Chapter 151:

Getting Out

Rolled letter held tightly in his hand, Draco knocked on the door to the Minister's meeting room.

The door was opened by the Minister for Magic himself, welcoming him in.

"Mr. Malfoy, thank you for coming in."

"Certainly, sir."

They shook hands before taking seats on opposite sides of the large desk.

"Relax, son. You aren't in trouble," Shacklebolt said to him. Not that it did much to aleve his nerves.

"Your father's sentence is being altered."

"Ariella mentioned as much, sir." Once again, he was grateful for how much she revealed to him. It meant this news wasn't a complete surprise.

"I see. Anything else she mentioned? Any details?"

"No, sir."

"She is correct. Word just came down officialising it. Your father is being released from Azkaban onto probation. He will not be allowed to leave the country. Nor will he be allowed access to his wand. Certainly not right away."

"What changed, Minister?"

"We simply do not have the capacity to keep everyone imprisoned, certainly not as new crimes continue to be committed. What your father did was wrong, make no mistake. However, his were not the most egregious of crimes. Since being imprisoned, he has shown subdued behaviour. Whether this is an act or not is to be determined. Hence the reason he will be under careful surveillance."

"I understand, sir. What else should we be aware of?"

"There are many people who will not be happy with the decision to release the…more well-behaved prisoners. That and there are still many who are unhappy with council's decisions immediately post-war to being with, particularly concerning your family. Therefore, I would advise caution."

Draco had to refrain from making an…ill-advised retort. That was all he had been doing since the war got worse – and certainly since its end.

"Yes, sir. We understand."

"Good."

After waiting a beat, Draco asked, "Minister, why call me in for this, as opposed to writing it in a letter?"

"Unlike the others with family being released, you are in a precarious position. I cannot send an official letter of allowance through the mail. I can, however, give you one in person for the day you visit."

"Sir?"

"I'd like when you finish here, to visit the archives. Take a look through the restricted material, to see if there is anything that may be able to help Ms. Lyons," the Minister explained, handing the younger man a rolled piece of parchment with his official seal.

"Thank you, sir." Draco was careful not to let his surprise – or gratitude, for that matter – show much. He was still a Malfoy…whatever that meant anymore.

"Good luck."

Ariella placed two cups of tea and a place of scones down before sitting opposite her friend. Looking up at him, her brow furrowed.

"What's wrong?"

"I want to be clear before I ask your opinion – I'm not stepping away."

"I don't understand."

"What do you think about removing me from the bond?"

Silence met his question. He could see her beginning to panic.

"I'm not going anywhere," Theo assured her. "But I think it may be time for me to pull back, just a bit."

"I don't know. I don't want to force you to – to stay. I just don't know if I – if we're in a position to – "

" – forget about that. I'll still be around if you need help. If either of you need help. But we're moving on and you seem to be adjusting well."

"I'd rather you ask Draco. I don't – "

" – I'm asking you. Stop hiding. You know this bond better than anyone. Even Malfoy. Do you feel stable enough to have me officially removed?"

She stayed silent, playing with the edge of her shawl, before slowly nodding. "Perhaps. I'm just not sure what else is coming our way or – "

" – forget about that," he repeated. "Try to forget about what may be coming up soon. What do you feel is right at the moment?"

"If you want to pull out, I understand. I know it's been a lot thrown on you and – "

"– Ariella, stop," he directed, more sharply than he'd intended if her reaction was any indication. He swallowed, leaning forward. "I am not going anywhere. But we are not in the same danger we were during the war."

She nodded shakily. "Alright. Yes. If Draco agrees, yes."

"I'll still help take care of its demands. I'd just prefer to not be so…formally tied to it anymore, is all."

"I understand."

"Do you?"

She just nodded again.

"Before we do this, is there anything – " he was interrupted by the sound of the floo in the next room coming to life and a familiar voice coming through, using some very colourful language.

The two exchanged a look, before rising. "Draco?"

His head snapped to them; grey eyes widened upon realizing he wasn't alone – specifically that Nott was visiting.

"What happened?" Theo asked. Malfoy was typically so in control, even when things went astray.

"Politics happened."

"Pardon?"

"He's being released in a month and a half. The bond is air–tight. Once he's released, despite not being granted full…freedoms, he'll go back to being fully in charge."

Ariella began to shake her head. "No. No, please. There has to – "

" – there is no other way!" Malfoy shouted. He didn't miss how Nott stepped in front of Ariella.

He brushed past them, heading towards the study. They could hear the heavy door slam shut, the sound echoing through the hallways. Theo stopped her from following him with a gentle hand on her upper arm.

"Leave him be. He'll explain once he's cooled down."

"I can't – I don't want to…"

"– I don't think you have a choice. I don't think either of you do. You and I both know he's doing more than just what's expected of him. Much more. So cut him some slack, yeah?"

She nodded rapidly again. Gently, Theo turned her to face him.

"Ariella. Calm down," he said slowly, directly.

She could feel the order taking effect. "Thank you. Sir."

"You don't have to call me that. Now, would you like to come back to mine? Give him some space?"

Glancing down the corridor again, she slowly nodded. Nott had already summoned a piece of parchment and a writing set. "I'm letting him know you're with me. I'm sure he could figure it out, but this way, there is no guess work."

"Thank you. Grant won't mind?"

"He's on an over–night work trip. But even if he were home, no he wouldn't mind."

"Oh. Well, thank you."

"You're always welcome. C'mon. Let's go."

Upon stepping into the Nott-Page residence, he immediately guided her one of the two spare bedrooms. (The one that would be specifically designated for her and Malfoy, the residents had agreed.)

"Theo? Can I ask…why now?"

"Pardon?"

"Why pull out now?"

"Oh, er – " Nott sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "I meant to wait until I had both you and Malfoy together – and in the right mood – to tell you this, but…er – "

" – Theo? What is it?"

"Grant proposed."

Her hands flew to cover her mouth. "Really?"

He nodded.

"Congratulations!" She embraced him fiercely.

"Thank you."

"I suppose – it's because of…of the proposal that you want out?"

"Yes. I'm not abandoning you – or Malfoy – but I'd like to start my marriage with as much a clean slate as possible. And what I said earlier is true – we aren't in the same danger we used to be in, thank Merlin."

"No, you're…you're right. I guess…with so much changing, I've been doing the opposite – hoping to keep as many things the same as possible."

"Understandable. I stand by what I said. You have a safe space here and can come to me for any help I can give – bond related or not."

"Thank you. And I am so happy for you. Truly."

"Thank you, Ariella. I look forward to seeing you at the wedding. As a guest. Can't say how its going to work, but we're going to make it work. I promise you that."

She embraced him again in response, the two friends clinging to each other in the brief moment of happiness.

I am so incredibly sorry for the long delay in chapters. The past 8 months have been a whirlwind. Since my last update, I've been in chemo – and it took its toll. However, I am pleased to say I am cancer-free (though still in treatment) and I'm moving onto a new job!

Until next time - Leanora