It was the combination of her words and the second kiss that broke through his self-deprecating thoughts that had friend-zoned himself. Thinking she could never possibly look at him in any way beyond that. A hand rose up to over hers as it rested against him, his large hand easily engulfing her smaller one. The other coming up to cup her cheek,

"You deserve the world, and more," he said before leaning in the distance to kiss her lips softly in return. A brief kiss, as he respect her parents far too much to ever take advantage of this situation for more. So the kiss ended without going further. Instead he raised her hand from his chest and pressed his lips to the back of her hand, letting his kiss linger there.

"Please tell me this is no nightmare meant to break me." Because if it was? Severus was sure he would in fact be broken upon waking. He'd loved her for what felt like so long. ever since they were young children eagerly meeting in the park to practice magic long before they should have been.