9 Chapter 9

With only a few weeks remaining until summer Ariana felt she had to make the most of Hogwarts while she could. Unfortunately, with The Headmaster giving her and the trio detention everyday, during every break students had, it wasn't easy.

She was surprised they had been punished at all really. Considering in the story the Trio had been rewarded with House points for going after the Stone, this was a drastic difference.

'It's probably because they failed to stop Voldemort instead of succeeding.'

Due to sudden the loss of free time, the only chance she had to get anything done was after hours. This led to a rather hectic sleeping schedule.

Her roommates had already interrogated her about the late night escapades, to which she politely told them to mind their own business.

Ariana was currently in the Room Of Requirement late at night packing a small bag. She wouldn't be able to visit Hogwarts during the summer and wanted to take any books she planned on studying with her to the Malfoys.

Speaking of the Malfoys, she had received a letter from Lucius Malfoy himself, explaining he had been informed of her situation and was expecting her arrival.

She had been instructed to accompany Draco at the end of the year.

The boy had also been made aware of the arrangement by his father and was told to keep quiet about it.

Sitting on the cold stone floor her thoughts wondered to recent events.

'I succeeded.' She thought. 'I single-handedly changed the fate of this world.'

Although this was a victory, Ariana found no joy in it. After all, she was the bad guy of the story. Ruining the lives of others just to save her own skin.

"Nope. Not thinking about that right now." She muttered, shaking her head. The gut wrenching feeling of guilt was not something she desired to deal with.

Quickly finishing up she snuck back to the Slytherin Common Room.

...

The next few weeks flew by in a blur and Ariana found herself being escorted by Draco Malfoy off the Hogwarts express.

Ariana had spent most of her remaining time at school in detention with the Trio or in classes. Despite knowing what was waiting for her, she actually began looking forward to summer at some point, if only to escape the hell Hogwarts had become.

The end of year exams had also come and gone. Ariana found them to be reasonably simple, but wouldn't know until she got her results.

Stepping off the train she was welcomed to the familiar sight of buzzing children scattered across the platform searching for their families and adults bustling in every direction in search of their kids.

Making her way to where they kept the students luggage alongside the blonde boy, she decided to learn what she could.

"So Draco, what's it like? At your home I mean." She asked.

A bright smile emerged as he answered. "My father's Manor is gigantic, being muggle raised it will surpass any standards you have set. You don't have to worry." He boasted.

Ariana frowned at the useless answer. She continued to poke Draco for information, but it seemed he knew nothing that actually mattered.

Luggage in hand they made their way across the platform, passing by the Muggle-born entrance to Kings Cross station. Draco glared in disdain at the brick wall watching a second year Muggle-born go through, "Filthy Mudbloods." he sneered.

Eyes flittering to his partner, he found her nodding in agreement.

"Draco!" a loud voice sounded throughout the noisy platform.

Both of them instantly spun around and found the source. Ariana bit her lip at who she saw walking towards them.

An elegantly dressed Narcissa Malfoy could be seen smiling with barely contained excitement at the sight of her son. It was clear she had missed Draco dearly. Her counterpart however, did not seem nearly as enthusiastic.

Rather then looking at his son, a stoic and expressionless Lucius Malfoy had his attention elsewhere. Eyes narrowed at the seemingly normal Witch accompanying his boy, he judged.

Ariana shuddered at the look Lucius was giving her. Despite the noisy atmosphere of the station, she could still clearly hear the eldest Malfoy's footsteps echoing as he approached.

Yet, she refused to give an inch, keeping firm eye contact.

Eventually meeting halfway the two were broken out of their staring contest. Narcissa pulled her son in for a tight hug. "Welcome back Draco." She lovingly whispered in his ear.

Even with such a simple statement she still managed convey her joy at having Draco in her arms.

"Come now, you must tell me about your time at school. Oh, but first introduce us to your friend." She prattled.

Looking towards Ariana, her smile took a dark turn.

'Oh, well its obvious she knows why I'm here. This lady was never a big fan of Voldemort now was she.'

Pulling away from his mother Draco gestured towards Ariana. "This is Ariana Rose mother." He explained. "A Half-bloo-."

"Pureblood." Lucius cut in, his sharp voice easily overpowering his sons. "She is a Pureblood, dear Draco."

Frowning at his fathers interruption, he didn't understand what he was talking about. Pureblood?

No, that's wrong. Rose was clearly a Half-blood. She'd said so herself!

Wanting to argue further he opened his mouth, only to quickly shut his gob at the look his father gave him. There was no room for arguing it seemed.

Reading the room, Ariana moved to greet them herself. "It's lovely to meet you Mr and Mrs Malfoy. Thank you for opening your home to me, Draco has told me all about how lovely Malfoy Manor is. I am most certainly looking forward to this summer." She professed eagerly.

Hearing her praise Lucius nodded in approval. "Well then, I'd hate to keep you in suspense.

....

The four of them apparated to Diagon Alley, and then proceeded to floo to Malfoy Manor, Wiltshire.

Appearing in puff of smoke Ariana took in her surroundings.

They were obviously in a living room of sorts, only the room itself was the size a small house! Expensive looking furniture was expertly placed everywhere. A large chandelier dangled from the ceiling, somehow an infinite source of light.

Spotting the look of surprise on his families guest face, Draco smirked. "See, I told you." He said proudly.

The two parents were amused by there sons bragging.

Quickly ushering the children out of the fire place they left the sitting room and meandered throughout the large corridors talking amongst themselves, swiftly arriving at a lavish dining room.

A long table sat in the centre. It had already been set and whilst the feast didn't quite compare to Hogwarts's, it was still impressive.

Taking their seats the room became quiet as the four ate lunch and discussed random pieces of news.

'They're not so bad. I might just make it through the summer.' Ariana thought. She honestly expected Voldemort to be waiting for her here, wand in hand ready to do whatever his insane mind had come up with.

Throughout the dinner she was questioned on her experience at Hogwarts and her performance in class. Safe to say they were impressed by her reputation of smartest Witch in the year.

"Dobby!"

Ariana jumped slightly at Lucius's unexpected outburst, eyes widening in recognition. The familiar name drew up memories of the subservient Magical Creature it was tied to.

A loud crack sounded, the noise bouncing of the white walls creating an echo that was inevitable in such a spacious room.

With it appeared a small, bony frame, draped in a single rag. The rag could easily be mistaken for a washing up cloth used to clean up a stain, and honestly, it looked like it had been.

"Yes Master." Dobby greeted meekly. It was plain to see the House Elf did not want to be here.

The hunched Elf rushed to approach the Wizard who had called for him. Lucius didn't bother turning to face Dobby and simply gestured at the cluttered dining table.

"We're finished." He stated simply.

Not wanting to be punished Dobby hurried to use his magic and clear up the table whilst sneaking a few glances at the unfamiliar face out of curiosity.

It wasn't that it was unusual for the Malfoys to have guests, however it was mostly the same Pureblood families who visited. Today it seemed a small child was Masters guest.

Catching the Elf's eye Ariana felt like slamming her head on the table. 'How could I have forgotten about Dobby!' She groaned silently.

'Great! Now I've got to deal with the Elf before he lets Harry know about my stay at the Malfoys. I guess it doesn't matter, getting rid of him was a must anyway. Dobby is an enemy and played a large part in Voldemort's defeat.'

Quietly laminating on how to would deal with the House Elf, she made her plans for the summer.

...

"Is that how I raised you Ronald!? To treat a friend that way for no good reason, oh you better think twice before opening your mouth!"

Molly Weasely slammed her hand down on the rickety kitchen table cutting off her son from whatever drivel was about to come out his mouth.

The dust scattered leaving a visible imprint of her small palm on the table top attesting to the state of the place.

The source of Molly's anger was her youngest son. She'd just spent the better of an hour listening him recount his adventures at Hogwarts, and although it seemed he was missing a few key points to his story, she didn't mind.

Kids could have their secrets.

Throughout his stories the same names continued to pop up. The little Muggle-born Witch he'd met, the Malfoy's boy and of course his best friend Harry.

A less familiar name was mentioned as well, Ariana Rose. Apparently a Muggle raised Half-blood girl who Ron had taken less of a liking to for a while, even if he did claim to get on with her now.

And all because she was a Slytherin.

Molly couldn't believe. Don't misunderstand, as a Gryffindor herself she was no stranger to the nature of most students who came from that House, but she never clumped them all together like that!

Some her friends back in the day were Slytherins for Merlin's sake! Not to mention the young Witch had apparently been nothing but helpful.

"You're going to go straight to your room and get started on writing a letter to the girl! You're going to apologise for anything mean or unnecessary you've said to her! My son will not be a bully!" She scolded.

'That's right. Best to nip this kind of behaviour in the butt.' She thought calmly, a drastic difference from her outward actions.

"And invite her to visit us!"

Ron regretted the decision to tell his mother about his school life.

....

Sitting on her fresh, new bed at the Malfoy's Ariana stood to open the door at the knocking sound.

It was going to be her first night here and she was about to begin her nightly routine before she was interrupted.

Absentmindedly wondering who it could be she quickly scanned the room to make sure everything was in order before opening up.

To her surprise she came face to face with the Malfoy Matriarch, and judging by the look on her face, she wasn't here for a friendly visit.

"Mrs Malfoy wha-"

Entirely ignoring the girl Narcissa pushed right past her, stepping into the room. Stopping in the centre she stood imposingly, back turned to Ariana.

"Don't think for second that I don't know why you are here girl." She hissed scathingly. "I can not even begin to fathom how a child has caught his attention, and frankly I wouldn't care, however you are in my home and you will constantly be socialising with my son.

"So, I'm going to only say this once. Draco is still young, and unlike you, I intend for him to remain so as long as possible. He is not be involved in whatever scheme has led you here. Am I clear?"

Ariana froze at her words. At her accusations. Accusations that were worryingly not far from the truth. "I-I not going to do anything to Draco." She gulped nervously. "How did you kn-"

"Oh I don't know anything." Narcissa interrupted, turning to face her. "I'm just not stupid. The signs are all there, he is returning, and you seem to have piqued his curiosity. You poor thing."

Ariana thought she heard honest sympathy coming from the Dark Witch.

"So I'm not going to ask, my husband will tell me what I need to know." She stated.

Narcissa made to leave, and Ariana didn't move to stop here. She didn't want the woman anywhere near her. The less trouble, the better.

....

"Mr Malfoy. I was hoping to practice a few spells in my free time, and I am need of live creature. Could you please acquire something for me? A rat perhaps?" The peculiar young Witch asked.

It had been days since the girl had joined them. Lucius spent this time silently observing her actions from a distance as instructed, not interfering if unnecessary.

Now she come had to him with a strange request. "Just use Dobby." He said casually, throwing Ariana a curve ball.

She most certainly didn't expect that. Yes House Elves were seen as an expendable commodity by many, but she didn't think he would just let her practice on his own Elf like that.

She replied hesitantly. "Are you sure? I can just make do with an animal or something. Wouldn't want to accidentally hurt him.... or worse." She replied, trying to hint at the dangerous nature of the 'practice'.

A taken aback Ariana watched as Lucius face shifted from confused, to amused, to actually laughing. Well, chuckling actually.

"Oh dear, you don't have to worry about the Elf."

Ariana didn't like that grin.

"If an unfortunate accident were to take place, as heart breaking as that would be, we'd simply have to get a new Elf. Hardly an issue." He implied.

"Dobby!" As usual the Elf appeared instantaneously.

"Yes Master?"

"Go with Ariana here and do whatever she says." He ordered simply.

....