Hey everyone! :)

Thank you for the lovely comments, Nimphxdora and Gypsyrose98! :)

WARNING: SPANKING!

Whatever conversation Gryffindor and the other guy were having immediately stopped. Other Guy actually choked on his drink, the sound unnerving, while Gryffindor slowly lifted his head, looking him straight in the eyes.

I didn't mean to. I really didn't.

"I apologize for interrupting your dinner, Sir, but this boy seemed quite…lost, and he assured me he's your son. Is that…correct?"

"Are you asking me right now if I am able recognize my very own boy?"

The woman winced, "I…I apologize, I really did not…we've had so many thieves here lately…"

"Are you telling me right now that you think my boy is a thief?"

"No, of course not, I would never…please, Sir, please forgive me, please, I did not mean to…"

All Tom could do was watch in fascination- and when the woman started to sob, looking like she was ready to go on her knees in front of him to beg, the fascination turned into admiration.

Damn, he's good.

When the woman finally left, she was a weeping, trembling mess, and Choking Guy looked…flustered?

Is this turning him on? Wait, are they on a date?

"Take a seat, boy", Gryffindor was smiling at him, actually smiling- and he looked as amused as he always looked when he was around him, "where have you been the whole time?"

I guess we're playing, then.

"I was looking at the sculptures- Romanov's newer work is quite impressive, and you can definitely still see the former naturalist coming through, especially with his series of facial expressions."

Choking Guy choked on his drink again, and his eyes went wide with stunned shock, "I…I've been thinking the exact same thing!", he eventually blurted out, extending his hand, "Maynard von Greychester- it's a pleasure to meet you, Aurelius."

Oh, shit.

Tom could feel Gryffindor's gaze on him, an intense gaze- but he did not say anything, not even one word, he acted more like he was watching a very amusing show.

Glad I can provide your entertainment, Gryffindor.

"It's…a pleasure to meet you…as well, Sir", he forced himself to finally say, knowing he had to respond with something, "what…uhm…is your favorite piece?"

Maynard's face lit up like a Christmas tree at that question, and then he began to talk, the words rushing out of him like he had been forced to stay silent for a year. He was clearly very much a patron of the arts, and the way he described his favorite painting was a mix between utter admiration and giddy enthusiasm.

"You are crashing my date, boy", Gryffindor told him in a low voice when Maynard ordered another drink with one of the waiters, all the talking had made him thirsty, "he's supposed to give me all of his attention."

"Jealous, Gryffindor?", he grinned at the Founder, "maybe ask him about some of the work here, he's clearly totally into it."

Gryffindor did not respond to that, tilting his head, and it took him a second, but then understanding dawned on him, "you have no clue about any of this stuff, do you?", he whispered back, barely able to contain his triumph, "why'd you even take hi…"

"Sorry about that- I had to make sure there would not be any olives in my drink. I am highly allergic", Maynard interrupted them, "even a hint of an olive can trigger an allergic shock, and sometimes they just dump out the olives and add the liquor, but even that leaves traces of olives behind."

Oh great- he's not only completely obsessed about art, he's also neurotic as fuck. What does Gryffindor even want with this guy?

"I am highly allergic against strawberries", Tom told him with a straight face, starting to see the fun part of this mess, "even smelling a strawberry can be triggering- but interestingly, I can eat blueberries, raspberries and blackberries without a problem. The same cannot be said for elderberries, and sometimes when I eat gooseberries, I get a weird feeling as well."

"What kind of feeling would that be?", Maynard asked, sounding interested.

"Goosebumps", Tom replied matter-of-factly, "I get goosebumps from eating gooseberries."

"That's fascinating."

Yeah, it really is, isn't it?

"Would you excuse us for just a few minutes, Maynard?", Gryffindor had already pulled Tom to his feet, dragging him away from the table, "I think my boy needs to go to the bathroom- he will forget if I don't remind him occasionally."

You bastard.

Tom knew this was the payback for his strawberry story, and he could not help but turning dark red with mortification.

"Ye…yes, of course", Maynard stuttered, and Gryffindor shot him a quick smile, and then he forced Tom to come along with him, "let's go, boy- we don't want you to have another accident, do we?"

Fuck. You.

Tom bit his lips, his face still red with shame as he was dragged along by Gryffindor. He knew he was going to have to pay for what he'd done now, and he had a feeling it was going to be quite painful.

They both did not say one word to each other while Gryffindor led him across the foyer, and then up a staircase, and another staircase. There was no one else around up here, and Tom could feel his panic rising.

"Where…are you taking me?", he finally dared to ask, "please, I can explain, I really can!"

"Hmmm…I bet you can, Thomas", he led him down an empty hallway, and then he eventually opened a door, which turned out to be a small office.

"Is…this your office?"

"Maynard's."

Tom swallowed, "uhm…I'm sorry for ruining your date", he tried, "it's just…he's kinda…weird. I mean, if that's your…uhm…type, that's…"

Gryffindor sighed, walking over to the couch and gesturing for Tom to sit down as well, "he's not my type, Thomas- that's not what this is about."

Tom blinked, "so, he's just a good fuck then?"

He yelped when Gryffindor quickly spun him around and delivered three hard swats to his backside, "watch it, boy", he growled, "any more comments like that and it's a spanking, understand?"

Tom instantly tensed, remembering all too well what that meant- the strap and lots and lots of pain.

"I…I understand, Sir."

"Look at that- getting quite docile here as soon as I mention a spanking", Gryffindor sounded amused, because of course he did, "you get spanked a lot, boy?"

Not anymore.

"Some…sometimes", he avoided to look at the Founder, "my…uhm…father, he…he spanks me."

"Which brings me to my next question- what in the world are you doing here all by yourself? Where are your parents?"

Tom had expected that question and he had prepared an answer for it, "they went away for the weekend, visiting some family. It's a long car ride, and it's really boring there. They allowed me to stay home for the weekend, cause they needed someone to take care of the dog anyways."

"I see- but that does not explain what you are doing here, Thomas."

"I…I like art", he mumbled, "but my parents don't- they could care less. I mean, you've met them, right?"

"I have not- I only spoke to a woman from the adoption agency."

That explains a lot.

"Well, uhm…I heard about the Retrospective, and I really…like Romanov's work", no need to mention he had not known the guy even existed until five days ago, "I snuck in through the kitchen, and then I hid in the bathroom until it started."

"You only came here to see the art, Thomas?"

No.

"Yes."

"Eyes up, boy."

He reluctantly lifted his head, praying that Gryffindor would not try to read his mind- he was certain some of his mental shields were still intact, even though he was a Squib now, but most of them would not stand a chance against an attack from the Founder.

But of course, Gryffindor did not do him that favor- and he whimpered when he sensed Gryffindor trying to enter his mind, shaking his head, "no! Don't!"

"Shhh…you've got nothing to hide from me if you told me the truth, boy", Gryffindor mumbled, and then he frowned, "how come your shields are still this strong?"

Tom could not help but smile a little, "maybe I'm not a Squib after all?", he offered, and Gryffindor snorted, "you are very much a Squib, boy- just a Squib with annoyingly strong mental shields."

"Sorry."

"We both know you are not sorry at all, Thomas", he rolled his eyes, "come on, time to go back- Maynard gets stressed when he has to wait too long."

"He's kinda neurotic."

"Careful, boy- or we'll go over to the buffet and I'll get you some strawberry cake."

He had to laugh, even though he really did not want to find Gryffindor funny, "he kinda asked for that, though."

"I really should spank you."

He abruptly stopped laughing, his eyes wide and fearful, "please…please don't. I…I'll just leave, I…"

"Oh no, you won't, Thomas- you started this mess, and you will finish it. Besides, Maynard seems to like you, and I need this date to be a success."

"Buy him a painting", Tom suggested as they were walking down the hallway again, "buy him…anything, really. You can afford a painting, right?"

"I could buy this whole Gallery if I wanted to, Thomas."

"You didn't have a prenup then?"

He knew he had crossed a line when Gryffindor's expression darkened, and then he grabbed him and pushed him against the wall, the hallway still being empty, "you really want to go there, Thomas?"

The grip on his shoulders was tight, and Tom gasped, "n…no, Sir. Sorry, Sir!"

"That's what I thought", he lessened his grip, and forced him to keep walking, "it looks like you are not getting spanked enough, based on that attitude of yours. If I were your father, I'd put you over my knees every day."

Wait, what?

"Over…your knees?", he blurted out, not understanding, and Gryffindor raised an eyebrow, "that's how a spanking usually works, boy."

Is it really?

They had made it back to the foyer, the noise and music loud, but not deafening, and then they walked back to the table, Maynard impatiently waiting for them and squirming in his seat.

"There…you are!", he sounded relieved, and very much drunk, "everything…okay?"

"Yes, thank you- my boy just needed some help in the bathroom, didn't you, big boy?"

Tom flushed, hating Gryffindor, "yeah", he mumbled, staring at the ground, "sorry for…taking so long."

I need to leave.

"Not a problem, not a problem at all!", Maynard was definitely drunk, his speech more slurred than earlier, "you have a nice Daddy- and I know he loves you very much."

"Yeah", damn, why did he feel like crying now?

"Come here, boy", he tensed when Gryffindor lifted him up and pulled him on his lap, "quiet time now- it's getting late."

Tom kept squirming, not knowing what to do and how to feel about the fact that he was sitting on Godric Gryffindor's lap and Maynard had to laugh, "looks like he doesn't like quiet time", he slurred.

"Doesn't matter- he is going to get spanked if he doesn't stay still now."

Tom closed his eyes, could this get any worse?

Please don't spank me.

"Sit still then and behave, boy."

He bit his lips, not liking the fact that Gryffindor had just read his mind, but he stopped moving, his whole body stiff with tension.

"There's my good boy."

Gryffindor sounded pleased, and then he carefully started to rake a hand through his hair, just like Aurelius had that night- when everything had gone to hell.

Maynard started talking about a painting again, and then they moved on to talk about the food, the weather, politics, all while Tom was forced to sit quietly on Gryffindor's lap, his head leaning into his chest.

He kept his eyes closed, trying to pretend he was somewhere else right now, going on a walk with Squirrel, the dog running ahead, barking happily…

He smiled, snuggling closer.

I'm so tired…wanna go home…sleep…

He yawned softly, and he could hear Gryffindor chuckle with amusement, "are you tired, boy?"

"Wanna sleep…"

"You can sleep, boy- I am taking you home now. It's gotten late."

"Home…"

And then he could hear Maynard's voice again, but he had no idea what he was saying, and then Gryffindor stood up, carrying him.

He still did not open his eyes, resting his head on Gryffindor's shoulder while the Founder kept walking, carrying him…home?

"Where's home, Daddy?"

"You'll see, sleepy boy."

"But…Squirrel…didn't get…a watch…for them…", he mumbled, already half asleep, "no…spanking, Daddy…don't like…the…strap."

"I don't like the strap either, baby boy."

He yawned again, "that's…good…", and then, he fell asleep, Gryffindor still carrying him across the nightly streets of London, all the way back home.

"Could I have an autograph? Please?"

"I…I have been practicing Legilimency like crazy! I am really good, in case you would like to be my Mentor?"

"Can you sign my Quidditch uniform for good luck?"

Sirius' heart felt heavy watching half the Hogwarts students swarming around Aurelius like he was Merlin himself. He still had not told anyone Aurelius was not training him anymore- and never would again probably- and that there was a high chance now Aurelius would just pick someone else to train, to mentor, to spend time with, hurt.

He can pick himself some sweet, obedient kid now- someone who's not me.

He swallowed hard, looking down in defeat. He should have just stayed in bed and faked an illness instead of being forced to watch this scene in front of him.

This sucks.

Come here, little pumpkin.

Sirius did not respond, pretty certain he had just imagined that, and then he could hear Aurelius sigh.

You think it's a good idea to disobey me now when you are already getting spanked later?

What you want? You look quite busy with your fan club over there.

I'm almost done actually- come here now, do not make me ask you again, Sirius.

Reluctantly, Sirius walked over to Aurelius and his group of fans, and they all stared at him when he came closer, most of them practically green with envy.

Nothing to be jealous about- trust me.

"I apologize for having to cut this short- but as you can see, my student is waiting", Aurelius told them, a polite smile on his lips, "it's been a pleasure meeting you all- and I hope we can do this again soon."

Nah, you don't- you think they are annoying.

Keep pushing, Sirius- and you'll end up with more than just a spanking.

The threat in Aurelius' voice sobered him instantly, and minutes later, he found himself walking alongside Aurelius to his quarters, a resigned, unhappy look on his face.

I don't want no spanking.

"You should have thought about that before, boy."

"Stop reading my mind!"

"Stop letting me."

Sirius glared at him, and once Aurelius had closed the door to his quarters, he stomped over to the couch, sitting down and crossing his arms before his chest, "now what?"

"Now, you are going to drop the attitude- and then we'll have a little talk."

"Is that another word for you beating my ass?"

"It is not. There are some things to discuss first before I can spank you."

"Like what? How many licks I can handle?", he sneered, and Aurelius raised an eyebrow, "you are going to earn yourself quite a few, Sirius- thanks to your defiance."

"I am not defiant."

"Alright, that's it- twenty minutes of some calming down for you, and then we'll try this again", he lifted his wand, and Sirius knew what was about to happen, "no! No!"

He sobbed when he could feel his ears, mouth, and eyes starting to prickle, and seconds later, he was trapped in his mind again- with no way out.

This isn't fair!

This is very fair.

Let me out!

Twenty-five minutes, then?

Sirius sobbed, he hated this, he hated Aurelius, he hated being blind and mute and deaf, and he hated Hogwarts, and classes, and homework…

Before he realized what he was doing, he was on the ground, furiously banging his feet and fists on the floor, his face wet with tears. His fists started to hurt, but he did not care, he was just so angry, so damn angry…

You are hurting yourself, little pumpkin.

And before he could ask if Aurelius had really called him little pumpkin, he felt a hand in his hair, a very soft, gentle hand.

Shhh…take a deep breath now…it's going to be okay, Sirius.

He sobbed.

Don't wanna spanking, Relius! Gonna hurt!

Have you ever been spanked before, naughty boy?

Nah.

I figured.

Aurelius sounded amused again, and Sirius carefully pushed his head closer into his touch, it was incredibly calming to have Aurelius caressing his hair like that, especially since he was still blind and deaf and mute, which made him feel completely helpless.

It won't hurt as much as you probably think it will- I promise.

How…many licks…you gonna give me?

Five for lying and five for cheating- so ten.

Just ten?

Just ten, Sirius.

With a cane?

God, no- with my hand, boy. I'd never use a cane on you.

I'm sorry for lying to you.

I know you are. Ready to be good now?

Relius?

Yes?

Just ten, right?

Just ten.

Okay. I…I think I am not angry anymore.

I knew the day would come.

Are you mocking me?

A little bit, maybe.

You owe me a story for that.

Listen, about that…

What? It can be a short one- you know, Graham always tells Jake stories about dragons, I asked Jake about that.

Who's Graham?

Jake's older brother.

There was a silence.

I do not have much experience in dragon-storytelling I am afraid.

But you're smart, you can just make something up! It doesn't even have to be about dragons technically, just…just a story.

I'll think about it, alright?

Sirius did not want to admit how much that hurt, so he just nodded.

Kay. Let me out now?

I will.

Seconds later, he was able to see, hear, and talk again, and he carefully stood up, instantly missing Aurelius' hand in his hair.

"Now, we still have a spanking to deal with, unfortunately- up you get, naughty boy", and then Aurelius pulled him over his lap in one fluid motion, and Sirius immediately began to squirm, kicking his legs in distress.

"I…I am sorry! I am sorry!"

"Shhh…I told you this won't be bad, Sirius- it's your first spanking, so I'll go easy on you. Next time, it's going to be another thing."

"Wait, you gonna do this again?"

"Depending on your behavior, Sirius."

He groaned, "no, you can't be serious!"

"Here's a tip- be a good boy and I won't need to spank you", and then Aurelius lifted his hand and seconds later, he got his very first spank on his butt.

"Owww!"

"You mean one", Aurelius corrected calmly, "let me hear you say it, squirmy boy."

"One. I don't like this."

"You are not supposed to like it, Sirius."

Smack.

"Was that…two?"

"You tell me."

"It was two", Sirius grumbled, flushing.

Smack.

Smack.

Smack.

Aurelius kept spanking him in a steady rhythm, and Sirius kept squirming, counting the licks. It wasn't all too painful, but it was utterly humiliating.

Smack.

"Eight! Please, this fucking hurts!"

"Language, boy- curse again and I am adding another three."

"No, you can't!"

Smack.

He yelped, the lick had been a lot harder than the one's before, "nine!"

"You wish- that was one extra for the backtalk. This one's nine", and then he got another smack on his butt, causing him to struggle, "nine which is technically ten!"

To his surprise, Aurelius had to laugh, "so stubborn…I should give you three extra just for that comment."

"But…you won't, right?"

Smack. Smack. Smack.

Sirius howled, but before he could protest or count or anything, Aurelius had already pulled him up and got him into a sitting position on his lap, "all done- and you are all forgiven."

"So you're not mad anymore?"

"Precisely."

"What we gonna do now?"

Aurelius knew very well what he was expected to do now- snuggle the boy, praise him for being a good boy, hold him and love on him, but…he couldn't. He thought he could, but…this was hard. Emotions were hard.

He'd laugh if he knew how much all this terrifies me.

"We hang out and talk."

Sirius tilted his head, "about Quidditch?"

"If that's what you want to talk about, sure."

Sirius yawned, smacking his lips, "the Chudley Cannons won the last three games", he told the older boy earnestly, "would be a good stock to invest into."

He could not help it, he had to laugh, "did you actually do research about that?"

"Yah."

Sweet boy.

He tensed at his thought, damnit, this was all getting too close, too fast…too much.

I can't do this.

"I'll look into that, Sirius- thanks for the advice. By the way, I just remembered I have a meeting with my father now, but I'll talk to you tonight, okay?"

"Sure, no problem", he did not need Legilimency to sense that the boy felt hurt- but it could not be helped. He carefully put the boy back on his feet, watching him leave his room without another word.

He'll be okay.

Sirius was not okay- he had barely made it outside Aurelius' quarters when he had to sob.

I'm such an idiot.

Everything had been going well until he had to open his mouth and blabber about the Chudley Cannons- like Aurelius actually cared for that.

And of course he was not interested in telling him some dumb dragon story, he had not even earned that yet. Jake was a hard working student and a talented Quidditch player, so obviously he got stories at night.

Only good boys get stories.

And he had not been a good boy- he had been lying, and cheating, and fooling around in class, and he had been lazy and gotten angry, and he still had not apologized to Aurelius for being ungrateful during training. It was no wonder the older boy would not tell him a story or snuggle him like Graham did with Jake.

I have to show him I can be good- if I change, if I work hard and make him proud, if I am his bestest boy, maybe then…maybe then he'll tell me a story and snuggle me and call me little pumpkin again.

yep...we'll see how that plan will work out for Sirius ;)

there will be tons more Tom/ Gryff in the next chap.

I'd love some feedback! :)

xoxo,

Antonie :)