Author's note: I lied, but this is for sure the last chapter until I get back.
Lockhart managed to calm himself for a moment, what in the world had he witnessed? Was Acacia kissing Snape? Impossible, she was smitten with him, wasn't she? The blonde professor stood there in the now abandoned hallway immensely flummoxed at what he had seen. There was a flash of red then faded to green and somehow his wand was out with a death grip on the handle. There was no sign of Snape or his assistant; he must have been imagining the whole thing.
His confidence came back and he marched onto Dumbledore's office where he found Snape and Dumbledore's niece already talking to the headmaster. A flash of what had transpired came back to him and with it a sense of deep betrayal when he laid his eyes on the lilac haired girl. He couldn't blame Snape; this siren was obviously working overtime to bewitch all that she came into contact with. Lockhart examined her from behind and told himself he must not let this interfere with his professionalism in the classroom, however he would no longer tolerate her shenanigans and treat her with a more firm hand.
"Professor Lockhart," Dahlia ventured seeing him drill holes into Severus.
"Ah, yes Amaryllis," he said smile gleaming.
"Her name, Professor, is Dahlia," Snape quipped at the blonde.
Dumbledore's niece had to hold back a laugh; it was absolutely futile to get Gilderoy to say her name correctly. She had corrected him, Albus, students, other professors, and now Snape, it was hilarious to the teenager his inexhaustible list of flower names but never hers. Dahlia glanced up at Severus and flashed an amused smile at him; it was something she had become accustomed to.
"Yes, I know Severus, that's what I said, Aster," he addressed her again; "we have class to teach." He extended his arm bent at the elbow and she hooked arms with him.
"Yes Professor," she said quietly and left with the blonde heartthrob.
"Severus," Albus called to him once his niece and Lockhart were out of his office, "is there something you would like to address concerning my niece?"
Snape looked confused, "Headmaster…"
Dumbledore smiled kindly, "She has always been fond of you and you of her, however I caution a relationship considering your history…"
"That would never happen," he jumped, "I care for her that I will not deny, but I will not let my feelings for her to take root," his voice turned somewhat sad.
"That is not what I meant Severus, just to take caution and be sure that your feelings are for in fact Dahlia and not Lily."