The remaining days of August seemed to fly by and suddenly become time for school supplies shopping. New books and equipment would be needed for Tirza's second year, and Diagon Alley was the best place to find them!
"Woo hoo shopping, shopping!" Tirza exclaimed as she bounded into the kitchen. This was the day she and Severus would shop for supplies, and she was incredibly excited to start classes again.
"Best be careful you don't become a book worm like Hermione," Severus teased her.
"Stop bouncing child and sit and eat will you? I slaved for a whole 10 minutes making this breakfast for you."
Tirza grinned at his good-natured jokes, which still surprised her friends. "Alright I'm sitting, hold your horses." She slid into her seat and dished up a plate of scrambled eggs and french toast.
"An interesting expression I must say, considering I have no horses and most people whom you address that too probably don't either," Severus quipped back. He was rewarded with rolling eyes as Tirza drizzled syrup across her entire plate.
"Lovely; I should have remembered you enjoy drowning this particular breakfast in that sugary liquid. Save a slight bit for me!" Severus snatched the bottle from her hands. "Merlin, you do not need the entire bottle of syrup on one helping Tirza!"
She giggled. "Yes I do, sugar is a great way to start the day!" Tirza continued to giggle as Severus emitted an audible groan. "So what all are we getting at Diagon Alley besides books? Can I get new robes? I might have grown some!"
His answer was delayed until he had swallowed the bite of toast in his mouth. "We will be getting many things, but some of your books from first year are also the required texts for this year. We won't buy those new, but yes we will get you new school robes."
Severus really doubted Tirza had grown more then three inches since arriving almost two years ago. He chose not to say that out loud though.
"Yippy!" Tirza squealed. "I love buying all my stuff for school, it's so much fun!" Unlike some of the younger students, she was not worried about being away from home and family. Tirza was lucky in that her family, Severus, came with her and that her very first home with him had been the school itself.
Soon enough the two found themselves flooing to Diagon Alley. Tirza never ceased to be amazed and delighted by Diagon Alley and all its unique wizard shops, which made school shopping all the more fun.
Severus handed her the list of supplies. "Lead the way dear, whichever shop you want to buy from first." He stood beside her in the busy alley as she looked over the list.
"I can use my transfiguration book," Tirza told him, pointing to where A Beginner's Guide to Transfiguration by Emeric Switch was listed. "Bummer, a lot of my books can be reused!" Dark Forces: A Guide to Self-Protection by Quentin Trimble, A History of Magic by Bathilda Bagshott and Magical Drafts and Potions by Arsenius Jigger were all books from her first year.
"That's why the books are so thick Tirza. There is no way to get through the entire book in just one year if they are that size. Didn't you wonder why the finals only covered half the book?" Severus informed her.
She nodded. "I hadn't thought of that. That's pretty cool then! I just didn't want to do the exact same stuff all over again!"
Severus chuckled and wrapped an arm around her shoulders. "No dear, Hogwarts does not try to kill its students with boredom by repeating their first year courses." He winked at her when she giggled. "You do however need The Standard Book of Spells Grade 2 for Charms and One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi for my class. There isn't a Herbology text listed, so I assume that most of your classes in Greenhouse 3 will be practical lessons and note taking."
"Probably. I like Herbology; it's not as bad as it might be! I wonder what all we'll get to do," Tirza wondered aloud as they headed inside Flourish and Blotts bookshop.
Severus was relieved that the store, while crowded, wasn't filled to capacity like the year before when Lockhart had been signing his books during the usual shopping week for Hogwarts students.
"Potions should be off to the right there," he directed Tirza.
"Thanks." She had a hard time seeing the signs on the shelves over the crowd of tall people in front of her. "You stay here, I can squeeze better dad."
He watched as she dashed between people, slipping easily in and out and over to the appropriate area. Moments later she made her way back with the book.
"Which way is spells at? Or is it listed under charms?"
"Under spells," Severus replied. "Straight in front of us, it's the second large book case." Again he watched, and even chuckled out loud, as Tirza dodged and weaved around the crowd to find her book.
"Eventually we'll find the register," Tirza giggled. "Start us out in the right direction dad. I hope the line won't be too long!"
"Same here, we've more shops to visit today, but sometimes even with magic things go slowly."
The lines went faster then both of them expected and after paying 13 sickles for the books, Severus and Tirza made their way outside. "I know your list indicates a potion making kit and some ingredients, and I know for a fact you need a new cauldron, so let's go there next," he reminded her.
Tirza took his hand, and grinned up at him before squeezing his hand gently. "I like spending time with you," she told him softly.
Severus smiled at her while squeezing her hand back as well. "And I enjoy all my time with you," was his sincere answer. "Now into the shop and we'll get what you need."
With everything finally out of the way except new school robes, it was time for an ice cream break. "You can order what you like, just do not get sick on me," Severus told her as they entered Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlor.
"I won't!" Tirza assured him excitedly. "I would like 3 scoops of strawberry ice cream in a bowl please, with some hot fudge and whip cream over the top."
"I'll have the same," Severus decided. "I would like a few cherries added to the top of mine as well."
"Oh me too please!"
"Alright, cherries for us both," he told the worker. He paid the bill of six sickles and four knuts while Tirza bounded off to choose a table. "Don't forget napkins!" Severus called after her.
The worker smiled at him and made their treats. "Here you go Professor Snape, have a nice day."
Severus, still rather unused to showing the side of him that wasn't all bark and bite, coughed a little. "And to you," he finally replied with a slight inclination of his head. The young man beamed back at him as Severus walked away.
"That guy is really grinning, you must have been awfully nice dad," Tirza noticed as he joined her at a booth. "I'm proud of you!"
Rolling his eyes, Severus ruffled her hair a bit. "Hush you and eat your ice cream before I claim it." Giggling, she dug in with her spoon as Severus did the same. Though he made light of it, he was actually glad that she noticed his small efforts to try and not be a bear in public with her, and that she appreciated them.
"Can we buy Jinn Jinn a treat?" she asked halfway through her ice cream.
"Yes, I suppose she deserves a little something too. She hasn't eaten on a single one of books this summer, for which I am very grateful," Severus told her.
"Good! She's grown up now, two human years old."
Severus nodded and ate his last spoonful. "As soon as you are done, we'll get your robes and then find a treat at the Magical Menagerie for your rabbit."
"I think I'm all packed. We brought almost everything from the chambers after last year, so I don't think I have anything there I'll need," Tirza announced the afternoon before the train ride to Hogwarts.
"Do you have your things that you'll want in the chambers but don't want in the dorms?" Severus asked. He frowned a bit as she flopped onto the couch, rolling his eyes when she merely giggled. "It would serve you right if someday the couch broke under you."
Tirza continued to laugh, but sat down beside Severus more gently this time. "Wouldn't be the same if I didn't do it every once in a while," she countered. "You'd miss it and you know it!"
Severus wrapped an arm around her shoulders. "Are you sure you are entirely ready for the train tomorrow back to school?" He watched her hair float around her shoulders as she nodded.
"Yep, I have everything! Do you have everything dad?"
"I do. Ready for classes to start again?" He grew curious at seeing her frown slightly before answering.
"Yes and no. Yes because I like school and I like having a room with Ginny and Maddie and all my Gryffindor friends hanging out together. But kinda no too, because sometimes classes are just really hard and I never want to get bad marks and have you be disappointed, or make you look bad," Tirza answered him honestly.
"Sometimes there's a lot of pressure on me, you know? Not only am I a Gryffindor, but also my dad is head of Slytherin house and Potions Master. So I feel like I need to do really good in things for my house, but then sometimes we show up Slytherin house.
Plus, I'm supposed to automatically do well in your class, because you are the teacher, and it looks really bad if I don't!"
"I'm not the one putting all that pressure on you, am I?" Severus asked quietly. He was very relieved when she shook her head no. "Then what gives you these ideas?"
She shrugged. "Just things I think sometimes. There are times when it's hard to be the daughter of Severus Snape, but that's mostly because of how rotten the Slytherins are, and only a little bit about you and how you roar around in class."
Tirza took a deep breath. "There are a few people who make rude comments every so often. Like maybe I'm not really your daughter because I was put in Gryffindor and not your house."
Severus sighed deeply. "Obviously whoever said that doesn't have good vision because you look a lot like me. Only more feminine and pretty of course, where as I look more like…"
"A vampire?" Tirza offered with a soft giggle. Severus responded with a playful growl and tickled her for a few moments.
"I'm sorry people say things sometimes to you, about being my child," he told her when they settled down. "I however am delighted to claim you as mine, no matter what house you may be in you are still my flesh and blood."
"I know I am dad," she replied with a tight hug. "And I'm glad to be, no matter what."
King's Cross station was busy as usual. No platform however was as busy as 9 ¾ was. Hogwarts students, trying to appear normal, were waiting almost in a line to get through onto the platform without alerting the muggles around them.
"Go through and I'll follow," Severus instructed Tirza quietly. "Remember not to be nervous and you'll get through just fine."
"Take Jinn Jinn with you dad to the school, please? Just put her in my room, she won't like the train."
He took the small rabbit carrier from her and held it carefully. "Alright I will, now scoot." Tirza grinned and passed through to the platform, with Severus right behind her.
"Look, the Weasleys are here already!" Tirza exclaimed, hurrying over with her cart to join them.
"Tirza dear!" Molly exclaimed, hugging her tightly. The young girl grinned and when released hugged Arthur as well.
"Hullo Severus," Arthur greeted him with an outstretched hand. Severus nodded politely and shook his hand.
"You look well, and all the children are still alive I see," he chuckled.
"Indeed they are, and not even running late this time," Molly replied with a grin. "Do you have everything you need dear? Socks and uniform and books and such?"
"Yes Molly, I do, promise! Dad already asked me all the same things this morning," Tirza assured her.
"Good good. Best that you all get on the train now, there's just ten minutes to spare," Molly hurriedly hugged them all, even Harry and Tirza. Arthur hugged both girls then Tirza turned to Severus and hugged him tightly about the waist.
"See you later dad," she smiled and blew him as kiss as she ran with Ginny onto the train.
Severus gave a soft sigh as Tirza disappeared inside the train. "Hm, what are you thinking of?" Molly inquired.
"How odd it is," Severus replied after a moments thought. "To be sending her off on the train again. That her entire first year has already passed. Time goes much too fast Molly."
The woman nodded in understanding. "Yes it does. Just two years earlier, I was sending my youngest son to school. Last year, I sent my only daughter. This year, I am not sending anyone new to the school. All my children are growing up, Harry too."
"Yes, soon some more will leave the nest and give us a little peace," Arthur teased Molly.
"Hush!" she scolded with a laugh. "You know they are welcome to stay as long as they like! They don't have to go off right away like Bill and Charlie."
Severus smiled at them both as they bantered about the children while leaving the station. He wondered when Tirza would think it was time to leave the nest, and felt a pang in his heart. Maybe he never wanted her to leave the nest! Severus knew he couldn't keep her forever with him, but he would at least try!
Tirza watched the sorting ceremony with great interest, having been too nervous about her own turn to really watch closely. "This is so neat, being second years," she whispered to Ginny.
Her redheaded friend nodded. "It definitely is. It's different! We're older now and we get to learn new things and have new classes."
"Professor Lupin is back," Maddie grinned. "He's the greatest DADA teacher ever I think. Loads of the older kids say that too."
"Yeah, he rocks," Tirza chimed in. "Best teacher ever!"
"Better then your dad's teaching, eh?" George leaned over to ask.
She cocked an eyebrow and looked pensive. "No, not better, not really. I think just different. Different like styles because they are different people."
The Weasley twins shrugged, grinned at her, and dug into the food as it finally appeared in front of them.
Supper flew by in a flash, everyone talking and catching up together on what they'd done that summer. Supper was followed by everyone scattering to his or her dorms. Tirza, Ginny and Maddie, arm in arm skipped down a hallway as they headed for Gryffindor.
"I say lets get on our pjs and look at some magazines and things in our room before we go to bed, huh?" Maddie suggested.
"Excellent! I've got loads," Tirza admitted. "Ginny's got a stash too!"
"Yeah, mostly Teen Witch ones," Ginny replied. "A got a subscription for it for my birthday gift from mum and dad. They give all sorts of advice on things, like pimples and acne. Either of you get acne yet?"
Maddie and Tirza shook their heads. "Not yet, I think they don't come until you're 13 or something, but I'm not sure," Maddie told them.
"We could ask Hermione and some of the others. Lets invite them to our room and share the magazines and things," Tirza offered.
"MIONE!" Maddie called over to her waving her hand wildly. Ginny and Tirza giggled, but Hermione just grinned and hurried over.
"What is it?" The third-year girl asked, a large book of some sort tucked under her arm.
"We wanted to invite you to talk about pimples," Ginny giggled. At Hermione's confused look, Tirza spoke up.
"She means invite you and some other girls to look at magazines with us in our room. Lavender and Parvati and you."
"That sounds great. Let me tell them and we'll meet you in your room! Rather like a pj party!" They watched as Hermione sped off to grab Lavender and Parvati.
Tirza bounded over to their dorm room door when the girls knocked. "Hi!" she squealed, opening the door wide. Hermione hurried in, pulling Lavender with her, while Parvati was a bit more timid.
"You ok?" Maddie asked Parvati.
"You three won't tell anyone will you?" Parvati pointed to a blanket she had brought with her. "My mum made it for me when I was really little and I always snuggle with it at night, and I sleep with it still."
"Course not," Ginny assured her. "I still sleep with my rabbit."
"I've got a blanket, I always hide it in my pillow."
"And I've still got molly that I sleep with," Tirza added. "It's safe with us."
Parvati grinned and joined the circle of pillows and blankets the younger girls had pulled from their beds to provide a cozy place to sit and lay and browse the magazines together.
"Ewwww periods," Ginny exclaimed, pointing out an article. "Those are SO gross, I'm glad I don't have mine yet!"
Lavender blushed. "I've got mine. And yeah, it is gross, but there's a good potion that helps with cramps."
"I do too, and I use that potion a lot. Plus I use muggle things called heating pads," Hermione added.
"What's a period?" Tirza looked confused.
"It's some sort of bleeding thing that you get once a month because you aren't pregnant," Maddie offered. "At least I think it is."
"Something like that. I don't have mine yet, but mum said it's the first part of being a woman," Parvati spoke up.
"Weird. Maybe I should ask my dad…"
Hermione shook her head no. "Don't ask your dad! It makes dad's terribly embarrassed, they hate talking about it or thinking about it."
Tirza sighed. "Who should I ask then?"
"My mum," Ginny offered. "She would tell you."
"Or McGonagall…"
"Or Poppy, she's a nurse and she knows all about body things."
"I guess I'll have to ask one of them then, I don't want to embarrass dad," Tirza giggled.
"My mum announced this summer that she was taking me shopping for a bra and my dad choked on his breakfast!" Hermione told them, laughing hard.
"Ooh, I bet he got all red!" Tirza laughed. At least she knew what bras were! "Poor dad if he has to be the one that takes me bra shopping someday!"
The girls dissolved into giggles and turned over to a new article, staying up and talking until nearly 10 p.m. before all heading to their beds.
Meanwhile, Severus Snape, sitting in his office and finishing the lesson plans for the next day, was absolutely refusing to admit that he was feeling lonely without Tirza's noisy presence…