A/N: Sorry it's been so long….school sux, especially being a junior! Oh and EVERYONE SAY HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO EMBERS! It was her 18th last Sunday!

Ok, on with the story…

Chapter 9: The Forbidden Forest

As the days wore on, Ebony found herself more alone that usual. She spent minimal time with Draco, either being nice or rude. She loved how he got confused so easily. One minute she was laughing, and the next she was being cold. It was not in her nature to be this cruel on purpose, yet she found herself enjoying this as much as being nice. He had taunted her for years. And now it was her turn at revenge.

Her lessons with Snape had been few due to her homework schedule. Whenever they did meet she found herself becoming stronger. He no longer could read her mind, and they soon progressed to other things, such as hunting quickly. Severus, she now called him in her mind, could stalk and kill a beast in thirty seconds flat. While she was impressed at his speed, she knew she could do better.

Besides piling herself with school work, Ebony spent her time in or near the forbidden forest. She liked the solitude of it, the openness. But lately, she found herself longing for the company of another. She wanted Draco, and she knew it, but there was more, so much more. Whenever she was around Draco she felt a connection that even she did not understand. She knew that she was afraid of this, and that toying with his emotions was only a way of blocking off her, own, yet she continued in this pattern.

October rolled around and the leaves turned brown. The wind kicked up, and the icy wind nipped at the ears and noses of all those around. Ebony, who preferred the cold to the sun, took this as an opportunity to take to the Forbidden Forest with more ease than before. The teachers would not be looking for students in this weather, she mused, and she was right. It was a week before anyone found her.

Blaise Zabini walked down the hall towards Hogwart's grounds. The day had been a normal day; he went to classes, talked with friends, taunted what had now become the famous Duo, and did some of his homework. He was not averse to this day to day routine, yet he had begun to find it boring. He needed something to keep his mind occupied. Knowing that he could take any girl in Slytherin didn't satisfy him, nor did knowing that he had power over ever mud blood in the school. He wanted action, and he wanted it now.

As he made his way towards the Quidditch pitch, he smiled. How he liked the cold. It made him appreciate the warmth much better. And he sure loved to be warm. Smiling, he mounted him broom, and took off into the air.

As Ebony watched a lone figure rise up into the air, she frowned. She thought she was alone, she wanted to be alone, but she found herself interested. She hid in the shadows of the trees as she moved closer to discover who she was watching. When she discovered it was none other than Draco's best friend Blaise, she groaned. What is he doing here? She wondered. And instead of calling out to him, she just watched as he turned loops and tricks in the air.

As Blaise flew in a giant circle, he noticed a shadow moving in the trees. Who is that? he wondered, moving lower. The figure moved swiftly into the shadows, but he caught sight of a human shadow. So, he wants to run from me, eh? I'll show them!

Blaise lowered to the ground, knowing that he could catch his prey on foot better than in the air. As he dropped his broom, he ran after the lone shadow.

Ebony saw Blaise coming towards her, so she ran. She had no idea why she was running from Blaise, she had nothing to hide. All she knew is that if he caught her, she would have to explain herself and what she was doing in the forest during the weekend. That was something she did not want to have to explain to anyone, least of all Blaise, for he would certainly tell Draco.

She took off through the woods, on the path that took her to the clearing she knew so well. It was her hunting grounds, and she knew every rock and tree that would prove to be a barrier between Blaise and herself. She soon found the clearing, a small circular spot, surrounded by trees where the soft grass would be a comforting spot if not for the dangers that lurked around every corner. This spot happened to be the ritual place for the many centaurs who resided in the forest. If Ebony was not careful, she would run into one of their rituals and could possible get killed. She had no idea if they were to be there tonight, so she hid beneath the branches of an old willow; it was her favorite tree.

Blaise followed Ebony's trail, using his expert hunting skills. Thank Merlin that dad taught me to hunt, was all he could think. As he reached the clearing, he was suddenly aware of another presence. He's here, he though. He silently, circled the grove of trees, hoping to confuse his prey. It did not take long before he saw her.

Blaise was surprised. He had not expected his prey to be a woman. She had long, black hair, and a curvaceous body. He could not see her face, for she was facing the other direction, but he knew who she was.

Ebony could feel her heart beat faster, as she hid. He's close, she mused, too close. Yet she did not know where he was. He could have been anywhere. It was then that she felt the warmth of another enclose around her. Ebony tried to move and free herself from the other figures grasp, but she found herself held tightly.

"Shh," a voice whispered into her ear from behind, follow me."

"Like hell I will!" she said. Her voice was hard, but not loud. She heard him laugh as she struggled to get away.

"Fine, we do things your way." Blaise used his strength and leaned towards the ground. Ebony went down first, and the two were soon on the ground together.

Ebony, face first in the forest floor, kicked out. At first she hit nothing but air, but soon she felt her foot contact into something hard. She heard Blaise moan, and she took this as an opportunity to get away. Struggling she got up and faced the other student. He was on top of her in an instant. My mistake, Ebony thought to herself as she went down, Blaise on top of her.

"What the bloody hell are you doing in here?" he asked he, holding her arms in his and using his weight to sit on her and keep her down. He liked the way she looked, and six separate ideas came into his head. Shaking them away, he focused back on her.

"None of your damn business!" she said through gritted teeth, waiting for an opportunity to strike a blow.

"Oh, come off it! I'm not letting you go until you tell me. I can stay here all day."

"What do you mean, you can stay here all day? You've got to let me up!" Ebony yelled, trying once again to free herself.

"I don't have to do anything!" Blaise laughed. No sooner had he said this that he got an idea. He looked at Ebony for a minute, then quick lightening, his mouth was upon hers.

Ebony just stared at Blaise. He was kissing her, actually kissing her. She could not believe it. It wasn't a bad kiss, yet Ebony knew that she did not like him like that. She kissed him, not knowing why.

As the kiss deepened, Blaise found himself groaning with pleasure. How was I supposed to know that she would taste so good? he asked, as his hands trailed down her side. He held the kiss for a minute longer, then released her.

"Well, that wasn't so bad."

"Let me go." was all she said.

"Fine." Blaise responded, letting her up, but keeping hold of her arms. When she had fully stood, he placed his mouth of hers again.

"Stop!" she cried, and pulled away, "what the hell do you think you're doing?"

"You didn't object a minute ago!" he said coolly.

"That, I assure you was a mistake." Ebony yelled as she wrenched her hands free and ran into the forest.

Yeah, a mistake that we'll be making again very soon, Blaise thought as he headed back towards the castle.