Trigger Warnings: Aftermath of Torture

Chapter 92:

Fearful Mending

The weekend found both Master and Servant still in the hospital wing. Draco knew she would be released before he was; his body was still recovering. It was a slow process, but it was healing nonetheless. Though, as much as he hated to be in the man's debt right now, he would forever be grateful to Severus for knowing the counter–curse.

He would have to talk to her gain soon, particularly about Potter; he…needed to know what had happened. He further needed to tell her about Nott's new permission and knowledge. He didn't know how she would react to that news.

He heard rustling and slowly began to sit up, swallowing down his pain. He couldn't afford to appear weak, to be weak. Especially now.

Suddenly, he paused, hearing whimpering and murmuring on the other side of the curtain.

"N – no. No, please. Please! I didn't…I can't…le -…alone. Please!"

Draco could hear the desperation, the fear in her voice. He yanked the curtain aside, hissing as the movement pulled at his wounds. She was whimpering, tossing in the bed, the sheets tangling around her.

Within laboured movement, Draco stood, leaning over her and pinning her arms to either side by her head. Yet this only caused her to fight harder.

"N – no. I don't…please don't."

She was begging. She almost never begged. What in Merlin's name had happened? He feared the worse and hoped for…well, not the best, but better.

"Wake up."

She fought against him and he swore, which startled her, even in this state. "Dammit, Ariella, snap out of it!" His voice was harsh.

Her body bucked against the bed and his grip and her eyes flew open. He could read the panic in them as she took in her surroundings.

"Sir?"

Draco's jaw clenched, but he removed himself, moving slowly to sit back on his own, adjacent bed. Ariella sat up, confused, her head pounding and dripping down her back. Still…

"Draco? What happened?"

"You tell me."

"I – I was having a nightmare. Nothing more. Thank you for waking me."

"Does that happen often?"

"N – no, Sir. Only every once and awhile." Her voice was still shaky and small as her master took in her words. She noted how he kept absently rubbing at the bandages.

"Draco? How are you feeling?"

"Alright. It's just going to take some time."

"If I can help, you'll tell me, yes? Please?" There was a slight note of desperation in her voice that Draco wasn't sure what to make of; so he conceded to this point.

"I will. I know you understand."

"Draco?" She asked, noting his deep, controlled breathing. She was a bit frightened; she didn't know how to help him without further injuring herself. And while she didn't quite mind…he would.

"I'm alright, Ariella. Just dealing with the pain," he admitted, knowing he could confide in her without judgement or fear that she would see him as less. He knew she understood pain, as unfortunate as that was. He didn't like that his pain was showing outwardly…but then, perhaps she was just more attuned to noticing those in pain…more attuned to him. He slowly breathed in and out before speaking again.

"There's something you should know. "

"Is something wrong? Something else, I mean?"

"No, nothing like that. I showed Nott your room and I've given him permission to access it as necessary."

"Oh. Okay."

"He's seen your back."

Ariella's head snapped up, and she paled. "What? Draco, how…? When…?"

"When I showed him your room. You happened to be there, asleep, and your back was uncovered."

"Draco, please, I don't want people knowing. Please."

"I didn't mean for him to see. But I can't be mad be did. I've asked Nott to keep an eye out for you."

"Why would you ask that of him?"

"Because I know he'll do it anyway."

"But why drag him in further?"

"Why don't you want him to help you?"

She was silent, not meeting his silver eyes. "Ariella?"

"I don't want him to get hurt. I'm afraid the bond's going to force him to…help with its demands."

Draco's gaze softened despite himself. "I can say it won't. But he cares for you. It wasn't a hard decision. As someone who isn't connected to you via the bond, a man who isn't your Master, he'll be able to help in a way I can't. And if we need his assistance, we'll ask; he's already told me he's willing."

"He isn't bound. Why would he do that?"

"He's your friend, Ariella, of course he wants to help you. To be honest, he's my friend, too." He paused for a moment. "Why didn't you tell Potter more?"

"It's not his business."

"It hasn't stopped you in the past."

"Things have changed," she replied softly, wringing her hands and she looked down at her lap. "I won't betray you," she vowed, her voice still quiet, but firm.

He was about to speak when he heard her utter under her breath "again". His eyes widened.

"Ariella, I'm not angry with you for that anymore. I've forgiven you."

"That doesn't change the fact it happened."

"Ariella, look at me," Draco ordered, grimacing as a new wave of pain hit him. Slowly, she obeyed, and he could see the fear in her eyes.

"You helped save my life a few days ago."

"Professor Snape did that. He and Madame Pomfrey."

"And you. Duty or not, you helped save my life. I know you're loyal to me, as a servant is to their Master. I know you struggle with serving my father. I don't blame you. But regardless, you are a loyal, deserving person, Ariella. Whatever the bond may be saying."

Slowly, she nodded, swallowing hard. "Thank you, Sir."

"Ariella?"

"Sir?"

She appeared scared of him. Why? Why now? "What's happened? What did I say? Why won't you even look at me?"

She shirked back.

"Ariella, what's wrong?"

Her whole body flinched as she recoiled from him. Him. "I'm just worn, Sir."

Slowly, he nodded. "Tell me when you're ready to talk. For now, rest."

"Yes, Sir. Feel better, Sir."

He gave her another nod, pulling the curtain between the closed. For the life of him, he couldn't figure out what had happened, why her demeanour had changed so quickly. He leaned back against the pillows in pain. Despite the medical care he had received thus far, he was still in a lot of pain.

Ariella sat in her room late Tuesday afternoon, having just been released earlier that day. She was still feeling weak, but there was nothing more Madame Pomphrey could do for her. And it wasn't like she wasn't used to feeling weak, as much as she hated it.

A knock on the door startled her. It clearly wasn't her master; he didn't bother to knock. He knew he was welcome, plus knocking would imply…well, privacy. Something she didn't have from him.

Carefully, she rose. As far as she knew, that only left two people. Quite frankly, she wasn't sure she wanted to see either of those people in her current state. Nevertheless, she opened the door, not surprised to find Theodore waiting on the opposite side.

"Hi," she said softly, stepping aside to allow him to enter, closing the door behind him.

"How are you feeling?"

"I'm alright. Are you?" She replied as she sat on the bed, gesturing to the desk chair for him to seat himself in across from her.

"No. Why don't you want me involved? I'm volunteering; no one is forcing me into this."

"I know. But I don't see why you would volunteer to be subject to the bond's demands."

"I'm not. I am placing myself at yours and Malfoy's disposal in case I can do anything, as an outside male or as another party in general. I want to be able to help you both."

"I understand that. And I do appreciate it."

"But – ?"

"But I don't want you to have to be involved. This shouldn't be your fight."

"You are my friend Ariella; Malfoy, too. Of course I'm going to fight with you."

Silence fell between. Nott noticed how she was wringing her hands. He reached over, taking them in his own; it was what she needed right now. "I'm not going anywhere, understand? I'm not leaving you."

Slowly, she nodded, swallowing hard. "Th – thank you. I'm sorry. It's just – "

" – you don't have to explain further. I'm not going anywhere. Promise." He repeated solemnly.

"I – Draco told me he told you more about the bond. And that you saw my back when he showed you this room. It doesn't disgust you?"

"You are not disgusting, Ariella. What's been done to you is disgusting and horrific, but it doesn't make me view you as such."

She gave him a shaky smile in reply. "Thank you."

"Any time, Ariella. I told you; I'm here and I'm not leaving."

Slowly, she nodded again, and Theodore could see that finally, he was getting through to her; finally, she was beginning to believe that he (and Malfoy) were going to help her and that they weren't sending her to the dogs to be left alone. It wouldn't be easy, but that didn't mean it wasn't worth it…because this most certainly was.