Trigger Warnings: Attempted Sexual Assault

Happy Holidays for those celebrating/observing!

Chapter 104:

Raiding Safeguard

Draco groaned as he finally was able to retire to his room. He flung the Death Eater robe and mask onto the desk chair, not caring as the latter clattered to the floor. Another raid, done. A disaster, which had, not surprisingly, resulted in punishment for all involved. That had been happening more and more frequently, it would seem.

He couldn't help but wince as he began stripping of his clothing. He was getting better at controlling his mind, his expressions, at playing those around him. He didn't have choice but to learn. So learn he did.

"Sir?"

Draco swung around sharply, wand raised. Why wasn't he alone? He then realized where the small voice had come from – a kneeling figure by his door. He released a slow breath as he realized it was just his servant.

"Ariella."

She kept her head bowed and her body relatively still.

When she didn't respond elsewise, he simply continued to strip and change, aware of her presence now, but not overly concerned. It wasn't entirely unexpected, after all. And as much as he may want…need…prefer…to be alone right now, he wouldn't send her out there.

As he finished, making sure his dirty – tainted – clothing actually ended up in the laundry basket, he looked over to her again. She hadn't moved, though her body was trembling. He really didn't have the time or energy for this. Nevertheless, carefully, so as not to startle her, the Master made his way over to his kneeling servant.

"Ariella? What's wrong?"

She just shook her head. "I'm sorry for disturbing you, Sir."

"Up you get. C'mon."

Slowly, she stood, with the helping hand of her master, though she did walk over to the chaise on her own. She was nervous…scared even. Though why, it was hard to say. Then again, with how everything was right now, it wasn't unexpected.

"Sir?"

Draco's head jerked up as she spoke, her voice so soft it was hard to even make out.

"Yes?"

"I – I know you have a lot going on, but I – have you been able to find a whip or other…tool for punishment yet?"

Draco cursed under his breath. "Shite. No, I haven't. I – I forgot. I am so sorry, Ariella."

"No, Sir. I – I didn't mean that. I didn't mean to make you feel bad, Sir. I just – I just wanted to check, Sir. It had been a while since we talked about it."

"I know it has. I will try to find it soon. In the meantime, we'll just have to keep going as we are. I'm sorry."

"I understand, Sir. I just wanted to check. It's not…it wasn't a critique, Sir."

He paused at her wording. "Are you saying those things because you want to or because the bond is forcing you to?"

"Both, Sir. I – I do feel bad to be bothering you, but…well, you know how the bond is. It doesn't like me to be critiquing or questioning you."

"While you may have to be more…formal with me, especially in public, that doesn't mean you are forbidden from asking me about such things. You can remind me about what is needed; you can ask questions. Just preferably wait until moments like this, when it's…more private."

She nodded shakily. "Thank you, Sir. I – I appreciate it."

He gave another curt nod at her response and they fell into a comfortable silence. She tucked her knees up under her as her master sat at his desk, scribbling on piece of parchment.

As he seemed to finish, she broke the silence again, "Sir?"

Draco looked up again, trying very hard not to be annoyed with his servant. He gave a curt nod, letting her know to continue.

"What about going back?"

Her master leaned back in the chair. "What about it?"

"Have you heard anything about what it will be like? How will it…change? For the school, for us?"

She was nervous and scared, he realized, listening to her hesitant tone and watching as she wrung her hands as she spoke. He wasn't surprised by this. She had every right to be. It would be worse for her, to be at their mercy.

"Death Eaters will be around Hogwarts more often than not; some may even take over…teaching positions. Treat me as you have been. Not over the top or it will be problematic, but formally, nevertheless. It should…help. As for the others, both other students, the professors, and the Death Eaters, just do as you have been. Treat them as you need to to survive. Tell me of any problems and we'll adjust as necessary."

"Yes, Sir. I – I am sorry to be a bother with this."

Draco wanted to groan and scream in frustration. He wanted the war to be over and for the bond to be dispelled. To never have to deal with these threats and curses looming over him.

But that wasn't practical nor plausible; certainly not right now. So instead, he closed his eyes, bracing himself on the desk, unconsciously rising as he did so and let out a slow, measured breath.

When he opened his eyes, it was to find Ariella kneeling submissively in front of the chaise. Gathering himself, he walked over and squatted in front of her.

"Why are you kneeling?" he asked, making sure to keep his voice even.

"It felt right, Sir. I've upset and/or angered you; it felt like the right position to be in, Sir."

"Up. I don't need this right now," he said, rising and holding out his hand. She gratefully took it and together, they sat back on the chaise.

"You aren't a bother, Ariella. The bond is. The requirements are. The war is. But not you. I've told you, I don't want you terrified of me."

"I'm not. Some of the…others do scare me and some of what we have to do scares me, but not you, Sir. It's just…it's daunting. All of it. And I hear you, but it doesn't change how I feel."

He paused for a moment before pressing on. "How does kneeling make you feel?"

"Vulnerable. Submissive. Forced. I – I hate doing it most of the time. I feel blindsided, weak, especially in that position."

Draco nodded in understanding. He loathed not being able to see what was happening either, also loathed having his back to those who hated him. He could only imagine what she felt like in that position, given her…rank and all that had happened. Then he fully processed all of her words. "You said most of the time. Is there more to that answer?"

She nodded nervously, wringing her hands again. "I don't always feel bad when I kneel for you," she confessed. "Sometimes it feels…right."

Silence followed her remark. Draco didn't know how to respond to that. He didn't know how that made him feel, or worse, what it actually said about him.

"I'm sorry. I just thought you should know, Sir."

He shook his head, replying in the same, soft voice. "Don't be. I know you don't have a choice, but I appreciate your honesty all the same."

"Yes, Sir. Thank you." She paused for a moment. "Thank you for protecting me."

He nodded, giving her a weak smile. "It is my job after all," he said. But both knew she meant it as more than that. It was, after all. He was certainly doing more than just simply protecting her; certainly more than what was minimally "required" by the bond.

"Hello sweetheart," a voice breathed darkly against her neck. Immediately, Ariella felt her heart race. When had he even entered?

"Please no," she begged.

"No, what? I'm hardly doing anything. You might want to be more open."

She felt this…monster sniff at her neck, his body pressing up against hers. She was scared.

"Especially since I now have a much higher standing. As do my friends. The way I hear it, we'll all be spending lots more time together."

She tried to get away, but his hands kept her in place, long nails digging into her even through clothing.

"Please, sir. I – I need to return to my chores."

"I'm sure you do." His voice was sickeningly sweet. "Why don't you show me what you can do? I'm sure you're useful for taking care of all types of…hard messes."

She shuddered beneath him, much to his delight, at his words, his insinuation.

"I – I'm not supposed to. Please. My – my Master will be wanting me back soon."

"Soon isn't now, is it?"

"I sssense trouble", a voice suddenly seemed to say. She stiffened and was surprised to find Greyback do the same.

"Go away now. Your master isn't here," he seemed to say, as if shooing off a stray dog. But, for the first time ever, Ariella could hear a bit of nervousness seep through into his voice.

"Perhapsss not. But I ssstill have free reign. Are you causssing trouble?"

The monster behind her began to tremble a bit. But he raked his nails under her shirt anyway. She whimpered against the sharp movement.

Suddenly, he was off of her, sprawled backwards. "Beast! What was that for?"

"Is girly better now?" She heard that same voice ask. She could only nod fearfully. She didn't want to turn around. But something compelled her to anyway.

Her eyes widened. She fell to her knees as she realized who…what…had saved her. It was the Dark Lord's pet snake. Greyback was looking between them. Ariella realized she couldn't give away her secret…though it did explain why the werewolf had reacted so badly.

The snake slithered, surprising both humans as it curled protectively around the servant girl.

"Little bitch," the older growled. The snake hissed defensively, startling the man out of the room.

"Thank you," she whispered, the words coming naturally.

"You're welcome."

"Why?"

"You needed help. I could sssense your ability to ssspeak with me. We do not abandon our own."

"Thank you," she repeated, bowing her head to the snake.

"My pleasssure. Let'sss get you back to your Massster."

"Ready to return?"

"I suppose."

"One more thing. Be careful when using that room of yours. We'll be under watch more than in the past. You…we…can not afford to be caught using it, or doing anything else suspicious. Understood?"

Shakily, Ariella nodded in reply. "Am I forbidden from using it, then, Sir?"

"No. Just be careful. If you run into problems…any at all, with the room, professors, peers…anyone. I want to know."

"Yes, Sir."

He could barely hear her response this time. "You are not a bother, Ariella," Draco repeated firmly, facing her. "If you need help, come to me, to Nott. We're living in a dangerous time. Even more so for you."

"I know, Sir. I – I am grateful for your help and protection."

"I know," he said simply, softening his voice ever so slightly. He couldn't afford to be soft, certainly not know. But he also had a sinking feeling that the only way they would get through what was to come was by sticking together. As much as Draco didn't want to admit it, he needed her with him this year.

"Let's go," he stated simply, firmly, as he held out his arm to her. She took it and he apparated them away to Platform 9¾ and into their next year at Hogwarts.