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Chapter 66:

Views of Obedience

Over the next few weeks, Draco watched his servant closely, trying to see if she was actually getting any extra rest. Slowly, she began to look stronger. Yet, she was still acting more submissively then she had before her illness – something which both bothered and worried him. Never mind the fact that Umbridge was keeping an eye on them and reporting back to his father, she needn't be this subservient to him – he certainly didn't require it.

It was a Friday morning and Defense Against the Dark Arts had just ended. Ariella quietly entered the classroom and took her master's books from the desk, ignoring the looks she always got from her "peers," when Umbridge's voice cut through the air, causing them to pause.

"Girl, come here, please."

Nervously, she obeyed. "Yes, Professor?"

"Come here, to my classroom, tonight; 8:00. There are some things that must be addressed about your behavior. And come alone." she instructed. Ariella nodded before leaving, Draco right behind, bag in hand.

"Do you know what this is about?" she asked him quietly as he resumed the leading position.

"I don't, actually. So just – be on your best behavior, I suppose. No doubt she'll be reporting back to Father after tonight."

Ariella nodded. "Of – of course," she said, and Draco could detect her nervousness through the slight waver within her voice. Stopping, he turned to face her.

"You'll be fine. You've done nothing wrong," he said, his voice unusually calm and almost soothing. She nodded.

"Thank you," she whispered.

He nodded once, not used to being thanked. "And I want to hear about it when you return," he requested. She nodded once again. Sighing internally, Draco took a deep breath, before turning again. "Let's go; it's time for lunch."

Taking a deep breath, Ariella entered Professor Umbridge's classroom at precisely 8:00 that night, a small bag in hand.

"Please, come in," a sickly sweet voice instructed. The girl obeyed, sitting down at one of the empty desks.

"Now dear, can you tell me why you're here?"

"I – I don't know, Professor," she replied.

"You are here because it doesn't appear as if you have been serving your master correctly whilst you are here," she replied. "Do you understand, dearie?"

"Ye – yes, Professor. But – but what exactly have I not been doing?"

"You don't know? Pity. I had hoped you would have known what crimes you are committing. But no matter, I shall address them," she replied, although her tone of voice severely contradicted the words that she said.

"Well, where shall we start?" she asked then, causing Ariella to begin to pale, just as the opposite door, the leading from Umbridge's office, opened, and Lucius Malfoy swept into the room. Instantly, the temperature seemed to drop, and practically all color left his servant's face.

"Yes, where shall we start?" he repeated, looking down at her. "Dolores, if you would," he requested.

"Well, to start, she still uses Draco's name when addressing him. I've heard it myself," she began.

"What have I said about that, girl?"

"I – but sir, please. I – I – "

"You what?"

"Nothing, sir," she said meekly, looking down at her lap. Lucius smirked.

"What else, Dolores?"

"She hasn't been bowing to him all that much, and when she does, it's not a proper acknowledgement. Also, she's been sitting beside him at meals, and taking her share no less. But most of all, she sometimes leads where they're going, even going as far as to look him straight in the eye, talk to him like an equal."

"What have I told you, girl? My son is not, and never will be your equal. You are our slave." He hissed, coming closer to his property. "You will start acting more subservient, or I just might do something once and for all to make you," he sneered, and Ariella hurriedly nodded.

"Ye – yes, sir. I – I understand," she said, her voice quavering.

"Good. Now stand up." He ordered, and she obeyed immediately, hands folded in front of her, had bowed.

"Dolores, a word," he requested. The two disappeared for a few minutes. Ariella's heart pounded.

Minutes passed, before Lucius Malfoy entered the room again, this time alone.

"You will spend every lunchtime with Dolores from now on. She has a special task for you," he began, and she whispered "Yes, sir," in reply.

"I will be writing to my son as well, telling him what I expect of you and what orders you need to receive from him. You will obey him."

"Of – of course, sir," she said, her voice barely above a whisper still.

Mr. Malfoy smirked. "Now, for the punishment for your bouts of disobedience thus far."

"Sir – sir, please! I was obeying your son's orders, I swear!" she pleaded.

"Silence! I will not have you speaking out of turn," he shouted, furious.

That was when he began his attack.

Ariella gasped as she stumbled forward as something hot hit her back. It hit her again and again, each time worse than the one before it. It felt like fire was whipping down on her back. Daring to glance up, she quickly closed her eyes in shock and in fear as she realized she was right.

He finished, though there wasn't even a moment's pause when she felt the Cruciatus Curse upon her. In her weakened state it hurt almost worse than ever before.

"You will obey myself and the family you serve. Do I make myself clear?"

"Ye – yes, s – sir," she replied faintly. Sneering, he swept out of the room.

Ariella lay on the ground, unwanted tears streaming from her eyes. Sniffling, she tried to move, only to continue to feel intense pain. Taking deep breaths, she dried her face and pulled the spare, dirty robe from her bag, slinging it over her now destroyed outfit, gasping at the intensity of pain that every movement caused.

Slowly, weakly, she made her way back to the Slytherin Common Room. She was in luck; the room was fairly empty. However, she only made it inside the door before her legs gave out, and she collapsed to the ground, breathing hard.

Draco looked up just in time to see this happen. Without a second thought, he walked swiftly over to where she knelt. "What happened?"

"She – your father was there too," she said, breathing heavily. Draco's eyes widened briefly.

"She told your father what I was doing wrong. He – he's going to send you a letter with his expectations and orders for me. I – I'm also to report to Professor Umbridge's office every day at lunch. I – I don't know why."

"And then he punished you, yes?"

"Ye – yes….Draco? I – I think I've just made things harder, and I – I'm sorry. You've been trying so hard to help me, and then – "

"Ariella, stop." He said, and she obeyed immediately.

"You've been following every order I've given you. You've been bowing your head to me. You've done everything I've asked of you, and we've still been trying to keep this as secret as possible within the school. If that still warrants punishment, then I will talk with my father."

She shook her head. "Yo – you and your father have different ideas of what obedience and subservience are."

"Then extend it to when you're in front of Umbridge. Be subservient then. But here? She's not here. You're fine."

Ariella nodded. "Try and get some rest. Sleep until lunch if you want. Can – can you get to your room by yourself? Because I'm not allowed in there," he said, but Ariella shook her head.

"If you're with me, or your sole purpose is to find me or talk to me, the room will allow you in, though it may have to be clear of the other girls," she explained, causing his eyes to widen.

"I'm also allowed into your room, but that's not as big of a deal." She said.

"I'll speak with my father once I receive that letter and see the contents. Now, can you get to your room?"

Taking a shaky breath, she nodded. "I – I think so," she said, and it was then, as she began to rise and the light shone on her face that Draco noticed the dried tear tracks on her cheeks. However, he said nothing, instead filing it away in his mind, disturbed by it all the same. He promised silently to bring her a pain potion the following morning.

"I'll see you tomorrow for lunch. Don't worry about breakfast. If there's a problem with it, I'll take care of you not being there," he said.

She nodded. "See you tomorrow."

"See you tomorrow," he repeated, his tone stiff as he watched her go, sighing. He had thought they were doing so well. Perhaps it was time to do some more research on this enchantment.

In honor of Harry Potter Weekend at my school! :)

Anything you recognize is from Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.

By the way - L'Shanah Tova! :)

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