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

Thank you to my wonderful beta, clovetf!

Just a quick thanks to fco ala, translucent steeds, truthfulbadger, Sheryl-lau, KCRedPanda98, xXMizz Alec VolturiXx, Macbec3, artemis001, meandthedoctor, DungeonMasterOfChillness, americanidolwinner08, MAMfanfic, salllzy, translucent steeds, PatonxJulia, GREEN DAY FAN 4277, An aWesome Sea Maiden, The Dark side of the Mind, Allen Pitt, misssmartt, and dramaqueen1917.

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

Chapter 62:

Gleaning and Hiding Information

"Harry!" Ariella cried, trying to catch up with him in the hallway just two days before the holiday break. The black–haired boy turned, patiently waiting for her to catch up to where he stood.

"Can I talk to you? Now?" she requested, trying to regain her breath back.

"Er – sure. Is something wrong?" he asked, searching her face for an answer.

"Vol – Voldemort's asked me to get to know you and – and find out your secrets. I – I'm to report back to him over break. I – well, what should I tell him?" she admitted. Harry thought over this.

"You don't know occlumency, do you?"

"I – I don't think so, why?"

"Well, I was thinking that you could simply hide our friendship and say you only had a little bit of time. You could say that I haven't really told you anything yet.

"Well, I could always ask Draco to order me to block my mind," she surmised. Then, seeing Harry's puzzled expression, she continued. "If I'm ordered, whether or not I want it to, my body will obey," she explained. Harry looked disgusted and horrified at the thought...then he processed just what she had suggested, realizing that in this particular situation, it might actually work to their advantage.

"Does he know?"

"He knows that I have to befriend and obtain information from you for the Dark Lord. He doesn't know, however, that I'm a...a Death Eater," she answered, stumbling over the admittance. Her friend gave her a small, reassuring smile before sighing.

"That...that could work. And you wouldn't mind doing it?"

"If it saves them from knowing everything, absolutely. Now, what should I tell him, if anything?" she asked, and the boy grew closer, thinking, before he answered.

"What if you said you're still working on gaining my trust, that you didn't have enough time to find anything much out. Then give a few little details, like how Umbridge is against me, and who I hang out with. Would that work?" Thinking about it for a moment, she nodded.

"That'll do. Thank you."

"Anytime. Good luck," he replied, giving a little wave as they separated. Only after she had left, did he realize he meant to ask her about the previous D.A. meeting.

Unfortunately for her, for the day and all throughout the ride on the Hogwarts Express, Draco was occupied with his friends. So, Ariella resigned herself once again to a ride alone. She desperately hoped she would have a chance to talk with him before she faced Voldemort.

However, her retreat did not last forever, for a rap on the compartment door startled her back into reality. She looked up to see members of the D.A.; Neville, Ernie, the Weasley Twins, Hannah Abbot, Colin Creevey, Susan Bones, Michael Corner and Ginny Weasley. Surprised and suspicious, she waved them in.

Though uncomfortable, they came in, looking nervously at one another, before Ernie blurted out,

"How in Merlin's name did you do that?"

"Er - , sorry, how did I what?"

"Fend off the Cruciatus," Neville answer quietly. At once, the reason they were there became clear, making her more nervous in the process.

"I – I'm not entirely sure. I just tried not to focus on it and, well, I – it wasn't the first time it had been put on me," she confided, shocked that the spell hadn't interrupted her, until she remembered Draco and Moody had each once before placed the curse upon her, meaning she wasn't giving her punishment away, per say.

"That's right – Moody put it on you last year, didn't he?" Susan Bones asked quietly, surprising the Slytherin further.

"Yes, he did."

"Also on that git's request, though, isn't that right?" Ginny stated boldly.

"Actually, I – I asked Draco to put me under it this time. He doesn't know about the D.A., but I needed to prove to you that I wasn't one of them – that this was possible." She explained quietly, looking at her lap. The other students looked at her, dumbfounded.

"You asked to be put under it?" Fred repeated faintly.

"Yes; his curse isn't all that strong and I thought I could do it," she replied, her voice gaining more confidence.

"I'm sorry, but I don't know anymore, and what I do, I'm not telling," she stated abruptly. Slowly, everyone but one filed out: Neville.

"Please tell me Harry was lying when he said it was legal," he pleaded.

"I – on you, it will always be illegal. But in that situation, yes, it was legal," she admitted. Neville gulped, before ending once and leaving her, more alone then she had been prior to their entering. Why couldn't life ever be easy?

As the train pulled into Kings Cross station, Ariella was jostled as she got off the train. As she came upon Mr. Malfoy, who was impatiently waiting, he immediately grabbed hold of her wrist tightly. Draco gave her a sharp, quick look as he took hold of his father's free arm, and the elder Malfoy apparated them away. While Draco stayed upright, Ariella landed upon the ground, on her hands and knees.

"I expect you in the spare meeting room in five minute. Put this on," he hissed, throwing a cloak to where she where she belonged…at his feet. The man then stalked away, leaving the two teens alone.

Once his father was out of sight, Draco offered a hand to her, his expression masked.

"Thank you," she whispered, pulling on the cloak. He nodded once, and turned to leave when Ariella's arm shot out, grabbing his wrist.

"Draco, I – if it's not too much trouble, I – I have another favor to ask," she stuttered out, flushed.

Her young master studid her for just a moment, pulling his wrist from her barely-there grasp. Then he nodded in consent.

"Please, can you – can you order me to block my mind?" she asked.

For the first time since their return home, his face showed an expression – surprise.

"Why – "

"I – you know what I have to do for the Dark Lord. And I – well, I've kind of, er – been talking with Harry since earlier this year." She admitted, wringing her hands.

Draco wasn't sure whether to be furious for keeping this from him, or relieved that she had found someone else to confide in. And then he saw the problem…if she had been talking with Potter since September, then she knew more than the Dark Lord should know…

"Alright. But one question first: does he know?"

Startled, Ariella looked up, trying to read his reaction within his eyes, but they were as stoic as ever. "Yes," she said simply. He nodded once again before speaking.

"I, as your master, order you to block your mind from anyone who might try to invade it, and you may only share information which applies directly to the question inquired."

Ariella felt the powerful magic sweeping through her body, gasping as it ran literarily through her veins, for this was a bodily control demand.

"Thank you," she repeated, bowing her had once as she began to hurry towards the meeting room.

"Good luck," he whispered after her, hoping desperately that her plan would work…hoping that she wouldn't get into anymore trouble then she was already in…and, more imporatnly, that his father wouldn't realize what he had done. Because Draco had a feeling that this break was not going to be one that went smoothly.

(And I'm working on the next chapter now!)

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