I unfortunately don't own the world of Harry Potter. J. K. Rowling does.

Thank you to my new absolutely amazing beta, clovetf!

Just a quick thanks to xXMizz Alec VolturiXx, mangoz4u, MissLorraineScarlet, madeyemarauder, translucent steeds, Loonynamelass, Allen Pitt, Sherlein, paiza, Danny Sparks, Cereah, skysurfgirl, aliviaolive11, D3athrav3n92, PigwidgeonHedwig7, Admiral Clearwater, Rose Marley, Annabeth Luxa Potter, dashnod, and ShawdowOfMyLight.

Just so you know, I'm writing 6 other stories as well. Thanks! :)

Chapter 59:

An Idea

As she walked through he halls over the next few days, Ariella could feel the piercing eyes of the student body upon her.

"Don't worry about it," Draco muttered as they entered the Great Hall for lunch.

"Easy for you to say, you're not the one they're all staring at," she retorted.

"I – I'm just going to head back," she said suddenly as they reached the table, but Draco pulled her to sit down.

"You've barely been eating. Unless this is because of orders that I don't know about, you've got to eat more," he told her and his servant's eyes widened in surprise at his apparent concern, before she lowered her head just enough so he could recognize the gesture…the submissive gesture.

"I'm sorry," she whispered, causing Draco to raise an eyebrow, but he said nothing as she began compiled a small plate for herself.

Draco sighed to himself…what was he going to do with her?

As she had predicted, when Ariella walked into the next D.A. meeting, everyone stopped and stared at her, much like her first meeting. Keeping her eyes downcast, she hurried by them the best she could and dropped her books.

Clearing his throat loudly, Harry ordered everyone to pair up. As people passed her, they sneered, Ron even going as far as to ask,

"Did you enjoy acting as Malfoy's slave?"

Ariella sighed as she turned, unable to believe him of being so mean. "I wasn't acting," she muttered under her breath. Luckily, the only person who heard her was Harry, who was coming up behind her.

"I'll tell you later," she said, answering the question in his eyes. He nodded once, his expression unreadable as he moved around the "classroom," not bothering to pair her up since he didn't want to cause more trouble.

As she looked around the room, trying not to meet the eyes of her peers, Ariella found herself wishing she could do more; both to participate and to get them to trust her. And then her eyes landed on Neville Longbottom, and suddenly she knew how she could solve both problems in one fell swoop.

After class ended, Harry came up to her, gesturing for everyone else to go ahead.

"Mr. Malfoy summoned both Draco and me for a meeting to make sure I was acting the way I should be. Draco gave me some directions on how to behave while in the presence of his father. Right before he left, Mr. Malfoy ordered me to make sure I continued my behavior. It took a few days before we finally realized that since it was Draco's orders in the first place, he could modify them without alerting his father. But now the whole school's seen part of what I have to do so they're all suspicious.

"Are you okay though?" he asked, searching her face for clues.

"Yeah, I'm fine. Embarrassed and ashamed, but fine," she admitted, her voice kind of distant, and her friend's gaze softened.

"Don't be; this isn't your fault," he reminded her.

"I know," she said, but it didn't radiate the confidence it should have.

"Now, I have a proposition for you. Do you remember how you can fight off the affects of the Imperious?"

"Yeah, why? You're not suggesting I put it on everyone, are you?" Harry replied hesitantly, unsure of where she was going with this.

"No, of course not, that would be illegal. What I'm – "

"NO! Hell no!" Harry suddenly exclaimed, eyes wide.

"Harry, please. I – I can do this. I won't tell Draco about the D.A. We can ask the room to become like a one-way mirror. And it would be perfectly legal," she explained quickly. Harry just stared at her, before sighing, running a hand through his forever messy black hair.

"Fine. And you're sure you're alright with this?" he asked her.

"Positive," she answered firmly.

"However, convincing Draco might be another story," she murmured under her breath as she walked away. Harry shook his head. Some things were still a mystery to him…and girls were one of those things.

"No! I already promised you once that I wouldn't cast an Unforgivable upon you again! And – "

"Draco, please. I – I need to see for myself if I can do this. We can go to a corridor on the seventh floor, so we won't be interrupted. And if you give my wand and permission of using my magic back, we can't get into any trouble, legally or with your father. As soon as we're done, you can take my wand away from me again, I promise. Please, Draco. I – you're the only one I trust to do this," she admitted, shocking both herself and him at the same time.

Draco sighed, looking at her as he leaned against the wall.

"All right, fine. I'll let you do this," he conceded.

"But you have to mean it when you cast the curse. Otherwise it won't work," she reminded him.

"I know," Draco replied, his voice almost a whisper, not quite believing he was actually agreeing to this. "Are you going to tell me what you're going to do?" he questioned then as she turned to leave.

"Not unless you order me to. I – I don't want you to let me succeed. And if I do tell you, I won't have the element of surprise."

Draco gave her a long , calculating look, before a single curt nod, dismissing her.

Only after she left did he remember he had meant to inquire about other's reactions to her show in the Great Hall the other day.

Shaking himself from his thoughts, he "reapplied" his mask, ready for now to go face the people of Hogwarts for another three weeks.

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