Author's note - Ok here's the skinny, I'm leaving on vacation for a week and won't be updating so this will have to tide you all over until I get back. Thank you to each and every one of you that has read, reviewed, given a follow, or set as a favorite! The response has been overwhelming and I just appreciate it all so much and honestly don't have the words for it.

Shout Outs -

Val - It gets better :-)

Rebekah - ;D :D :D

Alex - Thank you for all the talk girl, I hope you enjoy!

pink-appel - thank you for following.

As always, please read, review, and enjoy!

"Did you know," she asked him but answered her own question, "of course you didn't know. Do you think Albus did?"

Shock was still clear on the Slytherin teacher but he turned his dark eyes to her, "I think that it is safe to assume that no one knew this about Mr. Potter."

Dahlia looked at him intently, "What do you think it means Severus?"

He solemnly shook his head, "That remains to be seen." Snape moved closer to her and his tone changed, it was more playful for Severus Snape at least "I see that your arrival with the blonde urchin means I will not be benefiting from your expertise in Potions?"

Dumbledore's niece giggled slightly, "No Severus, that is all Albus' doing, he talked me back into Lockhart."

"I had hoped that your encounter with him after the Quidditch game would have changed his mind about you and his ridiculous advances," there was a twinge of jealousy that tainted his voice.

She grinned, "Is that jealousy I hear Professor?"

He looked down at her arms crossed looking severe, "You are more trouble than you're worth Miss Dumbledore."

The lilac haired girl laughed pulling the awkward teacher in for a hug, "Oh Severus, you adore me." She grabbed his hand after she let him go, "Let's go talk to my uncle."

While Severus was no stranger to her affectionate manner it still made him the slightest bit uncomfortable even in private. Snape looked on the girl as he once did Lily Potter, her kind nature; sharp mind, delicate features, and smile were all similar to Lily. Even the way she said his name was very reminiscent of Harry's mother. Dahlia befriended Snape and that friendship blossomed even after all the stories that Sirius and Remus had told her with much embellishment; still it worried him that this bright child would shy away from him.

He was surprised and pleasantly so to find the exact opposite. It was those stories that brought the two closer and gave her Snape's side of events. While he admired the girl and more than appreciated her affection that she gave so freely, she could never replace Lily in his heart. They both knew that and she respected his choices. It did make her the tiniest bit sad, Dahlia had within her the power to make him smile and be happy but he wouldn't take it as he believed his actions that led to the Potter's deaths warranted penance that would never be repaid.

Dumbledore's niece found pleasure in the fact that Severus knew he wasn't alone and could rely on her if needed. The ridiculousness of Gilderoy Lockhart had made that somewhat difficult as the blonde professor's advances made them both uncomfortable and almost rivals for her fondness. It did warm Snape's heart that she was smarter than Gilderoy and even if momentarily smitten it didn't take her long to see through the charm and bravado.

The grip on Dahlia's hand increased and she stopped at the increased pressure. The hallway they were walking down was empty and quiet. The lilac haired girl turned to the Potion's Master with questions dancing in her pale eyes. It was perhaps the one chance he would get and then never again as to not blur the lines of mentor and mentee or misplace the trust Albus had put in him to watch over Dahlia. The pull was too much to resist any longer. Snape snaked his thin arms around the girl's waist pulling her closer and placing a sweet and delicate kiss on her lips. The light pressure against the girl's mouth was heavenly; it was as if she had been waiting for this moment since the start of term. Dahlia melted into Severus' lithe and tall frame holding onto his shoulders and she returned the surprising action; moving her small hands to his hair running her fingers through the black thicket finding it dense and remarkably silky.

The moment only lasted less than half a minute but it seemed that the entire world had disappeared around them and the doubts that plagued the Potion's Master fell away when his lips hit hers. A brief moment in time he would remember and cherish forever. He raised a shaky hand to her face stroking the supple skin of her cheek and she reached his hand to steady his trembling.

"Severus," her sweet voice whispered out running her eyes over his face.

"Forgive my impropriety," he whispered, the confidence he normally had was gone.

"Forgiveness is not necessary," she smiled at him reaching up to kiss his cheek, "thank you."

The pair continued to walk to the headmaster's office but neither of them knew that they had an audience of one. Gilderoy had witnessed the intimate moment and anger rose up in him so much so that his wand was out and the blonde was gripping it so tightly that it was on the verge of splintering.