A/N: Hey! So Embers and I finally sat down (at her house) and discussed what we wanted to happen in this story…so yay!) ok, I'll let you alone so you can read now…
Chapter 18: Make-Up
Ebony spent the next few days contemplating what she should do about Draco. They spent time together, but it was different, Ebony soon began noticing things. The way he hugged her, kissed her and acted towards her was different. She knew it was this new vice that was drifting them apart. She tried to talk to him, but each time he would make some lame excuse and leave. It was frustrating the hell out of her.
She soon found herself spending more and more time with Snape. He was a comfort that she began to depend upon. They had created an aura of friendship around themselves that only strengthen with time. It seemed the more time they spent together the more they found in common. They both loved to read fantasy books and listened to the same type of music.
When they were alone Ebony no longer believed he was her teacher. They were friends and equals. He was older and far more superior in the vampiric arts, but he never flaunted this aspect of their relationship. In the beginning of the year he would have, she mused, but now, things are different.
When she was in class they reverted to the student-teacher relationship. No one suspected that Deep down they had the utmost respect for one another. That was the way they wanted it. The longer they could keep their relationship a secret, the better. If people knew then all sorts of questions would arise which neither of them were ready to answer.
Snape knew of her relationship with Draco, but didn't understand why someone as smart as Ebony would be with Drama.
He doesn't deserve her Snape's mind recycled this thought every time he began to ponder his student.
He didn't discuss thus with Ebony, though. As her teacher it would e considered far too inappropriate to question Ebony about there love-life; as her friend, he knew better than to open his mouth. Ebony would take all kinds of advice, for she respected him greatly, as long as it had nothing to do with her personal life. He didn't even know if she was a pure-blood. Not that it mattered Snape told himself. It was just an example of how little he actually knew about her.
Ebony didn't discuss her problems with Snape. Not to anyone. It was a personal matter that she could handle. Or so she thought. As the week wore on it became harder and harder to cope with Draco's new form of life. She had tried all she could think of: yelling, crying, discussing. None of them worked. Draco was able to rationalize every work she used against him.
"It's my way of escaping life," was his most recent excuse.
Ebony detested it. She wanted him to spend his time with her and if life became too stressful then go to her with his problems. But he wouldn't. And Ebony was desperate. She finally did the one thing she had hoped she would never have to: she decided to ask her potion's master for advice.
As school ended that day and the students were left to themselves for various sorts of recreational activities, Ebony made her way towards the potions class.
She found Snape grading papers, as usual. Silently, she made her way across the room to the front of his desk.
"Yes?" he asked when he finally noticed Ebony was standing in front of him.
:"I know that you are busy, but I need help," Ebony swallowed. She wasn't used to asking anyone for help, least of all from a teacher.
"What specifically do you need help with?" Snape asked, looking around as he spoke.
"It's personal." Ebony told him, leaning a hip down on his desk. Snape's eyebrow rose at this, but he didn't comment. She seemed rather distressed at the moment.
"Sure" he told her. With a wave of his wand, the door shut.
"What's the problem?"
"Well," Ebony swallowed again,
"I-it's Draco…" her voice trailed off. How am I supposed to ask him this? Her mind questioned.
"Is he hurt?" Snape asked, hoping that his ignition thought was wrong.
"No…least I hope not," Ebony told him quickly,
"No, I just have a problem and I well, I need help."
"Help? You need boyfriend advice from me?" Snape looked astonished; this was the last thing he ever expected from her.
"Yes," Ebony told him, feeling more embarrassed by the minute. Sensing this, Snape said,
"OK, what's going on?"
"Well, Draco has taken up the habit of smoking, which I despise. And he won't listen to me at all when I tell him that I can't stand it. I still want to date him, but not if he smokes." Ebony said all in a rush, hoping that it would be less painful.
The band aide effect, Ebony told herself.
Snape thought about this a moment then said,
"The answer is simple. Tell him what you want. Do it forcefully and don't break-down. Make him understand that you won't be treated that way. I'm a little surprised that you would allow this to happen."
Ebony was shocked to hear this. She had expected words of sympathy. It didn't take her long to realize, however, that he was right.
"Thanks." Ebony said, smiled, then turned to go.
"Wait, is that all?" Snape asked, stopping her. For some reason he didn't want her to go.
"Yeah, I mean I'll tell you how it goes and all but I need to try it out." She responded, wondering what else he wanted.
"OK, well if that's all…good luck." He told her then turned back to his papers. He wanted to ask her why the hell she would put with Draco's treatment. He wanted to ask her a million questions but he held back. Our relationship is not that strong…yet.
Ebony, curiously musing about her potions teacher, made her way to the Slytherine common room. There she found Draco doing his Charm's essay.
"I need to talk to you." She told him firmly.
"Just a sec-"
"NO NOW!" she yelled, causing heads to turn in their direction. Draco just started at her, a confused look on his face.
"OK, let's go take a walk."
As he led her out to the Quidditch pitch Draco silently thanked Merlin that it was empty.
"What do you want?" he asked sighing.
"What I want is for you to stop smoking. I know we've been down this road before," she added, seeing his face,
"But now it's serious. I'm telling to choose me or it."
Silence hung in the air for the space of two minutes.
"Ok, I chose you." Draco told her. A giant smile crept across Ebony's face.
"I hadn't realized that it was causing this much damage in our relationship. You really should have said somethin-"
But he was cut off by Ebony's lips on his. She felt better than she had in weeks. Who thought that all she had to do was threaten Draco and he would buckle?
"So," Ebony said, "Are we gong to the Christmas party together?"
"Absolutely."
Snape was pacing the dungeon, trying to get his mind off his students.
One particular student he corrected himself, frowning.
He had just begun to think of his lesson plan for the next day when the person of his mind walked in.
"Severus," Ebony announced, her breath rushing in and out, the pace uneven.
"It worked! Your advice worked and now we're-what is it?" she asked, noticing, for the first time, the expression on Snape's face.
Snape, who had been lost in his own thoughts, stared at Ebony.
"Nothing, nothing at all." He responded, shaking his head.
"Well, anyways, I wanted to thank you. You helped me more than you know." At this, Snape felt many emotions twist inside him, one of them being extreme happiness. He was happy that he could make her happy.
"Well, you're welcome. I'm glad it worked out, but this doesn't mean can bring your personal life into my class!" he smirked.
"Of course not," Ebony smiled. For some odd reason, she was happier now that she had told Snape. She had wanted him to be happy and now that she knew he was, she felt at ease.
"I just wanted to sat thanks again...I gotta go, charms homework." She told him as she moved into his arms. Giving into a whim, she gave Snape a hug, then strolled out of the class room, smiling to herself.
Snape, on the other hand, was shocked by her gesture and was rooted to the spot. Blinking, he mused about the events that had just taken place.
What has gotten into her…and why do I like it so much?
A/N: Hey, so everything is not what it seems…buah hahaha…more emotions will intertwine I promise…yay, ok plz R&R right now!