Chapter 99:

Conclusion

"Draco?"

"Mmhmm?"

"May I ask you a personal question?"

Her master finally looked up, noting how she was wringing her hands. He sat back, clasping his hands, in an imitation of his father. It made her shudder slightly. "What is it?"

"Was I your first?"

Draco didn't know what he was expecting, but that wasn't it. He shifted, a bit uncomfortable.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to pry. I just – "

" – Ariella, it's fine. I – I don't mind. Not from you."

"Oh. Y – yes, Sir. Thank you."

"To answer your question; no, you were not my first." He paused for a moment, before admitting, "You were my third."

"Oh. I – I'm glad."

"Sorry?"

"I'm glad I wasn't your first."

Draco leaned forward. "Why?"

"It means you've had other experiences before me. That you – er – hopefully know that what we did isn't – er – shouldn't be – for you – the norm."

He let her stumble through, knowing she was embarrassed. He slowly nodded, understanding what she was . "It doesn't bother you?"

She shook her head. "Why would it?"

Draco didn't have a full answer so he stayed silent.

"I am glad you were my first. I know you didn't want to – I didn't either – but I'm glad you were my first."

"Why?"

"Simple; you care. And I – I know I'm not – "

" – Ariella, stop. Just take a deep breath and say whatever it is you want to say."

She obeyed and dared to look at him as she continued.

"You wouldn't have done it if the bond didn't force you. I hate that you were forced, but it…it means you don't want me. And you…you took your time. You care. And that…thank you."

Draco leaned forward, taking her hands in his in a rare show of emotion.

"I am sorry. But I will do my best to make the bond's commands as…comfortable as I can."

"Thank you, Draco. I – I do – "

" – I know. You're welcome. I won't make you suffer needlessly, or without reason. I promise."

She nodded. "Thank you, for telling me."

"You can ask. The worse I'll answer is that I don't want to do so."

"Can I – er – "

" – can you what?"

"Have permission to do the same?" she blurted out.

"Ariella, you know you aren't supposed to…"

"…I know! But I just…I thought I'd ask. I'm sorry. I wasn't trying to undermine the bond."

Draco nodded stiffly.

"I can't allow you that, certainly not with the way things are. If there is something you'd rather keep quiet, you can let me know, but I can't promise I won't push, depending on the topic."

"I understand. Thank you, Sir."

Draco lay in bed, his head still reeling with the previous week's events.

Ariella had withdrawn from him and Nott. He would be lying if he said he wasn't worried about her.

It was now, more than ever that he hated the bond. The things it was forcing her to do…them to do.

He was just glad he had found a spell to be able to help prevent her rape. He didn't trust Greyback or Carrow not to go after her...again. Hopefully this would help…

Draco suddenly sat up. What if he had to cast a spell inside of the cabinet in order to help it become fully connected again.

He quickly slipped into his shoes and out of the room, wand in hand. It wasn't long before he reached the Room; he had become quite adept at sneaking there after hours.

Carefully, he entered the cabinet, being cautious not to close the door all the way; he didn't want to become stuck inside accidentally, after all. He then began a series of incantations, praying at least one of them would work. He could feel magic flowing around him, through the cabinet.

Stepping back out, he placed an apple into the passage and closed the door, whispering the words to activate the passage. He then whispered them again, hearing a familiar "thump" as the object returned. Apprehensively, he opened the door and there was the apple…whole. He experimented a few more times and each time, it worked; with a variety of objects.

Carefully, he summoned Ariella.

"How can I help you, Sir?"

The words came automatically, and Draco could hear the tiredness in her voice. Clearly, he had woken her. He felt a bit bad, but this was important. Turning around, he held out his hand, knowing she'd be on the floor.

He felt a shaking hand take it, and he helped her up, finally taking a look at her. She was dressed in the loose clothing he had gifted her the other day; his old clothing, to be exact.

"Sir?"

"I think I've finally fixed the passage."

"Truly?"

Draco slowly nodded. "I want your consent. You have my permission to say 'no'. But if you're willing, I'd like to have you test it. There and back."

"Yes. I'll do it. You need to succeed. Of course, I'll help."

"You're sure? You don't have to do this."

"I do. I will. What am I looking for?"

"A safe passage. You should be able to easily find your way and end in Borgin and Burke's. Then, reverse the process. Try not to be seen."

She nodded. "Alright."

"I want you to take this with you. Actually, scratch that, I am ordering you to take this with you and I am ordering you to use it if you feel the need to. Do you understand me?" he asked, holding out her wand.

She nodded, feeling the power of it run through her. It didn't sting her this time. She didn't know why, but she wouldn't complain.

"You're sure?" he asked again, looking for any sign of hesitation.

She nodded again. "I can do this. How long should I wait before coming back?"

"If you need a break, take it. Otherwise, come straight back."

"Yes, Sir."

She stepped into the cabinet, wand clenched tightly in her hand. He carefully closed the door and heard the tell-tale sign that the passage was working.

It was dark. There was a faint, grey light that led her through, but otherwise, she couldn't even see her feet, nevermind where she was going. She wallowed hard and continued, gripping her wand tightly.

Ariella shivered as a draft blew through the corridor, but she pressed forward. A few more minutes passed, and then she suddenly saw a door looming in the darkness. It was surrounded by a grey mist.

Tightening her grip on the wand, she pushed open the door.

Draco cast Tempus and glanced at the cabinet again. Though he wouldn't admit it to anyone, he was starting to worry. It was close to thirty minutes already since she had left.

Had he been wrong? Was it not as repaired as he'd thought…as he'd hoped.

He tensed, turning as he heard a faint noise. He lowered his want in relief as he saw Ariella emerge from the cabinet. She was pale and shaking a bit, but otherwise seemed alright.

Out of some sort of reflex, he held out his arm to her. She simply shook her head, sinking into the nearby chair.

"It works."

Draco could hardly hear her, nor did he want to believe it.

"Draco, it works," she repeated, looking up at him. He nodded slowly, realization sinking in.

"Let's head back. I'll owl my aunt in the morning."

"It is morning."

"Later, then. Over a meal."

She shakily nodded, rising to her feet.

"Go back to your room. You are excused from serving me tomorrow morning. Sleep as late as you want or need. If you need something, ask or a houseelf for it."

"Thank you, Sir. I do appreciate your generosity."

Draco almost snorted at her choice of word. But he refrained, simply leading the way out of the Room of Requirement.

"Would it bother you if I stayed with you?"

She felt the bond sting at his wording. She shook her head. "Of course not."

They made sure to stay silent as they made their way through the dark hallways, careful not to be caught. Only once safely in the small, private room did she dare speak again.

"What will be required of me come…well, that night?"

Draco froze in his movements. He should have known this was coming. "I haven't decided yet," he replied. Truthfully, he didn't want her near it, but he also knew she would probably need to be.

"Yes, Sir. I – I'll do whatever I need to."

"I know," he replied softly, getting into bed.

Exhausted though he was, it took him a bit to fall asleep, and he wad dreading waking up for classes in just a few hours.