George and Fred looked up from the wall they were scrubbing as the doors of the hall banged open; Tirza stood there crying. "He's horrible," she cried as she joined them. Having plenty of experience with little girls, thanks to Ginny, the twins put their arms around her. "Aw, what happened?" George asked. "He-he-he-spanked me," she whispered, starting a fresh flood of tears. "That nasty git!" Fred said. She nodded her agreement. "Haven't you ever been spanked before?" She looked shocked. "No, my mom didn't believe in that; she thought it was wrong." "We'll fix him," George said. "Yeah!" Frank said. She nodded and dried her eyes. "So where's McGonagall?" "Took our wands so we couldn't clean with magic and left," Fred said. "Yeah and we can't get them back until we're done," George grumbled. "Well I'll help you guys," Tirza told them. "Nah, you don't have to." She sighed. "HE said I did, so I guess I better."
Three hours later Tirza still was not back and Snape was beginning to worry. He still felt horrible at what he did, but tried to reason with himself that it was all part of parenting. He reached the Great Hall and saw Fred and George still scrubbing, but didn't see her. "Have you seen Tirza? I sent her here three hours ago." "We've seen her alright," Fred said. "Yeah, seen what you did to her," George added. "She's over there." George pointed to a corner of the room. Tirza lay sleeping; the boys had taken off their robes and wrapped her in one, placing the other under her head as a pillow. Fred approached Snape. "Been sleeping for nearly two hours; all wore out she was." Snape gently stroked her hair, which caused her to stir and wake. She blinked a few times before her eyes focused on his face. "Come on, it's late," Snape said gently. Tirza said nothing, but stood up and grabbed a rag, heading to where George and Fred were. "TJ, you can leave, we're almost done." She shook her head. "I'm staying." "Tirza, come along," Snape said. She turned to Fred. "Tell HIM, I'm not speaking to him ever again!" Fred chuckled. "She's not talking to you, Professor. You seem to be mighty unpopular right now." Snape sighed. "Then I'll sit and wait for you." "Tell him I don't care what he does. He can take a flying leap for all I care," Tirza said as she continued to scrub the table. Snape ignored her and sat on a clean bench. "Fine," she said, storming out of the Great Hall. He followed her to his chambers. "Tirza, we need to talk." He sat on the couch and indicated for her to sit beside him. "You're nuts if you think I ever want to be by you again!" she yelled. "Please, I think we need to talk," Snape asked softly. Tirza burst into tears. "I knew I couldn't trust you! But I tried anyways and this is what you do! I want to go home!" She stomped her foot. Snape pulled her into a hug and she struggled against him. "Don't touch me!" He held her close despite her struggling. "I said don't touch me! I was right-all men are evil!" She suddenly gagged and threw up all over them both.
Snape quickly picked her up and carried her to the restroom where she continued to throw up. He was repulsed by the smell and the fact that he was covered in it, but didn't want to leave her. He sat behind her, holding her hair and rubbing circles on her back. Several minutes later, she leaned back against him, exhausted. "See what you did," she whispered. "I'm sorry. I never meant to make you sick or feel like you made a mistake trusting me," he told her slowly. She tried to stand up, but became dizzy and fell back against him. He picked her up and brought her to her room; grabbing a nightgown he helped her change out of her dirty clothes, then carried her to the sitting room. He laid her on the couch and covered her with a blanket. "I'm going to change; I'll be right back, alright?" She nodded. He returned quickly and sat on the floor beside the couch and stroked her hair. "Washcloth," she whispered. He wet a washcloth with cool water and wiped her forehead and face with it. "See, sometimes you're really nice; then other times you're nasty," she told him. "Mom would be so mad at you right now." "Your mother and I have different ideas of parenting," Snape replied, still wiping her face. "Sometimes I have to do things that neither of us likes because I am your father and it's my job to raise you to be a good person." Tirza frowned. "I think that sucks. Besides, it was just food, not like anyone got hurt." "That's not what I was angry about. I was upset because you were rude and disrespectful to me and Professor McGonagall, who you will be apologizing to tomorrow," Snape told her. "I don't want you to ever do that again," she told him. "I don't want to have to do it again, but it will depend entirely upon your behavior. Are you still angry with me?" She sighed. "I guess not. It's not like it hurts anymore." Snape smiled. "That's good. Did your mother let you talk to people that way?" "No," Tirza admitted quietly. "I try and be good, but I want to have fun and live life and it's hard sometimes." Snape nodded. "I know. Are you feeling better now?" She nodded. "Sorry I threw up on you, but I told you not to touch me." Snape chuckled. "It could have been worse; don't ask me how though, I'll think of how later." She giggled; Snape had never been so happy to hear her little laugh. He had been worried that she really would hate him forever.
"Hey," Tirza said, interrupting his thoughts. "Malfoy heard everything I think. What am I gonna do if I he tells everyone? I think I'd die." Snape smiled at her. "I hardly think you would die; besides I don't think he will. He was rather upset that you punched him again." At that Tirza smiled. "Jerk, he deserved it!" Snape shook his head. "He may have, but you don't need to go around hitting people unless you really feel in danger, alright?" She sighed. "I guess so. But I think you owe me a story; a long story." He went into Tirza's room and grabbed a book off the shelf. "Is this one alright?" She nodded and scooted up to make room for him. He sat next to her and she snuggled against him; he smiled, put his arm around her and opened the book. "Once upon a time," he paused and looked at her. "Are you going to all sorts of questions again?" "No silly, just read." She yawned and pulled the blanket to her chin. Snape began to read; half way through the book he looked down at her and saw that she was sound asleep. He chuckled and eased himself off the couch and carried her to her room. Tucking the blankets in around her, he gently kissed her forehead before turning out the light and closing the door behind him.
The next morning, Snape escorted Tirza to where McGonagall sat. "Tirza has something to say." Tirza blushed and looked at her hands. "I'm sorry I was rude," she said softly, peeking a look at McGonagall's face. The teacher smiled at her. "It's alright, you're forgiven." Tirza flashed her a smile and went to sit with the Gryffindors. McGonagall chuckled as she watched Tirza go. "I must say I am surprised Severus." "You doubted my parenting skills?" he asked. "Not anymore I don't. I hope you weren't too hard on her though Severus; she is young and has not been with you for long. You looked angry enough to kill last night," she commented. "I was very frustrated with her, yes, and did lay down the law." McGonagall chuckled. "Don't think you've tamed that one yet; she has a lot of spirit." Snape rolled his eyes. "Believe me, I know."
That evening, Snape sat with Tirza looking through photo albums. "That's my dog, Kelly. I miss her," Tirza said as she pointed to a picture. "And that was me and AJ last Halloween; I was Sleeping Beauty and she was Belle, her mom made our outfits." Snape listened intently to the stories behind nearly every picture. She closed the album when they finished it and Snape reached for another one. Half way through, Tirza grew very quiet. She suddenly closed the book. "I don't want to look at it anymore." Snape raised an eyebrow. "Why?" She scrunched up her face. "'Cuz I don't like that girl." Confused, he opened the book again and looked at a picture. "It looks like you. Isn't that you?" "No!" Tirza shouted. She slammed the book shut and threw it across the room. "That's not me!" Snape got up and retrieved the book; he opened it and looked at the photos quickly for some kind of clue. Suddenly it hit him; the date. It was just before she had been molested. He closed the book and set it on the coffee table before sitting next to her. "Why isn't it you?" he asked softly. She sighed. "I'm gonna take my shower now." She got up and went to the restroom, locking the door behind her. Snape shook his head, wishing that she wasn't always so complicated. He went and sat at his desk and began looking through the papers that needed his attention.
Ten minutes later, Snape heard the shower shut off and expected her to come out momentarily. Instead he heard a strange sound. It sounded like Tirza was throwing up again. He rushed to the door and knocked. "Tirza, are you alright?" He got no response. He banged again. "Tirza, answer me." Hoping she was dressed, he pulled out his wand. "Alohamora!" The door opened, revealing Tirza, clad only in her t-shirt, throwing up. Her arms and legs were bleeding and there were spots of blood on her t-shirt; her chest and stomach were bleeding as well. "Merlin, what happened?" Snape went to her side. She stopped throwing up and started to sob. Snape took off his robe and wrapped it around her. "I'm taking you to Madame Pompfrey." "No!" Tirza screamed. He ignored her yells and hurriedly carried her to the infirmary as she continued to bleed.
Snape sat beside the Infirmary bed that Tirza was lying in. Poppy had stopped the bleeding, stitching up the skin that seemed to be ripped on her arms, legs, chest and stomach. Triza was sleeping, thanks to something that Poppy had given her. The only thing that Poppy couldn't do was explain how Tirza's skin had been ripped and torn; they'd all have to wait until Tirza woke to find out.