A.N. This is an AU story set after the order of the phoenix in which Voldemort realises that Aria Potter is one of his Horcruxes. The Ministry of Magic rescue of her godfather was indeed a trap in which to put her right into Voldemort's hands. Draco Malfoy is assigned to guard and watch over her to prove his worth to be marked. She is made to live at Malfoy Manor. Continuing Hogwarts takes the death of Dumbledore. Where is the light when all hope seems lost? Can she find a way to betray and destroy Voldemort despite the bracelet she wears? Fem Harry/Draco. Rated M for now because I'm self-conscious.

Fem Harry/ Draco fanfic. Storyline inspired by Lomonaaeren's Retreat.

I hope you like it! Mistakes are my own!

Tainted Souls. Chapter: The Darkest of Times.

Aria Potter guessed it had been three days since she had fallen into Voldemort's filthy hands. She wasn't exactly sure where she was, because, for the second time in her life, she had been thwarted by a portkey. Once she got out of here, she was going to make sure that portkeys could never be used again. Her magic snapped around her, for all the good it did, bound by dark magic to a chair. Aria calmed herself, exhausting herself or her magic would do her no good, only Voldemort or one of his supporters could release her.

"Is my precious one ready to talk now? I have dinner with me."

Aria cringed, Voldemort had been calling her that since her capture, though always in Parseltongue. Aria was uncertain of the reason behind it, it wasn't in Voldemort's nature to be careful with his choice of wordings, so whether it was because she could understand Parseltongue that he choose to speak it or whether it was because it caused fear and shivers from his supporters. Aria guessed it might have been both, Voldemort after all craved power. What she couldn't understand was why he hadn't killed her. What this was all about? Unless it was some type of weird delayed gratification.

The door opened to the room Aria was being kept in. The first thing she saw was Voldemort's gleaming red eyes, though Aria would not find a hint of motives there. He didn't look like he was going to kill her at that exact moment for his wand was not at hand. He was not alone. Pale-faced more than normal entered Draco Malfoy carrying a tray upon which had the lastest meal. Aria caught Draco's eye. Just how humiliating, she had not been released for meals. The person who came with them usually had to try to force her to eat. The last Death Eater that tried left covered with food. Aria didn't care if she hadn't acted very ladylike when she spat the food out all over the Death Eater she barely remembered the name of.

"It displeases me to see you like this, Aria," Voldemort said. He had been doing that a lot too, using her first name though she had ever given him permission to refer to her by her first name. It was like he thought he didn't need it. "It was not like we could trust you, that is until the most unlikely opportunity arose. One that sets you free from this chair and allows for you to have your wand."

Well, that was surprising. Aria knew Voldemort better.

"What's the catch?" Aria said as Draco placed the tray of food down upon a table beside her chair. "Why are you not just killing me."

"You serve a greater purpose to me by me not killing you Aria." He glared. Aria did not understand. What purpose could that be? "Make no mistake I will kill you if you ever betray me or attempt to. No matter my reasoning for keeping you alive now."

Aria felt and heard something click onto her wrist. The strangest thing happened, something that didn't make sense. She felt oddly warm for a few moments, just like when she had first held her wand. It was as though her magic was trying to tell her something.

"The solution to your problem is here with us," Voldemort said casually, returning to the matter at hand. "Draco has graciously accepted the task of being your guard. The bracelet you now wear is part of a pair. The other attached to Draco. He is now responsible for you."

That was it? Bound by a bracelet to sodding Draco Malfoy.

"These are no ordinary bracelets, my precious one." Voldemort continued. "I believe a demonstration is in order. Crucio!"

The spell cascaded towards Aria and she braced herself mentally as much as possible. The pain she expected to feel however did not come, at least not to her. Though the curse hit her it was Draco who had crumpled to the floor, screaming in pain. Aria's eyes went wide. Tears she did not know she had started to fall upon her cheeks.

Voldemort sinisterly laughed, "Welcome home my precious one."

All was lost. What could Aria do if she wasn't able to use magic against him? If she could not escape. How could she defeat him? Not when the curses aimed at her affected someone else. She understood the threat very well. It would not be a torture curse, no next time it would be the killing curse. Voldemort it seemed understood her too. She would not allow harm to befall on anyone, even if that person was her school rival. Draco struggled up from his knees. Aria's green eyes met the grey ones, the same realisation within them. It mattered not that the magic which bound her fell, she however was in no case free. It was official, it was the darkest of times.