Bellatrix breathed a heavy sigh of relief. Thankfully the day had ended and she was free to do as she pleased. Ending it with transfiguration had been a pain though and her head pounded with all that she had learnt. She walked close to the walls of the corridor and watched other students retreat back to their houses. Alcoves along the walls glittered with bright burning flames that made Bella sleepy after having such a long day, a long week in fact. Shaking herself free of class ties, the Black daughter strode tiredly towards the entrance to the dungeons.

Without warning a hand shot out and pulled her into one of the alcoves. Her first instinct was to shield herself against the fire burning in its place but instead she was pushed into the dark corner and a body had pressed itself against her, shielding both of their faces from view of the passing throng of students. There was no mistaking whose tall and lean figure it was, the feel of his strong back and muscular shoulders gave him away.

"Ethan." Bellatrix breathed his name gratefully, like he was an answer to an unspoken prayer.

"Did you miss me?" he said into her ear. He placed several gentle kisses on her jawbones and cheek before placing a light peck on her lips. Bella had never felt something more gratifying. She had missed him so much while all this drama had been happening over the last few days.

"Everyday" whispered Bellatrix, "why didn't you come earlier?"

Ethan stopped abruptly and looked into her with his fierce midnight eyes.

"I've been busy" he said curtly. Sensing his rising anger, Bella changed the subject.

"Well, it doesn't matter now. You're here" she grasped his face in her hands and forced his mouth onto hers.

Their lips collided in a wet mess of passion and the gentle love that existed between them had been replaced by something wild. Bellatrix bit down on Ethan's lower lip and both students tasted sweet, metallic blood but it only made the embrace more frenzied. In the chaos of tongues and hot wet kisses Bella felt Ethan slide his hand up her thigh, gathering her skirt with it. The stockings she wore prevented him from getting very far but nevertheless he stroked a tender area below her stomach. Bellatrix felt as though his hands left fire in their wake and she prayed for him to never stop. Carefully, he slipped his thumb into the waistband of her stockings and rubbed gentle circles.

A desperate moan escaped Bella's throat and she pulled on Ethan's collar with both hands to bring his mouth back to hers instead of where they were at her neck. Swiftly, she slipped her tongue between his teeth and a low growl escaped from Ethan. He abandoned his quest beneath her skirt and pushed her by the waist back further into the corner. Bellatrix obliged and wrapped her hands around his neck and her legs around his waist. Literally hanging off him, she pressed herself ever closer to Ethan until she couldn't get any closer.

Ethan's hands ventured beneath her jumper and caressed the skin below the white lace bra his girlfriend wore. Bella whimpered and he took this as a sign to not stop. With Bellatrix's hot wet kiss urging him on, he slid his hands beneath her bra and explored her chest freely. Ethan felt Bella's breaths quicken as she started to pant. Her insistence at wanting to continue was thick between them and yet their dalliance did not continue any further than they dared to go.

Ethan set Bella back on the ground and touched their foreheads together. Even in the darkness they were familiar with each other's faces. Their breathing synchronized and they felt as one. Bella felt that time was as good as any to make a commitment she felt only Ethan deserved.

"Ethan" she whispered.

"Yes?" Ethan said. Bella took in every moment so she would remember it for all time. She would never forget the musicality in his voice, the sweetness and feeling even in just the one word. Taking a deep breath, Bellatrix took a chance.

"I love you"

Ethan leant back and looked at her whole face. His eyes seemed to question her motive for saying those three little words and for a moment she thought that he would just walk away and never see her again and she would be made a fool.

The tall boy began to fumble in his trouser pocket until he found what he was looking for. In his hand he held a silver locket which dangled on a chain that resembled two strands twisted together. With steady hands Ethan clasped the locket around her neck. With a closer look she saw the engraving in tiny letters on the front. The words were set between two snakes biting the other's tail in a never ending circle. They read:

Darkness weeps as light will die

While Bella was examining her gift, Ethan tucked a curl behind her ear and whispered.

"I love you too"

For a while neither student spoke because no words could describe the frailty of the moment. Bellatrix thought of what had transpired earlier before she had spoken the words that took her relationship with Ethan further and couldn't stop the blood from rushing to her cheeks. Unfortunately, Ethan noticed her blush and smirked.

"Being bad feels good doesn't it?" Ethan's eye glinted.

He had no idea. But at his words Bella's heart soared. Was there a chance that Ethan could be just as good at dancing with darkness as she was? To find out there was only one thing to do.

Ethan had to know.