A/N: Sorry it's taken me so long, I've had a lot on recently. I had to split this chapter in half because it was getting too long which does mean that hopefully the next update will be sooner. However, saying that, I am just about to start my AS levels, so I'm not going to get much time to write until about the 24th May :/
Anyway, I would just like to thank all those who favourited and followed and also to Moon Lantern and Gruffard for reviewing the last chapter! It's much appreciated :)

Draco Malfoy. She had been caught by none other than her sister's worst enemy; the most anti-Gryffindor student in the entire school.

Realising her predicament, panic reared up inside her and she twisted furiously in his grasp in an attempt to free herself. Malfoy merely tightened his grip, his hand coiling further round her arm.

"Scared, are we, muddy?" he sneered, before turning her round to face him, letting her see his face for the first time. His blue eyes glinted maliciously as he searched her expression for anything that he could gloat to her about.

Reigning in her terror, Ariella tried to make her face as blank as possible. "No, why would I be scared of you?" she retorted. "You're just a coward!"

Ariella immediately regretted what she said as a hand whipped out and struck her hard across the face, a sharp fingernail nicking the corner of her mouth in the process.

"How dare you, you filthy Mudblood!" he screamed, gripping her arm so hard that Ariella thought it might break as he pulled her towards him. "I am not a coward! I'm a pureblood and a member of the Inquisitorial Squad. If you dare speak to me in that manner again, I won't hesitate to hex you until you lie sobbing at my feet like the disgusting Mudblood you are!"

Nothing could have changed the look of pure fear gracing Ariella's features as Draco's furious eyes bored into her own.

"Do you understand me?" he demanded.

The young witch dragged in a shuddering breath as she fought to keep the tears away, internally cursing herself for being so weak. "Yes," she whispered.

"Good, we'll get going then," the boy smirked before turning and striding down the corridor, dragging Ariella along with him and only making the rope's around the girl's ankles melt away when she tripped up one too many times.

Draco paused outside Umbridge's room, where dozens of voices could be heard whispering amongst themselves. Presumably the lady herself was busy running after the few that had escaped. The thought of that toad waddling around as fast as she could, her small heels clicking with every step she took, made Ariella want to giggle, which she quickly tried to suppress, hoping that Draco hadn't heard her. He didn't seem to; instead, he was frowning at the door as though he was deep in thought.

Suddenly, he yanked her away from the door, his mind clearly set by the determined look on his face. Dread filled Ariella. Where were they going? Surely they weren't in trouble with Snape as well? The young witch shivered. That particular professor hated Gryffindors, especially her. However, she did have a feeling that it was something to do with the fact he also didn't like her sister.

"Where are you taking me?" she asked eventually, having taken several minutes to pluck up the courage that was supposed to come to Gryffindors naturally. "I thought you were supposed to round us all up in Umbridge's room."

"Yes, but I have another job for you," came Draco's reply.

Ariella said nothing more as the possibilities of what this could be raced through her brain. She cursed her stupidity; why hadn't she been more careful? If she'd hidden instead of standing in the middle of the corridor then she wouldn't have been caught! Now she was on her way to do goodness knows what!

When they finally stopped outside the one gargoyle that everyone in the school knew, butterflies started to fly in the young witch's stomach. What had the Headmaster got to do with any of this? She had never spoken to him, and had only seen him at the feasts. As far as she was concerned, she doubted he even knew her name!

"Fizzing wizzbees," Draco told the gargoyle and it sprung to the side, revealing the hidden staircase within.

As they climbed the stairs, Ariella suddenly became aware that there were voices coming from above and as she got closer, she could hear the docile tones of not only Umbridge, but that of Cornelius Fudge and one other that she recognised, but could not quite place. As they climbed, she suddenly became very scared. One, why had Umbridge brought this matter to Dumbledore? Two, what had the Minister of Magic got to do with this? And three, why was she involved?

However, she didn't have long to dwell on these thoughts before they reached the top of the stairs and Draco knocked on the door.

"Who's there?" Umbridge's squeaky voice asked.

"It's Draco, Professor. I found someone who may be able to give a little insight on the matter at hand."

There was a moment's silence before the Minister spoke. "Very well, bring them in, Draco," he said and Ariella was pushed inside.

She was met with the bewildered expressions of Harry, Dumbledore and Shacklebolt, the latter of whom she'd met when staying at Grimmauld Place.

"Ella? What happened to your…" Harry trailed off, indicating to the corner of his mouth.

"She tried to run," Draco replied for her. "And she tripped and fell in the process."

It was clear to the young girl that only Umbridge and Fudge in the room believed Draco's explanation with Harry giving her a suspicious glance before the Minister of Magic spoke.

"Well done for catching her, boy. Your father will definitely be hearing how well you've done," he congratulated the smug wizard before he turned to Ariella. "Now, Miss…?"

"Granger," Umbridge supplied. "Ariella Granger."

"Ah, a relative of Miss Hermione Granger, I presume? Well, Miss Granger, you're aware of this student organisation named the… DA?"

Ariella's gaze darted to Harry's face, not knowing what to say. He caught her stare before moving his eyes from left to right as a silent indication to lie.

The young witch creased her brow and looked towards Fudge. "No, I've never heard of this DA," she said.

Peeking out of the corner of her eye, she noticed that Draco had a murderous look in his eyes as he watched her. However, the Minister's voice asking her another question let her escape from his gaze.

"Are you quite sure, Miss Granger? We need you to be certain."

"I am very certain I have never heard of the DA, Minister," she said firmly.

"You little –!" Draco started, but Umbridge put a hand on his shoulder, stopping him. He turned to face her furiously. "She's lying! It's obvious, professor!"

"Oh, I know, Draco. After all, what else would she be doing wandering the corridors alone so late and then try to run? Luckily, I know all about this… group. Marietta Edgecombe told me of this meeting , but unfortunately, she has had to take a visit to the hospital wing. However, Harry was seen signing up a large group of students at the Hog's Head a while back."

"And what evidence have you of this exactly?" Professor McGonagall snapped.

"He was seen by none other than Willy Widdershins."

"Ah, that's why the scoundrel was never charged for those regurgitating toilets," the stout woman quipped. "What an interesting insight onto our legal system."

Ariella swallowed and shifted from foot to foot nervously, hating being caught up in the middle of this mess.

"It is quite clear to me that it was Potter's doing that persuaded all these students to break the–" Umbridge was interrupted by a quiet cough from Dumbledore.

"I think you'll find, Dolores, that the meeting you are talking about happened a long time before your rule came into place," he said calmly.

Umbridge huffed, frowning. "Yet we know there was a meeting tonight."

"That doesn't mean that it's been going on for the last six months."

The short woman turned to Ariella. "You can tell us that it's been going on for six months, can't you, Miss Granger? And I warn you to think carefully about your answer before you say anything."

"I still have no idea what you're talking about, professor," she replied nervously. "I am not a part of this DA."

At her words, Draco growled and stormed forward, grabbing the front of the witch's robe. However, before he could say anything, Professor McGongall spoke.

"Mr Malfoy, I suggest you take your hands of Miss Granger immediately before your father is informed that you have been manhandling fellow students," she admonished, and Draco stepped back, glowering at Ariella as though it was her fault he had just been scolded.

Ariella tried to calm her furiously beating heart by taking deep breaths before glancing up at Harry. He was glaring at his nemesis, his fists clenched tightly by his side as though he wanted nothing more than to let them fly into Draco's face.

"I suggest we all just calm down,"Umbridge continued in her ridiculously high voice. "I'm sure Draco acted purely because the girl is lying. You see, Miss Parkinson did manage to retrieve something from the room they were practising in that it is very helpful. A list of names." She smiled nastily at Ariella and produced the list from her pocket. "When I saw Potter's name, I knew it was something to be worried about, and Miss Granger, detention for lying. Your name is written down clearly as to being involved." She placed the paper down on the desk, smoothing it out for everyone to see.

"Now, now, Dolores, surely it is more obvious," Dumbledore put in quietly after a few moments of silence. "That it is not Harry's nor Ariella's doing, but mine? It is Dumbledore's Army, after all."