Trigger Warnings: Talk of and Off–Stage Torture; Objectification

Chapter 106:

What's "It" To You?

A nightmare. It was official: they were living in a nightmare. Darkness seemed to consume everything; coldness seemed to seep into every crevice and bone. Silence and tension filled hallways and classrooms alike, only broken by quiet murmurs, booming orders, or piercing screams.

"Malfoy, see me after class."

Theodore shot his friend a carefully guarded concern look. He curtly gave a slight nod in response.

"What happened to your little slave?" questioned Carrow with a cruel smile.

"That's none of your concern."

Draco tensed, but otherwise did not react to the stinging hex.

"You are in no position to be talking back. Especially given your recent failures."

"I don't see you doing much better," he retorted.

Carrow sneered. "Last I checked, I am still above you. So tell me: did you bring it to school?"

"Yes," Draco replied stiffly, jaw clenched.

"So where are you keeping it?"

"I don't have to tell you. My property, my decision on how I use," he swallowed hard, pausing only for the briefest of moments, "it".

"We'll see. Detention for the rest of the week."

Draco simply scoffed and strode from the room, unsurprised to find Nott waiting. He raised a hand to stop Nott from asking until they were away from prying ears.

"Ariella. Carrow wants Ariella. I refused. I've got detention for the week."

"Merlin, Malfoy. It's only the third week. Can you afford to be angering Carrow?"

"What choice do I have?"

"What if you let them see her? Just see her; perhaps at a meal."

"No. I – "

" – Malfoy, they know you're keeping her hidden here in the castle, yeah?"

Draco nodded slowly.

"They'll keep asking. They're going to torture you, Draco."

"And if they get to Ariella, they'll torture her. I can not let that happen."

"Even if it means your life?"

Draco's gaze snapped up. "What are you talking about?"

"You aren't stupid, Malfoy. We're in a war. You're out of favour with the Dark Lord. You're looked down upon by people like Carrow, who have power over you right now. Do I need to say more? Spell it out further?"

"I KNOW! I know how precarious things are right now. I don't need you to tell me."

"Then think, Malfoy. What happens to her if you aren't around?"

Theodore could see his friend practically shaking with…nerves, with anger…with hurt, even as the other man tried – and mostly succeeded – to control it.

"So?" Theo prompted, gently but firmly.

"I can't do that to her."

"I hate to say it, Malfoy, but she can handle it."

"That's not necessarily what I'm worried about. She shouldn't have to. She shouldn't have to be subject to even more torture. I don't know how she hasn't broken yet, but I do not want to find out what that point is for her."

"You think I do? I'm not suggesting this lightly."

Draco sighed heavily, part of his anger leaving him. "I know."

"What if you said she could only be…tortured when you're there?"

"They'll never go for it."

The two boys stayed silent; the tension in the air was palpable.

"We're missing lunch. We should go before we're late to class."

"I never meant for this to happen," Draco admitted quietly. "Even with all of…everything we've grown up with. I never pictured something like this."

"I know. But this is our reality right now. Best we figure out how to survive."

"Thank you, Nott," Draco said suddenly.

Theodore looked up sharply in shock. "I know Ariella couldn't do this without you…I couldn't do this without you."

"I probably could…but you make it easier. More complicated, but easier to handle," Nott replied, causing Draco to roll his eyes, secretly glad for the slight banter.

Draco glanced about, before entering into "Ariella's" room. He was forced to stop short, however, when he almost ran into her.

"Sorry, Sir."

"What were you doing?"

"I – I needed to get things from the dormitory."

"I can get whatever it is you need. You need to stay hidden."

Ariella backed up further, noting the tension in her master's body, though neither took a seat. "Sir?"

"The Carrows are looking for you. Specifically asking for you."

"Why?"

"I don't know. As another to torture?"

"They need an excuse?" she retorted.

"No. But let's not give them further reason."

"Dr – Sir. I need to do…something. Please. There must be something I can do for you. To help."

"Absolutely not. I know you're probably going stir–crazy, but it's for your own good. For your own protection."

"It's just…I know why I'm stuck here. But wouldn't it be better…for you…to be seen?"

"I'm not willing to risk it. I'm not willing to risk you."

"Why?"

"Why what?"

"Why is this so important to you? What's happened?"

Draco's brow furrowed in response. "What are you on about?"

"Why is my protection so important to you?"

"Why wouldn't it be?"

"Dra – Sir. I'm not worth it. I – I appreciate all you're doing. I swear. But I'm not. I can't be. You've said it yourself – there's so much at stake. I don't want to be the reason you're further distracted, further…hated."

Part of him wanted to slap her, to shake her out of…whatever this was. But he couldn't – wouldn't – do that. Instead, he simply said, "Sit."

She obeyed, clearly puzzled and torn.

"Why? Why wouldn't I fight for you? There are enough dangers out there. There are enough people I care about facing them every day. You'll never be free of dangers, but I can't put you in more."

"I appreciate it, Sir. It's relieving to hear that. But not if it means you'll be hurt further in trying to protect me. I can take it."

"Is this persistence coming from you or the bond?"

"Both, I suppose. It is a requirement to help you as much as I can, to serve you however I can. But I want to. I can't do much. Please, Sir. Let me do this for you."

Draco stayed quiet. Ariella could practically see him thinking, brewing. She let him, grateful and concerned to all at once.

"Okay," he said finally. "But we do this my way."

Ariella stayed behind Draco as they entered the Carrows' domain.

"So nice to finally see you. Where have you been?"

Ariella shook her head. Amycus raised his wand.

"Where were you last night, Ariella?" Draco asked evenly, never taking his gaze from the Carrows.

"Slytherin girls' dormitory."

"And most of your time is being spent in your room?" he continued, carefully wording his questions.

"Yes, Sir."

"You have your answers, Carrow; lower your wand."

Amycus sneered at Draco, but listened nevertheless.

"She's here now, in front of you. What do you want?"

"To play. Leave us, Malfoy."

"Not likely. You want to play with her, you do so in front of me."

"Aw. Does little Draco care about his little servant?"

Don't react. Don't lose it. Don't break. Not now, Ariella silently pleaded.

"Hardly," he drawled. "I just don't want you destroying my property."

"Leave. You can collect it in an hour. Or do you want to go first?"

His lips curled into an ugly sneer, but he turned and left. Draco knew if he didn't, Ariella would only feel it more. He needed a better plan than this one. Merlin, it was hard enough trying to keep himself out of danger, let alone her, too.

"You will bring her along from now on. We need someone to practice on, after all."

Draco tensed. "And if I don't?"

Carrow's eyes narrowed. "Then consider yourself volunteered for demonstration."

"Noted," he sneered, turning on his heel. "Follow me," he then barked out at Ariella, knowing the bond would force her to comply.

Knowing they were likely being watched, especially on the way back, Draco simply led them back to his dorm room.

"Get out," he ordered, seeing his roommates present. Grudgingly, they shuffled out, knowing even now not to mess with an angry Malfoy.

Only once they were gone and the door closed did he risk dropping some of the harshness. "How bad was it?"

"I – I think…I think to – today was a wa – a warm up," she replied, stumbling over her words in a haze.

Draco cursed under his breath, causing her to jump, to flinch.

"I can't stay here."

"I'm not letting you go back to the girls' room."

Silence fell as he helped her to sit against his bed. "I – I'm okay. I – I just…I can do this. I – I just – I need – "

" – what? What do you need? How can I help?" he asked without thinking.

A sound of stones shifting startled them both. Draco immediately sprung to his feet, wand raised.

Come, a voice seemed to whisper, surrounding them.

Draco and Ariella shared a look, before he helped his servant to her feet, guiding her. The stones directly behind the headboard of his bed had shifted to reveal a dimly lit passage. Apprehensive and puzzled, wand raised, Draco led the way through the walls of Hogwarts until he came upon a latched door. He unhooked the latch and pushed, wary of what they would find.

Both sets of eyes widened as they took in the familiar room…their haven. The door closed behind them, only visible by a latch etched into one of the stones.

"Thank you," Draco whispered, to no one in particular, as Ariella leaned against him.

As he guided her into a seated position on the bed, he observed the subtle changes. There was now full access to a connected lavatory. The room had expanded, allowing for both of them to stay comfortably if they wished it.

"What do I need to treat?"

She shook her head, only increasing her dizziness. "No – nothing, now, Sir. I – sleep?"

"Of course. I'll treat you later," he replied easily, helping her to strip off the excess layers. It wasn't hard to see she needed rest perhaps more than treatment at the moment. He threw them aside. He knew she would clean them up later.

"Sleep," he ordered, his voice softer than he meant it. "I'll be back later. Call me if you need to," he finished as she shifted in the bed.

Casting one more glance at his servant, he went over to the stone again, flipping the latch–etching, allowing him access to return to his room. As the stones closed behind him again, he noted the same etching – almost imperceptible unless one were looking for it.

Draco changed, heading directly for the showers, allowing the hot water to stream over his body, hoping to…wipe away the grime and tension that seemed permanently attached.