Not Worth Stealing

Title: Not Worth Stealing
Author: Ras on adult-fanfiction.org or SirenPrincess on insanejournal
Rating: Mature Adult
Warnings: hard paddling of a teenager
Summary: Someone’s stolen Hermione’s schedule book. At the time, they had no idea what serious consequences they would face for such a silly prank.
Disclaimer: Harry Potter and that world belong to JKR and the WB. No copyright infringement is intended. This story is designed to increase fan appreciation of JKRs work. No money is earned from the writing of this story. The author does not condone violence towards actual children or teens.
Author's Note: This story involves a hard paddling of a teenager. If this act, which results in some bruising, will upset you; then please don't read this story.


“Give it back, Ron!” Hermione demanded. She thrust one hand out over his desk; the other was firmly planted on her hip.

“Give what back?” he asked, completely acting as if he didn’t know.

“My schedule book. Look, I know you have it. You know you have it. Now give it back.”

“I don’t have your schedule book,” he said innocently.

“Ron, I’m not stupid. I know you hate that schedule book, and you and Harry are the only ones sitting here to steal it, so just give up the joke and give it back.”

“I do hate that schedule book. It always tells you to study, and I have never once seen ‘fun time’ on it. But, that doesn’t mean I stole it from you. I don’t have it. In fact, I’m hurt that you would even suggest that I would steal from you, Hermione.”

Hermione felt a panic washing over her. Maybe Ron really didn’t have it. But, it was no longer at her desk. If Ron didn’t have it . . . then someone else had it. Someone else had her schedule that clearly showed her being at multiple places at multiple times, studying some things the first time around, and then going back and studying something else. She hadn’t really thought about it before, but in the wrong hands, her schedule book could be very dangerous. Feeling extremely jumpy now, she asked one more time, “Do you really not have it, Ron?” In her heart she prayed that he actually had it, and would hand it over now that he could hear the anxiety in her voice.

“I really don’t have it,” Ron said flatly.

“Who could have it, then?” Hermione whispered, more to herself than to anyone else.

“You know, I thought I saw Draco by our desks when we were turning in our transfigured safety pins. You don’t think he would have . . .” Ron trailed off with a smile.

“Oh, God!” Hermione exclaimed before running over to Malfoy. He was packing up his things and laughing about something with Crabbe and Goyle. “Give it back, Malfoy,” she demanded in an even harsher tone than she had used with Ron.

“What are you on about, Granger?” he asked in annoyance.

“You know exactly what I’m talking about, my schedule book. I know you took it. Ron saw you take it. So just give it back before I involve Professor McGonagall,” she bluffed. Telling Professor McGonagall that she had lost something that could reveal her secret use of the Time Turner was the last thing she wanted to do. But, Malfoy didn’t know that.

“I don’t know what kind of games you and the Weasel are playing, but I don’t have your bloody book.” He laughed, “As if I’d want to steal anything you own anyway.”

She almost believed him. Not that he wouldn’t lie, but his confusion seemed genuine. The bell rang, and the class started to file out of the room. Totally panic-stricken now, Hermione frantically looked around as all of the possible suspects left the room. She had to get that book back, and she had to do it before anybody had a chance to read it. But, how was she going to do that with everyone leaving, when she didn’t even have a clue who had it? She looked up sadly at Professor McGonagall; she only had one choice.

********

“Don’t you think you should give it back to her now?” Harry whispered to Ron as they climbed the stairs to Divinations class.

“Nah,” Ron laughed. “Let her stew about it for an hour or so. I just meant it as a joke; I didn’t know she’d get so mad. But, maybe if she worries about it for a while, when I finally give it back to her, she’ll be so relieved, she won’t hit me.”

“I don’t know, Ron,” Harry cautioned. “She seemed really upset. Maybe you should just give it back to her.”

“Trust me, Mate. She’ll be laughing at the joke come this evening. It’ll be funnier this way.”

Divinations class started, and as usual Ron found himself nearly drifting to sleep. It wasn’t long, though, before a knock at the door jerked him fully awake.

“Sorry for the interruption, Professor Trelawney,” Professor McGonagall said as she entered the room, “But, may I borrow Ron for a moment.”

His heart was pounding through his chest now. Ron stood on wobbly legs and gave a terrified glance at Harry. This couldn’t be happening. Surely Hermione hadn’t tattled on him. But, he could think of no other explanation as to why Professor McGonagall would come looking for him.

“Grab your things, too, please, Mr. Weasley.”

Ron’s heart sank. He was in big trouble. He followed Professor McGonagall down the stairs. They were alone in a deserted hallway. She stopped and turned her attention to him.

“Miss Granger seems to have lost a very important notebook. You wouldn’t know anything about that, would you Mr. Weasley?”

Ron backed into the wall. He knew he was thoroughly caught here. Even if he managed to convincingly lie, which he didn’t think he was capable of right then, all Professor McGonagall had to do was ask to see his things. He had stupidly stashed the schedule book between the pages of his Divination textbook. Realizing that he could only make things worse for himself here, he held the book out to Professor McGonagall with a shaky hand.

She sighed as she took the book from his hands. She appeared to be genuinely sad at the discovery, but it took her only a minute to compose herself before she began scolding full force. “What is the meaning of this?” she asked angrily.

“It was . . . it was just a joke,” he tried to explain. Even he realized how stupid it sounded now. He had just wanted to have some fun with Hermione. She took her schedule and studying too seriously. He thought it would be funny to take it. Now, he quickly realized how wrong he was.

“A joke?” she repeated. “We take stealing very seriously here at Hogwarts, Mr. Weasley.”

“Yes, mam,” Ron whispered. He was beginning to feel a little scared about what his punishment for his little prank might be.

“I seem to recall last year telling you that if you got into any more trouble you might be expelled,” she reminded him.

“What?” Ron’s head shot up in shock. Was she serious? Could he really be expelled for such a stupid little prank? He hadn’t even really hurt anything. He was going to give it back. And, he would never have done anything to actually hurt Hermione. It was just a joke. Could he really be expelled for a joke? He thought of all the pranks Fred and George had pulled off, and they never got expelled.

“I take it from your reaction that you do not wish to be expelled?” Professor McGonagall asked.

“N-n-no,” Ron stuttered, still unable to believe that this was actually happening.

“Well, fortunately or unfortunately for you, after recent events I made a deal with your mother. She asked if any of her children caused any more trouble if they could receive a more traditional corporal punishment instead of writing lines or detention. Although it is not completely compliant with Hogwarts rules, as her friends, Professor Dumbledore and I agreed to her request.”

“Wh-wh-what?” Ron asked, his mouth completely open in shock.

“She thought, and I agree, that a physical punishment would have more of an effect on your behavior. Now follow me to my office, please.”

Ron was sure that she was right. A corporal punishment certainly would have an effect on his behavior. His mom’s spankings at home always did. But, as he followed Professor McGonagall to her office, he became increasingly afraid of what his exact punishment might entail. ‘Corporal punishment’ was a vague term. He had personally only ever received a bare butt spanking from his mother with her hand, and just once with her hair brush. Those had been painful and humiliating enough to make him never repeat whatever behavior he was being punished for. But, he knew that Fred and George had both received lickings from their father’s belt before. His father was relatively lenient compared to his mother, but when something was dangerous enough to warrant punishment in Arthur Weasley’s eyes, it meant a very sore bum. Ron had seen the welts that the belt had left on Fred and George’s butts, and that really scared him.

Ron didn’t know what to expect from Professor McGonagall. What exactly had his mother authorized? Was she allowed to make him lower his pants? Mother always said that any proper punishment had to be on a bare butt. Would it just be her hand, which Ron was quite sure would hurt enough, or was she allowed to use an implement like a ruler or belt? Ron’s stomach churned at the thought.

It wasn’t long before they reached the office and Ron learned the answers to his questions. Professor McGonagall escorted him into her office. Ron stood nervously in front of her desk while she went behind and opened one of her drawers. She pulled out a long paddle. It was wooden, about 13 inches long, and it had holes drilled through it so it could cut through the air faster to deliver more force. Ron just about collapsed to his knees at the sight of it. That paddle was definitely going to hurt.

Professor McGonagall patted her desk. “Bend over please, Mr. Weasley, arms flat on the desk, feet here,” she indicated a spot on the floor. Ron’s whole body shook as he planted his feet at the indicated spot and reached his body over Professor McGonagall’s desk. “Spread your legs a little further apart, please,” she emphasized her meaning by tapping his legs with the paddle.

Ron felt completely exposed in this position, even though, it seemed he was going to be allowed to keep his pants on. He quickly realized that his hand-me-down school pants were going to provide little protection for his butt from that paddle.

“You will be receiving six hard pops, Mr. Weasley. Prepare yourself,” she commanded.

Ron squinted his eyes shut and gripped the side of the desk. He felt a few soft taps as Professor McGonagall aimed her shot. Ron’s butt clinched in anticipation. He didn’t see Professor McGonagall fully raise the paddle back and slam it down full force, but he certainly felt the effect. He couldn’t help but gasp at the impact of the first blow. Professor McGonagall waited a moment for the pain to sink in before delivering the second stroke. This time Ron cried with it. It hurt, and he couldn’t keep it in. Even over pants, this hurt worse than his mother’s spankings ever had. After the third blow Ron was whimpering. Each blow was scorching his butt. He could feel the deep bruises form after each blow. He could even feel the blisters on his bottom popping up through the holes in the paddle. Ron let himself cry freely with the final three blows.

Finally, Professor McGonagall sat the paddle down on the desk. Ron tried to immediately push himself upright but he couldn’t. He was hysterical, and he couldn’t control his sobbing. He just collapsed on the desk and let himself cry. To Ron’s surprise, Professor McGonagall gently rubbed his back and whispered soothing words to calm him down.

“Shhh, Ron. All done,” she reassured him. “You made a mistake, but you’ve been punished. It’s over now. All forgiven.”

Her actions did have a calming effect. Gradually, Ron found himself able to breathe again. And, then he felt thoroughly humiliated. He had just cried like a baby in front of Professor McGonagall.

Professor McGonagall must have noticed the change in Ron. She patted him on the back and said, “All right, Mr. Weasley. Go clean yourself up in the bathroom, and then you can return to class. I hope you have learned your lesson. Stealing is not tolerated at Hogwarts, and will always be dealt with harshly. And, I don’t think I have to remind you that if you get in any more trouble this year, the paddling will be much longer. Now, off to class with you.”

Ron tried to hide the tears that were still falling from his eyes as he quickly made his way to the bathroom.

*******

Hermione couldn’t focus on Ancient Ruins, even if it was one of her favorite subjects. She couldn’t stop worrying about the fate of her schedule book. The class seemed to drag on forever as Hermione wondered what Professor McGonagall was doing. Finally, she appeared at the door to Hermione’s class. Hermione didn’t even wait to be requested. She bolted to the door to Professor McGonagall without even excusing herself.

Professor McGonagall gave her a firm look, but did not comment on her rudeness. She handed the missing schedule book to Hermione’s waiting hand. “I would be more careful in the future, Miss Granger. This book could be very dangerous in the wrongs hands.”

“Yes, Professor,” Hermione replied quickly, relieved to have the book back. Professor McGonagall turned to walk away, but Hermione had to know more. “Did Malfoy read it then?” she quickly asked.

Professor McGonagall gave her a perplexed look, then quickly said, “It was Mr. Weasley, I’m afraid. And, no, he did not read it.”

“Ron,” Hermione gasped in shock. She really had believed him when he said he didn’t have it. She could feel her face flushing with anger as she thought about him lying to her face.

“Don’t worry, Miss Granger. He’s been thoroughly punished, and I don’t think he will be stealing from you again anytime, soon.”

“Wh-wh-at?” Hermione asked. She suddenly realized that she had gotten Ron into trouble. As angry as she was with him, she hadn’t intended that.

“Paddled,” Professor McGonagall explained. “With his mother’s permission,” she quickly added.

Hermione’s mouth dropped. She couldn’t believe it. She had gotten Ron paddled! It was all her fault. Of course, Ron shouldn’t have stolen her schedule book, and he shouldn’t have lied about it, but . . . if she had known that Ron had it, she never would have told. She never wanted Ron in trouble . . . or hurt. If Professor McGonagall paddled him, his butt probably really hurt . . . and she had caused it!

The bell rang, and yet again students were flying past her. This time they were running to lunch. Hermione wasn’t hungry. All she could think about was poor Ron. She had to see him, had to apologize to him. She never wanted him paddled.

It wasn’t long before she found him. He was sitting at his usual seat at the Gryffindor table. “Ohhh, Ron,” she exclaimed as she rushed up to the table. “Are you all right?” she asked with genuine concern.

“I’m fine,” Ron grumbled, not even looking up at her.

“I’m sorry,” she whispered.

“It’s fine,” was his only reply, but his voice trembled slightly as he said it.

Hermione examined him closely and was shocked to see that his eyes were still red and watery. “Ron, I am so sorry,” she tried again.

“You didn’t have to tell, you know,” he complained. “I was going give it back; it was just a joke.”

“But I believed you when you said you didn’t have it. If I had known . . . I never would have told. Please believe me. I never meant to get you into trouble. Why didn’t you just give it back when I asked?”

Ron shrugged. “I don’t know,” he finally whispered.

“Did she hurt you too terribly much?” Hermione asked, thinking of how sore his bottom must be sitting on the hard benches. Ron only shrugged again. “Ohh, please don’t be angry, Ron. Think about it from my perspective, can’t you see why I told?”

Ron begrudgingly agreed that he understood.

“Come on, let’s go for a walk,” Hermione offered, taking his hand. “We can talk somewhere more private.” Ron shrugged and whispered okay; although he still seemed reluctant. “Let me make it up to you,” Hermione suggested. She leaned over and whispered into his ear, “I bet the dormitory is empty right now. And, I’ll let you get to second base.”

********

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