Whelp

'I am very disappointed in you both,' Father said.

Harry's heart sank into the hollow pit, too. This soft, calm tone was almost worse than Uncle Vernon's rages. And he never wanted to disappoint his new father, not ever!

'I trusted you to both to listen to Nelli and not give her any trouble. I trusted you, Harry, to not do anything that might re-injure your hand, after all the trouble we went through getting it fixed. And Draco, I trusted you to not put yourself in jeopardy with dangerous stunts, especially on your first day here. Neither of you lived up to my trust.'

Shame washed over Harry as Father paused. He'd known he shouldn't go flying. He'd known Nelli didn't want them to. He'd been bad, and as Father pursed his lips, Harry clenched his hands together, readying himself for whatever punishment came his way. Would he be locked in a cupboard? Maybe he'd have no meals? Or maybe Father would use a belt? He could handle any of that, any punishment at all, except a collar and chain.

'I am trying to decide if it was a mistake to have Draco over, so soon after we arrived. Perhaps he should return home, so Harry can better acclimate himself to Hogwarts without distraction.'

Both boys jerked at the pronouncement, and Draco looked even more scared than Harry felt, but neither of them said anything. Harry knew better than to argue, and figured Draco did, too. His friend had felt his own father's cane on his backside more than once, he'd bet anything.

Father leaned back, watching them both with his dark, glittering eyes. Then he sighed. 'Alas, I fear the elder Malfoy would be rather put out were I to send his son back so soon, and thus I am forced to consider other consequences for your decidedly foolish behavior.'

Harry braced himself, and saw Draco do the same, out of the corner of his eye.

'Therefore, I think it is only fitting that I should remove the temptation for this sort of . . . Gryffindor adventurousness by taking away broom privileges for the duration of Draco's stay. No flying for a week, for either of you. Perhaps you will learn to keep your heads on straight if they are closer to the ground.' He raked them with his gaze once more and jerked his chin toward the hallway where Harry's bedroom lay. 'That is all. Go on now, both of you. I have work to do.'

Harry stared at Draco, who stared back, both of them taking relieved breaths. No brooms! It was disappointing, sure, but it wasn't anything as bad as he'd feared. They scrambled off the settee and dutifully headed for Harry's room. 'Thank you, Father,' Harry said as they passed his chair.

'Thank you, Uncle Sev,' Draco echoed.

Father shut his eyes briefly, Harry saw, and when he spoke, his words were quiet and almost sad, which didn't make any sense, unless he was still really disappointed, but somehow, Harry didn't think he was. 'You're welcome, boys. But please, try to behave yourselves today.'

'We will!' they promised, and held themselves to it until well into the afternoon.

TBC . . .

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Next chapter: Two seven year olds can be more trouble than a barrel of Weasleys . . . especially if you add one more.

A/N: Thank you to everyone who's read and reviewed!

Though it pains me to say so, and as I mentioned in the new chapter of 'Walk the Shadows,' posted yesterday, I won't be able to respond individually to all reviews anymore, like I have up to now. Mostly, it's because I find I'm spending an hour or two almost every day at it, and would rather (as I imagine most of my readers would) spend that time writing.

Your thanks and affirmations have both humbled and awed me, and if you have any questions, or things that need clarifying in any of my stories, please know that I will still reply to these with alacrity. I read all reviews, of course, and take your words to heart, I just can't respond to them all anymore. My apologies, and my gratitude for all the kind words you have bestowed upon me, and I hope I haven't put anyone off reviewing, or worse, off reading these tales!

Next chapter should be out by the weekend.

*Chapter 25*: Chapter 25

Whelp -- Chapter 25

By jharad17

Disclaimer: None of this is mine. Honest. She's rich, blond and British. I'm not.

AN: An extra-long chapter for y'all, since I was mean and made you wait four whole days . . . although there was the matter of a cliffhanger to deal with in 'Walk the Shadows,' before I was hunted down and murderized. :-) To all my readers -- you're the absolute best, and I love every one of your reviews! Your ideas and questions and requests for clarification are always welcome.

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From last chapter:

'But please, try to behave yourselves today.'

'We will!' they promised, and held themselves to it until well into the afternoon.

'Peeves!' Severus' shout echoed off the walls of the third floor corridor. A greave flew toward him and smacked into his chest. He snarled and lunged at the floating poltergeist, who was apparently as much of a bane to the existence of students now as he had been when Severus attended.

'Ha, ha! Got you, Snippy Snapey,' Peeves cackled.