James Finally Gets a Lesson
“So let me get this straight…” Dorea Potter née Black all but snarled. “My son tricked another student, intentionally sending him to an area he knew held a transformed werewolf. The only reason that student was not turned or killed was because Sirius had the decency to intervene. And your response is to give him a week of detentions, as you give Sirius and Heir Prince weekend detentions for being out after curfew?”
Dorea looked across the desk where Albus Dumbledore sat calmly stroking his beard as his eyes twinkled. Minerva McGonagall was a little off to the side looking slightly uncomfortable, but she was in full agreement with Albus, as always. Also in the room was her husband and son, Lord and Lady Prince along with their Heir Severus Prince-Snape, the Slytherin head of house, Horace Slughorn, her cousin Arcturus, his son Orion, and his son, and James’s best friend, Sirius.
Lord and Lady Prince were absolutely furious although they were hiding it decently. It was obvious Slughorn was angry, but there was also a look of expectance, like he had known this would be the result of a Gryffindor attacking one of his Slytherins, which was most likely. What really bothered Dorea was that Severus Prince-Snape was simply accepting it, like he had always known his Headmaster and the Deputy-Headmistress wouldn’t care if he had been killed. The fact that he accepted this treatment was abhorrent to her.
“I’m sure it’s just a slight misunderstanding. Boys will be boys after all.” Albus said calmly. He knew that James was the key to everything so he would always do whatever it took to keep him where he could control him. He was less than pleased with the boys latest antics, but he would correct him and keep his plan on track.
Dorea’s eyebrow shot up at that excuse before she narrowed her eyes, it was clear Albus had no intention of handling this properly, but she certainly would. But before she had a chance to say anything Arcturus spoke.
“That is your excuse, ‘boys will be boys’. He nearly killed someone, the Heir of an Ancient and Noble House at that.” Arcturus was outraged at the caviller attitude the old fool was showing in regards to the life of a student, but he was also very proud of his grandson as he knew there was a rivalry between him and the Prince Heir yet he had been man enough to put it aside and protect him. “I don’t care what I have to do, there will be consequences for his actions. I will not allow him to think this sort of behaviour is acceptable, my grandsons are both attending this school, I will not risk him trying to kill either one of them in another ‘boys will be boys’ incident.”
“There really is no need for this, they are children.” Albus scolded the man he had attended school with, even if only for a year. Arcturus had started his first year when Albus had been in his final year, if only he had known how much trouble the man would become in time he would have been sure to make sure the boy learned his place, he had been head boy after all and could have given him enough detentions to get him suspended, if not expelled.
“And if they don’t learn right from wrong now they never will.” Arcturus snapped back. “You are his headmaster and head of house,” he sent a glare to Minerva who was just as useless as ever, “we have entrusted you not just with the care of our youth, or just their intellectual education, but to guide them in proper behaviour, and it is clear from this instance you are most definitely failing in that. Actions like Heir Potters need to be met with proper consequences, not just a slap on the wrist or we risk him doing something even worse in future.”
“I’m sure James has already learned his lesson.” Albus sent the boy a look and was pleased he clearly got the message when his annoyed face turned to one of what he knew was faux regret. “I’m sure his detentions will reinforce that.”
“No.” Dorea announced suddenly having made her decision, it was time for her to step up and get things back in order. “James will be serving his week of detention once he gets back.”
“Get’s back?” Albus said in confusion, what was that supposed to mean.
“Yes, he will be coming home with Charlus and I for the week. If you won’t suspend him then I will do so myself.” Dorea announced. “I don’t care what you say about his absence, but I will not allow him to continue down this horrible path he has put himself on. Heir Prince, you can expect a formal letter of apology within the next few days.”
“But mum.” James whined.
“Now really my dear, there is no need for such things.” Albus gave the woman a disappointed look. He didn’t want James out of his control, he knew how important he was for the future.
“Oh there most definitely is a need. If I can’t count on you to teach James how to behave properly in polite society then I will remove him from this school until he does. No!” Dorea had seen Albus give Charlus a look and knew her husband was about to disagree with her, the old man was always encouraging her husband to do different things with looks like that and after over 40 years of marriage she was going to finally put her foot down. “I have had enough of this Charlus. I agreed with you to allow James some incredibly relaxed rules since he is the Heir of the Potter family so won’t be held, or hold himself, to the same standards of the Blacks, but it would seem I shouldn’t have.
James could have gotten two people killed, including one of his closest friends, not to mention started a blood feud, and he isn’t even showing any remorse for his actions. We have spoiled and doted on him far too much in our effort to give him the perfect childhood and this is the result. And I fully accept that I am just as responsible as you as I too didn’t want to be as harsh with him as my parents were with me, but enough is enough. I will not allow my son to end up in Azkaban because all the adults in his life failed to teach him that murder is wrong.”
“I didn’t almost kill two people.” James grumbled under his breath. “Snivellus would have been just fine, besides, he’s a Slytherin, they hardly count as people.”
Charlus had heard both the words of his wife and son and realized things really had gone too far. James had been their miracle, their precious boy, the only hope for the future of the Potter line, of course they had doted on him. But it was clear they had made mistakes and allowed James to think he would always get away with everything because they always, or at least he, made excuses for anything he did wrong. He also knew from the look in his wife’s eye that if he didn’t back her up in this he would be sleeping in a guest room for the next decade, he and Dorea rarely fought, but he knew better than to cross her when she was in a mood like this.
Like Charlus Dorea had heard their sons grumble. “Need I remind you James, but I too was a Slytherin, and proud of it. And yes, you nearly killed two people. Severus could have been killed if Sirius hadn’t gone after him. And, if Severus had been turned or killed regardless of his involvement in your stunt Remus could have been sent to prison or even executed. You know very well how barbaric some of the laws are in regards to werewolves. The laws may slowly be changing, but Remus’s life was still very much at risk, which is why you will also be writing him a formal apology letter once we are home.
And don’t think this is going to be some fun vacation where you get a week off school. There will be no flying. No games. No fun. Instead you will be doing your school work under my supervision, and when you have finished that, we will be going over etiquette and manners until I feel you understand. Then, and only then, you will return to school. If that means I have to pull you out for the rest of the year so be it.” Dorea was just so furious at her son, not just for what he had done now, but his slight against her former house.
“DAD!” James cried looking over to his father in desperation. He couldn’t believe his mum was threatening him like that. Honestly, it was just a bloody Slytherin, it wasn’t like he mattered. And honestly, Remus would have been fine, Headmaster Dumbledore would have covered for them, as he had tried to do until Sirius’s horrible grandfather had to open his stupid mouth.
Charlus looked between his angry wife, his upset son, and Albus who clearly wanted to intervene and shelter James and made his choice. “Enough James. I am in agreement with your mother. You have gone too far this time.” What truly worried him was that James was more upset about the no flying and fun at home than he was that he could have killed a student, where had they gone so wrong that James didn’t value the life of even his own friends.
“Really now.” Albus admonished, horrified at all he was hearing.
How could Charlus be so cruel to James, didn’t he know how important the boy was? He knew Severus had his own value due to his interest in Lily, but James was the more important of the two. But at the same time he did see a benefit in allowing Charlus and Dorea to punish James. The boy wouldn’t react well to being held accountable, Albus knew that very well, he had trained the boy that way since the day he first set foot in his school after all, and it would allow him to make himself the ‘good guy’ in James’s mind. It would just serve to sway James even more to his side, even possibly Turning him against his own mother for being so dark and horrible.
“It’s done.” Dorea announce, please Charlus was backing her up. “Elf.” Dorea called, having to only wait a few seconds for a Hogwarts elf to appear. “Go and collect James’s belongings from Gryffindor.”
The elf popped way instantly to do as it was bid, the boys trunk appearing in the office less than a minute later.
“Surely we can discuss this.” Albus put up a show of still trying to defend the boy.
“There is nothing left to discuss.” Dorea said sharply. “Charlus, James. Come. It’s time for us to go home.” She then turned to look to the school staff. “James will be returning next week, if I feel he has learned his lesson, if not I will owl you.” Then she turned to Arcturus, Orion, and Sirius. “Sirius, you have my eternal gratitude for ensuring James didn’t end up in Azkaban for murder. I’m so proud of the young man you are becoming.” Giving the teen a soft smile before her face smoothed out again as she turned to Lord and Lady Prince and their grandson. “Heir Prince, you have my sincere apologies for my sons atrocious behaviour. I will ensure it is corrected. Lord Prince, Lady Prince, you too have my sincere apologies.”
James just glared at the floor as his parents put him between them and marched him to the floo.
Albus sighed as the Potter family flooed away. As irritated as he was that the likes of Dorea Black had spoken to him in such a manner, not to mention what she had said, he was relieved they would handle James’s punishment so he didn’t have to turn the boy against him. He then turned his attention back to those in the room.
“I believe that settles matters acceptably.” Orion said as he stood up. “Sirius, I am proud of you.” Orion saw Sirius sit a little straighter at the praise, the Black’s knew better than to get all touchy feely in public, it would leave them vulnerable. He would just have to reward Sirius once he returned home for the holidays. “I know it might be ridiculous for you to be punished for saving another student, but you did still break the rules so if you must accept your punishment I do so hope you do it with dignity. I will expect letters to keep me updated on the outcome of any punishment you are given to ensure you are not being let off too easy or persecuted for helping a student from another house.”
Sirius didn’t even try to stop himself from grinning at the not even thinly vailed warning his dad had just given. He knew Dumbles and McG understood they wouldn’t get away with anything in regards to him, not that they usually even tried. He was actually surprised he was even called up for this meeting since it wasn’t like it was the first time he had been out after curfew and they all knew it.
“I believe it is time that we too head home.” Lord Prince said in a deep somber voice. “Severus, you will also keep us informed of any actions taken against you by anyone and everyone. We will not stand for you being endangered like this again.” The dower man gave a cold look at both Albus Dumbledore and Minerva McGonagall before turning to Horace Slughorn. “Horace, I also request that you keep an eye on this situation and its repercussions. If anything else happens please inform us so we can address it through official channels.”
“Of course I will Lord Prince.” Horace answered solely. This meeting had been most infuriating, although he was thrilled Dorea had stood her ground and ensured James was punished. He just couldn’t believe how cruel young James had been to risk the lives of others without remorse, but he was pleased Sirius seemed to have the more level headed nature of Orion rather than the cruel attitude of Walburga, even if it wasn’t always obvious given the boys more energetic nature.
Lord Prince then formally offered their thanks to Sirius who accepted them, though not nearly as formally. With that done Lord and Lady Prince left the office without even acknowledging Albus or Minerva.
Watching the scene Sirius actually pitied Severus. His grandmother had always said Lady Prince was a ‘cold fish’ but he hadn’t really understood, now he did. The two had not really shown any interest in Severus as their grandson, instead it had been about the families Heir. Despite the Black’s cold exterior in public they were extremely emotive in private. Whether they were having fun or fighting, a Black put all their emotion into it so it was strange to see such an aloof demeanour in regards to a member of the family being endangered.
“I think it’s time you two were off.” Albus tried to keep up a genial look as he looked to the two students. He was just so angry at the blatant disrespect he had just been shown by so many, he was Albus Dumbledore, they owed him their respect. “You will get notes by tomorrow informing you of when your detentions will be and who will be overseeing them.”
Knowing they had been dismissed the two teens swiftly left the office. There was a few awkward moments once they reached the bottom of the steps outside the Headmasters office but they both pulled themselves together. Severus offered a simple ‘thank you’ for Sirius’s actions. Sirius on his part just accepted it. With that out of the way they went their separate ways, Severus back to his dorm, and Sirius up to the infirmary to check on Remus and tell him what had happened.
“Was all of this really necessary Albus?” Horace questioned once the students had left the office.
“I don’t know what you mean Horace?” Albus turned to his old colleague, now employee.
“If it had been any other student you wouldn’t have hesitated in suspending them for such a horrible stunt.” Horace narrowed his eyes, over the years he had truly started to see Albus’s bias. “If it had been one of my Slytherin’s you would have expelled them. Yet because it was one of your and Minerva’s lions you give the perpetrator a near complete pass while punishing the victim.”
“James was punished.” Minerva defended, not even bothering to try denying if a Slytherin had done what James had done they would be expelled.
“You two gave him a week’s detentions.” Horace scoffed. “The only reason he was removed from the school was because his mother had the good sense to correct his behaviour since it was clear you couldn’t have cared if he had actually killed someone.”
Although Horace really had no interest in being Deputy Headmaster given how much work he already had and how much work it was, he still resented Minerva being given the position. The woman had only been teaching for two years when she became head of house, something that shouldn’t be possible since they were supposed to require 5 years first to be sure they knew what they were doing, she had then gotten the additional title of Deputy Headmistress only 3 years after that despite the fact any deputy was supposed to be a tenured professor, something that could only happen after a minimum of a decade. But, like always, Albus made exceptions for one of his favourite Gryffindors.
Being perfectly honest the woman was a horrible deputy and somehow an even worse head of house. She did the paperwork just fine, but with three jobs she had no time for looking after the students, which was quite literally the purpose of all three of her jobs. And with the grand titles she had an attitude. He knew he wasn’t the only professor that got irritated with how she believed she was superior to them because Albus promoted her since she would never oppose anything he even suggested.
“It really isn’t like that Horace.” Albus admonished.
“Oh, that’s exactly how it is Albus.” Horace countered as he got up to leave. At the door he stopped and looked back. “The only way it could be seen differently is if you're blind, a fool, or simply biased, take your pick.” With that he walked out, shutting the door with a snap.
“How dare he say something like that?” Minerva all but hissed. Albus was the greatest wizard to ever live, he deserved better than being treated in such a disrespectful manner.
“Calm yourself Minerva.” Albus revelled in the woman’s blind devotion as he had always done, having her as his second at the school was one of his best ideas and he knew it. There were very few that could rival Minerva in blind devotion, at least not for a few more years. Then the others he had told himself would be amongst his most loyal would be adults and more useful to him. Molly and Arthur were now adults, but neither were useful yet. Minerva was one of his main assets in the school and kept things on the light path whenever he had to go away for the Wizengamot or the ICW.
“You shouldn’t have to tolerate such disrespect Albus, especially from Horace.” Minerva said in the closest she came to an argumentative tone.
“I will address Horace’s attitude with him once he’s calmed down some and I’m sure he will apologize, as he often has in the past. His emotions were just running high tonight.” Albus assured the woman, he most definitely would deal with Horace, but he knew the man wouldn't be nearly as apologetic as he was telling Minerva, he rarely had been in the past. “Whether we like it or not we can not deny that James went too far this time. If Severus had truly been hurt there is only so much we could have done to protect him despite only being a child. When I finally convince Charlus that Dorea is overreacting and get James back where he belongs we will need to impress upon him just how dangerous what he did was in his detentions.”
“You’re still going to make him serve detentions after whatever Dorea Black does to him?” Minerva gasped in shock.
“Unfortunately we have to.” Albus didn’t want to turn the boy away but he knew he had to do something to rein him in. “If Horace or the Prince’s find out he wasn’t punished here they may just go to the governors and we do not want that for James since it will be on his record. But he will be serving the detentions with you so we don’t risk Horace acting out any more than he already has. Just have him write lines and explain the situation and I’m sure James will learn his lesson.”
“Of course Headmaster.” Minerva gave a decisive nod and left the office.
Despite only being pulled out for a week James had ended up at home for two. This was because his mother had deemed it necessary because of his attitude. At the end of the two weeks a cowed James returned to the school, and surprisingly he had been rather quiet for the next 2 months, which was longer than anyone had thought possible.
Ultimately he fell back into his old attitude, but was more careful not to do anything that would have his mother taking him out of school again. He felt that his treatment at home those two weeks should be considered cruel and unusual punishment. It still irritated him years later that his father hadn’t stood up and made his mum behave, honestly, no flying was just mean.