AN: Thanks everyone for all of the

AN: Thanks everyone for all of the great comments - I love everyone having ideas of things that could happen! it definitely sparks ideas for me, I appreciate it. Part of the chapter today was inspired by Dutchgirl84, saying that Snape should help Harry deal with Sirius better. I wasn't going to show Snape dealing with Harry, but I sort of liked the idea of Snape helping Harry sort this out. Also, t42n24t2 suggested angry parents confronting Dumbledore about this, and I think that's a great idea! I hope everyone enjoys!

Also, as as been stated several times, this story does contain parental, non-sexual spanking in it. I would have to assume that anybody becoming abusive towards me about this aspect of my story really just likes abusing people.

Harry followed Snape to their quarters after dropping Ron of with McGonagall. Her stern eyes glared at the two boys, and she promised to contact Molly that night. Harry and Ron gave each other looks of sympathy, and then Snape began marching off to their quarters. Harry had to almost run to keep up, but he was able to do so. He also remained grim and silent, knowing what was ahead of him and feeling ashamed that he had done what Sirius had asked him to do, even knowing what would happen. He could be tucked up in his bed right now if it hadn't been for him giving in on something he knew wasn't right.

They wordlessly entered their quarters, and Snape seated himself on the sofa. Harry remained standing, bowing his head and waiting for the lecture to start. Should he just go and get the ruler now?

Snape watched the boy carefully, feeling the guilt radiating off him like waves. He knew he would have to spank the lad, if for no other reason than he expected it and it would hopefully keep him in his dorm room at night. He sighed, wishing Harry hadn't done this.

"Do you know why you agreed to go with Sirius?" Snape asked in a calm voice.

"No, sir," Harry answered, shaking his head. "He asked who wanted to go. I didn't really want to, but I just sort of felt like I had to do it."

"What would have happened if you hadn't gone?"

Harry shrugged. "Ron probably wouldn't have. He probably would have gotten the twins, though. Or even gone alone."

"He may have," Snape agreed. "Or he may have not gone at all, and waited until the next day and been distracted by something else. Your agreeing to go with him bolstered him going."

Harry squirmed uncomfortably. "I'm sorry," he told him, his voice quaking just a bit.

Snape saw the fear and worry, and pulled Harry onto his lap. He held him there, feeling the child quiver a bit and then finally give in to the crying. He patted Harry's back softly, letting him cry.

"I don't know why I'm crying," Harry told him through his tears.

"I expect it's a combination of guilt and shock," Snape told him softly. "That three-headed dog was very scary."

"It almost got Sirius," Harry told him. "It tore his robes, I pulled him back. Then we couldn't get the door closed and the dog was breaking free, so I called you. Then Remus came."

"You handled it from there very well," Snape told him. "You should never be afraid to call for me. That decision could easily have saved lives."

"But then Sirius . . . I'm sorry what he said to you, Dad."

"I'm a man now," Snape told him. "His words don't hurt like they used to."

"He still shouldn't have said it," Harry answered darkly. "I'm going to have a word with him about that."

"And you think your threat would be worse than mine?" Snape asked, smirking.

Harry had to smile in response - Snape threatening to spank him had been pretty good. He doubted Sirius would dare risk that, especially once Snape got Remus' blessing. "Probably not," he admitted.

"You are being raised with Sirius now," Snape said thoughtfully, patting Harry's back. "I wonder if it would be good to talk about ways that you could say no to him when he wants to do something that will get you in trouble."

"That would be helpful," Harry admitted.

"First, I want you to think of the consequences. Not just detentions and having to deal with me, but the real, natural consequences for things. For instance, even though you didn't know that the monster was there, you did know that Dumbledore forbade going there. What could have happened?"

"It could have been a deadly plant or something," Harry admitted.

"Is Dumbledore in the habit of forbidding things that are harmless?"

"No."

"So you knew it would be something dangerous?"

"Well, I didn't think it would be that dangerous in a school."

"Harry, you go to Hogwarts, not a normal school," Snape sighed. "Things are dangerous here. How many muggle schools have moving staircases and lessons on how to create poisons?"

"That's true," Harry answered reluctantly.

"I am going to have a word with Dumbledore about that dog," Snape told him. "But the fact is that you didn't obey the headmaster. What could you say differently to Sirius?"

"I suppose you want me to say that I would never break the rules and that I'm going to tell if he does."

"I would think that unrealistic," Snape confirmed. "I'm not trying to make you into Percy Weasley, Harry. But what is something you can say that would be something you actually would say?"

"I could say I needed my beauty sleep 'cause I'm ugly enough already," Harry laughed. "Or I could say that He may love dusty old corridors but I'd rather be in bed. Or I could say that you'd promised to really let me have it if I disobeyed again, and I didn't want to risk it."

"All good options," Snape nodded. "And if you can say it in a way that makes it seem like less fun, then you have a chance at discouraging others too, like Ron."

"You're right," Harry admitted with chagrin. "I'll do it better next time."

"Now I know you like SIrius and want him to like you," Snape told him. "But you are responsible for any rules you break, and I hope you feel some guilt about bringing Ron into it as well."

"I do," Harry admitted. "And I know you're going to spank me, too."

Snape arched his eyebrows in surprise. "How do you know that?"

"You always get that sad tone in your voice before you do," Harry told him. "And you say a few times what I did wrong, as if you're trying to convince both of us why you're going to do it."

"Do you think you deserve it this time?" Snape asked.

"I want to say no because I don't want to be spanked," Harry admitted. "But logically, I would have to admit that you should. You spank me if I lie, if I break the rules, and if I put myself in danger. I got two out of the three with this one."

Snape, taken aback by Harry's logical analysis, blinked in surprise. He had never specifically said those things, but he had to admit that Harry was right. Those were the three that usually got him.

"Indeed," he agreed with the boy.

"And besides, I think Sirius and Ron are getting it too, so you would hate to think of yourself as the nicest of the parents," Harry cheekily teased.

"I am not the nicest, that is true," Snape intoned. "Alright, if we are coming to your consequences, you have the detentions like the others and you will also feel my displeasure more directly. Do you have any plea for mercy?"

"No," Harry said. "Although, you have to admit that I called you. And I didn't lie, either."

"True," Snape nodded. "So I will not use the ruler and not give you too many. I was thinking fifteen, but I think you've talked me down to ten."

"Thank you, sir," Harry nodded, accepting the mercy.

Without being told, he bent over Snape's lap and gripped onto the man's robes. He didn't think it would hurt enough for him to really need to hold on, but it made him feel better to hold onto something.

"They will be firm smacks, however," Snape told him, helping him settle into the proper position. "I want to discourage such behavior."

"Yes, sir," Harry agreed, waiting.

Snape administered the smacks to the upturned bottom before him, and had to admit that he did feel touched by the trust that Harry had demonstrated to him. It was clear that Harry didn't fear him; not only was he cheeky right before he went over the man's lap, but he also knew that Snape wouldn't be harsh with him. He wished he didn't have to do so, but he steeled himself and delivered the firm smacks.

After the final smack, he brought Harry into his arms and held him there, not speaking for a few moments. "Are you alright?" he asked Harry, his voice strained.

"I'm fine," Harry assured him. "I didn't even cry. I guess I did all of that before you spanked me. And I promise not to sneak out at night and get nearly eaten by a three headed dog again."

"See that you don't," Snape smirked. "I am serious about you not sneaking out at night, Harry."

"I know you are," Harry assured him. "I will try to be safe."

"Why don't you spend the night here," Snape told him, patting his back. "You still have pajamas in your room here, and if you need anything else I'm sure Dobby can fetch it for you."

"Are you going somewhere?" Harry asked, concerned.

"I'm going to have a word with Dumbledore as to why it was so easy for you miscreants to get yourselves into trouble," Snape told him.

"He did warn us about it," Harry told Snape. "We disobeyed."

"You did," Snape confirmed. "But there's also a concept called 'attractive nuisance.' This means that he shouldn't have anything that would tempt you guys to get hurt."

"Well, that's going to rule out a lot of things at Hogwarts," Harry smirked.

"Try to behave until I get back," Snape told him, helping Harry off his lap and standing up. "I want you asleep within the next half hour."

"Okay, dad," he answered. "What are you going to do to us in detention, though?"

"I believe you will need to wait to find out," Snape answered with an evil smile. "But I would warn you not to wear your nicest clothes."

Rolling his eyes, Harry nodded and headed to his room.

As Snape entered Dumbledore's office, he could already hear Molly yelling at Dumbledore at her full strength.

"He could have been ki