"Miss Gordeeva, can I speak to you please?"  Tyra turned slowly to find Professor Snape leaning in the doorway to his dungeon.

"Certainly, Professor."  Tyra pried herself away from the seventh-year boys that were arguing over her head and trotted back the way she had just come.  "What can I do for you?"  Snape gestured her into his room coolly, closing the door.  Tyra knew Harry would miss her at dinner, but she was too curious to care.  She was also terrified, her stomach fluttering like it contained all the butterflies in the known universe.  She wondered why after all the years of silence, he had chosen to speak to her.  Obviously she wasn't in trouble.  He wasn't being curt.  He was actually being polite as far as his demeanor went. 

"Please, have a seat."  His attempt at kindness made her slightly nervous, but she did as she was told.  "Headmaster Dumbledore tells me you told Mr. Potter everything, and that Mr. Weasley and Miss Granger were present."

"Yes, Professor, I did.  Dumbledore would have made me anyhow."  Snape said nothing, only nodded and smoothed his greasy hair. 

"How many people know we're…related?"

"Just those three, Hagrid, and whoever else knew Mom well enough, I suppose.  But as far as students go, only those three." Snape nodded again.

"Is there anything you wanted to ask me?"  Tyra blinked once in surprise, wondering why he was coming to her now. 

"First thing is, why now?  Why not come and see me while I was living overseas?"
        "I was still in touch with Lord Voldemort and it would not have been safe."  Tyra guessed that seemed an honest enough answer.

"Why did you hide me?"  Snape stared hard at her for a moment.  If he admitted to her what he was really thinking, people might learn he had a heart under his hard exterior. 

"Your mother was my favorite cousin.  Neither of us had any siblings.  I guess we were like brother and sister in a way.  If I could have, I would have saved your mother, Tyra.  But it would have blown my cover as a spy and I would have been dead.  That wouldn't have been much use, would it?"  Tyra shook her head again.  She was shocked to see his softer side.  He sighed.  "It's no secret that I disliked James Potter, but never enough to see him dead.  I have seen things that would…sicken a lesser person."

"What made you decide to tell me this now?"  Snape sat silent for a moment, fingers intertwining.  He met her eyes.  She thought she saw a glimmer of sympathy.

"Well, you are almost old enough now to take care of yourself.  Be that as it may, I am your Godfather."  Tyra's mouth dropped open in a little "O" of surprise.  "I can't say I will be a good one to you, but you do have the right to know the truth.  In fact, Dumbledore insisted I tell you this."  Tyra blinked once more, but waited for him to continue.  "I don't pretend to know you or what you are like.  But I do want to let you know the option is open.  I know I don't seem like the warmest person in the world, but…"

"You have to be hard.  I understand.  I don't expect you to treat me any differently than any other student, if that's what you were worried about."  Snape blinked owlishly.  The girl was sharper than he had given her credit for.  "I have to admit, I am terrified of you.  It isn't exactly the best start, is it?"

"Why?"

"You…you were a Death Eater.  As much as I would like to think that people change, I can only go by what I remember.  Were you there when my father died as well?"

"No, I wasn't."  Tyra wanted to slap him and hug him at the same time.  She was aware of the difficulty involved in his show of emotion.  He was a notoriously bitter man.  She found herself daring to believe him.  Harry would be very upset, she knew.  If Harry found out. 

"I assume you called me here to keep this quiet, right?  I mean, I always feel like there has to be some reason to meeting with my teachers during lunch, even if they are my cousin and Godfather." 

"Actually, I leave that to your discretion.  Tyra, you have to understand how hard this is.  I…feel something for you, it's touched me deeply since you reappeared.  You have eyes just like your mother's.  I just…"

"Can't express it.  Let me start."  Tyra rose from her seat and threw her arms around his neck.  Snape was taken aback at this, and patted her back awardly a couple of times.  "I will give you a chance.  Just because you were one way doesn't mean you couldn't change.  And if it is forgiveness you want, it has been pointed out by Professor Dumbledore numerous times that you saved me from death.  I owe you my life."  Snape had a very strange look, almost a shadow of a smile, on his face.  "Well, that said, I have one more question.  Outside of the classroom, what can I call you?"

"As long as it is between you and me, you can call me whatever you like, so long as it isn't dripping honey."  Tyra laughed at this, her laughter clear and feminine.

"Can I go then, Severus?  They'll miss me at lunch."  Snape managed a true smile. 

"Yes, Tyra.  We'll talk more later."  Tyra felt very odd having seen a totally different side of a man she typically thought of as a tyrant.  For a moment it was like reliving her early toddler years, when he would come over and pelt snowballs at her.  Time and experience had made him bitter.  She hoped that if there was one part of his life that could be right, she would to be in it.  She hurried up the stairs and into the Great Hall. 

"There you are."  Hermione smiled and grabbed her hand.  "What happened?"
        "You know Snape.  He made me clean up because I mouthed off at him."  Ron grimaced sympathetically. "I got lucky this time.  No detention."  Harry smiled at her, obviously irriated by Colin Creevey, who ran by every few seconds thanking him for letting him play Quidditch.  "That good of a day, eh, Harry?"  Harry laughed, a barking laugh from his throat. 

"Wonderful.  I got double the usual homework from Snape, I have Quidditch practice tonight, and none of my good classes til tomorrow.  I am just a little tired, and I think…there it is…my foot is itchy!"  Tyra snickered at his sarcasm.  Ron nodded, biting his lower lip. 

"Christmas is coming.  Mum invited everyone to our place for the holidays.  Even you, Tyra."  Tyra nodded.  She wondered what Severus was doing for Christmas.  It would be fun to meet the whole Weasley clan.  She had seen the better part of them on the platform the day she had come to school.  She wondered if Severus would allow her to go.

"That's sweet of her.  Think I'd drive your brothers batty?"  Ron laughed.

"Fred and George found you fascinating.  They're twins, you know." 

"I'll make sure it's okay," she replied.  No one else but Harry seemed to catch the remark. 

"Has anyone seen Taranon since yesterday?"

"No," Harry answered for them all.  It was true.  She hadn't had the phoenix around for the past couple of days.  It was highly unusual to see them separate. 

"That's odd.  He almost never leaves me.  I use the school owls for letters, Dad always told me Taranon was too flashy.  I wonder where he's gotten to?"  She heaved her bag onto the table.  The day was getting stranger and stranger. 

"That is weird," Hermione agreed, looking meaningfully at Harry.  He inclined his head slightly.  "He hasn't been in his cage?"

"No, he usually just sits in the common room and waits for me when he doesn't go to classes with me.  I always refrain from taking him to Potions with me, he distracts everyone.  I left him in the common room two days ago just before Potions, and he's been gone since.  It isn't unlike him to go out and fly for a bit, but he's still early on in his transformation for that."  She shrugged.  "I'm sure he'll show up."  Harry was suspicious about that.  The anonymous writer had mentioned that her phoenix would help him to understand her.

Tyra, Harry noticed, was now wearing the Gryffindor lion just like everyone else in her house.  She seemed a little more jumpy than usual.  Draco Malfoy approached the table with a smug grin.  "Hey, Tyra, how did you take the news?"

"What news, Malfoy?" she drawled back. 

"You can't tell me you're keeping secrets from Potty and his fan club."  Harry glanced at Tyra, who had a mask of cold fury pasted on. 

"And I want to know why you're over here at all.  This is the Gryffindor table.  Slytherins not welcome.  Or didn't you see the invisible sign that says "No snotty little brown-nosing snakes allowed"?"  Ron was ready to pat her on the back for that remark. 

"Well, what are you doing here then?  Or did your worthless father make you weak?"

"My father wasn't worthless!"  she shouted, drawing her wand.  "Silencio Vocal!"  Malfoy tried to shout a spell, but no words came out.  He grabbed at his throat in horror, snarled silently, and jumped at her. 

"Tyra Gordeeva!"  Professor McGonagall looked very infuriated.  "Mr. Malfoy, kindly sit down.  We do not, under any circumstances, use magic on another student!  Ten points from Gryffindor for your poor judgment, and detention.  However, I saw Malfoy provoking you, so that will be ten points from Slytherin and a detention for you as well, Mr. Malfoy.  This isn't the first time.  Miss Granger, Mr. Weasley, take Mr. Malfoy to the hospital wing.  Miss Gordeeva, Mr. Potter, follow me please." 
        "This wasn't Harry's fault!" Tyra argued.

"I didn't say it was.  Come."  Tyra tried not to shout anything else in her anger.  Harry put a restraining hand on her arm and led her away. 

"He was insulting my father!" she burst, looking incredibly dangerous. 

"This is something else entirely, I assure you.  You'd do well to calm yourself, Miss Gordeeva.  There is a large group here to see the two of you."  Tyra bit her lip almost until it bled, eyes shooting daggers at no one in particular.

"It's okay," Harry whispered, taking her hand.  She squeezed it for reassurance.  Professor McGonagall closed the door to Dumbledore's office softly.  Snape, Remus Lupin, Tonks, Mad-eye Moody, and Ron's father were all standing around his desk in no particular arrangement.  Tyra and Harry exchanged glances before sitting down. 

"Harry is already aware of the Order of the Phoenix.  You may remember that there were a lot of people coming and going aroung your home, Tyra.  They were all part of this order as well.  We were created to defend against Lord Voldemort. You've met most of these people. This is Ron Weasley's father, Arthur."

"Pleased to meet you," she said in the most polite tone she could manage. 

"I suppose that since your father came here, you knew that Lord Voldemort had risen."  One nod.  "You must also be aware that we had hoped you would remain behind to finish your schooling, but that was unavoidable under the circumstances."

"But why?" Harry asked for her. 

"Tyra was keeping something for us. Something very important to the Order.  Taranon, the blue phoenix, was sent to live with Tyra and her father.  We had the express permission from Headmaster Tippin at Eaglefeather Academy that the bird would be most welcome.  Professor McGonagall overheard you telling Harry and friends that you couldn't find him.  Is this true?"

"It most certainly is."  Tyra looked as puzzled as he. 

"Taranon isn't really a phoenix.  He's a transfigured item."  Harry shook his head. 

"What is he, then?" Tyra asked.

"He's a book containing the names of all known Death Eaters.  It's not unlike the family history book Harry found in the library.  It keeps updated information on the Death Eaters and their duties.  It would have been invaluable to our cause."

"I'll say."  Harry blinked twice, as though trying to assure himself he wasn't dreaming again. 

"Do you have any idea where Taranon could have gone?" Mad-eye Moody asked.  She blinked in surprise as his normally roving eye focused on her. 

"No, Sir."  Tyra lowered her head.  "I didn't know."

"You weren't expected to.  In fact, I am not surprised at all."  Moody looked over at Tonks, who was playing with her fingers.  His gruff voice sounded surprisingly gentle.

"But we did lose an important weapon.  All we can do is wait and see if he returns. If not, we'll have to think of something else.  Harry, I want you to promise me you won't leave Hogwarts, no matter what you see in your dreams."  Dumbledore was staring intently at Harry.

"I promise."  Harry felt very ashamed.  Had he remained behind last time he'd had a dream, Sirius would still be alive.  Sirius wouldn't have fallen through the gateway to nothingness.  And it was Harry's fault.  Tyra raised an eyebrow, but said nothing. 

"We'll find the bird, I don't want either of you looking for him.  Now, go get some sleep.  You've helped all you can."  Tyra's cheeks burned red as she got to her feet and took Harry's outstretched hand.  She felt somehow guilty for the loss.  She should have paid better attention.  But Taranon never left if not for a good reason.  She wondered if the Death Eaters had caught him when he went out.  Harry was hanging his head slightly, and she was selfishly absorbed in thoughts. 

"Want to talk, Harry?"  Tyra inquired, tightening her hold on his hand. 

"Not really."  Tyra nodded, but said nothing further on the subject.  Ron and Hermione were up waiting for them.  Tyra explained while Harry gathered his game face.  He was slightly grateful she had taken the initiative to explain. 

"A phoenix book?  Sounds like an impossible bit of Transfiguration."  Hermione was thoughtful. 

"Of course, it is possible.  We've seen  Taranon with our own eyes.  I wonder who did it?" Tyra was pensive. 

"Harry?  Why were you dragged along?"  Ron asked.

"To promise Dumbledore I wouldn't leave to find him."  Harry's cheeks brightened as he forced himself to smile.  "I guess they know me well.  Dumbledore seemed very frustrated that Taranon was gone."

"No kidding, if it is what they say it is."  Ron bit his lip in thought. 

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A/N: I know that Snape and Tyra's relationship is highly uncharacteristic, but I wanted to see if I could come up with a touch of a valid reason why he was bitter, and find some feelings underneath all that Snape-ness.  The phoenix is the main reason I wrote Tyra in the first place.  It makes better sense than having a phoenix just show up.  Not only that, but I am using her primarily to fill in the some of the speculation on things with an idea of what might have happened.  I like to try and make up good reasons why things are the way they are.  Call me scientifically curious.

Thanks to those who reviewed.

And once again, thanks to J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and friends were created.  Tyra, Taranon, and Tyra's parents are my own creations.  J.K. is a genius.  J