I unfortunately don't own the world of Harry Potter. J. K. Rowling does.
Just a quick thanks to twilightaddict98, Loonynamelass, AnonymousMSQ, Allen Pitt, meandthedoctor, misaria, BadassAlec, MochaLuLu, A. ELK, soccergurl31294, XxMiSs. IdPeNdEnTxX, blueberrybird28, rose1589, xXMizz Alec VolturiXx, The Emerald Doe, Fizzybru, twilightjen, Riszech, trini bear, Slytherin96, MsCorvetteLuver, Ivy-Wayne-Hood, Lethia4267, Luxord's Xigbar, and Alex274.
Just so you know, I'm writing 6 other stories as well. Thanks! :)
Chapter 52:
What's Going to Happen to Me Now?
Ariella sighed, settling into a compartment on the Hogwarts Express, glad to be going back – or rather, glad to be finally getting away from Lucius Malfoy. Draco had been under suspicion from his father since "the garden incident" as she was calling it. Because of this suspicion, he had become colder to her over the past week, though personally, Ariella was hoping that once they arrived at Hogwarts, this would change – that he would at least be civil to her again.
A knock on her compartment door startled her from her thoughts.
"Hey, can I come in?"
She nodded, allowing Theodore Nott entrance.
"How was it this summer?"
"Alright I guess," she said, shrugging as she brushed a strand of hair behind her ear absentmindedly, revealing the three scars upon her cheek.
"Ariella, what exactly happened to your cheek?" he asked, leaning forward to get a better view.
"Nothing," she said, her response far too quick for his liking.
"Really?" he questioned.
"I – I don't want to – "
"My father slapped her a week ago, to answer your question Nott," a drawling voice said, coming from the hallway. Both looked up to see Draco standing there, his features unreadable.
"She had spoken back to him, disrespected him, so he slapped her. I don't know what else he did when she went to meet him afterward, though," he explained, his voice cold, but giving away nothing.
She winced at the reminder of what had occurred afterward. Draco caught this slight motion, and once again wondered what his father could have possibly done to make her hate him so much. (Though, if the other day was any indication, it seemed as if, to him, she really was just a servant. That she was privileged to have had the things she did. But – reflecting, both on the past and present – she didn't have all that much at all. This just served to further confuse him.)
Meanwhile, Nott just looked between Draco and Ariella, curious. Had their relationship improved at all? Was his classmate at least being civil to his friend now?
"Why didn't you heal her?"
"I – "
"It's just three scratches, Theo. Its fine," she said, interrupting Malfoy, causing both boys to look at her. She never ceased to amaze either of them. After a moment, Draco gave a curt nod and left.
"So, how was your summer?" Ariella asked, eager to be off the topic of her summer and scars. Luckily, Nott took the hint and told her what he did.
Once they arrived at school, the normal, welcome back feast started. She sighed she took her place at the Slytherin table, choosing to sit in-between Theo and Draco. Four dreadful years down, three more to go, she thought. She was sick and tired already of all the disdainful and mistrusting looks she constantly received by members of all houses. She would rather be ignored, be the girl in the shadows, than the girl they all stared at; the girl who belonged nowhere.
As she began putting bits of food upon her plate, Draco turned to her, whispering a message in her ear.
"Eat what you want tonight," he said. She looked at him, surprised and confused.
"What do you mean?"
"You think I haven't noticed how thin you are? I know just enough about my father's reign over you to know that you're not eating right – at home or here," he explained.
"I – I didn't realize that you noticed," she replied, her cheeks reddening as she looked away.
"Haven't you learned by now? I notice a lot more you think," he responded, starting to get annoyed.
She chuckled in response.
"I – I suppose you're right," she said and, if she wasn't mistaken, Draco sat up a bit straighter at this.
"Ariella, at least for tonight, forget my father and have your share," he persisted, his voice low but firm. She just stared at him, before nodding once.
"Thank you," she whispered, adding a bit more to her plate, glad for once not to feel a spell working against her.
He just nodded once again, before turning to a very displeased Pansy Parkinson, who sat to Draco's right. If she was correct, Pansy was probably jealous of the minute's worth of attention that Draco had shown to his servant.
Soon the meal came to a close and Dumbledore stood up to begin his speech.
"Well, now that we are all digesting another magnificent feast, I beg a few moments of your attention for the usual start-of-term notices," said Dumbledore. "First-years ought to know that the Forest in the grounds is out-of-bounds to students - and a few of our older students ought to know by now, too."
"So you would think, right? But no." she heard Theodore mutter to her. She put a hand over her mouth to conceal her laugh.
"Mr. Filch, the caretaker, has asked me, for what he tells me is the four-hundred-and-sixty second time, to remind you all that magic is not permitted in corridors between classes, nor are a number of other things, all of which can be checked on the extensive list now fastened to Mr. Filch's office door." Dumbledore said, continuing, causing her to share an eye-roll with her friend.
"Again, this only provokes students to use those items more. It's not like they care about breaking the rules, particularly certain, Gryffindor students," he said, and Ariella would have to be deaf not to hear the slightly bitter, slightly amused note in his voice.
"We have had two changes in staffing this year. We are very pleased to welcome back Professor Grubbly-Plank, who will be taking Care of Magical Creatures lessons; we are also delighted to introduce Professor Umbridge, our new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher."
"Why isn't Hagrid here?" she asked.
"Who knows and who cares?" Draco said, causing her to look indignantly at him for a moment, before turning her attention back to the headmaster.
Dumbledore continued, "Tryouts for the house Quidditch teams will take place on the -"
He broke off, looking enquiringly at Professor Umbridge. As she was not much taller standing than sitting, there was a moment when nobody understood why Dumbledore had stopped talking, but then Professor Umbridge cleared her throat, "Hem, hem," and it became clear that she had got to her feet and was intending to make a speech.
"Did she – did she just interrupt Professor Dumbledore?" Ariella asked, shocked. And it would seem as if she wasn't the only one with this reaction. All around the room, both students and staff were murmuring and exchanging glances amongst themselves.
"Thank you, Headmaster," Professor Umbridge simpered, "for those kind words of welcome."
Her voice was high-pitched, breathy and little-girlish; for some reason, Ariella was suddenly given the impression that they were all five-year-olds again.
"Well, it is lovely to be back at Hogwarts, I must say!" She smiled, revealing very pointed teeth. "And to see such happy little faces looking up at me!"
"Um, how old does she think we are?" Theo asked.
"Five? I dunno," she responded, even though he had been asking rhetorically.
"I am very much looking forward to getting to know you all and I'm sure we'll be very good friends!"
"The Ministry of Magic has always considered the education of young witches and wizards to be of vital importance. The rare gifts with which you were born may come to nothing if not nurtured and honed by careful instruction. The ancient skills unique to the wizarding community must be passed down the generations lest we lose them for ever. The treasure trove of magical knowledge amassed by our ancestors must be guarded, replenished and polished by those who have been called to the noble profession of teaching."
And suddenly, Ariella paled; no amount of the Cruciatus Curse could match the fear she felt at that moment. This woman was from the Ministry of Magic and planned to make changes to the curriculum.
Umbridge wouldn't do anything to the Malfoys, but to her…that was another story. As her teacher, Umbridge would soon be informed of Ariella's situation. The girl gulped. She was not at all looking forward to meeting this woman, or having classes with her, let alone seeing what she planned for the school.
The minute she was allowed to leave, she did. What she didn't realize, although she really should have guessed, was that two boys, one with dark brown hair, one with light blonde, had seen her rapid disappearance through the crowd and were waiting to corner her.
They finally did so, when she turned one particular corner, they broke free of their classmates. Having nowhere to run, she confronted them.
"Why'd you run like that?" Theo demanded.
"She's from the Ministry. She's going to make changes around here," she said, not meeting their eye.
"Yeah, so?" Draco asked, not seeing where she was going with this.
"Don't you get it?" she exclaimed, her eyes blazing with fear. "She's from the Ministry. And, according to him," she continued, pointing at Nott, "the records say that the last time a human was used as a servant was centuries ago. Now, you won't get in trouble, but me? I – I just don't know," she finished, defeated, looking slightly ashamed.
"You're afraid of that little pink puffball?" Theo asked after a moment, causing his classmates to laugh a bit.
"What is she going to mean for my future? For my present? Draco, she can do anything with the Ministry backing her up. She's into the whole blood purity and class distinction thing, I can tell. Draco, now that she's here, what's going to happen to me?"
And for once, Draco Malfoy had no response.
Anything you recognize is from Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.
Thanks to all who are reading and enjoying this story. If you have any suggestions, (i.e. would like to see something happen, etc.) questions, or comments, please feel free to private message me. Thanks! ~ Leanora