A/N: Hey guys! Here is the next chappy, hope you like…

Chapter 27: Confessions

As Ebony's relationship with Harry increased it became harder and harder to conceal their bond. He became present during her training sessions just to spend a half and hour with her every week. Their relationship wasn't the same-they weren't the same-yet it was comfortable all the same.

One particular Saturday night Harry wasn't present. He was enjoying a date with a girl he had become recently engrossed with. Ebony didn't mind, she was grateful for the break. That made it easier to concentrate on the task at hand. Although the majority of her mind circled around Draco, she tried to keep her studies-especially her vampire studies- in first priority.

This task, however, was easier said than done. While she struggled with her studies of different vampiric poisons and how they affected her kind, inwardly she was struggling not to contemplate her next move in her relationship.

Our relationship has been nothing but great…he's even cut back on smoking for me… I love him so much. She wondered.

"Ebony!" came Snape's impatient voice.

"Yes," her voice was distracted, breathy as she snapped back to attention.

"You need to pay ATTENTION!" he practically screamed,

"You have continually gotten sloppy with your studies. I know who is the cause-"

"No, don't bring him into this…It's me." She defended.

"But it is about him! He's the one-"

"He's not causing this. It's my own stupid fault for letting myself get distracted. I have control over my emotions."

"Well, control them then!" Snape snapped in return.

"I will."

Draco sat at the edge of the Forbidden Forest. He knew Ebony was getting further instruction on Potions. He had questioned her particular attention to Snape long ago. Ebony had simply explained that potions was what she liked best and that she had requested further study. It made sense considering she was thinking of a career in potions or alchemy one day.

He hated to think of her cooped up with Snape for so long: he was no easy person to get along with. While Snape took a personal disliking of Gryffindor and always gave special attention to those in Slytherine, he was never a picnic to be around.

But he had not wandered around the edge of the forest for an hour thinking about Snape. He had been thinking about Ebony, of course, but other things also occupied his mind.

She's a vampire… he mused, how? He could simply not fathom this concept. Her secrecy hurt, yet he could understand why she would hide this form everyone, including himself.

I know I'm supposed to kill her, but how do I even begin? I can't…I love her. But if I don't He will know. That could mean death for me and my father. But if I do, that would be as good as death for me as well as actual death for her…

His thoughts circled this point for hours-until darkness enveloped the sky.

Ebony's lesson was almost complete. She was finishing the last ingredient for the last potion of the night. Making the cures for each type of poison hadn't proved too difficult for her.

When she had done this and turned to leave, Snape put his hand on hers.

"We need to talk."

"Ok," she mumbled, fearing what was to be said next.

"I know of your infatuation and I know of how strong it is."

"And I am aware that you know this." She stared at him, eyes daring.

"But…I think you need to break it off. He's dangerous."

"How is he dangerous?" Ebony's voice darkened.

"His father is a Death Eater. It is more than likely that he is too. Voldemort wants to kill you, he knows you are here. Draco is most likely-"

"Draco would never hurt a hair on my head. He cares about me too much."
"You don't know what that boy is capable of, I do. He's killed and will kill again! I know you love him, but does he love you? And if he does, is it enough to renounce a life-oath?" Snape questioned.

"Yes, he does. And I'll prove it to you. I'm going to tell him who I am and he will still love me and accept me!" Ebony burst, her eyes widening.

"No! You must never- cut off this relationship! It will only end in disaster. One or both of you will get hurt!" he called after her, but she was already gone.

Ebony found Draco at their tree, just outside the Forbidden Forest.

"Look, we need to talk." She told him as she took his hand and sat down on the grass.

"Yes." He replied, kissing her quickly.

"My name isn't Ebony. It's Hermione." Silence hung in the air for the space of ten seconds.

"As in Hermione Granger?" he asked.

"Yes. And I'm a vampire." She breathed, her heart beat quickening.

"Last summer I began to get these cravings. I wanted blood. Well, then my teeth grew, and I knew. Scared, I left my house in search for some absolution. I had yet to kill and drink so I became light-headed and dizzy. I passed out in an alley. The next thing I remember is waking up in a large room. Apparently I had been saved by a coven of runway vampires, just like me.

"The only difference is that my parents had never kicked me out. Well, I went back to my house. The person they hired to find me turned out to be a real jerk. He had convinced my parents that I needed to be sent away. After a huge argument with my parents concerning this matter, I left.

"The coven was more than happy to welcome me back. They convinced me to change my name and image. With them, I felt at home. With them, I felt free. I eventually killed my parents and that detective. I couldn't and didn't want to go back to who I was before. I forced my mother to sign a note to Harry and Ron before I drank her dry.

"I loved life in the coven, but I wanted to go back to Hogwarts. The coven leaders advised against it, but I insisted. I knew that I couldn't go back as Hermione-I wasn't her anymore. So, I came as a new student."

Tears were streaming down Ebony's face. She wanted acceptance. Draco just stared at her in blank surprise.

"I never expected to find a relationship with you. I mean, I know I was attracted, but nothing more…I never expected to love you…" Ebony let her voice trial off.

Draco could feel his head spin.

Hermione, vampires, love me? He mused. She loves me! This was all that he could think about.

How could I not have seen all this before? Was his next thought.

"Wow. I mean this is a lot to take in." he finally broke the silence.

"I know. I couldn't tell you before though-"

"And now?" Ebony winced at his insistence.

"Now, it doesn't matter. I love you." She hoped that he would come to accept her for who she was.

"I-I need to think." He whispered and got up. His pacing only made Ebony more nervous.

She's a mud-blood! How could I fall for her! We are so different, yet…we are similar. I'm a Death Eater.

"What do you want from me? An apology? 'Cause you won't get one!" Ebony's frustration and apprehension came out as retaliation.

"I want to be able to digest all that you just told me." He snapped back, then realized she was just as venerable as he.

"I'm not mad; it's just a lot of information. I mean I thought I knew you, now-"

"You still know me. I'm no different than I once was. I've been a vampire since I met you and I have been Hermione since you met me. There is no difference except that now you know the truth." She explained.

"But that changes everything."
He stated and Ebony had to agree" No matter what she told him or tried to convince herself of, things would never be the same between them again.

Finally, Draco walked towards Ebony. He took her hands and pulled her to her feet.

"I love you too." And with that he watched her smile.

Draco's guilt had continued to pain him since he had discovered Ebony' secret. He couldn't tell her he was part of the Death Eaters now. And he especially couldn't say he was supposed to kill her.

"Yes, that would be a lovely conversation over and crumpets." He remarked.

Sitting up in bed, he knew he would never sleep with this on his mind.

Slowly, he pulled up his sleeve. The mark stood apart from the rest of his skin.

He took his wand and whispered, "Removerse!"

As quick as lightening the mark disappeared, leaving his seemingly bare arm. Next, he got dressed and went to go find the siren of his thoughts.