"Daddy, daddy, I can explain everything! Don't get angry," Tirza said as
Snape steered them to his office. "I think it's a little late for that,"
Draco hissed. "Shut up stupid!" Tirza yelled. Snape stopped and bent down
to Tirza's level, looking her straight in the eyes. "Are you TRYING to get
a spanking right here in the hallway?" he shouted. Tirza vigorously shook
her head no. "I NEVER want to hear you call anyone stupid again young lady!
Now I suggest you keep yourself from getting into any further trouble by
keeping quiet." She nodded and wisely refrained from saying anything. Snape
caught the sound of snickering from Draco and again stopped. "How about you
Mr. Malfoy? Do you wish to put on a show here in the hallway for your
fellow students? I am sure they would be quite amused and entertained."
Draco's face paled. "N..no..no sir," Draco stammered. Snape nodded and
brought the two quieted children to his office. He slammed the door behind
him and pointed to the chairs in front of his desk. "Sit. Now," he ordered.
Draco and Tirza scrambled to sit down as Snape stalked to his desk and sat
ominously in front of them. "Baron," he said his voice low and even. Tirza
and Draco both got miserable looks on their faces when the Bloody Baron
drifted into the room and over to Snape's desk. Neither child had
remembered that the Bloody Baron had seen the entire incident. Snape's
stern and angry gaze never stopped looking at the two culprits. "Baron, can
you tell me the things that you saw these children do?" "Malfoy put a
bucket of water over the door to spill on the girl. She saw him laughing
and chased him down the hallway. His wand snapped and his clothes turned
yellow; didn't see the girl do that, but it sure happened as the boy is
still all in yellow. He called her a stupid mudblood and she punched them,
then they both started fighting," the Bloody Baron told Snape. Both Tirza
and Draco began to fidget in their chairs, wondering if they'd ever feel
like sitting down again after Snape was through with them.
"Do either of you deny what the Baron has told me?" Snape asked. Tirza knew better then to lie and shook her head no. Draco started to protest, but Snape's look quickly subdued him to a no. "Thank you Baron, you may go." The Bloody Baron drifted from the room as suddenly as he had come; both children cringed under Snape's accusing glare. "Draco, you were clearly the instigator in this altercation. I will be following through on my promise to spank you and I would suggest you remember this and do not let it happen again. If you find yourself over my knee again, you may also find yourself missing a few pertinent items of clothing." Draco's mouth dropped open and his face turned a shade of tomato red. "Sir....." he began slowly. "Um, are you going to write my father about this?" Snape stared closely at the boy, and then shook his head no. "Not this time Mr. Malfoy, but consider yourself lucky that I am not. I know of your father's temper and would certainly not want to be in your shoes should I be forced to write him if this behavior persists." Despite Draco's impending doom, he looked slightly relieved. Snape's glare turned back to Tirza, who was grinning ear to ear at the prospect of Draco in trouble. "And you young lady, can wipe that delighted smirk from your face. Obviously what happened to Draco's clothes and wand are the result of accidental magic and you cannot control that, but you most certainly can control your impulses. I warned you not to fight except in defense of yourself." "But he called me that bad name," she protested, scowling. "And that will be dealt with. But you made the choice to hit him and not walk away and come get me as you should have. For directly disobeying me by starting a fight, you will be getting a spanking as well, though in our chambers." Tirza continued to scowl at him and leaned back in her chair, her arms folded over her chest. He was being so unfair! "Draco, come here," Snape ordered.
Draco took a deep breath; he had cried last time in front of Tirza, but he certainly wasn't going to this time. He was a boy and would not cry in front of a mere girl. He slowly walked towards Snape, feeling like he was walking towards the very gates of hell. Snape looked him clearly in the eye. "You remember what I said will happen if I ever have to do this again." Draco nodded and Snape pulled him over his knee and wasted no time in starting the task before him. Draco tried his hardest to keep quiet as Snape set his behind to roasting. His bravado didn't last long and he was soon kicking and crying. "Stop professor!" he shouted. Snape ignored him; he'd never seriously injure the boy, but if he could take ten strokes of the cane, he could certainly take an over the knee spanking. Tirza watched the scene before her; she might have felt sorry for Draco if he hadn't been so nasty to her lately. The fact that she was the next in line for that kind of attention from her father took all possible fun and merriment from the situation. "I'll be good; I'll never bug her again! I'll never look at her again! I'll never sit down again!" Draco yelled. When Snape felt the boy was sufficiently spanked, he let him off his lap. Draco immediately began rubbing his backside, which felt like it was on fire, not bothering to wipe the tears from his face, jumping around in an attempt to ease the pain. Tirza finally allowed a small giggle to escape as she watched Draco jumping around; even if she was going to be jumping as well in a few minutes, she might as well enjoy herself first. "Apologize to Tirza," Snape ordered when Draco stopped jumping. Draco quickly wiped his face on his sleeve before facing Tirza. "I.....I'm sorry," he stammered, still sniffling. Suddenly feeling very sympathetic, Tirza reached out and awkwardly patted Draco's shoulder. "Hurts bad, don't it?" she whispered. He nodded. "Yeah," she sighed. "Been there, done that and it sucks. He's a lot tougher then he looks," she said, indicating Snape. "No more water stuff though," she whispered. Draco nodded again. "Good luck," he whispered back. "I think you'll need it." Tirza looked at Snape's face; oh boy could she use some good luck!
Snape dismissed Draco and took Tirza's hand, leading her into their chambers. "Sit." She quickly sat down on the couch as Snape began to pace in front of her. "Tirza, didn't I tell you not to start fights?" His voice was more tired sounding then angry. "Yeah," she admitted. "But he called me a mudblood and that made me made mad and he called me stupid." Snape stopped pacing and sat down on the couch. "And then you turn around and call him stupid. How did you feel when he called you stupid?" Tirza looked down at her hands. "Nuthin I haven't heard before," she whispered. Snape instantly thought of Ariel and wondered who else had told Tirza she was stupid. He gently cupped her chin and titled her head up to look at him. "But it still hurts, doesn't it?" She nodded reluctantly. "But he started it," she whined, a determined look on her little face. Snape frowned. "It doesn't matter who started it young lady. I told you not to fight; you should have come to my office and told me that you saw him play that trick on you. Instead you decided to do what you wanted to do instead of what was right." She sighed. "There are other ways to solve disputes with Malfoy besides hitting him, especially when I have asked you not to." "But it's not fair that you're gonna spank me! I won't fight with him again; I promise! I'll come get you and I won't do magic no more, I swear!" Snape shook his head. "I'm not going to spank you for the magic; that was accidental and out of your control. I am going to spank you for disobeying me and for making the poor choice to solve your problems with fighting." Tirza scowled darkly at him, her lower lip stuck out in a pout. "Now I know that he called you a horrible name and told you that you were stupid, but that doesn't give you the right to do something you're not supposed to do. I also know that I promised you a bare bottomed spanking if you fought with him again, but he clearly instigated things and I am willing to not spank you bare this time if you do not fight me on this. Is that a deal?" "NO!" Tirza shouted back. "You're not being fair! I don't wanna get spanked! He started it! And I promised I'd be good!" "I understand all that, but I clearly stated what would happen should you choose to disobey me. You made the choice to fight, knowing the consequences if you were caught," he told her. Tirza jumped off the couch and started stomping and yelling. "Tirza Jade, stop this tantrum right now," Snape ordered. She continued to stomp and scream and whine; Snape held her still and knelt down in front of her. "Do not make this any harder then it has to be. I know you hate being spanked and I hate having to spank you, but you made the choice and must be a grown up girl and live with the consequences."
Tirza struggled against his hold. "No, I don't want a spanking." "Tirza, you WILL be spanked; now it is up to you whether or not to make things harder on yourself. I don't want to spank your bare bottom, but I will if you fight me on this. Now I want you to go change out of these wet clothes and then come right back." Snape turned her around and sent her on the way to her room with a mild swat. She returned several minutes later, already slightly crying. The sad and pleading look on her face made Severus' heart melt, the way it always did whenever he had to be stern with her or punish her. It was hard to be a father; he wished that all he ever had to do was cuddle with her and tell her how much he loved her. Unfortunately, that could not always be how things were. Children get into trouble and must learn that there are consequences for every action. "Daddy, please don't spank me. I'll be a good girl forever and ever," she pleaded softly. "Baby, you know what my decision is and I won't change it. I love you very much but you did disobey me," he told her softly. "But I don't think it's fair," she whispered back. "I'm sorry you feel that way, but I gave you fair warning sweetheart. Now let's get this over with," he replied, putting across his knees. She immediately threw her hand back in an attempt to protect her bottom. Snape gently pushed her hand aside and started spanking her. She burst into tears and began yelling protests. Snape steeled himself against the horrible feeling he always felt whenever he punished her and continued to spank her.
After several minutes, he stopped spanking her and set her right side up. She rubbed her bottom for a few moments, and then wrapped her arms around his neck. "I'm sorry daddy," she whispered. Snape soothingly rubbed her back. "I know you are baby." "I'm sorry I'm bad and stupid," she replied as she blew her nose. Snape kissed her cheek and hugged her tight. "You are not bad or stupid. How many times have I told you that? ALL people make mistakes; me and Grandpa and your mother and Isabel, everybody. The important thing is that you learn from your mistake." She nodded. "I learned that EVERYTHING having to do with Draco sucks for me," she told him. Snape chuckled. "Well, that's definitely true. You do get into a lot of trouble anytime you are around him." He wiped several tears from her face with his handkerchief. "My butt hurts," she whined. He chuckled again and kissed her forehead. "I know sweetheart, but you'll survive." She frowned slightly. "How do you know?" He looked at her, an eyebrow raised. "What, you didn't think that I was ever spanked?" Tirza giggled. "Were you really daddy?" Snape blushed slightly. "A few times." "What did you do?" she asked, bursting with curiosity. Her daddy doing crazy things and getting into trouble? That just didn't seem possible! Snape rolled his eyes. "I think we'll save those stories for later; it's time for supper." She giggled again. "You just don't wanna tell me," she teased. "See, I told you that you were very smart," he replied. After drying her face and a last rub to her bottom, she walked with him to the Great Hall.
"Daddy, I don't feel good," she whined at supper. Snape's face instantly became full of concern. "What's wrong? Do you need your potion?" She shook her head. "No, but my head hurts, I got a headache." Snape's expression relaxed a bit. "I have something I can give you for that. Do you need it now?" She sighed. "Not yet, but I don't want this food." She indicated the very English foods on her plate. "I want the special toast." Snape's eyebrow rose. "What are you talking about?" "The special toast, daddy," she replied, sounding exasperated. Remus, who sat on the other side of her, leaned over with his wand. "Afraid that's my department Snape," he said, replacing her food with several slices of cinnamon and sugar toast. "See, that's the special toast," Tirza said with a smile. "Thank you Uncle Remus." Remus smiled slightly. "Think nothing of it." Snape felt a pang of jealousy as Tirza rewarded Lupin with one of her sweet smiles. It was the first time he had felt that way; no matter how much love and attention she and Dumbledore gave each other, it had never bothered him. But it was different to see the way she adored Lupin, almost as if he was an enemy or threat. Snape looked back to his supper and tried to shake the feeling of jealousy away.
"Are you okay daddy? You're really quiet," Tirza commented as she crawled onto his lap. She had changed into yet another flannel nightgown and had waited patiently for him to find the potion for her headache. He handed her the vile and watched as she quickly downed the thick brown liquid. "Aw that stuff tastes like shit," she whined, then blushed. "Daddy, don't wash my mouth out, please?" she begged. Snape kissed her nose. "I won't; I know you've been trying very hard to use better language." Tirza visibly relaxed and handed him back the vile, then patted his face. "You're a good daddy, do you know that?" He chuckled and cuddled her close. "And here I thought I was nasty and unfair." Tirza blushed again. "I NEVER said you were nasty," she replied in an oddly quiet tone. He rubbed her arm. "Did I hurt your feelings?" he asked softly. She shrugged. "Doesn't matter," she whispered. Snape lifted her up and held her in front of his face. "It may not matter to you, but it most certainly matters to ME. I was teasing, not trying to make you feel bad." She resettled herself on his lap and leaned her head against his chest. "My head feels better already." "I'm glad." "Would you do me a favor daddy?" she asked, her dark eyes looking up at him. He smiled slightly. "I'll do my best." "Can you read me a special bedtime story tonight? One that you've never read to me before?" He nodded; that was definitely something he could do. "Are you ready for a story now?" She yawned and they both laughed. "Yeah, headaches always make me sleepy." He hugged her tight for a moment, then let her off his lap. "You go get it and I'll come in." She blew him a kiss, then ran into her room.
Severus entered Tirza's room to find her sitting on her bed holding a very large old book. He sat beside her and she handed it to him. "King Arthur and His Knights of the Round Table," he read the title aloud. "This is a special book to me daddy, so you have to be careful. Mommy said that her mommy read it to her when she was little and she used to read it to me. Even after she gotted sick, she still read to me when she was asleep already cuz it was tradition. And I want it to be special for us too and it helps me 'member good things I did with mommy." Snape nodded and pulled her close. "I would love to share these special stories with you." Tirza clapped her hands in excitement. "You're the bestest daddy!" She planted several kisses on his face before wriggling her way under her covers and the mound of stuffed animals. Snape opened the book and noticed writing on the inside of the front cover. 'To Ariel, my special girl on her 6th birthday. Love and kisses always, mommy' was written in blue ink. Below it in pink was written: 'For my pumpkin for her sixth birthday. Lots of love, mommy.' Snape looked at Tirza, who was watching him expectantly. "Pumpkin?" he asked. Tirza giggled; one of Snape's favorite sounds in the world. "That was my special nickname from mommy, but you can't call me that, cuz you already have two," she told him. "Oh I do, do I?" She giggled again. "Yeah, you call me baby and princess, that's two. I have other nicknames that are special; one from auntie Chrissy and one from uncle Mike and one from Big Papa." Snape's eyebrow rose. "Oh, I never told you about Big Papa? He's so cool! See, AJ's daddy's parents are dead. But her daddy is really close to his partner, Phil Ceretta, and uncle Mike always calls him Big Daddy, so AJ and I got to call him Big Papa. You'll have to meet him daddy, he's very smart, but not as smart or as cool as you daddy; you're always the best." Snape leaned down and kissed her nose, making her giggle. "Can you read now before I fall asleep?" she asked. Snape chuckled and turned to the first page.
Severus and Tirza stood in the Justice's office the next morning. For once Tirza did not feel nervous, and it wasn't because of the potion. Snape was feeling nervous; he had this impending feeling that the name change might be denied. He couldn't explain the feeling, but it was there just the same. "Please, sit down; this is not nearly as formal as court," Mr. Advokit urged with a smile on his face. Tirza bounced into the chair, then giggled as she received the familiar 'why do you ALWAYS bounce on the furniture' look. "So Miss Snape..." "Tirza, dude," she corrected. "Tirza, please do not call the Justice dude," Snape told her quietly. "Can I call him Mr. Justice Dude?" she asked. Snape rolled his eyes as Mr. Advokit burst out laughing. "She is most definitely an American. My daughter married an American fellow a few months ago and I tell you, the differences are staggering," the Justice told Snape with a laugh. Snape nodded; it was different all right, but not in a bad way. His Tirza wouldn't be his Tirza without her quick American slangs and quips. "So how are you doing this morning Tirza?" She sighed. "Pretty good. But I wanted to wear my pink sandals that match my shirt and my purse by the way" she told him proudly. "But daddy said it was too cold to be bare footed in sandals." Mr. Advokit smiled, suppressing a chuckle. "Yes, fathers often have a way of being a stick in the mud, don't they?" Tirza giggled. "Sometimes, but I love 'im anyway!" "Well that's good to hear. So you would like to change your name?" She nodded happily. "Yes, please; I wanna have my daddy's name." "Well I see absolutely no reason why you shouldn't have your father's name," Mr. Advokit replied as he pulled out several papers. "I just need you to sign by each "x" Professor and it will be all legal." Snape took the quill and scrawled his signature at each indicated spot. "Can I sign something too?" Tirza asked. The Justice smiled and nodded. "You get to sign each paper too." "That's good. But do I sign Shelby or Snape?" she wondered. "Shelby; but this is the last time you will ever be required to sign Shelby." She took the quill that Severus offered her and in her obviously ten-year-old handwriting wrote Tirza Jade Shelby on each of the three lines. "Congratulations," the Justice said, shaking hands with them both. "Thank you," Severus whispered quietly as he and Tirza exited the office. "Let's go get some lunch to celebrate," he suggested. "Yippy! I'm Tirza Snape now!" she sang, bouncing around. "Can we have ice cream too?" Snape chuckled. "As if you need the extra sugar child. But yes, we will get some ice cream as well."
A/N: Oh, the trip to NY is so close! Lots of fun with the sleepover and Ron and Harry on the way; as always Draco will make an appearance and Remus will pop up all over the place! Christmas plans and presents to buy and Tirza might share some more things (good things) about Ariel with Sev. Stay tuned!
Potter-Snape: I think Sev dealt with the situation correctly. She knew she'd get it if she decked him, but she did anyways instead of walking away. Draco got everything he deserved, but that won't be the last of him..... he might get pretty used to the view of Sev's office floor before the year is over!
CraJure: Don't worry, Remus is sticking around! At least until the next school year; I'm going to bring in Lockhart as the DADA teacher for Tirza's first year. He and Tirza will not get along (because he's an idiotic and drives EVERY normal person insane), so that will be an interesting year, as well as Tirza having to deal with her father being her teacher.
BuzzBuzz16: Yeah really! No poor Draco's from you and I!
MissLKid: Yes, Snape has turned out to be a good father and has improved since she came. I think you are the first person to notice that Tirza no longer insists on the TJ. Snape will be asking about that in the next chapter, so you'll have to wait and find her! Her reason is pretty cute.
Madame Moony: It certainly looks like Sev is going to press charges against the (BEEP-censored so it stays PG13, LOL!). But you never know.... I might throw a plot twist in there that will totally surprise you! Thanks for all the nice compliments. Isabel and Sev get married? Won't happen anytime soon, if it does at all. You'll have to stick around to find out for sure!
Angels Creation: Well I can't give everything away dear! You'll just have to wait and see.
Kenomee: I don't think Draco understand the concept of the word "defeat" or "loser" either. He better start understanding pretty quick though, before Sev gets really fed up and decides to follow through on his newest threat! LOL! The wand less magic was definitely cool and we'll see more of that. She will turn out to be very powerful once she starts school. It may turn out that Draco is an abused child, as Snape's decision to not send a letter to Lucius rather indicates. Spankings from Lucius may have ended long before Draco started school, but as nasty as Lucius is, I don't even want to think of the things he might do in place of spanking. Perhaps Draco and Tirza will end up with a mutual "we hate each other but aren't going to kill each other" relationship; still prank playing, but all in good humor under the guise of hate.
Alrick: There will definitely be a lot of "Mommy and I went here" and "Mommy and I did this" in NYC. Snape will realize that Tirza's life with Ariel was not always so hard. It is true in real life that Snape's testimony at the trial would have totally been hear say and not admitted in any competent court of law; but such is the joy of story writing: you can bend things to your own will! It would be interesting to me to learn of the English court system, as I am only familiar with the US (via COURT TV and every law book at Barnes and Noble). I'm not going to give away with will definitely happen in the US with charges being brought against her rapist. And as always, you have the best ideas!! I always love your reviews; your ideas are so awesome!
Raclwst: Don't worry; there is lots of fun coming up! Sev will experience several big headaches, LOL!
Sugarprincess: I don't ever see Snape using a cane on Tirza, no matter what she might do. A) because he already told her he wouldn't and B) he hates spanking her as it is, I don't see him steeling himself and caning his baby. Interesting question though!
Oh, disclaimers: I don't own Det. Mike Logan or Serg. Phil Ceretta. They are property of the very cool show Law & Order and the dude that created them. Don't sue me, cuz you won't get much besides several fluffy bunnies and my entire Snape collectibles collection (which you'd have to rip from my cold dead hands, LOL!) I'm just borrowing them!
Much love to everyone! Hugs, Kerry
"Do either of you deny what the Baron has told me?" Snape asked. Tirza knew better then to lie and shook her head no. Draco started to protest, but Snape's look quickly subdued him to a no. "Thank you Baron, you may go." The Bloody Baron drifted from the room as suddenly as he had come; both children cringed under Snape's accusing glare. "Draco, you were clearly the instigator in this altercation. I will be following through on my promise to spank you and I would suggest you remember this and do not let it happen again. If you find yourself over my knee again, you may also find yourself missing a few pertinent items of clothing." Draco's mouth dropped open and his face turned a shade of tomato red. "Sir....." he began slowly. "Um, are you going to write my father about this?" Snape stared closely at the boy, and then shook his head no. "Not this time Mr. Malfoy, but consider yourself lucky that I am not. I know of your father's temper and would certainly not want to be in your shoes should I be forced to write him if this behavior persists." Despite Draco's impending doom, he looked slightly relieved. Snape's glare turned back to Tirza, who was grinning ear to ear at the prospect of Draco in trouble. "And you young lady, can wipe that delighted smirk from your face. Obviously what happened to Draco's clothes and wand are the result of accidental magic and you cannot control that, but you most certainly can control your impulses. I warned you not to fight except in defense of yourself." "But he called me that bad name," she protested, scowling. "And that will be dealt with. But you made the choice to hit him and not walk away and come get me as you should have. For directly disobeying me by starting a fight, you will be getting a spanking as well, though in our chambers." Tirza continued to scowl at him and leaned back in her chair, her arms folded over her chest. He was being so unfair! "Draco, come here," Snape ordered.
Draco took a deep breath; he had cried last time in front of Tirza, but he certainly wasn't going to this time. He was a boy and would not cry in front of a mere girl. He slowly walked towards Snape, feeling like he was walking towards the very gates of hell. Snape looked him clearly in the eye. "You remember what I said will happen if I ever have to do this again." Draco nodded and Snape pulled him over his knee and wasted no time in starting the task before him. Draco tried his hardest to keep quiet as Snape set his behind to roasting. His bravado didn't last long and he was soon kicking and crying. "Stop professor!" he shouted. Snape ignored him; he'd never seriously injure the boy, but if he could take ten strokes of the cane, he could certainly take an over the knee spanking. Tirza watched the scene before her; she might have felt sorry for Draco if he hadn't been so nasty to her lately. The fact that she was the next in line for that kind of attention from her father took all possible fun and merriment from the situation. "I'll be good; I'll never bug her again! I'll never look at her again! I'll never sit down again!" Draco yelled. When Snape felt the boy was sufficiently spanked, he let him off his lap. Draco immediately began rubbing his backside, which felt like it was on fire, not bothering to wipe the tears from his face, jumping around in an attempt to ease the pain. Tirza finally allowed a small giggle to escape as she watched Draco jumping around; even if she was going to be jumping as well in a few minutes, she might as well enjoy herself first. "Apologize to Tirza," Snape ordered when Draco stopped jumping. Draco quickly wiped his face on his sleeve before facing Tirza. "I.....I'm sorry," he stammered, still sniffling. Suddenly feeling very sympathetic, Tirza reached out and awkwardly patted Draco's shoulder. "Hurts bad, don't it?" she whispered. He nodded. "Yeah," she sighed. "Been there, done that and it sucks. He's a lot tougher then he looks," she said, indicating Snape. "No more water stuff though," she whispered. Draco nodded again. "Good luck," he whispered back. "I think you'll need it." Tirza looked at Snape's face; oh boy could she use some good luck!
Snape dismissed Draco and took Tirza's hand, leading her into their chambers. "Sit." She quickly sat down on the couch as Snape began to pace in front of her. "Tirza, didn't I tell you not to start fights?" His voice was more tired sounding then angry. "Yeah," she admitted. "But he called me a mudblood and that made me made mad and he called me stupid." Snape stopped pacing and sat down on the couch. "And then you turn around and call him stupid. How did you feel when he called you stupid?" Tirza looked down at her hands. "Nuthin I haven't heard before," she whispered. Snape instantly thought of Ariel and wondered who else had told Tirza she was stupid. He gently cupped her chin and titled her head up to look at him. "But it still hurts, doesn't it?" She nodded reluctantly. "But he started it," she whined, a determined look on her little face. Snape frowned. "It doesn't matter who started it young lady. I told you not to fight; you should have come to my office and told me that you saw him play that trick on you. Instead you decided to do what you wanted to do instead of what was right." She sighed. "There are other ways to solve disputes with Malfoy besides hitting him, especially when I have asked you not to." "But it's not fair that you're gonna spank me! I won't fight with him again; I promise! I'll come get you and I won't do magic no more, I swear!" Snape shook his head. "I'm not going to spank you for the magic; that was accidental and out of your control. I am going to spank you for disobeying me and for making the poor choice to solve your problems with fighting." Tirza scowled darkly at him, her lower lip stuck out in a pout. "Now I know that he called you a horrible name and told you that you were stupid, but that doesn't give you the right to do something you're not supposed to do. I also know that I promised you a bare bottomed spanking if you fought with him again, but he clearly instigated things and I am willing to not spank you bare this time if you do not fight me on this. Is that a deal?" "NO!" Tirza shouted back. "You're not being fair! I don't wanna get spanked! He started it! And I promised I'd be good!" "I understand all that, but I clearly stated what would happen should you choose to disobey me. You made the choice to fight, knowing the consequences if you were caught," he told her. Tirza jumped off the couch and started stomping and yelling. "Tirza Jade, stop this tantrum right now," Snape ordered. She continued to stomp and scream and whine; Snape held her still and knelt down in front of her. "Do not make this any harder then it has to be. I know you hate being spanked and I hate having to spank you, but you made the choice and must be a grown up girl and live with the consequences."
Tirza struggled against his hold. "No, I don't want a spanking." "Tirza, you WILL be spanked; now it is up to you whether or not to make things harder on yourself. I don't want to spank your bare bottom, but I will if you fight me on this. Now I want you to go change out of these wet clothes and then come right back." Snape turned her around and sent her on the way to her room with a mild swat. She returned several minutes later, already slightly crying. The sad and pleading look on her face made Severus' heart melt, the way it always did whenever he had to be stern with her or punish her. It was hard to be a father; he wished that all he ever had to do was cuddle with her and tell her how much he loved her. Unfortunately, that could not always be how things were. Children get into trouble and must learn that there are consequences for every action. "Daddy, please don't spank me. I'll be a good girl forever and ever," she pleaded softly. "Baby, you know what my decision is and I won't change it. I love you very much but you did disobey me," he told her softly. "But I don't think it's fair," she whispered back. "I'm sorry you feel that way, but I gave you fair warning sweetheart. Now let's get this over with," he replied, putting across his knees. She immediately threw her hand back in an attempt to protect her bottom. Snape gently pushed her hand aside and started spanking her. She burst into tears and began yelling protests. Snape steeled himself against the horrible feeling he always felt whenever he punished her and continued to spank her.
After several minutes, he stopped spanking her and set her right side up. She rubbed her bottom for a few moments, and then wrapped her arms around his neck. "I'm sorry daddy," she whispered. Snape soothingly rubbed her back. "I know you are baby." "I'm sorry I'm bad and stupid," she replied as she blew her nose. Snape kissed her cheek and hugged her tight. "You are not bad or stupid. How many times have I told you that? ALL people make mistakes; me and Grandpa and your mother and Isabel, everybody. The important thing is that you learn from your mistake." She nodded. "I learned that EVERYTHING having to do with Draco sucks for me," she told him. Snape chuckled. "Well, that's definitely true. You do get into a lot of trouble anytime you are around him." He wiped several tears from her face with his handkerchief. "My butt hurts," she whined. He chuckled again and kissed her forehead. "I know sweetheart, but you'll survive." She frowned slightly. "How do you know?" He looked at her, an eyebrow raised. "What, you didn't think that I was ever spanked?" Tirza giggled. "Were you really daddy?" Snape blushed slightly. "A few times." "What did you do?" she asked, bursting with curiosity. Her daddy doing crazy things and getting into trouble? That just didn't seem possible! Snape rolled his eyes. "I think we'll save those stories for later; it's time for supper." She giggled again. "You just don't wanna tell me," she teased. "See, I told you that you were very smart," he replied. After drying her face and a last rub to her bottom, she walked with him to the Great Hall.
"Daddy, I don't feel good," she whined at supper. Snape's face instantly became full of concern. "What's wrong? Do you need your potion?" She shook her head. "No, but my head hurts, I got a headache." Snape's expression relaxed a bit. "I have something I can give you for that. Do you need it now?" She sighed. "Not yet, but I don't want this food." She indicated the very English foods on her plate. "I want the special toast." Snape's eyebrow rose. "What are you talking about?" "The special toast, daddy," she replied, sounding exasperated. Remus, who sat on the other side of her, leaned over with his wand. "Afraid that's my department Snape," he said, replacing her food with several slices of cinnamon and sugar toast. "See, that's the special toast," Tirza said with a smile. "Thank you Uncle Remus." Remus smiled slightly. "Think nothing of it." Snape felt a pang of jealousy as Tirza rewarded Lupin with one of her sweet smiles. It was the first time he had felt that way; no matter how much love and attention she and Dumbledore gave each other, it had never bothered him. But it was different to see the way she adored Lupin, almost as if he was an enemy or threat. Snape looked back to his supper and tried to shake the feeling of jealousy away.
"Are you okay daddy? You're really quiet," Tirza commented as she crawled onto his lap. She had changed into yet another flannel nightgown and had waited patiently for him to find the potion for her headache. He handed her the vile and watched as she quickly downed the thick brown liquid. "Aw that stuff tastes like shit," she whined, then blushed. "Daddy, don't wash my mouth out, please?" she begged. Snape kissed her nose. "I won't; I know you've been trying very hard to use better language." Tirza visibly relaxed and handed him back the vile, then patted his face. "You're a good daddy, do you know that?" He chuckled and cuddled her close. "And here I thought I was nasty and unfair." Tirza blushed again. "I NEVER said you were nasty," she replied in an oddly quiet tone. He rubbed her arm. "Did I hurt your feelings?" he asked softly. She shrugged. "Doesn't matter," she whispered. Snape lifted her up and held her in front of his face. "It may not matter to you, but it most certainly matters to ME. I was teasing, not trying to make you feel bad." She resettled herself on his lap and leaned her head against his chest. "My head feels better already." "I'm glad." "Would you do me a favor daddy?" she asked, her dark eyes looking up at him. He smiled slightly. "I'll do my best." "Can you read me a special bedtime story tonight? One that you've never read to me before?" He nodded; that was definitely something he could do. "Are you ready for a story now?" She yawned and they both laughed. "Yeah, headaches always make me sleepy." He hugged her tight for a moment, then let her off his lap. "You go get it and I'll come in." She blew him a kiss, then ran into her room.
Severus entered Tirza's room to find her sitting on her bed holding a very large old book. He sat beside her and she handed it to him. "King Arthur and His Knights of the Round Table," he read the title aloud. "This is a special book to me daddy, so you have to be careful. Mommy said that her mommy read it to her when she was little and she used to read it to me. Even after she gotted sick, she still read to me when she was asleep already cuz it was tradition. And I want it to be special for us too and it helps me 'member good things I did with mommy." Snape nodded and pulled her close. "I would love to share these special stories with you." Tirza clapped her hands in excitement. "You're the bestest daddy!" She planted several kisses on his face before wriggling her way under her covers and the mound of stuffed animals. Snape opened the book and noticed writing on the inside of the front cover. 'To Ariel, my special girl on her 6th birthday. Love and kisses always, mommy' was written in blue ink. Below it in pink was written: 'For my pumpkin for her sixth birthday. Lots of love, mommy.' Snape looked at Tirza, who was watching him expectantly. "Pumpkin?" he asked. Tirza giggled; one of Snape's favorite sounds in the world. "That was my special nickname from mommy, but you can't call me that, cuz you already have two," she told him. "Oh I do, do I?" She giggled again. "Yeah, you call me baby and princess, that's two. I have other nicknames that are special; one from auntie Chrissy and one from uncle Mike and one from Big Papa." Snape's eyebrow rose. "Oh, I never told you about Big Papa? He's so cool! See, AJ's daddy's parents are dead. But her daddy is really close to his partner, Phil Ceretta, and uncle Mike always calls him Big Daddy, so AJ and I got to call him Big Papa. You'll have to meet him daddy, he's very smart, but not as smart or as cool as you daddy; you're always the best." Snape leaned down and kissed her nose, making her giggle. "Can you read now before I fall asleep?" she asked. Snape chuckled and turned to the first page.
Severus and Tirza stood in the Justice's office the next morning. For once Tirza did not feel nervous, and it wasn't because of the potion. Snape was feeling nervous; he had this impending feeling that the name change might be denied. He couldn't explain the feeling, but it was there just the same. "Please, sit down; this is not nearly as formal as court," Mr. Advokit urged with a smile on his face. Tirza bounced into the chair, then giggled as she received the familiar 'why do you ALWAYS bounce on the furniture' look. "So Miss Snape..." "Tirza, dude," she corrected. "Tirza, please do not call the Justice dude," Snape told her quietly. "Can I call him Mr. Justice Dude?" she asked. Snape rolled his eyes as Mr. Advokit burst out laughing. "She is most definitely an American. My daughter married an American fellow a few months ago and I tell you, the differences are staggering," the Justice told Snape with a laugh. Snape nodded; it was different all right, but not in a bad way. His Tirza wouldn't be his Tirza without her quick American slangs and quips. "So how are you doing this morning Tirza?" She sighed. "Pretty good. But I wanted to wear my pink sandals that match my shirt and my purse by the way" she told him proudly. "But daddy said it was too cold to be bare footed in sandals." Mr. Advokit smiled, suppressing a chuckle. "Yes, fathers often have a way of being a stick in the mud, don't they?" Tirza giggled. "Sometimes, but I love 'im anyway!" "Well that's good to hear. So you would like to change your name?" She nodded happily. "Yes, please; I wanna have my daddy's name." "Well I see absolutely no reason why you shouldn't have your father's name," Mr. Advokit replied as he pulled out several papers. "I just need you to sign by each "x" Professor and it will be all legal." Snape took the quill and scrawled his signature at each indicated spot. "Can I sign something too?" Tirza asked. The Justice smiled and nodded. "You get to sign each paper too." "That's good. But do I sign Shelby or Snape?" she wondered. "Shelby; but this is the last time you will ever be required to sign Shelby." She took the quill that Severus offered her and in her obviously ten-year-old handwriting wrote Tirza Jade Shelby on each of the three lines. "Congratulations," the Justice said, shaking hands with them both. "Thank you," Severus whispered quietly as he and Tirza exited the office. "Let's go get some lunch to celebrate," he suggested. "Yippy! I'm Tirza Snape now!" she sang, bouncing around. "Can we have ice cream too?" Snape chuckled. "As if you need the extra sugar child. But yes, we will get some ice cream as well."
A/N: Oh, the trip to NY is so close! Lots of fun with the sleepover and Ron and Harry on the way; as always Draco will make an appearance and Remus will pop up all over the place! Christmas plans and presents to buy and Tirza might share some more things (good things) about Ariel with Sev. Stay tuned!
Potter-Snape: I think Sev dealt with the situation correctly. She knew she'd get it if she decked him, but she did anyways instead of walking away. Draco got everything he deserved, but that won't be the last of him..... he might get pretty used to the view of Sev's office floor before the year is over!
CraJure: Don't worry, Remus is sticking around! At least until the next school year; I'm going to bring in Lockhart as the DADA teacher for Tirza's first year. He and Tirza will not get along (because he's an idiotic and drives EVERY normal person insane), so that will be an interesting year, as well as Tirza having to deal with her father being her teacher.
BuzzBuzz16: Yeah really! No poor Draco's from you and I!
MissLKid: Yes, Snape has turned out to be a good father and has improved since she came. I think you are the first person to notice that Tirza no longer insists on the TJ. Snape will be asking about that in the next chapter, so you'll have to wait and find her! Her reason is pretty cute.
Madame Moony: It certainly looks like Sev is going to press charges against the (BEEP-censored so it stays PG13, LOL!). But you never know.... I might throw a plot twist in there that will totally surprise you! Thanks for all the nice compliments. Isabel and Sev get married? Won't happen anytime soon, if it does at all. You'll have to stick around to find out for sure!
Angels Creation: Well I can't give everything away dear! You'll just have to wait and see.
Kenomee: I don't think Draco understand the concept of the word "defeat" or "loser" either. He better start understanding pretty quick though, before Sev gets really fed up and decides to follow through on his newest threat! LOL! The wand less magic was definitely cool and we'll see more of that. She will turn out to be very powerful once she starts school. It may turn out that Draco is an abused child, as Snape's decision to not send a letter to Lucius rather indicates. Spankings from Lucius may have ended long before Draco started school, but as nasty as Lucius is, I don't even want to think of the things he might do in place of spanking. Perhaps Draco and Tirza will end up with a mutual "we hate each other but aren't going to kill each other" relationship; still prank playing, but all in good humor under the guise of hate.
Alrick: There will definitely be a lot of "Mommy and I went here" and "Mommy and I did this" in NYC. Snape will realize that Tirza's life with Ariel was not always so hard. It is true in real life that Snape's testimony at the trial would have totally been hear say and not admitted in any competent court of law; but such is the joy of story writing: you can bend things to your own will! It would be interesting to me to learn of the English court system, as I am only familiar with the US (via COURT TV and every law book at Barnes and Noble). I'm not going to give away with will definitely happen in the US with charges being brought against her rapist. And as always, you have the best ideas!! I always love your reviews; your ideas are so awesome!
Raclwst: Don't worry; there is lots of fun coming up! Sev will experience several big headaches, LOL!
Sugarprincess: I don't ever see Snape using a cane on Tirza, no matter what she might do. A) because he already told her he wouldn't and B) he hates spanking her as it is, I don't see him steeling himself and caning his baby. Interesting question though!
Oh, disclaimers: I don't own Det. Mike Logan or Serg. Phil Ceretta. They are property of the very cool show Law & Order and the dude that created them. Don't sue me, cuz you won't get much besides several fluffy bunnies and my entire Snape collectibles collection (which you'd have to rip from my cold dead hands, LOL!) I'm just borrowing them!
Much love to everyone! Hugs, Kerry
