Chapter TW: Implied and Post-Torture, Reference to Dubious Consent

Chapter 153:

Weddings and Detachments

The following month became a blur of preparations and contradictions. Giving her freedom and pulling back on those same freedoms. Being mindful of all that was to happen before the month was up.

She watched as Harry married Ginny Weasley. It was a beautiful ceremony. She was glad for his thoughtfulness when he seated her next to Neville Longbottom. She was finally reintroduced to Hannah. She learned how well the balm was doing at the Herbology store.

"Ariella."

She turned to find the man of the hour standing behind her. She rose, embracing her friend. "Congratulations."

"I'm glad you were able to make it today."

"Thank you for having me. For still looking out for me," she replied, pulling away just a bit, before pulling out a small box from her bag. "This is for you. Courtesy of myself…and Draco."

"Thank you. And – er – thank him for allowing you to come, yeah?"

She just nodded. "I wouldn't have missed this. You deserve this. Truly."

"Thank you. I know Mr. Malfoy is being released later this month. This is for you," said Harry, pulling out a small, silver switch from his pocket. "If you ever need me, if there's ever anything I can help with, especially in an emergency, flip this switch. I'll be alerted to your location and need for help. I'll be there as soon as I can."

Ariella stared at the small switch in her palm for a moment before looking back up at her long-time friend and throwing her arms around him. "Thank you."

Theo sat across from his friend in Ariella's room, nursing a drink and waiting. Today would be rough. For all three of them.

He glanced up, alarmed as Draco jerked. "Ready?"

Theo nodded. Moments later, Ariella appeared at Malfoy's feet.

"Thank you for answering, sir."

"Certainly. What do you need, Ariella?"

"I don't know, sir. Punishment perhaps."

"No. Absolutely not. Not now. Try again."

"Help, then, sir."

"Of course. Do you want to wash up first?"

"No thank you, sir. I – I know we have to – that it's time for Theo to be removed," she said with a backwards glance.

"We can wait until you've healed from this," Nott interjected.

"I – I don't mind. Please. I know this is overdue, sir."

Theo glanced at Draco. She hadn't moved from the floor.

"Ariella, we don't – "

" – please, sirs. Just, can we get this over with. I know the bond will demand more once we've removed Theo. Extra."

Draco nodded. "Give me your arm."

Ariella tugged the shirt over her head, hissing as the dried blood made the shirt stick.

"Merlin," muttered Theo as she revealed her back. He had seen her in worse shape, but that didn't make seeing the fresh wounds, laid upon old ones, any easier.

Malfoy ignored her injuries though. Simply knelt beside her, firmly grasping her arm. He pressed his hand to the mark.

"Theodore Nott is to be formally removed as Master-in-Absentia and from the bond. However, he is still to be granted unlimited permission into treatment and bond information."

She kneeled over further, but Draco held fast and firm. He would not let her pull away.

Her arm, the bond, it pulsed. Gripping her arm in a vice. She screamed.

Then the pain faded. Draco released her arm and looked. Sure enough, Theo's name had been removed. Both men breathed a brief sigh of relief.

"Thank you, sir." She paused, still trying to catch her breath. "Do I need to do anything with Theo right now?"

"No. Not now. In fact, Nott is excused for the rest of this session. You'll be permitted to see him later this week."

Theo rose, shaking Draco's hand firmly and left, sparing his hurt friend a glance but not more than that. He knew Malfoy would handle this.

"sir, please. Your father, he's unhappy, he – "

" – stop. We'll handle that. But only after we handle what else you need right now."

"Please. I can't sir. I don't want to – "

" – Ariella, stop. We have the weekend to address this. You are still permitted to see Theo Nott, still permitted to attend his wedding. Nothing is to change in how you address him nor how much you can tell him."

"Yes, sir."

"Can you get up?"

"I don't know, sir."

"Lean on me."

"Sir, I need puni – "

" – I told you 'no'," he cut across harshly. "Place your hands on my arms."

With shaking movements, she finally obeyed. Supporting her, he carefully levered them to their feet and he guided her towards the loo.

"You're okay," he said softly. "It'll be fine."

"It won't be. Your father, he – "

" – let's start your treatment. Then you can tell me."

She nodded against him. Turning her towards the back of the loo, he stripped away his clothing, sliding in behind her and turning on the water.

He wet a washcloth and began to gently wipe down her back. She winced.

"Now, what did my father tell you?"

"That he's curious to see if anything – if I've improved while he's been locked away. That he expected the Manor to be fully ready for his return."

"I see. I'll clear out the study – make it as it was. We'll discuss what your behaviour looks like shortly."

"Yes, sir."

Draco watched the bloody water swirl around them.

"What are we going to do about the product? Do I need to stop selling it now?"

"No. We'll have to be more cautious, certainly, but no, you will not need to stop selling it. I don't want you to."

"What about the room? He's not going to approve of this."

"I'll handle it. I'm not moving you back."

"But – "

" – no. You've more than earned this. I'm not taking it away."

"Thank you, sir."

He could hear the tremble in her voice, see the trembles running through her body as he continued to clean.

"Not today. But before he comes back, I do want to have a – a more formal, more in-depth session with you."

She just nodded against the tub's wall.

"But we'll handle all of that after the wedding. We have a few days between Nott's wedding and my father's return. That is when we'll straighten everything out. Not before. Understood?"

She nodded again, faster. He changed tactics, noticing informing her wasn't as helpful as it usually was. "How much pain are you in?"

"A – a lot, sir."

"A number, Ariella. One through ten."

"Seven, sir. I think."

He didn't verbally respond. He ran the cloth over her back again, before turning off the water. Rising, he dried himself off before turning towards his weakened servant.

"Use me to help stand. Just like before."

It was a slow process, but eventually, they returned to the bedroom.

"Sir? When you said a formal session, you meant everything, didn't you?"

Briefly, Draco hung his head as they settled. "Yes. I hope it will help with the transition. And it has been a while since we…well, it's due anyway."

"Yes, sir."

She hissed, hands clenching in the sheets as he began drying her back.

"How is Theo's wedding…how am I to act?"

"I'll go over that later. Right now, sleep," he ordered, watching with relief as the bond forced her body to obey.

Yet, even asleep, as he continued to treat the scars, she flinched.

"Good Afternoon, Draco," a voice said behind where they sat, looking over the beautifully decorated gardens.

"Sir. Congratulations," her young master said, turning to face the older man.

"And Miss Lyons, yes? I'm…pleased you could attend my son's wedding. Though I believe we've only met once before?"

"Yes, well, er – thank you for having me in your home, sir. Congratulations," she replied, unsure of how to treat Theo's father.

"I'm afraid my son would be rather upset with me if I didn't allow you entrance. I've seen some of your…service. You've done well."

She flushed, gaping a bit, before shooting a look to Draco.

"Thank you, Mr. Nott. Though we promise it won't interfere with today," he answered.

Mr. Nott gave them a curt nod before turning away.

"It's fine," commented Draco shortly, guiding her to their table, where Astoria was already waiting for them, drinks in hand.

He watched as she pulled at her sleeve, telling him she was nervous, but there was nothing to be done about it now.

Before they could sit, however, they were greeted by the grooms themselves.

"Congratulations."

Theo and Grant smiled, shaking their guests' hands with joy and gratitude. "Thank you for coming. All of you."

"Thank you for having us," Draco replied, even allowing a rare, small smile to grace his expression.

"Enjoy today. That is an order," said Theo, trying to keep the comment light. Ariella chuckled and nodded, before quickly embracing her friend.

"I'm so happy for you. Thank you for…for making so I could be here."

"My wedding just means there's someone else to support us both," replied Theo, gently returning her fierce embrace. "I'm not going anywhere."

Happy December!