Disclaimer: All recognizable characters and settings belong to J.K. Rowling.

A/N: There is a corporal punishment scene between father and son in this chapter. If that upsets you in any way, please skip this chapter.

"When are they going to fly?" Harry asked impatiently. He had begged to be allowed to watch his dad practice with his Quidditch team but they were taking forever to get started!

"Soon, their captain likes to talk," Lily said. She turned away when Marlene asked her a question.

Harry sighed and looked around as his mum chatted with her friend. It was a strange to see so many unfamiliar students. His gaze wandered...there, that was familiar! The smoke from Hagrid's hut. Hagrid! Excited and without thinking, Harry ran off.

He went down the path to Hagrid's front door. Harry knocked and waited.

The door opened. "Ello?" Hagrid looked around in confusion.

"Down here!"

Hagrid looked down in surprise. "Well, ello!" he chuckled. "So you're the little tyke I've heard about."

Harry grinned. "It's good to see you." It really was, Hagrid had been his first friend and the one to tell him he was a wizard.

"You are the spit n image of your father, thot's fer sure," Hagrid remarked.

Harry wondered if he had Fang yet. "Do you have any dogs?"

"Funny you should ask. A friend's dog is having puppies soon and I'm aiming to get one." Hagrid said. "Just gotta think of a name. What do you think of Fluffy?"

"Uh," Harry wrinkled his nose. "I like Fang better."

"Fang?" Hagrid brightened. "Fang it is!"

Harry beamed as Hagrid ruffled his hair.

"I was just going to the forest to check on a unicorn foal," Hagrid said.

"Can I come?" Harry asked eagerly.

Hagrid hesitated. "Well, your parents know you're here right?"

"Yes," Harry lied. He briefly thought about his mum and wondered if she was looking for him but he disregarded the thought. He had been seventeen just days ago! He could do what he wanted. "They said I could go anywhere as long as I was with an adult." he lied.

"Oh. Okay, then come with me," Hagrid said cheerfully.

Harry had great fun going in the forest with Hagrid and visiting the baby unicorn. He completely forgot that his parents would be missing him. Finally, as he and Hagrid emerged from the forest he could hear people shouting his name over and over.

Uh oh, Harry thought.

"Hagrid! Have you seen a mini James running around?" A frantic Sirius asked before noticing Harry. "Pup!" he cried in relief. He yelled over his shoulder, "He's here!"

Sirius hurried over to Harry and pulled him into a hug. "Where have you been? We've been looking everywhere for you!"

"But I thought -" Hagrid began.

"Harry!" A crying Lily rushed over to him and snatched him into her arms. James was right behind her. "I've been so worried!" she said in a shaky voice. "I turned around for a moment to talk to Marlene and then when I turned back, you weren't there!"

Harry hugged her back, feeling bad that he had caused her to cry.

"Are you hurt? Did someone lure you away?" James asked in concern after Lily put Harry back down.

"No," Harry said softly.

"I'm sorry, he was with me," Hagrid apologized. "He said -" he hesitated.

"He said what?" James crossed his arms.

"He said you knew he was here," Hagrid admitted. "I took him into the forest to see a baby unicorn."

Lily gasped. "The forest? He's too little to go in there!"

"I stayed with him," Hagrid said apologetically. "He said he could anywhere as long as he was with an adult."

"Oh?" James looked at Harry, his eyes darkening.

Lily shook her head. "Harry, you shouldn't have lied to Hagrid. And you shouldn't have run off." She scolded.

Embarrassed, Harry reacted with defiance. "I'm seventeen!"

"You're five," Lily shot back.

"And you were told to stay with your mother," James added.

"So?" Harry said rudely. He bit his lip at the look on his father's face.

"That's it," James reached down and lifted Harry into his arms. "We're going to go have a little chat."

James marched them back to the castle and to his dorm, Lily following behind them. As soon as they entered, James set Harry down and glared at him. "Explain your behavior."

Harry shrugged.

"That is not an explanation," James said, trying to be patient.

"I'm an adult," Harry said stubbornly.

"Look in the mirror and tell us that," Lily said with a raised eyebrow.

Harry pouted.

Lily knelt down. "You're five, now. That means there are rules and boundaries that we make for you, to keep you safe. Do you understand?" When Harry just kept pouting, she sighed. "I was really scared when I saw you were gone. Terrified, actually. If you had asked me to take you to see Hagrid, I would have."

Harry bit his lip, feeling confused. He felt guilty but pride held him back from apologizing. It would be like admitting he was a child and that they were right to treat him like one.

"And then you go and lie to Hagrid," Lily continued in a disappointed voice. "How do you think that made him feel?"

"Stop!" Harry burst out, feeling his eyes fill with tears. He didn't like this guilty feeling...he remembered Ron telling him that Mrs. Weasley knew just how to make him feel bad for something he had done. Now Harry knew what he meant.

"Harry, go stand in the corner," James spoke up, his voice soft yet firm.

"What?" Harry stared at him in shock. He had never been sent to the corner before!

"Corner," James pointed. "Now. You and I will speak in a bit."

Feeling nervous, Harry shuffled over to the corner.

James sighed and ran his hand through his hair. "Stubborn boy."

"Wonder where he gets it from?" Lily asked wryly.

"You!" They both said at the same time, pointing at each other while smiling.

"Are you going to punish him?" Lily asked in a soft voice, her smile fading. She knew how James had been punished by his parents, he'd spoken of it before and she figured he would punish their son the same way. She had occasionally been smacked as a child for serious offenses and knew it was more common in the wizarding world to punish children that way, especially among the pure-blooded families.

"Yes," James said simply. He would punish his son the way his own father had punished him. He didn't want to, it was the last thing he wanted to do but his son needed to learn. He also had to make him understand that he was indeed a five year old, a child. Once Harry accepted that, maybe he would be able to adjust to things easier.

"Don't be too hard on him," Lily said anxiously. "He's so little and he must be so confused..."

"I know, Lily. I won't be too hard on him," James assured her. "Maybe you could go and assure Hagrid that we aren't mad at him. You know how sensitive he is."

Lily nodded and kissed him on the cheek. "Not too hard," she reminded him as she left the room.

James sat on the edge of his bed and called Harry out of the corner. His son stood before him, eyes looking watery but not actually crying. "Do you understand what you did wrong?" James asked seriously. His own parents had always made sure he understood why he was being punished.

"I ran off," Harry answered softly.

"I told you to stay with your mum." James said sternly. "You wanted to watch my Quidditch practice and I said you could, as long as you stayed with your mother. Instead you ran off, lied to Hagrid and then you were disrespectful to us. What do you have to say for yourself?" Come on Pronglet, say you're sorry...

"I'm an adult," Harry insisted. His voice was uncertain, however.

"No, you are a little boy," James said, raising an eyebrow. "And you've been a naughty one."

Harry flushed.

"I believe a spanking is in order," James said, taking hold of Harry's arm.

Harry widened his eyes "No! You can't!"

"Yes I can. I'm your father." James said patiently. "There are consequences to misbehavior, Harry. Perhaps a sore bottom will remind you to make better decisions."

"But – but I don't want a spanking!" Harry wailed. "I've never had one before!"

James reached out and gently grabbed his other arm. "Listen, I know the Dursleys were horrible to you. They did not discipline you, they abused you. Your mother and I would not do that." he said softly. "However, and maybe this is more common in the wizarding world than the muggle one, a spanking on your bottom is a typical punishment. I would never leave welts or bruises, I would never truly hurt you or cause lasting damage," he assured his son. "Now, I want you to lay across my lap." He was patient, understanding that Harry was scared. He hated having to punish his boy but running off, lying and being rude were too many infractions to let pass. He knew from personal experience his own father wouldn't have hesitated to tan his hide if he had acted out like that.

"But I don't want one," Harry whimpered as he went over his father's lap.

James bit his lip to keep from smiling. "I'm sure you don't. I never did either. Don't misbehave or be rude and you won't have to worry about it again. Now, I am going to give you your age. So how old are you, Harry?"

"I'm -" Harry paused. He didn't want seventeen smacks! This wasn't fair and he wanted to shout and cry and stamp his foot and...throw a tantrum, apparently. "I'm five," he muttered.

"What was that?" James asked as he adjusted his son so that his bottom was positioned just right.

"I'm five years old," Harry said, tears trickling down his cheeks.

"That's right," James said as he raised his hand and brought it down in a firm smack. He carefully observed Harry's reaction so he could be sure not to be too harsh. "You are five years old. A little boy. And it's okay to just let yourself be a child. But you need to do what your mother and I tell you." He kept the smacks firm yet not overly hard and after the third one Harry was crying loudly. "No running off, no being disrespectful, no lying. Do you understand?" He landed the last two smacks on the lower part of his son's bottom, knowing from first hand experience it was more sensitive there. He'd made sure the swats weren't too harsh, just enough to show his displeasure at Harry's behavior.

"Yes daddy," Harry cried out. His bottom stung!. "I'm sorry!"

"It's okay. It's over." James said soothingly picking Harry up and hugging him. Harry threw his little arms around his neck.

"I'm sorry daddy!" Harry sobbed into his neck. He felt bad that he had run off and that he had been rude to his parents. He didn't resent being punished, he knew he had deserved it. He didn't know why he had acted like that today, he hadn't meant to be bad. And he didn't know why he was crying so hard, he had suffered much worse in his life than a mere five smacks to his bottom, yet knowing he had made his parents upset with him hurt worse than anything.

"It's okay, son," James said softly, rubbing his back. "I forgive you. Okay?"

"Will mummy?"

"Of course," James said, kissing the top of Harry's head. Once Harry calmed down, he pulled him back so he could look into his eyes. "But I meant what I said about misbehaving. You are not to lie, wander off, or be disrespectful. No ignoring the rules that are for your safety. All right? Otherwise you'll end up with a spanking on your bare bottom." He warned, wanting his son to know he was serious. It would be a bit complicated raising their son while at school, thankfully they had their friends and professors who were willing to help but still, Harry needed to do his part by doing what he was told. They could have sent Harry to his parents while they finished school but they wanted Harry with them. But that meant Harry had to learn to follow their rules.

Harry's eyes widened at the warning. "I'll be good!" he said quickly.

"I know you will be," James said, squeezing Harry's shoulder affectionately. "But I want to make sure you understand the rules."

"No wandering off, no lying and no being rude," Harry recited. "No being disobedient or putting my safety at risk."

"Correct. Your mother and I are new to being parents and we are going to do our very best by you. I'm sure we'll make mistakes," James said ruefully. "But we'll do our best, like our parents have done for us. If we tell you to do something or not to do something, then I expect you to obey us. Also, tantrums will never get you what you want."

"I won't throw a tantrum," Harry said, looking affronted. He conveniently forgot that he had wanted to throw one just a few minutes ago.

James held back a smile. "Of course you won't. I'm just saying, if we tell you can't do something or go somewhere, it's because we feel it's for your own good. You need to trust us."

"Okay." Harry agreed.

James stood up, with Harry in his arms. "Let's go show your mother that you are still in one piece," he joked as they went down to the common room. Lily, Remus and Sirius were sitting on the chairs, waiting for them.

"Harry?" Lily asked anxiously, standing up. She held her arms out and smiled as Harry reached for her.

"I'm sorry, mummy," Harry said, his lower lip wobbling.

"Aww," Lily kissed the top of his head. "I forgive you, love."

Harry relaxed and rested his head on her shoulder.

"Pup, you okay?" Sirius asked, giving James an admonishing look. "Do you want me to beat up your dad for you?"

James scoffed. "Like you could."

"I could hex him," Sirius said, giving James a smirk. "Green skin and silver hair. Or I could have him walk backwards for a day, that would be fun."

Harry giggled.

"Or I could -"

"Or you could remember how worried you were when Harry was missing," Remus spoke up. He gave Harry a gentle smile. "We were really scared for you, Harry."

Sirius sighed. "We really were, pup."

"I'm sorry," Harry said.

"Still," Sirius gave James a mock glare. "To punish a sweet child like Harry..."

"Maybe I should hex Sirius's mouth off," James suggested.

"Maybe I should hex all your mouths off," Lily said in exasperation.

"Merlin pup, your mother is violent," Sirius remarked. He winced as he was hit with a light stinging hex from Lily. "See?" he pouted, rubbing his arm.

Harry was giggling. "I like the green skin and silver hair idea. Do that!" He urged Sirius.

"Okay," Sirius turned to James, taking his wand out, his grey eyes sparkling mischievously.

"Do it and I'll put you in the corner," James warned with a laugh.

"Yes sir, Mr. Potter," Sirius rolled his eyes good-naturedly.

"The corner is no fun," Harry pouted. He never knew how boring being in the corner could be.

Lily snickered. "Oh, they know that well. Mrs. Potter once told me James spent most of his time as a twelve year old in the corner."

James made a face. "Not true."

"Yeah, it was only like eight months out of the year," Remus said with a grin.

Harry looked at his dad curiously. "So you were a bad kid like me?"

Everyone froze. "What?" James managed to ask. "You're not a bad kid." Had he given Harry that impression?

Harry bit his lip. "I feel like one." he said softly.

"Why do you feel that way?" Lily questioned gently.

"I was always in trouble with the Dursleys," Harry shrugged. "And then at Hogwarts I kept finding trouble even though I didn't mean to. At least, I usually didn't mean to. And then I was bad today." He said sadly.

"You're not bad, son," James held out his arms and Harry went into them. He held his boy, rubbing his back soothingly. "The Dursleys were horrid, there was nothing you could do to warrant that behavior. And I don't know what happened to you at Hogwarts, but you were probably like us. Trouble just found you, huh?"

Harry nodded ruefully.

"Just to clarify, it was mainly these two that found trouble the most," Remus said, gesturing to James and Sirius.

James rolled his eyes good-naturedly. "As for today, you're a child Harry. I know you are struggling with that but the bottom line is you are a kid. And kids sometimes make mistakes and get into mischief. It's normal, okay? You're not a bad kid. Not even close."

Harry nodded slowly, feeling relieved at his dad's words.

"Pup, do you want play gobstones?" Sirius asked.

Harry nodded and went to sit by the fire with Sirius and Remus.

"You okay?" Lily asked James softly.

James rubbed his hand over his face. "Yeah. That was harder than I thought it would be. I hated making him cry. I only gave him five smacks and I didn't do it too hard, at least I don't think I did..."

"Don't worry, James. Look at him, he's fine," Lily said, nodding to where Harry was giggling while playing with Remus and Sirius. "You obviously weren't too hard with him. He's okay."

James watched his son play with a fond smile.

"I wonder if he was testing us," Lily mused.

James glanced at her. "What do you mean?"

"I wonder if Harry was testing us. He's not used to having parents and my sister treated him deplorably, I wonder if in some way he was testing us to see how we would react if he misbehaved." Lily explained.

James gazed at Harry thoughtfully. "He probably was. To see if we turned him away."

"He may do it again," Lily said. "Without realizing it, he may continue to test us until he is reassured that we won't abuse him or neglect him. Like my sister did," she said bitterly.

"Then we'll just have to keep reassuring him that we love him and want him," James said, pulling Lily into a hug.

"Mummy, Daddy come play!" Harry called.

Lily and James laughed and then joined their son and friends in a game of gobstones.

TBC: