Dahlia was informed that the Yule ball was coming up, dressing up was optional, but the staff had to at least look formal. Lucky for Dahlia she had a dress. She had a dark emerald green sleeveless dress that went down to her knees with a slit on the left side that went up from her leg to her thigh. She pulled out a small makeup kit from her trunk in her room. Dahlia put on a peach colored blush to tint her cheek lightly, she also applied strawberry flavored lip gloss, as well as some teal eyeshadow, and a little mascara.

After she applied her makeup she took half of her hair and braided it, then placed it in a hair tie and pinned it up. She left the rest of her hair down and put on the dress, after she straightened out her dress she strapped on her three-inch heels. Dahlia sighed as she looked at herself in the mirror and then made her way to the great hall. Once she arrived she stood with the rest of the staff in the back and watched the champions dance the first dance before everyone else joined in.

Dahlia approached Severus and tapped his should, "Will you dance with me?" He turned to face her and couldn't help but stare at her, she looked amazing and he knew it, but he did want her to know it, "You know I don't dance." She pulled at his hand trying to get him to move, "Come on Severus, we could even dance outside if you're too embarrassed." Severus sighed and gave into her, "Fine, but only to stop your constant nagging." Dahlia smiled and took him out to the garden when it started snowing, "Look snow, that makes this more magical."

Severus rolled his eyes and place a hand on her waist moving his other hand into hers and started dancing with her. They danced for what felt like hours before Dahlia started to get cold. He noticed she started shivering and placed his coat over her shoulders, "We should get you inside." She nodded unable to say anything due to her chattering teeth. Once they were inside they sat next to each other until she warmed up, and the first words out of Dahlia were, "I got you something for Christmas. I left it in my room if you don't mind us going."

He nodded deciding to skip the fight they would get into if he said no and walked with her to her room, he waited outside of her room for her to get this present she desperately wanted to give him. She came out with a small box, "Here you go." Dahlia handed him the box, he took it gently not knowing what was inside. Severus took the card first, he opened it and the words were some of the most meaningful he had ever read, 'I've never known anyone who could make me feel as strongly as you do, I know I'm playing a game I'll never win, but second place is fine with me if you would let me take it.' He gently opened the box to see a silver doe pendant, as soon as he saw it he immediately looked up at her.

Dahlia smiled, "I thought of you when I saw it, I know your Patronus is a doe because of Lily, and this is my way of saying I accept that I'll only ever be second best compared to her, and I'm willing to move past that if you are." Severus put the box in his pocket with the pendant still inside, "If I had known you were going to get me something, I would have gotten you a present as well, but this will have to do for this year." He placed a gentle kiss on her cheek, "Merry Christmas Dahlia." Was all he said as soon as he pulled away.

She touched her cheek her blush slightly obvious, "Merry Christmas Severus." He turned around and headed off to his room. Dahlia walked back into her room and sat on her bed with a smile.