Chapter Trigger Warnings: references to torture, dubious/non-consent

Chapter 126:

Checking In

A sharp rap had Ariella and Draco both looking up sharply towards the entrance of her room. Only a handful of people knew about this room, much less could access the door. Draco slowly rose, wand out, as the door opened on its own, revealing – much to their relief – Theodore Nott.

He took in their dishevelled appearances. "What happened?"

"Something I'm surprised didn't happen sooner," Draco replied, sitting back down and gesturing to the empty desk chair.

"That's not vague at all."

Draco snorted in response; Ariella cracked a small smile in spite of the tenseness.

"I know you had a meeting last night. I also know something…bad happened."

Draco raised an eyebrow. "And you know this how?"

"My father owled me a note this morning. He knows I'm friends with you, Malfoy, and it wouldn't shock me if he knew I was…friendly with Ariella."

Ariella shot a scared look between her master and…quasi-master.

"Draco, if your father finds out – "

" – I know. But he probably suspects something anyway. Especially given Nott's association with the bond. And how I've – he - …well, given that night," Draco said, awkwardly cutting off.

"If it helps, I don't think my father will say anything. Not unless it interferes with – well, I would say schoolwork, but that's not really a thing now, is it?"

Draco snorted, but relaxed nonetheless as Theo interrupted, trying to calm her.

"So what did the note say?"

"It was simple. 'Meeting last night. Check on Draco.' So here I am. So would one of you like to explain what happened last night that was so bad my father felt the need to inform me?"

Ariella shot Draco another look, one he returned this time. He swallowed hard, before looking up at their friend.

"We were forced to prove our…positions."

"You're going to have to be a bit more specific, Malfoy."

"Mr. Malfoy and the Dark Lord forced Draco to punish and sexually claim me in front of everyone," Ariella replied bluntly, causing both boys to look at her in surprise.

"Sweet Merlin," Theo muttered. He didn't know what to say to that. "Did you have any forewarning, at least?"

"No. I thought I was being brought in to be punished."

"You were, in a way. Just not as you suspected."

Ariella bowed her head, beginning to twist the blanket's edge over in her hands again.

"Any idea what tipped this off?"

Draco hung his head a bit with a nod. "A promise I made my father, combined with the…lack of success I've had…well, let's just say it isn't making many adults in my life happy."

Nott winced, but nodded in understanding.

"Sir?"

Her master glanced over.

"What happens now? Do we – I mean, does this change anything in my duties or – "

" – no. Nor is any of it your fault. We continue as we have been, but with even more caution, if possible. No doubt the Carrows will want to see you soon. I'm going to have to allow it, at least part of the time."

"I understand, Sir. I'll do what it takes to keep us safe."

Much to their dismay, the following weekend saw Ariella cooped up in the Hospital Wing once again. She grimaced as she swallowed the potion; it burned at her throat, but sent cold through her chest and stomach.

"Let me guess. The Carrows?"

Ariella looked up to see Neville leaning stiffly against the wall. She glanced about.

"How'd you even get in here?"

Ignoring the question, he simply asked one of his own. "Do you want to come back to the Room of Requirement?"

"I can't. Draco would be – "

" – Malfoy wants you safe. I don't agree with him on most things, but on this I do. You're more vulnerable than most of us."

"I'm more expendable," she replied evenly. "I'm also harder to kill."

"I don't understand."

"I'm not worth as much. Certainly not legally. But Draco – or any Malfoy, really – can order me not to die. It won't work against everything, but it helps."

"Merlin. I didn't even think about that. I didn't realize it was even a possibility."

She shrugged, unsure what to say.

"Are you sure you won't come back with me? For you to have ended up in the Hospital Wing…how bad is it?"

Ariella simply looked down at her lap. She didn't know how to answer that other than, "I've had worse."

Neville snorted despite himself, tensing as the door opened, revealing her friend.

"Longbottom. What are you doing here?"

"Same as you, I suppose. Checking in on a friend."

"Are you taking her?"

Slowly, Neville shook his head. "She wouldn't agree."

Nott's gaze whipped around to find Ariella's. "Seriously?"

"I can be of better use if I'm not hiding away."

"Do I have to order you to go with Longbottom?"

"Do you even have the authority to do that, Nott? I thought only Malfoys could – "

" – without a Malfoy present, I can. I won't, not now. But I can."

Neville's eyes widened. He hadn't realized that was a possibility – nor that Malfoy would relinquish control. Then again, Draco Malfoy had come to him of all people for his servant's sake. If this war, particularly this year, had shown him anything, it was that things were almost never black and white.

Ariella sat, not in her room for once, but in the common room, secluded in a quiet corner, when Professor Slughorn entered, looking flustered.

"All students are to report to the Great Hall. Now."

She wondered if that included her. Part of her itched to go, to find out what was happening. To be in the thick of things. It was obvious something of importance was occurring. Yet, she knew Draco wouldn't want her there. Not yet, at least. Not until they were sure of why.

She watched as they filed out, as Slughorn eyed her suspiciously. Luckily, he didn't comment on her lack of movement.

And then, from the silence, a cold, calculating, (and unfortunately familiar) voice pierced through the very walls of the castle.

"I know that you are preparing to fight. Your efforts are futile. You cannot fight me. I do not want to kill you. I have great respect for the teachers of Hogwarts. I do not want to spill magical blood.

"Give me Harry Potter and they shall not be harmed. Give me Harry Potter and I shall leave the school untouched. Give me Harry Potter and you will be rewarded.

"You have until midnight."

And then the mark on her lower left arm began to burn. She had to muffle a scream as she lifted up her sleeve.

The Dark Mark was bold against her skin and moving, pulsing. Summoning her to his side. She obeyed, surprised when she landed hard on the ground of the Forbidden Forest.

Looking up, she saw both Mr. and Mrs. Malfoy standing stoically, as well as countless other Death Eaters, all rallying behind their leader. The battle had come to Hogwarts.