Snape left Dumbeldore's office; his dark eyes saw Malfoy in the hallway. "Come here," he snarled at the blonde boy. Malfoy hesitantly walked toward him, full of panic and fearing for his life. Snape's large hand grabbed Malfoy's collar and held the boy tight, looking him in the eye. "If you ever touch my daughter again, I promise you that you will regret it!" Malfoy's eyes went wide. "Your daughter? That girl is your daughter?" he asked softly. Snape nodded. "I never want to see you near her again, understand me?" Malfoy vigorously nodded as Snape released his grip. Malfoy turned and ran down the hallway, wanting to get away from Snape as fast as he could. 'And now to deal with Tirza.' He turned on his heel, robes swirling and headed for his personal quarters.
Tirza sat on the black leather sofa in her father's sitting room, sobbing and feeling like she might vomit. She blew her nose and added the Kleenex to the growing pile beside her. All she could do was cry; she was terrified of what Snape might do to her. Tirza hadn't even bothered to change out of her bloodstained pink t-shirt and blue jeans. Suddenly, the door slammed open and Snape stormed into the room.
He came and stood over her, menacingly, glaring. "What in the name of Merlin were you thinking?" he yelled. "Fighting on your first night here!" Tirza got to her feet and lifted her tear stained face to look at Snape. "What was I thinking? That jerk grabbed me, he was hurting me and wouldn't let go!" "So you hit him?" he growled. Tirza stomped her foot, her face turning dark red with anger. "What the hell else was I gonna do? That's why I took karate lessons." Snape stared at her as though she was insane. "And what idiot came up with that idea?" Tirza's dark eyes narrowed. "My mother did! And don't you ever say bad things about her!" she screamed. "Mom said it was important for me to take lessons after." She suddenly stopped yelling and took several shaky breaths. "After all, a girl needs to defend herself," she continued quietly. Snape suddenly remembered Dumbledore's warning and forced himself to calm down. He slowly started walking toward her.
Tirza, terrified of the man that towered over her, started backing away until she reached the wall. Severus crouched down to her level and looked into her beautiful ebony eyes, his eyes, and took her tiny hands in his as she watched him warily. He forced himself to talk gently. "That is not really what you were going to say, was it?" Tirza shook her head no. "I'm. sorry Tirza," Severus stumbled over the apology. "I didn't mean to frighten you or say things against your mother. You were right to defend yourself, Malfoy was wrong to grab you that way."
Tirza's tiny body began shaking violently as she started to sob again. Severus felt terrible, knowing he was the reason that she was so upset. He hesitantly and uncertainly wrapped his arms around her, pulling her to him. She leaned her head on his shoulder, her tears falling on his robe. "Why did your mom want you to be in karate?" he asked softly. "Don't. wanna. talk about it," she told between sobs. "Tell me Tirza," he asked as he gently stroked her hair. She pushed herself away from him. "I don't wanna talk about it! Don't touch! Don't ever touch me!" She screamed and ran to her room, slamming the door behind her.