Tirza walked beside the road that ran from Hogwarts to Hogsmeade; she hoped that she'd be able to find it with out Oliver. She had never been there by herself. She pulled her pink scarf over her mouth and nose and pulled her pink hat as far down as she could without blocking her eyes. It was cold; it was very cold. "Cold 'nough to freeze your bones," Tirza thought aloud. She shifted her thoughts from the cold to what in the world she was going to do. She had a little wizard money and the rest of her mom's money, but together they would not be enough to take her to AJ's. She knew that AJ and her friend's mom and dad loved her like their own little girl; they had known about the mark ever since it happened and they didn't care. Before Tirza had come to live with her own dad, she had called AJ's dad Uncle Mike, but in her heart, she had called him daddy. She knew they'd let her live with them; there were the ones who had planned to adopt her if she hadn't come here. She wished that her dad had said no, or that he had been to sick to take care of her. Everything would be so much easier that way; the look in her dad's eyes and what he had said hurt so much. It was all too much for her little heart to bear. Tirza supposed that she'd have to get a job to make enough money; it would be easier to steal, but her mom had taught her that stealing was wrong. She thought about her mom, watching her from heaven, and grew even sadder. "Are you still sure that I wasn't bad? Daddy thinks so and he's so smart." She wanted to think that her mom could hear her, but didn't know for sure. She thought of Pa in the Little House books, how he made their houses all by himself. "Maybe I can make a house," she wondered aloud, than shook her head. "Stupid, course you can't make a damn house. You are so stupid, no wonder people don't like you!" she yelled at herself. "Or maybe like that girl in Island of the Dolphin," Tirza thought on that for a moment before shaking her head. "Nah, the dogs ate her brother and it would be just my luck that some big ass dogs would come and eat me up." She thought a while longer in silence as she realized that she was truly alone for the first time in her life. She didn't have anybody but herself. Tears started to well in her dark eyes, making her eyes sting from the cold air. More than anything, she wanted to sit on her dad's lap, drink hot chocolate, and have him read to her. But that wasn't going to happen, ever again. He didn't want her and she couldn't be where she wasn't wanted.

It seemed like she had been walking forever. The cold stung the small patches of her exposed skin and she was shivering inside her coat. Time seemed to pass so slowly, a moment lasting hours. She could hardly think straight, she was so cold and upset. But she hadn't been walking forever. It was really only a twenty minute walk from Hogwarts to Hogsmeade and she breathed a great sigh of relief when she reached the town. Tirza decided that her first mission should be to get warm! There were two places to get things to drink and she decided to go into whichever one was first; the first happened to be the Leaky Cauldron. She walked inside, instantly feeling slightly warmer. She made her way up to the tall stools at the front counter and dumped her bag on the floor. She looked around, she had never been in this place before, but she was too cold to care. Tirza, which slight difficulties, climbed up onto the stool. "What can I get for ya lass?" a man asked. "Do you have hot chocolate?" The man smiled. "Not many requests for that, but I am sure I can find some." Tirza smiled. "Goody! I'll take the biggest one." The man nodded and quickly prepared the requested drink. Tirza slowly sipped the drink, its warmth so very welcoming. She looked around the place, but didn't see anyone she knew. It was just as well; she wasn't in much of a mood to talk. After she finished her drink and paid for it, she bundled up again and headed outside. She caught sight of the ice cream parlor and the thought of a chocolate shake sounded really good; she could use some comfort food right now. But unfortunately comfort food would have to wait; first she needed a job. She crossed the street and entered the pet shop, the same one where she found Jinn Jinn. She suddenly missed Jinn Jinn very much, but figured the bunny would not have enjoyed the cold walk and she probably wouldn't have enough money to feed the bunny anyways and that just wouldn't be fair to Jinn Jinn.

At the pet store, the book store and the candy store Tirza was told she was much too little to work. She wanted to yell that she wasn't too little, but was so tired that she didn't really care. Her tummy rumbled and growled, reminding Tirza that it was past her usual supper time. She made her way to The Three Broomsticks and waved at Rosmerta. The owner/waitress (isn't that right?) came right over to where the little girl sat. "Hi sweetie, how are you?" Tirza smiled. She always visited with Rosmerta when she and Oliver came to Hogsmeade. "I'm okay. You got anything warm to eat? I'm gonna freeze to death!" Rosmerta laughed. "How about a nice steaming bowl of soup?" Tirza nodded. "Sounds yummy." Tirza began to take off all her winter gear and piled it on a chair with her bag. Rosmerta quickly returned with the soup. It was slow and she sat with the little girl. "So are you meeting your dad here?" Tirza shook her head. Rosmerta was a little confused. "Have Hogwarts students been granted extra Hogsmeade time?" Again, Tirza shook her head. "You mean you're here all by yourself?" "Yeah," Tirza said quietly. "And I need a job." Rosmerta laughed, than caught sight of the serious look on Tirza's face. "Alright dear, what's going on?" Tirza sighed and blinked her eyes several times to keep from crying. "I ran away; I need a job so I can get money to give live with my best friend." "Why did you run away?" Rosmerta asked softly. "Don't wanna talk about it. Do you have a job? I can wash dishes and wipe tables and bring people their food. I'd work really hard and be really good." Rosmerta thought carefully for a moment. If she did give Tirza a job, she could keep an eye on her and let Snape know where she was at. "Alright, I'll give you a job. Do you have a place to sleep?" Tirza shook her head and sipped her soup. "I have an extra room at my place, you can stay with me." Tirza smiled. "I'll pay rent," she offered. Rosmerta smiled. "Let's worry about that later. I'll put your things in the back; you finish your soup and than you can start, alright?" Just then, several customers came in; Rosmerta decided that she'd have to contact Snape later.

Snape looked at the clock on his wall. Tirza had been gone quite a while; he was concerned that she might get sick and knowing her, she wouldn't come in if she was having fun, even if she was freezing to death. Snape put on his heavy, long black coat and headed outside just as the Gryffindor quidditch players were finishing their practice. Oliver, who Madame Pompfrey had forbidden to fly for a few days, was standing and yelling things to the players. Snape didn't see Tirza on the ground and looked up at those flying, but Tirza was not among them. He started to feel very worried, but didn't think there was any real need to panic. "Mr. Wood, did Tirza head back inside?" Oliver looked slightly confused. "I don't know sir, I haven't seen her." "She came out here nearly two hours ago to watch the practice," Snape said. He turned and quickly ran back inside; Tirza hadn't been in their quarters, because that is where he had been. He checked with Madame Pince, the Fat Lady who guarded the entrance to the Gryffindor dorms and ended up back at his quarters. He went into her room, wondering where she was hiding. Perhaps she had been playing and had fallen asleep somewhere. He looked around her room and his eyes landed on her bed; Molly was missing. Molly always stayed on Tirza's bed so that the precious lion would not be lost; the only time Tirza carried the lion with her was when she had been a toddler. If Molly was missing, something was wrong. Snape thought back at her behavior since she had turned back to her normal self. She had been quiet, withdrawn and reluctant to be touched. What did it all mean? He began to dig through her things for clues; not only was Molly missing, but her mother's picture, the picture of him and Ariel in their school days, and all the muggle money. Further searching revealed that clothes and a blanket were missing. Suddenly all the pieces came together; Tirza was gone. She had run away. Snape ran from the room to Dumbledore's office.

He ran all the way there, and arrived at the headmaster's door quite out of breath. "She's gone; my baby's gone." Dumbledore shook his head. "Severus, whatever are you talking about?" Snape began to pace the office. "She packed things, she took her ridiculous lion, and she's gone. Gone!" "You think Tirza has run away?" "Isn't that what I just said?" Snape yelled. "Calm down Severus, yelling will not help us find her." Snape continued to pace. Why had she run away? What had been wrong? He should have asked more questions. He should have made her tell him. But most important of all, where was she? A thought hit Snape and he stopped dead in his tracks. "The forbidden forest," he whispered. Dumbledore was suddenly as worried as Severus, throwing the idea of calmness out the window. Both men paced the office. "Do you think she would go there?" Snape nodded. "She knows it's forbidden, but I've never told her why. And she'd probably think that it would be the perfect place to hide; bloody hell, she probably thinks she can build herself a house like on those damn TV programs of hers!" Both men felt cold and panicked at the thought of what a small, defenseless child could encounter. "I am going to get Hagrid, we'll have to search the forest," Snape decided. Dumbledore nodded; clearly there was a good chance that she would be there. With so much time having passed, she could have been seriously hurt or Merlin only knows what else. Snape ran from the room, heading for Hagrid's hut.

Tirza, wearing a large apron that almost dragged on the floor, carried dishes from a dirty table into the back. She grabbed a rag and returned to clean the table; she ran a hand across her forehead, wiping away the sweat. She was tired and hot, but it was still sort of fun. She still missed Snape, and was sure she would for a while, and missed Oliver too. She'd get over it though; she'd work hard and fast and get enough money to go to AJ's and than she'd never be lonely again. Than she would always have a family that loved her and cared for her, in spite of her mark. "How are you doing?" Rosmerta asked. "Kinda tired, but I'm having fun." "Here, take this to the gentleman in the blue robe," Rosmerta told her, handing her a mug of butter beer. Tirza nodded and brought ht mug over to the gentleman, than headed to clean another table.

"We'll meet back here in two hours, eleven o'clock, and will send up sparks if either of us runs into trouble." Hagrid nodded and clapped Snape's back with his large hand. "Don't worry Professor, we'll find her." Snape's face was even more glum and pale than usual. "I hope so." Hagrid, carrying his crossbow and a lantern, with fang by his side, went to the left; Snape, with his wand easily reachable, went to the right. Snape could hardly think straight, he was so worried about Tirza. Why hadn't he explained more fully the dangers of the forest? Why had he not watched her closely? But most important of all, was what had caused Tirza to run away in the first place. "TJ!" Hagrid called. "Tirza!" Snape called. He kept walking, holding his lantern up so he could see through the thick darkness of the forest. Sticks crunched under his shoes, but he didn't hear them. He was listening closely for the sound of Tirza's voice. He didn't understand why she'd want to run away; he had thought she was happy with him. Maybe she wasn't telling him everything. Snape shook his head and decided to reflect on things later; right now he had to pay attention to what he was doing. The forest was a dangerous place, especially at night; he had to find her. He wanted to feel positive, but he knew what lurked in these woods and what horrible things could happen to a small child. Suddenly an image of Tirza, lying on the dirty wood floor, her coat in shreds, lying in a pool of her own blood, covered with hideous scratches invaded his mind. He broke out in a cold sweat, his heart began to race and he felt like he could scarcely breathe. "Tirza!" he yelled. "Tirza!" He started walking faster and yelling louder; he'd never forgive himself if something had happened to her. He didn't really believe in a god, but started to pray to whatever ones might exist, begging them to protect his little girl, his precious baby, and to help him find her.

The Three Broomsticks closed at nine o'clock on Sundays and Tirza breathed a sigh of relief when the last customer left and Rosmerta locked the door. Rosmerta smiled at the little girl, who was obviously exhausted, but didn't complain. "Tired honey?" Tirza nodded. "There's not too much left to do; clean the tables and the last of the dishes and we can head home, alright?" "Okay, I'll do tables," Tirza told her. She grabbed a rag and began humming a song as she cleaned. 'How am I gonna do this every day? It could take forever to get to AJ's!' she thought. 'But there isn't anything else to do, I guess.' She continued to hum a song from Cinderella, but her heart just wasn't in it. She wanted to be at home; not home at AJ's, but home at Hogwarts. She missed her dad and wanted him to hold her and tell him he loved her. Her little heart grew heavy with sadness and loneliness; a knot formed in her stomach. She stopped singing and finished the tables quietly, trying hard not to think about Snape. After the dishes were clean, she followed Rosmerta down the road a little ways to her house. It was a small cottage, with two bedrooms, a bath and a small kitchen; it was decorated in a lot of delicate blue and smelled of lavender. Tirza breathed in the lavender scent and sighed. "I think I'm going to like it here," she announced, stifling a yawn. "You should go to bed, you look dead tired," Rosmerta said. Tirza nodded and was escorted into a small bedroom. "Do you have everything you need?" Rosmerta asked. "Yeah, I'm good." Tirza pulled Molly from the bag and hugged her tight. "What about nightclothes?" Tirza rolled her eyes. "I forgot about jammies; I can sleep in my clothes." Rosmerta shook her head. "I think I have something you could borrow." She left Tirza in the bedroom and returned a few minutes later with a long nightgown, which she shrunk with her wand for the little girl. "You're really nice; thanks for the job," Tirza said. She crawled into the bed and yawned again. Rosmerta sat down and brushed a curl from the girl's face. "You're a sweet girl; can I ask you something?" The little girl nodded, her black curls dancing. "Why did you run away? I thought you were happy at Hogwarts?" A sad look came over Tirza's face and tears formed in her eyes, dangerously close to spilling. "I was happy," she said quietly. "Than why leave?" Rosmerta inquired. A few tears slid down Tirza's cheek and she hurriedly wiped them away. "I... have a mark, a bad mark. My dad saw it and now he doesn't like me anymore. He told Dumbledore he was going to send me away, so I left." Rosmerta became concerned; what kind of a mark did the child mean? Was she hurt? "Can I see the mark, Tirza?" "No!" Tirza replied quickly. "I don't want anybody else to see it." Rosmerta nodded. "Alright; you sleep well." Tirza said goodnight as Rosmerta shut off the light and left the room, closing the door behind her.

Rosmerta waited until Tirza was asleep, which wasn't long, than went to her fireplace. She wanted to contact Snape and let him know where Tirza was; she wished she had had a chance earlier, but later was better than never. (Okay people, I don't remember how they use the fireplace exactly to contact each other, so I'm kinda making this up as I go along!) She took a handful of floo powder from a box on top of the mantle and put it in the fire place. "Professor Snape, Hogwarts!" she yelled. A whooshing noise was heard; when it stopped Snape should be able to hear her. "Snape! Are you there?" she waited a moment, but received no answer. "Snape! It's Rosmerta!" She waited, than called several more time. When she was sure that Snape wasn't there, she took another handful of floo powder and put it in the fireplace. "Dumbledore, Hogwarts!" She called. Again the whooshing and than silence. "Professor Dumbledore!" Rosmerta called. "Yes, who is this?" the ancient voice answered. "This is Rosmerta! I was trying to find Snape and let him know that Tirza is here with me at my home!" Dumbledore felt a huge sigh of relief. "Is she alright?" "Yes, she is fine!" Rosmerta replied. "Keep her, there, I am coming to get her!" The communication ended and Dumbledore left his office. He found McGonagall and asked her to go and see if she could get a hold of Severus or Hagrid and let them know what was going on. Grabbing a long winter coat, Dumbledore lifted the wards from his office fireplace and with a dusting of floo powder, tumbled out into Rosmerta's living room.

"Professor, I never expected you to come by floo," Rosmerta commented. Dumbledore grunted as he got up off the floor. "That will be my last trip by floo, I assure you." Rosmerta smiled. "Tirza is sleeping in my spare room. She didn't want to talk much about why she ran away; all she would say was that she had some kind of mark that Snape saw and he thinks he doesn't like her because of it." Dumbledore frowned. "Did she let you look at the mark?" Rosmerta shook her head. "I'll have Poppy check on her when we return to Hogwarts." Dumbledore quietly opened the door of Rosmerta's spare room; Tirza lay on her side, curls drenching the pillow, sound asleep. Dumbledore went to her and gently shook her shoulder. "Tirza dear, wake up." Tirza's eye popped open and a look of surprise came over her face. "Grandpa, what are you doing here?"

There had been no sign of her yet and the two hours was almost up. Snape was frantic with worry; he was sure that his fast beating heart would soon stop from exhaustion. He was cold and tired, but he didn't even notice. He continued to call Tirza's name, his voice becoming hoarse from so much yelling. Snape heard a large noise behind him and turned, his wand drawn. There was nothing there. As he turned back to continue, something jumped on him, pushing him over. He didn't have time to react with his wand before he hit the ground and everything went black.

"But won't we be cold walking back to Hogwarts?" Dumbledore shook his head. "If you get too cold dear, I will cast a warming spell on you." Tirza nodded and finished bundling up. She waved goodbye to Rosmerta and followed Dumbledore from the cottage. "I am so relieved to find you safe," he told her as they walked. "As your father will be when he returns." Tirza raised an eyebrow. "Here did he go?" "Into the Forbidden Forest; he and Hagrid have been searching there for you. This was a very foolish thing you have done; your father has been in an absolute panic and is now braving the woods to look for you." Tirza shrugged. "Why? It's not like he cares." Dumbledore was stunned; he had never heard her speak this way. "Of course he cares! Do you think he would go into the forest, where there are many dangers, if he did not care for you? He loves you child." "I don't believe you," she replied quietly. "Your father loves you deeply my dear, as do I; which is why neither of us understand what you did today. I must say that when your father finds you safe and is relieved, he might also be a bit upset that you have caused so much worry, especially if you do not have a good reason why." She sighed. "Are you mad at me Grandpa?" Dumbledore was silent for a moment. "I am not upset with you, but I am disappointed. If you felt that you needed to leave, you could have come to me, instead of disappearing. We have been extremely worried; even thinking that you might be dead or kidnapped." Tirza felt guilty for the first time since leaving; she hadn't thought about Grandpa worrying. "I'm sorry," she whispered. Dumbledore stopped at picked her up, hugging her tight, than continued walking with her in his arms. "Just promise me that you will not run away again; always come find me if you feel like doing this again. Do I have your promise?" Tirza nodded and kissed his cheek. "And you need to speak with your father about thinking that he doesn't like you." "Maybe," she replied. "Are you gonna ground me or something?" Dumbledore shook his head. "No dear; however, if you do this again..." Tirza's eyes widened. "What would you do?" she whispered. Dumbledore looked her in the eyes. "You do not want to know." He than winked and she giggled.

Hagrid was waiting at his hut as Snape had asked; it was now 11:15. Snape was never late; something must be wrong. He waited ten more minutes, than went back in the forest, this time calling for Snape. He walked slowly, looking for signs of Snape. He went farther into the forest and Fang began to whine. Fang took off running and stopped several feet ahead. Hagrid followed him and found Snape; his head was bleeding, there were scratches on his chest and arms, his shirt in shreds. "Professor Snape," Hagrid said, trying to shake the man awake. Snape did not wake and Hagrid picked up the man and went as fast as he could go for Hogwarts.

Tirza was sleeping peacefully wearing her own jammies and holding Molly, snuggled into Dumbledore's bed. She couldn't stay in the dungeons by herself, so Dumbledore had tucked the tired girl into his bed, more than happy to sleep on his large and comfortable couch until Snape returned. He was not sleeping yet and he wouldn't until Snape and Hagrid were out of the forest. Dumbledore knew of the dangers that lurked in the darkness and was very worried for the two men. There was suddenly a loud banging on his chamber door and Tirza screamed. She flew from the bedroom, into his arms as Dumbledore opened the door. "Professor Snape's been hurt! I took him to Madame Pompfrey, I think you better come!" Tirza started to cry as Dumbledore carried her to the hospital wing. Her cries increased as they entered; Snape was lying in a hospital bed, his head wrapped in a bandage. "I killed him! I killed him! It's all my fault!" she shouted. Dumbledore sat in the chair beside Snape's bed and Tirza buried her face in the kind wizard's shoulder. The nurse came right over and rubbed the little girl's back. "No dearie, your father will be just fine. Healed his scratches up real nice, he can be released tomorrow." Tirza lifted her tear stained face. "He's not dead?" Poppy shook her head. "No, he cut his head and lost consciousness, but he's not dead. He'll be right as rain, I promise." Tirza nodded and blew a kiss in Snape's direction. "He should be waking any time headmaster; you're welcome to wait if you wish." "Please?" Tirza added. Dumbledore nodded and settled the little girl on his lap. Tirza watched Snape intently, eagerly awaiting him to wake. Dumbledore suddenly thought of the mark that Rosmerta had mentioned. "Poppy, Tirza has some sort of mark that she is rather concerned about." Tirza's eyes went wide. "Let me take a look at it dear," the nurse said. Tirza shook her head. "No, its okay, I'm okay." Poppy smiled. "Come now dear, do not be upset." Tirza shook her head again. "Tirza, I think Poppy should look at your mark," Dumbledore prodded.

Snape's eyes popped open and he looked at Tirza. Relief at her safety flooded over him. "My baby, you're safe," he said quietly. Tirza turned at looked at him. "Daddy, you're okay?" He nodded. "Of course I am." Poppy allowed Tirza to give him a hug and Snape smothered her in his arms and with his kisses before Tirza was ushered back to Dumbledore. "Where were you?" "I walked to Hogsmeade. Rosmerta gave me a job and was gonna let me stay with her, than Grandpa came." Anger flashed in Snape's eyes. "You ran away? To Hogsmeade?" Tirza nodded quietly. "Rosmerta mentioned that Tirza told her of a mark and I was attempting to persuade Tirza to allow Poppy to look at it," Dumbledore added. Snape was now very angry. He had been looking all over for her, worrying himself nearly to death, going into the forest and the whole time she had been in Hogsmeade? "Headmaster, my daughter has no marks on her body currently that I am aware of. However, once I am able to get out of this bed, she will have to glowing red marks on her bottom when I am through with her." Tirza, standing beside Dumbledore, went pale and her hands flew back and covered her bottom. "Daddy, you're not really gonna spank me are you?" she asked very quietly, hardly daring to look at him. "Oh yes I am; this was a very foolish and naughty thing to do, making everyone worry and Hagrid and I risk our lives while you were off playing. Your behavior has most certainly earned you a good old-fashioned spanking!" Snape shouted. "Severus, you calm yourself and lay back down!" Poppy ordered. Snape rolled his eyes, but did lean back against the pillows. Tirza was looking extremely nervous. "Daddy?" she whispered. "What's an old-fashioned spanking mean?" Snape looked at her sternly. "It means, young lady that you will be over my knee with your bottom bared." Tirza started to cry; not only was she going to be spanked, but he would see her mark again! "You know that I love you Tirza, but this was not a funny thing and you need to understand that." Tirza continued to cry miserably, sinking onto the floor. She couldn't let him see the mark again! Why did he even care after seeing it? Dumbledore scooped her up of the floor and she cried onto his shoulder. "She is staying in my chambers with me tonight; I will come and check on you in morning." Snape nodded and Dumbledore carried the nearly hysterical Tirza from the room.

After an announcement that Potions would be cancelled for a few days until Professor Snape was well, and after finishing his breakfast, Dumbledore headed to the hospital wing. "That man is the worst patient I have ever had!" Poppy fumed to the headmaster. Dumbledore chuckled and sat in the chair next to Snape's bed. "How are you Severus?" "No stitches needed on my head, no internal damage; just superficial scrapes. I was very lucky." "Yes, you were," Dumbledore mused. "Will you be released soon?" Snape nodded and indicated the tray in front of him. "As soon as I finish eating, Poppy says I may go." Snape frowned. "And where is the little runaway?" "In your chambers, playing with her dollhouse the last I checked," Dumbledore replied. "Might I make a suggestion?" Snape nodded and Albus continued. "I think there is a reason why Tirza ran away. She wouldn't tell me, but she might tell you. I think something is worrying her; she mentioned that she didn't know why you cared that she was gone." Snape raised an eyebrow. "She knows better than that." Dumbledore shook her head. "Perhaps; but perhaps you should make sure that she does before you do anything... drastic." The corner of Snape's mouth twitched and he fought to hide a smile. "Headmaster, am I correct to think that you believe my spanking Tirza may be a mistake?" "Well, yes," Dumbledore replied. Snape rolled his eyes. "You always have been incredibly lenient Albus; it is especially evident with Potter." "I am only making a suggestion Severus; she is your child and you must do what you think best." Snape nodded and Dumbledore left him in peace to finish his meal. With a warning to try and rest for the next few days, Poppy released him; Snape left the hospital wing and strode toward his chambers to deal with his daughter/

A/N: Dun dun dun! Another cliffhanger! LOL! This chapter turned out a lot longer than planned, but I am sure that you all won't mind. I was fully intent on sending Tirza into the Forbidden forest before I read Alrick's last review. It was her idea for Tirza to go into Hogsmeade and get a job with Rosmerta and Rosmerta contact Dumbledore and even the "two glowing red mark" was a direct quote from her! Everyone give Alrick a hand for her wonderful ideas! But now the question is, what will Snape do? Will he take Dumbledore's advice? I have this next chapter already planned, so unless I get a really excellent suggestion, all I have to do is type it. Stay tuned to find out what Snape decides!

Alrick: Again, such wonderful ideas! Mary, where do you come up with this? And what would I do without you? LOL! I love taking your ideas and writing them into the story and I hope you enjoy the way I use them. Keep the good ideas coming! Any opinions on what Snape should do? Like I said, I know what I am planning, but I'd like to hear your take on the situation. Love ya!

AlexGray: I try to keep an eye on the typos, but some of them slip past, nasty things! I hope you will enjoy every moment of this long chapter, as you did the last!

Miss. Know-It-All: Thank you for your compliment! That means a lot to me! I hope you will keep reading and enjoying the story!

Potter-Snape: Eventually she will understand that Snape doesn't care about her past and that he loves her to pieces. Will that happen when Snape returns to his chambers? You'll have to wait and see!

Luinthoron: You'll find out what exactly Snape and Albus were talking about soon, most likely in the next chapter. Thanks again for your faithful reviews!

Much love to all! Kerry