Hey guys! :) Back with chapter 11! :)

Thank you Gypsyrose98 for being such a loyal and lovely reader! :)

WARNING: Some CP.

"Hey, you wanna play Exploding Snap with me and Nigel?"

Sirius looked up from the book he had been reading, "I can't, sorry- gotta finish this."

Dennis frowned, "you already didn't play with us yesterday, and you missed dinner twice now…why are you always studying lately?"

To make Aurelius proud.

"To improve my grades, obviously. I…I should be a second grader, and it's super embarrassing for me that I suck so much in first grade, too", Sirius lied without blinking. He didn't give a damn about his grades- but he did give a damn about Aurelius, which was the reason why he had started to study like crazy.

"Yeah, I get it, but…you are kinda overdoing it- you never even have time to play anymore."

Sirius started to feel irritated. He had been sleeping like crap lately since he always went to bed super late, and since he had missed so many meals he was also hungry, which did not help with his constant headaches, "I am not here to play", he replied curtly, "Hogwarts is a school, not an amusement park. You could be more supportive, you know."

"I…I just…I miss hanging out with you, Scipius", Dennis had turned red, his usual cheerful happiness gone, "and Nigel and Jimmy do, too."

I miss hanging out with you as well.

Sirius bit his lips, he wanted to go play Exploding Snap, he really did- but he wanted Aurelius to praise him and call him little pumpkin even more.

"I'm sorry", he mumbled, "maybe…this weekend? I really gotta finish this. It's for Flitwick."

"Yeah, okay", Dennis did not try to convince him again, instead, he turned around and went back to the others, and soon later, Sirius could hear them laugh and shout playing cards. It hurt, but he kept telling himself it was necessary- he'd do anything to get Aurelius to praise him again.

They still talked every night, but Sirius had not told him about his studies or that he missed meals or went to bed late- he was going to surprise Aurelius with his perfect grades and perfect behavior, he even planned to be more respectful to Snape and apologize to Madam Hooch so she would let him play Quidditch again with the others in their free time.

Hey there, Sirius.

Hey, Aurelius.

Ready to clear your mind?

Yes, Aurelius.

Go ahead- are you already in bed?

He was not, he was still fully dressed working on an extra assignment for McGonagall.

I'm about to go to bed.

He had learned his lesson of never outright lie to Aurelius again- but he was also very careful not to tell him the whole truth.

Don't forget to brush your teeth, boy.

I won't forget, Aurelius.

Good boy.

And there it was- the two words that made this all worth it, the two words he would literally study all night and all day for.

I did all my homework, Aurelius. I even studied some more instead of playing cards with the others.

He had not meant to tell him that, but the desire to hear those two words again was too tempting.

Look at that- I should have spanked you way earlier if that's the result I am getting.

He sounded amused, clearly thinking Sirius was behaving better now because he did not want to get spanked again- which could not be further from the truth. The spanking had hurt, and it had been humiliating, but it also had been…caring in a weird way. Aurelius lecturing him and discipling him meant that he cared about him, and that he wanted him to do better. And he was going to do much, much better. He'd be the best boy Aurelius had ever met.

They talked a little more, and then Sirius cleared his mind, which had gotten easier as well, and Aurelius told him to have some sweet dreams and a good night. He had not called him good boy again, but once he got Outstanding's in every single subject, he would.

Maybe he's even gonna call me his sweet boy.

Sirius passed out in his bed way after midnight, working for almost four hours straight. He was tired the next morning, but he was always tired lately, so it did not matter.

Classes were dull- it was all about getting good grades for him, not about actually learning something, and since he did not fool around or play pranks anymore, there really was nothing else for him to do than listening to his Professors.

His hard work started to pay off when Professor Flitwick returned a test to them that same day, and when Sirius saw the Exceeds Expectations on top of his paper, he had to smile. He'd never gotten an E in Flitwick's class before.

Aurelius?

I'm in class, boy- do you need help with anything?

I…I got an E for my last Charm's test!

He could hear Aurelius sigh, and his stomach clenched. He should not have interrupted his class, he should have waited until tonight to tell him. He was being inconsiderate and rude.

That's good work, Sirius- keep it up. Listen, I have to go, but we'll talk tonight, okay?

Yes, okay. I am sorry for disturbing you, Aurelius.

Aurelius did not respond, and he could sense their mental connection closing again. He felt stupid for thinking an E would make Aurelius praise him- and E was not an O, everyone knew that. He needed an Outstanding, and then Aurelius would call him good boy. He would. Sirius was too deep in thought after class to even see where he was going, and then he suddenly bumped into another student, causing both of them to stumble and fall down.

"Are you okay, Scipius?"

He rubbed his head, used by now to the constant headaches, "yeah. You?"

"I am fine", Jake extended a hand, helping him back up, "haven't seen you in a while- you used to watch the Quidditch practices with your friends, but now it's just them. Are you…angry at me? That they made me Keeper?"

He could care less about Quidditch now, "nah, just busy with homework", he mumbled, "I am not angry they made you Keeper- you're doing a great job so far", and that was true- Jake was a talented Keeper, and had helped Gryffindor win the last two games.

"Thank you, Scipius- that means a lot to me", Jake sounded pleased, "you know, I thought they were going to pick you- you did amazing at the tryouts."

"Uhm…thanks", he did not even want to like Jake since he had stolen his position, but it was difficult to be mad at him- he was just too damn nice.

"Jake, there you are!", Graham came walking closer now, a smile on his face, "and hello there, Scipius. Everything okay here?"

"Yeah, we were just talking", Jake replied, smiling back, and Graham stepped closer, pulling his younger brother into a quick hug, and Sirius, who was forced to watch their loving interaction, swallowed hard, lowering his gaze.

I want that. I want that…

"See you later, Scipius."

"Yeah. See you", he mumbled absently, not registering that Graham frowned, a thoughtful expression on his face now.

He kept walking down the hallway, clutching his books in his hands. Seeing Graham and Jake or Ginny with her brothers or Dennis and Colin together was always painful- and it got more and more painful every day.

I need an Outstanding. He'll be so proud when I get an Outstanding.

That night, Sirius did not go to bed until three in the morning, determined to do perfect in the Potion's exam the next day. He was tired, so tired…but it would all be worth it. It had to be.

Before Potion's, they had Transfiguration, and when McGonagall handed them their essays back, Sirius flushed with delight.

Outstanding.

He'd done it! He'd really done it!

Relius!

What happened, boy? Did you find a chocolate frog?

Better! I got…I got an Outstanding! In Transfiguration!

That's great, Sirius- it will help erase that D you got earlier for cheating.

Yeah.

He waited anxiously for Aurelius to say the words now, two words…just two words…

I'll be in Hogwarts again in three days- I won't have much time, but we could hang out and have tea together if you want.

And…you tell me a story?

I'll tell you the story of a very naughty boy who broke his broom.

Is that story about me?

You know it is, naughty boy.

Sirius looked down in defeat. He wasn't naughty, he was a good boy- and he wanted to hear a story about him being Aurelius' sweet boy, not about him getting in trouble.

Don't call me that.

What? Naughty boy?

Yeah. I hate that.

He could hear Aurelius laugh, clearly amused.

Well, what else would I call you? Naughty boy fits you perfectly.

Sirius balled his hands into fists, forcing back the tears. All his hard work, all his studying, his good behavior in class…and for Aurelius, he was still nothing but a naughty boy.

You don't need to call me anything anymore. Screw you.

He closed the mental connection forcefully, the tears welling up in his eyes again, and he blinked them back. Thankfully, McGonagall dismissed them right then, and Sirius wasted no time to hurry out of the classroom. He had a thirty minute break now, and he was definitely not going to spend it around the others. He needed to be alone.

Sirius ran to the nearest bathroom, which was empty, and locked himself into a stall, letting the tears fall down freely now. This was all bullshit, he had studied for nothing, Aurelius would never love him, and he was just done. Done, done, done!

Something tickled his nose, something warm, and he had to sneeze, opening his eyes.

Whoa.

He closed his eyes and opened them again, but the scenery did not change. He was still in a huge bed, with sheets so soft they felt like silk, and he could still see most of Downtown London through the huge panorama windows to his right. Sunlight was almost blinding him, and he felt warm, and well rested- better than ever before, actually. He had to be in some penthouse, all the way up- but how the fuck…

Gryffindor.

He bit his lips, wishing he could just go back to sleep and forget last night ever happened- but he couldn't. He would have to face the Founder again, and he could only hope and pray he still found it amusing that he had pretended to be Aurelius and crashed his date with that neurotic artsy guy.

If Aurelius ever finds out about this, he'll kill me.

Tom slowly got up, noticing he was wearing the most comfy pajamas ever, green ones with tiny Snitches out of gold on them, and then he carefully made his way across the spacious bedroom, which was furnished expensively- Gryffindor clearly liked to show off how rich he was. As soon as he stepped into the hallway, he smelled it- and his stomach started to grumble on its own.

Bacon!

He followed the smell, nose in the air like a sniffling dog, and seconds later, he entered a huge kitchen which looked like it came straight from a catalogue, with marble counters, gigantic appliances and a shiny kitchen island in the middle, surrounded by bar stools.

"Good morning, Thomas", Gryffindor was standing in the kitchen holding a pan with drizzling bacon, and the sight was so bizarre that Tom had to blink.

"You can cook? Like a Muggle?"

"I think what you are trying to say is: Good morning, Sir. Thank you for taking the time making me breakfast this morning", he sounded amused, though- not like that was a surprise anymore.

"Yeah, that too", Tom climbed on one of the bar stools, "is that bacon and eggs?"

"And some French toast."

"So, you can really cook?"

"A little bit- enough to survive."

Tom grabbed the glass with orange juice Gryffindor placed in front of him, "what about house elves?"

"I rather not explain them to my neighbors."

"You live like a Muggle now, you know that?"

"The thought has crossed my mind, yes."

"But…why? I mean, this is really fancy and shit, and the view is awesome, but…you have no servants!"

"Shocker, right?", Gryffindor replied drily, adding some pepper on the eggs, "eat up, boy- and finish that juice. It's freshly pressed."

Tom narrowed his eyes, "are you really Godric Gryffindor? Maybe you are possessed."

"Eat."

He rolled his eyes, reaching for the fork and knife, "I can still ask questions while I eat", he informed the Founder, starting to chew, and Gryffindor raised an eyebrow, "and you know what I can do? Put you over my knee and give that little butt of yours a good long spanking."

Tom flushed, bending over his plate, "fine. I ask you more once I am done eating."

"You do that, boy."

Why's he always so amused about everything I say?

Tom kept eating, and the food was delicious- the bacon was crispy, the French Toast fluffy and the eggs just right, and once he had finished everything to the last crumb, he had to groan, "damn, this was amazing- you could work in the kitchen at Hogwarts, you know?"

"I'll take that as a compliment, Thomas."

He emptied his glass with freshly pressed orange juice, "you…you are not mad about yesterday, are you?", he asked tentatively, knowing very well he would not stand a chance against the Founder if he really was upset with him.

Gryffindor sighed, "come here."

He tensed.

"You gonna spank me?"

"No, I just want to talk to you and that's easier if you come sit over here- this kitchen is too big to be talking across it."

Tom snorted, "yeah, and way too big for one person."

"I do get visitors, Thomas."

"Who? Maynard?"

"And Aurelius."

Gryffindor could see the boy flinch at the mention of his oldest son- not that it surprised him.

Tom slowly made his way over to the living area, enjoying the softness of the fluffy rug under his naked feet. The view from here was just as breathtaking- they must be really high up to be able to see that far.

"What level is this?"

"Seventy-four."

"Damn. That the highest one?"

"It is indeed. Sit down, Thomas."

He sat down in a very cozy armchair next to the small fireplace, opposite Gryffindor who was sitting on a black leather couch.

"To answer your question- I am not mad, Thomas. You actually turned out to be quite…helpful."

"So, he wants to see you again?"

"Us."

His eyes went wide, "what?"

"Maynard invited me to his house for dinner in three days- and he specifically requested you to come along as well. He was very much delighted by your knowledge about that…artist."

"Romanov", Tom supplied, and Gryffindor snorted, "might as well. Anyways, since I have no clue about most of the things he talks about, I decided to bring you along."

"You…decided."

"Precisely."

"I am not a dog you can just…take somewhere, though."

Gryffindor raised an eyebrow, "I can't, Thomas?", he kept his voice mild, but Tom was able to hear the underlying danger without a problem, and it annoyed him, "why should I even help you? You turned me into a Squib, Gryffindor."

"And that could be reverted."

"Could be?"

"Will be- if you pretend to be my good little boy for one night who can distract Maynard with some insightful art discussions."

"Why do you want me to distract him?"

Gryffindor did not answer right away, instead, he took a sip of his water, looking utterly amused.

Tom frowned, "seriously, why should I need to distract him? You gonna rob him?"

"Not rob him- but I am looking for something he supposedly owns, yes."

His eyes went wide, "so you are…using him?"

"Smart boy."

"That's fucked up."

"Coming from you, I guess I should feel bad now, hmm?"

Tom rolled his eyes, "I always knew you weren't a nice guy, Gryffindor- not as nice as Slytherin anyway. That's the whole reason I wanted to do the negotiations with him and not with you."

Gryffindor had to laugh, "I figured. Do you want to know why I befriended Maynard?"

"Befriended? Really? You can just say that you fu…"

"Don't make me spank you, boy."

Tom just grinned, having a feeling any spanking from Gryffindor would be nothing compared to what Mike had done to him, "okay, fine. What do you need from that nerd?"

"A horcrux."

"Wait, I thought…you destroyed all of my horcruxes."

"Yes, I did, Thomas- it's not one of yours, obviously."

Then who…ohmygod.

He blinked, "Dumbledore?"

"Correct."

"He…has a horcrux?"

"Apparently more than one."

Tom stared at him in shock, "how many does he have?"

"Three. Might be four."

"How'd you know he has horcruxes?"

"From Dumbledore himself."

"He…he fucking told you?"

"No, he did not tell me, Thomas- I found out by observing him."

"In Scotland?"

"In Scotland."

"But then…why would he give the nerd a horcrux?"

"Maynard is a Muggle, Thomas- he has no clue what horcruxes are. He's been working for the Gallery for a long time, and I found out recently that he was approached by one of Dumbledore's men a while ago, asking him to protect a very special…artefact."

"So, you are gonna destroy all of Dumbledore's horcruxes now?"

"That's the plan, yes."

"Did you already destroy one?"

"No, this will be the first one."

"And…if I help you and go to that dinner with you, you give me my magic back?"

"Yes."

"You promise?"

"I promise."

Tom leaned back in the armchair, "okay, it's a deal. I mean, who says no to a free dinner, right? I bet he won't make anything with berries."

"Probably", Gryffindor sounded amused, "we will have to go over some rules before, though- I cannot have you risk exposing me to Maynard, you understand that, right?"

"Let me guess- I have to be a good boy, or I'll get spanked."

"You have to basically be Aurelius."

Tom snorted, "yeah, you better not tell him that- I'm sure he'd be more than glad to find another reason to whip me bloody. He's an asshole, and I did not fucking attack…", he stopped when he suddenly heard footsteps coming closer, and then someone chuckled, the sound of it very familiar- in a bad way, "by all means, you don't need to stop lying just because I am here, Thomas. Now, what were you saying about the attack?"

Tom did not dare to respond, he did not dare to look up at Aurelius, hell, he did not even dare to breathe- how the fuck could he be this unlucky to meet Aurelius of all people here now?

"Nothing to say, hmm? I figured."

"I have a lot to say- just not to you", he mumbled, still looking down, staring at his naked feet.

"Eyes up, boy."

Fuck you.

He obeyed, knowing he had no choice- and he could sense Aurelius trying to break through his mental shields almost immediately, causing him to flinch, "stop that!"

"Watch your tone, boy- I am not going to have you make demands here", and then Aurelius poked something inside his mind and he howled out in pain, "that fucking hurt!"

"Hold still, Thomas."

"No, no I fucking won't!", he got up to his feet, feeling angry, hurt, and mortified, "I am fucking leaving! You are not in charge of me, you are nothing to me, and I don't have to do what you say! I have a family, and I am going to go back to them right now!"

"The only place you are going right now is the corner, Thomas", Aurelius replied, seemingly unaffected by his outburst, "come on, boy- time to get you nice and quiet again."

"No! I don't want a whipping! I wanna leave!", he tried to make a run for the door, but Aurelius was faster, grabbing him by the shoulders, while Gryffindor watched them silently from the couch, not bothering to interfere.

"This…is kidnapping! It's…against the law!"

"And you would know that, wouldn't you, Thomas?", Aurelius kept dragging him over to the corner, and Tom hated the fact that Aurelius was stronger and taller than him- by a lot actually.

"Let me fucking go!"

"Oh, I will- once you've calmed down. I am not going to have you curse and yell at me, boy", he made him stand in the corner, forcing him to face the wall, "stand still or it's a spanking."

"Fuck you!"

He cried out in fury when Aurelius calmly delivered two hard swats on his backside, "stand still, boy."

"Don't have to listen to you!"

Aurelius hummed, "what a bad little boy you are- but don't worry, I have just the method to calm you down again."

He panicked, anticipating to get whipped now, or to get the strap, or something that was even more painful, and he had to stifle a sob.

I want to go home, I want to go home to Squirrel!

Shhh…deep breath, Thomas- this won't hurt", and then he held up a Galleon, shining in the bright sunlight, "now, here's what you are going to do, boy- you are going to hold up that Galleon for me, all the way up, and whenever you drop it, that's one spank for you", he guided him towards the wall, gently pressing his nose into the wall, and then he carefully placed the coin between the wall and his nose, "there- that will keep you busy for a while, hmm?"

Fuck. You.

"Feet apart- hands behind your back. As I said, every time you drop the coin, it's a spank. You have three seconds to pick it back up, or it's another one."

I won't fucking drop it, how about that?

"I am going to talk to my father in the kitchen now, Thomas- and you will stay here and keep your nose in that corner. I will know if you even so much as flinch, boy."

He did not respond, not because he did not want to, but because he was worried he'd drop the damn coin. He was not going to let Aurelius spank him, the swats he'd given him had been horrible enough.

"Quiet time now, boy- meaning no more talking."

I know what that means, asshole!

Aurelius watched the boy for another few seconds, watching him fuming in helpless anger in his corner, desperately trying to hold up the coin. He'd realize soon enough it was another game he could not win. He smiled, and then he went over to the large kitchen area where Gryffindor was already waiting for him, shaking his head in amusement, "composure training, hmm? I thought you did not want to train him."

"That does not mean he can disrespect me", Aurelius replied curtly, "I still cannot believe you are letting him help you get that horcrux- he'll most likely try to steal it or betray you somehow."

"He won't- he's quite eager to get his magic back."

Aurelius snorted, "he still believes he's a Squib, then?"

Godric just smiled, "it's been quite a good incentive for him so far", he opened a cabinet behind him, "coffee?"

"Please."

Gryffindor went on to prepare the coffee for them, "how are things with Sirius?"

"Don't even ask- he managed to behave for a while, and now he's back to having temper tantrums", Aurelius accepted the cup with coffee gratefully, "I even promised him his damn story this time because he got an Outstanding in Transfiguration."

Godric leaned back against the countertops, "and that made him upset?"

"I have no idea. All I said was I'd tell him a story about a naughty boy, and he yelled at me he was not a naughty boy, and that he hated being called that- after I've literally been calling him naughty boy for weeks now."

"Hmm…maybe he wants you to call him something else now."

Aurelius sighed, "apparently so- but I have no idea what that would be. This is…hard."

Gryffindor had a very good idea what Sirius wanted to be called, but he knew he had to let Aurelius figure this out by himself. Before he could respond, they both heard the distinct sound of a coin falling to the floor, and then Tom sobbed in despair, "I didn't mean to! Please, it just…"

"Pick it up, boy- three seconds", Aurelius' tone was sharp, "and then get back in position. That's one spank for you."

They watched Tom hurrying to obey, and it was obvious he was silently crying the whole time.

"He's being a good boy right now."

Aurelius frowned, "he's obeying because he does not want to get spanked, that's all it is."

"He is trying to be good for you, Aurelius. Look at how quietly he is standing in the corner, holding up the coin- he's doing everything exactly like you told him to."

"As he should."

"And you should praise him for that."

Aurelius snorted, "praise him? He does not deserve any praise. He wrecked our family in case you forgot, Father."

Gryffindor slowly shook his head, taking a sip of his coffee, "your Dad and I had problems before the whole mess with the contract even started- he's not responsible for our divorce, no one is but Salazar and me."

"Are you telling me right now I should forgive him? He's a criminal."

"He's a child, Aurelius", Gryffindor replied quietly, "you know the effects of the deaging potion- he is not the same person anymore that he used to be. And if you train him, you need to praise him, that's part of every effective training."

"I am quite certain I could train him without ever praising him."

"You could- but that would not be training anymore, it would be abuse, plain and simple. He's already completely terrified of you, Aurelius. I am not going to allow you to train him if all you want is take revenge. You got your revenge that night when you made him crawl for you."

"Doesn't he happily live with some foster family now? It's not like I could train him anyways."

Gryffindor did not respond to that, he just took another sip of his coffee, and Aurelius groaned, "you won't tell me?"

"You will have to figure out that part for yourself- just like you need to figure out what Sirius really needs from you."

They could hear the coin drop again, and Tom quietly sobbing, "I'm sorry, Relius. I'm sorry!"

Damnit.

He closed his eyes, cursing at himself, but before he could say anything, he felt a wave of sadness coming from Sirius, and then anger…so much anger…and then fear.

Sirius? What happened?

I…I…got angry, I got so angry…they gonna expel me, Snape's so mad…help me, Relius. Help me. Please, please help me!

well...poor Tom and poor Sirius...but things will get better, I promise! ;)

there will be a small spanking scene in the next chap.

I'd love some feedback from you! :)

xoxo,

Antonie