Chapter Trigger Warnings: references to torture

Chapter 121:

Return to the Room of Requirement

Neville carefully guided Ariella through the halls. Even under disillusionment charms, it was dangerous. Somehow, she wasn't surprised he was leading her to the Room of Requirement.

"Are they going to be okay with me intruding?"

"You aren't intruding, I invited you."

"I'm a Death Eater."

"Not by choice."

"I'm not sure they're going to see it that way."

"You trust me?"

"Yeah, of course."

"And they trust me. So this won't be a problem. And I'll keep you in a secluded part of the room. Away from most."

"Thank you. For doing this."

"We all have to look out for each other. Especially now."

"Still. I know this isn't easy."

"It's the right thing. Though…is there any way you can cover up your Dark Mark?"

"I think I can. However, I doubt I can fully hide that fact. Nor can I really hide my bond mark. I can try, but it's…different."

Neville looked back at her, nodding. "I understand. You ready?"

Swallowing hard, she nodded, and Neville put a finger to his lips, choosing to release the disillusionment charm only on himself.

Neville was greeted by many of those present. He greeted them back as he led the still-invisible Ariella to a corner of the room. It seemed to be a make-shift Hospital Wing. She saw him pull the curtain around a cot as she sat down.

Through it, she could see Neville gesturing to a few peers. When he pulled the curtain open again, Ginny and a Hufflepuff she didn't recognize stood with him.

"Ginny, you remember Ariella. James Tuckett, Ariella Lyons."

"What's she doing here? She's Malfoy's pet!"

Ariella hung her head.

"It's complicated, Tuckett. She's also heavily injured. You're two of the best healers we have. Especially with non-magical ways."

"That doesn't explain what she's doing here."

"She needs help."

"And how do we know she isn't just going to rat us out?"

"I've been forbidden to."

Tuckett snorted, but Ginny gave her a longer look. "Really?"

Ariella nodded. "I can't tell anyone how to get in or even where you are."

"And I'm just supposed to believe that because you've been told not to, that you're actually going to listen?"

"See this, Tuckett?"

Neville asked, bringing her left arm up and rolling up the robe's sleeve, revealing her wrapped dark mark and unwrapped bond mark. "She's not Malfoy's pet. She's Malfoy's slave. That's why she's always followed him around. If he's told her not to, she can't."

Ariella watched as Tuckett processed the information Neville had just sprung on him. He turned to Ginny, who…wasn't reacting. "You knew."

"I did. For about a year and a half now. same as Neville."

He breathed out slowly. "Fine. I don't like it, but I'll help."

"Thank you," said Ariella softly. "Though I don't think it's a good idea."

"Malfoy said we could. So let's see what we can do."

"Neville, it's bad."

"And we've seen plenty of bad things this past year. Plenty of bad injuries this year. No offence, but I doubt whatever is wrong with you is worse than some of the things we've seen already."

"Neville, it's worse than what you caught a glimpse of."

"We can take it. C'mon."

Swallowing hard, she turned around on the cot and shed both the borrowed cloak and blouse.

She heard three people's breathes intake sharply.

"Bloody hell. You weren't exaggerating."

"No. though if – if it makes you feel any better, it wasn't Draco who's responsible for this. Not most of it, at any rate."

"Is there anything we need to know?"

"They're cursed. You can't heal them via charms or other spells."

"Right. Well then. I'll leave them to it. Ariella, feel better."

Theo gaped. "You're serious. Longbottom?"

"I hate to admit it – but he's our best option right now. We both know they have a hideout set up. It's got medical supplies. It's better than her hiding out here. I highly doubt anyone is going to think she's there anyway."

"I don't like it."

Draco snorted. "Trust me, I don't either. But he knows. It seemed like the best option we have. To keep her out of harm's way, at least."

"Malfoy, she has the Dark Mark. How can you think that sending her in with them was a good idea?"

"Because she'll hide it. you and I both know it was far from her choice to get it," Draco replied, rubbing at his own through his sleeve a bit bitterly. "Longbottom and Weasley know about her…position with my family. As much as I hate to admit it, she isn't her siblings, and he isn't quite as pathetic as he used to be. They'll help her."

"You'd better be right about this."

"I don't know much these days. But I do know regardless of our differences, they're not going to hurt her just to get to us. To me, rather."

"You'd better be right about this."

"Can I ask how these were made?"

"I don't know if I can tell you. I don't have permission."

"So how does that work, anyway?" she heard Tuckett ask.

"I've been bound to the Malfoy family for as long as I can remember. I can try to disobey, but it doesn't end well."

"Let me guess. Your back?"

"Among other punishments, yes."

"And what happens if we try to heal them magically?"

"They'll recut themselves twice as deep."

"Seriously?"

"Yes. We've tried."

"We. As in…Malfoy?"

"Yes. I'm not saying he's a saint. I'll never say that. But he's not a bad guy either. I wouldn't be here if he was."

Behind her back, Ginny and James shared a look. "He approves of you being here?"

"Look. I know you don't like him, and with good reason. But he's in a tough spot right now. and he's still making sure to look after me. More than he's obligated to, I mean."

She heard a snort. "Clearly."

Ariella turned, looking over her shoulder. "I'm serious. Draco didn't do this to my back."

"If you say so."

"I believe you," Ginny said suddenly. "I don't think he's capable of this type of violence. And from what I know of the bond, she's telling us the truth. I've seen it react when he's not happy with her. When she tries to disobey a Malfoy. It's ugly, Tuckett."

"So what now, Lyons. You expect us to just trust you?"

"No. I just want a safe place to hide out for a bit. I can't take much more from the Carrows. Just for a bit. Spring break is only a few weeks away. I just need to make it 'til then. Please?"

QUESTION for my dedicated readers: Would you rather I continue on as is or start a rewrite before continuing on?

P.S. - in case FFN goes down or you prefer another site - I am in the process of cross-uploading my stories onto AO3. Username: Leanora2.