"Dear Mr. Snape. Hello to you, and allow me to introduce myself; I'm
Christine Logan and I am sure that you've heard all about my daughter, Amy.
My family was very pleased to get the letter from Tirza; my daughter
insisted that you had killed her and hid her body inside a wall." Snape
chuckled, remembering that Tirza said her little friend would think that.
"Children, they get such crazy ideas sometimes! I hope that you and Tirza
are getting along well together; I know she was very worried before she
left. My family would like to extend an invitation for you to come and
visit. We have just moved into a house and have a guest room that would be
perfect for you two. We thought perhaps the last week of Christmas break;
if you don't have any plans for Christmas, you're welcome to spend that
with us too. There is also some things of Ariel's still in storage that you
and Tirza might want to go through; we couldn't send everything with Tirza.
Give Tirza our love; I hope she enjoys the gifts! Please write back and let
us know if you will be coming to visit! Sincerely, Chris, Michael and AJ
Logan." Snape sat down in the arm chair, still holding the letter. He
hadn't given much thought to Christmas; he always stayed here at the school
to help supervise the children that didn't go home. He didn't know these
people, these Logans, but he knew that Tirza would love to see them.
Perhaps it wouldn't be so bad to venture to the US and see them during the
break. The sound of giggles interrupted his thoughts and he looked over at
Tirza and Hermione. "Daddy look!" Tirza held up a brown teddy bear in a
blue shirt much like the ones on her 'Star Trek' show. "It's a Spock bear,
isn't it cute!" She held up another brown bear in a red shirt. "And a
Scotty bear, too!" He smiled. "That's very nice dear." A nightie with a
picture of Sleeping Beauty under the sleeping spell with the words
'Princess of Sleep' underneath, as well as a photo album with Sleeping
Beauty came out of the boxes. Hermione helped her to bring everything to
her room and the girls pulled out Tirza's box of play clothes.
Snape glanced up at the clock, it was nearly eight. He knocked on Tirza's door. "Don't come in, we're changing!" Tirza shouted. A few minutes later, Tirza poked her head out the door and Hermione's head poked out underneath. "Wuz up man?" "I am going to collect the culprits from this morning and deal with them in my office. I don't want you to leave here, alright?" Tirza frowned. "Can't I come and watch?" Snape shook his head. "Can I listen from the classroom?" Snape thought for a moment; she did deserve to hear what happened to them after what they did to her, it wouldn't really hurt to allow her even up the score a little bit. "Alright, but I want you to be quiet." Tirza smiled. "Can Hermione come?" Snape rolled his eyes. "No." "I should go anyways; will you tell me all about it tomorrow?" Hermione asked. Tirza nodded happily. They ducked back into her room to change into regular clothes. Tirza bid Hermione goodbye and went to wait in Snape's classroom as Snape went to collect the culprits. Eight very nervous kids followed Snape to his office and stood in front of the very angry professor. "Now having reviewed the incident, I found out that Pansy, Millicent, Thomas and Devin did nothing more than be at the scene. Students are, however, forbidden from entering the Shrieking Shack, so none of you will be without punishment." None of the kids said anything, not wanting to make things worse for themselves. "I am taking twenty points each and Hogsmeade privileges for two months from Pansy, Thomas, Millicent and Devin, as well as a month of detentions every night with Filch. I do not want to hear of any of you going into the shack again, is that clear?" The four named individuals nodded. "Then go," Snape said, sending them scurrying from the room. "And now for the rest of you." Snape glared darkly at Draco, Marcus, Crabbe and Goyle; Marcus was the only one who didn't look frightened. "Crabbe and Goyle, I happen to know that you participated in restraining my daughter, as well as going into the Shrieking Shack." Both boys nodded. "You will also be losing your Hogsmeade privileges for two months, you will make a formal apology to my daughter, and you will serve detention with Filch every night for two months. You are dismissed." Crabbe and Goyle, feeling lucky that they didn't get expelled or suspended, ran from the room.
Tirza listened with much interest as her father began lecturing, no yelling, at Marcus and Draco. She giggled softly as she remembered Draco's spanking from this morning. "You both are lucky that you are not being expelled. I will be owling your parents and notifying them of what happened and what corrective measures were taken. You both deserve a caning, which is exactly what Mr. Flint will receive. Mr. Flint will also not be on the quidditch team for the rest of the school year." Marcus opened his mouth to protest, but Snape held up his hand, silencing him. "Do not think that Mr. Malfoy will be getting away scott free. He was the only one of you that I was able to catch earlier and he received a spanking at the scene of the crime and will receive another in place of the caning before leaving this office as well as three months of nightly detention with Filch." Draco's face burned red with embarrassment at the mention of the earlier spanking and shivered at what his father would say when he found out. Marcus was finally starting to look upset, having never been caned. Snape retrieved the cane from his desk. "Alright Mr. Flint, unless you can think of any reasonable arguments that are not self-serving lies, we shall begin." Marcus said nothing, but he became deathly pale. Even though Marcus deserved it, Tirza couldn't help but cringe as she heard her father give him ten hard strokes; she was certainly glad she wasn't the one in such big trouble! It certainly served Marcus right when he started pleading after five strokes but was ignored; now he knew how she had felt earlier! Snape put down the cane, and glared at Marcus, feeling he had done his job well. He had waited long enough after the incident that his temper was under control and he did not have to worry about overdoing it. "Now Mr. Flint, you may stay until Draco's punishment is over, or you may leave now." He doubted that the boy heard him, as he was paying more attention to rubbing his raw bottom than anything else. Snape sat in his desk chair and glared at Draco. "Come here," he ordered. Draco vehemently shook his head. "You can't spank me again! That's not fair!" Draco's hands covered his bottom protectively, as he still felt the after effects of his earlier encounter with the potions mater's hand. Snape glared at him. "A spanking or a caning over what you received earlier; your choice Mr. Malfoy." Draco was trapped; there was not way out of this. And unless he wanted his father to come and cane him again, he figured he'd better do whatever Snape wanted. Draco slowly shuffled toward Snape, who grabbed the boy and pulled him over his knees. "Consider yourself lucky Mr. Malfoy," Snape said. "Lucky sir?" Draco croaked from his uncomfortable position. "Yes, lucky; lucky that you are a Hogwarts student and not my own son because you'd be getting much worse than this if you were." With that said Snape raised his hand high and brought it down hard on Draco's still sore bottom. Tirza certainly didn't feel like cringing at Draco's punishment! Sure she knew it must hurt a lot, but she had been there before and knew he would survive, despite all his yelling.
When it was all over, Tirza peeked out the door of the classroom and watched Marcus and Draco walking slowly and stiffly down the hallway towards their common room. She giggled loudly, but neither boy cared about anything more than how much their bottoms hurt. What a story she'd have to tell Hermione; too bad she wasn't here to see them walking down the hallways rubbing their bottoms! She continued to giggle, not hearing Snape come up behind her. Snape shook his head and playfully swatted her bottom, causing her to whirl around. "Hey," she whined. Snape chuckled. "I know you think they received everything they deserved, which they did, but I do not want you teasing them, all right?" Tirza wrinkled her face into a frown. "But they tease me when I get spanked!" Snape raised an eyebrow. "And how does it make you feel when they do that?" "Mad, and sad, and embarrassed," she admitted softly. "Exactly; do you want to make other people feel bad?" he asked. She shook her head no. "Then you will not tease them. And I am very serious young lady; if I catch wind of you bothering them, they won't be the only ones with sore bottoms, understand?" Tirza sighed. "Yeah." "Good; now I have something I want to talk to you about, so let's go back to our quarters."
Tirza sat in an armchair across from Snape, sipping some hot chocolate. "I received a very nice letter from your friend's mother. She has invited us for part or all of Christmas break and I was wondering if you'd like to go," Snape told her. Tirza's mouth hung open and she blinked several times. "Dude, are you serious?" Severus chuckled. "Very serious. I know you miss your friend very much." Tirza set down her hot chocolate and jumped onto Snape's lap, wrapping her arms around his neck and smothering him with kisses. "Yea! I'm gonna go see AJ! Yippy!" Snape smiled, hugging her tight. "Um, I got a question though... what if I'm still grounded then? And how can I buy Christmas presents when I'm grounded?" Tirza asked. "Well, I think we can make an exception for Christmas presents and a vacation, as long as you are a good girl until then." Snape decided. "Yippy! Are we gonna spend Christmas there, or just New Years?" "That's really up to you," Snape told her. "If we stay here, can we have Christmas with Oliver and grandpa?" He nodded. "I kinda want to stay here for Christmas... it's our first Christmas together and my first Christmas with a brother and a grandpa. Is that okay?" Snape kissed her cheek. "Of course. And I know that your grandfather will let me off of baby-sitting duty for us to go to New York." "Yippy!" Tirza shouted again. "You are the bestest daddy in the whole wide world!" she announced, smothering him again with kisses. Snape was rather nervous about going to New York, as he and Tirza would have to keep the fact that they were a wizard and witch a secret, but for his little girl, he'd do anything.
He kissed her head. "It's time for bed honey." Tirza frowned. "Damn that sucks." "That's another thing we need to discuss," Snape pointed out. "What?" Tirza asked. "Your choice of language; I don't like the obscenities you continue using." Tirza shrugged. "So?" "So it will stop; I understand that it will be a hard habit to break, but I want you to work on it, alright?" Tirza looked at his serious face and sighed. "Okay; but just cuz I love ya, not cuz I want to." Snape smiled. "That's good enough for me." Tirza slid off his lap and went to ready herself for bed. "I'm ready!" Tirza called a few minutes later. Snape entered her room, where she was curled up in bed, holding Molly tight. "Daddy, I don't wanna sleep," she said quietly. "I'm scared." Snape sat beside her on the bed and rubbed her back. "What are you scared of?" he asked. "I'm gonna have really bad nightmares cuz of the flashback, so I don't wanna sleep." It had been long enough since the last time she had the Dreamless Sleep Potion; it would be safe to give it to her. "Would you like the sleeping potion?" She nodded, on the verge of tears. Snape got up and retrieved the potion, which she readily took. "Can you stay with me until I fall asleep daddy?" He nodded. "Of course darling." She sniffled and Snape stroked her hair. "Daddy, will you please sing to me? Please? Pretty please? With a cherry on top?" Snape looked at his little girl who was frightened and need his comforting, feeling that he just couldn't deny her. "I'm not a very good at singing," he admitted. "That's okay," Tirza told him. "Just don't tell anybody I sing lullabies, alright?" Tirza giggled softly and nodded. "I promise." Snape smiled and began to sing softly. Tirza closed her eyes, waiting for sleep to come, knowing that her daddy would always be her knight in shining armor. "Daddy?" she asked softly. "Yes?" Snape stopped singing and replied. "Thanks for rescuing me... just like a knight in shining armor." He leaned down and kissed her cheek. "Of course baby." Tirza sighed. "I'm not a baby." He chuckled softly and ruffled her hair. "Oh yes you are; you're my baby girl." Tirza rolled her eyes. "Okay, just don't call me that in front of... like you know... people, okay?" Snape nodded. "I'll always be your knight darling; don't ever worry about that." Tirza yawned as sleep began to take over her body and nodded. "Sing again," she asked softly. Snape shook his head. Only for her would he sing.
Knowing that Tirza was sound asleep and would not wake for at least six hours, Snape quickly made a trip to the owlry (did I spell that right?). He brought two owls back to his chambers and began drafting notes to both Marcus Flint's parents and Draco Malfoy's parents. The other's actions hadn't warranted severe enough punishment to require a note to parents, as these two were the only ones whose actions could have warranted suspension or expulsion. Writing letters got Snape to thinking. Perhaps it would be beneficial to write to this Chris Logan and ask her about Tirza's past. There were many things that Snape did not know about his daughter, especially where she and Ariel were concerned. Tirza would mention things like "Mommy liked this," or "Mommy did that," but she never really talked about her mother and their relationship. This Chris Logan had known Ariel since her arrival in New York and had known Tirza since the day she was born; most likely this woman could add some insight into what made Tirza Tirza. After sending the letters concerning Marcus and Draco on their way, he pulled out another piece of parchment and thought about how to go about asking this woman for information. Than on second though, decided that parchment would be rather odd to Muggles and it would be better if he used some of Tirza's notebook paper and a pen; he'd have to wait and ask Tirza where such things were in the morning.
Tirza felt a gentle rubbing on her back. "Mmmm," she mumbled. Snape chuckled. "Tirza, would you like to get up for breakfast?" he asked softly. Tirza tried to sit up but was tangled in her blankets; she struggled with them for a few seconds before falling right off the bed, still tangled. She lay there for a moment, shaking her head. "A little help, puh-leez?" Snape laughed and scooped her off the floor, blanket and all. "Lay still," he directed, slowly working on the mess of blankets, finally releasing her. "Did you say something about food? Cuz I'm starving!" Tirza announced. Her being hungry was always a good sign that made Snape feel relieved. Tirza quickly dressed and followed Snape to the Great Hall. "Can I sit with Hermione?" Snape shook his head no. "You are ground from the boys, remember?" She nodded. "Oh yeah, duh." She sat beside Snape, thankful that the events of yesterday were not being discussed by everyone in the school. Draco certainly didn't want to advertise the fact that he had been spanked by Snape and Marcus didn't want news of his caning to spread either, though it was obvious from the way they walked and how carefully they sat down that they had been involved in some kind of trouble, though there was only speculations as to what. As Tirza began to eat her oatmeal, two owls flew into the Great Hall and dropped fire red envelopes on Marcus and Draco's plates. Tirza nudged Snape. "What's that?" she asked, pointing to the envelopes. Snape smiled rather wickedly. "You'll see."
A/N: Marcus and Draco got howlers! LOL! Any suggestions on what they will say? I think Marcus and Draco got exactly what they deserved. Can you imagine their reactions to the howlers? LOL! I am really looking forward to writing the Christmas break for Tirza, especially when she and Snape go to NY. That will be so much fun! But it will be a little while until then, as Tirza's world hasn't had Thanksgiving yet, though that is coming soon. And a very fun surprise will be who asks Tirza to the Christmas party! And it won't be Harry! Any guesses anyone? Stay tuned!
SugarPrincess: Yes, I thought Draco's spanking was very funny too! And I agree that it was better for Snape to talk with Tirza instead of spanking her.
Kenomee: Excellent idea about the howler! As you can see, they have already arrived; now we just have to wait for them to be opened. Harry will be reprimanded in the next chapter, hopefully up by late Friday night. It is funny that your father calls you kids the waffles! That is very cute. I think kinds think stuff like that is okay if they are very close to the grandparents. My grandparents and I were very close (and I still am with my grandmother, my grandpa passed two years ago () and their special name for me was "Kerry Berry Pie." I never minded them calling me that, but dare anyone else, they had another thing coming, LOL! I also think that Tirza needs a lot of love and comforting and I think it's good for Snape as well. As for college, I am going to do two years at a community college to get my generals out of the way and then I am off for the University of Minnesota (where my honey is currently, on an awesome scholarship). I can either complete my law degree at the U or start it there and end at the William Mitchell School of Law, which is a very prestigious law school here in MN. We'll have to see how things go later on. Hope all your "waffles" are healthy and happy, LOL!
CraJure: Congratulations on your test score! And you were right; it was an invitation for Christmas from AJ's mom. Bravo to you!
Potter-Snape: Just to let you know, the Molly-turned-into-a-real-lion idea WILL be coming soon. The Slytherins will have to get a small amount of revenge at least! The idea of tape of Tirza's early years is very good! I will use that as well. Snape will have a lot of things of Ariel's to go through when they visit NY and perhaps he will find several there, or perhaps AJ's parents have it, found after Tirza left. I hope the Slytherins punishments meet your standards! Snape has certainly turned into an over protective daddy, hasn't he?
Alrick: Glad Draco's spanking gave you a laugh; no one could have deserved it more! And you are right; it is "oops" not "opps". Credit that to not proof reading enough and typing too fast! Very good suggestions about Ariel and Tirza's relationship. Not to slam single parent families, as you stated, just looking at statistics. Hopefully the correspondence with AJ's mother will give Snape more of an insight into Tirza's past and the way her mind works; info that he could certainly use before he gets gray hair! Cute suggestion of Ariel's wand in one of the packages, but AJ and her family do not know about the wizarding world, being completely and utterly muggle. It will prove quite a challenge for Snape to keep Tirza from "spilling the beans" about Hogwarts and such.
Luinthoron: Glad everything met your approval! Always love seeing your reviews!
ElVatoAlegre: Glad you like the story! I think it was time for Snape to lighten up and be a bit more human... and who better for the job that a little girl in love with the color pink? LOL!
Star: Hope you had fun ice skating! Happy that you agree with how Snape handled things. Check back tomorrow night for another update!
Hugs, Kerry
Snape glanced up at the clock, it was nearly eight. He knocked on Tirza's door. "Don't come in, we're changing!" Tirza shouted. A few minutes later, Tirza poked her head out the door and Hermione's head poked out underneath. "Wuz up man?" "I am going to collect the culprits from this morning and deal with them in my office. I don't want you to leave here, alright?" Tirza frowned. "Can't I come and watch?" Snape shook his head. "Can I listen from the classroom?" Snape thought for a moment; she did deserve to hear what happened to them after what they did to her, it wouldn't really hurt to allow her even up the score a little bit. "Alright, but I want you to be quiet." Tirza smiled. "Can Hermione come?" Snape rolled his eyes. "No." "I should go anyways; will you tell me all about it tomorrow?" Hermione asked. Tirza nodded happily. They ducked back into her room to change into regular clothes. Tirza bid Hermione goodbye and went to wait in Snape's classroom as Snape went to collect the culprits. Eight very nervous kids followed Snape to his office and stood in front of the very angry professor. "Now having reviewed the incident, I found out that Pansy, Millicent, Thomas and Devin did nothing more than be at the scene. Students are, however, forbidden from entering the Shrieking Shack, so none of you will be without punishment." None of the kids said anything, not wanting to make things worse for themselves. "I am taking twenty points each and Hogsmeade privileges for two months from Pansy, Thomas, Millicent and Devin, as well as a month of detentions every night with Filch. I do not want to hear of any of you going into the shack again, is that clear?" The four named individuals nodded. "Then go," Snape said, sending them scurrying from the room. "And now for the rest of you." Snape glared darkly at Draco, Marcus, Crabbe and Goyle; Marcus was the only one who didn't look frightened. "Crabbe and Goyle, I happen to know that you participated in restraining my daughter, as well as going into the Shrieking Shack." Both boys nodded. "You will also be losing your Hogsmeade privileges for two months, you will make a formal apology to my daughter, and you will serve detention with Filch every night for two months. You are dismissed." Crabbe and Goyle, feeling lucky that they didn't get expelled or suspended, ran from the room.
Tirza listened with much interest as her father began lecturing, no yelling, at Marcus and Draco. She giggled softly as she remembered Draco's spanking from this morning. "You both are lucky that you are not being expelled. I will be owling your parents and notifying them of what happened and what corrective measures were taken. You both deserve a caning, which is exactly what Mr. Flint will receive. Mr. Flint will also not be on the quidditch team for the rest of the school year." Marcus opened his mouth to protest, but Snape held up his hand, silencing him. "Do not think that Mr. Malfoy will be getting away scott free. He was the only one of you that I was able to catch earlier and he received a spanking at the scene of the crime and will receive another in place of the caning before leaving this office as well as three months of nightly detention with Filch." Draco's face burned red with embarrassment at the mention of the earlier spanking and shivered at what his father would say when he found out. Marcus was finally starting to look upset, having never been caned. Snape retrieved the cane from his desk. "Alright Mr. Flint, unless you can think of any reasonable arguments that are not self-serving lies, we shall begin." Marcus said nothing, but he became deathly pale. Even though Marcus deserved it, Tirza couldn't help but cringe as she heard her father give him ten hard strokes; she was certainly glad she wasn't the one in such big trouble! It certainly served Marcus right when he started pleading after five strokes but was ignored; now he knew how she had felt earlier! Snape put down the cane, and glared at Marcus, feeling he had done his job well. He had waited long enough after the incident that his temper was under control and he did not have to worry about overdoing it. "Now Mr. Flint, you may stay until Draco's punishment is over, or you may leave now." He doubted that the boy heard him, as he was paying more attention to rubbing his raw bottom than anything else. Snape sat in his desk chair and glared at Draco. "Come here," he ordered. Draco vehemently shook his head. "You can't spank me again! That's not fair!" Draco's hands covered his bottom protectively, as he still felt the after effects of his earlier encounter with the potions mater's hand. Snape glared at him. "A spanking or a caning over what you received earlier; your choice Mr. Malfoy." Draco was trapped; there was not way out of this. And unless he wanted his father to come and cane him again, he figured he'd better do whatever Snape wanted. Draco slowly shuffled toward Snape, who grabbed the boy and pulled him over his knees. "Consider yourself lucky Mr. Malfoy," Snape said. "Lucky sir?" Draco croaked from his uncomfortable position. "Yes, lucky; lucky that you are a Hogwarts student and not my own son because you'd be getting much worse than this if you were." With that said Snape raised his hand high and brought it down hard on Draco's still sore bottom. Tirza certainly didn't feel like cringing at Draco's punishment! Sure she knew it must hurt a lot, but she had been there before and knew he would survive, despite all his yelling.
When it was all over, Tirza peeked out the door of the classroom and watched Marcus and Draco walking slowly and stiffly down the hallway towards their common room. She giggled loudly, but neither boy cared about anything more than how much their bottoms hurt. What a story she'd have to tell Hermione; too bad she wasn't here to see them walking down the hallways rubbing their bottoms! She continued to giggle, not hearing Snape come up behind her. Snape shook his head and playfully swatted her bottom, causing her to whirl around. "Hey," she whined. Snape chuckled. "I know you think they received everything they deserved, which they did, but I do not want you teasing them, all right?" Tirza wrinkled her face into a frown. "But they tease me when I get spanked!" Snape raised an eyebrow. "And how does it make you feel when they do that?" "Mad, and sad, and embarrassed," she admitted softly. "Exactly; do you want to make other people feel bad?" he asked. She shook her head no. "Then you will not tease them. And I am very serious young lady; if I catch wind of you bothering them, they won't be the only ones with sore bottoms, understand?" Tirza sighed. "Yeah." "Good; now I have something I want to talk to you about, so let's go back to our quarters."
Tirza sat in an armchair across from Snape, sipping some hot chocolate. "I received a very nice letter from your friend's mother. She has invited us for part or all of Christmas break and I was wondering if you'd like to go," Snape told her. Tirza's mouth hung open and she blinked several times. "Dude, are you serious?" Severus chuckled. "Very serious. I know you miss your friend very much." Tirza set down her hot chocolate and jumped onto Snape's lap, wrapping her arms around his neck and smothering him with kisses. "Yea! I'm gonna go see AJ! Yippy!" Snape smiled, hugging her tight. "Um, I got a question though... what if I'm still grounded then? And how can I buy Christmas presents when I'm grounded?" Tirza asked. "Well, I think we can make an exception for Christmas presents and a vacation, as long as you are a good girl until then." Snape decided. "Yippy! Are we gonna spend Christmas there, or just New Years?" "That's really up to you," Snape told her. "If we stay here, can we have Christmas with Oliver and grandpa?" He nodded. "I kinda want to stay here for Christmas... it's our first Christmas together and my first Christmas with a brother and a grandpa. Is that okay?" Snape kissed her cheek. "Of course. And I know that your grandfather will let me off of baby-sitting duty for us to go to New York." "Yippy!" Tirza shouted again. "You are the bestest daddy in the whole wide world!" she announced, smothering him again with kisses. Snape was rather nervous about going to New York, as he and Tirza would have to keep the fact that they were a wizard and witch a secret, but for his little girl, he'd do anything.
He kissed her head. "It's time for bed honey." Tirza frowned. "Damn that sucks." "That's another thing we need to discuss," Snape pointed out. "What?" Tirza asked. "Your choice of language; I don't like the obscenities you continue using." Tirza shrugged. "So?" "So it will stop; I understand that it will be a hard habit to break, but I want you to work on it, alright?" Tirza looked at his serious face and sighed. "Okay; but just cuz I love ya, not cuz I want to." Snape smiled. "That's good enough for me." Tirza slid off his lap and went to ready herself for bed. "I'm ready!" Tirza called a few minutes later. Snape entered her room, where she was curled up in bed, holding Molly tight. "Daddy, I don't wanna sleep," she said quietly. "I'm scared." Snape sat beside her on the bed and rubbed her back. "What are you scared of?" he asked. "I'm gonna have really bad nightmares cuz of the flashback, so I don't wanna sleep." It had been long enough since the last time she had the Dreamless Sleep Potion; it would be safe to give it to her. "Would you like the sleeping potion?" She nodded, on the verge of tears. Snape got up and retrieved the potion, which she readily took. "Can you stay with me until I fall asleep daddy?" He nodded. "Of course darling." She sniffled and Snape stroked her hair. "Daddy, will you please sing to me? Please? Pretty please? With a cherry on top?" Snape looked at his little girl who was frightened and need his comforting, feeling that he just couldn't deny her. "I'm not a very good at singing," he admitted. "That's okay," Tirza told him. "Just don't tell anybody I sing lullabies, alright?" Tirza giggled softly and nodded. "I promise." Snape smiled and began to sing softly. Tirza closed her eyes, waiting for sleep to come, knowing that her daddy would always be her knight in shining armor. "Daddy?" she asked softly. "Yes?" Snape stopped singing and replied. "Thanks for rescuing me... just like a knight in shining armor." He leaned down and kissed her cheek. "Of course baby." Tirza sighed. "I'm not a baby." He chuckled softly and ruffled her hair. "Oh yes you are; you're my baby girl." Tirza rolled her eyes. "Okay, just don't call me that in front of... like you know... people, okay?" Snape nodded. "I'll always be your knight darling; don't ever worry about that." Tirza yawned as sleep began to take over her body and nodded. "Sing again," she asked softly. Snape shook his head. Only for her would he sing.
Knowing that Tirza was sound asleep and would not wake for at least six hours, Snape quickly made a trip to the owlry (did I spell that right?). He brought two owls back to his chambers and began drafting notes to both Marcus Flint's parents and Draco Malfoy's parents. The other's actions hadn't warranted severe enough punishment to require a note to parents, as these two were the only ones whose actions could have warranted suspension or expulsion. Writing letters got Snape to thinking. Perhaps it would be beneficial to write to this Chris Logan and ask her about Tirza's past. There were many things that Snape did not know about his daughter, especially where she and Ariel were concerned. Tirza would mention things like "Mommy liked this," or "Mommy did that," but she never really talked about her mother and their relationship. This Chris Logan had known Ariel since her arrival in New York and had known Tirza since the day she was born; most likely this woman could add some insight into what made Tirza Tirza. After sending the letters concerning Marcus and Draco on their way, he pulled out another piece of parchment and thought about how to go about asking this woman for information. Than on second though, decided that parchment would be rather odd to Muggles and it would be better if he used some of Tirza's notebook paper and a pen; he'd have to wait and ask Tirza where such things were in the morning.
Tirza felt a gentle rubbing on her back. "Mmmm," she mumbled. Snape chuckled. "Tirza, would you like to get up for breakfast?" he asked softly. Tirza tried to sit up but was tangled in her blankets; she struggled with them for a few seconds before falling right off the bed, still tangled. She lay there for a moment, shaking her head. "A little help, puh-leez?" Snape laughed and scooped her off the floor, blanket and all. "Lay still," he directed, slowly working on the mess of blankets, finally releasing her. "Did you say something about food? Cuz I'm starving!" Tirza announced. Her being hungry was always a good sign that made Snape feel relieved. Tirza quickly dressed and followed Snape to the Great Hall. "Can I sit with Hermione?" Snape shook his head no. "You are ground from the boys, remember?" She nodded. "Oh yeah, duh." She sat beside Snape, thankful that the events of yesterday were not being discussed by everyone in the school. Draco certainly didn't want to advertise the fact that he had been spanked by Snape and Marcus didn't want news of his caning to spread either, though it was obvious from the way they walked and how carefully they sat down that they had been involved in some kind of trouble, though there was only speculations as to what. As Tirza began to eat her oatmeal, two owls flew into the Great Hall and dropped fire red envelopes on Marcus and Draco's plates. Tirza nudged Snape. "What's that?" she asked, pointing to the envelopes. Snape smiled rather wickedly. "You'll see."
A/N: Marcus and Draco got howlers! LOL! Any suggestions on what they will say? I think Marcus and Draco got exactly what they deserved. Can you imagine their reactions to the howlers? LOL! I am really looking forward to writing the Christmas break for Tirza, especially when she and Snape go to NY. That will be so much fun! But it will be a little while until then, as Tirza's world hasn't had Thanksgiving yet, though that is coming soon. And a very fun surprise will be who asks Tirza to the Christmas party! And it won't be Harry! Any guesses anyone? Stay tuned!
SugarPrincess: Yes, I thought Draco's spanking was very funny too! And I agree that it was better for Snape to talk with Tirza instead of spanking her.
Kenomee: Excellent idea about the howler! As you can see, they have already arrived; now we just have to wait for them to be opened. Harry will be reprimanded in the next chapter, hopefully up by late Friday night. It is funny that your father calls you kids the waffles! That is very cute. I think kinds think stuff like that is okay if they are very close to the grandparents. My grandparents and I were very close (and I still am with my grandmother, my grandpa passed two years ago () and their special name for me was "Kerry Berry Pie." I never minded them calling me that, but dare anyone else, they had another thing coming, LOL! I also think that Tirza needs a lot of love and comforting and I think it's good for Snape as well. As for college, I am going to do two years at a community college to get my generals out of the way and then I am off for the University of Minnesota (where my honey is currently, on an awesome scholarship). I can either complete my law degree at the U or start it there and end at the William Mitchell School of Law, which is a very prestigious law school here in MN. We'll have to see how things go later on. Hope all your "waffles" are healthy and happy, LOL!
CraJure: Congratulations on your test score! And you were right; it was an invitation for Christmas from AJ's mom. Bravo to you!
Potter-Snape: Just to let you know, the Molly-turned-into-a-real-lion idea WILL be coming soon. The Slytherins will have to get a small amount of revenge at least! The idea of tape of Tirza's early years is very good! I will use that as well. Snape will have a lot of things of Ariel's to go through when they visit NY and perhaps he will find several there, or perhaps AJ's parents have it, found after Tirza left. I hope the Slytherins punishments meet your standards! Snape has certainly turned into an over protective daddy, hasn't he?
Alrick: Glad Draco's spanking gave you a laugh; no one could have deserved it more! And you are right; it is "oops" not "opps". Credit that to not proof reading enough and typing too fast! Very good suggestions about Ariel and Tirza's relationship. Not to slam single parent families, as you stated, just looking at statistics. Hopefully the correspondence with AJ's mother will give Snape more of an insight into Tirza's past and the way her mind works; info that he could certainly use before he gets gray hair! Cute suggestion of Ariel's wand in one of the packages, but AJ and her family do not know about the wizarding world, being completely and utterly muggle. It will prove quite a challenge for Snape to keep Tirza from "spilling the beans" about Hogwarts and such.
Luinthoron: Glad everything met your approval! Always love seeing your reviews!
ElVatoAlegre: Glad you like the story! I think it was time for Snape to lighten up and be a bit more human... and who better for the job that a little girl in love with the color pink? LOL!
Star: Hope you had fun ice skating! Happy that you agree with how Snape handled things. Check back tomorrow night for another update!
Hugs, Kerry
