I unfortunately do not own the world of Harry Potter. That honor belongs to J. K. Rowling.

I would just like to say a quick thanks to Loonynamelass, Princess-Lazy-Chan, AnonymousMSQ, Allen Pitt, Spontaneous. Combustion99,Sam-EvansBlue, Whispering-Lestrange, meandthedoctor, Gotacold, Forest Grrl, narniagirl19, Maejirase, darkcrystal97, anymousse rox, TripleEclipse StormSaviour, FlyingNargles, and ImaBiteChu.

This is my first fan-fic. Hope you like it! (And if you haven't guessed by now, reviews are greatly appreciated!)

I am writing 5 other fan-fics at this time as well. If you could please check out my profile and check them out, I would greatly appreciate that. Thanks! :)

Chapter 39:

Draco's Judgment Backfires

Whatwas she thinking? Up until tonight, she had had no friends, and very limited contact with any other student. But now, out of the blue, she had started talking to others. And a pureblood Slytherin at that. Whatwas she thinking? Talking to Nott? Or perhaps, the real question was: what was Nott doing talking to her? He would have to talk to both of them, and find out what was going on. And then put a stop to it.

At that moment the door to the dormitory opened, and in walked none other than Theodore Nott. Perfect. Draco thought with a smirk.

"Nott!" he called out arrogantly. The dark-haired Slytherin turned, and his expression hardened upon seeing who had called out.

"What do you want, Malfoy?" he asked coldly.

"Why were you talking to Ariella?"

Nott's eyes narrowed.

"I don't see how it's any of your business," he replied coldly. Draco smirked.

"Ah, but that's where your wrong. You see, Nott, she belongs to me, and so therefore all her actions are my business."

"What are you talking about Malfoy?" the other boy asked, suspiciously.

"What, you don't' know?" Malfoy said in mock surprise.

"Know what?"

"Why don't you ask her? Maybe it'll clear some things up for you. And make you see whyno one wants to be her friend." Draco replied. And to Nott, it seemed as if he was the only person who wasn't in on this secret, when in all reality, no other student knew the truth.

"Maybe then you'll see the truth and join with me. Because after all, no one wants to be friends with a servant." Malfoy said, hinting at the truth, but not really telling him anything.

Nott's eyes were now slits as Draco swept past him, smirking, knowing he had won Nott over. Because he knew that the other Slytherin boy had been raised in much the same manner as he had. And there was no way that his father would allow him to be friends with a marked servant. That much he was confident of. Now the next question was: where was Ariella? Ah, no matter, I'll just summon her instead, he thought as he reached the common room. And, finding it completely deserted, he summoned the young girl. A minute later, she appeared on the floor in front of him, gasping for breath, her face drawn, the mark's burn fading the longer she stayed there.

"Yes?" she asked.

"What were you doing talking to Nott?" Malfoy asked her coldly, getting straight to the point.

"What does it matter to you?" she replied, getting to her feat.

"Because you should not be talking to someone of a higher rank."

"Then why am I permitted to talk to you?" Ariella retorted, turning to face him.

"Because as you are my servant, it is a different case. However, to Theodore Nott you have no ties, and so therefore should not be talking to him."

"For your information, he came over to talk to me. And I wasn't about to turn away someone who was actually willing to do so. For reasons other than to issue orders."

"All the same, it is indecent for you to be talking to someone of such high status. I –"

"I don't care!" Ariella shouted, interrupting him.

"I don't care anymore. Do what you like, I –I'm not scared of you! You seem to have forgotten, but I'm a human too. I have feelings. And I want to live my life the way I want to. So I'll talk to whomever I like. With or without your permission."

She finished ranting to the stunned Malfoy boy, and crossed her arms before turning on her heal and starting up the staircase to the dormitory…only to crash right into someone…the same someone to whom she had talked to earlier. She blushed.

"I'm sorry! I – I didn't see you there. Hey, are you okay?" she asked, noticing his expression.

"Can I talk to you?"

"Of course." She replied, surprised.

"Alone?" he asked coldly, glaring at Malfoy over her shoulder. Draco's eyes narrowed, but he said nothing as he once more swept past his fellow Slytherin.

"What did you want to talk about?" Ariella asked once he was out of sight.

"Why you're so obedient to him." he replied.

"Oh," she said looking down. He then led her to the couch where both sat down.

"When I went up to the dormitory earlier tonight, he said a few things. Including that you belong to him. And that no one wants to be friends with a servant. What was he talking about?"

"I guess I can't really keep the truth from you now that he's said all that. Just – just please don't judge me when this is all said and done with. Though I'll understand if you no longer want to talk to me afterwards." She said quietly, ashamed at what she was going to admit, and saddened at the prospect that just when she finally had a chance at having a friend, it was being taken away from her.

"And why would I do that?"

"You'll see. So, how much do you know of the ancient pure-blood laws?"She asked.

"I know some. It depends on the one you're referring to." He replied thoughtfully.

"Have you ever heard of the one about households allowing human servants?"

Nott was silent for moment thinking, before responding.

"Yes, there was one…the person was taken at a young age and marked. The logistics behind it are very complicated. I don't really know anything else about it. But I do know that it's fallen out of style, though. The records say that this law hasn't been in effect for over a century or so." He replied.

"What if I told you that the records were faulty?" she responded quietly, not meeting his gaze.

"But, then…" Nott's eyes widened as he made the connection.

"You're a servant to the Malfoys." He said hoarsely, just barely managing not to choke on the words.

"Yes." She replied miserably, before getting to her feet.

"I'll – er, I'll leave you alone now." She said, starting to walk away. The one person she'd had a chance at befriending – the one person who'd been willing to talk to her, and she'd blew it. or rather, Draco had ruined it for her. Typical. She felt tears welling up in her eyes, but she forced them down. But just as she took another step, Nott grabbed her wrist. On impulse, she turned, but still refused to look up. He let go as she faced him.

"Ariella…I – I'm sorry." He said, his voice remorseful, much to her shock. Her head shot up, and she saw him looking sympathetically at her.

"What?" she asked in disbelief. Could he really still want to talk to me?

"It all makes sense now. The obedience, the quietness, andthe fact that you don't seem to like Slytherin very much." Ariella chuckled, her voice wavering, as the tears still threatened to spill.

"Then why aren't you running away? After all, no one wants to be friends with a servant." She said quietly, spitting the last word out in disgust.

"Well that's where you're wrong. Because I want to be your friend, if you'll have me that is." He replied.

"Really? Are – are you sure? Draco won't like it at all."

"Yes. And I'm fairly certain that I'm more than a match for him."

"Thank you Nott…"

"It's Theodore. Or Theo if you prefer." He said, interrupting her calmly. She nodded. He took her wrist again and pulled her forward, wrapping his thin arms around her. Startled, it took her a moment before she reacted. Feeling awkward, she followed suit, and rested her head against his chest, finally allowing the tears to slide silently down her cheeks. Suddenly, she felt him stiffen.

"So, Nott. Decided to let her down gently, then?" a voice drawled from behind her. She too stiffened at the sound of Draco's voice.

"No, actually. I've decided that I don't care if she's your servant. She's still my friend. And if you have a problem with that Malfoy, then you can take it up with me personally." He said, and as he was speaking, he had released her, but stepped in front of her at the same time. Malfoy's eyes narrowed.

"We'll see," he replied. He then turned his gaze on Ariella, who stared him straight back in the eye for a moment, before once more looking down. He smirked.

"Like I said, we'll see how long this so called "friendship" lasts" he sneered, before turning and stalking back up to his dormitory. When they realized that he wasn't coming back, both relaxed.

"Thank you again." She said quietly, as he turned to face her.

"Don't worry about it. Now I suggest we both go to sleep. It's been a rather eventful evening, wouldn't you agree?"

"Quite," she replied, laughing slightly, before her expression turned to a more serious gaze.

"Will you be alright? He's most likely waiting to ambush you or something."

"Don't worry about me." A moment of silence passed as the two looked at each other. And once again, Ariella was grateful for the lack of light in the dungeons, for she was sure that her cheeks were bright red.

"Goodnight, Ariella." He finally said, breaking the silence. She smiled softly.

"Goodnight, Theo. And good luck." He nodded once, before turning and disappearing. She then went to her own dormitory for the night.

As she plopped down, she realized that maybe it wasn't such a bad thing that Nott knew after all. But one thing was certain: she had finally made a friend. That night, she fell asleep with a smile on her face – the first in a long time.

Anything you recognize is from Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.

Thanks to all who are reading, and liking it. If you have any suggestions, questions, or comments, please feel free to review/private message me. Also, if you have any ideas at all, or would like to see something happen, let me know, and I'll consider putting them into a chapter. Thanks! ~ Leanora