Hello again! :) I decided to post chapter 16 real quick before the year is over! Just as a reminder, the story has 25 chapters, currently working on chapter 20, so it is still not finished.

Thank you so SO much, Nimphxdora and Gypsyrose98 for your feedback, I hope you had an amazing Christmas! :)

WARNING: SPANKING!

I could make it to the door, I could, right?

"You could- but that does not mean I'd let you go, Thomas."

Is he reading my mind? How the fuck is he doing that all the time?

"You are an open book when you're scared, boy."

"I…I am not scared", Tom whispered, desperately trying to put more distance between him and Gryffindor, "I just…need to go home."

"I am sure you do- and before that, I'd like my ring back, please."

Cold sweat was forming on his forehead, but he was too terrified to give in, "what…ring?"

"The ring in your left pocket, Thomas- the ring you stole from my office this morning", Gryffindor's voice was still strangely calm, "give it back to me- right now."

His heart was hammering against his chest, loud enough that he was certain Gryffindor could hear it, "I don't…have a ring", he choked out, even though he knew was digging his own grave now, "I…need to go. Please…let me go."

"Oh, I will- after I spanked you for not only stealing from me, but also lying to me", and then Gryffindor stood up, and Tom just…reacted. He bolted for the door, the panic preventing from thinking straight, and he made it about four steps towards the door before Gryffindor grabbed him, hard.

"NO! No, please, no!", he thought of the strap, and the whip Aurelius had been holding that night in the dungeon, and he could hear Mike's voice in his head, telling him to lay on his stomach, and suddenly, there were stars in front of his eyes, and he couldn't breathe…he couldn't…couldn't…

"Shhh…you are going to end up having a panic attack if you keep struggling like this, baby boy", Gryffindor's voice sounded weirdly foggy, like he was underwater listening to him, and his chest hurt, it hurt…

"Shhh…deep breaths, my boy. In…and out…and in…and out…and in…and out…", and then he got picked up, and Gryffindor carried him somewhere, and usually, he'd feel mortified now, but right now, he was too busy trying to get air into his lungs.

"There you go…what a good boy you are, listening so nicely. Keep breathing, baby boy- in…and out, just like that", Gryffindor did not even sound angry, he sounded…kind, and there was even a hint of pride in his voice- but he'd done nothing to make the Founder proud, more of the opposite, so it only added to his confusion.

"I…I'm sorry", Tom finally forced himself to say, his voice hoarse, "please don't…not the strap. I know…I deserve it, but…it…it hurts so bad."

Should have thought about that before you stole his ring, idiot.

He closed his eyes, forcing back the tears, "I'm sorry", he repeated, not knowing what else to say, he reached into his pockets and hurried to get the ring out, placing it on the table with trembling hands, "I won't…won't do it again."

Yeah- cause he won't ever let you near his penthouse again after this.

And then, he quietly started to cry, thinking of how Gryffindor had taught him how to eat with chopsticks, how he had cut his hair, made him a pancake with a tiger face…and the pain he felt now was a new pain, a very raw one- one that hurt differently, deeper.

"Thank you for apologizing so nicely, Tommy", he felt Gryffindor's hand in his hair, gently tousling it, "and I'd never use the strap on you, baby boy- never ever."

"You…gonna use…the cane? Or…a whip?", he choked out between sobs, "I'm sorry! Sorry for being bad!"

"Shhh…I am going to use my hand, sweet boy, nothing else. You are not a bad boy, Tommy- you just made a bad decision, hmm? But I'll help you with remembering to make good decisions from now on."

Tom sniffed, pressing his wet face into Gryffindor's chest, "I…don't…know…I just…no one ever…", he stumbled over the words, not knowing how to say it, but Gryffindor seemed to understand, "I know, Tommy, I know. I am here now, baby boy. I won't leave."

I don't deserve this. I don't deserve him being so nice to me now! He should yell, he should…

"Shhh…you are thinking too much, little boy. You are going to feel better after you've gotten a good spanking and are all forgiven", he carried him back to the couch, "now, you are going to get ten- five your stealing and five for lying."

Tom whimpered, his face still pressed tightly into Gryffindor's chest.

I don't want a spanking!

"You'll feel better after, I promise- with all the guilt and shame and sadness gone", Gryffindor told him, his voice very calm, "and if you be a very good boy now, you'll get a reward."

"Another…pancake?"

"No, baby- not another pancake. You've eaten enough of those, don't you think?"

"Polar bear…pancake", the boy replied quietly, "with…whipped cream for…the ears."

Gryffindor had to laugh, "next time, alright? You are going to get a tummy ache if you eat another pancake now", he tousled his hair again, "it's time for your spanking now, sweet boy- meaning the pants will have to come down."

The boy stilled.

"All…pants?", he whispered, dread in his voice.

"I need to see what I am doing, baby boy."

Tears were feeling up in his eyes again, "don't…want this!"

"How about I pull you over my lap first and then pull down your pants? Like I did last time?", Gryffindor suggested, knowing this was humiliating for the boy, "would that be better?"

"Yah."

Sweet, sweet boy.

Gryffindor very gently pulled the boy over his lap, and then he very gently pulled down his pants, "now, why are you getting spanked, Tommy?"

Ohgod, please, please…

"I…I took…your ring…", Tom choked out, "and…then I…lied, and tried to…run away."

"Good boy."

I'm not good, I'm bad, I'm bad…

"You are a good boy, Tommy. You are funny, and sarcastic, and clever, and you made me so proud the other night, helping me getting the horcrux."

"Made…you proud?"

"Very proud, baby boy."

"Make you…proud again?", the boy sounded helpless, and Gryffindor's heart clenched, "you are making me proud right now, taking your punishment like a big boy", he told him, his voice soft, "time for your spanking now, hmm? And then you'll be all forgiven."

"Gonna…hurt?"

"Some, yes- but you'll be okay, Tommy. I am right here", and then he softly tapped his exposed butt, causing the boy to squirm, "you don't need to count this time- but I do need you to keep your hands down, okay? No rubbing until we are done."

"Okay", his voice was quiet, merely a whisper, and Gryffindor ruffled his hair in affection, "this won't take long, I promise", he lifted his hand, and then he delivered the first smack to Tom's backside.

Smack.

The boy bucked a little, but apart from that, he kept still, his hands clutching into Gryffindor's legs.

Smack.

Smack.

Smack…

Gryffindor kept a steady rhythm with spanking the boy, alternating between his right and left butt cheek, and for some time, all the noise that was heard was Gryffindor's hand coming down on his naked backside.

Smack.

Smack.

"Hurts! Done, Daddy!"

"Almost, baby boy", Gryffindor smiled, he knew by now that the boy only called him Daddy when he was either extremely tired, scared, or in pain, "two more, and you are done."

"Done now, Daddy!"

It seemed like the boy was mentally regressing a little- he had observed it the first night when he'd carried him home. Back then, Tom had also mentioned the strap, so it seemed like the strap was definitely a trigger.

He gave his boy another quick spank, causing him to yelp, "owww!"

"That's one extra for being a little brat", he told him, but he did not bother to hide the amusement from his voice, "and now it's two more."

"And then done!"

"Yes, and then you are done, Tommybear", he assured him, lifting his hand. He gave him the last two quickly and efficiently, the boy bucking helplessly, "done! Now done!"

"Shhh…yes, you are all done now", he slowly pulled his pants back up, and then he opened his arms, smiling when the boy hurried to snuggle closer, nuzzling into his chest.

"You are all forgiven, sweet boy", Gryffindor told him quietly, "but I would like to know why you took the ring, Tommy. Can you tell me?"

There was a silence.

"I…I can't", Tom eventually whispered, "I…can't. I'm sorry", he expected to get smacked again for that, but Gryffindor just sighed, "too early, hmm?", he mumbled, pulling him closer, knowing that one day, the boy would be trusting him enough to tell him the truth, "that's alright- I can wait."

They sat like that for a few more minutes, the boy yawning softly and snuggling as close as he could, and Gryffindor holding him tight, humming something soothing.

Eventually, Tom blinked at him, blushing, and the Founder knew his episode of mental regression was over, "how are you feeling, baby boy?"

"Uhm…okay I guess", Tom replied quietly, "my ass stings."

"Language, boy."

"I mean- my butt stings."

"It is going to sting more if you keep being cheeky, boy."

Tom grinned, and Gryffindor was glad to see his usual carefree, sarcastic self again, "okay- my posterior then- is that posh enough for you?"

He squeaked when Gryffindor gave him another quick tap on his backside, "wait! I take it back! I take it back!"

"Smart decision", the Founder replied, amusement in his voice, "now up you get, boy- time for your reward."

"What is it?"

"It's a surprise. Follow me", the Founder walked over to the door, and when Tom hesitated, he winked at him, "you'll like it, I promise."

"Alright", he had already gotten his punishment anyways, so technically, this should be safe.

"Are we…going somewhere?", he asked the Founder when he led him into the elevator, and Gryffindor nodded, "we are- going up."

"But…I thought this was the highest level?"

"It is- if you don't count the rooftop."

"What's on the rooftop?"

"You'll see, Tommy", and then Gryffindor unlocked a button inside the elevator with a small key, and the doors closed, and then they were moving all the way to the top.

They stepped out of the elevator, and Tom inhaled sharply, "ohmygod."

Glass. It was all glass. And he could see- everything. All the walls were out of glass, causing him to have the perfect roundabout view of Downtown London.

He stepped towards the glass walls, still utterly fascinated.

"It's so bright, Daddy", he whispered absent-mindedly, causing Gryffindor to notice that the boy also called him Daddy when he was amazed, "so…much to see…"

"Come here, I'll show you something else", he extended his hand, wanting to see how Tom would react to that, and after a short hesitation, the boy took it. He led him over to something he knew Tom would love- the architects had constructed a small square out of thick glass into the floor, allowing anyone to see what was going on all the way below in the lobby.

"You can step on it, Tommy. It's safe."

Instead of walking over the glass square in the floor, Tom clutched onto his hand more tightly, almost hiding behind him. It was so adorable that Gryffindor had to smile, "do you want me to go first, baby? Show you it's safe?"

Tom wildly shook his head, "you…you'll fall down!", he sounded anxious, telling Gryffindor the boy was scared for him- which was not only adorable, but also showing him the boy's progress was going quite nicely.

"I won't fall, Tommy- this is bulletproof glass. Look", he knocked on it with the hand Tom was not holding on for dear life, "do you hear that? It's extremely thick."

"It's glass", Tom insisted, taking a step back, "it's gonna break!"

"Do you trust me, Tommy?"

The boy bit his lips, "uhm…I guess", he sounded suspicious though, "but this is crazy!"

"How about I just use one foot?", Gryffindor slowly stretched out one foot, Tom watching with a frown, "I guess. I can always pull you back and save you if it's just one foot."

Sweet boy.

Gryffindor smiled, slowly lowering one foot onto the glass, with Tom watching carefully, "now, are there any cracks in the glass?"

"Let me check!", Tom went to lay down on his stomach next to the glass square, eyeing it critically, "nah- no cracks."

"Because it's very thick glass, Tommy", and then Gryffindor stepped on it with both feet, and Tom gasped, scrambling to his feet, "gonna break!"

"Nothing's breaking, baby boy- trust me. I could even hold you and it wouldn't break."

"Hold…me?", Gryffindor was well aware that Tom had no idea just how longing he sounded now, and it made his heart heavy, "it would be a scientific experiment", he told the boy, "to prove to you that the glass won't break when we both step on it."

He had an idea that Tom would not ask to be held- the boy was not very demanding in general, but Gryffindor knew he wanted to be, him asking for the pancakes had been a very good first sign. Over time, the boy would get more comfortable with asking for what he needed, but at this point, he was still not sure about what exactly that was.

"I could…help with a science experiment", the boy offered after a short pause, "uhm…science is important, right?"

"Right", Gryffindor answered, keeping his face straight, and then he carefully picked up the boy, holding him in his arms, "are we falling, Tommy?"

Tom snuggled closer, grinning, "we're not!", he whispered back excitedly, "we're safe! This is a very interesting science experiment."

"I'd say so", Gryffindor sounded amused, "ready to go back downstairs now?"

"Carry…me?", his voice was so quiet Gryffindor almost did not hear him, and he could feel his chest swelling with pride for the boy. He was learning to ask for what he wanted- and he knew this was not easy for the boy.

"Yes, I'll carry you", he told the boy softly, walking him back to the elevator, and Tom very slowly snuggled even closer, a small smile on his lips.

This is nice.

Gryffindor took him back to the penthouse, carefully lowering him on the couch. For a while, they did not say anything, Tom suddenly wishing this was his life- living in this fancy penthouse, eating pancakes that looked like animals and getting tucked into bed by Gryffindor.

But then he thought of Squirrel waiting for him, of Aurelius who loathed him, Dumbledore's horcruxes, and the fact that he had ruined Gryffindor's marriage- and he knew it was time to leave.

"I…gotta go", he did not look at the Founder, "my…uhm…family's waiting."

"I have something for you", and then Gryffindor put a small key in his hand, "just in case you want to look at the lights again", the Founder knew it was too early to give the boy a key to his place, but Tom might be tempted to see him if he was already in the building- small steps.

"Is that…the elevator key? To the roof?"

"It is", he winked at him, watching the boy carefully storing the key in his pocket, "it's quite gorgeous up there at night- make sure you come by and say hi if you ever around."

"For pancakes?"

"Or pizza- or whatever you want."

"I…yeah. If I'm in the area, sure. Why not", he forced his voice to sound casual, and then he slowly stood up, "uhm…thanks. Thanks for…you know."

Feeding me. Taking care of me. Disciplining me. Snuggling me.

"Anytime, baby boy."

"I gotta go", he was afraid he was going to burst into tears at any moment now, "see ya."

"Let me get you your jacket, Tommy. It's gotten cold."

"I don't…have a jacket."

Not since I left it with that waiter at the Retrospective.

Gryffindor just smiled, walking over to a closet in the hallway, "you do now", he handed him a leather jacket, but a warm leather jacket, and Tom's face lit up, "that's for me?"

"It sure is- can't have you walk around without a jacket in October."

Tom put on the jacket, smiling. He felt really cool wearing a leather jacket- he'd always wanted to have one.

"Thanks."

"Anytime", he winked at him again, and Tom let out a deep breath, walking towards the door. There was no need to delay this any further.

"Bye."

"Stay safe, Thomas."

He just nodded, swallowing, and then he left, forcing himself not to turn around again. It had gotten cold, and he was glad for the jacket once he left the lobby and stepped into the October day. The walk was going to be long, but he'd be okay.

No one sent him a second glance as he walked across Downtown from the pretentious neighborhood Gryffindor lived in to the middle class parts of the city and finally to the abandoned, poorer parts of London where he'd been hiding for weeks now.

Squirrel almost lost it with excitement when he had finally made it back, and Tom smiled at the dog, petting him. Pettigrew was nowhere to be seen again, but he seemed to have taken care of the dog this time at least, because Squirrel took his time to pee when he took him out, and he did not seem to be very hungry, either.

Tom spent the rest of the day playing with Squirrel and cleaning up their little apartment, which took some hours since Wormtail did not seem to care much about keeping their place neat. Tom was afraid of roaches or mice coming in though if they smelled the trash, so he always made sure there was no trash or leftover food laying around.

"Time to sleep now, Squirrel", he eventually told the dog, yawning. He was exhausted from the long walk and the cleaning, and it annoyed him that Pettigrew never seemed to be around anymore.

Also, he missed Gryffindor. It was ridiculous and he knew it, but he could not help but wishing he'd snuggle into Gryffindor's bed in the guest bedroom right now instead of being curled together on an old pull out couch. The blanket was not even half as warm and comforting as Gryffindor's silky sheets, and he sighed when he turned his head to get into a more comfortable position.

He had kept the jacket on for extra warmth, and since his hands had gotten cold as well, he decided to stick them into his pockets.

And that's when he felt it.

An envelope?

Tom blinked, thinking for a second he might be dreaming already, but when he pinched his arm, the envelope was still there- and there seemed to be something inside it. He carefully opened it, Squirrel watching him with his eyes half closed from his bed by the door.

The first thing that fell out was a small note.

For being the perfect partner in crime- and for being the best story listener, animal pancake eater, art expert, and my sweet, sarcastic baby boy.

And then something else fell out.

Ohmygod.

For several seconds, all Tom could do was stare. He was certain now he must be dreaming- because there was no fucking way Gryffindor would give him…

How much is this even?

He started to count with trembling hands, and when he got to 500 pounds, he was sweating. Five hundred pounds! Five hundred!

And then he suddenly had to laugh, which startled Squirrel into barking, and he counted the money again, and again- knowing he would not have to steal now, he would not starve…he'd be able to buy food and store food, and buy another blanket, and maybe even some toys for Squirrel.

He had no clue why Gryffindor had given him so much money- even though for him, 500 pounds was nothing- but he was more than grateful that he had given him that much.

Maybe as a thank you for getting him the horcrux? Or so I keep my mouth shut about it to Maynerd?

Tom yawned again, and then, holding the envelope tight to his chest, he fell asleep- knowing he was able to buy everything they needed now.

Hey.

Hey, little pumpkin.

Sirius had to smile, he'd never get tired of having Aurelius call him that.

What you doing?

I am studying. I am taking an exam in advanced legal history at Seymour's College on Monday.

That sounds boring as hell.

Language, boy- don't make me spank you.

You are not even here!

I will be tonight, though.

You gonna tell me another story?

Yes, I will.

About dragons?

About anything you want, sweet boy.

Sirius leaned back in his seat in the library, grinning from ear to ear. He could not wait.

Tomorrow's Saturday.

I am aware of that.

Don't mock me!

I am not.

I wanna sleep over, just like last weekend!

Getting demanding there, little boy? You know the conditions for sleeping over, don't you?

Yah.

Tell me.

Sirius rolled his eyes, but he knew better than to disobey Aurelius.

All homework has to be done, no lost house points during the week and I have to eat three meals a day and be in bed by eight every day of the week.

Good boy- and have you done all that this week?

Uhm…mostly.

Care to elaborate on that, Sirius?

I…I lost ten house points for having a pillow fight two nights ago. I'm sorry, though. It was just…so much fun. I really got Nigel good this time.

That pillow fight- did that occur before or after bedtime?

There was a silence.

I'd like an answer please, boy.

Sirius swallowed hard, not daring to lie to Aurelius though- he'd know, he always did.

It was…after bedtime, Relius. I'm sorry! I am so sorry!

He could hear Aurelius sigh and his stomach clenched. Aurelius was strict with him, but he knew deep down he needed that- he needed a firm hand and someone holding him accountable.

You know the rules, pumpkin- and you did not only break one, you broke two.

I know. I'm sorry.

He forced back the tears, he'd been so excited for the weekend- last weekend had been amazing, Aurelius had let him stay at his quarters, he'd given him another bubble bath, snuggled him, told him a story and tucked him in, and now, thanks to his stupid pillow fight, he'd have none of that.

Shhh…no crying, baby bear. You've apologized, you got punished, and you're all forgiven now.

You…still love me, Relius?

Of course I do. I'll always love you, my boy.

I love you, too, Relius.

You are my sweet boy, Sirius. I cannot wait to see you tonight.

He did not say anything about sleeping over though, and Sirius stifled a sob. He so badly wanted to snuggle up to Aurelius all night again, having him next to him, keeping him safe. He knew he deserved to be punished though- he had agreed to the rules, and he had broken them.

Problem was- how should he convince Aurelius to let him sleep over anyways?

And then suddenly, he got an idea.

Sirius' idea will be revealed in the next chap, and there will be more fluff between Sirius and Aurelius and some Tom/ Gryff H/C! :)

Happiest New Year everyone, and I would be super happy about some feedback! :)

stay safe!

Antonie :)