A/N: Hello my lovelies! I hope you all enjoy the next instalment, but before you start reading, I've included some information about Arianwen's friends (as requested).

Arianwen's friends all attended St. Alban's School for Witchcraft and Wizardry which is in Mid-Wales. Most Welsh witches and wizards attend the school rather than Hogwarts and it caters for commonfolk along with nobility. Arianwen's friends are all of noble birth (her father would have encouraged this) but have a mix of titles:

Lord Gwyn Bedwyr (son of the Earl of Monmouthsire)

The honourable Mr. Owain Elgar (son of Viscount Elgar of Brecknockshire, also referred to as Viscount Brecknockshire)

The honourable Mr. Carwyn Tomos (son of Viscount Tomos of Cardiganshire, also referred to as Viscount Cardiganshire)

Lady Brianne Arthur (daughter of the Earl of Radnorshire)

Marquess Aneirin Elisedd (son of Duke of Gwynedd)

Hope that clears things up! Thanks to the lovely Aurora for sharing your thoughts on the last chapter, your theory is a good one... I won't give away any more than that! ;)

Enjoy :)

Chapter Thirteen: Torment

New Years Eve…

Draco jumped as Bellatrix made a dramatic entrance to the sitting room in Malfoy Manor. He'd been on edge ever since Arianwen had left with her friend Owain as he no longer had any distraction from his plans that night.

"Are you looking forward to tonight, Draco?" His aunt asked, displaying her rotten teeth in a disturbing grimace.

He inclined his head to her carefully, "I always look forward to any contribution we can make towards the destruction of mudbloods, Aunt." He drawled. She appeared to appreciate this answer as her smile grew and called out to Narcissa proudly.

"You should be proud of your son, Cissy. He's turning out to be quite the perfect pureblood!"

Narcissa raised an eyebrow at her sister questioningly. "Did you expect anything less, Bella?"

Bellatrix shrugged. "Well with little Luci all locked up, most of us thought Draco would crack under the pressure of the Dark Lord's attention."

Draco's jaw tightened, all his efforts channelled into keeping a cool tongue. Narcissa however, didn't bother with such restraint, "don't call him that!" She snapped.

Bellatrix rolled her eyes dramatically. "Oh calm down Cissy, I simply jest." Her eyes turned back to Draco, "and you've got yourself the little Welsh bitch to warm your bed at night…very good. You'll need to take it out on her, nephew, believe me." It was evident to both Malfoy's where her mind had wandered, it was common knowledge that Bellatrix and Rodolphus had a passionate, sometimes even violent, sex life.

Draco smirked at his aunt. "She'll do for now." He didn't mean it of course but, while he respected his aunt, he didn't trust her as far as he could throw her – he wanted people to believe that his only care for Arianwen was a physical one.

He was saved from any further comment by a sharp burning pain on his left forearm. His eyes locked with his aunt, who nodded at him and grinned.

"Time to go, Draco. We don't want to keep the Dark Lord waiting."

Draco saw his mother eye him warily; she hated the danger that he had to put himself in. But someone has to do something to redeem this family, he thought darkly.

When they had walked beyond the wards of his house, Bellatrix clutched his arm tightly and apparated them to the Nott family residence. They pulled their long, pointed masks over their faces and made their way to the dungeons, where Nott preferred to host his guests.

Draco felt his lip curl as they descended the stairs. This whole bloody place is like a dungeon.

They took their usual places in the circle of Death Eaters, Draco leaving a space where his father should've been standing and bracing himself. He remembered the warning that his Father gave him when he first visited him in Azkaban: "you must always have your guard up Draco. Be dignified, be respectful, only speak when spoken to - unless absolutely necessary. Pay attention to your studies with your Aunt Bellatrix, occlumency could make the difference between life and death for you, son."

He let out a quiet breath and straightened his back, let's do this.

"Good evening, my friends. I trust you are all looking forward to executing our plan," Voldemort's cold, high pitched voice echoed through the dungeon and a thin smile speed over his lips as his followers laughed.

"Bellatrix, I will allow you to lead the ambush. I trust you will not disappoint me."

Voldemort glided towards his aunt, who was quick to fall to her knees and kiss his hand, "My Lord, it will be an honour! I would not dare disappoint you!"

Probably creaming her knickers.

"Good. You will report to me when it's done."

"Yes, Master, of course."

Draco didn't know exactly what the plan was, only that they would be attacking a large muggle event for New Year's Eve in London's Hyde Park. Voldemort wanted to make a bang, something that would shake people while they were relaxed over the holidays.

"Come along then children." The sneer in Bellatrix's voice was evident as she started to round up her soldiers.

Just as they were preparing to file out of the dungeons, Voldemort's voice ran out again, "Draco, Nott, you two can stay behind."

Draco stopped in his tracks. What's this about?

He felt his fingers find the handle of his wand subconsciously.

"You won't be needing that, Draco," Voldemort warned.

The whole group halted, looking between Draco and their Lord, quietly jeering at him as he let his hand fall by his side.

"My Lord," Bellatrix spoke again, "Draco could be useful to us, if I can take him with me-"

"You're dismissed, Bellatrix. Draco will stay." She didn't dare question him further, instead turning on her heel and marching from the room, the other Death Eaters following obediently.

"You can take your masks off now," Voldemort said, "we're all friends here." The last part of his sentence sent chills through Draco's spine, a horrible ominous feeling spreading through the room like a cloud of black fog.

He did as he was told, hearing the rustle beside him of Theodore Nott Sr. doing the same. He kept his eyes firmly on Voldemort, determined to remain dignified as his father had warned.

"I suppose you are wondering why I didn't break dear Lucius out of Azkaban at the same time as Theodore here?"

"No my Lord," Draco said, his voice calm and steady, "I know what must be done to release my Father."

Voldemort inclined his head to him, a cruel smile flicking over his face. "And do you not love your father? Do you not wish for his return?"

He gulped. "Of course I do, my Lord."

"Then why are you wasting time?" Voldemort hissed, the smile disappearing from his face. "Remember your deadline, Draco; or Lucius will not have such a lucky escape as Nott."

"I have been working tirelessly on my task-"

"Liar!" Nott cut in. Draco growled inwardly. How the fuck does he know what I'm doing? Voldemort didn't usually share information about one Death Eater's task with the others.

"You don't know shit, Nott." Draco spat, everything about the man repulsed him.

Voldemort tutted, sounding almost amused. "Now now, Draco, didn't your mother teach you to respect your elders?"

"There is nothing to respect about that paedophilic bastard." Draco growled, glaring at Nott who had his wand pointed threateningly at him. If he would just let me use my wand, Draco thought angrily.

"You've been fooling around with that Welsh slut that's been at your house, boy! Don't you think you should be focusing on the task that the Dark Lord has honoured you with?"

Nice try, prick.

"She was there on my mother's request, Nott. Don't be bitter because she refused your hand in marriage. You'll have to find some other child to shag!" Draco leered at the older man.

"Enough." Voldemort hissed, "I have been informed by many of your comrades that this foolish girl was speaking out of turn, and that she has expressed negativity towards our cause amongst your schoolmates."

Draco stiffened. Someone's ratted to their father… but who? Theodore? Crabbe? Maybe even Pansy?

"My Lord, I can assure you that she meant no disrespect to our cause; she was just repeating the views of her father."

Voldemort leaned forward in his chair, his eyes flashing menacingly. "And who is her father? Perhaps we should pay him a visit."

Nott smirked evilly. "The man is dead, killed by his brother, apparently. I hear that he, the girl's uncle, is most sympathetic to our cause. He is one of the Gwydion heirs; you will remember his father from the first war."

"I do indeed - the man had the insolence to refuse me. I allowed the Welsh to get away with it last time. I will not be so forgiving a second time…"

Draco made a mental note to warn Arianwen to watch out, but tensed again as Voldemort's unforgiving red eyes rested on him.

"You threw Nott out of your house in defence of this girl, did you not? Do you agree with her sentiments? Do you wish to betray us, Draco?"

Fuck.

"No, my Lord, I would never!" Draco took a step forward, trying to convince his master of his words. "I threw him out because he disrespected me, I would not allow him to hold me in such contempt in my own home!"

"And now we're in my home, Malfoy. Petrificus totalus!" Draco was hit by the full force of Nott's spell. His body froze, falling backwards to land hard on the floor.

WHAT THE HELL? He tried to shout but no words left his mouth, all he could do was move his eyes to look upon his attacker in horror. His heart was beating so rapidly, it felt as though it might burst through his rib cage at any moment.

What are they going to do to me?

It was all he could think. Over and over and over.

He felt hands close around his ankles and hoist him up so that his head and shoulders were being dragged along the floor. Nott allowed his head to thump against the uneven flagstones and smirked sadistically as he saw Draco's eyes squeeze shut in the only physical manner he could use to express his pain.

Draco felt his body being lifted and then slammed down on something hard. A table, maybe?

"Nott has served me well, Draco. He has proven himself to me, so I am rewarding him by allowing him to punish you on my behalf. I want you to work faster, boy, don't forget what is at stake if you fail."

Draco's eyes widened as Voldemort flicked a hand to Nott to signal that he could begin.

"Confringo!" Nott shouted, wand pointed at Draco's chest.

Before he could even begin to comprehend what was happening, he felt a burning sensation erupt across his torso. It gained intensity quickly, feeling like a fire had been lit on his body and his skin was the fuel. He wanted to scream, to tense or back away but he could do nothing. He just lay motionless and quiet as the skin on his chest bubbled with blisters and burst horrifically.

"How do you like me now, boy?" Nott's low voice rang around the room, "do you still want to disrespect me?"

Draco gathered all his energy into a glare but Nott only smiled more widely, "you're a fool, Malfoy."

He pointed his wand at the slab that Draco was lying on and muttered "Diffindo." A loud bang signalled that a portion of the table had hit the floor, Nott picked it up and held it in front of Draco to see. It was a jagged corner of stone, perhaps three-or-so inches thick.

His eyes widened fearfully.

Nott lifted the stone high above his head and then smashed it down on Draco's shoulder so that his bones cracked under its force.

Again and again and again until a shard of bone broke through the skin.

"That'll do for now, Nott." Voldemort instructed coolly.

"Rennervate!" Nott muttered, a hint of disappointment in his voice.

Draco's body unfroze and he grimaced, every slight movement causing pain to shoot from his shoulder and a stinging stab from the raw skin on his chest. Bracing himself, he managed to push up to a sitting position and eyed up Voldemort warily.

"Do you want it to stop, Draco? Will you beg for it?" Voldemort's eyes narrowed.

Be dignified. His father's words came back to him. "I will do better, my Lord. I will complete the task you've given me. I'll even get Nott his 200,000 Galleons… but I won't beg."

"Crucio!"

He screamed, a terrible raspy scream that only seemed possible when the unforgivable curse was cast on him. His body twitched and writhed before curling into a ball, trying desperately to lessen the pain. It seemed to go on for an eternity until eventually it stopped and Draco's body relaxed, he was so relieved he almost laughed…and then he realised again where he was.

"Have you had enough yet, Draco?"

"I will not beg, my Lord, I am no use to you if I am weak." Draco said hoarsely, attempting to sit up but collapsing again after his shoulder gave way.

Voldemort was still for a moment, pondering Draco's words. For a minute Draco thought it might be over until Voldemort signalled to Nott again, allowing him to continue his torture.

"Petrificus totalus!" Nott froze Draco's body again.

"I see you're fond of that curse, Nott." Voldemort interrupted, sounding mildly amused. "Do you not want the Malfoy boy to give you a good fight?"

Nott grunted, the mania in his expression growing tenfold, "I like them submissive."

Oh, Merlin.

Voldemort laughed malevolently and nodded to Nott, who took this as his cue to begin again.

"Now, how about we spoil this pretty face of yours, Malfoy."

Hours later…

"My Lord, the task is complete!" Bellatrix burst through the dungeon doors to where Draco was being held. The second she saw him, limp and covered in blood she stopped, mouth hanging open.

Nott had also stopped in his tracks, his hand still poised in mid air, clutching the jagged rock that he had just pounded Draco's face with. He didn't make eye contact with Bellatrix but rather looked to his master for instruction.

"Theodore and I are just having a chat with Draco, Bellatrix," Voldemort said calmly, "you say the task is complete? Have you anything further to report?"

"Uh-no, my Lord, just that it was a success and there were no casualties on our end." Her eyes flitted between Draco and Nott as she spoke and narrowed as she saw Nott's hand twitch towards her nephew.

"Good. Lord Voldemort is most pleased, Bellatrix. You are dismissed."

An odd sound came from Bellatrix's mouth and she looked like she wanted to say something about Draco. After an inner battle with herself, she nodded once and left the room silently, choosing not to interfere.

Draco cursed in his head, still unable to speak. That's right Aunt Bella, you just go ahead and fucking leave me here. So much for family.

Luckily for Draco, his aunt's intrusion had at least stopped Nott's torture, if only for a few minutes, and he had time to collect his thoughts. Maybe I should beg? Or is this some kind of test?

"Rennervate." Motion returned to him again but this time he didn't try to sit up, instead he just wiped a trickle of blood away that was leaking from one of his eyeball's.

"I'll ask you again, Draco, will you beg for the pain to stop?" Voldemort moved from his chair for the first time and bent over Draco to look directly into his swollen eyes.

Draco tried to speak but all that came was a croak, his windpipe had been crushed slightly by Nott's brutish hands. "My Lord, I will not beg for the punishment to cease..."

Voldemort took in a harsh breath, Draco knew he'd have to say more to get himself free, "but I beg your forgiveness for my tardiness and that I allowed someone to speak ill of you. It-it won't happen again." He felt tears prick at his eyes as he tried desperately to control himself. He had a terrible feeling that he would die tonight.

Voldemort took a long, taunting pause before speaking, "very well, I will grant you my forgiveness, boy, but know that this is just a fraction of my wrath. Do not disappoint me again."

I passed.

With some unknown strength, he forced himself to his feet. "Thank you, Master, you are most gracious!"

He stumbled from the room as quickly as he could manage, desperate to leave before Voldemort could change his mind. He stumbled down a few corridors, looking for an escape, "Elf!" A tiny house elf jumped and turned around, looking fixedly at Draco's feet.

"I need the nearest fireplace connected to the floo network!" He said hoarsely, wincing in pain as his broken jaw moved.

The elf squeaked in understanding and led Draco to a fireplace in a dingy looking kitchen parlour.

He grabbed a handful of powder and threw it into the fireplace, stepping into the green flames, he said, "Pembrokeshire Castle!"

"Arianwen!" He croaked, stepping out of the fireplace and into a dark room.

No response. He coughed, feeling blood splatter into his hand, and leant against the mantelpiece.

"Arianwen!"

He heard shuffling and then her confused voice. "Who's there?"

He groaned, he desperately needed her help but every word took more effort. I'm gonna' pass out in a minute.

"Ri, it's me."

There was a pause, and then her frightened voice called out, "Draco?!"

She ran towards his side, lamps illuminating as she did so, and screamed.

"Merlin! Draco what happened? Baby, come and sit down!" She quickly stepped forward to steady him with her arms and guided him to a sofa. He grimaced as she helped him down, the scorched skin on his stomach crackling loudly.

She stared at him in shock for a moment, hands trembling as she pressed them to her mouth, trying to suppress her look of horror.

I must look pretty fucked up. He tried to put a hand on her knee to comfort her but yelped in pain instead as the exposed bone in his shoulder pushed out even further. His sound of distress seemed to awaken her from her terrified stupor as she jumped and rose to her feet.

"My potion kit! Bri would've told Betsy to pack it, she knows I take it everywhere…" Arianwen muttered to herself as she started rummaging through the various trunks that lay haphazardly around the room.

"Aha!" She held a large leather bag in the air triumphantly, then rushed back over to Draco and started pulling out bandages, ointments and little phials of potion. "Okay honey, I'm going to start healing you now but I can't use magic obviously, so I'll have to use some of the more painful alternatives."

He nodded his head once and stared at a spot on the floor, bracing himself. Arianwen worked as quickly as she could; she peeled his shirt away from his burnt flesh and ignored his intake of breath as she applied an ointment to heal the skin, she mopped the blood from his face and carefully dabbed a smelly grey powder around his eyes to reduce the swelling.

After thirty silent minutes of work, Arianwen sat back and bit her lip nervously.

"What's wrong?" Draco managed to whisper, his jaw clicking unpleasantly as he moved. Nott had bashed it a few times with the jagged stone but was careful to leave just enough bone structure to allow Draco to speak; Nott enjoyed hearing him scream and curse when the body-freezing spell was lifted.

"Well I've done as much of the painless stuff as I can," she started nervously, "but I-I need to fix your bones, and without using my wand… I'll have to do it the muggle way."

Draco looked at his girlfriend, he saw how nervous she was to hurt him even though it was necessary. He saw the fear in her eyes, how much she cared for him; he knew how much she wanted answers but she'd chosen to help him instead - and he was so thankful for it, for her, that it made the whole ordeal worth it.

"Don't worry, babe, it's not as bad as it looks." He rasped, attempting to hold himself a little straighter.

Arianwen smiled sadly as she traced a finger along his jawline softly. "It definitely is as bad as it looks, Draco, you can't fool me."

Draco gave her a half smile and closed his eyes. "I can take the pain, just do it."

She took a long steadying breath. "Okay honey, there'll be a sharp pain on three. One. Two… Three!" With a great effort she pushed his exposed bone back into his flesh as quickly and accurately as she could.

Draco cried out in pain, it took all of his willpower not to jump out of reach but he managed to stay put and after a few minutes the pain subsided. He hadn't even noticed Arianwen pressing a wet cloth to his shoulder, the substance she'd doused it in trickling down his back.

"There," she whispered, pressing a cold glass bottle into his hand. "Drink this, it'll heal your internal injuries and stop the bruising."

Draco nodded, popping the cork out of the bottle neck and downing the liquid in one. His face contorted in disgust, "why are all these bloody potions so disgusting?"

Arianwen giggled and took the bottle from him. However, when she sat back down, her expression had returned to one of seriousness. "Draco," she said softly, her hands fidgeting in her lap, "what happened tonight? Was it, you know… Was it him?"

Draco sighed, he had hoped to avoid the topic but supposed he at least owed her some information. "Uh-yeah, in a way."

Please leave it there…

"In a way?" She questioned.

I really don't want to tell you.

"Yeah. He got someone else to do it for him."

Arianwen's eyes were growing larger with each answer. "But who? And why? What could you have possibly done to deserve this?"

"He got Nott to do it, he's a Death Eater as well. I haven't been working fast enough apparently."

Just leave it there, no more questions.

"And that warranted beating you to a pulp did it? I hope that Nott is at least in a worse state than you were?"

Draco groaned inwardly, they were getting uncomfortably close to the truth. "No, the bastard did the body-binding curse on me so I just had to take it-"

Arianwen gasped loudly, clapping her hands to her mouth in horror.

"But why did he beat you so hard? I don't understand! It's not like you've failed whatever bloody task you've been given, you just haven't finished yet, right? So why did he hurt you so badly, Draco?! Unless…" Her fingers trembled as she spoke, tears welling up in her eyes, "unless he did it because you defended me when I was being rude to him?"

And we've arrived. Great.

Draco sighed again and placed a hand over hers consolingly, "Ri, it's not your fault-"

"Oh but it is isn't it?!" She interrupted, looking horrified. "He was even more hard on you because of me, and your Dark Lord didn't try and stop him I presume!"

Draco looked away awkwardly, trying to think of the best way to lie his way out of it; his silence did nothing to console Arianwen though, who started shaking with sobs.

"I'm so sorry," she managed to choke out, "if I knew the consequences – I would never intentionally-"

"Shh." Draco silenced her, "it's not your fault, Ri. And look, I'm okay! It all worked out fine."

Arianwen nodded, biting her lip to prevent the onslaught of tears that were battling to breach her eyes. "Do you want to stay here tonight?" She said, voice steadying as she regained composure.

Draco eyed her, licking his bottom lip slyly, "well when you're dressed like that," his eyes rolled over her body hungrily, "I don't see how I can say no!"

He watched in amusement as she became visibly redder in the face, suddenly realising that she was only wearing her underwear. She jumped up and covered herself with a nearby dressing gown, her eyes looking everywhere but him.

He chuckled and wrapped her in a hug, enjoying his movements being free from pain. "Lovely room by the way. Is that a unicorn on the duvet?"

She laughed and swatted him, "I haven't had a chance to redecorate yet, okay!"

"No need to redecorate, babe. I just love them!" He drawled, smiling teasingly as she blushed again.

New Year's Day...

They awoke early in the morning, despite the late hour at which they fell asleep. Draco didn't want to stay for too long, concerned that his mother didn't know his whereabouts and would be worried. Arianwen led him to the front hall and they were engaging in a rather long goodbye kiss when a loud knock at the door disturbed them.

They knocked a further three times before Arianwen moved to open the door. "Merlin, who wants to speak to me so badly at this hour?" Arianwen asked, smoothing her dressing gown distractedly.

She opened the door and was surprised to see three officials from the Ministry of Magic on her doorstep. "Good morning, gentlemen. How may I be of assistance?"

"Good morning, my Lady." Greeted the closest of the men, his hands tugging the lapels on his robes pompously. "Sorry to disturb you but we need to speak with him." He pointed a stubby finger behind Arianwen to where Draco was standing.

Draco saw the look of utter confusion on Arianwen's face as she turned to look at him but he had an idea what the Ministry officials wanted, and it wasn't good. He shook his head ever so slightly to Arianwen, attempting to convey a need for discretion. He was surprised when he saw her incline her head delicately to him, so that no one else but him could tell.

Looks like we're on the same page.

"How can I help you, gentlemen?" Draco asked politely, his expression feigning some innocent interest.

"Are you Draco Malfoy?" One of the men questioned.

"That correct, yes. May I enquire as to how you knew to find me here?"

"We went to Malfoy Manor first, of course, but your mother told us to find you here. And I think we'll be asking the questions from now on, Malfoy. So you can start by telling us where you were last night?" The first man demanded.

Oh, crap.

"And why is that any of your business?" Arianwen interjected, her posture straightening importantly.

"Oh-uh, please excuse us, my Lady but there was a Death Eater attack last night." The first man spluttered, wilting under Arianwen's dissaproving glare.

"And?" She asked coldly.

"And there have been some uh-reports that Mr. Malfoy here was invol-"

"Morning, little one! What's with all the people?" A deep voice announced the arrival of a tall man with light brown hair, Draco recognised him instantly as Arianwen's friend, Gwyn.

"Gwyn!" Arianwen hissed, her eyes moving between Draco and the Ministry officials meaningfully. He seemed to understand instantly as his eyes narrowed and he took a protective stance close to Arianwen. He felt a pang of jealousy in his stomach and moved closer to Arianwen himself, his hand encircling her waist.

"These men are here to speak with Draco about his whereabouts last night." Arianwen explained carefully to Gwyn.

"And you told them about Owain's party then I suppose?" Gwyn offered, looking Draco directly in the eye and smiling casually.

Draco nodded slowly, pulling his robes tighter over his blood-stained shirt. "Yes, well, I was about to anyway."

"A party?" The third Ministry official questioned.

"That's right." Arianwen said confidently, "you can speak to Owain's father if you don't believe us, but don't expect Viscount Elgar to treat you with the same kindness that I have at this hour on New Year's Day."

The first man narrowed his eyes suspiciously, looking between the three young aristocrats before saying, "no that is quite alright, your Ladyship, we don't need to check. Sorry to have disturbed you, Mr. Malfoy."

Draco gave them a thin smile. "That is quite alright. Good day, gentlemen." He said firmly, and they turned their backs to march from the castle grounds.

Arianwen closed the door and the three blinked at each other silently for a few moments before Draco broke the silence.

"Thanks for that, mate. I'm Draco, by the way." He held out his hand to Gwyn, who chuckled and shook it.

"No worries, Draco, we've all been there. I'm Gwyn." He winked and turned to Arianwen.

"Just came to check you hadn't choked on your own vomit in your sleep, love." He said, smirking as she rolled her eyes. "But it looks like I needn't have come." He wiggled his eyebrows at her and she laughed, batting his arm playfully.

"I'd better go, Ri." Draco said, moving towards the door.

Arianwen nodded. "Gwyn, can you give us a sec please, love?"

Gwyn sighed dramatically, earning another eye roll from Arianwen, then turned to slap Draco on the back.

"Nice to meet you, Draco mate. Owain mentioned that he wants to organise a Quidditch match for us so give us a bell when you're planning to stop by next!"

Draco grinned. Who knew meeting the ex-boyfriend could be so enjoyable.

When Gwyn had gone far enough out of earshot, Arianwen closed in on Draco, wrapping her arms around his neck and kissing his cheek. "You will be careful, won't you?"

He nodded and kissed her forehead reassuringly, "I will. I do wonder though, how did my mother know I was here?"

"Oh, I sent her an owl while you were asleep, I didn't expect her to read it until later but then I forget how early you all wake up!"

Draco smiled, "how considerate, thank you. I also really want to thank you for last night, Ri."

She shook her head. "Don't thank me. I want you to come to me any time you need me, understand?"

He tried not to laugh at her earnest expression. "I wouldn't dare disobey you!" He joked, planting a final kiss on her cheek before closing the gap between them and the door, and striding out onto the porch.

"Bye, babe. I'll write soon."

"Bye, Draco." Arianwen said softly, the usual sad expression on her face as she watched him go.

He turned when he neared a turn in the path, "Oh, Arianwen!" He shouted.

"Yes?" She called back hopefully.

"Happy New Year!"

I hope hers is happier than mine will be anyway, he thought darkly, the events of the previous night replaying in his mind.