Harry Potter belongs to the wonderful J. K. Rowling.

So many people have asked why I haven't gone and edited my past chapters - here's why. 1) I want to move forward. 2) If I were to start over, I would do things differently. My thoughts have changed since I first began this story. Perhaps one day, I will go back and add TWs to all chapters and edit them to make the story flow better and fix all numerical, spelling, and grammar. But for now, I like to see the progress I've made - personally and publicly. Thanks!

Trigger Warnings: references to abuse/torture and aftercare.

Chapter 83:

Bare and Disguise in Return

Ariella brought a tray of tea into the parlour. As she served Mrs. Malfoy, the older woman told her to take a seat. Nervously, she obeyed.

"Are you aware of Draco's task?"

"Yes, Ma'am."

"I need you to watch out for Draco this year. He'll be pushing himself to try and complete it. I need your promise that you'll keep an eye on him; that you'll take care of him."

"Of course, ma'am. I wouldn't dream of doing otherwise."

"Good, thank you. I also need you to keep in touch with me – if you need help or he needs guidance, don't be afraid to reach out."

"Yes, Ma'am; I understand."

"I'm glad you do."

"Do you need anything else from me?"

"Not at the moment. Thank you, Ariella."

She simply bowed her head once, before leaving the room.

Ariella was kneeling on the ground, packing what she hoped was the last of Draco's items into his trunk when the door opened and her master stumbled in.

He looked paler than usual and he was shaking. The servant immediately got to her feet, moving to help him, but he simply waved her off towards the door as he eased himself into the desk chair, his breathing laboured.

Ariella closed the door before turning back to him. "The balm and bandages are in my nightstand. Fetch them, will you?" he requested, his voice hoarse.

Immediately, Ariella obeyed. Draco was trying to remove his outer robe, but he was struggling.

"Dra - sir? What can I do to help?" she asked cautiously, unsure how he would react.

"Get this off of me," he answered with gritted teeth.

Ariella set the balm and bandages on the desk, quickly reaching towards his shoulders, dragging the robe off. She set it to the side – she would deal with it later. When she turned back to Draco, she was startled to find blood staining the lower part of his shirt.

"What happened?" The words were out of her mouth before she could stop them.

Draco glanced up at her as he unbuttoned his shirt, his eyes dark and hazy. "My aunt got carried away."

She cringed. As much as she had tried to avoid the older witch, sometimes it was impossible; she knew how powerful Bellatrix's spells could be.

"Can I?" she gestured to his person. Slowly, Draco nodded, slipping his shirt and tie from his body and leaning back in the chair with a grimace.

Meanwhile, Ariella went to get a damp cloth from the bathroom, knowing by now how to treat injuries.

Kneeling, she brought the cloth up to his chest and abdomen. He had multiple bruises and a few open wounds – Bellatrix must have used some sort of strong stinging spell. He winced a little as the cloth rubbed against his skin, but otherwise said nothing. She noted that as she cleaned away the blood, the wounds were thankfully not as bad as they first appeared; they were shallow and would heal quickly.

Once she finished cleaning the wounds, she brought a clean cloth with the balm on it to his wounds and bruises – it would work for both.

The two teens sat in silence. Draco allowed his eyes to close as she treated him. He found himself grateful for her presence and help – that way, he didn't have to handle it himself. He would be very grateful for that Thursday, when they returned to school. As much as this year was bound to be painful and troublesome, being away from the Manor would be an improvement – for the first time, he had an inkling of what Ariella constantly must feel about being in the Manor.

He could feel her putting short bandages on the open wounds. Once she finished, he heard her move to clean up. "Thank you," he whispered, not trusting his voice above that, as he opened his eyes.

She looked at him, in surprise and worry. "You're welcome," she replied, before continuing to clean up.

"What were you doing in here anyway?"

"Packing your trunk for school. Can I help you in any other way? I – I don't mean to imply that you're…"

" – just clean up and perhaps help me over to the bed. That's all. I know you're just doing your job," he interrupted, his tone level despite his exhaustion.

She nodded, putting the clothing that now needed to be laundered into a pile and pushing his trunk off to the side; she would finish tomorrow.

She then pulled the covers away and returned to Draco's side. "Ready?"

He clenched his jaw, but nodded, pushing himself up via the back of the chair. Slowly, he made his way to the bed; Ariella walking across the room with him just in case. Only once seated did he look at her again.

"You're dismissed for the evening. I'll see you tomorrow."

"Good night. Feel better, sir," she bid him, taking the pile of soiled clothing with her as she exited the room.

Draco gingerly laid himself down, angry with himself. He knew it wasn't necessarily shameful to need help; but he was embarrassed and ashamed anyway. He also knew that if he couldn't take Bellatrix's spells now, he was in for a long year.

Thursday couldn't come fast enough – for either of them. It finally arrived and Ariella found herself with two trunks on the platform 9 ¾, standing next to her master.

"I'll take mine from here. Go find yourself a seat; I'll see you for the feast."

She looked to him in surprise. "You're sure?"

He nodded. "We'll talk over the weekend more in–depth about what your duties will entail as of now."

"Yes, sir. Thank you," she replied. With a slight bow of her head, the witch headed off to the Express, to find a place she could sit on her own.

"Ariella?"

She turned and saw Theo right behind her. "Would you like to join me?"

"Yes, thank you."

Following him into the cabin, they sat across from each other. Nott observed his friend, noting she looked thinner and paler than she had when they parted ways in June.

"Draco doesn't need you?"

She shook her head. "Not until we get to school."

"How are you? Really?"

"This summer was tough, but I'll be okay. I can't talk much about it – I'm sorry."

"I understand."

"How was your summer?"

"Fine. Not much changed in my household. Though, my cousin Kira moved in with her parents; to be safer."

"Really? That's got to be different."

"Yeah – it was strange at first, but we've gotten used to it. And she has a job – she's a few years older – so she's gone most of the time anyway."

Ariella nodded in understanding.

"Can I ask you something or two? I don't know if you can tell me, but if you can, will you?"

She nodded again, curious.

"Were you badly punished or tortured this summer? Is he treating you differently? Since…well, end of last year?"

She sighed a bit; she should've expected this. "No and yes. I wasn't badly punished much – I mean I was, but not through Mr. Malfoy, obviously. It was certainly different this summer. And yes – he's treating me differently, but…he's different, too?"

"You mean since his father was taken away and he became a Death Eater?"

"How'd you…?"

"Well – the first part was in the paper, and the second part you just confirmed."

"Oh. Then yes – but he's…he forgave me for what happened at the Ministry. It took a while, but he did," she replied, ignoring the sting suddenly growing in her mark – she would deal with it later.

"I'm sorry. I don't mean to get you in trouble – I just worry."

"I know. I'm sorry I can't tell you more."

"It's not your fault. Just – promise me you'll come to me if you need something I can help with?"

"I promise. Thank you."

Ariella made her way to the Slytherin Common Room. She knew she couldn't avoid it any longer. Entering, she saw Draco seated with Pansy Parkinson and a few other classmates in the far corner.

Pansy whispered something into his ear, giggling, and she saw Draco lift his gaze to meet hers. He jerked his head, signalling for her to join them. Sitting down in the one empty chair across from him, she noticed how Parkinson's eyes narrowed and she put her perfectly manicured hand over Draco's chest.

"I need to speak with Ariella; I'll talk with you tomorrow," he said, his voice sharper than Ariella was used to as he picked his classmate's hand off his chest, sitting up straight.

She smirked at Ariella as she led the others away, brushing his inner left arm; Ariella noticed how Draco stiffened.

"Do you want me to treat that again?" she asked once they were away.

"It hardly stings now," he replied lowly.

"They seem to be listening to you more."

"I'm in the Dark Lord's favour. Of course, they are."

"Point taken. What can I do?"

"Try not to let them get to you and if it becomes a problem, tell me."

"Yes, thank you. But I meant what can I do to help you?"

"I have to find out more information. Go to the library during the week; take out books concerning mending objects and passages. Anything you think could help, I want to know about."

"I can do that. Anything else?"

"Just get readjusted to being back. If you wish to see Potter and his friends…well, I'm not happy about your friendship with them, I won't forbid you from seeing them. You are, however, forbidden from telling them anything of importance concerning the bond, Death Eaters, the Dark Lord, and my task; just as we've discussed."

"I understand; thank you for letting me see them."

He gave a stiff nod. It was better that he give permission than have to forgive her repeatedly for it later when they cornered her; he knew it was bound to happen. Speaking of…

"Why is the bond burning? What do you need forgiveness for already?"

She paled a bit, but nodded slightly, her right hand coming to subconsciously rub at the bond mark through her robes. "I saw with Theodore on the train. He asked me about this summer and he…he guessed that you've become a Death Eater. And he asked about punishment. I didn't tell him anything out of the ordinary – of what I've been able to do in the past, but…I did confirm some of his suspicions, therefore revealing things about you…I'm sorry."

Draco just listened, his expression unreadable as his servant gave her explanation. Even he couldn't completely fault her for what she had said. He knew Nott…if the other boy had worded his questions carefully, Ariella wouldn't have had to do anything except simply give a yes or no, without even realizing what she was revealing until it was too late. There was a reason Nott was a Slytherin – he could be particularly cunning when he wanted information.

"It's alright. I'm not shocked he tried to find out more information, especially since he knows you're being hurt at the Manor."

"He does?"

The fear read clear on her face and Draco realized how scared she actually was that people found out exactly what her position entailed, found out exactly how she was treated. She didn't want them to know – out of fear and embarrassment.

"I haven't told him much; simply confirmed that you are being hurt. You've apparently forgotten that he's seen you right after a punishment. You've spent a lot of time with him; it's unavoidable that someone as observant as he wouldn't notice."

"Oh, of course. I – I didn't mean to imply that you – "

" – Ariella, stop," he interrupted, harsher than he meant. Her gaze snapped to his. "You're forgiven for mistakes made today. Go get some sleep. We'll speak more tomorrow."

"Thank you, sir."

He nodded curtly, already lost in his dark thoughts again.

She could see it now, already – why Mrs. Malfoy was worried. She would do what she could for him – not just as a Death Eater, not just as his servant under orders…but because she didn't want to see him tortured, didn't want to see him fall to pieces; it would destroy the person he was trying to become…and with it, any chance she would have for living peacefully with him in the future.

Hope you enjoyed! Happy Birthday, Harry Potter! (And belated Happy Birthday, Neville Longbottom!)

~Leanora

P.S. - I have many future chapters partially or fully written already - this fic will be going on for a while. I have a definite vision for this story. So thanks for sticking with me! :)