Chapter Trigger Warnings: talk of rape,

Chapter 113:

Isolate Sensibility

It felt wrong to be here without her. Draco hadn't realized how accustomed to Ariella he had grown until she was no longer around him daily. How…important she had become to him. He was startled to realize it himself.

He feared for what they were doing to her back at the Manor. It had already been bad, but without him there to help field some of the threats, to treat whatever disastrous aftermath was left…

Then again, after what had happened, what had been broken between them, thanks now more than ever due to his father's work. Perhaps a break was what they needed after all.

"Draco, where do think you're going?"

"To the Great Hall for Lunch. Where else?"

"With me. Now."

Straightening his robes, Draco reluctantly followed his godfather to the headmaster's office.

Ariella was scared, more so than ever before. She hadn't realized how much she had leaned on Draco, how much she used him as a crutch. Despite knowing there wasn't much to be done about it, given the bond, she hated having become so reliant on him. It terrified her a bit, to be honest.

"Where do you think you're going?"

"To complete my chores, Sir."

"How about you come with me instead?"

Reluctantly, Ariella followed her young master's uncle to the parlour.

It had been a week. A week since Draco had returned. He thought about reaching out to Ariella but didn't want to cause her more harm. Especially considering how precarious even his position with his father was nowadays. Lucius couldn't do much, not without endangering his only heir, but there were many ways to work around that.

She had tried obeying, requesting his help the first Monday morning after their separation. It hadn't done much except enrage Lucius further. The man had been furious when he realized his servant was gone, at Hogwarts no less. She was still hurting from that.

Worse still, she was still terrified of him. Oh, he could see her trying to hide her fear, to get back to where they were before the…incident. But truth was, they weren't the same. She was scared of him in a way she hadn't been before.

"Draco?"

He started, silently berating himself for allowing himself to become distracted. Draco looked at his godfather.

"I'm fine."

"And the others? How have they been treating you?"

"As expected, Sir."

"And your schoolwork?"

"What schoolwork? How is this year normal at all? Sir."

"That doesn't mean you should ignore your classwork."

"In case you haven't noticed, Professor, I'm rather more concerned with staying alive."

"Draco, I can't help you if you won't tell me anything. I am still your godfather."

The fight began to drain out of Draco. He knew his pseudo-uncle had a point.

"I know. It's been a challenge."

"I'm sure it's not much better at the Manor."

"No, Sir."

"If they continue to give you trouble, I want to know about it."

"If you interfere, they'll retaliate when you aren't around."

He paused. This conversation was eerily similar to one, if not many, he had had with Ariella. It was unsettling, especially to be on the other side on it.

"You can go."

"You must be the young girl my son mentioned."

Ariella's head shot up and she tensed. A tall man stood there, looking down at her. Nothing about his demeanour gave any indication of what he wanted. "Can I help you, Sir?"

"With me."

She swallowed hard and stood, growing only more nervous as he led her towards and into Mr. Malfoy's study.

"Gyles. What can I do for you?"

"I'd like to borrow your servant girl for the day. With your permission, of course."

Lucius leaned back, sweeping a hand open across his desk. "Be my guest. Take your time with her." He paused, eyes narrowing in distaste as they swept over to Ariella. "You will listen to him."

"Yes, Sir."

"My thanks, Lucius."

Gyles quickly turned on his heel and led her towards and through the floo. She stumbled as they entered the parlour room of another smaller, but no less decorated house. The man didn't once slow down as he strode up the stairs and through the hallways into a bedroom.

Ariella could feel her pulse begin to beat faster. She took a seat on the edge of the bed at the man's gesture.

"Do you know who I am?"

"No, Sir."

"Gyles Avery. My son, Jason, is in Draco's year."

She nodded in recognition. "Yes, Sir. I'm aware of who he is."

"It would appear he was right about you."

"I'm afraid I don't understand, Sir."

"You're loyal to the Malfoys. A servant. Mildly attractive."

She remained quiet, not knowing how to respond. She wrung her hands a bit, but otherwise didn't much move.

"Lie down."

"No." The bond began to burn as she refused.

"Lie down."

It was the repeat that forced her to obey; well, that, and her wish not to anger him.

"Somnium Maxima."

Her body was thrust further against the bed as she was hit with the spell. What happened next, she couldn't say. It was dark.

"Malfoy. What did Snape want?"

"To check in. As he pointed out, he is still my godfather."

"Any word on – "

" – none. I'd tell you otherwise. I know you're close."

"Appreciated. How long until the bond demands from you?"

"Depends on what my father does."

"Any plans?"

"I'm torn between summoning her and waiting for her to indicate help. After what happened last time, I can't risk angering my father even further."

Ariella shifted as she woke. The details of what had happened were unclear. Turning, she sat bolt upright. Avery – the younger – was sitting at the desk, reading, though it didn't look like he was fully immersed in the book, if the way his eyes didn't fully scan the pages and he immediately put it down upon her movement were any indication.

"I'm not going to try anything."

"Why should I believe that?" she asked as she swung to sit over the edge of the bed.

"You shouldn't. But it's true."

"Still don't believe it."

"I'm sorry. I wasn't actually going to…I just wanted to intimidate you. See how Malfoy would react, get underneath his skin."

"Really? Because it felt like you were all about raping me. On more than one occasion."

Avery hung his head; something felt off.

"Malfoy had this authority about him; always has, due mostly to his daddy's name and money."

"And you wanted that. It's why you tried to copy him with your own group of followers."

He nodded.

"Why are you apologizing to me?"

"It's what should be done."

"What changed though? You weren't like this at school."

"Malfoy was not the only one with an act. And recently, someone tried to – tried to –" he couldn't finish the sentence. Jason paused, looking away; Ariella just waited. "I realize now what it may have been like for you. No one should have to go through that; certainly not because of me."

"Thank you."

Silence rested over them. Ariella wasn't sure what to make of the boy in front of her; how much of what was said now was actually true? She didn't trust it, didn't trust him. That was rare, especially now.

"Ah, you're awake. Good," a new voice interrupted, sounding from the doorway.

"Father," Jason greeted, rising.

"Leave us."

"Yes, Father."

Only when he was sure his son was gone, did the elder Avery man proceed further.

"How are you feeling?"

"Fine, Sir."

"Good."

"Please, Sir. Why am I here?"

"To try to give you a break. I do not agree with Lucius. I have my own servants and house elves; I would not treat them as he does you. Below us you may be; but that is no way to treat someone as"

"Oh. Thank you, Sir. How do I repay you, Sir?"

"You don't need to serve me as you do him. I'll be sending you back shortly."

She just nodded. "Thank you, Sir."