A/N: Sorry for the late update, my cousins and I went up to Mnt. Shasta (I live in Cali) and we went kayaking, horse backing riding, and we even got to go to a real rodeo! It was soo fun. But it took 4-5 hours to drive there and then another 4-5 hours to drive back. And then, guess what? Just our luck, on the way home there are like 3 accidents, so there was major traffic…But all that does not account for my laziness… SO SORRY TO ALL MY REVIEWERS!!! I love you, I truly do, but my cousins from Indiana are staying with us, and I've been really lazy about updating.. But NO MORE! (small cheer) hehehe, anyways, on with the story:

Ch 7: Detention With Snape

As the week wore on, Ebony found that her detention with Snape was drawing closer and closer. And, as much as she dreaded spending her Friday night in Snape's office, she was grateful that it gave her some time away from Draco. For, she knew that she needed to sort things out.

I have no idea what to do about him…I can keep playing these games, it would keep us both entertained for a while, but is it enough? she wondered as she made her way towards the dungeons. After a minute of thinking, she sighed. I'll never figure myself or him out… she mused as she opened the door to the potions classroom.

As she entered the classroom, she felt the sinking feeling she had always felt upon entering Snape's domain. It was the feeling of complete and utter helplessness to Snape's undying taunts. Even though she had spent the whole of this year as Ebony, she still fell under the spell of weakness.

"So you finally decided to show up," Snape's cool voice came from the stairs. Ebony turned around, arching her neck so she could meet him eye to eye,

"Yes, I did, and it's about time you showed up, as well."

At this comment, Ebony could see the rage build across Snape's face. Fear ripped through her, and she had to put a hand on the desk to steady herself. But instead of the loud yelling and short temper that both Hermione and Ebony had come to know, she saw him restrain himself, and smile at her. She knew the temper was there, oh yes, it was barely restrained, especially in his face, but it was being held back. Why, Ebony knew not.

"Quick wit, Miss- You know I never did know your last name," he smiled at her as he descended the stairs.

"It's just Ebony… My father died before I was born and my mother only lived long enough to name me Ebony. I've never had any real family, so I don't go by any last name." Ebony answered, hoping that he would buy it.

"Well, that's a shame, Miss Ebony…Well, do you know why you are here?" he asked as he left the stairs and starting walking towards her.

"Because I was in the Forbidden Forest." Ebony answered, wondering what he was playing at.

"Yes, yes, that it part of it. Do you know the real reason, though?" Snape asked. He had stopped walking just a few feet in front of her and was now looking directly into her eyes. Ebony felt no fear, only confusion now,

"Why?"

"Because you and I have something in common, something very unusual." After a moment of two of silence, Ebony sighed,

"What do we have in common?" This was what Snape wanted to hear. He smiled, yet again, and answered,

"You and I are both vampires," and he showed her his teeth as if to prove what he was saying.

"But how did you-"

"I saw you in the forest, the first time you took a little journey there. I said nothing, just watched as you fed. It was then that I knew." Snape's voice faded to silence as Ebony pondered his words.

"But why help me? I'm sure there are others."

"No, you and I are the only two in this school who share this gift. And I see from your lack of parents, that you have had no one to teach you. Being a vampire is only one gift, there are many others that I can teach you."

"Like?" Ebony asked, now intrigued.

"Like teaching you to stop reading other people's minds…Yes, I know that you have read our dear friend Draco's mind, and that every time you're thinking of him, you can here his thoughts."

"Yes, but when I am focused on other things, it seems to go away."

"That's the key!" Snape exclaimed,

"You have to think about something else hard enough so there is no room for what he is thinking."

"Is that it, or are you going to help me?" Ebony asked, annoyed that the answered was so simple.

"I'm going to help you. Do you know how to attain this power in the first place?"

"You have to taste their blood." Ebony answered.

"Yes, so in order to supervise you, I'm going to have to taste yours." Snape told her as he lifted her wrist. As his nail sliced across her skin, she held back a yelp. As his mouth lapped up her blood, she felt the ecstasy that only a vampire could understand.

When he was finished, he said,

"Now, I want you to think of nothing but Draco. Only Draco…" And even as she did, Snape was taken back to the night at HogsHead. He tried not to cringe as memories came flowing back.

"Now think of something else. Occupy your mind completely." And even as Ebony tried, Snape could feel that she failed.

"Try again." he commanded.

As the night wore on Snape could feel his patents wearing thin. As the twentieth time rolled around, Snape's confidence was still high.

"Come on, you can do this!" he cried as she tried, and failed, yet again.

This time, Snape had an idea,

"What the bloody hell is wrong with you?" he asked as his hand cracked against Ebony's face. He felt dirty slapping a woman, but he knew that this time, she would finally succeed.

As Ebony tried, once again, she thought of nothing but her hatred of Snape.

How dare he slap me! her mind cried, forgetting that he could read her thoughts. After a moment or two of silence, Ebony looked up to see Snape beaming at her.

"You did it!" he cried.

"So," she retorted,

"Can I go now?" she asked.

"Are you gonna stay pissed off at me?" he returned her question.

"Yes, so can I go?"

"Fine," Snape laughed as she walked out the door.