On October 10, Tirza woke up early, hurriedly dressed and ran off to the kitchens. "Little missy!" The house elves greeted her. Tirza beamed. "I need some special stuff, can you help me?" she asked. They nodded and set to work getting her the requested items. She carefully carried a large tray, laden with food, down to the dungeons. She whispered the password and leaned against the door, which thankfully wasn't too hard to open. She set the tray on the coffee table, and then peaked in at Severus, who was still sound asleep. Tirza blew him a kiss and closed the door. She pulled out her wand and whispered a warming spell to keep the food warm until they were ready to eat, then ran into her room.
An hour later, the sitting room was covered in green and silver streamers with a large HAPPY BIRTHDAY banner hung across the ceiling. "God I love magic," Tirza giggled, pocketing her trusty wand in her back pocket of her jeans. She dragged out several presents, including one from AJ's family and one from the Hogwarts staff. She clapped her hands in delight at her decorating job. Last year she had memorized a song to sing to Snape, but this year she had been too busy with school, but had more then made up for it in presents.
At 8:30, Severus rolled out of bed. He could hear someone bustling around and grabbed his wand after putting on his robe. He wasn't sure who was in the sitting room, as only Tirza knew the password, but he was quite sure it wasn't her. Tirza, up at 8:30 on a Saturday morning? That idea was laughable! He quietly opened the door, his wand at the ready, and then saw the streamers, several balloons and the banner. Tirza appeared, lugging yet another present out. She spotted him and ran over, hugging him tight. "Happy birthday dad!" she shouted. Snape chuckled and swung her up in his arms. "Thank you sweetheart," he said, kissing her cheek. It was indeed his birthday, his 33rd birthday to be exact. (Kerry Note: Just a guess)
"I brought all your favorites for breakfast," Tirza said, beaming as Severus sat on the couch, holding her on his lap. Indeed, she had: scrambled eggs, blueberry muffins, tea, and butter milk pancakes. "Shall I dish you up?" He asked, grabbing a plate. "Sure," Tirza said. "And there's cake for later and ice cream too and lots of presents!" She eagerly started eating the food. "I hope you like the decorations, you don't have a favorite color, so I picked Slytherin colors," she commented. Severus smiled and leaned down, kissing the top of her head. "I love them," he told her. He would have even loved pink decorations, as it was the thought and time spent that count.
They ate breakfast together, talking happily and enjoying each other's company. "I told Ginny and Maddie not to expect to see me much today; I wanted to spend all day with you!" Tirza said happily. Severus smiled. "You don't have to honey; you can play with your friends." "Huh-uh!" Tirza said stubbornly. "I want to spend the day with you! And guess what, all my homework is done too!" Severus hugged her. "Good girl, I'm so proud of you, you've been doing very well!" Tirza beamed. "Now open your presents!" she insisted. Severus looked over at the large pile beside the couch. "All these for me? I'm going to be spoiled," he teased. Tirza kissed his cheek. "Good, you deserve it!"
The pile of presents revealed a new cauldron from a brand new line that had been introduced just recently, a large gift certificate to the apothecary, a New York Knicks shirt from AJ's family, a nice gray sweater from Tirza, and several potions books from the staff. "Do you like everything?" Tirza asked. He nodded, hugging her close. "Very much, they're lovely. Best birthday presents ever." Tirza smiled happily. "Good. Sorry I didn't have a song for you this year," she said. Severus shook his head. "Don't worry about it, I know you've been busy, how else did your grade in my class come up if you weren't studying like you should?" Tirza nodded. There were two classes that she wasn't doing well in: DADA and Potions. Potions was coming up, but DADA was staying the same.
Two weeks later, DADA had turned into a battlefield. Lockhart was on a rampage against Tirza, for no apparent reason at all. Tirza tried her best to remain silent and be respectful, but being called stupid and a failure and a waste of a witch was hard to bear. "Back off asshole!" Tirza shouted as the bell rang. Lockhart immediately gave her a four hour detention. "You better show up tonight," Lockhart commanded as he ushered Tirza out the door of his classroom. "HELL NO I"M NOT COMING BACK!" Tirza shouted. "You will come back or you'll have detention for the rest of the week!" Lockhart shot back. "NO WAY!" Tirza refused.
"Young lady that is no way to talk to a professor," Lockhart stated firmly and grabbed Tirza's arm dragging her back inside the classroom. Tirza tried to wrench her arm away. "You can't tell me what to do!" "Yes I can," Lockhart shot back. "Students must respect my authority." "Bite me!" Tirza shouted. "Wouldn't you just love that?" Lockhart sneered as he tried to take a swat at her bottom. "WHAT ARE YOU DOING!" Tirza screamed. "Something your father should be doing," Lockhart said as he took another swat, using all his strength, and made contact. Tirza howled and tried to pull away from him.
"Professor Lockhart!" sang a very familiar voice coming from a bit down the hall. "Oh shit here comes Binns," Lockhart said giving her another 2 swats. "OUCH!" Tirza shrieked. "Wouldn't you love it if I stopped," Lockhart sneered and gave her one last swat and quickly dropped her arm just as Binns appeared inside his room. "Professor might I have a moment of your time?" Professor Binns asked. Tirza hopped around rubbing her bottom, close to crying. "I was rather busy," Lockhart sneered. "Might I inquire why you have a student hoping around inside your classroom like she has been hurt?" Binns asked. "Who knows, children are strange these days," Lockhart said, giving Tirza a nasty glare. Tirza was still hopping and rubbing.
"Are you okay dear?" Binns asked Tirza concerned. "No!" Tirza whined "I'm never gonna get to sit AGAIN!" "Lockhart did you hit this child?" Binns asked. "Yes!" Tirza shouted. Lockhart glared at her. "Why would you believe anything that she has to say?" he asked Binns. "Because she is hopping around and seems to be in pain," Binns snapped. "I WAS in the middle of something, if you will EXCUSE us," Lockhart snapped. "Young lady please come with me," Binns said firmly. Tirza nodded, hurrying over to Binns. "I have not given her permission to leave!" Lockhart shouted. "Well I have," Binns snapped and led Tirza from the room.
"Thank you," Tirza said softly. "Where are we going?" "To find your father," Binns said. Daddy gonna flip," she commented. "I'm not sure what his reaction will be," Binns said. He knocked on Snape's office door. "Enter," Snape said putting down the paper he was marking. Binns entered the office, with Tirza at his side. "Severus," Binns said. "I need to speak with you." "Professor Binns, why is my daughter with you?" Severus questioned concerned. "Let's sit down dear," Binns said. Severus watched as Tirza slowly eased herself onto a chair, then shot out of it, howling and holding her behind. "Binns you better have a good explanation," Severus growled.
"I did not do that," Binns indicated the still howling Tirza. "And I am not sure what happened. All I know is I went to speak with Lockhart and she was hopping around, apparently in pain." "Tirza please explain," Snape said. "As long as I don't have to sit down," she whined. "Whatever works," Snape replied. "Lockhart hit me!" she exclaimed. "REALLY HARD." "Why did he hit you?" Severus asked, seething. "Cuz he's crazy!" "A teacher may not hit a child unless given permission by the parent," Severus snapped. "Professor Lockhart was pretty angry when I took her away from his classroom," Binns said. Tirza nodded. "I for one was very concerned," Binns added. "I'm going to have a talk with Lockhart" Severus growled. "Tirza either return to your dorm or go find grandpa. Thank you Professor Binns that will be all," Severus said and the ghost disappeared again.
Tirza ran all the way to Dumbledore's office. "Sunshine what is wrong?" Albus asked as a flushed Tirza run into his office. "Grandpa, I think daddy is going to commit murder." "What? Why do you think that?" Albus questioned in somewhat surprise. "I've never seen him so mad before. He's going to kill Lockhart. Oooh, let's NOT do anything then," she decided. "Unless you want your father sent to Azkaban we must stop them," Albus said quietly and fled the room.
Severus stalked down the halls toward Lockhart's office glaring at any student who dared cross him and giving detentions to those who even dared to speak to him. "Lockhart where in hell are you!" Severus shouted as he didn't find him in his office. Lockhart showed up a moment later, having no idea that Severus was looking for him or knew about Tirza. "Oh, Severus old chap, what can I do for you?" Severus lunged at Lockhart at lightening speed and pinned him to the wall holding his wand directly at his heart.
"Give me one good reason why I shouldn't Avada Kadevra you right now," Severus growled. "I guess you talked to Tirza," Lockhart croaked out. "You better believe it I did," Severus seethed. "You better have one good damn reason why I shouldn't finish you right now." "Well, she deserved it," Lockhart said, hoping that would be the right defense. "Not good enough," Severus stated tightening his hold on his wand. "Something better NOW." "I………well………but she really did Severus, I swear it," Lockhart almost begged. "Lockhart unless I know exactly what she did I will not comment on whether she deserved it or not," Severus stated coolly.
"Well, she called me a most dreadful name. In front of all the students. And refused to show up for detention," Lockhart stated. "Just why did she receive detention? And when was this detention supposed to take place?" Severus asked in rapid fire succession. "She got detention for calling me that name in front of the students. It was supposed to be tonight," Lockhart answered. "Unless it has grown dark in the last five minutes it is still way too early to be considered night so NO I do not believe she has missed her detention and I would imagine you must have done something to provoke the name calling," Severus growled. "RELEASE HIM!" Albus shouted as he entered and took in the scene before him. "Dumbledore!" Lockhart shouted. He spotted Tirza and scowled.
"Lockhart you best explain yourself before I personally fire you and remove you from this school," Albus said with an uncharacteristic scowl on his face. "This man attacked me for no good reason!" Lockhart pointed an accusing finger at Snape. "That I most certainly do not believe," Albus said coldly. "Try again." "I have no idea what you all are talking about!" Lockhart said, attempting to appear innocent. "That child is full of lies!" "I'm sure that you would consent to vertisuram then correct?" Albus stated calmly. "I would not!" Lockhart sneered, looking insulted. "Then you most certainly are hiding something," Severus growled. "You cannot believe anything she says! She is nothing but a spoiled little troublemaker! You should take my word because I am an adult and a teacher and so very famous!" Lockhart shot back.
"Lemme at him!" Tirza shouted, starting towards Lockhart. "Shut the hell up Gilderoy," Albus said calmly and restrained Tirza. Tirza stopped dead in her tacks and looked at Albus. Never ever ever had she heard him swear! "How dare you speak to me like that! Don't you know who I am?" Lockhart countered. "I am the headmaster of this school Professor and I expect you best remember that," Albus replied. Lockhart scowled. "Somebody do something to him," Tirza demanded. "Are you willing to tell your side of the story now Professor or will I need to find a new dada teacher?" Albus said quietly. "Before you get started though professor I would like Severus' permission to remove Tirza from the room," Albus said turning to Severus.
"That's fine Albus," Severus replied. "I don't wanna go," Tirza pouted. "This conversation is not intended for young ladies ears," Albus sighed. "Nick please come here." Nearly Headless Nick floated into the room. "Yes headmaster?" "Please escort young Miss Snape back to Gryffindor tower," Albus requested of him. "Of course. Come along Tirza," nick said. Tirza sighed and followed nick. "Thank you Nick!" Albus called out to him and then turned to Lockhart. "You have two choices; either you tell me exactly what happened or you will be asked to leave." "More like forced," Severus said under his breath. "FINE," Lockhart said with a sigh, sitting down. "So I swatted her a few times. What is the problem? She deserved it!"
"Exactly what did she do professor?" Albus asked. "She called me a very improper name in front of the students," Lockhart told him. "What was that name professor?" Albus asked. "She called me an asshole." "And what had you done up to this point to make her call you that?" Severus asked bewildered. "I had done absolutely nothing," Lockhart spat back. "Try again," Albus said. Lockhart scowled. "Why is it that you do not believe ME?" "I have talked to both Tirza and Maddie and they have said that you provoked the attack and I would like to hear your CORRECT side," Albus said strongly. "Fine; she was talking with her little friend, what they were talking about I don't know. I asked her several questions which she could not answer and I commented that perhaps she wouldn't be so stupid if she actually paid attention to me and that she was a failure and a waste of a witch," Lockhart reluctantly admitted.
"What kind of questions did you ask? Did they pertain to the subject?" Severus growled. "They were on the quiz that she refused to take about me at the star of the year," Lockhart told him. "I've seen that quiz professor and I must say I do not agree with it at all," Albus stated. "Calling a student stupid because they do not know about you is not acceptable." "Well the truth hurts and she has no concept of reality. She's been coddled and spoiled. Perhaps a little truth would do her some good!" Lockhart stated, feeling like he was an authority on the subject. "I agree with you on only one point and that is the truth does hurt," Albus said glaring at Lockhart. "I know Tirza can be quite a handful at times but to blatantly attack a students character in front of a class is uncalled for."
"And so the headmaster's pet gets away with disrespecting a professor? What I did was completely justified and I would have continued discussing it with her if Binns hadn't interrupted," Lockhart informed them smugly. "You would have continued punishment that was unwarranted?" Severus snapped. "Severus please control your temper or you will leave as well," Albus said quietly "yes I would have continued! And it WAS warranted!" Lockhart snapped. "I'm putting you on suspension without pay for 2 weeks in which time I expect you to seek consueling for your pompous behavior and attitude problem," Albus stated.
"When you return you will produce for me written documentation of your stay. When you begin teaching again you will have another professor with you at all times until I'm convinced you will not let this kind of actions happen again," Albus said. Lockhart scowled. "Fine," he growled. "Your attitude must change as well or you will be out on your butt before you can say hippogriff," Albus stated firmly. Lockhart nodded "We are done and I expect to not see you at breakfast in the morning," Albus said and turned to leave.
"What happened?" Ginny asked as Tirza told Nick goodbye. "Lockhart is evil," Tirza said, coming to stand beside the girls. "What did the git do this time?" Ginny asked. Tirza blushed a deep red, not sure if she wanted to tell, as it was embarrassing. "Aw come on I bet he was a real bad guy wasn't he?" Maddie piped in. Tirza nodded. "He spanked me," she whispered. "The evil bastard," Ginny squeaked and then covered her mouth when she realized she had said a bad worth and blushed a deep crimson. Tirza giggled. "I won't tell," she told Ginny. "But you're right, he is." Maddie nodded her agreement.
"We should do something to get back at him," Ginny whispered as she noticed Percy walking by. "Definitely," Tirza agreed. "What are you three whispering about?" Percy said as he stood over them. "Nothing that concerns you," Tirza told him. "Right and I am the king of England," Percy snapped. "Really? Great to meet you your royalness," Maddie said with a giggle. "Get lost Percy or I'll tell mum that you are being a pest" Ginny stated. "Fine I'll go before tattle-tale gets hissy but I'll be watching you three," Percy said gruffly and stalked away. Tirza giggled. "How DO you stand him?" she asked Ginny. "You have to take him with a grain of salt and a good iron fist," Ginny quoted mocking her mother perfectly.
Tirza and Maddie giggled. "So what are we going to do to Goldie?" Tirza asked. "No clue but something very evil," Ginny said. "Yeah, very evil," Maddie agreed. Tirza nodded and pulled a pillow over to where the girls sat and gently eased herself onto, a look of pain crossing her face. "I swear he will wish he had never touched you," Ginny vowed. "When she we pull something off?" "I don't know what their going to do with him, but if my dad hasn't killed him yet, I say we do it soon," Tirza said. "Cool," both girls said in unison. "Should we go find out what they did?" Maddie asked. "Well we do have an hour before supper so why not?" Ginny said. "Should we ask my dad or grandpa?" Tirza wondered. "Grandpa," the girls replied in unison.
They ran off to the office. Tirza whispered the password and they rode the stairs up. She knocked on the door. There was no sound for the other room but the door stood slightly ajar. "Grandpa?" Tirza called, sticking her head inside the door. "I'm back here," Came a voice. Tirza followed the voice, waving for the girls to follow her. "I'm up here," Albus called from the back of his massive office. "This place is huge," Ginny commented. Tirza nodded. "It's the coolest place ever," she told the girls. "Hi grandpa!" "Hello ladies how may I help you?" Albus said appearing behind a bookshelf.
"We were wondering what ya did to Goldie," Tirza told. Maddie and Ginny nodded. "Whom Tirza?" Albus asked not recognizing the name. "Goldie... I mean Lockhart." "Professor Lockhart has been put on leave for two weeks," Albus said. "Is he coming back?" Maddie asked. "Yes dear he will be back in 2 weeks," Albus replied. "That sucks," the three girls said at the same time. "Who's teaching until he gets back?" Ginny asked. "Your older brother Charlie has agreed to do it," Albus said. "Ooh, that's cool," Tirza decided. "Did Lockhart leave already?" Tirza asked. "Yes he has," Albus replied. "Oh, ok. Thanks grandpa, we'll see ya later," Tirza said. "Bye sir," Ginny and Maddie called as the girls left. "Bye Ladies and goodnight," Albus said to their retreating forms.
"Your dad gives us way too much homework," Maddie complained as they walked toward their defense class. "Yeah, I know," Tirza grumbled, carrying the large book bag. "Ooh look at how Charlie redid the room," Ginny said as the girls entered. "Whoa, cool," Tirza said, gazing around at the posters and information on all the types of defensive spells. "I'm going to like this class," Tirza decided. She sat down with Maddie, Ginny sitting in the next seat with Colin Creevey.
"Good afternoon class," Charlie said as he came down the stairs. "Yo!" Tirza called out a greeting. "Hello Tirza," Charlie called back. Tirza looked pleased that he knew her name and beamed. "Please put away your books and take out your wands please," Charlie said as he walked to the chalk board. The girls took out their wands, waiting for instructions. "In a few moments I will pass out several different bugs. As a group you will try and make them vanish," Charlie said. "Eww, bugs," Tirza whispered to Maddie. "When you are finished your bug should be no more," Charlie stated handing Ginny the bug their group had to try and vanish.
Tirza went first, pointing her wand at the bug and said the spell. The bug disappeared. "Oh my god, I did it!" Tirza exclaimed in excitement. "Good job Tirza" Charlie called out and handed them another bug. "I'll try this time," Ginny exclaimed and did just like Tirza but only half her bug disappeared. "Icky," Tirza said. "I aunt going to touch that." "Me neither," Maddie added. "Sheesh," Ginny said and tried again and the entire bug disappeared. "Yea!" Maddie and Tirza said, clapping. "I guess it's my turn," Maddie sighed looking at the bug Charlie had just handed them. "Oh shoot," Maddie cried as her bug ran away as she pointed her wand at it. Tirza and Ginny giggled. "It saw what happened to the other bugs and it's afraid," Tirza said. "I hope so," Maddie sighed as she grabbed the bug again and tried harder but this time it exploded. "EWWWW" the girls yelled. "Bug guts," Ginny said, shivering. "Cleansate," Charlie said. (Kerry Note: made up) "Good try Maddie but time is up." "It's okay Maddie," Tirza said patting her. "I always make the potion explode," she reminded her. "Please write a half page parchment on what it felt like making/not making your bug disappear due Wednesday," Charlie said.