Severus' heart stopped as he looked out at her, lying on the ground. She didn't seem to be moving, her little legs twisted in a funny way and blood was quickly staining the snow around her. "I'll go get Poppy," Remus said, taking off from the office. Dumbledore pulled on Severus' arm. "Come on Severus, we have to go to her right away." He moved away from the window, but was suddenly finding it difficult to breathe. "Don't let her be dead," he moaned as they left the office and headed outside. Several stray tears leaked from his eyes and he didn't bother to wipe them away. He could still see her lying there in his mind and could feel his chest tighten.

Oliver rushed over to Tirza, whose eyes were rolling back in her head. The blood and the way her legs were twisted terrified him, but he took off his coat and covered her then sat next to her and patted her face. "Come on Tirza, stay awake, come on," he encouraged. Her eyes stopped rolling and came to focus on him. "It hurts," she sobbed. Oliver wasn't sure if he should move her but didn't want to leave her alone while getting help. "At least I won't be pretty no more," she told him through her tears. "What are you talking about?" Oliver asked, feeling confused. Her eyes started to roll again and she let out a moan. "Tirza, stay with me," he said, patting her face again. "No pretty... safe now... no more pretty... no hurt me," she babbled. Just as she lost consciousness, Oliver heard people coming towards them. Snape rushed forward, his breathing ragged. "Don't touch her Severus," Poppy warned, hurrying over. "We don't know how badly she's hurt, we cannot move her yet." Severus sank down into the snow beside her and was thankful to hear her soft, slow breathing. "Do you know where the blood is coming from?" Poppy asked Oliver. She was unable to find any wounds on the little girl's face, but there was definite blood staining the snow. "She hit her head really hard," Oliver told her, pointing to a jagged, sharp piece of ice that was covered in blood just a few inches from the girl's head.

Poppy quickly checked her over as Severus watched anxiously, his breathing becoming more and more ragged and laborious. Dumbledore summoned a stretcher and magically lifted Tirza onto it. The little girl moaned, but didn't open her eyes and didn't move. Severus took her hand and walked beside the floating stretcher. "It's okay baby, you'll be okay," he told her softly. They hurriedly brought the stretcher to the hospital wing and several students followed them, having heard the scream and were concerned for Tirza. "You can't come in," Poppy told Hermione, Harry, Ron, Neville and several others, closing the door. "Put her here," Poppy directed, pointing to a bed. Tirza was carefully, magically lifted from the stretcher and placed on the bed. She handed Dumbledore a towel, which he pressed to the large gash on the back of Tirza's head, and hurried off to get several potions and a hospital gown. "Severus, I need you to get those jeans off her, I need to examine her legs, and they might be fractured or broken." Snape just stood there, his breathing sounding more and more horrible with each second. "Severus!" Poppy shouted, trying to get his attention.

Severus reached out for the gown, but suddenly stopped, a horrible look of anguish came over his face and he clutched at his chest. In an instant, Remus was holding Severus up so he didn't fall onto the floor and Poppy yelled for one of her nurses. The young nurse ran over to Remus and helped him get Severus to a bed. "He might be having a heart attack, you must check him out immediately," Poppy directed. The young nurse nodded and Poppy turned back to Tirza and said the spell to stop the blood flow which was soaking the pillows and the towel. "Will somebody get those jeans off?" Poppy asked as she began cleaning the gash. Isabel stepped forward and eased the unconscious little girl's pants off and covered her with the hospital gown. As soon as the gash was cleaned and stitched up, Remus lifted Tirza and placed her on a clean bed, then sat with Dumbledore, Isabel and Oliver, looking back and forth between Severus and Tirza as each was being worked on.

Dumbledore, Remus, Isabel and Oliver never left Tirza's side. Isabel helped Poppy get the unconscious girl to drink the necessary potions. It turned out that aside from the nasty gash, Tirza's only other injury was that both her legs were broken. Poppy easily fixed those, but because she was so little, the magic that fixed them would leave Tirza weak for the rest of day. After mending her broken legs, Poppy had Tirza moved to a more secluded bed so she could rest undisturbed. "What's going on with Tirza?" Severus thundered from his own bed. "Severus Snape, you hush and rest or I swear I'll put a silencing charm on you! You haven't had a heart attack, but panic attacks can be rather nasty as well, so you lie back down and sleep. Tirza will be just fine and you'll be able to see her in a little while." Poppy told him sternly. Severus did indeed feel very warn out; now he knew what happened to Tirza during a panic attack and certainly would do his best at preventing her to have one again. He figured the effect must be double what he experienced; see as she is so little. He could have sworn he was having a heart attack but was very glad that it wasn't. The nurse and Poppy performed many tests and gave him many potions and determined that it was just a panic attack and nothing to do with his heart. He looked over at the bed where Tirza lay asleep and decided since there wasn't much he could do for her at the moment anyway, he might as well sleep before Poppy knocked him out with a sleeping potion.

It turned out Poppy had her way anyways and cast a sleeping spell over him, ensuring that he would sleep for a good two or three hours. It wasn't long after Severus was out cold that Tirza began to stir slightly in her bed. Poppy and the others watched her intently, waiting for her to wake. "My head hurts," Tirza whined without opening her eyes. "I'm sure it does, poor child," Poppy said, bustling off to get a pain relieving potion for her. "Oh man, I'm soooo gonna get spanked for this aren't I?" Tirza asked, her eyes still closed. "Well certainly not by me, but most likely yes," Dumbledore told her quietly. A strange feeling came over Tirza. That was Grandpa's voice, not daddy's! Where was her dad and why wasn't he there. Her eyes popped open and she scanned the faces in front of her; Remus, Grandpa, Oliver and Isabel, but no Snape. "I want my daddy," she told them, sounding close to tears. Dumbledore sat on the bed beside her and kissed her forehead. "Your father is asleep, he had a panic attack Poppy tells us..." Tirza was having difficulty paying attention due to her throbbing head and could have sworn Dumbledore had said heart attack. "Oh my god! He's dead, I killed him, I gave him a heart attack, oh my god!" she screamed.

She tried to sit up and saw her father in a bed across the room, but Remus' gentle hands pushed her back down. "Tirza, you need to lie still and rest," he told her. "Daddy!" she screamed. "Lemme go I want my daddy!" She struggled against him, attempting to get off the bed, but Remus had a firm hold on her and she wasn't going anywhere. She continued to scream and began sobbing hysterically; using what little strength she had at the moment to fight Remus' hold. "Poppy, a little help please," Remus asked. A quick sleeping charm did just the trick and Remus put Tirza back in her bed and covered her with the blankets. "These two are going to be the death of me," Poppy muttered, glancing sternly at the two sleeping Snapes. "Severus will be alright, won't he?" Dumbledore asked, concerned for Tirza if he wasn't. Poppy nodded. "Obviously she misunderstood what you said; she's had enough panic attacks of her own to know they aren't fun, but they don't kill you. He'll be fine, they both will." "Well I'd like to know exactly what she thought she was doing riding her broom alone," Remus mused. "She's been acting so strange lately, it's really unnerving!" Everyone nodded their agreement.

"She's acting just like she did when she first came, before she told Severus about what happened to her. He's done wonders for her, believe me, but something has reversed all the hard work they've done," Dumbledore told them. "The look in her eyes, it makes me want to shiver," Oliver added. "She's a very stubborn child; if she doesn't want to open up, she won't... Severus may have to resort to a truth charm to sort this out." Albus mused. "Well whatever is bothering her has to be stopped before she really hurts herself. If Severus decides not to use a truth charm and she refuses to tell, I'd suggest putting a magical barrier around the Astronomy tower," Isabel spoke up quietly. Remus took a deep breath. "Is she really that bad that she'd...." Isabel shrugged. "I can't tell for absolute certainty that she would or wouldn't; I don't think she would, she's so very attached to Severus, but there's desperation about her lately and I don't think we should take any chances." Everyone nodded their agreement. "When I got to her after she fell, she wasn't making much sense, but I kept hearing her say 'no pretty'," Oliver stated. All five of them looked at the sleeping child, wondering what exactly was going on in her mind and trying to think of a way to help her with whatever it was.

Nearly three hours later, Tirza began to stir again. This time her head wasn't throbbing nearly as bad, but she felt like she was in a different place. She knew she had been in a bed in the hospital wing, but it didn't feel like she was in a bed anymore. Tirza cautiously opened her eyes and looked around; she was still in the hospital wing, but instead of lying on a bed, she was lying in her father's arms. "Daddy!" she screeched, throwing her arms around him. Severus, who had been dozing slightly was startled by her suddenly pouncing on him, but quickly wrapped his arms around her. "Baby, my baby girl," he murmured, rocking her back and forth slowly. Remus, Dumbledore, Isabel and Oliver were still in the infirmary, waiting for Tirza to wake up again and rushed over when they heard her yell. "You're not dead," she whispered, covering his face with kisses. "Of course not; it'll take a lot more then a panic attack to get the best of me," he told her. "And do you realize how lucky YOU are to be alive?" he asked her sternly. She buried her head in his shoulder. "Well you will mend just fine," Poppy announced coming over to the small group. "The gash on your head will heal and your broken legs are mended, but will be somewhat wobbly today." Tirza looked up, her eyes wide. "My legs were broken?" Poppy nodded. "They certainly were. Now that you're up, your father can take you back to your chambers if you like." Tirza nodded and Severus stood up with her in his arms.

"We're coming too," Remus said, indicating himself and the others. "We all want to know what's going on." Severus nodded and they all headed for his chambers. Once there, everyone sat around the room, looking intently at Tirza, who fidgeted under all the attention. She was sitting on Severus' lap, cuddled up against him. "I'm in really really big trouble, aren't I?" she asked quietly, looking up at him. Severus kissed her forehead. "Yes, you are in trouble, but I think we all want to know what has been going on with you lately and why you did this." Tirza looked down at her hands. "I can't tell you," she whispered. "Why were you talking about "no pretty" after you fell?" Oliver asked. Tirza blushed, but shook her head. "I'm not going to tell, I can't, okay. So just leave me the fuck alone." Severus shook his head and quickly adjusted her position and gave her a sound smack on the bottom. "Ouch!" Tirza yelped. "I've heard enough of that word from you lately to last me a life time young lady," Severus told her. "Sorry," she mumbled, then cuddled against his chest again. "Tirza, we know something is bothering you and we want to help," Dumbledore told her quietly. She shook her head. "You can't make me tell!" she told stubbornly told them. "Do I have to use a truth charm on you?" Severus asked.

Tirza's eyes went wide. "That's not fair," she whispered, pouting. He tipped her chin up so he could look her in the eyes. "Baby, you're hurting, I know you are. Why do you suffer all by yourself? Look at how many people want to help you. We all love you very much and we don't want to see you hurting anymore. We want to know what's wrong and why you did something as dangerous as flying by yourself." Tirza had been fighting an internal battle ever since the allocution as to whether or not she should tell; a final outcome hadn't been reached, but Tirza, sitting there with all these people who cared about her, just couldn't take it anymore. She had to tell; she burst into tears and buried her face in Snape's shoulder. He wrapped his arms around her and whispered comfortingly to her while she cried. After a few moments, she lifted her tear stained face and looked up at Severus. "Daddy, I can't be pretty anymore," she whispered, tears still running down her face. "Whatever are you talking about?" he asked softly, rubbing her back. "When HE confessed in court... he said he saw me and I was beautiful. Don't you understand daddy? He picked me because I was pretty! If I had been fat or ugly he would have left me alone... he wouldn't have killed me inside." She burst out sobbing again while the adults and Oliver exchanged looks.

It was true that the scum bag had mentioned that he thought she was pretty, but everyone in the room except Tirza knew that people like that spawn of Satan didn't care of their victim was short or fat or beautiful; it was the power and control that people like that craved. "So you've been eating yourself sick and stopped washing your hair in an attempt to protect yourself, haven't you?" Severus questioned gently. She nodded, still sobbing. "It's not safe to be pretty daddy! And I didn't want to tell anybody cuz I knew you'd make me take a bath like YOU did and everybody was asking and bothering me and I wanted to tell but I couldn't and I was mad and I wanted to get away." Tirza took a deep breath as her sobs subsided. "So I took my broom and I knew I wasn't supposed to but I didn't care. I thought flying might make me feel better, but that was really bad wasn't it?" Severus nodded, and then kissed her head. "Yes, it was a naughty choice, but I do understand you feeling overwhelmed and I think that if taking the circumstances into account that all nasty behavior this past week can be forgiven. Am I right?" Severus asked. "Definitely," Remus added. Dumbledore nodded. "Right," Isabel spoke up. "Yeah," Oliver said. "But I'm still in trouble aren't I?" Tirza wondered. "Yes, but let's worry about that in a little bit. Right now, I think you and I need to have a serious talk about the kind of people that boy is who hurt you," Severus told her.

The others took their hint and each gave her a hug and told her how glad they were that she was okay and left. Severus turned Tirza around in his lap so that she could look at him. "Now I want you to listen carefully, alright?" She nodded, but wasn't sure whether or not she wanted to hear what he was going to tell her. He sighed and kissed her all over her little face, making her giggle, and then hugged her very tight. "You scared me so much; I thought I had lost you for sure," he told her. "But now we need to talk about the kind of people who hurt children." Tirza shivered. "Daddy, I don't wanna," she said with a pout. "I know baby, but you need to hear this. People like the boy who hurt you, have a sickness in their mind. It makes them... well... evil is the best way to describe it. It makes them want to hurt people and make people cry; they enjoy controlling others, it makes them feel powerful. They don't look for someone that is beautiful to hurt or someone who is ugly to hurt; they look for someone unsuspecting and kind and innocent." Tirza sniffled and rubbed at her eyes. "Like I was lost and he said he'd help me and I thought he was nice? He was looking for that?" Snape nodded. "Most children are very trusting, especially those with as kind a heart as yours. He was looking for someone to... hurt. You just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time, through no fault of your own. You were in no way responsible for what he did, by being pretty or just by being there. Do you understand that? It doesn't matter to people like that if you are fat or pretty or ugly or tall or short; they will hurt anybody."

Tirza sighed. "Then what did he mean when he said I was beautiful?" Severus hugged her close and rubbed her back comfortingly. "I don't know baby; but I do know that being pretty doesn't mean that people will hurt you. And no one is this school would do that to you or anyone else, whether ugly or pretty. You can feel safe here. No one will ever hurt you that way again, EVER. Do you understand?" She nodded. "I think so. He didn't choose me because of what I was but just because he wanted to do bad things and was looking and I showed up. So I didn't have anything to do with it? If I hadn't of been there he probably would have hurted someone else, right?" He kissed her forehead. "Exactly. You are a very smart little girl... which makes me wonder what made you decide to go flying all by yourself when you know you're not supposed to." She blushed. "I was mad, I was just really mad and sad and all mixed up inside." "But you know that it was wrong, didn't you?" he questioned gently. She nodded. "Yeah, but I didn't care, I was just really mad at you for making me take a bath." "But that doesn't excuse what you did, does it?" he prodded. She shrugged. "Probably not. Are you gonna take my broom away? I promise I won't do it ever again, but I just got my broom, don't take it away!!"

Snape looked at her closely, the majority of his resolve melting away. She had been very naughty indeed, but he always hated punishing her. "No, this time I won't take your broom away. But you do need to be punished baby and I think a spanking is in order." Her lower lip quivered and she looked down at her hands. "I don't want a spanking," she mumbled. Severus tipped her head up and looked into her eyes. "I know you don't, but you do know you deserve it, don't you?" She nodded. "But I still don't like it." He hugged her close, kissing the top of her head. "You know I still love you though, even if I have to spank you, don't you?" She wrapped her arms around his neck, holding him tight. "I know daddy and I was really stupid, wasn't I?" "Not stupid," he assured her. "You just made a bad choice; but I'm proud of you for not lying and trying to avoid it or throw a temper tantrum. That tells me you're a very smart girl, because you know when you've crossed the line." She sighed, a few tears spilling from her eyes. "I'm never gonna get to sit down again," she mumbled. Severus chuckled and kissed her again. "You know I'd never do that," he assured her. "But this was a very dangerous and unwise thing to do and you've certainly earned yourself a spanking. Are you ready for it now, or would you like to wait until tomorrow when you're feeling a little better?"

She debated for a few moments before answering. "Now, I think, cuz then I won't have to worry about it." Snape nodded and turned her face down over his lap, then pulled down her pants and panties. "Noooo!" she shouted, throwing her hands back to cover her bare bottom. Her moved her hands out of the way and took a deep breath. "Don't fight me Tirza," he warned her softly. He then raised his hand and brought it down with a little bit more force then usual. He certainly wasn't going to permanently hurt her, but this was a very naughty stunt she had pulled and he wanted to make sure that message got across loud and clear. She started crying right from the start, but Severus did his best to block it out; if he gave in and let her off without punishment for this stunt, she'd think she could get away with anything. By the time the spanking was over and he was pulling up her panties and pants, his own eyes were filled with tears. He turned Tirza right side up in his arms and held her close; Tirza leaned against his chest and cried for a moment before calming down. "I'm sorry daddy," she told him. Severus rocked her back and forth, slowly. "I know baby, and all is forgiven, I'm sure you've learned your lesson and won't try that again." "Never ever," she vowed.

They ate supper in their chambers that night and Tirza spent the entire evening curled up on his lap, dozing off and on from the nasty smack on her head. Just after supper, when she was half asleep again, there was a knock on the door. It was loud enough to wake her up and Severus set her on the couch before opening the door to find Remus, Dumbledore, Isabel, and Oliver. "Grandpa will you sit by me?" Tirza called out. Dumbledore smiled and sat down beside her and she quickly snuggled against him. "Is my sunshine feeling better?" Tirza sighed. "Much better." She suddenly blushed and looked up at him. "Grandpa, I'm really sorry I said those bad words to you." Dumbledore wrapped his arms around her and kissed her head. "I know you are sunshine, but I appreciate your apology; it is very much accepted." She smiled and kissed him back. "I'm sorry to you too Oliver, and Uncle Remus and Isabel. I really didn't mean them. And I'm sorry I pushed you Uncle Remus." Isabel came over and gave her a hug. "Don't worry about it sweetheart," she whispered. Oliver came over and had to give her a hug as well. "Don't you scare me like that again or I'LL have a heart attack," he told her, kissing her cheek. Tirza hugged him tight. "I won't." Remus also came over and she jumped into his arms. "Don't be mad at me Uncle Remus, I didn't mean to push you and I'm really sorry," she said, her arms wrapped around his neck. Remus returned the hug. "I know kiddo, it's alright, I'm not angry." She breathed a sigh of relief and he handed her back to Dumbledore. Severus finally sat down on the other side of Dumbledore, feeling very tired; it had been a long day.

"Did you get your broom taken away?" Oliver asked. Tirza shook her head, blushing. "No, I still got my broom; I got spanked instead." Dumbledore shot Severus a look and Snape groaned. "Do NOT look at me that way Albus; I had to do something and grounding drives the both of us insane and I wasn't about to go through another three weeks of it. Besides, I think Tirza's learned her lesson." Tirza nodded her agreement. "I hope so," Remus stated. "Because if you ever try that again Tirza, I'LL spank you, whether your father does or not." Tirza's eyes grew wide. "Me too," Oliver, Dumbledore and Isabel said at the same time. Severus chuckled. "You make sure and remember you said that Albus, because I don't want to see that look of yours the next time Tirza gets herself into something." "Are you guys serious?" Tirza asked quietly, her eyes as big as saucers. "Yes," they all replied at the same time. Despite the threat, Tirza giggled. "Okay, okay, I get it. I'll definitely never do it again; after all of you guys, I'd still have to face daddy and he said I won't sit for a week and my broom will get locked up for a whole year if I ever do it again." Everyone chuckled and began swapping stories of their first experiences on brooms.

Before long, Tirza had dozed off again and Severus shooed everyone out and tucked Tirza into bed. Before leaving her room, he sat there looking at her for a moment. He had come so close to loosing her today and it had scared it to death. He had never known he could love someone as much as he loved her and the thought of a life without her terrified him. He had never felt as happy as when he woke up from that charm of Poppy's and had been told that she'd be just fine. Severus leaned down and gently kissed her cheek. "You'll never know just how precious you are to me," he whispered, a single tear rolling down his cheek, and then he turned and left the room.

A/N: Well, Tirza's alright, of course! She'd never die, I think I'd go crazy and be VERY bored if she did, LOL! Things will move a bit faster now....... look for springtime and April Fools in the next chapters, lots of fun stuff on the way!

JeannaUO: Interesting ideas; but I hope you liked the way it turned out! I think Snape's hair is naturally greasy looking, so maybe he does have a point, lol!

Sapphire: Call me stupid, but what does a "struppy kid" mean?

Wolfie Jr: Yes, poor Tirza.

Severus Snape: Glad you liked it!

Raclswt: Hope I didn't make you wait too long to find out what happened!

HarrietPotter: Well, Severus mentioned using a truth charm and that was for you!

Obsessedwithbritishpeople: nope, no hair cutting

Slone: Excellent suggestion, but I like the way it worked out.

Fire'N'Ice: Exactly the response I was looking for! You're definitely hooked! But she's alright, she always is.

LostSoul: You called me a hoochie? LMAO!!! And keep an eye out for Sirius, he won't be gone too long.

Kenomoee: Hope you like it!

Luinthoron: More happy chapters on the way..... unless I get really dark, then she'll have some dark chapters, but mostly fun stuff on the way!

Oasis gir: So were you surprised by what Snape decided to do, or did you rather expect it?

MissLKid: She has lots of people to help her... look for some very special Remus/Tirza bonding later on!

GrintsGirl: Thanks for all the applause! You are sweet... made me blush!

Stay tuned! And it won't be too long before I start her first year and I am wondering what the title for her first year segment should be. Daddy's Little Gryffindor 2 or what? Suggestions PLEASE!!! Hugs, Kerry