B is for Bigfoot

B is for Bigfoot is a short story in the The Dresden Files series by Jim Butcher. It is set between Ghoul Goblin and Grave Peril. It was included in the anthology Under My Hat: Tales From the Cauldron.

Plot
Harry Dresden is hired by the Bigfoot Strength of a River in His Shoulders to help his teenage son Irwin Pounder. When Dresden talks to Irwin's mother, Dr. Carol Pounder, she tells him that Irwin has been showing up with injuries but refusing to tell her how he had been hurt. Dresden guesses that he's being bullied by another student. Dr. Pounder wants Harry to find out who has been hurting her son and has arranged for him to stand in for the school janitor.

The next day, Harry shows up at Irwin's prestigious private school. Over lunch, he watches as a couple of boys harass Irvin at his lunch table and a teacher (Coach Pete) marches in to punish Irwin with detention for the ensuing mess. Harry soon realizes that the bullies are also Scions, and the coach is their Svartalf protector. The "Coach" warns him that if Harry tries to interfere with the boys, then he will be slain.

During detention, Harry gives a quick talk to Irwin about the need to fight back, but Irwin is unwilling to risk hurting others. The boys come and Irwin tries to talk them out of violence, but is ignored and quickly overpowered. Harry is prevented from helping by the Svartalf as the boys beat Irwin. However, Irwin works up his courage and physically intimidates the bullies without hurting them. After, he asks Harry if he "did good". When Harry is supportive, he asks Harry for a favour: the next time Harry sees Strength of a River in his Shoulders, could he tell him Irving did good?

Characters

 * Harry Dresden
 * Strength of a River in his Shoulders
 * Dr. Carol Pounder
 * Irwin Pounder