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Chapter 57:

Conflicting Feelings and Orders

Over the next few weeks, things appeared to be moving along in a fairly normal manner. However, if one were to observe close enough, that person would notice the subtle changes that had taken place in the teenage girl. She was growing more tired on certain weekdays, though there was no pattern to her tiredness. She appeared weaker all of the sudden, as if she were holding a heavy weight upon her shoulders. She was quieter, more reserved. Draco Malfoy of all people, had noticed this about his servant. But the one thing he worried about the most was her submissiveness. Ever since she had returned, battered and torn, from the latest meeting with his father, she hadn't questioned him as much, but it wasn't trust - it was subservience. She always walked a few steps behind him, her head bowed when it could be; she was quiet now, her eyes were just a bit duller then they usually were. Draco had no idea what his father could have possibly done to make her this meek, even though he had specifically told her that she didn't have to be around him unless in the presence of Lucius. In fact, if he were being completely honest, he liked it when she spoke back to him – it proved that even after all these years, Lucius still hadn't completely broken her.

Speaking of Lucius, Draco had yet to have the meeting with his father that Ariella had warned him about. And to be perfectly honest, he was anxious about the meeting. If his father was even the slightest bit suspicious of his "weak" treatment of their servant...well, as had been proven numerous times in the past, it would certainly not end well.

Almost as if his thoughts had provoked it, an eagle owl landed in front of him, carrying a letter from his father requesting an audience with him tomorrow evening. Sighing, he quickly replied yes, before writing another, separate letter to inform Professor Snape of the meeting – that way, he would be covered. However, as he re-read the letter, he was startled to see that he was to bring Ariella as well.

Gulping, he carefully kept his face composed as he left the Great Hall, before finding an empty hallway and summoning her, grimacing as he did so. Recently, he had come to despise this way of "communication" between master and servant. From what he could tell, it hurt her and was meant to show obedience, not to mention it invaded her privacy by forcing her to come no matter what.

As she landed at Draco's feet, Ariella gasped for breath, before sitting back on her heels, head inclined respectfully. Draco sighed before leaning down to be at eye level with her.

"You don't need to do this Ariella. I don't require it of you, no matter what my father's wishes are" he told her, trying to keep the slight annoyance he felt out of his voice. Ariella looked up, their eyes meeting, and, seeing he was being sincere, stood up to face him.

"Now – my father's sent me a letter about the meeting you told me about…and he wants you to come as well," Draco explained, and the girl's eyes widened.

"What – what does he want me there for?" she asked, suddenly scared, though she tried not to show it.

"I don't know, but listen; you'd best be on 'servant mode' so to speak. Just like you knelt now, do that when in front of my father. Don't speak until spoken to, and don't say anything that could get you in trouble. Just, I don't know, try to be respectful and act the way my father thinks you should, and we'll be all right, okay?"

Ariella nodded as she felt the magic run through her veins, securing his orders into her movements.

"Ariella?" he then asked when she didn't answer.

"Yes, sir," she replied, head bowed. At once, Draco realized his mistake.

"Only when in front of my father or – or Death Eaters do you have to follow those orders," he directed, amending his previous demands. Ariella's shoulders slumped, and she looked back up at him.

"Thank you," she whispered, grateful that she wouldn't have to act like that to him, especially in school.

"When are we meeting with your father?" she asked.

"Tomorrow evening," he replied, looking over her head, but not really seeing.

And so, the following evening, the two teens arrived at Malfoy Manor at exactly eight o'clock. Immediately, Ariella knelt like she had done the previous day, and waited with dread for Lucius to arrive. Draco, meanwhile, took a seat in the chair next to her, staring down at his servant. He couldn't help but think about how unfair this all was. And he once again found himself wondering how she had survived all these years.

Hearing footsteps, he looked up, carefully composing his expression to show nothing, something his father had taught him well.

"Ah, Draco, good, you've come. And I see you've brought our…pet with you, too. Have you finally gotten her trained then?" Lucius asked, smirking and staring at her condescendingly. But, as Draco had ordered, Ariella stayed silent. In fact, the only indication at all that she had heard the head master was the stiffening of her posture and the lowering of her head even more. Lucius' smirk widened, but he said nothing as he took a seat opposite his son.

"Now, Dolores has told me that she gave our pet's wand to you. Do you still have it?" he asked.

"Yes, Father. It's locked up tightly in my truck, so that she can't access it," Draco replied, his drawling voice coming off just like his father's.

"Very good, Draco. It seems that you are learning as well," Lucius said, before his smirk broadened as he continued to speak. "And, may I ask, how long did it take you to finally train this disobedient thing?" he inquired, gesturing to Ariella.

"Not long at all, Father. It would seem that she simply needed the right….motivation. Isn't that right, Ariella?" he asked, smirking at the still-kneeling girl, while all the while, feeling sick inside.

"Ye – yes, sir," she replied simply. And, if she were being perfectly honest, Draco's response was scaring her – the way he was acting, even if it was just that, was frightening. A small shudder ran through her body. Lucius noticed, but luckily, it only helped to add to the façade.

"Ah, so you know have her scared of punishment and of yourself. Good Draco, very good," Lucius said arrogantly. And Draco couldn't help it – his father was actually praising him, even if it was for something he hadn't actually done.

"Very well, if you have everything under control, then you may return. Draco, I expect full reports bi-monthly. And you," he said then, turning on the girl, "I expect this to continue, am I clear?" he questioned harshly.

"Yes sir. Of – of course," she replied, her voice shaking. Lucius sneered at her, before striding arrogantly from the room.

After waiting a few moments to make sure he wasn't coming back, Draco relaxed, and beckoned to his servant.

"C'mon, let's go back to Hogwarts," he said, heading for the fireplace. Slowly, she got up and followed him.

When they reached the common room, Draco collapsed into a chair, but, much to his surprise, Ariella knelt beside his chair, just like she had done at the Manor. Leaning forward, he whispered into her ear.

"You know I don't expect this from you. So would you like to explain to me why you're down there?" he asked, now getting annoyed.

"Don't you remember what your father said? He expected this – meaning my manner and obedience – to continue. So I – so I have to, Dra – sir." She explained, and Draco paled. He hadn't thought to account for the words his father had just said.

"I – I'm sorry," he whispered, and she tried to look up to meet his eye – only to find that the spell wouldn't' allow it.

"It – it's fine, sir," she said, just as quietly. After a moment of silence, Draco spoke again.

"Why don't you just go to bed; that way you don't have to kneel anymore, at least for tonight. And I'll try to see what I can do about lifting the restrictions," he suggested.

"Thank you, sir," she said, grateful to him, before inclining her head and leaving for the girls' dormitory.

Draco sighed, leaning back in his seat – this was not the way things were supposed to be going. But, he thought, at least Father no longer suspects my lenience of her…or her of "disobedience". And she had avoided the punishment. Which, as far as Draco could tell, was a very good thing.

In honor of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part II!

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