Snape had waited ten minutes after Tirza had left, before going to Isabel's quarters. "No, she hasn't come here. What happened?" Isabel asked. Snape sighed. "I told her about the prosecution plans and she was upset and wouldn't talk to me; I figured she would come here." "Have you checked with Dumbledore?" Isabel suggested. "That's where I'm headed now," Snape replied. "I'll come with you." They went straight to the headmaster's office, but Tirza had not gone there either, nor to Lupin's office. "I'll notify all the teachers and we'll start a search," Dumbledore said. Snape nodded and headed off to find Hermione and Oliver; perhaps Tirza had decided to talk with them. A through search of the school commenced; Molly was in her usual place on Tirza's bed and all of her snow gear was accounted for, so she had to be somewhere in the school. An hour passed with no sign of her and Snape was feeling panicked. Lupin had been searching through the nearly three dozen passages since the search had started and still had two dozen to go.

Tirza was still in the passage and had no idea that people were searching for her or how long she had been there. It might have occurred to her that her father would be concerned, if she wasn't asleep on the floor of the passage. She had wracked her brain, crying, not sure if she could handle the trial, but unsure if she shouldn't do it. She was frightened at the prospect of seeing him again. She was glad she remembered the passage and that she was alone; she just needed to cry and think. She hated the thought that he was still out there and still a threat and it would be good to know that he was gone; yet she didn't know if she even wanted to have to look at him even though he'd go away. He had ruined her life; who is ten-years-old and already been through what she had? The nightmares, the flashbacks, the fear, the emptiness, the guilt, the horror; he had brought all these things to her and didn't even care. Even if she testified, those things wouldn't just go away in the blink of an eye or the twitch of a nose. Why? Why did her dad want her to do this? What made him think that she could? Or that she'd even want to? Her greatest fear was seeing that boy again. She cried, grateful that no one could hear her. She had cried and wondered and thought for nearly thirty minutes before she grew tired, but not ready to leave the passage, she curled up on the floor and fell asleep.

Ninety minutes after the search commenced, Lupin had searched nearly every passage without finding a trace of Tirza. He only had five left to search and continued on to the next one, despite feeling worn out and having a headache. He was worried about Tirza, even though he hadn't known her long, and could only imagine the anxiety that Snape was going through. He approached the painting and tapped the bricks in the proper sequence, causing the painting to reveal the passage. He stepped inside, his eyes taking a few seconds to adjust to the lesser amount of light. When his eyes focused, he looked ahead of him in the passage; a little farther up ahead, there was a lump on the floor. He thought to dismiss it as trash left over from someone else that had used the passage, but felt an urge to check it out. He quickly went to investigate and discovered that the lump was not a lump or left over trash; it was Tirza, sound asleep. He was relieved to find her finally and she didn't appear sick, as Snape and Dumbledore were worried she might be. Remus gently shook her shoulder and Tirza mumbled something, and then opened her eyes. "Are you okay?" Remus asked. Tirza nodded. "What are you doing here?" she asked. "I was about to ask you the same thing; you've had everyone very worried about you," he told her softly. Tirza sighed and sat up. "I needed to think about some stuff and I'm not done thinking yet. Do I have to be found?" Remus chuckled and sat down beside her. "Yes, I think so. We've been looking for you for nearly two hours and your father has been very worried that you might be sick or hurt." Tirza ducked her head. "He's gonna be really mad at me," she whispered. Remus doubted that but really couldn't promise the child he wasn't, in case Snape was angry with her. "Don't worry about that right now; I'm sure he and everyone else will be very happy to see you. Come on, let's go." Tirza sighed and stood up; she took Remus' hand and they left the passage.

"Oh, you've found her! Thank heavens!" McGonagall hurried down the hallway and nearly squished Tirza in a hug. She pulled away after a moment and looked at her closely. "Are you alright dear?" Tirza nodded. "Yeah, I'm okay Auntie Min." Minerva turned to Remus. "I'll go tell the rest of the staff that she has been found; Severus is in the headmaster's office, if you would bring her to him." "Of course," he replied. Minerva continued down the hallway while Remus and Tirza headed for Dumbledore's office. "Tirza! Remus!" a voice from behind them called. They turned around to see Dumbledore coming towards them; Tirza let go of Remus' hand and ran to Albus, throwing her arms around him. "Sunshine, are you alright?" he asked, holding her close. "Grandpa... I don't know what to do. I wanted to think all alone, but it didn't help." Albus kissed her head. "Shh, you can tell me all about after you see your father. He's been frantic." "I don't wanna go see daddy." Tirza's statement caught both Dumbledore and Remus by surprise. "Why ever not?" Albus asked. "Cuz he's gonna be really mad at me, just like when I went to Hogsmeade," she whispered, tears shining in her eyes. Dumbledore picked her up and she buried her head in his shoulder. "I don't think your father is angry sweetheart, just worried." She shook her head. "He's gonna be mad and I'm gonna get a spanking just like before," she quietly replied. Dumbledore soothingly rubbed her back. "That was a different situation; this time your father was worried that you might be sick and not have your potion with you. This is much different then when you ran away," he assured her. She shook her head, and then buried her face in his shoulder again. "Your father is not angry with you; you won't get a spanking." "Promise?" she asked, her lower lip trembling slightly. "I promise; will you see him now?" She nodded and he carried her to his office, followed by Remus.

Severus was pacing back in forth in Dumbledore's office; when Tirza hadn't been found in an hour, he had become too panicked to really be of any help in the search and had stayed in the office waiting for any word or sign of his missing daughter. The door opened and he nearly pounced on poor Remus. "Where is she? Did you find her?" His questions were answered as Dumbledore, still carrying Tirza, entered behind Remus. "Oh, thank god," he breathed a sigh of relief and reached out to take Tirza. Tirza whimpered and buried her face in Dumbledore's shoulder. Severus felt like a knife had just been driven into his heart; his baby didn't want him to hold her. Dumbledore saw the look of hurt and confusion on the younger wizard's face; he reached out and squeezed Severus' shoulder affectionately. "Tirza feel asleep and didn't realize everyone was searching for her. She is afraid that you are angry and will spank her, like you did when she ran away to Hogsmeade," Albus explained. The knife in Severus' heart disappeared. "I promised her that this was a different situation and that you would not," Albus added. "Of course not," Severus replied. He stroked Tirza's hair. "I'm not angry with you; I was worried. I know you don't carry your potion and that perhaps you were sick." Tirza lifted her head from Dumbledore's shoulder. "I'm not in trouble?" she asked quietly. "No, you're not," Severus said. He took Tirza from Dumbledore and cradled her close. "Baby, are you afraid of me?" He sat in a nearby chair, slowly rocking her back and forth. "No; I just didn't wanna get spanked, cuz I didn't mean to be bad," she told him, snuggling deep in his strong, safe arms. Snape kissed her cheek, completely forgetting that there were others in the room. "No sweetheart, you weren't bad and you aren't in trouble. I was so worried; I thought you might be really sick and all alone." She shook her head and kissed his face. "I'm glad you're not mad at me daddy." She took a deep breath and a stressed look came over her little face.

McGonagall and Isabel entered the room, though Tirza didn't notice them. "Daddy, why do you want me to have hell?" All the adults exchanged puzzled looks. "Darling, what are you talking about?" Severus asked her. "You want me to talk to the D.A. and see that boy again. I can't daddy! It'll be like hell!" Tirza buried her face against his chest. "Am I the only one that's confused here?" Remus quietly asked the others. "I'm just as confused as you are; I think we've been out of the loop," Minerva added. Severus frowned. "Tirza, do you want to talk about this in private?" She shook her head. "I need help; lots of help." He smiled and kissed her cheek. "Then perhaps you should clue a few people in; not everyone here knows." She looked around at the concerned faces. "Oh yeah; Auntie Min and Uncle Remus don't know." She took a deep breath and slowly told the story of what had been done to her. "That is the most disgusting thing I've ever heard; that kid should rot in hell," Remus stated. Minerva crossed the room and gave Tirza a hug. "You poor thing," she whispered, gently planting a kiss on Tirza's head. "What can we do to help?" she asked as she sat back down. Severus explained how he had been corresponding and finding out about prosecuting. "I don't wanna see him ever again," Tirza whispered, a few tears rolling down her face. Severus kissed her forehead and brushed the tears away with his thumb. "He cannot hurt you anymore; no one in this room, especially your father, would allow that to happen," Dumbledore pointed out. "But it won't make things better," she retorted. "I'll still be sad in my heart." Isabel sat beside Severus and took Tirza's hand in hers. "Do you remember telling me how it scared you that he was still out there and you thought he might come and try to get you again?" she asked. Tirza nodded. "Now is your chance to fix that fear; he will go to jail and be punished for what he's done. No one will make you if you truly don't want to, but don't you want him to be punished for what he's done?" "Yeah," Tirza replied quietly.

"Tirza, have you ever thought that perhaps you aren't the only one?" Remus asked softly. Severus and Tirza's eyebrows rose, causing everyone to chuckle softly. "What you mean?" she asked. He crossed the room and kneeled in front of her. "People that are sick, like this name-which-I-will-not-say- in-a-child's-presence, it is not just sick like disgusting, it is sick like the flu. They don't stop until someone stops them. Tirza, you probably weren't the first person he hurt, and most likely not the last." Tirza shivered and snuggled deeper in Snape's arms. Severus frowned at Remus, wondering exactly what he was trying to say and why he was saying it. "Do you really think so?" she whispered. Remus nodded. "I'd bet my vault at Gringotts that you're not the only one. And everybody hurt like you is scared and that fear is completely understandable. But if no one stands up and tells the truth, who will stop him?" "You mean if I am brave and tell the D.A. and stuff, that maybe I can stop him from hurting someone else?" she asked, visibly perking up. Remus smiled and squeezed her hand affectionately. "Exactly." He shot Severus a look that said 'you pick it up now.' Snape nodded. "Baby, you are a brave girl, a strong girl. I know you're strong enough to do this, if it is what you want to do. There are so many people who care about you and will stand with you; we won't let you fall. I won't let you fall," he assured her. Tirza looked around the room at the adults who all cared about her and knew her father was right. She took a deep breath. "I'll do it," she told him firmly. "Is that what you truly wish to do?" Severus asked. Tirza nodded. "I'll be scared, but I know you'll protect me daddy, all of ya will. He's done bad things to me and maybe even others too and that's not right. I'll be brave and make him tell the truth." Snape hugged her close as the others clapped. "You're doing a wonderful thing Tirza, for yourself and for others," he whispered. All the adults gave Tirza a hug and assured her of their support. "Can I have some ice cream daddy?" Dumbledore chuckled. "Let's all have some ice cream," Albus decided.

The next week was passing quickly, with teachers and students getting ready for Christmas break. Tirza enjoyed assisting Dumbledore in decorating the school, though her and her father's chambers were so far bare of any holiday decorations. She found it rather depressing, but didn't say anything about it. That Thursday night, Snape told her to get on her snow gear; he wanted to take her for a walk.

"Daddy, where are we going?" Tirza asked. She put her pink mittened hand in his thick black gloved hand. "You'll see," he replied, his tone somewhat teasing. "I hate waiting," she whined. He chuckled and squeezed her hand. "You have so little patience, little one." She snorted with laughter. "What and you do?" she retorted. He chuckled. "You're awfully quick with those nasty responses aren't you?" She nodded. "Learned from the best!" Snape suddenly scooped her up and dumped her in the snow. Tirza squealed, though with as bundled up as she was, she wasn't even wet! She giggled and stood up, then lunged at Snape; she caught him off balance and knocked him flat on his back in the snow. "I win!" she shouted as she sat on his chest, giggling hysterically. "Oh you do, do you?" he retorted. "Yep!" she grabbed a handful of snow and dropped it unceremoniously on his face. Snape sputtered and wiped the snow from his face. "Oh now you're in trouble little girl!!" Tirza scrambled off his chest and tried to run, which was very hard to do while laughing and wearing snow pants. Severus quickly caught her; he grabbed her, turned her upside down and shook her a little before setting her down face first in the snow. Tirza sputtered, but smiled at him. "I'll never give up!" she shouted, tossing a snowball his way. Her aim was true and it smacked his stomach. Snape growled in mock disgust. "You naught girl, look at what you've done? I'm all wet," he teasingly scolded. Tirza giggled. "Whatever am I going to do with you?" he asked. "Just love me forever," she replied just before pouncing at him again. This time he was able to catch her without being knocked over and he kissed her winter-rosy cheek. "I already do."

After several minutes of playing in the snow, which resulted in Severus becoming very wet, they continued their walk. "Are you cold?" he asked. "You worry too much," she told him. "I'm supposed to and I always will; how could I not worry about my little girl?" Tirza rolled her eyes. "So what are we doing and are we there yet?" "We are looking for a Christmas tree," he told her. "Like a real one?" she asked surprise evident in her voice. "Of course." "That is so way cool; mommy and I had one that we got out of a box, some plastic thing. She was allergic to pine trees (creepy to think that some people ARE allergic to pine trees, huh? (points to self, LOL!))." Snape nodded. "That's right, I had forgotten." When they reached a nice spread of pine trees, they stopped walking. "Take your pick," he directed her. After much deliberation and careful thought, Tirza finally chose a tree that was nice and fat, but not too tall. A spell cut the tree perfectly and Snape levitated it to float beside him as they walked back.

The tree was set up in the sitting room of their chambers by Severus as Tirza watched her eyes bright with excitement, a beautiful smile on her face. "Do you have ornaments and stuff? Cuz all of me and mommy's stuff is in storage in New York still?" she asked. "I do somewhere, I think; I haven't thought about that kind of thing in quite a few years," he replied. Tirza's mouth dropped open. "What do you mean?" He chuckled at the expression on her face. "This is the first year in a long time that I've had a Christmas tree in my quarters." "That's really sad daddy," she quietly stated. Snape went to the massive closet and began pulling out several shrunken boxes before finding the right one. He enlarged it to its original size and opened it up. Tirza came over and stood beside him as he began gingerly pulling out ornaments. A round, bright red one caught Tirza's eye and she picked it up. It was one of those ornaments that holds pictures; the picture was of a smiling, waving baby dressed in a candy strip outfit. "Who is this?" she asked. Snape blushed and Tirza giggled. "That's YOU?" He nodded. "Oh my gosh, you were so cute! What happened?" she teased. Snape rolled his eyes. "Let's not put that one up." "Are you kidding? We gotta put this up!" She began digging through the box, looking for other ornaments with pictures of Snape, but there wasn't any more like that. "Is this the only one with your picture?" Severus shook his head. "No; there is an abundance of them back at the house. My mother must have put this in here by mistake when she sent me the box my first year teaching here." "House? What house?" Tirza asked excitedly. "Did you think I lived here all year around?" he wondered. "I didn't really think of it before. Tell me all about the house!" she begged. Over the next hour, as they decorated the tree together, Snape told her about Snape Manor. When they were done decorating, he sat down to admire their work and Tirza crawled in his lap. "Are you ready for a bedtime story?" he asked her several minutes later. He didn't get a response and looked down; she was fast asleep. Chuckling softly, he carefully stood up and carried Tirza to her room.

A/N: Sorry it's short; work has been hell the last couple of days! Christmas party break in the next chapter, with some more Snape/Isabel and Sirius will show up! Thanks for all the Christmas gift suggestions! Stay tuned all!

Karlie Malfoy Dracos lil sis: Great suggestion!

LinaChristine521: Sorry for any confusion; I have kind of changed things a bit for my own purposes.

CraJure: Next chapter you will get to see what all the presents are! And I thought Remus being an artist was way cool; I like to have him involved in stuff.

Fire'N'Ice: Don't sacrifice school for my story! Though I appreciate the compliment that that is! I am glad that you like the story so much; I always love new readers! Lucius is so very creepy! But give Draco some time; in later years, when Tirza is in school, he'll redeem himself. I think he'd be a much better kid if he dad was a better person.

CapriceAnn Hedican-Kocur: Thanks for the suggestion!

Slone: Wonderful, wonderful ideas!

Potter-Snape: I try and include people's ideas and so far, you have come up with some very good ones! I think Remus the painter is very cool, we don't know a whole lot about him, so it is easier to associate things like that with him.

Kenomee: Tirza is past the age where she believes in Santa. For her it is more that AJ's dad dressed up and she wants her daddy to dress up too! It will be very interesting, that's for sure! Draco will always be Draco... at least for a few years yet! Eventually he won't be so annoying, but that is a ways off. He'll be at Hogwarts as well for Christmas break, so things could get ugly for him! (Tirza will stay out of trouble for a little bit; have a little bit of revenge, LOL!)You'll have to wait and see if Snape carries through on his recent threat... I certainly wouldn't want to be in Draco's shoes if Snape does, LOL! That was a bit of an odd reaction to Draco on Tirza's part, wasn't it? The reason why will come out and will involve Oliver, so stay tuned for that!

Alrick: I also thought the meeting with Lucius went rather well. Clearly he doesn't like her, but has to keep up appearances with Snape and Tirza doesn't like him either, but Snape must also keep up appearances. It would have been interesting if Snape had accepted, but Lucius is too involved in things that Snape wouldn't want Tirza around and is very smart to keep her away from him. Great ideas for Christmas and shopping!

JeannaUO: Oh don't worry, Draco and Tirza will each have a present for the other! And Fred and George will be more then willing to help her with hers for Draco! Excellent idea of the flowers signed Severus! Definitely have to use that!!!

LostSoul: I did notice you hadn't posted, but it slipped my mind when I was writing out the author's notes. The accidental magic is fun, but it won't be an all the time occurrence either. However, Tirza will turn out to be quite powerful eventually! Cute ideas for Christmas stuff!

MissLKid: It will definitely be interesting!

Stay tuned all for the Christmas fun and a gust appearance by Sirius! Some suggestions as to Sirius' character would also be helpful! Much thanks and love, Kerry