Before anyone knew it, January had come starting the new year. Dahlia and Severus hadn't talked since the fight, and she was getting fed up with it. She approached Severus before classes started, "We need to stop this." She said upset that he wouldn't even look at her. "Why? According to you, I'm a traitor." He said setting up the lesson for the day.

Dahlia sighed placing her bag on the floor, "I know what I said, but I also know I should have come to you first, but there's a way to fix this." Severus groaned and finally looked up at her, "You're talking about an unbreakable vow, aren't you?" She nodded expecting him to protest, but Minerva McGonagall opened the door, "Oh good, both of you are here. I've come to inform you that Albus is out on Ministry of Magic business. Good day you two."

Severus kept his gaze on Dahlia, "Minerva, we need you to help us perform an unbreakable vow." Minerva looked shocked at first but nodded and waved her wand over Severus' and Dahlias' hand. Dahlia took a deep breath before beginning, "Swear to me you will not steal the philosophers stone." Severus gave a slight nod, "I swear." She nodded and said, "Swear to me you will not work for Voldemort."

Severus nodded again, "I swear." Dahlia smiled becoming relaxed knowing he knows the consequences for breaking the vow, "Finally swear to me you will not betray Hogwarts." He gave her a small almost unnoticeable smile, "I swear." The bindings on their hands disappeared. Minerva walked over to the door, "Well, I hope you two solved whatever problem you were having. Good day, you two." Minerva immediately left leaving the two alone.

Dahlia looked down at the floor, "Listen, I really am sorry for accusing you like that." Severus sighed and stood in front of her, "It's not your fault, I blame Potter for putting those ideas in your head." She looked up at him and smiled, "I should let you get back to setting up your classroom." He grabbed her hand and pulled a small present out of his pocket, "This is in return for the Christmas present you gave me."

She gently took the box and carefully opened it, inside was an old framed photo of her and Severus when they were younger, they were outside in the snow laughing. Dahlia smiled and closed the box again to keep the picture safe "Thank you, Severus, but you didn't have to." Severus gave her a small smile "I wanted to." She spent a moment holding the box closely to her, they then said their goodbyes and went to their rooms.