"This…" Fred Weasley spoke solemnly to the small group of uninfected Gryffindors. "It's our only chance to pull anything we want on Slytherins and not get caught. Snape is out of his head and Dumbledore gave us the run of the place pretty much. So long as everything we do is fixable."

"What have you got in mind?" Ginny asked excitedly.

"Loads of stuff," Harry piped up. "I helped draw up the battle plans!"

"Ooh, aren't you skilled now?" Ron teased with a grin.

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At just past midnight, the Weasleys, Harry, Hermione and Neville crept to the now expansive hospital wing. Everyone was asleep, heavily anti-itch potioned, and all was quiet.

"Brilliant," Neville whispered.

"Slytherin is up that way, nearest Poppy so she could make sure they stayed out of trouble. She's been sleeping like a baby though; she's so exhausted Dumbledore said. We'll have to be extra quiet just in case; we don't want to get a crabby Poppy on our tails," George cautioned.

Armed and ready, they began their siege of the Slytherin. Their goal was to have no Slytherin left untouched by the time they left.

Ron hurried over to Draco Malfoy's bed, wanting that jerk all to himself for pranking. Shaking the can of whip cream, he then carefully squirted some out around Draco's mouth to make it look like he was foaming.

Harry went around placing bandages that looked and smelled like bacon on odd places. Goyle got one on his arm; Crabbe got on one the back of his neck. The one thing Dudley had ever done that was good, was tell Harry where he had found these!

Of course, the bandages hadn't actually smelled like bacon until Harry had turned some to Fred and George, who worked out a way to charm the bandages.

George tracked down Blaise Zambini's bed and charmed a small device to stick near his nose. Attached to the device was a very realistic looking booger that everyone except Zambini would know was there and think it was real.

Fred went around to several different Slytherin guys and gently poured a sugary substance into their mouths. It was a concoction of sugar and several other ingredients, that after being in a person's system for a few hours made that person feel like that had to go to the bathroom. Sadly, he wouldn't be around to see them flying back and forth and fighting for the bathroom!

Neville ran around and put sticks of exploding gum in everyone's belongings. When they opened the wrapper, it would explode with a bang and turn their hands black!

Hermione took special delight in dealing with Millicent Bulstrode. Thanks to a nasty yet ingenious candy created by the twins, she replaced all of Millicent's candy stash with the twins' candy. This candy's specialty was making the person who ate it pass a lot of gas!

Ginny headed for Pansy Parkinson, opening her make-up bag that she had insisted come with her to the hospital wing. Sick or not she wanted to look her best, which everybody else considered to be looking like a nightmare! Ginny took out the lipstick and replaced it with one that would explode and turn her hands red as soon as she opened it.

Before leaving, not one Slytherin, with the exception of Snape of course, was without exploding gum and fart candy in their belongings, so innocent looking that they would never suspect!

Several hours later, all hell broke loose. Kids were screaming, things were exploding loudly, some were making rude noises, and many girls were crying. Poppy opened her office door, took one look at the chaos and promptly closed the office door once again.

"Let them kill themselves off," she muttered. "Those Slytherins are always troublemakers. I don't have the energy to deal with that mess! Good luck to them!" As far as Poppy was concerned, it was entirely a Slytherin matter and had nothing to do with her.

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Shortly after Hogwarts was over the chicken pox outbreak, Severus received an owl from his lawyer. Actually, the owl had carried quiet a large packet! He had pocketed the packet until his break between the first and second potions class; he was much too busy eating breakfast and then getting ready for his first class to give his attentions to anything else!

Eventually things pushed back his opening the packet until after supper had come and gone. Snape was alone in his chambers, drinking tea, when he tore it open. It wasn't especially welcome news.

Now that he had custody of Tirza, he had to change his will, making her the beneficiary of all his estates. That of course was the obvious. But the latter part... suitable first and second choice guardians in case something should happen to him

That was hard to think of. He had to do it, but he didn't want to think of leaving his daughter, making her feel alone in the world. He pondered over the many options, and over those that he knew Tirza favored.

But did he, Severus Snape, favor them? Did he think them worthy? Did they even want to be possible guardians should the worst happen? It was an agonizing thing for Severus to think of. Who would they trust, if he could no longer be there?

He sat in silence for a while, considering each of the possible guardians and their pros and cons. The first was Albus Dumbledore; Tirza adored him. Pro. He adored her. Pro. Financially stable. Pro. Older then dirt. Con.

Arthur and Molly Weasley; Tirza loved them and they loved her. Pro. Had lots of experience with children. Pro. Had far too many children. Con. Uncertain financial status. Con.

Though whoever would be Tirza's guardian would have access to the money Severus would leave her, he didn't want that money to suddenly support an entire family. Once the money ran out, there was no guarantee as to finances.

One thing was certain, money-wise: If something did happen to him, Tirza would suddenly become one very rich little girl!

"Who else is there?" Severus wondered.

The Logan's; again, experience with kids. Pro. Live in the United States. Con. It would be far too upsetting for Tirza to pick up and leave yet another entire life, so Severus crossed them off his mental list.

Minerva McGonagall; fond of Tirza and Tirza was fond of her. Pro. Financially stable. Pro. Old enough to be my great-great-grandmother. Con.

Mr. & Mrs. Granger; Experience with kids. Pro. He didn't know them especially well. Con. Financially stable. Pro. Raised Hermione… "Well, that's a bit of a draw there…"

Remus Lupin; werewolf. Con. He and Tirza were very close. Pro. Gryffindor. Con. "Well, I shouldn't count that. Tirza is Gryffindor." Gryffindor, draw. Decent Defense knowledge. Pro. Financial status uncertain. "That could be a Pro. I wouldn't have issue with Tirza's money supporting her and Remus. Though it's frightening to think of him with my money."

Hashing it out again, even drawing up a list this time, Severus finally made his choices. The next steps: securing their agreement, making sure Tirza was aware of his choices and found them acceptable, and last making it all nice and legal with his lawyer.

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Severus rode up the staircase and knocked loudly on Dumbledore's office door before opening it without invitation. "Headmaster, I need to speak to you on an important matter."

Albus looked up and smiled at the potion's master. "Of course. Lemon drop? Chocolate frog?"

Severus raised an eyebrow, but accepted a chocolate frog. "I have, in a manner of speaking, a favor that I need from you."

"Oh?" Albus opened his third frog, keeping his eyes on Severus at the same time.

"Not that I ever plan on dying or becoming incapacitated, but should some unfortunate thing happen…"

"I would delightedly welcome Tirza into my home and care for her Severus. There would never be a second thought."

Snape's eyes narrowed. "You know headmaster, I hate it when you do that."

Albus' eyes twinkled. "Of course you do! Precisely why I do it."

The dark haired man continued to glare for a moment, before chuckling softly. "Well if you are so skilled at finishing my thoughts, why isn't any tea here yet?"

After tea was served by Dobby, who was thanked for his service, Albus' look turned quite serious.

"Any particular reason why you brought this up now Severus?"

Snape shook his head. "No, other then my lawyer bringing its importance to my attention. I've spent most of the evening trying to decide who to appoint and then how to explain it to Tirza without upsetting her."

"Ah, that would be why you are here at eleven o'clock at night…"

Severus rolled his eyes and refilled his cup of tea.

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Severus Snape was one of the last people Remus expected to be banging on his office door the next afternoon.

"Well what a lovely mood you are in," Remus teased with a smile. He laughed out loud as Severus invited himself into Lupin's office and took a chair of his own selection. "Do come in!"

"Are you able to be serious for a few moments Lupin, or shall I come back at a later time?"

Remus sat at his desk and shook his head. "Just teasing you Severus. What's on your mind?"

"My will is on my mind at the moment."

"Oh? I must say I never expected you to come to me for advice, especially legal advice!"

Severus rolled his eyes. "Don't be daft Remus. I came to discuss my will, a particular part of it at least, with you. This is extremely important and would rather not have all this joking and nonsense."

Remus looked at Severus closely. "Are you dying?"

"I am extremely healthy thank you!"

Lupin couldn't help but smile. "Thank merlin for that! Your looks could fool a person!"

"My lawyer has advised me to select two guardians for Tirza should something happen. Not that it will. I have selected my first choice and want to ask… if you would be my second choice."

He couldn't help but smirk as Remus' jaw dropped.

"Me?"

"Did I stutter Remus? Yes, you. Tirza loves you and trusts you, and what is most important to me should something happen is that she is with someone she loves and trusts. If something happened to Albus, you would be next in line to take care of her."

"Me? You aren't pulling my leg are you?" Remus could hardly believe his ears.

"Of course not," Severus answered quickly.

"I certainly accept! I do love Tirza, and I'd take care of her as if she were my own child, I promise you that Severus. Only…"

"Only?" Now Severus was the one surprised. Only for a second or two of course!

"Will the ministry allow it? If it came down to the time that I was to have her, would the ministry allow it, considering… what I am?" Remus made a valid point.

"Unless they could prove you unfit to care for her, they wouldn't have a choice. And I highly doubt that they would be able to prove you unfit at all. Other then your few days a month that you take the potion and are ill, there is no reason why you would be incapable. There would always be a place for Tirza to go for those two days a month, which most would be the dormitory."

"Oh. Good point." Remus smiled at Severus. "Thank you for considering me and for offering me to be appointed like this. I never would have expected it, but you have my word that I would never let anything happen to Tirza, ever. Even if you outlive me, I'll still be watching out for her forever."

Severus was touched by Remus' words, surprisingly finding peace at the thought of his choices and how much they each loved his baby girl. Now, he had to explain it to Tirza without frightening her…

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"Hi dad!" Tirza bounded into the chambers that very evening.

"Hello there dear," Severus greeted.

She could tell by the look on his face that his mind was preoccupied by something. "Whatcha thinking about?" Tirza helped herself to his lap.

"About you," he answered slowly.

"Me? I haven't done anything yet," she giggled.

"No, I know, nothing like that. It is something important though, about you. My lawyer informed me that I need to update my will, because I have you in my life."

"How come?" Tirza looked up, her eyes clouded with concern. "Isn't a will something you have for when… when…"

Suddenly her eyes flew wide. "YOU'RE DYING! YOU'RE DYING TOO!" Tirza screamed at him, pushing away from him. She wanted to cry, scream; this couldn't be happening all over again!

"YOU CAN'T DIE! I-I-I don't want to be alone! You're going to die!" Her heart raced as she started to panic. Memories of her mother in pain, laying there in the hospital dying flooded her mind.

"Tirza!" Severus tried to get her attention. "TIRZA! Listen to me!"

His attempts came too late and he watched her run out of the chambers.

"Oh that went oh-so-well…"

He left the chambers and raced after her.

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A/N: Most/all of the gags and prank stuff visited on the sick Slytherins can be found on a really great website: www DOT gagworks DOT com. Check it out, for pictures of the pranks and some great laughs!

Also, I am thinking of putting together a type of Tirza awards LOL for in December when it's the "anniversary" again. Things like "best Severus cuddle" and "favorite twin moment" and all sorts of fun ones. If you have any ideas regarding that, or would like to help me put one together, PLEASE email me! If you click on my penname (tirzasnape) it takes you to the page with info about me, and my email is listed there.

I hope that you all enjoyed this chapter! Lots of good stuff coming up! Thanks for being faithful readers and reviewers! Due to too many tests and other such things, reviews will be answered next time. Thank you! Love, Kerry