A/N: Hey guys! I'm back…Oregon was sooo beautiful…I'm really happy to being going to school there in Sept. I had so much fun! Well, on the long drive there and back (about 5 hours each way!) I actually wrote out the rest of this story…about 4 more chapters (including this one…) so, now all I've got to do is type them…well here it is:

Chapter 29: Disturbed Romance

The letters between Draco and his father became more frequent as the days flew passed. Lucius had been continually impressed with his son. Draco's progress had been phenomenal in such a short amount of time.

I mean, engaged! Lucius smiled as he read Draco's latest letter.

He's done better than even our Dark Lord would have guessed…

As Lucius stood in his study, thinking quietly to himself, his wife knocked on the door. As this was his study, Lucius appreciated his privacy.

"Yes, my dear." He called, absently motioning into the room.

"Any news?" Narcissa inquired, hopeful and anxious.

"Yes, Draco is to be married. I don't know if his bride will be able to make it to the wedding, however. She will most likely be indisposed."

"I like this one. Can I see it please?" Ebony pointed to the rubied ring on the counter. The jewel gleamed through the glass.

"That's pretty." Draco noted as he watched the sales-witch flick her wand. In a moment's notice, the ring appeared in front of the glass.

"It's more than just pretty, it's beautiful. I love it!" Ebony breathed. The deep red intertwined with black onyx shone deeply. It was a rose in which the ruby was the center and the onyx was a vine that looped around the flower. The band was white gold with little diamonds embedded into it.

"Yes, this is the one." She told Draco,

"I definitely want this one."

"Ok," he breathed.

Finally he sighed; they had been shopping for hours.

"How much?"

"Five thousand galleons." The sales witch responded. She knew that a Malfoy stood before her-how could she not? And she knew the type of money they were made of.

"Done." He told her and handed her five bags, full of galleons.

"But-" came Ebony's expected response.

"I knew how much it would cost to buy a ring. You are worth more than that to me, love. Don't worry about it. We'll have all we'll ever need and more." He assured her.

"Well, when you put it that way…"

Take her into the woods during the full moon in May. This is planned-to the best of our Dark Lord's knowledge-on the 17th. Only then you must make her drink the blood of an asp. Once this poison is inside her, stab her in the heart with this dagger. The Dark Lord had it specially made for this night. Then utter the attached phrase and her body will disappear. Once this task is complete, send me a letter on your fastest owl. Do this exactly, or suffer the consequences.

father

Draco read, then re-read the note in haste. His job was simple: kill or be killed. As he thought of this a shudder ran through him. Quickly-with a flick of his wand-the paper disintegrated.

He hated himself for what he had to do, yet he knew he must. It was his destiny and hers. As the clock struck mid-night, Draco yawned. He needed sleep if he was going to start on his preparations.

After a quick shower, Draco got dressed and ready for bed. With a wave of his wand he set an alarm for nine in the morning. The last ting he remembered was staring at the dark mark, still brazen upon his arm. His cover spell only lasted a few hours at best, so he mostly forgot to place it. Only when he was with Ebony did he make an attempt to cover it.

With these thoughts in mind, Draco drifted into a dreamless sleep.

May came as quickly as it could. Draco dreaded it; everyone else longed for it. The entire student body wished for those long, sunny says where they didn't have to wonder about their latest homework assignments. Draco wished for those early September days when his life wasn't so complicated.

The full moon was two days away and Draco could feel his heart pound quicker with each passing hour. Ebony, noticing Draco's constant apprehension, asked:

"Honey, what's wrong? Are you THAT scared about our test and the results?"

Draco knew she was joking, but decided to use it.

"Actually, yes. I know it's hard to believe, but yes I am."

"Oh," a bit taken a-back, Ebony began to massage Draco's shoulders.

"Everything will be fine." She said.

"I hope so…"

The next day Draco knew he needed to lay he ground work for his plan.

"Honey?" he asked as he nudged her awake. They had been cuddling on the Common Room couch and as a result, Ebony had fallen into a light sleep.

"Since we are engaged I wanted to do something special. Just for you and me." She smiled,

"Like what?"

"Like a surprise…" he laughed when she raised her eye-brow.

"What? You thought I was gonna tell you, um, that would ruin the whole thing."

"Fine. When is this 'surprise'?" she asked.

"Tomorrow night. Meet me here around 11:00 PM. Then I will take you to the spot for your surprise."

"Oh, so I have to be taken there?" she inquired.

"Yes."

"Oh, then it must be important."

"More than you know." He mumbled.

"What?"

"Nothing." He told her and kissed her cheek.

Ebony relaxed and smiled. Her life was perfect. She slowly faded back t sleep, dreams of happiness floating in the back-drop of her consciousness.

This left Draco alone. He was wide awake, visions of horror playing over and over in the forefront of his mind.

The next day came and Ebony found herself wishing it was eleven. Instead, she was in Snape's classroom, studying the effects of the disappearance potions.

How many effects could there be? It makes you disappear…

"Ebony, pay attention!" Snape ordered. This earned a few snickers from classmates, but Ebony ignored them.

As she completed the potion, Ebony got an idea. She thought of Draco, only Draco, but try as she might, she could not read his mind. She had long since stopped doing so and had almost forgotten about it. But she wanted to know what her surprise was.

The bell finally rang and Snape dismissed the class. He was as glad as they were that class was over. He turned to begin cleaning when he saw Ebony.

"Yes?"

"I need to ask a question."

"What?"

"Why can't I read Draco's mind?"

"Why do you ask?"

"Cause I just tried and I'm unable."

"Well, then I'm guessing you haven't tasted of him in over three months?"

"That's correct-"
"Well, that's why. We have powers, but they are limited. You haven't read his mind or bitten him in over three months, so your powers have waned."

"Oh." She was disappointed.

"What did you want to know?" Snape, sensing her disappointment, questioned.

"What my surprise is." As she said this, Snape laughed.

"It's called a surprise for a reason."

"I know, but he's taking my somewhere tonight."

"That would be nice, with the full moon and all-wait! Where is he taking you?"

"I told you I don't know."

"Ebony, the full moon has strange powers. He knows you are a vampire. Don't go with him."

"Oh, you're just para-"

"No, I'm not. Ebony he works for Voldemort!"

"No, he would have told me. I didn't tell him about the Order, so if he was a Death Eater, Voldemort would have tired to turn me to help his cause. No, I trust Draco." She told him firmly.

"I just don't want you hurt." He explained,

"I care about you."

"I know. I'll be fine. Now, I've got to go or I'll be late for class. Bye."

"Bye." Snape responded, as she turned to go. He had a bad feeling about this. But, yet again, maybe she's right…