Chapter 24: On Again

A/N: Hey! Thanks for the reviews! Here is the next chapter...

Draco was intching. He couldn't think. His brain could only center on one thing-not on the task at hand. His whole body was fidgeting.

Which spice do you mix with the blood of unicorn and a leg of frog to create the elixir for chronic migraines?

Who the hell cares? Draco asked himself as he chewed on the end of his quill.

As the bell signaled the end of class and the end of their test, the speedy rustle of students was all to familiar to Snape.

"Malfoy, Ebony, stay." He barked and enjoyed both the looks he gained. His was scared; hers was annoyed.

"Yes." Ebony made her way to the front of Snape's desk, casrefully avoiding. Draco's eyes.

Draco, slowly watching her, felt uneasy she's really hurt. It's me who should be hurt. Pride slowly filled his mind and he stiffly walked towards her.

"Yes, can we please get this over with."

"Ten points from Slytherine for your insolence."

Shit Draco winced.

"Malfoy, you have practically failed your last few tests. Why, I do not know. You used to do well in my calss and I expected moreout of you. I am disappointed. But-"

Snape paused.

"What?" Ebny questioned.

Only she would dare challenge me Snape mused before continuing.

"but, I can't force you to do well in my class. I can, however, adsign you a tutor. Ebony, you do exceptionally well in my class. As an extra credit assignment, you will tutor Malfoy."

Snape could feel his smirk woden as Ebon'y face changed from surprise t annoyance to rage.

Fuck! Ebony's mind screamed, she no way out.

"Fine."

"Fine." Draco echoed her sentiments, obvioudl ynot pleased with the arrangement either.

"Starting tomorrow." Snape told them. Both students left then, refusing to me each other's eyes.

The next night came as quickly as anything does when ione is dreading something. Both Ebony and Draco were anticipating that night. Neither one wanted to be in the presence f the other; Neither wanted to be hurt.

Earlier that day they had arranged to meet in the room of requirements at ten o'clock. At 9:59 PM Ebony strolled down the hallway, surprised that Draco was wating for her.

"I'm impressed," she sneered.

"You haven't seen nothing yet," he o7ntered as he paced in front of the room three times.

When they entered they found a dimly lit room. Wall to wall carpeting I ornate and archaic patterns were accented by the comfortable looking furnature. On the walls were bookshelves full of materials from all sorts of different subjects. Ptions was in the right corner of the room.

Slowly, yet efficiently Ebony walked to the ptions corner. She sat down, picked up this years ptions book and stared at Draco.

"Well, are we going to get started? Or are you just going to stanf there?"

"Well, la deed a!" Draco smirked as he sat down and began to listen to her voice.

"Ok, so first things first. This," she said, pointing to the large object in front of her,

"is a cauldron."

"Yes, I know what a cauldron is, thank you." Draco snapped,

"Can we please get on to what I don't know?"

"Well, that might take all year." Ebony muttered.

"What?"

"Nothing, dearest. Let's get started." She responded and put on her best-fake smile.

After an hour of reviewing their last test, Ebony was intrigued to discover that Draco did know the material in practice. It was in theory or when it needed to be written out that he had problems. He was a fast learner who just needed help with his writing abilities.

"So, uh, till tomorrow, then?" Draco asked when they had finished.

"Yeah, if you can keep a schedule and not ruin it, that is."

"What the hell is that supposed to mean?" Draco turned towards Ebony, eyes probing.

"Oh, nothing."

"Fine, forget it." Draco shrugged, concerned about what he saw in Ebony's face: pain? He mused, why?

The next night they were covering truth potions. While easy enough to make, explaining the process the process and the exact effects to the human body proved extremely difficult.

"I can't explain how it feels unless I feel it!" was Draco's constant argument.

After the third time she tried to explain the process to Draco, she finally gave in.

"Fine, I will ask Professor Snape for the ingredients."

The next day was a Saturday. Knowing it was Snape's day off, Ebony headed towards the potion master's bedroom.

"Professor?" she called after briefly knocking.

"What?" he asked through the door.

"I need a favor."

"What?" he asked again, this time opening the door.

"I need the ingredients for a truth potion and remedy. It's for Draco."

"What, are you gonna use it on him to discover why he hurt you?" Snape asked before thinking.

"Well, no, it's for his training." Ebony responded, surprised that Snape would be so forward. It is a good idea, though…she mused.

The next time Ebony and Draco met was Monday night. The truth potion was all made as well as the antidote. They were both in little vials in Ebony's hands.

"Here, you wanted to experience it, take it." She motioned.

"Um, no…I won't just take this potion because you say so. It could be potion, knowing you."

"Oh, come on. Just try it." She said, shoving it into his hand.

"Only if you do afterwards." Draco sniffed.

"Of all the petty-"

"Are you scared?"

"Hell no."

"Then do it."

"Fine."

"Fine." Draco stated and he opened the vial and drank. It tasted warm and smooth.

Ebony watched Draco's transformation with intent curiousity. When the affects had taken place, she asked her first question:

"Do you care about me.?"

"Yes."

"Did you sleep with Ginny?"

"Yes."

"Why did you sleep with Ginny?"

"Because you fooled around with Ron."

"Is that what you think?"

"Yes."

"Do you want to be with me?"
"Yes."

And with that, Ebony had had enough. She slowly handed him the antidote. Once he had drunken it, Draco felt this icy chill creep over him.

"What did you ask me?"

"Nothing." She smiled.

"Well, now it's your turn." He motioned to Ebony and she complied.

Draco watched the potion take control, then asked his first question:

"Why did you fool around with Ron."

"I didn't."

"What did happen then?"

"He was drunk and I helped him get to his bed."

"You were kissing?"

"He kissed me, and I stopped him."

"Do you care about me?"

"Yes."

"How much?"

"A lot."

"Do you want to kiss me?"
"Yes." And with that, he gave her the antidote.

"Well, well, well." Draco smiled as he leaned in closer.

Ebony slowly felt his lips touch her and she pulled him I closer, smiling the entire time.