I know this is really short but I'm trying and hopefully soon, I can add some more...I just wanted to update with this short chapter bc I know I haven't in a while and for that I'm really sorry...Hope you enjoy...

The bell rang, signaling the students to start packing up their stuff. Walking with Pansy out of the class, Ebony pulled her into an empty classroom, immediately crashing their lips together. Groaning as she tasted her lover's blood, Ebony pulled Pansy closer, moving them so Pansy was pressed against the wall beside the door. Pulling back from the deep kiss, Ebony trailed her lips down her lover's neck, sucking hard on her pulse point.

Groaning loudly, Pansy dug her nails into Ebony's back deeply, pulling her impossibly close. Running one hand up her lover's back, Pansy buried her hand in Ebony's hair at her nape, pulling her lover back from her neck. Breathing heavily, she said, "We don't have time for what you want, love. We need to get to Professor McGonnagol's."

"I know," Ebony moaned in disappointment. "But that doesn't make this any easier. I want you so bad, to taste you and make you come screaming my name."

Whimpering quietly, Pansy said, "You'll get your wish later tonight when we're alone, baby. Come on, lets get this over with."

Knocking on the door to the Transfiguration classroom, Ebony and Pansy waited until they heard a sharp 'come in' before entering the room. Seeing their professor grading homework, they kept quiet and sat on the desks in front of Minerva's desk, patiently waiting for Minerva to finish.

Minerva looked up when she was done, watching the two Slytherins intently as she mulled over their earlier conversation. These past years she had stood by and watched as her old mentor continuously molded Harry into what he wanted him to be. She'd been in denial about it but when Ebony brought it up, she knew she couldn't ignore it any longer. Looking into Ebony's dark blue/purple eyes, she said firmly, "I will help you any way I can. I have ignored Albus' manipulating of Potter for too long."

Smiling happily, Ebony said, "Thank you for giving us the chance, Professor. I know you don't really trust us but I hope that given time, you will."

Nodding, Minerva asked, "What is it you need me to do, Miss Black?"

"Please, call me Ebony," Ebony said softly. "I just need to be kept aware of what the Order knows regarding Voldemort. I won't ask that you tell me everything, just what is important. Does Dumbledore know that Voldemort has seven horocruxes?"

"He knows that the Dark Lord used the diary, locket and ring as horocruxes but doesn't know what the others are," Minerva said sitting back in her chair. "What other objects are the horocruxes?"

"Hufflepuff's cup, Gryffindor's ring, Nagini, and Potter's scar," Pansy answered solemnly. "I've researched about living horocruxes and there is a ritual that will transfer the horocruxes into another object. The only thing is that we need thirteen casters and a sacred magical ground."

Minerva couldn't hide her shock, her mind spinning with the news of what the horocruxes were. "What happens if you just leave the horocrux in Potter?"

"We're not really sure but there would be the possibility of Voldemort coming back," Ebony answered softly. "The safest thing we can do is transfer the horocrux to another object and then destroy it with basilisk poison. We already know where the cup, ring, and Nagini are."

"Me and Ebony can take care of the ring and cup. Nagini will be a little trickier but not impossible," Pansy added. "And Potter, well we might just have to stun him and do the ritual while he is unconscious."

Nodding thoughtfully, Minerva mused, "If the horocruxes are all destroyed before the final battle, it would be easier to destroy the Dark Lord once and for all."

"Yes, it would. If the horocruxes are destroyed, it will weaken him since his soul resides in them. It is why he is slightly insane now, the breaking up of his soul has basically demolished his sanity and humanity." Ebony said quietly, her voice devoid of emotion. She knew it was the horocruxes that made her father somewhat like he is now but she felt no sorrow or pity for him. Remembering what she'd heard earlier, she asked, "Professor, is it alright if I ask you a personal question? You don't have to answer if you feel uncomfortable."

Looking at Ebony curiously, Minerva nodded, "Aye, you can."

"See, I'm a telepath, I can hear people's thoughts if I want. Earlier in class, I accidentally overheard some of your thoughts before I could tune them out," Ebony explained, watching an uneasy expression crossed her professor's face. "I was wondering, what happened between you and Cissa?"

Pale, Minerva could only stare at Ebony in shock and slight horror. How was she supposed to answer that question? No one even knew that she knew Narcissa on a personal level, not even Dumbledore. If Dumbledore knew, she wouldn't have a job.

Ebony, seeing Minerva's expression, said softly, "You don't have to answer, I wont make you. Its just, Cissa is my aunt and when she came up in your thoughts I was curious and surprised."

"I knew Narcissa in her Hogwarts years, she was one of my favorite students even though she was in Slytherin," Minerva started, seemingly not having heard Ebony. "We used to have tea together in my chambers during her later years, talking about any and everything. It was during her Sixth year that she told me what her home life was like, and after that we grew closer. She stayed at Hogwarts for Christmas that year and we spent most of our time together in my chambers. The Dark Lord had started recruiting within the school and Cissa was scared because she knew her family and Lucius would force her to take the Dark Mark. I had known since the last year that we had a bond, a soul bond. We were sitting in my quarters together on the couch, watching it snow as it passed the window when it changed between us." Minerva paused, staring out of the window as memories washed over her. "Because I am a cat Animagus, my need to find and claim my mate is more primal than a normal persons. And since I already knew who my mate was, my primal side rose up that night. I just turned my head and kissed her. She was surprised at first but kissed me back, confirming that she knew of our soul bond. I claimed her that night and we were together until she left Hogwarts. She wanted to stay with me and not marry Lucius but since the contract was magical binding, I knew that if she didn't she would lose her magic. I didn't want that to happen to her since I know she cherishes her magic, so I told her that she had to, that she would learn to love Lucius. She knew what I was doing and even though she didn't agree, she did it for me. To this day, not a day goes by that I don't regret what I said to her. Being with her was my best decision and letting her go was my biggest mistake."

Ebony and Pansy watched as tears streamed down Minerva's face before looking down respectfully as the proud Gryffindor wiped her eyes. They were both sad that their professor had to give up her love but also couldn't help the hope they felt that maybe they could get the two women back together again. Looking up when Minerva cleared her throat subtly, Ebony and Pansy gave half-smiles at Minerva's thankful look. Ebony tilted her head to the side as she asked seriously, "Is that why you're so strict? Being away from your soul bond?"

Minerva stared at Ebony silence for a moment before laughter bubbled out of her. Deep, genuine laughs spilled out of the Transfiguration professor's mouth as the two Slytherin girls looked on in amusement. When Minerva could speak properly she said, "Oh Merlin, I needed that. Thank you Ebony."

"No problem, Professor, I'm glad I could be a form of entertainment for you," Ebony said dryly, making Minerva chuckle again.

Smiling, Minerva said, "I'm sure you are. And, please, call me Minerva. I'm pretty sure with the work we'll be doing together, formalities will not be needed."

Nodding in appreciation, Ebony said, "Alright, Minerva. But I was sort of serious about the question. I've read about soul bonds and it said that if the two love each other and unwillingly separated, it affects their emotions. In this case, it made Cissa cool and distant and you cool and stricter."