"You may call me Albus," Albus smiled. "Drinks anyone?" Chris called. "And where are the twins?" She looked around for AJ and Tirza, but did not see them. "Who knows?" Severus sighed. Remus sat down and Serena was set down so mike could go help with drinks.
She toddled over to Remus and held out a bright yellow care bear towards him. "Hi," she said proudly. Remus took the bear and smiled at her; Rena was an adorable child, with a dimple and brown curls. "Hi cutie."
Serena giggled and plopped on his lap. "beee!" she said, pointing to the bear. She then pointed to him, having noticed his rather shaggy hair. "Beee!" "She thinks you're a bear Remus," Albus says laughing. "Little Rena has you pegged." Remus gave him a quizzical look. "How did you know?" Rena held her arms out for the bear. "Beee!"
"Here you go cutie," Remus said handing the bear back over. She hugged the bear and kisses it, slobbering all over. "Ewwwwww," AJ and Tirza stated as they came back into the room. They grabbed some pop and disappeared again. "Apparently things have been fixed," Albus stated happily. " He sat down on the other side of Remus, just as Chris and Mike returned with drinks.
"Is she bugging you?" Chris asked about Serena. "She tends to be very friendly to certain people." "Not at all," Remus replied. "She's a sweetie." Chris smiled. "We try... both girls are good girls. Severus, something to drink? You're strangely quiet." "Sorry and a glass of coke would be fine, " Severus replied, "I am just glad it all worked out." "Us too," mike and Chris replied at the same time. "And don't be sorry, just wondering what your thinking," Chris told him.
Both girls came out and plopped on Severus' lap. "Do you still like me uncle Severus?" AJ asked very seriously. "Of course I do," Severus replied. "And I'm glad you two made up." AJ hugged him tight and leaned up to give him a kiss on the cheek. Severus kissed her back "Hopefully you can come visit over Easter," he offered.
The girls snuggled close to Severus as Rena began dozing in Remus' arms. "I think this cutie is sleepy," Remus said quietly. Chris smiled and reached out to retrieve Serena. "Noooooo!" the little girl stated, nuzzling herself deeper against Remus. "I'm fine for now," Remus assured Chris, sighing happily. "And anyways, I like the feeling," he admitted, gently rubbing Serena's cheek with one finger.
Serena finally passed out and was carted away by Mike to be tucked in. AJ and Tirza then popped on Remus' lap. "Hello cool person," AJ greeted Remus with a smile. "Why thank you," Remus replied with a laugh. "Hear that everyone? I'm cool!" "Can I call you uncle Remus too?" AJ asked as she and Tirza snuggled close.
"You can if you want," Remus replied. AJ looked thrilled. "Coolies," she announced, which caused Tirza to giggle. "You two are cute," Remus admitted. "I think I'll like this being a double uncle." "You'll do anything for girls won't you Remus?" Severus said with a wink and a chuckle. Albus, Chris, Mike and Remus joined in on the laughter, with AJ and Tirza adding their giggles. "This one..." Remus tapped Tirza's nose playfully, "Definitely." Tirza beamed and hugged him tight.
Severus sighed. "You'll spoil them rotten, you and Albus." The two 'twins' beamed. "Awww, I think my angel deserves it..." Remus says, kissing Tirza's forehead "and any friend of my angel is a friend of mine!" Severus chuckled. "Apparently Remus you have not spent enough time with your so called angel!" He winked at Tirza, who playfully stuck her tongue out in reply.
The girls giggled and AJ beamed at Remus. "You are cool," she informed him. Remus winked at AJ and smiled. Remus is second coolest to my grandpa," Tirza admitted. "But actually everyone here is my favoritist people." the adults laughed. "Suck up" AJ teased, hugging Tirza. "She's always been like that," Mike said with a wink.
Tirza and AJ pretended to be insulted and tossed pillows at Mike, who ducked, causing the pillows to hit Albus instead. The girls giggled and pounced on Albus, who proceeded to tickle them mercilessly. They squealed with laughter. "Fun guests you have," Chris said, beaming as she watched.
"They are the best," Severus admitted. "I like having them around." "Me too!" Tirza said, adding to his statement. "No wonder Tirza loves it there," Mike commented with a grin. "She has a lot of friends," Severus stated with a smile. "And a lot of teachers who love her dearly."
When the tickling was over, AJ and Tirza cuddled with Albus and also started to doze. "Wow, sleepy girls today," Chris commented softly. "Probably too much excitement," Severus commented. Albus happily held the girls close... he had always loved kids. "That makes a lovely picture," Remus stated with a smile. "Got a camera handy?" He asked Mike.
Chris nodded. "It's not a fancy one, the ones that have moving pictures" she snapped three pictures "I'll be sure and get extra prints" she say, smiling "and send them ASAP" "Thanks," all three men said in unison. After two hours of talking between the adults, the girls were still asleep.
"Should we wake them?" Remus asked. "No, I think we should go though... we'll set up a play date for the girls soon" Severus told Chris. "Great," Chris replied and Mike took AJ from Albus "I'll look forward to hearing from you soon." Albus stood up with Tirza and flood back. Remus and Severus followed.
"I should tuck her in," Severus said, reaching over to take her from Albus. "Can.Can I?" Remus asked hesitantly. "Sure," Severus replied. Tirza stirred only a little as Remus took her "thanks..." he smiled at Severus. Severus nodded and led the way into the kitchen, fixing himself a cup of coffee. "That was a nice treat," Severus says happily. Albus beamed. "It sure was... I am glad they made up. Poor things," he commented.
"It was good for all of us," Severus stated. "The Logans sure took a liking to you and Remus!" Albus chuckled. "We are popular," he declared. Remus came back downstairs, beaming widely. "She asleep?" Severus asked. Remus nodded. "Out like a light. She and her friend are cuties..." "That they are," Severus agreed. "At least when they get along!" "Severus, have I ever told you that you've raised an amazing little girl?" Remus said quietly, suddenly feeling very lonely, and wishing for his own little girl.
"It helps to hear it often." Severus saw the look on Remus' face and chuckled. "You should find someone Remus." Remus blushed. "Is it that obvious that I want a family?" "Yes!" both Albus and Severus replied in unison. Remus gave a sad sigh. "You both know what I am...it's the bachelor life for me... I'll just borrow your kiddo." "You never know," Severus pointed out. "You should never say never."
Remus chuckled nervously. "We'll see, but I'm not counting on anything. And I wouldn't talk if I were you Severus... you should find someone too!" he winked. Albus laughed. "Me?" Severus sputtered, looking a little surprised. "I don't even think women know I exist! And be careful Albus or he'll try and pair you up!" Remus smirked and Albus laughed heartily. "Aw come on, who could resist your sweet kid..." Remus pointed out to Severus, suggesting with a wink that he use Tirza for bait!
Severus rolled his eyes. "I'm content with the way my life is right now thank you." Do you ever regret having her Severus?" Remus asked, suddenly serious. "Never in a million years," Severus replied sincerely. "Why do you ask?" "I don't know... some people do regret their kids, and it's sad. But I'm glad you don't!" Remus stated.
"She's the best thing that ever happened to me," Severus admitted, feeling a bit uncomfortable from sharing so much personal information. "And I wouldn't trade her for the world." Remus smiled, and then a thought strikes him. "Doesn't she need a mom though? I mean, eventually, she's going to have all sorts of...woman problems, and I don't see any of us three handling that very well!" "She's got Molly Weasley," Severus pointed out "and I'm sure some of the women teachers would help out."
Albus nodded. "Indeed. I know Minerva has a very soft spot for Tirza...which she swore she would never have for any student, especially one in her own house!" Severus laughed. "She swears she doesn't, but she sure cares for most all of her students." Albus smiled. "How about you Severus? I've heard things from you that nearly gave me a heart attack!" "What you talking about Albus?" Severus asked, an eyebrow raised.
"Princess...baby..." Albus chuckled. "You, Severus Snape... are a marshmallow!" Remus snickered and Severus sighed. "I can't help it," he admitted. "No one is asking you too Severus," Albus spoke gently. "I think it's wonderful." Remus nodded his agreement. "I love having her," Severus told them. "No one would have guessed you had it in you!" Remus told him, clamping Severus on the back. "But it's really amazing!" Thanks. She's turned my life around," Severus said honestly, a smile creeping up on his face. Remus smiled in return. "Care to share on that?"
Albus helped himself to the cookies set out on the table, and poured himself some more tea. "She's just made me a little mellower," Severus mused. "Is there much of her mother in her?" Albus asked out of curiosity. "I see little glimpses once in a while," Severus stated honestly. "But she's definitely not Ariel and for that I'm glad!" Remus looked intrigued "really? Why? Wasn't she the great love of your life?"
"She was for a while," Severus said, a look of remembrance moved fleetingly across his face. "But something tells me there was more to her than what I know." "Oh?" both men asked, feeling concerned. "I just have a feeling she did something when Tirza was living with her in New York that a mother shouldn't have done," Severus sighed, now looking frustrated and anxious. "But Tirza won't admit to anything really!" Albus frowned darkly. "Such as?" he asked gravely.
"I'm not sure since Tirza won't talk about it," Severus told them. "But I plan to get to the bottom of it eventually." "Any plan of action? Any way I can help?" Albus offered. "Just let her open up to you both," Severus suggested. "Sometimes when we get to talking things just slip out." "What have you learned that is disturbing you?" Remus questioned. "That anytime she begins to talk about her mother and her last year there she'll clam up quickly." Severus rubbed his forehead. "To me, that's a sure sign something's not right."
"Definitely," Remus affirmed. "I have noticed that too..." Albus commented. "That is most concerning..." "I just wish she'd open up more!" Severus half growled. He wasn't angry, but it was so frustrating to know there was a problem, but not know the nature so that he could help her! "But I'm just giving her some space and time." "She is probably afraid of disappointing you..." Remus offered. "True but she never could do that!" Severus replied quickly. "Or is afraid of making you hate her mother," Remus added. "I don't know about that," Severus half growled again. "That's a little harder."
"What do you mean?" Remus asked, helping himself to some cookies as well. "It all depends on what Ariel did to her," Severus stated. "I can still appreciate Ariel for all she did but I also don't want to hear that she made Tirza's life miserable either!" "Then that is probably the problem right there," Albus mused.
"What so I'm supposed to love Ariel even if she mistreated Tirza?" Severus asked angrily. "That's not what I mean...just make sure that you do not trash Ariel in front of Tirza," Albus cautioned gently. "I would never do that," Severus replied, losing his growl. "Do what?" a sleepy Tirza asked, coming downstairs. "Nothing sweetie," Severus said quickly, putting a slight smile on her face. "How was your nap?"
Tirza yawned and rubbed the sleep from her eyes. "Pretty good." She helped herself to his lap. "You know, this is kinda like Full House…." She stated with a sleepy smile. Severus chuckled and kissed her head, pulling her close against his chest. He secretly hoped she'd never become too big to cuddle with her old dad.
The next morning Tirza tumbled out of a fireplace, laughing, followed by Severus, who was holding her bag. "Hi!" Tirza called out to the grangers. "Well hello," Mr. and Mrs. Granger called out. "It's so nice to see you again." She smiled and stood up. "Be good," Snape whispered, hugging her close. "I love you." Tirza hugged him back. "Love you too!" Snape took two vials out of his pocket. "This is her panic potion and her sleeping potion," he handed them to Mrs. Granger.
"Dad!" Tirza exclaimed. "Scoot! I'll be okay!" Snape hugged her again, then flooed away. "Thanks for inviting me," Tirza smiled at Hermione. Hermione smiled back and hugged her. "So what should we do?" "Anything! I brought lots of videos and some spending money too!" Tirza told her excitedly. "Cool," Hermione replied. "Why don't we head up to my room then?"
Tirza nodded and hoisted the heavy bag again, then felt a twinge in her side, followed by a sharp pain. She ignored it and followed Hermione upstairs. "You can either sleep in here," Hermione said showing her the room next to hers. "Or we can make up another bed here in my room." "In here if you don't mind," Tirza said. "I promise to try not to wake you up or anything." "I don't mind at all," Hermione commented. "I just wasn't sure if you'd want privacy or you would rather us share a room." "Nah, sleepovers are cooler this way," Tirza said, smiling. Her stomach rumbled and she giggled.
"Mum said she'd have lunch ready in another 20 minutes," Hermione commented. "You think you can last that long?" Tirza nodded. "Yeah," she giggled. "Maybe we could go shopping a day?" "We could do that tomorrow!" Hermione offered happily. "We could go in with my parents to work and then explore while they are working and meet back up for lunch and then either get them to take us home or do more." "Sounds like fun!" Tirza decided. "This is gonna be great!"
Three giggle, shopping, video and lunch out days later, Tirza snuck a rub to her tummy as she and the grangers waited for Snape to come get her. "I'll see you back at school in a few days!" Hermione called out as Snape appeared outside their house. Tirza waved goodbye and ran to Snape, ignoring the pain in her stomach.
"Daddy!" "Ready to go home?" Severus asked, noticing the wince when he hugged Tirza. She nodded and hugged him close, biting her lip slightly, and then kissed his face. They apparated to Snape Manor and Severus led them into the house. "How was your visit?" He asked. "Lots of fun! Hermione's parents are nice but they have weird candy; it has no sugar, but it still tastes good, but don't as me how!" Tirza told him.
"I would imagine Muggle dentists would have weird candy," Severus agreed. "How are you feeling?" "I'm okay, why?" she asked innocently...there was no point in alarming him over an upset tummy! Severus looked at her face closely, an eyebrow raised, a look on concern taking over his face. "I missed you though," she said sincerely.
"When I hugged you earlier you winced and right now you seem to be rubbing your tummy," Severus pointed out. Tirza stopped rubbing immediately. "Really?" she asked softly. "I didn't notice." "Why don't you go unpack and I'll fix us some lunch?" Severus suggested, a pang of worry eating away at him, but he was unsure why. Tirza nodded and hurried to her room as quickly as she could despite her tummy hurting and dumped all the contents of her duffle bag onto the bed. "Done!" she called. She slid down the banister back downstairs, having done cushions for herself with her wand, so no warning was needed.
"Go back upstairs and put everything away!" Severus called from the kitchen. She sighed and went back upstairs, wincing at the climbing, holding her side, wondering how he knew exactly what she had done! With a few flicks of her wand, things were put away and she slid back down. "How many times have I told you not to slide down the banister without telling me first?" Severus said in mock anger.
She cringed, then looked at his face and giggled. "I'm a pro!" she hopped off the banister, but bumped her side against it and yelped loudly, grabbing her side. "What?" Severus asked looking very concerned, going right to her side. She clutched her side, her face scrunched up with pain. She didn't say anything for a few minutes. "I'm okay," she told him, but kept her hand there.
"You are most certainly NOT okay now tell me where it hurts and for how long," Severus stated firmly, leaving no room for argument. "My right side... and a couple days," Tirza said softly. "Why didn't you tell anyone?" Severus demanded, now very worried. "Tirza it could be something very serious!" He lectured, his voice rising with worry and frustration.
"I think it's just a tummy ache," she replied honestly. "Don't be mad!" "A tummy ache for two days is highly unlikely," Severus replied lowering his voice. "I'm going to have Poppy come look at you." Tirza groaned. Poppy always fussed so much over her! "I'm fine, see!" she bounced around, and then stopped, holding her side. "Owy!" she shrieked, a few tears escaping as her face scrunched up with pain again.
"Stop your lying Tirza and let's get Poppy to look you over," Severus snapped out of worry more than anger. "You need to be checked because I think it something more than a tummy ache." she nodded. "Am I in trouble?" she questioned very softly, looking extremely guilty. "Let's see what Poppy has to say then I'll decide," Severus said walking to the fireplace after placing Tirza on the couch. "Poppy, Hogwarts Medical Wing!"