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Chapter 58:

Complications Never Cease

The following morning, Ariella awoke early. Rubbing sleep out of her eyes, she quickly dressed and made her way up to the common room. She was desperately hoping that the previous evening had been simply a nightmare, instead of her hellish reality. Sighing, she dropped into a chair, still exhausted, but knowing she would be unable to sleep anytime soon.

Almost as if he sensed her need to not be discovered for what she really was, Draco entered the room at that moment. When he saw his servant, he started towards her, an odd look upon his face. Ariella attempted not to notice him, attempted to fight what she knew would happen, but it was no use. The curse sensed her master entering and nearing her. Within a moment, she was on the floor, head bowed, body hunched over, just as his feet came into view.

"Sir," she said before she could stop herself. Ariella heard him sigh, as he took a seat in the recently vacated chair.

"I – I'm sorry, but I haven't figured out way to help you yet," he said, his voice soft.

"It – it's fine, sir. I – I didn't expect you to so soon," she whispered, wincing as the curse took effect – she wasn't supposed to talk unless spoken to, and apparently, it meant only when an answer was required. Draco frowned in confusion as she bent over even more.

"Ariella, what's wrong?" he asked, the words feeling strange upon his lips.

"It would seem as though I'm only to talk when an answer is wanted," she replied. At once, Draco leaned over and, opening the slit in the robes, placed his hand on her mark.

"You are forgiven," he spat out, but he was not angry with her. She nodded gratefully as he removed his hand, leaning back in his seat.

"I'd better get to class. I'll see you later," he muttered, and she inclined her head, showing him far more respect then he deserved…or wanted for that matter.

That afternoon, she finally decided to go down to the Great Hall, hoping desperately that no one else was there. Unfortunately, this wish did not uphold. The girl almost turned back, but once again, the magic running through her veins sensed Draco nearby, and forced her towards him, once again forcing the girl to her knees behind him. Sitting across from Draco was Pansy Parkinson, who sniggered and smirked as she noticed what her roommate had done.

"What is it now, Pansy?" Draco asked, suddenly annoyed.

"Look behind you," she said, laughing. As if suddenly knowing what he would find, he turned, his head looking down.

"Why are you here?" he whispered.

"The – the spell sensed you and wouldn't let me turn back around sir," she replied, her voice just as quiet, if not more so.

"You can go. I'll bring you something to eat later," he directed, before turning back to his girlfriend, surprising her with a glare. What neither inhabitant of Malfoy Manor noticed was that there were more then a few people who had taken notice the exchange.

"Malfoy!" a voice called out, and the blonde whipped around to come face to face with Theodore Nott.

"What the hell was that all about?" he spat out.

"Nott, what are you talking about?" the blonde asked in response, trying to balance the small tray off food he had taken from the Great Hall only moments before.

"Just now, in the Great Hall. Why in Merlin's name was she kneeling behind you?"

At once, Draco's expression cleared, and he sighed.

"We went to see my father last night. She acted how he thought she should be – extremely subservient, that is. My father pointedly told her at the very end, right before we left, to make sure she continued this behavior. When we got back, I realized that it was meant towards me as well. I haven't yet figured out how to lift some of the restrictions," Draco explained.

"So this isn't your doing then?" Nott asked, still suspicious, but much less angry with his classmate. Draco shook his head, and turned to leave, but, on a sudden whim, stopped and turned suddenly.

"Nott!" he called out, turning back to face the other boy.

"How much does she really detest this all?" Theo looked surprised, but answered all the same.

"I suppose what she really detests, as you put it, is what she's being forced to do right now – being so…obedient, especially to you. Malfoy, another thing – she's being punished harshly, even you've had to realize that by now. Try and find out what it is," he advised. Draco nodded once, and began his way back to the common room.

However, instead of heading back to the common room, Draco turned down a side hallway that lead to a small, shadowed enclave. Taking a deep breath, he summoned her…the boy figured that the pain she would feel because of the summons would be better to deal with then the humiliation of showing her subservience in front of everyone else in the common room.

She appeared suddenly at his feet, gasping for breath, before leaning back on her heals, head bowed, as the curse demanded. Draco bent down, laying the plate of food in front of her.

"I've brought you something small to eat. And you can eat it now," he said to her, unsure if the spell would have let her eat in front of him otherwise. Leaning back against the wall, he saw the small, grateful nod she gave to him, before beginning to pick at the food.

Draco sighed as he watched his servant. Though he knew it was against everything he had been taught growing up, the blonde found himself pitying her. He realized now, more then ever, that this wasn't normal – from what Nott had told him, the law had died out a century or so ago. But his father had brought it back…and now Ariella was paying the price.

Shaking his head to clear it from these thoughts, he straightened before speaking.

"I'm going leave now. But do us both a favor and try not to return to the common room until curfew," he suggested, knowing most kids would not be in the common room at that hour. "And I want to know that you understand," he said suddenly as an afterthought.

"Yes, sir, I understand," she whispered, inclining her head even more as he left. Once he was out of sight, she sighed, relaxing. While she was grateful for the food he had brought her…and out here, away from everyone else no less…she still couldn't stand how she had to treat him. It just wasn't fair!

Draco was already seated when Ariella entered the room later that night, just as the bell stuck nine, signaling that all students should now be in their respective common rooms or dormitories.

Unfortunately, there where a few more people then he had anticipated still left. Theodore Nott for one, but it was the other inhabitants…Pansy Parkinson, Blaise Zabini, to name a few, that he was more worried about. The dark haired girl smirked and giggled, gossiping to her friends as she saw Ariella kneel in front of the blonde, while Nott watched, eyes narrowed murderously, as the act of subservience occurred.

"If only I hadn't told you how to act towards my father, then we wouldn't be in this mess," he muttered, leaning back in the chair. Ariella's head suddenly shot up, but she wasn't willing to risk speaking again, not after what had happened earlier, so she just stared at him…or tried to anyway – the curse wouldn't allow her to meet her master's eye.

Slowly, Draco raised his head.

"That's it! If it's my orders that my father told you to obey, then I should be able to change them without a problem. Ariella, I no longer want you kneeling when in front of me. You may meet my eye and speak whenever you wish, when appropriate of course. And most of all, you should not address me as "sir", especially while in we're still school. All of this, of course, will not apply when at home or in the presence of my father," he directed, pausing when he was done to let his demands set in.

Almost instantly, as the magic raced through her veins, Ariella felt lighter, as if she knew already that they had worked.

"How do you feel?" Draco asked her, leaning forward. Looking up, the girl found she was able to meet her master's gaze, and she nodded, a small, excited smile crossing her face.

"Better, si – Draco," she answered, before her voice quieted. "Thank you," she said genuinely, red staining her cheeks.

"Yo – you're welcome," Draco stuttered, taken aback. Taking a deep breath to compose himself, he gestured to the seat beside him and she gratefully rose to her feet, glad to no longer be kneeling.

"Actually, Draco, if you don't mind, I – well, I was going to head up to the girls' dormitory," she said, suddenly nervous. But the boy in front of her just nodded once in understanding.

"Very well. In that case, I'll see you in the morning," he replied. Giving him a small smile, she turned and headed away, not knowing what lay in store for her.

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