The group moved outside the airport and Chris dropped Tirza's hand to open up the stroller. "She will be fine in here now," Chris commented. Serena tucked her head against Snape's neck and began sucking her thumb. She saw the stroller and shook her head no. "I really hate to put her down," Severus said holding her close. "Go ahead and keep her," mike said. "She always prefers cuddles and she really likes you."
"We're going on a subway," Tirza exclaimed as she held Chrissie's hand tight and led them across the busy intersection toward the entrance. "Do you call it subway here?" AJ asked. "I hope you don't mind," Severus said. "I think it's the fastest way to get to the manor." "No actually it's called a tube," Tirza said with a laugh. "That's kinda stupid, I like subway better. Especially the one with food," AJ said. The girls giggled.
Serena started sucking on Snape's hair. "Eeks!" Tirza exclaimed slapping her forehead. "I totally forgot that dad agreed to take us to McDonald's for lunch!" "Can we go back?" the girls begged. "Mom, can I get a shake?" AJ asked. "And a big Mac?" "I think there might be one at the station we get off at," Severus said racking his brain. "I'm almost sure it is." "If the one that's at our stop off is better why don't we wait?" Chris suggested.
Serena was still sucking on Snape's hair. "Yuck, Serena that's sick!" Amy announced. "AJ cool it," Chris warned. "You've been acting this way all day and it's not appreciated." AJ scowled. "Hey, be nice," mike scolded her. "That's your mom and she's a good mom. You remember that," AJ rolled her eyes. Tirza, for once, agreed with the adults and said nothing about AJ. "But she is eating your hair dad," Tirza cautioned Snape. "I'm okay with that," Severus said gently removing his hair out of the way. "I really should wash it tonight anyway."
AJ scowled at Serena, who was cooing happily, poking Snape's nose again. "AJ either get happy or you'll sit in time out when we arrive at the manor," Chris said, seriously tired of her attitude. "I know the flight wasn't the best but your here with Tirza so be happy." "I think Serena's cute," Tirza said, watching her giggle and poke at Snape. "Not really," AJ muttered. "It's not as crowded now," Tirza said trying to divert the attention from a fight. "Most of the people have gone to work," Severus commented as a train pulled up. "This is us."
AJ and Tirza jumped on and started running way ahead. "STOP!" Severus shouted above the din of people. "Stay with us please!" Tirza stopped and sighed, and went back to Snape. AJ kept going. "Amy Julia Logan, come back here!" mike called. "AJ you know better," Chris commented. "We are in a strange place and you need to stay close to us please." Severus said nothing because he didn't want to interfere but said to Tirza "Thanks for listening." Tirza smiled at Snape.
Amy came back reluctantly. "You sit and be good or this won't be a fun time for anybody Amy," mike told her. "I know you're cranky, you can sleep later," she sighed and jumped onto the seat of the subway. "Can I hold her?" Tirza asked Chris. "Sit beside AJ and you may," Chris said quietly. "She's almost asleep though so be careful." Tirza nodded and sat down and AJ finally sat down. Both Logan girls were asleep within minutes.
Mike sighed. "AJ is such a pill when she's cranky," he said, kissing her head. "Should we skip McDonald's for now and come back for supper?" Severus asked. "They built one closer to the house over the fall and I know Tirza's been dying to try it." Mike nodded. "That sounds good. How's my tinkerbell?" mike asked Tirza. She giggled. "I'm good, school kinda sucks." "Really?" Chris asked. "Are the teachers all like your dad?" she said with a wink in Severus' direction.
Tirza giggled. "No, dad's cool, but I suck at his class. But there's this other teacher, he just got fired and I am SO glad." Mike laughed. "For once I do agree with her about that teacher," Severus said. "He was not fit to teach." "Yeah, he sucked big time," Tirza said. "Glad his sorry butt is gone." Mike chuckled and kissed Tirza's head. "Tirza can we calm the language down just a bit?" Severus asked quietly. "I know you're happy he's gone"
"She's still using that language?" Chris sighed. "AJ does it too sometimes. It's a hard habit to break." Tirza blushed, embarrassed. "Sorry," she mumbled. "I've been getting better," Tirza said in her defense. "Haven't I?" she asked Snape. "It's okay," Chris said giving her a smile. "Yes," Severus admitted. Tirza smiled.
They continued talking about school and other fun things until they reached their stop. "Here let me take her," Severus said as Tirza made to get up. Tirza handed her over. "You look cute with her," she said. Amy got up, all smiles. "Thanks," Severus said quietly trying not to wake her as they got off the train and headed for the surface. "We should hail a cab." Mike hailed a cab and helped everyone and the luggage in.
The girls were playing with Serena's hair. "Girls stop," Chris admonished quietly. "She's still asleep." "Can we play with your hair?" Tirza asked, looking hopeful. "When we get settled back at the manor," Chris said. "Right now I think it's a little cramped for that." "Cool," both girls decide. "You know, your hair would be fun to play with too," AJ pointed out to Snape.
"Uh no, Severus said firmly. "I like it just how it is thank you," Tirza giggled. "Pwease?" both girls asked with their best puppy eyes. "No and that's final," Severus said quietly. The girls giggled. "You smell funny," AJ pointed out. "AJ!" Chris admonished. "That's not polite!" "No, I don't mean a bad smell, just a smell I don't know," AJ reasoned. "It's okay," Severus said quickly. "It's not like I don't hear that often from the kids."
"It's the potions," Tirza said. AJ looked ecastic. "Can we play with potions?" Tirza shook her head no. "I've had enough of potions." "Here we are," Severus said pointing toward the gates that led to the manor. The girls took off running and Tirza opened the door with her wand. "Cool!" AJ exclaimed, "Can I try it?" Tirza handed her wand to AJ and a window promptly. Broke both girls cringed.
"GIRLS!" Chris shouted. "AJ do not touch her wand again understand?" "Reparo," Severus said fixing the window. "Tirza please put your wand away and help with the bags." Tirza quickly took it back and put it away. The girls drug the things inside and disappeared upstairs. They came running downstairs a few moments later. "Dad, can we go swimming?" Tirza asked. "Did you put everything away?" Severus asked.
They nodded. "Are you telling me the truth?" Severus asked looking directly at Tirza. "You came back quiet fast." Tirza nodded. "Yep; I used my wand." "Alright then you may but only for an hour," Severus said. "And make sure you get the towels from the white bin." They changed and went outside, splashing and yelling. "Your pool feels so nice!" AJ commented as she swam around the edge. "I know, dad's got it all warm all the time. I don't know that charm yet."
"It must be nice to know magic," AJ said wistfully. "I wish I could do it." "I wish you could too. But I can't let you use my wand……...at least where things could break," Tirza told her. "Maybe we can try it later," AJ commented. "Right now I like the pool. Do you miss this when at school?" she nodded. "Yeah. School's hard, but it's fun too." "Really?" AJ asked. "How so and do you spend a lot of time with that Ron kid?"
"Well, playing with a wand is always cool. And Ron and I are in the same house. I room with his little sister." "Ginny right?" AJ questioned trying to remember her name. "She seemed like a really great person." Tirza nodded. "Yeah, she's nice." "What else do you like to do at that school?" AJ asked finally getting tired of swimming and held onto the wall. "Make potions and watch quidditch and set off a dung bomb every now and then. I glued my teacher to a chair too!" Tirza giggled.
"Really? Cool," AJ exclaimed. "But what is quidditch?" "It's hard to explain, but you play it on brooms, with three balls and you fly around, it's really fun. I'll let you fly my broom later." "Is it safe?" AJ asked uncertainly. "If you hang on and don't go too high; it's the best broom, I got it from grandpa last Christmas. I want a pony this year, but dad says no." "Well," AJ said with a wink. "You never know what you might get." Tirza giggled, and then slapped her forehead. "Tribbles!" she exclaimed.
"What's wrong?" AJ asked a little worried. "I forgot my ear plugs," she hopped out of the pool and ran inside. When she returned AJ was sitting on the steps splashing a little "What were the adults up to?" "Talking," Tirza told her. "About boring stuff." "That's all they do," AJ admitted splashing Tirza. "I wish we could stay out here for like forever." Tirza giggled and splashed her back. "Me too."
While the girls were in the pool, the adults had moved to the living room. "How is New York?" Severus asked. "Good; busy," mike said. "Work sucks." "Serena sure has grown over the last year," Severus commented watching Serena toddle around the room. "She sure has," Chris smiled brightly. "She's at an easy age right now and I'm really enjoying it." Serena came over and pulled on Snape's hand. "That means she wants up," Chris supplied.
Severus picked her up and put her on his lap. "Is AJ having a good school year?" "Classes are pretty easy for her actually. This is her last year in elementary school, off to the big middle school next year," Chris said. "Tirza misses her old school," Severus commented. "But I think she's adjusting well." "That's wonderful," Chris said. "So what's with this teacher that got fired?" mike asked. "Tirza really isn't one to truly hate somebody, so he or she must have been bad."
"His name was Gilderoy Lockhart," Severus said. "He was a real stuck on himself kind of guy. He and Tirza were fast enemies." "How'd he get fired? I hope it wasn't something too serious," Chris said. "He decided that Tirza didn't need her panic medicine one day and he didn't give it back to her when she started having a horrible attack," Severus commented. "He had punished her with a spanking before which isn't allowed but that was the last straw."
"You're kidding! Aren't there laws against that here?" mike asked. "Our school follows its own laws that are set to protect everyone," Severus replied. "He was on probation for most of the year." "Are you going to sue him?" mike asked. "I sure would, for touching my kid." Serena spit in Snape's face. "Are you bored?" Severus said tickling Serena's tummy. "I actually had thought of that but I don't want to put Tirza through anything else."
Serena giggled, her little face beaming. "Good point," Chris said. "She really likes you, its funny," she commented. "I'm glad she does," Severus said. "It's nice to have a little one around again." "Again?" they asked, confused. Serena honked his nose "I'm surprised Tirza hasn't told you the story from her first few months here," Severus said with a laugh honking Serena's nose in return. "You'll have to get her to tell you that sometime."
Serena giggled, and then snuggled against him. "My baby's sleepy," Chris said. Serena was closing her eyes. "It's about time the girls came in anyway," Severus commented giving Serena up reluctantly. "I'll go get them while you put her down." Snape gave Serena a gentle kiss on the head and handed her to Chris, who took her to the other room for a nap.
Severus walked out of the house to get the girls ready for supper. "Alright ladies time to get out." They scrambled out and came in, shivering slightly. "How was the swim?" Chris asked. "Good, you should come next time," Tirza said "yeah, mom, it's really warm," AJ added. "I just might join you tomorrow," Chris said. "Now let's get ready for supper."
They returned from Tirza's room in their pjs, their hair wet and very wild. "Uh ladies we are going out you know," Severus commented looking a little worried. "We are?" they asked in unison. "Tirza don't tell me you forgot our conversation on the train," Severus commented. "Oh yeah!" she shouted. "Come on, we're going to McDonalds!" the girls shouted and squealed and ran back upstairs.
A few moments and some drying spells later, Tirza and AJ and the others piled into Snape's van that he had bought real cheap through Arthur Weasley. After everyone was buckled in, Severus pulled out into the road. Serena was babbling happily, AJ was holding her AJ and Tirza started tickling her like crazy. "Girls be careful," Chris admonished. Serena giggled and started crawling on the backseat.
"Put her back in her seat now," Chris stated firmly. "Yes girls," Severus said, watching the road intently. "I would hate for anything to happen." AJ plopped her in and buckled her up. "Girls!" Severus stated. "I know Serena didn't let herself out of that seat and I would advise you NOT to take her out again or I'll turn this van around this minute." Tirza settled down. AJ stuck her tongue out at Severus. "Don't think I won't spank you young lady if you don't listen," he warned Tirza, but hoped AJ would take notice. AJ looked stunned.
Tirza immediately settled down, which made AJ look even more stunned. "We're here," Severus called, out pulling to a stop in front of the golden arches. "Girls I expect you to behave or don't think we won't pull you out of here." AJ is still stunned and turned to Tirza. "Is he serious?" she squeaked, having never before heard of Tirza being spanked. "Very serious," Tirza admitted. "I really think we should be good here or he might even send you home early." "Does he really really spank you?" AJ whispered as they waited in line. "Yep," Tirza said. "But only when I do something bad."
"What would you ladies like?" Chris asked as they approached the register. Tirza ordered a big mac meal and a six piece nuggets. AJ orders a shake and a double cheeseburger. The adults get big mac's and nuggets. They all sit down near the entrance to the play area. Serena firmly plants herself on Snape's lap, she slobs all over her nugget and then offers it to him. "Uh?" she asks, holding it up with a chubby little arm.
"No thanks," Severus says taking a bite of his sandwich. "Pee?" she says (her first word: please). Chris claps her hands in delight, mike smiles, AJ looks less then thrilled, and Tirza looks confused. "What?" Severus asked dumb founded. "Her first word!" Chris says. Serena now points to Snape's pop. "Pee?" she says. Even AJ has to smile this time. "Good job sis!" "My pop doesn't contain pee," Severus stated bemused. Serena looked confused. Tirza giggled. "Daddy, she means please!" "Pee?" Serena asks again, this time grabbing the pop with a chubby hand.
"No," Severus said taking it out of her hands and hands her the sippy cup they had brought for her. She sips on her milk, swinging her little legs. "My baby's growing up," Chris says, smiling. "Isn't it amazing?" she asks Snape, not thinking that he had never heard Tirza's first word.
"I guess so," Severus admitted. Tirza hugged him. "Mawtee," she whispered in his ear "that was my first word. It meant molly," she whispered. "Oh," Severus replied. "Thanks." she kissed him. "Pop!" Serena announced, spilling Snape's pop all over. "Merlin!" Severus said as the pop got all over him. "Serena No!" Chris exclaimed, scooping her up and planting her in Mike's lap and heading for more napkins. Serena started licking the pop from the table. "Serena!" Chris exclaimed, half laughing.
"What am I supposed to do with her?" Mike asked. "Go change her!" Chris exclaimed. "She's your child and you don't know what to do?" Severus stated with a laugh. Mike rolled his eyes. "You're the mommy, you change her," he says, holding her out to Chris, "You change her Michael Francis Logan or you'll be sleeping by yourself tonight," Chris stated firmly, helping Snape mop up the mess. Mike sighed and went to change her. Tirza and AJ were giggling. "Francis!"
"I'm so sorry Severus." "I should have been watching her more closely," Severus admitted. "At least we weren't planning on doing anything else after this." "Uncle Sevvie peed himself," AJ giggled to Tirza. "AJ," Chris snapped. "That was impolite please apologize." AJ groaned. "Sorry Uncle Severus." "I think we should get going when Mike returns," Severus suggested. "And apology accepted."
Mike returns and Serena hold, her arms out to Snape. "Daddy, you've got a girlfriend," Tirza teased. Severus reluctantly took Serena back, but made sure she had no access to any drinks or other things that could get spilled on him. "Shall we go?' she slobbered a kiss on his face. "Sounds good," Chris says, throwing the garbage away. Severus securely buckled Serena in her seat and made sure the girls were buckled in before he got behind the wheel.