That evening I was led on the double bed in my private dorm ready, sleeping with the head of house has its perks, when there was a knock at the door. "Come in!" I called not looking up from my book. "Miss Riddle I wish to talk to you." the person said. I recognised the voice at once as my voice of my shallow skinned potions master, professor Snape. I sat up, closed my book and placed it on my lap. "This morning you said that you no longer wished to continue our private detentions." he said. I placed my book on the bedside table and moved so I was sat against the headboard. "And I stand by that Snape." I said. Snape sat down facing me.

"I think you may call me Severus." he said.

"It feels weird." I replied hugging my legs to my chest.

"Well if you can't call me it after seeing me naked and having sex with me then you never will."

"Yeah, your right…Severus." I said. Snape smiled at me, that sweet real smile. "What did you want to talk about?" I asked crossing my legs.

"I wanted to apologise." he said looking me straight in the eyes.

"For what?"

"For taking away your childhood." He said looking at his lap avoiding my eyes. I moved over to him and put my hand on his arm. "You didn't take away my childhood Severus." I said softly. He lifted his head so he was looking me in the eye. "Honestly?" he asked.

"Honestly." I replied hugging him. I pulled away and looked at him. "Anyway if you remember rightly it was me who started it. I turned up to your office in only my underwear, tie and house robe."

"But I didn't send you away." he said looking down again.

"And? You never had to force me." I said lifting his head. "You had lost the love of your life, everyone thought you were an evil person and you couldn't tell anyone what you were doing to save Harry and what was left of Lilly but I understood. I listened. I was your outlet, your shoulder to cry on and I never did anything against my will."

"But I never loved you like I should have."

"How could you I was young, naïve. You were just a way of keeping my grades high but over time that grew Severus and I knew you could never love me like you love Lilly but you were the closest I had ever got to any sort of any kind of love." I said as tear slipped down my cheek. Snape wiped it away and looked at me with his eyes shining. "I love you Elizabeth but not like that, not in that way. It was and will always be Lilly." he replied crying too.

"I know Severus and I thought I loved you too until I realised what true love felt like. Yesterday night at Charlotte's party I realised what it's like and now I know what you feel when you think of Lilly and I know no one can possibly change that. I still have feelings for you Severus but not love, not like we should have had."

"I understand." Severus said cradling my face. "You do understand what will happen when we stop this arrangement don't you."

"Yes I do." I said lying back on the bed.

"I can offer you potions tutoring but nothing else." he said lying back as well. I moved and placed my head on his chest. I felt his chest rise and fall as he breathed. "Severus I'm here for you if ever you need to talk." I said closing my eyes.

"Always?" he asked.

"Obviously." I replied.

"Obviously." he repeated and we both laughed a little.