Unfortunately, I don't own Harry Potter. That honor belongs to J. K. Rowling.

Chapter 76:

Dirty Embarrassment

Ariella woke early Sunday morning, fighting exhaustion. She may not understand the work, but she knew that slacking off was not a good way to start the last few months of school.

Pulling Draco's old robes from on top of her chair, she paused, feeling the material, before pulling them on. It felt odd to her – they were unlike anything she had ever worn. And she almost felt like she was stealing, or dirtying them. It – though she knew it wasn't true, wearing robes like these simply felt off.

Yet, she decided as she did indeed put the robes on, it was better than going entirely without robes. At least while wearing robes, she could hide a bit. Blend in.

Grabbing her bag, stocked simply with ink, quill, and a small roll of parchment, she headed out of the girls dormitory. She doubted she would need the materials, but it didn't hurt to be prepared.

"Are those better?" Draco asked as Ariella joined him in the Common Room the following morning, wearing her "new" robes, looking a bit uncomfortable.

"Yes, thank you," she replied softly, bowing her head to him. Normally he would have stopped her, but after seeing some of the bond's demands, he let it go. If that was what needed to be done, then so be it. It was better than some of the alternatives, he was quickly coming to realize.

"Though – they don't have a slip for my bond. I'll have to remove my arm entirely every time you need to touch it. And I – I didn't want to try and cut them. Since they're still technically – "

" – my property, I'd have to punish you if you did. I understand and I'll remedy that problem later. Don't worry about it."

"Thank you, sir," she said. Hesitating a moment, she then continued tentatively speak. "Do you – is there anything you need from me? Or would you mind if I – "

" – Ariella, we're back at school. Please feel free to speak for whatever you need to say, as long as the bond permits it. Don't hold back because of me," he said, stopping her and looking her directly in the eye, his tone low and serious.

"Thank you, si – Draco," the servant said quietly, lowering her gaze. "Do you need me for anything specific today?"

"Is there something else you would like to do?"

"Just wander around, maybe talk to Theo or Harry now that we're back…if that's okay with you," she admitted, hastily adding in the last bit. Draco considered it for a moment, before nodding. This could be good for her, especially considered how their break had gone.

"Just be careful and let me know if you need anything."

"Thank you. I – I will. And if you do need me for anything – "

" – I'll let you know as well."

Ariella gave a small nod. "Thank you," she repeated quietly.

"You're welcome."

Ducking her head once more, she headed out into the main part of the castle. Draco watched her go, waiting a few minutes before following.

"So how was your break?"

"It was good. I got to see my cousin, Kira," Theo answered lightly as the two friends walked around the grounds. It was finally getting nice out.

"Are you close with her?"

Theo nodded. "She's the nearest to me in age, so we became very close through forced family gatherings."

"Got it."

"Are those new robes?"

Ariella immediately looked away, nodding. "After what happened right before break, Draco gave me new robes. Well, actually, they're his old ones."

"Do they work for you?"

"I feel weird; like I stole them. I – I'm not used to wearing something like this."

"Did you tell him?"

She shook her head. "I don't think it matters. Besides – they're now bigger and I – they are more comfortable. It will just take some getting used to."

Nott just nodded.

"I know you're not allowed to tell me much, but how – have things been okay for you?" he asked after a beat.

"Draco's treating me fairly if that's what you're trying to ask. His father isn't. That's all I can really tell you without permission or revealing too much, but that's nothing new anymore."

Theodore nodded, glad Malfoy – er, Draco that was – was finally treating her all right. Though she seemed quieter now, shyer, and from his standpoint, knowing what he did, that couldn't be a good thing.

"Did something happen over break?"

"…yes. But I – I don't know how much I can tell you or how much…"

" – how much, what?"

" – you'd want to hear or that I'd want you to know. Some of it's – not great and kind of embarrassing."

Theo nodded, and though he didn't want to invade her privacy, the young man knew he would be asking his friend's master for more information. Something had happened and she seemed terrified now.

"Ariella, are you okay?"

"I – I will be. I just need some space from what happened. Though I am dreading going back to detentions."

"You should see Madame Pomprey about those scars. They're getting deep."

Immediately, Ariella tensed, but responded with, "I – I can't. But thank you."

Theo took it in silence, reverting to aimlessly continuing to talk about his cousin, Kira, all the while keeping a careful eye on his friend.

Draco and Ariella were seated at a table in the common room, Draco pouring over a Charms essay for Tuesday, making revisions as he went.

"Draco?" Ariella finally said quietly, causing him to look up. Seeing the tentative look upon her face, he sat forward, putting his quill aside.

"Yes?"

"I – I have a feeling Theo might come to you later, to find out what happened over break. You don't have to – but could you not tell him everything? Please?"

"Ariella, I wouldn't – are you ashamed of what happened? Of what I found out?"

Immediately, Ariella dropped her gaze, unsure how to respond. Draco's eyes widened.

"Ariella, I – I know what happened wasn't pleasant and that you had a rough break. But what I found out – what happened isn't your fault. I don't think any less of you for discovering what I did. If anything, I should have figured it out sooner. I'm sure you provoked some of it, earned some form of punishment, but nothing should have provoked the types of punishment he gave you, especially with that much repetition.

"That being said, if you don't want me to tell Nott everything, I won't. If you ever feel comfortable enough to tell him, you may, but until then, unless he needs to know, he won't find out from me."

"Thank you," she whispered, her voice choked.

Draco nodded once, before gesturing upstairs. "Why don't you get some rest? It's been a long week. Just drop the robes on my bed so I can fix them for the bond."

"Have a good night, Draco. Good luck on your essay."

As she disappeared downstairs, Draco sighed, just as Pansy sat down next to him. "You know, Drakey, if you want to be entertained, I'm sure I can do a much better job than her."

"I'm sure. Now if I want to take you up on that offer, I'll seek you out. At the moment, I have homework to do," he sneered back, not sure if he was more disgusted at the insinuation about Ariella or about the thought of sleeping with Parkinson herself.

"Malfoy," a new voice joined, just as Parkinson pouted, saying in her whining voice, "Drakey".

Draco saw Nott cringe. "Parkinson, I'm not interested right now."

"Well, you know where to find me if you change your mind, Drakey," she cooed, running a hand up his arm before pouted as Draco glared, strutting away, nose in the way. "How do you put up with her?" Theo muttered.

"Barely," Draco replied, before growing serious. "I know what you're going to ask. Over break, I found out how my father has been punishing her. It – it's bad. She handled it well though – she's handling it well. But my father's angry and I'm pretty sure she's terrified of disobeying either of us right now. I won't tell you how she's being punished. It's gruesome and I don't want word getting out, not to mention she doesn't want anyone, including you, to know. She's embarrassed and she was brave enough to ask me the favor of not telling you."

"I understand. Thank you for telling me what you could. I should probably tell you she feels uncomfortable in your old robes. She feels like she's dirtying them."

"Thank you for telling me. I'll give it a few days, then address it if the problem persists."

Nott just nodded, wondering when things had gotten so complicated. Shaking his head just slightly, he changed topics, looked at the essay in front of his classmate. "So how's that coming…?"

I promise I will not abandon my stories. Thank you for sticking with me. All the best until next time!
~Leanora