Dumbledore solemnly motioned Snape and the boys into his office. He sat behind his desk, visibly tired, and Snape went to stand beside him with a scowl on his face. Draco's cool blue eyes shot fireworks at Tirza, who readily gave him an icy glare. "I have heard Miss Shelby's version of the incident and now I would like to hear from you gentlemen." Draco pointed a finger at Tirza. "It was her, she started the whole thing! She wanted us to move so she could sit in our seats. We asked her to leave us alone and she got mad and hit me. I had to defend myself!" Crabbe and Goyle nodded their agreement.
Dumbledore sighed. "Gentlemen, this is a serious matter. We are taking about the assault of a young girl. Mr. Crabbe, Mr. Goyle, you are witnesses to what happened. Mr. Malfoy is facing being expelled for the rest of the year. Do you want to be suspended for being accomplices?" Goyle's hefty face went pale. "He's lying Professor. He started it. All she wanted was to sit and eat and he wouldn't let her be. He grabbed her and wouldn't let go, so she punched him in defense and then he went after her. He even kicked her when she fell down!" Malfoy shot a look of death at Goyle, causing him to cringe. "Mr. Malfoy, this is not a game. You clearly provoked this incident. You are fortunate that Tirza has not decided to press charges." Dumbledore's voice was dripping with irritation and frustration.
"However, you will not be expelled, but you will receive punishment from the head of your house, but if you lay another hand on Tirza, you will permanently be expelled from Hogwarts." Draco looked snidely at Snape, waiting for him to deliver some kind of light sentence. Snape looked at him; anger and loathing on his face and fire in his eyes. "Mr. Malfoy, I am taking 500 points from Slytherin. I an utterly disgusted and disappointed that you would stoop so low as to pick fights with ten-year-old children. You will also have detention every night for two weeks. The three of you get to your classes, now!" The boys scurried from the office before Snape decided to do anything else to them.
Snape turned to Tirza, who had gone pale and looked absolutely terrified. "You and I will discuss this later, young lady." She nodded and left. Snape started to leave, but Dumbledore put his withered hand on Snape's shoulder. "Severus, do not be too harsh with Tirza. She has a lot of pain and sadness and anger inside of her right now. She is very delicate," Dumbledore told him. Snape turned to face him, his dark eyes full of concern. "Albus, what do you know about my child that I do not?" "I am afraid, Severus, that I am not at liberty to tell you. Just be gentle with her. She will learn to trust you and will tell you when she is ready." Snape quickly walked out of the room, his black robes swirling around him.