Chapter Trigger Warnings: torture, implied sexual assault

Chapter 109:

An Unlikely Partnership Continues

"Please! Please!"

"Aw. Does the little girl not like our games?" A cruel laugh echoed through the room again.

Around the corner, Draco gestured to Longbottom to stay hidden, still unable to believe he was working with the Gryffindor. The Gryffindor he had teased for years. And now, they were working…amicably together, to keep a common…friend safe. Again. Merlin help him, it was becoming a frequent occurrence.

"Enough! She doesn't have the information we desire. Not this time, at least."

Draco paled, and saw Longbottom tense. It wasn't just the Carrows this time. His uncle was involved as well.

"Go as if you're reporting for detention. Except don't refuse to torture her. Play along."

"I'm not going to torture her," Longbottom hissed back.

"Then get out of here. I don't have time for more of your games."

"It's not a game just because I won't torture someone."

"Get out of here," Malfoy repeated. He didn't have the time to deal with Gryffindor stupidity.

"Please! I – I'll do what you want. I'll be here for demonstration. I – I just…no! Please!"

She was begging. Draco could hear the terror in her voice. How much of it was real? Did it even matter, considering how much the others were feeding on it? Something was…different about this time. Now the question was…how did he get her out without causing more trouble for either of them?

Thoughts raced and he tried desperately to think of a solution. He could hear her screams and they sounded different than usual. Something in her…torture had changed.

"I'll do it." His expression was grim and unyielding; a far contrast from what Draco was used to seeing.

"Let's go. Pretend I've…caught you. Hide your wand."

Draco saw his classmate slide the wand up his sleeve – easy to reach if needed. Steeling himself for whatever he was about to face, Draco placed the tip of his wand gently against Longbottom's back and his other hand on his shoulder. Swallowing hard, he pushed Longbottom through the door.

"Malfoy? What have you there? Finally did something right and caught up with the blood traitor then, did you?"

He ignored the jab and answered succinctly as he could. "I caught him trying to change the graffiti two floors down."

"Well done, nephew," Rodolphus praised. "Now hand him over."

Draco obeyed, pushing his classmate towards his uncle. He watched, not sure of how this was going to play out. Glancing towards the floor, he couldn't see Ariella. Yet, he knew he had heard her voice.

"Looking for something?" a voice taunted.

His head snapped up. "I have use for my servant now. Where is she?"

"We're not done right now. However…," Carrow said, pausing in a way that implied more intelligence than the man actually possessed. "…if you leave Longbottom with us, you can collect it directly after dinner instead of after detention."

Carefully, his eyes slid over to the other teen, who gave a curt nod. "Fine. Directly after dinner. Sir."

Turning on his heel, unable to believe he was thinking it: he hoped Longbottom would be able to help where he couldn't. Merlin help him.

Ariella whimpered a bit as he set her down on the bed, glad they were finally alone. She was barely coherent. This couldn't keep happening. Yet, with his father's permission, it would. All he could do was help treat her; try to keep attention off of her. Merlin save him, he was responsible for a person's very lifeline. Never before had that fact hit him harder than now – during this perilous war time.

"Sir? I'm sorry. I should have – "

" – done exactly as you did. It would have only made things worse had you fought it," he interrupted, finishing the sentence with his own. "I'm not going to ask for details. Not now. Just tell me what you need."

He was certain he saw brief relief pass over her features at that. He knew she didn't like revealing how much pain she was in, what tortures she went through. She liked to keep to herself – whether that was due to her personality, the bond, the "family" situation she grew up with, or a combination, he didn't know. He would bet the bond and its members certainly didn't help, however – himself included.

"I don't know," she admitted. "Could I just…could I just sleep? Please, Sir? I – don't know what else there is to do."

"Of course. Sleep dreamlessly, as long as your body needs," he ordered in response, hoping that combination would allow her some amount of actual rest.

"Dr – Sir? They kept asking for secrets about you. About your family. About Hogwarts. I don't – I didn't tell them anything, I swear. I – I'm loyal, Sir."

"I know. I'll speak with my uncle. Sleep now. We'll talk later."

As she turned into the blankets, he ran a hand down his face before making his way out of the room again. Knowing Longbottom has saved her from several hours of torture, it was only fair he check on the Gryffindor. Even if he didn't like it.

He returned to the dungeons just as Longbottom was sneaking out of the kitchens. The two stopped short upon seeing each other. Draco moved first, giving his classmate a curt nod as he observed the cut lip and slash marks in the clothing.

"I barely even saw her. They didn't want me involved in torturing her. Odd, considering they usually love trying to force that on us."

"It's her; they can torture her in a different way than the rest of u – you," he replied, keeping his voice low, stumbling over his words. Over "us" instead of "you".

"She won't be returning with you for a few days. I'll send word." Then, after a moment's pause. "Be careful."

He then brushed past Longbottom in order to go visit his uncle. What he walked into, however, was not something he was prepared for. And that was saying something in this climate.

"Winter Hols are in only two weeks away. Are you ready?" Nott asked his friend, not sure which of his friends he was more concerned about.

"Do I have a choice? I'm always ready to face them at this point."

"Is she?"

"She's as ready as she can be. Same as always."

"I meant, how is she holding up under…new management?"

"As well as can be expected. Better, even. Merlin, help us, but she hasn't given in yet. If recent events haven't made her, I don't know what will, nor do I want to find out."

"Visit if you can. I'll do the same if you like. If only to provide a distraction; an excuse for you not to be present all the time."

"I…look forward to it," he broke off, before continuing, once again swallowing some of his pride. "Thank you, Nott."