Trigger Warnings: Torture, Aftermath of Torture

Chapter 90:

Vexing Attachments

"How is she?"

"Nothing's changed. Her body is at war with itself due to the bond."

"What happened? How was she cursed in the first place?"

"She touched an affected object. The curse then latched onto her and the bond itself."

"Malfoy, what's going on?"

"I can't talk about it."

"Can't? Or won't?"

"Careful Nott."

"Malfoy, why won't you tell me?"

"Don't push me, Nott. You know more than most, due to Ariella. I'm not pulling you in further and I do not want your pity."

Theodore sat back, an unreadable expression on his face.

"Can't you do anything?"

"I'm doing all I can, Mr. Malfoy. Perhaps you should do the same."

"May I see her then?"

"Of course."

Draco brushed past the matronly witch, closing the door behind him.

Ariella was still on the bed. She was pale and he could see the sheen of sweat coating her body, which jerked every now and again upon the bed.

He strode to the bed. He pushed the sheets aside and, taking a shaky breath, pressed into the bond.

The curse wasn't receding. It seemed like it had attached itself to the bond, forcing her body into a prolonged torturous state.

"I order you to repel this curse. It is not to affect your body any longer."

Her body began to writhe once again on the bed. He refused to let go, refused to let the bond win. Not this time.

It didn't want to give in to him; to listen to him. "Let your body refuse the necklace's curse."

Finally, he could feel the bond begin to fight back. It wasn't much, but it was there. He pressed harder, practically willing the bond to do his bidding…as it should be.

Unexpectedly, Draco felt a hand upon his shoulder, pulling him away. He looked up, angered as he saw Madame Pomphrey and Snape standing above him. "What was that for?"

"She's seizing on the bed, Mr. Malfoy! What did you want from us?"

"To let me do my job!" he spat back. "Don't touch her!" He hissed sharply, his words clipped and clear, stopping the medi-witch not a moment before she would've made contact with his servant's thrashing body.

"Draco, it's – "

" – don't lecture me; you don't have that right. I did not do this." The student turned quickly to scowl fiercely at his mentor, his godfather. "I didn't."

"Mr. Malfoy, be reasonable – " / "Draco, you have to – "

" – get out," he ordered, his voice dangerously low.

He knew he shouldn't order his professors about, but he couldn't help it. "Get out."

"Mr. Malfoy – "

" – I've got this," he snarled back.

Then without waiting for them to respond, Draco removed his robe and took a seat on the bed. She was still shivering on the bed. He took her arm in his hand again, pressing hard against her bond mark.

"Fight this off! Fight it!"

The shaking grew worse. Her body was practically vibrating on the bed.

"Expel this curse!"

Without warning, he felt a shift and dark magic began finally fighting equally dark magic. The curse's magic began pouring out of her. Draco held on. He could feel both the bond and the curse trying to push him away. He didn't want to let go; he didn't know what would happen if he did.

Ariella then collapsed against the bed. She began stirring a moment later, a grimace on her face. Reluctantly, Draco let go of her arm, his body turned.

"Sir?"

"Stay down," he said, moving his free hand to her shoulder. Her skin was burning.

"Here. Drink slowly," he instructed, bringing the glass of water over from the nightstand.

She shook her head, her brown eyes wide, and she paled further.

"I think I'm going – ". She turned abruptly away from him, emptying her stomach. Not that there was much in it to begin with.

" – 'm sorry," she whispered, her voice hoarse. Draco could visibly see the effect and toll that moment…this whole curse…had taken on her.

"What happened?"

"What do you remember?"

"I – we were in Hogsmeade. I – I'm afraid not much after that."

"You touched a cursed object."

"Is that why the bond hurts right now?"

"I want to wait for it to settle. I just forced your body to expel the curse; once it stabilizes, I'll take a look and address it as needed."

She gave a nod of understanding. "May I have that water now? Sir?"

"Of course."

He paused a moment. "Do you…need help?"

"I – I can manage."

Draco watched as she struggled to pull herself into a sitting position. An uncomfortable air hung between them as she shakily took the glass. The water sloshed over the sides, drenching the sheets and her thin clothing.

"Easy." He found himself reaching out to steady the glass, taking it when she finished and placing it back on the nightstand. Why was this different?

"Evanesco," he spelled quietly, pointing his wand at the wet clothing and sheets; Ariella shuddered as she felt the spell.

"Thank you, Sir."

"I – I'm sorry this happened."

"It's not your fault."

He could hear the weariness in her voice, see it in her body.

"Rest, Ariella. I'll see you later. I'll explain it later."

"Thank you, Sir."

Ariella groaned as she shifted. Everything hurt. What's more, she could feel the bond pulsing about her arm, pressing her for punishment.

"Ariella?"

Her head snapped towards the door, causing her to groan again as a wave of dizziness hit her. Her master stood just inside the doorway. Even from the bed, she could see his tiredness.

"How are you?"

"Tired and sore, Sir. And you?"

"Fine."

"Dr – Sir, please don't lie to me."

"Don't push me, Ariella."

"Sorry, Sir," she replied quickly, bowing her head to him. Draco sighed softly, coming over to the side of the bed.

"Your arm, Ariella."

She simply lifted it for him, still not meeting his hard gaze. He paused only briefly before taking her arm once again in routine fashion.

She needed punishment. The bond was…grieving the loss of the curse. And she had technically touched the necklace after he said "don't". He was…disappointed that the curse wasn't considered a punishment. Her body was certainly weakened because of it.

He pulled back, noting she was breathing hard and her eyes were screwed shut, her jaw clenched in a grimace. He moved his hand to her shoulder, but at the last second, pulled away from touching her. "Ariella?"

"Fine, Sir."

"Can you handle any more?"

"For punishment? I'm in the right place if something goes wrong."

"That's not the point."

"Dr – Sir. Please. Just do it."

"You're sure?" he was hesitant to inflict more pain on her worn self.

Shakily, she nodded, tensing.

Draco rose, swallowing down bile; he truly didn't want to punish her this time. But if he didn't the bond would react badly. "Crucio!"

She screamed, her body convulsing on the bed. He felt bad, but he didn't know what else to do; she was too weak for anything else he might do.

The master quickly let the curse go. She was still trembling. He wasn't surprised. Slowly, it stopped. She let out a short moan.

"There's a pain potion here if you want it."

"I – I don't know if it will settle well in my stomach." Her words were jumbled and soft.

"Can I do anything for you?"

"I don't know, Sir. Order me to sleep?"

He nodded. "I'll leave you be, then. Get some sleep."

"Thank you, Sir."

Draco watched as her pale, shaking body succumbed to the order, stilling and her breathing evened out. He felt horrid, for this was truly his fault. He had cursed the necklace. She had simply been trying to serve him. He hadn't told her and so she had gotten hurt.

The young master rose, donning his robe once more. It would be at least a week longer before she was released. Of that he had no doubt.