Chapter Trigger Warnings: Mentions of forced behaviour

Chapter 130:

Verdicts

The accommodations were better in the Ministry than in Azkaban – if only marginally. She was still fed in rations, and it was nice to have the regularity, if she were being honest. It was also a bit warmer here – something for which she was grateful.

Two days after her trial, she received a visitor…of sorts. Draco was escorted into her cell. He was shuffled in, hands still bound together, ankles receiving the same treatment, and wand at his back. He still looked weak – the past two years, let alone imprisonment, had not been kind to him. Yet despite his waning appearance, she was just happy to see him.

He was escorted to be…shackled next to her. The guards them returned to close the cell door and took their posts. He slumped against the wall, using it as support, as he faced her.

"Have they been treating you alright?"

She nodded. "Fine. And you, Sir?"

"A bit of rough-handling. Nothing bad."

Ariella took another look over her master. There were a few fading bruises, but nothing that seemed overly…rough.

"There's a…complication with the trials."

Ariella looked up as he spoke again. She felt a pit grow in the bottom of her stomach.

"What type of complication?"

"First, the good news. Potter and Longbottom fought for you. Admirably. They put in a word for me as well."

"Seriously?"

He nodded. "Indeed. I can't believe I'm saying this, but I owe them a lot. Both for your sake and mine."

"Then what's the complication?"

"You were to be let out on time served. I'm only to serve a year total."

"I was to be let out?"

"My father got to them."

"I don't understand."

"Due to the connection you have with him – not to mention me, of course –, they moved his trial up. During it, he pointed out a part of the bond I didn't know was possible."

"Sir?"

"He's trying to make you serve some of his time."

"That doesn't make sense. Why try it now? What about two years ago?"

"Apparently, he tried to bring it up. But they didn't quite believe him when he said he had a bound servant at his disposal. And they were even more eager then than they are now for a verdict. Two years ago was simply about prosecution and making good headlines. Now…well – it's a bit more about justice. Supposedly."

She could hear the immense doubt he had in his assessment. He wasn't wrong though. She hoped, given all that had happened, how things had gone in the past with wrong convictions and criminals walking free, they would be more careful this time. But she also knew wounds were very raw with everyone. There wasn't any telling what would happen. Still…it was nice to see them attempting fairness.

"I'm surprised they're still letting him get his way after…well, after all that's happened."

"They went through all the texts they could, but there aren't many left. There's nothing to stop him. They're compromising. They aren't fully giving in, but they have to adhere in part, or they're breaking ancient, magical law. No amount of testimony, even from Longbottom or Potter, was going to change that."

"How long?"

"A year total. The rest of the time is on him."

She thought about it. it wasn't that bad, truly, all things considered. Then she realized…"That keeps me with you."

"You can thank Longbottom for that one. I'm…loathe to admit it, but he's not as dumb as he used to be. Once he realized what was happening, what Father wanted, he suggested it. It's a reasonable amount of time – which will appease the bond's magic – while still not letting Father off the hook. More importantly, it keeps you with a Master. To the day. True, you could be released into Mother's care, but in all honesty, I doubt she has the stomach to do what needs to be done for the bond. Especially at the intensity it's sure to demand post-prison."

"Don't take this the wrong way, but there are times I'm surprised you do."

Despite her best intentions, she winced. She was now questioning her Master's strength, his command of the bond. It wasn't happy.

But Draco just glanced at her, slowly nodding. "I'm not offended. You're forgiven if the bond needs it. I refuse to let my father's cruelty – or the bond's – to you win. So I do what I have to."

"Thank you, Sir. I am grateful. I hope you know that."

"I do. I've never thought otherwise."

"I know you hate the bond."

"I can't free you. It isn't in my power. Only the Head Master can. Even if he's in Azkaban. It's why I didn't free you two years ago. I can't so long as he is alive. I won't kill my Father. I'm sorry."

"I wouldn't ask you to. I know the chances of my freedom are limited. That he'll never agree to it. Though I – I am surprised there isn't a contingency for if the Head Master is imprisoned for a lengthy period of time."

"I am, too. I'll double check the few texts in the Manor Library once we're released, especially now that I'm of-age, unlike last time. I'll look in my father's office even – see if he has anything more concrete about the bond hidden away. But as far as I know, there isn't. I can't…I'll try to speak to my father, to see if there is any way he would concede to allowing you to go free."

"All due respect, Dra – Sir, but you and I both know that no amount of pleading or bargaining – even from you – will see me free. He won't do it. and I doubt he only meant for me to serve for a certain length of time, or he would have chosen a more temporary binding."

Draco wanted to bang his head against the wall. He hated that she was right.

"Looks like you're stuck with me. Sir." She cracked a small smile at him, trying to show it was…not the worst thing in the world right now.

He snorted. "I suppose so. With each other then."

She let silence fall for a moment.

"Why haven't they brought us back to Azkaban?"

"Father's trial is technically still finishing up. In case they need us for his trial, they're keeping us here. I suspect we'll be back in Azkaban tonight or tomorrow."

"Will they keep us together?"

"I hope so, given everything they've been told, given how…low-level of threats we are, all things considered. Not to mention we're finishing our sentences at the same time."

She nodded. "I hope so, too. Not just for the bond's sake, but…I prefer it, too."

He nodded tiredly in response. "It's bad enough as is. I'm glad not to be looking ahead to months alone."