Trigger Warnings: Torture, Aftermath of Torture

Chapter 91:

Cutting Deep

Draco was a bit nervous, but he knew what he was about to do was the right thing. Cautiously, but confidently, Draco approached his classmate.

"Nott. Do you have time to spare right now?"

The older boy looked up, his dark eyes cool and even. "For what?"

"There's something you should see."

Theodore rose, following Malfoy out of the library. "Where are we going?"

"Do you remember the room I told you about?"

"That Ariella found? Certainly."

"You should know where it is and how to access it."

"Why now?"

"Things are worse. You can help in a way I cannot."

Arriving at the door, he paused. "Place your hand over the keyhole."

Draco had gotten rid of the password a while back, choosing to use the castle's magic in tandem with the bond magic. "I hereby allow Theodore Nott to enter and use this room as he wishes. Accept him."

The keyhole glowed around Nott's hand. Once it stopped, a handle appeared. Nott turned it, leading Draco into the room; the door sealed behind them.

The young men froze. Theodore's eyes widened and his fists clenched. "Sweet Merlin," he whispered, horrified at what he was seeing; his stomach churned in revulsion.

Ariella lay asleep on the bed, facing away from them. She was shirtless, the covers draped haphazardly over her, showing some of the damage on her back to the onlookers.

While Draco hadn't realized she'd be here, certainly not like this, he wasn't entirely surprised either.

"This…what…? Malfoy, how in Merlin's name…? You truly weren't exaggerating."

Draco stood quietly; he had never seen his roommate so out of sorts, so speechless. But then again, this was a lot to take in. Even he didn't fully understand everything with the bond and he was tied to it.

He shook his head in reply. "No, I wasn't. She's been tortured under my father, the bond…myself."

"Malfoy, please tell me you didn't do that."

"No. Not yet, at least. I may have to, though. But I have used the Cruciatus on her. Multiple times," he disclosed. He didn't need to tell Nott, but it felt…right for him to tell his classmate nevertheless.

"Malfoy…why?"

"It's what has to be done. My father does more than is necessary because he…well, because in his eyes, she disobeys quite often, not to mention I believe he…takes pleasure in punishing her."

"It's sickening."

"It is. The bond will do far worse if I don't take over…well, if an owner doesn't take over, to be technically correct."

"What did he even do to her?"

"To make those marks? From what she's been able to tell me, different types of whips."

"No wonder she always looked so weak after…"

"Yes. He's…we've, done a lot that doesn't help her health."

"Draco…I'm sorry. I didn't realize…what can I do to help?"

"Keep an eye on her. I'll let you know when there's something else." He paused for a moment, before facing his friend. "There's no one else I trust with this."

Nott's head snapped to his classmate. After a moment, he nodded, offering his hand. Draco shook it tightly, understanding passing between them.

Draco then stepped forward, pulling the covers evenly over her body. She shifted, but didn't wake.

"Have you tried healing them?"

"Of course I have. They're cursed. I used 'episky' once, but it healed a section only to have the scars recut themselves twice as deep."

"Merlin. That's…revolting."

"It is. I can and do use a salve every now and again, to help ward off infection and help with the pain."

"At least there's something that helps."

The young master just nodded. "Now you know. There's not much more I can tell you, but it's something."

Showing Nott what was truly going on was for her protection. He knew his classmate cared for his servant. The least he could do was make him realize how serious this bond was. So that he could keep a closer eye on her, away from the bond, albeit with his permission.

Draco wasn't sure how much more he could take. He wasn't progressing as quickly as he wished he would. He felt like he was suffocating and he couldn't…he couldn't keep failing.

And Ariella…she was helping him, but only…it wasn't enough. He was grateful that he had her assistance – never mind that she didn't have a choice. But it…it was too much. And to continually have to look out for her, look after her? He could barely look after himself anymore.

Ariella sat in her private room, mending a tear in her skirt. Suddenly, she dropped the skirt as her bond flared to life. She had only ever felt like this once before – when Draco had taken the Dark Mark. He was hurt, badly.

Springing to her feet, Ariella raced out of the room, not daring to allow the bond to take her to him – not at school, not knowing what was causing him pain.

It burned once more the longer she seemingly ignored it and the closer she got. Turning the corner, she came to a halt. Draco lay in a pool of water and blood on the floor of the loo. Harry stood off to the side, looking stricken and Professor Snape was repeatedly muttering a spell while waving his wand over Draco's convulsing body; he gave her a very quick, curt nod, before ignoring her to concentrate on his godson.

With the bond's compulsion, Ariella knelt next to her master, taking his hand in her left while she pressed her right hand to his name on her mark.

Immediately, she felt the effects. It felt as if her energy, her magic, was being transferred to her master. The wounds were healing faster now and he was regaining some colour.

Professor Snape was talking and, vaguely, she heard footsteps, but as Draco began to heal, her weak strength diminished.

There was a sudden tug on her arm and she felt someone prying her hand from Draco's. Ariella fell forward, water dampening her clothes, as she heard footsteps disappearing.

When Ariella awoke, the first thing she noticed was the brightness of the room and the dryness of the surface beneath her.

"Miss Lyons, it's good to see you awake."

"What am I doing here?" she asked the mediwitch in return. Ariella tried to sit up, but found she couldn't.

"Mister Potter brought you here and I'll be keeping you here for at least the weekend, if not longer.

"And Draco? Is he okay?"

"He's asleep in the bed next to yours; he'll be fine. Now, take this and go back to sleep."

She downed the potion and as she fell back asleep she felt someone - Madame Pomphrey probably – putting new medication on her back.

When Ariella awoke again, she was sore. Slowly, she tried to move so that she was sitting up.

The curtain next to her bed was suddenly opened and Ariella started. Turning, she tried to prop herself up as she faced Draco, who's upper body, though shirtless, was tightly wrapped. He moved slowly, stiffly, and Ariella grimaced; she knew it had to hurt, badly at that.

"Are you okay?"

He nodded slowly, giving her an odd look.

"What happened?"

"Potter hit me with a curse; not one I've heard of before, and I was cut into, slashed, over and over again, by an invisible source; stemming from the curse itself, obviously. Professor Snape came and knew the counter curse, thank Merlin. He said you came too, that you did something to help."

"I – I felt when you got hurt, the minute the curse hit you, and followed the bond's direction. It had me kneel and transfer some of – me, I guess, my magic and energy to you. I fainted once I released your hand; it weakened me.

"How do you feel now?"

"Tired, but fine; it felt odd."

"Thank you. Professor Snape said it could've been a lot worse."

"You – you're welcome. I'm glad I was there to help. When are you allowed to leave?"

"After the weekend at the earliest."

Ariella nodded. "I'm sorry," she said.

"This isn't your fault," he replied, wincing in pain.

"Can I help at all?"

"You've done enough for now. Just recover yourself. I'll let you know what else I require later."

"Yes, sir," she replied quietly, lying back as he pulled the curtain between them closed.

Draco lay back against the pillows, grimacing. The movement pulled against his wounds and bandages.

He knew what had happened – he was hurt, critically, and so the bond had compelled her to give up some of her strength, (as limited as it was,) her magic even, to help him. And though he wasn't thrilled, he was grateful. It was possible the bond in this way had saved his life.

He was surprised though – Draco hadn't thought Potter would use such a dark curse.

Running a hand over his face, Draco closed his eyes, trying to get just a bit more comfortable. He wondered if this was what Ariella went through with her wounds.

"Ariella?" a voice said cautiously. She opened her eyes, and brown met green.

"I'm glad you're okay," the newcomer said.

"Thank you for getting me here. What happened?"

"Malfoy was behaving oddly – even odder than normal – and I – "

" – I know you suspect things, Harry, but I can't confirm anything for you."

"I know. I followed him. He saw me and tried to use the Cruciatus Curse on me. I returned it with a spell I had read about. I – I didn't know what it would do or I wouldn't have used it, I swear."

"Why would you use it when you didn't know what it would do?"

"Don't – Hermione already told me off. And I have detention with Snape for the rest of the semester."

"How – how'd you know I needed help?"

"I didn't, but I knew you might. I waited until I saw Snape leave with Malfoy, then I slipped back into the loo. You were unconscious."

"Thank you."

"Ariella, I swear, I wouldn't have used it if I knew it would hurt him like that."

Slowly, she nodded.

"Can you tell me anything?" Harry asked.

"I'm not allowed. Sorry."

"I thought as much. I'll see you later, yeah?"

"Thank you for bringing me here."

Harry nodded before leaving. Ariella closed her eyes in a grimace. But she couldn't feel bad – it wasn't that she didn't trust him – but Draco had to come first, and not just because he was her master. She knew now that while Harry was her friend – she wouldn't break Draco's confidence or betray him. She – she couldn't.

Draco was shocked. He had expected her to tell Potter information about him, about the Death Eaters. He had expected her to find a loophole within his orders against telling him and use it. Instead, not only had she not done that, she had been practically curt to her friend…as if defending him to Potter. Something he hadn't seen recently, certainly not in a long while.

He wondered what exactly had happened to change that.