I unfortunately don't own the world of Harry Potter. J. K. Rowling does.
Thank you to my wonderful beta, Book. Freak112233 !
Just a quick thanks to panneler-san, BeautifulInsanity17, The Elo, xXMizz Alec VolturiXx, TheEscapeFromReality, JanieNine, esran, xXEvie PotterXx, Invisi, translucent steeds, PercyxArtemis Forever96, SongBird1012, WindCrestTrails, I-Angel92, OhHiKiara, HikariAmuJackson, TheEvilPinkCupcake, LittleDreamer13, and I. am. ninja159.
Now on with the story! :)
Chapter 72:
Return to the Manor
"Hello Ariella," Theodore Nott said, sitting across from his friend in a hidden corner of the library.
"You found me," she said quietly, ducking her head.
"Yes. How long have you been hiding? It's been two weeks, surely things have calmed down by now."
"Theo, you know the student body better than I do. But even I know that news travels very quickly. What's more, something like this won't just go away."
"I – I told Draco, and I'll tell you the same – I'm not going to stop being your friend, certainly not for something like this."
"Thank you," she whispered. "I – I'd better get to detention. I'll see you later," she continued, rising to her feet.
"If you need anything, just let me know. That's what I'm here for."
"Thank you," she repeated, her voice still quiet. Ducking her head, she began the trek to detention.
"Come in. You know the drill by now, don't you dear?" Umbridge asked as Ariella took a seat, bowing her head, allowing her long brown hair to shield her.
"Yes, Professor," she replied quietly.
"Good. Well then, get to it," the older woman said, clapping her hands as the servant girl picked up a fresh blood quill and began to write, wincing every now and then as the quill reopened her wounds, making them deeper.
Ariella gritted her teeth as she continued the task. The scars were getting deeper very quickly, considering how much detention she had. She couldn't heal them, but perhaps…no! She couldn't keep asking things of him. It wasn't right, nor was it particularly allowed. He was giving her more leeway then was usually permitted as is. She wouldn't take advantage of it.
Shaking her head, she tensed. She would deal with this on her own.
"Are you ready to return this weekend?" Draco asked, coming up to her, ignoring the whispers that still surrounded their situation.
Ariella jumped, not expecting him, before she took a calming breath and nodded, looking up as he leaned against the table, yet not quite meeting his gaze.
"I – I don't have much of a choice, do I?"
Draco chuckled humorlessly. "No, I suppose you don't."
"Do you need me to do anything prior to us leaving?"
"Not as of now. I'll let you know if something comes up."
"Am I – may I sit separately on the train?" she asked hesitantly.
"You may sit wherever you wish, just so long as I can contact you."
"You can always contact me through the bond," she reminded him. Each time she said it, it was almost as if it got easier to say…to admit.
"Right…of course. Then yes, you may sit wherever you want."
"Th – "
"You don't need to thank me for everything, unless there's something I don't know about."
"I – sometimes I'm required. I'm not sure when, I just want to be careful. I – I don't want to be punished if I can do something to prevent it, especially when it's something so simple and easy. And I – do mean it, regardless of whether or not it's required."
"Makes sense; I understand now."
"If you need anything over break, within reason, don't be afraid to come to me."
She nodded, understanding.
"How are you holding up?" he asked then, growing a bit more serious as he turned to face her fully.
"I – I'll be better the sooner this gets resolved," she admitted.
"I'm not going to say I understand what you're going through. However, I can relate to the position you must be in. I'm under fire as well."
"I know what you're saying. Thank you."
"I have an essay to complete. I'll see you later."
She nodded, bowing her head a bit as he left, but not before catching the submissive gesture. Internally, Draco sighed. He wished she would stop doing that.
Ariella boarded the Hogwarts Express, looking for an empty compartment, toting Draco's bag behind her.
"Ariella?" a voice said, and she whipped around to find Neville Longbottom looking at her.
"Would you like to sit with me?" he asked. Timidly, she nodded.
"How are you?" he questioned.
"All right. You?"
"All right. Sick of all the essays," he replied, and she gave him a weak smile and a small laugh.
"Ariella, why haven't you been in class much this year?"
She sighed, tensing at the same time, and looked out the window. After a few moments of silence, she replied.
"I was told I couldn't; that it wouldn't be right."
"What do you mean, "it wouldn't be right?" How – "
"Did you read Skeeter's article?"
Neville nodded.
"It wasn't entirely false," she confessed, and the Gryffindor's eyes widened.
"Are you really a slave to the Malfoy family then?"
Numbly, she nodded.
"Is that why he could use the Cruciatus on you and not be in trouble with the law?"
Again, she simply nodded.
"I – I'm sorry. I didn't know."
"No one was supposed to. I – I told Harry because Professor Dumbledore thought we could help each other. Theodore Nott knows as well, due to a bit of confusion with Draco. However, I've since been ordered not to directly tell anyone unless given permission."
"I'm sorry. Though it does clear up a lot of things," he said.
"Thank you for not leaving," she whispered suddenly.
"Why – why would I leave?"
"You know the truth now."
"I can't say it changes who you are," Neville replied, causing her to smile at him.
"Thank you," she said softly, returning the smile.
"So what do you have planned for break?" she asked, beginning to make small talk with her year–mate.
"Have a good break," she said, parting ways with Neville.
"You too. Good luck," he replied simply.
Ariella then made her way to the front of the train.
"Ready?" a voice said suddenly from behind her. The witch turned sharply, causing her leg to bump into the baggage she carried. Stumbling, forward a bit, she caught herself…just as a pair of hands reached out and grabbed her forearms, steadying her. Looking up, she saw that Draco had partially caught her. So he had waited for her this time.
"Thank you," she mumbled, a blush coming to her cheeks.
"And I suppose so," she continued, lowering her eyes. Checking her once over quickly to make sure she was all right, Draco hardened his gaze and led their way from the train.
Her leg stung, but nothing too bad. However, as she trailed behind her younger master, she realized it might look better if she emphasized her slight limp. Sure enough, she seemed to be right, for Lucius smirked as he saw the young girl.
"Get in," he snarled, pushing her towards the fireplace. She stumbled out, the bag landing upon her already injured leg, and Ariella allowed herself to cry out.
"Put that in Draco's room and then prepare dinner. You're running behind as is, so be quick about it."
"Yes, sir," she replied, head bowed, as she went to obey his orders, eager not to get off to a bad start.
"Ariella," Draco called as he overheard and sensed his servant in the hallway. Sure enough, a moment later she appeared in his partially open doorway.
"Yes?"
"You can come in," he said, noticing she hadn't yet entered the actual room.
"Are you okay? You were limping earlier."
"I'm fine. It smarts, but nothing too bad. I just thought it would seem more real, that your father might like it if I appeared hurt. If he asks, we could say it was part of a punishment…sir," she said, adding the title at the end, since they were back at the Manor.
"Draco. No one's listening. I've put a silencing charm on the room. And that makes sense," she said thoughtfully, before rising standing straight, moving towards his bed.
"I believe I promised you these," he said, gesturing to a small pile of old robes.
Ariella's eyes widened, noticing the robes for the first time. "I – I couldn't."
"Do you need me to order you to take them?"
"No, I just…what if your father finds out?"
At once, Draco understood. "I'll pack them in my bag, and give them to you once we return to school."
"Thank you," she said quietly, still not meeting his gaze.
"Would you like me to order you to sleep?" he asked after a moment, noting how tired and out of it she looked.
"If – if you don't mind," she replied timidly.
"Ariella, if you need something like this, I don't – I don't want you to be afraid of asking me," he said, trying not to make it an order.
Yet she only nodded again in response, still silent, still refusing to look at him. Suddenly, Draco realized she was obeying previous orders he had given. She was acting more submissively now that they were back at the Manor. The young man sighed.
"Get some sleep, Ariella."
She bowed her head, whispering, "Thank you."
Ariella left quickly after he nodded, giving her consent for her to leave, and slowly made the long journey up to her room. Once there, she collapsed on her cot, quickly falling asleep thanks to her younger master's orders.
"Draco," his father said evenly, as the two Malfoy men sat across from each other in Lucius' study.
"Dolores tells me our servant has become quieter since that absurd article."
"Yes, sir."
"But has she been obeying you?"
"Yes, Father. She has been since before that article even came out."
"Really?" Lucius replied, his voice indicating doubt.
"Yes. She hasn't disobeyed me in a long time. Certainly not since she saw you two times ago, just before she began detention."
"I see."
"Do you not trust me, Father?"
"Tell me, Draco. Have you been punishing her when she does break the bond rules?"
"Yes sir," he replied, not quite sure if he was glad or not to be able to answer truthfully.
"Her limp; is that your doing?"
"Yes, Father."
"Good," Lucius replied calculatingly. "I expect this to continue, do you understand me?"
Draco nodded curtly, not exactly sure of what he was promising.
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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