake Biscuits Night! We have to bake cookies and play games while we eat them! I'm in the mood for chocolate chip this week. We had your favorite of oatmeal butterscotch chip raisin and nut biscuits last week. I'll get the butter out." Harry says as he moves towards the refrigerator.

"Harrison James."

Those two words spoken in the low, stern tone of voice effectively halts Harry in his tracks.

"Yes sir?"

"There will be no biscuits or games tonight. As I have now told you three times just since we arrived at the cabin, we are going to discuss today's events. Now walk to my room unless you'd rather have this discussion where someone could see through the window."

Trying to swallow the newly formed lump in his throat, Harry obeys without comment.

"Have a seat on the bed." Sirius directs as he enters behind Harry.

"Now, start at the beginning from when you were in the waterfall pool. What went on for me to have found you so far from your boundary lines?" Sirius asks as he moves a straight back chair from the corner desk to in front of where Harry is sitting.

"The other day, I met Mr. McKinnon in the forest. He promised me gold if I could tell him what kind of person he was and helped him. I went to tell him I knew he was a leprechaun and he wanted me to help him. I went with him to his fairy circle and was going to tell him I couldn't do a Sleeping Spell when you came."

"Did you know Mr. McKinnon well, Harry?"

"No Dad, I told you I just met him the other day."

"So you were strangers in most ways. You knew very little about him, isn't that true?"

"I knew he was a leprechaun who needed help. I wanted to help."

"Did you stop to think it could all have been a trick? He might have just told you things that weren't true to lure you away?"

"He seemed nice."

"What have I told you about keeping yourself safe around people we don't know?"

"Never go with someone you don't know and don't fall for promises of treats or gifts. If they say they need me to go with them because you gave them permission, they would know the secret password and say it. I didn't think that meant leprechauns though. Leprechauns weren't on the list, Dad." Harry answers cheekily.

Reaching out and pulling Harry off the bed, Sirius turns him sideways and delivers a strong swat to his backside.

"NO CHEEK! Young man, you are going to keep a civil tongue in your mouth and listen to what I'm saying!"

"Ouch! I'm listening! I am! You don't have to swat me so hard. My bum is tingling! I just went to help a new friend! I didn't rob a place or kill someone! I didn't even use magic without permission! YOU ARE THE ONE NOT LISTENING!" Harry replies, yelling the last part.

"We seem to be having a communication problem. Your ears seem to not be hearing what I'm saying. Now settle down, stop shouting and really listen." Sirius tells him trying to keep himself calm.

Jumping to his feet, Harry yells in frustration, "I DID LISTEN! YOU DIDN'T! I ONLY WENT TO HELP SOMEONE! IT'S NOT BAD TO HELP SOMEONE!"

"Alright Harry, you've made this much more difficult. Since you refuse to have a calm discussion, we'll go about this a different way." Sirius says as he pulls the recalcitrant child over his knee.

Feeling his robe moved and his pajama bottoms lowered, Harry starts kicking his feet. "No! NO DAD!"

"DADDY, Please Stop! I'll listen!" Harry calls out seconds later as his underwear follows his pajama bottoms and he feels the cool air on his bare bum.

"You put yourself in danger and deliberately disobeyed me. You refuse to listen to why this behavior today was wrong. This leads us to the situation you are now in. You will go to bed after we are through. I will try again tomorrow to discuss why what went on today was wrong and dangerous." Sirius informs the sniffling child. Raising his hand about two feet, he applies a sharp smack on the wriggling bum. Twelve slow but firm smacks later, he redresses the crying boy who is no longer kicking but laying still on his lap.

"I love you too much to allow you to get by with deliberately putting yourself in danger. Try to sleep and I'll see you in the morning." Sirius says a few minutes later as he tucks the covers around Harry in his own room.

Hearing the bedroom door close, Harry rolls over on his stomach to ease the sting in his bum. Kicking his feet against the mattress in fury, he lets the tears come, soaking his pillow. "At least he didn't find my gold! He can spank me all he wants but I won't give up my gold! It's mine! I didn't do anything bad today! He's just being mean to me 'cause he didn't get any gold! I was going to buy something nice for him with some of my gold but I'm not now! My bum is on fire 'cause of his hard hand! He wouldn't do Biscuit Night either so NO gift!" Harry thinks as he falls asleep.

Waking to something shaking his arm, Sirius rolls over in bed to see Harry standing beside the bed.

"What's wrong, Harry? Are you feeling sick?"

"No. Can I come up?" Harry whispers, his throat scratchy from crying.

Holding the covers up, Sirius answers "Climb on in but no kicking, young sir. Also, those cold feet of yours stay on your side not mine. I don't like icicle feet on my nice warm toes."

Giggling a little as he climbs in beside his Dad, Harry whispers "I won't put my feet on you."

After a few more minutes, Harry whispers "Daddy? I'm sorry I was bad today. I was mean to you when I yelled and when I worried you. I deserved a spanking, I know I did. I'm not mad at you anymore. Are you still mad at me?"

"Harry, I was never mad at you. Disappointed and worried but not mad. Son, you have to stop going off with strangers. This is not the first time just this year. Remember the Quidditch game? You went with a stranger then also. Son, you have a kind heart and that's wonderful but you have to think about your safety. I don't put these rules down for you just to be mean. I do it to keep you from being harmed. I know you are only ten but son, there are people out in this world who are ... let me just say, unkind. They would think nothing of hurting you. Both magical and non magical people. It's my job as your Dad, to teach you safety. When you refuse to listen, I punish you to make you think about your actions. Does this make sense?"

"I guess so. I still want to help people though. How can I help people if I can't go with them when they need help?"

"You come to me or Severus and tell us what you want to do. I will decide if the person is truly in need of help or has another intent. No more going off with strangers, Harry. Tomorrow we will be back home. You are grounded to our quarters for the next week. Also you will write 100 lines of 'I will ask permission before going with someone I don't know.' and 100 lines of 'I will follow the safety rules at all times.' One more thing son, if you ever go off with a stranger without my permission again, I will apply the slipper to your bare bum until you can't sit comfortably for a whole day! Do I make myself clear?"

"Yes sir. I don't want that to happen. That slipper burns your bum! Good night Dad."

Shaking his head at the calm acceptance of the now sleeping child. Thanking the stars for keeping this rambunctious boy safe, Sirius watches his child sleep. Eventually becoming too drowsy to stay awake he has some final thoughts before sleep. "James and Lily if you are listening, could you help me keep our boy from harm? I somehow have the feeling my talk went straight in one ear, played around for a few minutes and left out the other ear. I get the distinct impression it didn't stay in. I'm going to need all the extra help available with our child. I am trying my best my friends but it isn't easy with both your temperaments in this boy. James, the older he gets the more I see you. Lily, he has your kindness and love for all things. We're in a new territory my friends, even the threat of the slipper didn't truly faze him."