Snape quickly put his papers on the floor and motioned for her to come to him. Tirza walked towards him, dragging her feet, and crawled onto his lap. "Now tell me what's been troubling you baby?" She took a deep breath, visibly shaking. "Daddy, I've done something very very bad and very very naughty," she whispered. Snape thought over the day's events, trying to remember if she had done something. "I don't remember you doing anything naughty today," he gently told her. "That's cuz you don't know about it yet. But it's very very bad and... I deserve a spanking," she blurted out. Snape's eyebrows rose in surprise and shock. "Child what could you have possibly done that has made you feel so guilty that you have actually asked for a spanking?" "I made mommy cry," she whispered, staring at her hands. Snape pulled her close and rubbed her arm. "How could you have made your mother cry? I don't understand." "I like Miss Whittaker... and I like it when she hugs me. It feels special; it's different from your hugs and it feels nice. But it feels like mommy and that's bad. I can't like Miss Whittaker's hugs; I betrayed mommy and she's crying up in heaven," Sobs began to wrack her little body and Snape wrapped both arms around her protectively. He had no idea where she came up with such ridiculous ideas! But wherever they came from, they were very real for her. "Baby, it's alright for you to like Miss Whittaker. Doesn't your friend's mother hug you?" She nodded. "It's different when auntie Chrissy hugs me, cuz she was bestest friends with mommy. But mommy doesn't know Miss Whittaker and she thinks I want Miss Whittaker to be my new mommy because I let her hug me." Snape kissed her forehead and soothingly rubbed her back. "Baby, it's alright for you to like Miss Whittaker's hugs. It doesn't make your mother sad; to her it's not different than when your auntie Chrissy hugs you. Your mother wants you to be happy."

Tirza sobbed on his shoulder. "You don't understand daddy! Before she became an angel, she made me promise to never ever forget her and betray her like... she said like you did. And I broke my promise daddy!" Snape closed his eyes for a moment, having no clue how to fix this; he never thought he'd be able to hate Ariel, but at this moment he did. How could she make such unreasonable demands on a small child without explaining what she meant? "Honey, listen to me. I knew your mother for much longer than you did and I'm going to explain what she meant. She wanted you to always remember her and have a special place in your heart for her, but that didn't mean to shut everyone else out. The only way you could betray her is to forget her and lock away anything that reminded you of her. Only that would make her cry." Tirza shook her head. "No, I know what she meanted. I was there when she died daddy," she whispered. He blinked his eyes in disbelief. "You where there when she died? As she died?" "Yeah. She was scared and she wanted me to be with her and I was scared too but I had to be brave to make her feel better and I held her hand until she became an angel." Tirza's tears had slowed and Snape wiped her eyes with a handkerchief. "That was a very brave and loving thing that you did for your mother. You must have felt very scared," Snape commented gently. "I was really really scared, but I didn't let go of her hand. She didn't want to be alone and I wasn't gonna leave her." Snape kissed her cheek. "You are such a good girl and I am so proud of you." Inside his temper raged; it must have been so horrible for Tirza to sit there as Ariel died. Why hadn't she sent Tirza here before it got that bad? Perhaps he shouldn't jump to conclusions until he wrote and asked that Chris Logan. "But daddy I broke my promise and that was very bad and you have to spank me," Tirza pleaded. "Darling, why would I have to do that?" She sighed and leaned her head against him. "Cuz whenever I do something naughty and you spank me I feel better after cuz I know you forgive me and since mommy isn't here, you have to do it or she'll cry forever." Snape could hardly believe what he was hearing. "There's nothing that you need to be forgiven for. Miss Whittaker isn't trying to be your mother and you don't want her to replace your mother, so she is like your auntie Chrissy. And I know your mother isn't sad or angry with you."

Tirza sniffled and blew her nose. "I wanna believe you daddy, cuz than I wouldn't have to be sad anymore, but how do you know?" Snape's mind raced, thinking of a plausible answer. "When you cried and were sad, what did your mother do?" Tirza thought for a moment. "She'd tell me not to cry or she'd cry too cuz it made her sad when I was sad. And then we'd eat chocolate ice cream." Snape let out a sigh of relief. "That is how I know. It makes her sad when you cry and are sad. She would never ask you to do something that would make you so upset. She is happy when you are happy; don't feel guilty. It is only natural for you to like Miss Whittaker, because she is a nice lady. You could even love her if you wanted like you love your auntie Chrissy. Do you understand?" Tirza blew her nose again before answering. "Kinda. Are you really really really truly sure that she isn't sad?" Snape smiled. "I swear on my cauldron that I know for sure she is not sad and that you have done nothing wrong." He rolled his eyes at the ridiculous way that sounded, but knew he had worded it correctly when Tirza giggled. She wrapped her arms around him, giving him a big hug. "I'm glad, I didn't really wanna get spanked, but I would of if it woulda made things right." Snape returned the hug and kissed her nose, making her giggle again. "And I am very proud of you for that; you are such a good girl, I am so lucky to have you." Tirza smiled. "I'm lucky to have you daddy! You always make me feel better." "Than come to me right away; even if I'm in the middle of class, I want you to come to me with things like this. I don't want you to try and figure it out by yourself if it's too big. I'm here to help you with the big problems baby." Tirza nodded, still smiling. "I'll try to remember. It's no fun to get sick." Snape smiled. "I think this occasion calls for some chocolate ice cream; do you agree?" "Yippy!" Tirza shouted, bouncing excitedly on his lap. Snape smiled and set her on his shoulders and headed for the kitchens.

Snape gave a frustrated sigh and slammed the book on his desk closed. He had been through every book in his chambers and office with no luck. He knew that there were spells for anxiety and such similar symptoms, but he was not able to find it in any of his books. He'd have to go into the restricted section of the library. Today was as good a day as any to do that; he had no classes this afternoon and Tirza was most certainly busy with school. He left his office, robes billowing around him, casting nasty glances at everyone he saw, and headed to Tirza's classroom. He could hear loud music as he neared the door; it almost blasted his ear drums as he opened the door. Isabel and Tirza noticed him and Isabel paused the boom box. "That was some very loud learning," he commented. Isabel wasn't sure whether he was joking or serious, but Tirza laughed. "Daddy, you're silly! Miss Whittaker taught me the coolest way to learn multiplications! You can sing them in a song!" He smiled at her and she ran over to give him a hug. "Ya wanna hear?" "Try again Tirza," Isabel said softly. Tirza scrunched up her face in thought. "Oh yeah. Would you like to hear?" Isabel smiled. "Very good sweetie! Would you like a demonstration Professor?" Snape nodded and Isabel rewound the tape. "Tirza, it's on the three times tables song." She pressed play and the music, a bit quieter this time, filled the room. "Three times one is three; three times two is six," Tirza sang along loudly with the music. When the song finished and Isabel stopped the tape, Snape clapped his hands. "Wonderful! See, I told you you could do it!" Tirza blushed shyly at his praise. "To what do we owe the pleasure of your visit, Professor?" Isabel inquired softly. "I apologize for interrupting things, but I wanted to let Tirza know to come to library and find me after class," Snape replied. Isabel smiled. "No interruption at all; you are welcome to visit anytime." Snape nodded. "Thank you Miss Whittaker." He turned to Tirza. "Remember that you're grounded and come straight to the library, alright? You've been doing so well on your grounding and I'm very proud of you, so stay out of trouble." Tirza jumped into his arms and gave him a wet kiss. "I'll come daddy, don't worry. It's really really hard, but I'm trying to be good." He kissed her head, holding her close. "You have been very good. I'm going to let you get back to your studies and I'll see you later." She gave him one last kiss before he set her down. "Love you daddy." "Love you too," he whispered to her before exiting. Tirza turned to Isabel, all smiles. "You know what, he's so cool!" "I am glad you get a long with your father, that is very important," Isabel commented. "We've done math and spelling and reading. Should we go outside for some exercise before we start a craft?" Tirza nodded excitedly and they left to get Tirza's jacket, hat and mittens.

Tirza and Isabel played in the snow together, making snow angels, having a snow fight and started a snow fort. After the second snow ball fight, the girls plopped down in the snow, laughing and breathing hard. "You seem much happier today than you have been. It's nice to see you smile and laugh again," Isabel commented. Tirza quickly looked away. "Hey," Isabel said, gently tugging on the little girl's sleeve. "Did I say something wrong?" Tirza shook her head. "No," she replied with a sigh. "Than what is it honey?" "I was just thinking about why I was sad," Tirza told her. "And why were you sad?" Isabel asked softly. "Well, you know how you've hugged me sometimes and I called you mommy that night when I was sick?" Isabel nodded. "I thought I was making my mommy in heaven cry because I like you and liked it when you hugged me," Tirza admitted quietly. "I can understand you thinking that way. Did something change your mind?" Isabel inquired. "Yeah, I talked to my daddy, cuz he's really smart and he always listens to me. I told him about it and he said that mommy wasn't sad, because she knew I loved her and that she'd always be my mommy. He said it was like my auntie Chrissy, cuz I love her and that doesn't make mommy said." Isabel smiled. "He's a very smart man and he's very right. May I ask who your auntie Chrissy is?" Tirza's face lit up. "That's my bestest friend's mommy; I've known her forever and ever and I call her auntie Chrissy and I call AJ's daddy uncle Mike." Isabel tossed a small ball of snow at Tirza, who giggled and threw a small one back. "You know honey, if I ever do something that you don't like or makes you feel funny, you just tell me and it won't hurt my feelings at all." "Really?" Tirza asked. "Cuz I like you a lot and I don't wanna, I mean want, to hurt your feelings." Isabel smiled and gave the small child a hug. "It won't ever hurt my feelings; I am your teacher, but I want to be your friend and friends tell each other the truth. Is there anything I do that you do not want me to?" Tirza thought for a moment, than shook her head. "Nope, I can't think of anything. Umm..." Tirza paused, feeling shy. "Can I give you a hug?" she asked quietly. "I would love one," Isabel assured her, wrapping her arms around Tirza.

Just before three o'clock, Isabel took Tirza to drop off her winter gear at Snape's chambers and than escorted her to the library. "I am looking for Professor Snape, could you point me in the right direction?" Madame Pince pointed toward a section of the library. "Thank you," Isabel said as she and Tirza headed that way. How the librarian knew the exact spot that Snape was in was beyond Isabel. 'Must be a librarian thing,' she mused. "Hi daddy," Tirza whispered. Snape looked up from the piles of books and parchment and smiled at Tirza. "I apologize that she is late Professor. We went outside for some fun and exercise and I lost track of time," Isabel said. Snape nodded. "Not a problem, but I do appreciate you letting me know." Isabel turned to Tirza. "I'll see you in the morning. Do you remember where my quarters are?" Tirza nodded. "If you want to talk again, you are very welcome to come there, alright?" Tirza gave Isabel a hug. "Thanks," she whispered. Isabel planted a kiss on top of her head. "You're very welcome dear." Isabel bid goodbye to Snape and quietly exited the library. Snape looked at Tirza, his eyebrow raised. "I see you do not have problems with Miss Whittaker anymore," he commented. Tirza plopped into a chair beside him. "Yeah, we talked about it and we're cool," she happily told him. "So whatcha doin?" He rolled his eyes; as soon as the teacher was out of sight, she was right back to her own little way of speaking. "I am looking through these books to see if there is a potion already in existence for panic attacks." "Whatcha gonna do if there isn't?" "Than I will creative one," he replied. Tirza's eyes grew big. "Can you really invent one daddy?" He nodded and she smiled. "Wow, you must be the smartest person in the whole wide wide world." He returned the smile and ruffled her hair. "Daddy, puh-leez, don't mess with the hair," she told him, sounding exasperated. He chuckled and turned back to the books. "Hey, how come I've never seen these books before? I've looked at all the potions books in here," she pointed out. "Have you?" Snape asked, sounding surprised. She shook her head. "The pictures are really cool and that way when you start talking about potions I at least know a little bit of what you're saying, like every ten words or so." Snape would have laughed if she didn't look so serious. "Good for you. And I know you have not seen these books before; they are from the restricted section." Tirza's interest peaked. "Ooh, there's a restricted section? Can I go there?" Snape rolled his eyes. "Of course not and don't you ever try to sneak in there either." Tirza sighed heavily. "Damn, that sucks." "Tirza," Snape warned. She sheepishly clapped her hands over her mouth. "That's two today, so watch yourself, I don't want to have to wash your mouth out." A disgusted look came over her face. "You and me both dude."

Tirza quickly grew bored of sitting quickly as Snape thumbed threw books and made notes. "I know you're bored, so stop glaring at me," Snape said with a chuckle. "Why don't you go get some coloring books or a book of your own to read?" She sighed. "Don't wanna," she whined. "Can I go play with Hermione?" Snape nodded. "As long as she is not with Potter and Weasley." "Yippy!" Tirza shouted, earning herself a stern look from Madame Pince and Snape. She giggled quietly and left the library. "Hey!" Someone behind her shouted. She spun around and her face lit up with a smile. "Oliver!" She ran over to him and threw herself into his arms, knocking the both of them over. "That's some hello," Oliver said as she laughed. Tirza giggled as he helped her off the floor. "So I guess that you're happy to see me, huh?" She nodded excitedly. "Really happy! It feels like forever since I saw you! Besides, I'm really bored." "Why are you so bored?" he asked as they walked down the hallway. She sighed. "I've been grounded forever and ever and ever and it's never gonna end!" "How long have you been grounded?" "Five whole weeks I'm grounded and it sucks and nobody will let me swear anymore and that's such bullshit," she whined. "Hey, if you're not allowed to swear anymore than I'm not going to let you either," Oliver gently scolded. Tirza pretended to collapse on the floor. "Oh my god! Not you too!" Oliver shook his head and picked her up, depositing her over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes. "Hey," Tirza whines, wriggling around. "So where are you off to; I'll give you a ride?" "I was gonna go find Hermione and see if she could play, but I'd rather be with you." "Would you like to come to quidditch practice; it starts in ten minutes?" he asked. Tirza sighed again. "I'd love to, but daddy said I can't cuz I'm grounded. Maybe if we go ask him really nice he'll let me; he's in the library, let's go there." Oliver nodded and turned around heading back where they came from. He carried her into the library, earning a funny look from Madame Pince, and plopped her down on the table where her dad sat. "Well Hermione certainly has changed since this morning," Snape commented with a wink. Tirza rolled her eyes. "Daddy, you're so silly! Oliver invited me to watch quidditch practice. Can I go? Please please pretty please?" Snape shook his head. "No you cannot. One of the rules of your grounding was no quidditch and that includes games and practices." Tirza crossed her arms over her chest, glaring at him. "I'd better get going. I'll see you later Tirza," Oliver said. She ignored him, continuing to glare at Snape. "Don't you look at me like that; I'm not the one who got into trouble," he told her.

"That's not fair," she whined. "Tirza, I don't want to hear it." "But it's not fair!" She screamed, banging her feet on the desk. Snape caught her feet in his hands. "This is a library young lady; you will keep your voice down and stop complaining about things that you only brought on your self." "NO!" she shouted. "I WANNA GO WATCH QUIDDITCH!" Snape gently placed a hand over her mouth. "This is your last warning; anymore of this tantrum..." His scold was interrupted by a strange wet sensation on his hand; Tirza had licked his hand! "This is bullshit! You're just being mean!" Snape wordless scooped her up and carried her under his arm and out of the library. Tirza kicked and wiggled, trying to free herself from him. "Where the hell are you talking me?" she screamed as Snape stalked through the hallway. "To wash your mouth out, that was your third word today. And unless you want a sore bottom to accompany a washed mouth, I suggest that you stop this tantrum immediately." "Aw fuck," she whined. "I'm warning you..." Snape growled. "What? If you're gonna wash my mouth out anyways, can't I at least have fun first?" "NO," Snape shouted. "AND WHY THE HELL NOT?" she shouted back. Snape stopped and set her on the floor, swatting her bottom hard two times. "Owy!" she screeched. He scooped her back under his arm and continued down the hallway with a much subdued Tirza, who knew she was extremely close to getting a spanking and kept her mouth closed. Just ahead, Marcus and Draco were laughing hysterically, having seen Snape swatting her. Tirza saw them and struggled to get down and go punch them, but Snape held on to her. "Keep it up and you can join me in my office boys," Snape threatened. Both boys immediately feel silent as they both could still feel the effects of Snape's wrath a full five days later.

Snape entered his chamber and carried Tirza to the bathroom and plopped her on the floor. She promptly tried to run, but Snape gently caught her in his arms. "Look, I'm not going to hurt you and I'll use your soap so you don't have a reaction. Don't fight me on this," he told her gently. She stopped struggling and sat on his lap. "I don't wanna get my mouth washed out," she said, her dark eyes filling with tears. Snape kissed her forehead and started rubbing her back. "I know you don't baby, but I did warn you and you have well surpassed the two word limit. You know that I won't hurt you and it won't last for long, alright?" "No it's not alright," she retorted, starting to sniffle. Snape kissed her again. "Will you be a brave girl and not fight me? I don't want to spank you, but I will if you don't cooperate." She took a deep breath. "Fine, but if you hurt me I'll hate you forever," she said on the verge of tears. "Accio special soap," Snape said quietly. It floated over to him and he caught it in his hand. "Accio wash cloth." The wash cloth also floated over and was caught. Snape gently stood Tirza up so he could wet the wash cloth and rub it against the soap. Tirza watched him and the tears began flowing from her eyes. Snape sat back down, the well soaped washcloth in his hand. "Daddy, can I ask you a favor first?" He nodded and she rubbed her eyes with the back of her hand. "Well, two favors I guess. Can I have a hug first?" "Of course baby," he replied, opening his arms. She rushed into them and leaned her head on his shoulder where he let her softly cry for a moment. "Alright now, let's get this over with," he told her gently. This was almost as hard on him as it was on her and he was close to crying himself, hating himself for having to do this. He had given her fair warning, but that didn't make him feel any better. "And what other favor did you need first?" She wiped her face on a piece of toilet paper before responding. "Can I sit on your lap so you can hold me while you do it?" He nodded and she sat down on his lap and he wrapped his left arm around her and kissed her cheek. "Open up." "Do I have to?" she asked through clenched teeth. Snape sighed. "Alright, I'll let you choose; this or a spanking. I'll go along with whatever you decide," he offered. It didn't take Tirza much time to decide and she opened her mouth. "I figured," Snape commented. He gently rubbed the washcloth on her tongue and all over in her mouth. After a few seconds Tirza started gagging and he quickly pulled it back out. "Are you having reaction?" he asked. She shook her head. "No, my mouth is small, don't go in so far." "Alright, open back up." She sighed and opened up for nearly a minute of gentle soap scrub. It seemed like an eternity before he finally took the washcloth out. "Alright, go ahead and rinse." Tirza jumped up and spit into the sink, than rinsed and gargled and rinsed and gargled trying to get the nasty taste from her mouth. When she was finally satisfied, she turned back to Snape, who enveloped her in his arms. "You took that like a good girl and I'm proud of you," he whispered. "That was so gross; I thought I'd have it made cuz my soap is vanilla something or other but that tasted like... can I say crap?" Snape laughed. "I'd prefer it if you did not." Tirza rolled her eyes. "Okay, then it tasted like really really bad stuff!" She gave him a kiss. "But I still love you daddy; even though you really did wash my mouth out. I hope I don't swear ever ever again!" Snape cuddled her close and returned the kiss. "I hope I don't have to do that again either," he told her.

Snape sat again in the library, looking through the very last potions book that the school possessed; one of potions that helped or cured various disorders. Tirza was stretched out with her head on his lap and the rest of her curled on the chair next to him, sound asleep; apparently throwing tantrums and playing outside took a lot of energy. Finally he found what he was looking for; the spell was one of the very last in the book, called the Nervous System Calming Potion, for sufferers of stress, migraine headaches caused by stress and chronic panic attacks/disorders. He quickly looked through the list of ingredients; he had all of them, but his supply was rather low on some of them and would require a trip to the Dark Forest for gathering. He looked at his watch; it was nearing ten o'clock. He wanted to start working as soon as possible, as test batches were always needed before using a new potion and gathering the ingredients might take some time and he didn't want Tirza to have to wait too many more days. He quickly made a copy of pages and gathered Tirza in his arms. "Daddy?" she asked sleepily without opening her eyes. "Where are we going?" "We're going to see if grandpa will let you spend the night in his chambers so I can work on your potion," he quietly told her. "No grandpa, stay with you," she murmured. "No, you need to stay with grandpa for at least tonight. I cannot work in my lab and be with you at the same time." Tirza yawned. "Okay." Snape was glad that she was already somewhat sleeping; it would make it easier for Dumbledore to get her to bed and this way she wouldn't have to lie awake for hours, waiting for the sleep to come. He stopped at the gargoyle. "Password is... oh Merlin what is the password? He's always changing it!" He started running through several of Dumbledore's favorite candies when he felt Tirza stir. "Lemon zinger lollypops," she mumbled. The gargoyle sprang into action, revealing the moving staircase. Snape looked at the half conscious little girl in his arms. "How did you know that?" Tirza giggled softly. "Grandpa always tells me so I can come whenever I want; he says I'm the first one he tells." Snape rolled his eye; it figure, she had him wrapped around her little finger. At least she hadn't asked him for the pony she had been whining about getting! Dumbledore had heard them talking on the stairs and was waiting at the top. "Is Tirza hurt?" he asked, concerned at seeing her lying rather limp in Snape's arms. "No, not at all. I need I favor from you," Severus explained. "Of course, anything, just name it." "I found the potion that I promised Tirza, but it will require a lot of work before it is ready for her and I'll need to go and gather some supplies as well. Obviously I cannot be in the dark forest or in my lab and watch Tirza at the same time. I was wondering if you would allow her to stay with you for at least tonight and maybe two or three more," the younger wizard asked. "Of course, I would enjoy having her around. Do you have her night things and clothes for the morning?" Dumbledore inquired. "She's half asleep and I wanted to bring her here first," Snape told him. Dumbledore reached out and took Tirza in his arms, who barely noticed the change of who was holding her. "You go and get her things; we'll be waiting in my chambers." Snape nodded and left while Dumbledore took the sleeping girl to his chambers and sat on the large and comfortable sofa with her still in his arms.

A/N: Yippy! I was granted permission to do my author's note and answer everyone's reviews! Many thanks to my sweetie Aaron for typing again (and for not smothering me with my pillow as I slept for bugging him about it, LOL!) Poor Tirza, feeling so guilty and having to get her mouth washed out. In the next chapter, Potter-Snape's idea of Molly turning into a real lion will be used and the reply from AJ's mom, Chris, will come. So how will things with potion go? And in the dark forest gathering things? And the sleepover with grandpa, LOL! So far, other than the Molly thing, the next chapter isn't looking too incredibly exciting, but than again with Tirza, everything is exciting, LOL! Stay tuned!

Kenomee: I think you are right and that it will take the entire castle to raise Tirza! And I never even thought of a quick healing spell for Tirza's paper cut instead of a band aid. Blame it on all the pain pills and sleepiness! I hope you survive the blizzard okay! Here our snow melts and than comes back and melts and comes back; one day in shorts, the next in the big winter coat. Minnesota is crazy, LOL!

LostSoul: That is crazy about your cousin and her mom making her wear that sign! LOL! Funny, but....interesting. And yes, I admit whole heartedly that Molly is very real and has actually aged pretty well over the years. If I can figure out how to work the scanner, I'll try and post a picture on a webpage of her, she is really so cute! And that is very cute about your lamb, BaBa. How is he/she holding up to the years?

Star: Glad you liked it!

SugarPrincess: The only reason I can write while in bed is the use of notebooks and the fact that I can't stand watching TV every day all day. My mind is so used to bouncing between work and family and this story that being in bed has been so BORING! I thought I was going to die before I started writing in the notebook! That is an interesting idea about turning Snape into a woman... I'll have to think about that one, but I love that you contributed!

Elfmoon87: Tirza's a complex and very sensitive child. It took her several days to really warm up to Snape, and in the end it was because he was so good during her nightmare that made her start calling him daddy. Deep down, I think she really misses her mother and wishes that she had someone to fill that void, but yet feels a strong loyalty to her mother (as shown in this chapter when she practically asked to be spanked because she thought she had betrayed her mother). Snape is very good for Tirza, as she is for him, and is doing a very good job (considering who he is and his temperament) with Tirza, but she does need a mothering figure. Perhaps if things with Isabel and Snape do not work out, she will grow close to McGonagall and come to think of her as a substitute mother. I personally have no experience warming up to a mother figure after the real mother died, but I am very in touch with Tirza's emotions and the way she handles things, as I base that on the way I was after my "evil boy" incident.

MissLKid: Glad you are enjoying the story! I never imagined it would be so well liked or go one for so long, but I am having a blast writing it and reading reviews of the chapters!

Luinthoron: Sorry about making you wait. I would have had it up last night, but Aaron worked closing and didn't get home until close to 1AM and was so tired that I didn't have the heart to ask him to type it all up. Hopefully the next part will be up soon and you won't have to wait too long!

Alrick: I think you are right about Ariel and Tirza. Towards the end of Ariel's battle, I think a lot more has happened that Tirza has let on and perhaps will not let on for a while. It most likely was several small instances of little things said here and there that convinced Tirza to think so low of herself. With Ariel and Tirza having a more best friends than mother/daughter relationship (as Chris will explain to Snape), Tirza was told more things and exposed to more things than her friend and with Ariel's cancer, was forced to act as a grown up at times, something very hard to deal with when she was dealing with her own crisis of being molested. It will make for some very interesting times for both Tirza and Snape and the psychiatrist as well as things slowly start to unravel; perhaps Snape won't think Ariel such a good mother in the long run. So abuse of course, but decisions made that reflect badly on Ariel (etc).

Slone: Glad you liked the howler!

Potter-Snape: So far, Snape has handled things pretty well for some so new to parenting, especially with a child like Tirza! Of course there will be much more for him to learn!

AlexGray: I can't believe how long this has gone on either! I thought in the beginning like ten chapters including an incident that brings Tirza and Snape together and gives Tirza some friends, with a few adventures and a happily ever after ending. I really got into it and just kept going! It has totally turned into so much more and I love it! The responses have been so great and it is just fun to write, even the sad parts are not hard as Tirza's emotions are based on mine after I went through what she did being molested, so it is kind of a release at those parts for me as well. I wish I had had someone like Snape on my side though! I have no idea how far this will go, but at least until her sorting at Hogwarts and hopefully beyond that as well! I hope you are feeling better; I am slowly recovering from having my gall bladder removed after a very painful attack!

Lots of love to all, but I gotta go before I get picked up and brought back to bed. Hugs, Kerry