Snape put all his energy and concentration into catching up to Tirza, who was still crying and running throw the hallways. He had to stop her; he couldn't let her do this. Tirza stopped to catch her breath, not knowing how close behind her he was. Snape saw his opportunity and grabbed her, pulling her to him, hugging him tight. "Daddy, stop squishing me and let me go!" she yelled, struggling against his arms. His hold on her was gentle, but as tough as steel. "I will not let go of you! I will not let you hurt yourself; you are too young and have too much life left to end it! I love you too much to let you go!" Snape told her. Tirza stopped struggling against him and looked up at him, tears still running down her face. "What are you talking about?" she asked, feeling very confused. "What do you mean what am I talking about? You said you were going to make it stop and that I couldn't follow you; I thought you were going to the Astronomy tower?" It was Snape's turn to feel confused. He loosened his hold a bit and offered her his handkerchief to dry her eyes and face. "I thought you were going to try to kill yourself," he told her quietly. Tirza looked at him, an eyebrow raised. "Daddy, you're crazy. I'm not going to the tower and I'd never ever ever EVER leave you... I love you too much." Snape's knees felt weak and he leaned against the wall, afraid of falling over. "You weren't going to kill yourself?" he whispered. She shook her head. "But you were so upset and you said you were going to make it stop and that you hated me." Tirza hung her head. "I didn't mean it daddy... I don't really hate you. I couldn't ever hate you; I love you too too much." Snape was so happy that she wasn't going to hurt herself that several stray tears trailed down his face. "Baby, I'm so glad. I was so scared; I don't know what I'd do if I ever lost you." He kissed her several times and hugged her close. "Daddy, you're squishing me," she said, a small giggle escaping. "Where were you going?" She sighed. "Miss Whittaker said that she's a teacher and a psychiatrist person and if I ever wanted to talk to her, she'd be my psychiatrist person and help me. She said I'd feel better and not hurt so much if I talked, but I didn't want to until tonight. I was going to her room." Snape nodded. "That was very nice of her to want to help you. Would you still like to talk to her?" Tirza shook her head yes. "I'm not as mad as I was, but I don't want to hurt anymore. And she's my friend... one of my bestest, after AJ and Hermione." Snape kissed her cheek again. "Do you want me to come with?" "No, I wanna go alone," she replied. Snape set her back down and gave her one last kiss. "Do you know you're way?" "Yeah, I think so." "I will come for you at ten, unless Miss Whittaker is finished before than." Tirza nodded, than wrapped her arms around his waist. "I'm sorry daddy," she whispered. He returned the hug, wishing she never had to leave his arms. "What are you apologizing for?" She ducked her head. "Cuz I want you to forgive me; I hurted your feelings." He gently cupped her chin in his hand and kissed her forehead. "There's nothing to forgive baby; you didn't hurt my feelings on purpose, you just inherited my habit of spouting things when you get upset." "Are you sad anymore?" she asked, her eyes filling again with tears. "I was too worried about you to be sad, so do not think of it anymore, alright?" She sniffled and nodded. "Can I go find Miss Whittaker now?" "Yes and I will still come and get you. Be good." She gave him one last hug before continuing down the hallway.

Isabel sat in her small sitting room in muggle clothes, writing a letter, when there was a knock on the door. She opened the door to find an ashen faced Tirza, her eyes red from crying, standing in front of her. "Tirza, come on in sweetie." The little girl nodded solemnly and entered the room, plopping onto the couch. "Sorry," she mumbled. "For what?" Isabel asked. Tirza looked at her, an eyebrow raised. "For bouncing on the couch." Isabel smiled. "That's okay; you don't need to apologize for that." Tirza nodded. "Thank you," she mumbled. Isabel came over and sat beside her. "So how did I get so lucky that I get you to visit with?" Tirza sighed. "Um, do you remember when you tolded me..." "Told," Isabel softly reminded her. "Told me that you would talk to me if I wanted like a psychiatrist lady person?" Isabel nodded. "I'm ready to talk to you, if that's okay." Isabel patted her hand reassuringly. "Of course it is; I'm glad you came." "Um, do you want me to lay down on the couch or something like on TV?" Tirza asked uncertainly. "No dear, I want you to do whatever you are comfortable with. I want you to talk to me just like you would to AJ; in fact, I give you permission to call Isabel, except for when we are in class," Isabel decided. "Okay. Well, um, my daddy keeps saying things about my mommy that make me mad cuz he doesn't understand. But... maybe he's right. And I feel sad because I love him more than my mommy and I used to hate her sometimes, but I never told her," Tirza stated. "Okay sweetie, why don't you start at the very beginning, when all the hurt began?"

Snape silently walked back to his chambers, in need of a headache potion, some quiet, and some time to think. As he entered his chambers, he noticed an enveloped on the floor, with a note attached. He picked it up and read the note. "Professor Snape- This came for you from Tirza's friends in the US, hope you don't mind me slipping it under the door." He recognized the writing as Hermione Granger's, which made since, seeing as all letters and packages went through her parents concerning Tirza's friends. He took off the note and was relieved that it was the letter he had been waiting for, from Chris Logan. Severus retrieved a headache potion and settled in his chair to read the letter.

"Hi again, Mr. Snape. I can certainly understand where you are coming from, wanting more information about Tirza's life before she came to live with you, and I will do my best to answer any questions. Ariel and Tirza's relationship was... different. They were very close, but not really in a mother/daughter sort of way; it was more of best friends. Ariel would take Tirza to see movies that I would never allow my own daughter to see. Tirza was given an incredible amount of freedom; as long as she had gone to school for the day, she was allowed to do as she pleased. There were very few restrictions placed on her, and things only got worse in that respect after Ariel's cancer was discovered and quickly spread. I am not trying to bad mouth Ariel by any means; she was a very kind woman and a very good friend to me and I believe she tried her best at motherhood. With my daughter Amy, there was no going to friends' houses unless I knew the parents, no going anywhere unsupervised, a normal and age appropriate bedtime, as well as a curfew time for her to be home at night. With Tirza, there was none of that; I often wondered if Ariel even knew the names of some of the parents of the girls that Tirza played with. I was never really concerned until after Ariel became so sick from the cancer. Tirza had a lot of pressure placed on her quite unfairly by Ariel. I found out that Tirza was walking five blocks by herself in this busy city to purchase the groceries and I nearly had a heart attack. I talked to Ariel about it, but she said that she was just too sick to do things like that and that Tirza never complained and she didn't see anything wrong. I tried my best to coincide my grocery shopping with Tirza's, so I could take her and watch her. She also spent a week with us when Ariel was in the hospital, recovering from addiction to her medication. More and more was placed on Tirza as Ariel slowly died; my husband and I did everything we were able too to help. I often begged Ariel to send Tirza to you or another relative; Ariel was in a lot of pain and very sick and it hurt Tirza to see that. I have known her since she was born and I could see the pain in her eyes. Ariel refused to even consider sending Tirza elsewhere; her family had all been killed when she was young and she claimed that you betrayed her and broke her heart. She wouldn't send Tirza away because Tirza was the only thing that she had left; there was no convincing her to let go, despite the fact it would have been in Tirza's best interest.

I don't think Ariel was trying to hurt her; I think it just never occurred to her because of what she was going through. She never did have that perverted boy prosecuted as she should have; she knew she wouldn't be around long enough to even see the end of a trial. It was hard for Tirza; Ariel wasn't able to help Tirza as much as she should have. Tirza never complained though to myself or her mother, not once, but I knew she was unhappy. My daughter often told me that Tirza had said she hated her mother and wished she didn't have to be the grown up. I know that by the time Tirza left, she was prescribed pills to help with her anxiety attacks, but I don't think that even scratched the surface. I tried to talk to her several times, but she refused, and would disappear for hours, in the dark, and Ariel didn't seem the least concerned for Tirza's safety. I really don't think Ariel meant to have things turn out as they did, but since they have, there is not much anyone can do. I apologize if you think I am talking badly of her, but I wanted to be honest and make you aware of the way things really were. If there is anything else I can help with, please write me and I will do my best to help. Give Tirza my love. Sincerely, Chris Logan"

Severus took several deep breaths; it was has he had feared, Tirza had told the truth. He really did not want to believe the worst of the woman that he had loved and who had given him Tirza, but considering the evidence against her, he loathed her. She was selfish, making her daughter suffer quietly and take care of her, instead of the other way around. It wasn't right; Tirza deserved so much better than what Ariel had done for her. If anything, Ariel had given her love as a friend, not taking the responsibilities of parenthood, and had made things worse. Still, he did not know everything, and he wouldn't until Tirza decided to reveal it. He blamed himself; if he had never become a Death Eater, he could have married Ariel and this never would have happened. Why hadn't she come to him? There was no cure in the wizarding world for cancer, but there were strong potions that could have greatly improved her remaining time. Severus thought on it for a moment and than realized why she had not come; she didn't want to admit that she needed him or still loved him or both. She had put her pride in front of Tirza's wellbeing and for that, Severus would never forgive her. He just didn't understand how she could be so selfish and doubted that he ever would. All he could do was his best to repair the damage Ariel had done whether knowingly or not, though he rather suspected the former to be true.

Tirza had been talking with Isabel for nearly two hours, baring her soul and pouring her heart out. Isabel listened patiently, giving many hugs while Tirza cried. The little girl was full of guilt and it was eating away at her, robbing her of her much deserved happiness. Isabel knew that all these things she was hearing could not be solved in a day, or a week or a month. It would take a fair amount of time, as well as love and patience. "So my daddy's right?" Tirza asked, leaning into the comforting arms that surrounded her. "Yes, he is. You have no reason to feel guilty honey. You're mother was wrong. I don't think she was a bad person, but she made bad choices. What she did is called neglect, Tirza and it was wrong of her to neglect you, no matter what the circumstances. She brought you into this world Tirza, and it was her responsibility to love you and care for you. Your mother should have helped you after what happened and been there for you. When I was a little girl, we had so many kids in the house that there was always some sort of sickness, like the flu or cold infecting us. Once one kid had it, the rest of us got it too. My mother had a very bad immune system... do you know what an immune system is?" Tirza nodded. "I think so; isn't that what helps you fight colds and stuff?" Isabel smiled. "That is exactly right. As I said, my mother's immune system was bad and she had a horrible time getting over things. While the flu would pass through us kids in like a week, my mother would have it for sometimes a whole month because she couldn't fight the virus. It never mattered how sick my mother was, even if she was throwing up, if one of us kids was sick and needed her, she was always right beside us. She'd stay up all night and rub our tummies or wipe our faces with a cold washcloth; even if it made her sicker, she always stayed with us. And that is what a mother is supposed to do Tirza. A mother puts her own sadness and pain to the side when her child needs her; your mother should have done that and she didn't. It hurt, didn't it, sweetie?"

Tirza nodded, sniffling. "My daddy, he cancels classes and he lets me sleep with him when I have nightmares and he lets me sit on his lap and he makes me go see Poppy when I get hurt, even though she yells at him. My mommy wouldn't do stuff like that after she gotted sick. I 'member just after the bad thing happened, I had my first bad bad nightmare and I was screaming like I always do, but she didn't come. I was scared and thoughted maybe she was hurt or she couldn't hear me. I went to her room and she was awake, but she hadn't come..." Tirza paused to blue her nose and wipe her eyes and face. "I told her about my nightmare and she said I should be brave and go back to sleep. I told her I didn't wanna, cuz I was scared and I wanted to sleep with her." Isabel put her arm around Tirza again; she could see how hard this was for her. "What did she say?" she prodded gently. "She said no, because she was hurting and I'd move too much. I promised her I wouldn't, but she said no. I said 'Please mommy, I'm scared, hold me.'" Isabel pulled her into a protective hug as she started to sob. "She told me I was being selfish; she was hurting and needed me to be a big girl. She said I was naïve and didn't know how much she was hurting. I didn't know what that meant and she said naïve meant being a stupid little baby. She told me to stop whining and be a big girl and go back to bed so she could take her pill and sleep." Tirza started to shake, she was sobbing so hard. Isabel's heart was breaking for her, and a few tears of her own made trails down her face. 'Tirza's mother is lucky that she's already dead... if she wasn't, I would go right now and hunt her down for what she's done to this sweet little girl,' Isabel thought, meaning every word of it.

Isabel held the sobbing girl in her arms until her cries became sniffles. "Tirza, how do you feel about me telling your father about what we've talked about? Would that be okay? I think he would like to know, so that he can help you feel better." "You can tell him... I tell daddy almost everything, cuz I don't lie anymore cuz I get in big trouble when I do," Tirza told her. Isabel smiled. "Your father taught you not to lie?" Tirza nodded. "I lied to mommy lots and lots and she never cared, but daddy doesn't like it, and I don't lie it either. I like to talk to daddy, cuz he always makes me feel safe." "He's a very good father Tirza, you are lucky to have him." "Yeah," she replied. "I love him lots." Tirza blew her nose again, then through out her pile of Kleenexes that had accumulated during their talk. "Are you ready to go back to your rooms, or do you want to talk more?" Tirza shook her head. "I'm ready I think. Can I come back another day if I got more questions?" Isabel kissed the little girl's head. "You are welcome anytime, day or night." Tirza smiled for the first time since coming to Isabel's chambers. "Thank you Isabel. You can talk to my daddy tonight if you want, I don't mind." "Perhaps I will," Isabel replied. "I'll have to see what your father is doing or if he'd prefer another time." Tirza nodded and both stood up and headed out of the chambers. Tirza shyly put her hand in Isabel's, squeezing it affectionately. Isabel returned the gesture as they headed for Snape's chambers.

A/N: Uh-oh, how will Snape react when Isabel fills him in on the things Tirza told her? Aren't you all glad that Tirza didn't try to jump? But then that was the idea of the last ending, was to make you wonder, but I think it turned out better this way. Any suggestions for the war with Marcus and Draco are still appreciated. I've been thinking about brining in Remus Lupin to finally take over the DADA job. Any thoughts on that? I think it would be a blast if Tirza thought Lupin was great; that would drive Snape crazy! If I do decide to bring him in, I might need a little help getting his character right. I've read all the books, but the movies seem to stay in my head better and that way I can put a face to a character. Would anyone be willing to help me a bit with Lupin's character? Speaking of Harry Potter movies, Aaron is an absolute angel and got up and seven o'clock this morning to run to Wal-Mart and get me Chamber of Secrets cuz he knew I was worried about a rush later in the day. So when I woke up after he went to work, I found the DVD on my pillow (almost conked my head!). My fav scene is the dueling scene, especially when Snape sends that Lockhart ass flying across the room! LOL! (Watched that scene several times tonight and drove poor Aaron crazy, LOL!) I hope you all had good luck getting the movie and have had a chance to enjoy it. As usual, stay tuned!

Alrick: Hey, it's been a little while since I've heard from you! Hope everything is going okay for you!

Kenomee: Hey, I haven't seen a review from you lately! I hope everything is going okay and hope your kids are okay too!

Luinthoron: I am glad you like the story even though it is based more on the movies than the books. I have read all the books and am eagerly awaiting the release of the fifth, but the movies just seem to stick in my head better.

LostSoul: Sevvie was rather funny, wasn't he! Obviously he'd have to give a tiny amount of the potion to Tirza, not a full vile! Good thing he tested it first! To answer your question, Tirza is ten and will be eleven the next August 19 (right now it is still Nov. in her little timeline). And Sev is definitely right; Ariel made a BIG mistake not sending Tirza to him. She may have been frightened to be alone, as Tirza was the only family she had left, but I think it was partly pride as well. Ariel is going to turn out to not be the person we expected, but no like evil or anything, just some very seriously bad decisions. There is sense in the way Tirza thinks, which will come out soon, where it's more things that she has assumed, mixed with things that she'd been told, mixing badly in her comprehension for her age. I also wish that I had a dad like Sevvie, Tirza is a very lucky girl and I'm soooooo jealous, LOL!

MissLKid: Sorry those cliffhangers are your enemies, but they are a good way to end a chapter at times. Hope you like the way it turned out!

Slone: Yes, you do and will see a relationship between Isabel and Sev. Not that I'm saying they will get married or anything like that as I have not made my mind up about that yet. They will get to know each other better though and start dating, which means some of Snape's attention will be given to Isabel who will make Tirza very jealous and she'll try to break them up. Will they last? It's all up in the air for right now! It is too bad that Tirza has so much to deal with at such a young age, but it also makes her and Sev much closer and she's needed someone like him to help her and to be a parent, not a friend.

Potter-Snape: Glad you liked the chapter! Don't worry; I'd never have Tirza really seriously hurt; Snape will always be there to save her. The vacation will be therapeutic for Tirza and an adventure for her and Snape as well. It will be an interesting week!

CraJure: Sev sure was a blast on that potion, wasn't he? LOL! Don't worry, Tirza will be okay. The psychiatrist that Sev requested will be cancelled as I decided I wanted Isabel to help her so that they would become really close.

Have a great day all! Hugs, Kerry