"Severus," Chris said, poking her head in the living room. Severus looked up at her. "Would you listen for Serena? Mike and I want to take a walk, but Serena is napping. All you'd have to do is listen and if she wakes up, come get us," Chris explained. "I think I can manage that. Are the other two still up in the play room?" he asked. Chris smiled. "Of course; I wonder if we'll ever be able to get them out!" Severus chuckled. Chris and Mike went outside for their walk and Severus turned back to his book.
It wasn't even ten minutes later when he heard a wail from upstairs. Placing his bookmark inside the page, he headed upstairs to the bedroom that was being used for Serena. Sure enough, she was sitting up and crying. She saw him enter the room and stopped crying and slowly pulled herself up into a standing position. "gfdsgjskdfjksd," she said, pointing a finger at him. He chuckled and crossed the room and carefully lifted her from the crib. "You know, I do wish I understood what you're trying to say," he told her. She giggled, wrinkling her little button nose, and patted his cheek with a chubby hand.
"You are quite the little cutie, aren't you?" Severus asked. Serena giggled again in response. Her face suddenly wrinkled and she sneezed in his face, and then wiped her nose on his robes. He rolled his eyes and cleaned her face with a tissue. Serena yawned and began rubbing her gray eyes. "You look sleepy," he told her. She stuck her thumb in her mouth and grabbed his hair with the other hand. "Ouch!" he yelped as she pulled. He finally wrenched his hair from her grip and she grabbed his shirt, pulling on a button. "Let's go try and put you back to bed," he said, standing up when she yawned again.
He carried her into the room and tried to place her back in the crib; an ear piercing wail stopped him. Serena held her chubby little arms out to him and he chuckled, pulling her close again. He carried her back to the living room and began to slowly rock her. "Now why would you want an old grump like me?" Severus asked as she nestled her head against his neck. She began sucking her thumb again, her little eyes dropping. Before long, she was fast asleep in his arms, making the cutest scene for Chris and Mike who happened to walk in at that moment. "You look like a natural," Chris said, taking the sleeping Serena and kissing her little brown haired head. Severus gave Chris a small smile and she carried Serena back to the crib.
Later that evening, Severus went to the attic to tell the girls it was supper time. "Girls," he called and started opening the door. "AHHHH" the girls screamed. He quickly closed the door. "Daddy, we're changing you HAVE TO KNOCK!" Tirza yelled through the door. Severus' face was red with embarrassment. He hadn't seen anything, but the fact that he almost had was embarrassing. "Sorry girls. Supper is ready," he called back, returning downstairs. The girls appeared several minutes later, in the medieval dresses they had worn at Tirza's birthday party. "We're out numbered Severus," Mike said, looking at the girls. "Four of them and only two of us; we'll have to stick together." Severus chuckled, Chris rolled her eyes and the girls giggled. Serena started banging her hands on the high chair tray and Chris laughed. "I guess somebody's hungry!" She handed Serena a bottle, which immediately quieted the bouncy little girl.
"Has anyone seen the monkeys?" Chris asked the next afternoon. Mike and Severus looked up from their game of wizard's chess. "No, I thought they were still in the play house," Mike said. Chris shook her head no. Serena wailed and Chris sighed, heading towards the kitchen to get the baby her bottle. "Are you allowed to play with matches?" she heard Tirza ask. "Nope," Amy answered. "Then we'll pretend." Chris peeked in the door and saw the two girls leaning over a small chocolate cake. "Happy birthday to you………" the girls started singing softly.
Chris hurried back out to the living room. "Severus, you should see this." Severus got up and followed her and peaked in the door just as the song was being finished. "Happy birthday dear mommy, happy birthday to you." The girls blew at the unlit candles and AJ reached for a knife to cut the cake. Severus entered and the girls looked up at him. "Having a party?" he asked. Tirza nodded. "A birthday party," she said softly. "For whom?" he questioned. "Mommy," Tirza told him. "It's her birthday and I wanted to have cake to remember." Severus pulled her into a bear hug. "That's very sweet of you baby. Why don't we have that with our supper, and remember together?" She nodded. "Don't leave me out!" AJ said. She poked Severus' arm. "I want a hug too!" Severus laughed and pulled her into the hug.
"AJ," Tirza whispered late that night. "What?" AJ asked, rolling over to face Tirza. "I'm gonna go snuggle with my dad a little bit, okay?" AJ nodded. "I'll go snuggle with my mom then." Both girls left and Tirza headed for Severus' room. "Daddy," Tirza whispered, gently pushing on his shoulder. "Hmm?" he asked sleepily. "Wanna snuggle with you," she whispered. Severus nodded and scooted over, then pulled back his blankets, allowing Tirza to crawl in beside him. "Daddy, you're so cool, do you know that?" Severus smiled and covered her with the blankets. "Am I?" he asked. She nodded. "Why?" he wondered. Severus wrapped his arm around her and she snuggled against him.
"Because you are. You just are," Tirza told him, kissing his face. Severus kissed her nose, making her giggle. "I'm sorry that I forgot," he stated. "Forgot what?" "Your mother's birthday," he replied. "It's okay; thanks for letting us have the cake," Tirza told him. "You miss her don't you?" he asked. Tirza nodded. "I miss her a lot sometimes. Even when she did stuff that made me sad, I still loved her a lot," Tirza whispered. "Of course you did," Severus replied, kissing her cheek. "Because you're a very kind girl and have a good heart." She smiled and closed her eyes, falling into a deep, restful sleep.
"I wish you could stay longer," Tirza said to Amy the morning of the day the Logans were set to leave. Amy nodded, turning around for Tirza to button the back of her play outfit. "Yeah, I wish I could live here with you, or you guys could come live with us," Amy said. They were clad in bellbottom pants, large flowered shirts; they looked at each other and laughed. "Peace baby!" they said, high fiving. "Totally shagadellic!" The girls ran down stairs. "Daddy, we want a tea party!" Tirza announced. "I think I can arrange that," he said. "Iced tea?" Amy asked. Severus chuckled and prepared their iced tea.
"Can we have animal crackers too?" Amy asked. "What kind of crackers?" Severus asked. Tirza and Amy giggled. "Never mind daddy, I'll find them," Tirza told him. She began digging through the cupboards until she found the right box. "Yippy!" Amy said. Tirza tossed her the box. "Anything else you need for this tea party?" Severus asked. The girls shook their heads no. "Well have fun," he told them. Severus gave Tirza's shoulder an affectionate squeeze a kiss sent them on their way.
The girls appeared for lunch, still clad in their hippie outfits. They sat down with the adults to eat, whispering amongst themselves. All of a sudden the two girls burst out saying "Do I make you horny, baby? Do I?" Mike tried to hide his laughter, Chris sighed and Severus gave them a hard look. "Excuse me young lady?" Severus asked Tirza. "What, it's from Austin Powers?" Tirza said. "I DO NOT want to hear you say that again," Severus scolded. "And Amy, you are not allowed to say that either," Chris spoke up. "Being here doesn't change that." "But why?" Tirza asked. "What's wrong with it?" Severus groaned. "Ask me when you're older; just know that it is inappropriate for someone your age to say." The girls rolled their eyes, but did not say it again.
Tirza and Severus apparated to the yard of the burrow the next day. "Whoa," Tirza said as Severus set her down. "Way cool!" "You did remember your medicine and your plugs right?" Severus asked for the millionth time. "Yes daddy! If you ask again, I'm gonna scream," she said, sounding exasperated. "Can I keep my medicine or should I give it to aunt molly?" "Give it to Mrs. Weasley just so one of the kids won't accidentally spill it," Severus said. Tirza nodded and dug the vial out of her pocket and handed it to molly. "I will keep this in a safe place," Molly promised.
"You're gonna come school shopping with us, right?" Tirza asked, sounding a little nervous. "I will meet you in Diagon Alley in 3 days time," Severus promised. Tirza nodded, and then hugged him tight. "I love you very much and if you need me just tell Mrs. Weasley," Severus said as he hugged her tight. "Love you too daddy. I'll miss you," she whispered. "I'll miss you; now run along and have fun," Severus said as he gave her one last hug and kiss and disappeared. Tirza looked at the spot where he had been, a lost look on her little face.
"Hey!" Someone called from over her left shoulder. She turned around to see a red haired girl standing in the door way. "Ginny!" Tirza shouted, running over. Ginny smiled as she joined her outside. "Your mom said I'm going to stay in your room with you and Hermione." "Yep; can't have you staying with no icky boys," Ginny grinned as she led her around back of the house. Tirza giggled and followed Ginny inside, where Arthur was eating something before heading to work. "Hi mar. Weasley," Tirza said. "Well hello……… Tirza right?" Arthur said as he finished his breakfast. Tirza nodded, feeling a little shy, having only met him at her birthday party for a few moments. "Don't worry he doesn't bite," Ginny whispered quietly. Tirza giggled a little, blushing slightly.
"Father are you ready to leave?" Percy said as he came into the eating area. George and freed tumbled into the kitchen. "our little prankster!" they yelled. Tirza laughed as one picked her up and tossed her to the other one. Percy scowled at her. "Did we have to invite her? She's always into something," he complained "Percy stuff it or we'll stuff you" threatened Ron. "Ooh, sounds like fun!" Tirza piped up, still being tossed back and forth between the twins.
"BOYS!" Mrs. Weasley shouted as she returned with fresh sheets. The twins rolled their eyes and plopped her down on the table; her legs couldn't even reach half way to the floor. "Mum where's my jacket?" Ron asked as he plopped down next to Tirza. "Oh, I fed that to the gnomes," George said, winking at Tirza. "Along with Percy's prefect badge." "You did what?" Percy asked incredulously. "He said he fed your badge to the gnomes," Tirza said slowly, as if talking to a two year old. "Mum!" Percy screeched. "They are being mean." Tirza giggled hysterically. "Dude, you should see your face!" "Enough!" Molly shouted. "Everyone either get out of my kitchen with your fight or behave."
Tirza hopped down from the table and followed Ginny out of the room. 'Mum, they're being mean to me,' Tirza said, mimicking Percy as he walked in front of her. "I'd be good if I was you," Fred said in a semi serious voice. "Percy might just feed you to the gnomes in the garden." Everyone burst out laughing at this while Percy turned beat red. "Aw, you wouldn't let him to that, would you Fred?" Tirza asked, batting her eyelashes at him. "Of course not. I'd feed him to them myself if mum wouldn't have a cow," Fred replied with a wink. Tirza giggled, stuck her tongue out at Percy, and then ran upstairs with Ginny. "That kid bugs me," Percy grumbled to Arthur "She is our guest so I expect you to be nice" Arthur warned him "why?" Percy said. "I didn't invite her." "She is our guest," Arthur stated firmly.
"DINNER!" Molly bellowed from the bottom of the stairs. "You're going to get trampled kid," Fred said, picking her up and running down as the others rushed down. "I'm not that little!" she said, pretending to be put out. "George kindly put our dinner guest down," Arthur said. Tirza giggled. "It's okay mar. Weasley; I was going to get squished." Fred dropped her onto the floor, earning himself a scowl from the little girl, but he laughed. "And I'm Fred, not George," Fred said, sitting down and leaving Tirza on the floor. "Hey!" Ron exclaimed as he almost tripped over Tirza. Tirza scrambled to get out of his way and got off the floor, and looked at the full table, wondering where to sit.
"Accio chair," Molly said as she made a place for Tirza between her and Ginny. Tirza happily sat between Ginny and molly. The loudness of their house was quite a change from the quietness of Snape manor. "Is it always this loud?" Tirza asked Ginny. Ginny nodded. "This is nothing! You should hear it when Charlie and bill are here!" "Their older two brothers right?" Tirza asked. "Yep and they are bloody brilliant too," Ron said from the other side of the table "Really, what do they do?" Tirza asked. "Ronald Weasley do not talk with your mouth full," Molly admonished her son who turn a little pink. "Oh by the way Bill works for Gringotts as a curse breaker and Charlie works with Dragons," Ron informed her.
Tirza giggled. "Can I have a roll please?" Tirza asked politely. "Sure," Molly said handing her a roll. "You are a very polite young lady." Tirza shrugged. "Daddy is really big on manners," she told molly. "My mom didn't care much when..." her voice trailed off."When she got sick of you and booted you over here to torture your dad?" Percy asked, looking smug. Tirza became very still and stared at him for a moment. "Um, where's the bathroom," she whispered a moment later. "Down the hall and to the left" Molly said with concern as she watched Tirza race off and turned on Percy. "You better apologize immediately or you will be grounded forever you understand me?" Hermione, Ron, the twins and Harry were glaring at Percy. "What for?" Percy asked.
"You should ask her yourself," Hermione snapped. "The one thing you don't mention around her is her mom," Ron said quietly. "Don't be surprised if she asks to go home," Hermione told Mrs. Weasley. "What's the big deal?" Percy snapped. "Her mother died," Hermione whispered. "Oh, poor dear," molly said softly. Percy had the decency to look ashamed. "Oh," he said. Five minutes passed and Tirza still had not appeared, and Molly was starting to get worried. She got up from the table, shot a glare at Percy, and then headed to the bathroom.
"Tirza?" Molly called, knocking on the door. "Are you alright?" Tirza opened the door, her face streaked with tears, trying hard to wipe them away. "Come here," Molly said, encircling the little girl in her arms. "You poor little sweetheart, losing your mum like that," Molly said, rubbing Tirza's back. She held Tirza for several minutes, until the little girl stopped crying. "Percy didn't know, and I'm sorry that he hurt your feelings," Molly told her, kissing Tirza's forehead. Tirza shrugged. "I think I'm ready to go back out," she told Molly. Molly nodded and they went back to the kitchen.
Tirza sat down at the table and looked at the food on her plate; her appetite had disappeared. "I'm sorry, but I'm not very hungry anymore," she quietly said to Molly. "Are you sure dear? You've hardly touched your food," Molly pointed out. Tirza nodded. "Maybe later." "Well, if you get hungry, you just let me know," Molly assured her. "Percy, you tell her you're sorry!" Ginny shouted. "Sorry I didn't mean to be cruel," Percy said still looking at his hands; "it's okay," Tirza whispered, rather unnerved by all the people looking at her with concerned expressions.
Tirza sat in the living room with the rest of the group. She had been very quite since supper, but was making an attempt to talk with Ginny and Hermione. Ginny had brought out her collection of paper dolls and was excitedly showing the girls; "Paper dolls are so sissy," George said as he and Ron were playing a heated game of exploding snaps. "I think they're cool," Tirza said. "I don't have many and Ginny's got lots." "Girls," Harry sighed. "I'll never understand em" tirza blew Harry a razzberry; Hermione and Ginny giggled. Tirza smiled again and continued talking with the girls until molly announced it was time for bed.
"Goodnight all!" Arthur called after the kids as they headed up the stairs. Tirza changed into her pajamas and hid molly under her pillow, not wanting to look like a baby. "Goodnight girls," Molly said from the doorway. "Goodnight," Tirza said. "Goodnight mummy," Ginny said. "Goodnight," Hermione said. Ginny quietly reached behind her pillow and pulled out a worn rabbit and Tirza giggled. "Why'd you do that?" Ginny said. Tirza pulled out molly. "We both got animals," she said with a smile. "Cool and I thought I was the only one who needed a stuffed friend," Ginny sighed. "What's yours name? This is Lulu." "Molly," Tirza said. "I've had her since I was born." "I've had Lulu that long and its neat your lion and my mom shares the same name," Ginny giggled. Tirza nodded. "Yeah; I like your mom, she's really nice." "She is the best," Ginny said as she let out a big yawn. Hermione yawned as well. "Goodnight," she said. "Goodnight!" Tirza told them both.