Tirza was slowly getting her color back, her breathing returning to normal, thank to the potion. "I think you've got a very sick little girl here Severus," Arthur said, getting a blanket for the shivering Tirza.

"What are you tlaking about?" Severus half-snapped. "And why is she sick? All Molly told me was that she wasn't eating!" "It's been a rough holiday," Arthur replied softly. "We've had some troubles."

Severus sighed, growing very very frustrated. "Will someone please tell me what is going on?" "Tirza and Percy had not been getting along," Molly started. "They had a nasty fight last night, which resulted in Tirza swearing worse then anything I've ever heard. I called you here tonight because after Tirza had run away and been found, she was refusing to eat." Molly sighed as well, not quite sure what to make of all this. "I know she gets stressed, so I told her she had to eat. When she refused to eat more then a few small bites, I told her to either eat or I'll call you. When she didn't, I flooed you."

Severus' scowl was getting darker and darker by the second. "Most of her problem could have been though overhearing what Percy said earlier today in the garden," Molly admitted. "Percy said some very nasty things about her and she overheard it."

"She ran away after hearing Percy and we searched for nearly two hours before she decided to show herself. Then she didn't want to eat and apparently had some sort of sickness." "Tirza, do you care to add anything else?" Severus asked, looking rather torn in emotion now.

Tirza had stayed quiet on the couch, now returned to normal, and feeling very sleep. She was watching Severus very closely. "I'm sorry," she whispered. "I already spanked her for her language and was going to send her to bed early for running away," Molly told him.

"Then I guess I can't punish her again for the language," Severus admitted. "But I think what is best for all of us is for her to leave tonight and I will deal with punishment at home. "Ginny, run and pack her things," Arthur asked.

Ginny returned a few moments later with Tirza's duffle bag. "I'm really sorry," Tirza apologized sincerely to Arthur and Molly. "Apology accepted," Molly told her. "Just get better," Arthur replied.

Tirza nodded and got off the couch and shuffled over to Severus, hoping he wasn't too mad with her. "Thank you for keeping her," Severus told them. "Sorry about everything.
"It's alright, things happen, and she is always welcome back," Molly answered sincerely.

"Thanks," Severus said, then held onto Tirza's hand and said "Snape Manor!" "Daddy, don't be mad," Tirza pouted when they came out of the fireplace into the living room. "Why shouldn't I be?" Severus asked seriously. "Because I already feel bad..." Tirza whispered.

"That's no reason for what you did," Severus replied. "You can away from Molly because you overheard a conversation that was none of your business. You could have been dead and they would have never found you and then what would they have done? Do you never stop and think before you act?"

"He was talking about me! That makes it my business!" Tirza said firmly. "And I was upset and hurt!" "That still gave you NO right to run off like you did," Severus stated. "And unless you were eavesdropping, which you KNOW is wrong, how did you know that he was talking about you in the first place?"

"Cuz he was right outside the window!" Tirza wailed. "We could hear him because he was yelling! And I'm sorry I ran away! I didn't mean to scare them!" "That doesn't help the fact that you ran away," Severus replied sternly. "What would have happened if they hadn't found you and something had happened? You should ALWAYS no matter what, let someone know where you are going!"

Tirza looked very sad and contrite. "I don't know, and I'm sorry! I'M SORRY!" "That seems to be all you ever say," Severus stated. "Everytime you get yourself into these messes you always say I'm sorry and expect that to make the situation go away." "But I mean it daddy!" she pleaded. "I won't do it again! I told you I'd stop playing pranks and I haven't since then!"

"This wasn't a prank Tirza!" Severus yelled. "This was a gamble with your life, and if you had lost, then it would have been a terrible thing for all of us, especially the Weasleys, since you were staying wtih them." "I messed up, I know, and I'm sorry. I just mean that you can trust me," she whispered. She sat down on the couch and tucked her knees into her chest.

"I won't do it again daddy. I'm sorry I scared everybody. I didn't think that Imight get hurt and worry everyone," she said softly. "Tirza," Severus sighed, sitting down beside her. "After what happened today, how can I trust that you won't run away like that again?" "I won't I promise!"

"Really, so the next time Draco says something ugly to you," Severus suggested. "You won't go running off because he hurt you so badly?" "I'll run alright... to you or grandpa," Tirza said softly. "I didn't mean to be bad."

"Tirza, I just wish you would think more often," Severus told her quietly. "Since Molly ha already punished you for the bad words, I'm just going to punish you for the running away." Tirza nodded solemnly. "I know daddy, and I don't blame you. Even if you never let me go there again, I won't be mad at you," she whispered.

"You will be allowed to return to the burrow," Severus commented. "But it'll be a while yet. What is I have in mind for punishment is that you write both Molly and Arthur an apology for running away, and you are grounded from flying for one week."

Tirza's eyebrow quirked in surprise. She had expected a lot worse! "Yes sir," she said softly, still giving him a funny look. "What?" Severus asked. "Did you WANT something worse to happen?" Tirza quickly shook her head no. "No, I don't want anything worse to happen, it's just, you're really mad, I thought it would be worse."

"What I'm really angry with is the fact that you didn't stop to think," Severus stated. "But I think you've learned a valuable lesson today, and I highly doubt that will happen again." Tirza nodded. "I'm really sorry, I'll try harder to think," she vowed. "Good, because I would hate for something to happen to you," he whispered.

"Do you forgive me?" Tirza asked hopefully. "Yes, I forgive," Severus said sincerely, hugging her tight. "Just don't scare me or anyone like that again!" "I won't," she smiled. "Can we have some food?"

After a delightful dinner and a strawberry shortcake for dessert, Tirza grabbed a notebook and started writing an apology note to Molly and Arthur. She thought long and hard, trying to get her feelings onto paper, which did not always work well, but finally she finished.

"Wanna read it over dad?" she asked when she finished. "Sure," Severus agreed, sitting down beside her on the couch. "Actually, why don't you read it?" He kissed her head as she began to read.

"Dear Molly and Arthur and Ron and Ginny; I'm sorry I hid. I didn't mean to scary anyone so badly, and I promise never to do it again. And I promise to try harder to think before I do things from now on. Please forgive me. Hugs and Kisses, Tirza," she read to him.

"Sounds good enough for me," Severus commented. "Only thing you might add is also that you are sorry again for your language." "Oh yeah!" Tirza exclaimed, grabbing her pen again. "P.S. I'm sorry I swore so bad, I promise not to do that again, too." She sealed up the letter. "Can we send it now dad? And Archimedes is at the school, so can I borrow your owl?"

Severus nodded, and took the letter from her. "He will make sure Molly gets it," he assured her. "Thanks," Tirza flashed him a pretty smile. "Am I grounded? Or can we do something tomorrow?" "As long as it does not involve flying, then yes we can," Severus replied.

"Can we have a picnic? Oh, and I bought something for you!" Tirza ran off to get her bag and started tossing things out as she looked for her surprise for him. "Picnic sounds fine and thanks," Severus said, a slight smile tugging at his lips.

Smiling brightly, Tirza ran over with a large package of black licorice. "Wow!" Severus exclaimed. "Hod did you know these were my secret passion?" She giggled and kissed his cheek. "A little birdie told me," she said softly, beaming at him.

Severus laughed at that thought, having a good idea that Albus was the 'little birdie', and offered her some. "I haven't had these in like ten years I bet!" Tirza plopped into his lap and took some to nibble on, then spit it out in her hand. "YUCK!" she yelped.

"I take it that you don't care for it?" He handed her a napkin. "Disgusting," she announced, cleaning her hand of the offending candy. Severus just smiled. "That's ok. I don't like half the sweets you like, so we're even."

Tirza shook her head and ran off the kitchen, returning with chocolate milk. "I thought we only had white milk?" Severus questioned. "Not anymore..." She took a big gulp. "Ah, MUCH better!" "Did you change the whole carton?" Severus sounded very depressed at the prospect that all the milk in the house was now chocolate.

"Just the glass," she assured him as she plopped onto the couch. "Alright, good, because I don't much like chocolate milk," he admitted. "You're silly," Tirza decided. "It's really good when you melt kisses and put them in."

"Melt kisses?" Severus questioned, eyeing her with an uncertain glance. Tirza giggled again. "Accio kiss!" A Hershey's kiss floated in from the kitchen and she held it out to him. "This is a kiss?" he asked, amazed. "Yep; eat it, it's really good," she urged.

Severus nodded and slowly unwrapped it. "Do you just pop it in your mouth?" "Yeah dad, it's candy," Tirza said with a hint of exasperation. He popped it into his mouth, pausing for a moment. "Humm, this isn't so bad," he commented. "Wouldn't want to eat a bunch of them, but it's good!"

"One time I ate a whole bag of them!" Tirza told him with a giggle. "Did you get sick?" Severus wondered. "Really sick, mom was SOOOO mad," she stated. "I might have been too. That much candy can't be good for anyone," Severus commented.

"Nah, she was mad because..." Her voice trailed off. She quickly drank some more milk.

"What was she mad about?" Severus questioned carefully. Caution was always the better choice when speaking of Tirza's mother, or sometimes apparent lack there of. "I'd hate to think you did something worse then that."

Avoiding looking at him, she shrugged and silently drank more milk.

"Oh come on, you can tell me," Severus assured her, prodding. "I promise I won't be mad." "She was mad cuz it made me sick and I couldn't go to the grocery store," Tirza told him softly, popping another kiss in her mouth.

"Was it neccessary that you fo that day, or had you just gone?" he asked, slightly confused. "I was supposed to go, we were out of chicken and stars soup," she explain, as though it made perfect sense. "But you had other things to eat right?" Severus continued to slowly question, hoping she wouldn't suddenly clam up on him.

'That wasn't the point," she whispered, paying close attention to her milk. "What was the point?" "She wanted her soup." Tirza popped in another kiss. "Well, she could have had any other kind of soup," Severus reasoned gently. "You were sick and you shouldn't have even had to do something like that; she could have done that herself."

Tirza shrugged, a kiss in her mouth. Severus sighed, feeling frustration, as he usually felt when discussing personal things with Tirza. "I can see you are not going to listen to anything I have to say on this matter, so we'll drop it for now." "That's not true," Tirza replied, frowning.

"Well, usually when you shrug, that means you want the subject dropped," Severus stated. "And it also means whatever else I have to say will go in one ear and out the other. "Not always," Tirza countered. "My mouth was full."

"Alright then, did you have something you wanted to add?" Severus questioned, not sure he believed her. Perhaps her mouth had been too full, but so often she shrugged and refused to listen that he wasn't sure what exactly the case had been.

"You're right," Tirza stated softly.

Severus looked surprised. "Really?" She nodded. "I didn't like going to the grocery store by myself. And we had chicken soup, just not the stars," Tirza told him quietly. "Well, she should have been happy then," Severus responded reasonably. "I wouldn't have cared personally; I'd eat almost anything."

"She was funny that way," Tirza informed him. Severus grew quite for a moment. "Still, you shouldn't have had to do all that alone. I wish I had been there." Tirza popped in another kiss, and Severus watched her devour nearly half the bag.

Trying to keep her from dewelling too much on painful memories, Severus struggled for a moment to try and think of a topic that would gian her interest and attention.

"Was there anything you wanted to do this summer?" he asked finally. "I know it's still a while away, but I thought you might have some ideas." "Disney World!" Tirza exclaimed, bouncing in her seat.

"What?" Severus asked, throughly confused. "Disney World," she repeated slowly, as though talking to little Serena. "That exists?" Severus had only seen Disney movies and had no clue whatsoever that a place like that actually existed. Tirza looked at him like he was insane.

"Uh, duh! There's two in the US, and one in Paris and then one in like Japan or something," Tirza stated. "Really?" Severus ran that thought through his mind. "I'll have to check into the one in Paris and see if we can do that this summer..."

Tirza awoke the next morning and saw Snape was asleep. She looked over at the clock: it was almost 10am. She decided Severus had slept too long and pulled the covers away from the end of the bed and started to softly tickle his feet.

"Stop that," Severus mumbled rolling over. She kept tickling his feet. "Time to wake up silly," she said softly. "Huh?" Severus asked sitting up quickly looking around and then looked at the clock "Oh great." Tirza giggled and kept tickling his feet.

"Tirza please stop or I'll start tickling you," Severus said trying to get up. Tirza pounced on him, tickling his underarms and stomach. Severus quickly turned the tables and tickled her all over. She squealed with laughter, squirming all over the place.

After twenty minutes of this they ended up a giggling and laughing, heaving mass on the floor next to the bed. Tirza crawled on Severus' back. "Daddy, you're so much fun," she said, getting her breath back. "I try and being woke up like this is a nice way to get up in the morning, even if it's albeit later then usual," Severus commented.

"Good," she smiled. "I remembered not to bounce!" Tirza looked very proud of herself for remembering how much Severus hated to be awoken with a bounce. "I'm glad you did too because that's not the best way to wake up in the morning," Severus admitted. "We missed breakfast so should we have brunch or wait another hour for lunch?"

"You promised me McDonalds," she said, sitll on his back, wrapping her arms and legs around him. "Oh yes," Severus said almost forgetting. "Well let's get dressed then." "I want a piggy back ride first! Please?" she begged. "Alright," Severus complied by carrying her back to her room.

Tirza bounced onto her bed from his back. "Now shoo, so I can get dressed!" "I will, but remember it could be a little cool outside today so dress warmly," Severus reminded her and then scooted from the room.

"I'm gonna slide down the banister!" Tirza yelled down several minutes later. There was not a drop of pink on her, she was dressed in a baby blue sweat outfit, her hair in pigtails. Severus meet her at the bottom of the stairs wearing a pair of dark grey slacks and a grey sweater, a recent gift from Albus.

She slid down the railing, then looked at him in shock. "Alright buster, who are you and where is my dad?" she asked, her hands on her hips. "You don't like?" Severus asked. "I like it, but I'm...shocked! I've never seen you in anything but black!" Then she smirked. "And the Santa suit!" "That, my dear, won't happen again," Severus commented meaning the Santa suit. "but I thought this would be a nice change and Albus had given this to me a few Christmas' ago."

"It looks very nice and muggle. And no santa?" she asked, winking. "Nope," Severus affirmed. "That was a one time only thing." "Not even for little Rena?" she asked. "No," Severus stated. "Once was embarassing enough."

Tirza giggled and hugged him. "We ready?" "Yep," Severus replied. "We'll go to McDonald's and then if time we might look around a bit before returning here to get our stuff." Tirza smiled. "Sounds good! Can I wear my sandals?" "I would prefer not since it's still nippy out there," Severus replied after a second of thought. She giggled again and summoned a pair of black tennis shoes instead.

They walked down the lane and headed toward the town. When they neared... "Race you!" Tirza said, taking off across the street, barely looking before she did.

Severus had barely enough time to react and say accio to get her out of the way of a speeding car. "Please don't race across an intersection before looking," Severus admonished. "Most drivers aren't looking!"

"I looked...sorta," she said frowning. "And your not supposed to do magic!" "Next time be more careful" Severus warned "and in a situation like that it's allowed." Tirza gave him a suspicious look. "Whatever," she shrugged, not sure if he was right about the magic. This time she looked, then pulled him across the street.

"What do you want to eat?" Severus asked when they entered McDonald's. "twenty chicken nuggets! and fries! and coke!" she exclaimed excitedly. "I'll have the 20 piece chicken nugget meal, the big mac combo meal please," Severus told the young lady taking the orders. Then he looked to Tirza for some help with the money.

Tirza smirked and counted out the money. The young lady give them a funny look when the child started counting the money. "Thanks dad for holding my allowance and letting me buy you lunch," Tirza lied expertly. The young lady smiled and took the money.

"Thanks," Severus whispered as they headed for the pickup line. "One of these days I have to remember how this works." "Of course dad," she smiled. "I'm not in trouble for lying though, right?" "No, because sometimes those kinds of little lies are allowed," Severus admitted.

After getting their meals they headed to find a table. "Where do you want to sit?" Severus asked her, holding the tray. Tirza pointed to a booth and led him over there. "I'll go fill up our pops, what kind do you want?" "I think I'll try that thing called Pink Lemonade," he mused. "If it's like lemonade, I might enjoy it." Tirza smiled. "It is just like it, only it's pink, so don't be afraid of the pink daddy." She winked and went to fill the pops.

"This is really good," Severus commented after taking a sip of his pink lemonade. "What did you get?" "Coke of course," she smiled. "Want a nugget?" Tirza held one out to him. "Sure." Severus took the one she offered. "It's pretty good. Did you want a bite of my burger?"

Tirza licked her lips and nodded, taking a nibble. "I love those too. This is my favorite place to eat. I used to walk to McDonald's all the time." "Myabe you can convince Rosmerta to put in a few McDonald's items onto her menu," Severus suggested. "Or who knows? Maybe one day someone will open one of these new the school."

At that idea, Tirza looked positively thrilled. "Maybe I'll be a cook when I grow up," she mused aloud. "That might be nice," Severus admitted. "But you can be anything you want to be and I'll be proud, no matter what." "Well," Tirza continued to muse. "I can't be a Potion's Master. Maybe a teacher though. Do you think Grandpa would hire me?"

Severus nodded. "Probably." Tirza smiled, and the two ate in silence as they enjoyed their food. "Do we have to go back home now? Or do we have some time?" "We have a little bit of time before we have to get back to the Manor and get our things," he replied. "Why?"

"Cuz I wanna go somewhere!" Tirza exclaimed. "Alright, as long as it doesn't take more then thirty minutes, we can go," he stated. "Oh, then never mind," she said softly. "I can make it an hour, but that's the most. I really do need to be back at Hogwarts by supper tonight," Severus commented.

"Nope," Tirza sighed. "Not enough time." "What did you want to do?" Severus asked, putting an arm around her shoulders. "Go see a movie. We've never gone to see one together." "I promise that the enxt time we are here, we will go see any movie you want," he vowed. "Okay, I'll hold you to it!" Tirza repsomded brightly.

"Do you think Molly will write me back today?" "Probably," Severus mused. "I would imagine it'll be waiting for us at the school when we return. Was there anything else you'd like to do now, or should we head back now?" "I think I'm ready to head back," Tirza replied. "If you're sure." Severus turned towards the road that led back to the Manor.

"Hey, should I get a present for them?" Tirza asked. "It might not hurt," Severus replied. "Or you could give them a picture of yourself because if I remember correctly, Molly had asked me of I had one to give her that she could put up with her other photos." "Can I send her flowers and a picture?" she replied. "I don't see why not," Severus responded. "There is a flower shop on the edge of town."

A few moments later, they arrived at the small flower shop, and Tirza breathed in deeply the wonderful scent of the flowers. "What do you think are her favorites?" she wondered, looking at roses.

"Poppies," Severus commented. "From the few times I've visited there, she always seems to have poppies." Tirza nodded, and paid for a large bouquet. "Anything else?" Severus asked.

"What does Arthur like? Like candy or anything?" "He like muggle things," Severus replied in a whisper. He pointed to a shop next door to the flower shop that showed muggle music boxes in the window.

Excited, Tirza entered the store and inspected each and every music box. "I think they are all too girly." They all seemed to have ballerinas or flowers and such girly things. Severus tapped her shoulder, and then reached over her head for a wooden hand-carved one. It played a classical song when it was wound up, and the designs in the wood were just beautiful.

Tirza nodded, and after inspecting it carefully, paid for it. "Um, I think maybe Archimedes and your owl should bring this stuff. It's rather heavy for just Archimedes." "That sounds just fine," Severus told her, taking one of the bags. "Hermes needs a good outting anyway."

When they arrived back at the manor, Tirza selected three pictures of herself and slipped them into a card that she placed with the poppies. "Do you want Hermes to go on ahead?" Severus questioned. "I know Archimedes is at school."

Tirza nodded and removed the pictures quickly. "Are these ok?" One was a muggle baby portrait, the other a muggle school photo from her thrid grade year, and the last was a wizard photo, taken her first Christmas with Severus. "Those look just fine," he assured her.

She smiled and tucked them back into the card. "We gotta send the flowers first," she instructed. Hermes was ready within moments. "Take these to Molly Weasley," Severus told his owl. The owl flew out the window and soon was out of sight.

"I gotta pack some things dad, I'll be upstairs!" Tirza called as she bounded up the staircase. "Be ready in twenty minutes please!" Severus called back as he headed to his study.

Tirza hurriedly packed Molly and a few other things, then decided to slide down the banister again. Only half way down, she decided to get fancy and not hang on. When she lifted her hands, she slipped off, landing hard on her ankle. "OWWWWEEEEEEE!" she screamed.

"What happened?" Severus said running in from his office. "My ankle!" she shouted, holding it, starting to cry. "Let me see," Severus ordered with an air of frustration. "And what have I told you about sliding down the banister without holding on?" "That I'm not supposed too," she sniffled. Tirza moved her hands; her ankle had swollen to already twice it's size.

Severus carefully prodded her ankle and tried moving it, which made Tirza scream in pain. "Bad sprain," Severus told her quietly. "Accio bandages." "Am I in trouble?" she whimpered as the bandages came floating over. "When we get back here this summer you won't be allowed to slide down the banister for a month," Severus commented as he began to wrap her ankle tightly.

"A whole month?" Tirza squeaked. "Yes," Severus replied firmly as he finished wrapping. "I could make it all summer you know." She pouted. "But I got hurt, can't that count?"

"You got hurt doing something you knew you shouldn't be doing," Severus replied. "So the punishment stands as of right now." "Okay," she sighed. "Do I have to go to school?" "Yes you have to go to school," Severus replied helping her up.

Once they reached hogwarts Severus set Tirza down gently and held out his arm. She looped her arm around his and hobbled into the school. Draco smirked as he saw her come in. He'd have fun teasing her later on! Tirza caught sight of him and stuck her tongue out at him.

"Five points from Slytherin," Severus said quietly as they passed Draco, with a smirk on his face. Tirza hid a snicker. "For what?" Draco snapped. "I know what you were thinking and you better not be caught playing tricks on Tirza understand?" Severus stated firmly. "And unless you want more points taken I would suggest you go change."

Draco, scowling darkly, stormed off in his rather muggle clothes, having decided not to follow the rules and change after the break.

Tirza giggled. "Serves him right!" "Tirza," Severus scolded quietly. "Laughing at him like that only makes things worse." She nodded, then noticed someone around the corner. "Charlie!" she shouted. She and Ginny were always allowed to call him Charlie outside of class, as the Weasleys considered Tirza another of their family just as they did with Harry.

"Are you able to make it from here?" Severus asked. "I really need to make a stop by my classroom." "I think so. Hey, can I get some help Charlie?" Severus nodded to Tirza, winked, and went on ahead. "Of course!" Charlie said, rushing over to help her as she leaned agianst the wall. "What happened?"

I didn't hold on when I slid down the banister," she told him with a sigh. "Dad says it's sprained." "That's not as bad as what I did!" Charlie told her with a wink. "I fell off my broom 50 feet above the ground and broke my knee cap!" "Whoa! What did your mom do?" Tirza gasped.

"Grounded me til my knee got better and then I could only ride supervised for a month," Charlie admitted. "It's no fun when your 15 and your mom or dad has to ride with you!" "Icky! I like your mom though, but she's strict like my dad." "True," Charlie said. "but she is also alot of fun."

Tirza smiled up at him. "You know Charlie, you're really cool. Ginny is lucky." "Anywhere else mi lady or shall I escort you back to your quarters?" Charlie asked holding out his arm again to her after the last package was sent with Archimedes from the owlry.

She giggled. "To the dorm please. I wanna see Ginny and Maddie." Tirza then grew serious. "Can I ask you something Charlie? It would be a secret!" "Sure you can ask," Charlie replied as he helped her along down the hallway. "Um...well..." A pretty blush spread over her face. "Can I pretend your my older brother too? Like Oliver and I do?" she asked softly.

"I would like that very much," Charlie admitted. "It sucks not having more than one sister because she is cool and it would be great to have another cool sister." Tirza beamed and hugged his leg excitedly. "I wont call you brother in class, just like I don't call dad dad in class. Thank you Charlie!"

Charlie leaned down to hug her close, beaming. "You're welcome. And if you slip in class I won't deduct points because Ginny slips too once in a while." She nodded. "What's your favorite kind of candy? And your favorite color?" "Gobbstoppers and hunter green, he replied, throughly confused.

"Ok, thanks," she said "Hey, why are you looking at me like that?" "Was just wondering why you were asking," Charlie commented. "Well, I should know those things about my brother," Tirza informed him.

"Okay then what your favorites?" Charlie asked. "Since you are my sister I should know as well." "Anything chocolate...and can't you guess my favorite color?" "Pink maybe?" Charlie questioned with a wink. Tirza giggled "Yep! Anything I should know? Or anything else you want to know?"

"Let's see; I wear a size large top," Charlie told her after a moment's thought. "I love anything to do with dragons and wilderness. What size do you usually wear?" He questioned. "And what types of things do you like?"

"Cool. I'm a small, which I hate, and I love pink and tinkerbell and sleeping beauty," Tirza rattled off. "Why do you hate it?" Charlie asked. "I wish I was still little." "I'm short and I don't like it," she said frowning. "Short does have it's advantages," Charlie countered. "I like you just like you are."

Tirza rewarded his kind words with a bright smile and a squeeze of her hand. "Thanks. Any other questions big brother?" "What is the one thing you wish you could afford to buy?" Charlie asked. "Oh god..." she had to sit in thought for a moment or two.

"Well, I want a pony, but dad says no. I'm not sure. Oooh! I want a new bike! My old one didn't come with me!" "I would love to get it for you," Charlie said. "But I don't think it would work well here at hogwarts; all the kids would be wanting one. Maybe you could keep it at the manor?"

Tirza beamed with delight "You don't have too, I don't need presents. I'm spoiled," she says softly. "You're spoiled?" Charlie questioned. "I would never have guessed." She nodded. "Very spoiled" He laughed and squeezed her shoulder. "Well, spend a week with us again and we'll unspoil you." He winked and helped her to the portrait hole.

Ginny ran over to Tirza and helped her to a chair, handing her a letter from Molly. "Thanks Ginny." Tirza ripped open the letter and began to read:

Dear Tirza, thank you so much for the poppies. They are my favorite flowers and I have them sitting on the kitchen table. Thank you also for the pictures; once I get to Hogsmeade or Diagon Alley I will get them framed and hung up. I really hate that you had to leave early and hopefully you will come visit us again soon. I promise you I am not mad at you anymore and I love you very much. Love and hugs, Molly.

Tirza sighed happily. "Ginny, your mom is the greatest!" Ginny smiled. "I know," she agreed. "She was sad that you had left, but I know she really wants you to come visit during the summer." "I'm sorry I was a brat at your house," Tirza said softly.

"Hey, you messed up, but all is forgiven," Ginny told her with a big smile. "Besides, Percy is the one who was bad, bad." Tirza nodded, listening intently. "Mum threw his prefect letter in the fire after you left. And put all his pictures in the attic!"

Tirza grew strangely silent, a look of shock on her face."What?" Ginny asked, looking concerned. "Did she really do that?" Tirza whispered. "Yes, she was so angry with Percy!"

A look of sadness crossed Tirza's face. "Am I breaking up your family?" she asked seriously."NO!" Ginny stated firmly. "Percy and my parents haven't gotten along for a while now, and we all knew a blow up was coming. You were just what made it happen is all."

"Promise?" Ginny nodded her little freckled face. "Positive. Percy has been a prick ever since I can remember. Always spit and polish, never do wrong." Tirza giggled and hugged her, happy to not be the cause of a family break up.

A day later, Tirza was limping down the hallway to class, already late for her favorite one, DADA. "Oh look, the baby's late," Draco sneered. "Does the itty bitty baby need a helper?"

"Bug off Draco, I don't have time for you," Tirza stated as she limped past him. "Really?" Draco snapped. "You should make the time." "For what?" she sighed and she slowed and leaned against the wall. "All you ever do is get me or both of us in trouble."

"Well," he said softly. "I could help you." Tirza quirked an eyebrow in the Snape fashion. "Fine, but no funny stuff dude." "I promise," Draco replied, his fingers crossed behind his back.

When they arrived at the classroom, Draco shoved her through the door, making her nearly hit the floor. "I found her running late in the hallways Charlie," he seenered. "That's Professor Weasley to you Mr. Malfoy," Charlie replied sternly. "Well Professor, I also found this on her." He handed over a small vial. "And she was heading to the tower.

Tirza was too stunned to even speak. Charlie studied the vial, looking slightly angry. "Where did you get this?" he questioned in a hushed but stern tone. Tirza gulped, even though she hadn't done anything wrong. "Daddy gave it to me," she whuspered.

"I'll have to ask your father about this. Please take a seat, and Mr. Malfoy, I suggest you get to wherever you are supposed to be," Charlie told them both. Tirza sat down as quickly as she could, looking upset.

Maddie nudged her gently. "What's going on?" she whispered, barely audible. "I wasn't skipping and Draco said I was. Dad's gonna be mad and I didn't even do anything!" "Draco's mean," GInny added quietly. "We'll get him back."

"Girls, no talking please, I am trying to give a lecture," Charlie scolded, adding a slight frown towards Tirza. The girls scowled at Charlie, but dutifully went to work.