Where were they headed?

"I suppose I have an all-access pass, then?" The sharp humor was coming swiftly, covering the bubble of her nerves.

"Of sorts."

He led the way downstairs, and when he turned left toward the front door instead of the fireplaces, she was reminded of when they'd gone to Hogwarts.

She froze. "Will the Dark Lord be there?" she asked as he stepped through the door.

"No. He rarely is." A pause, and then over his shoulder: "Neither is my aunt."

She followed behind him down the path as the tightness in her chest loosened. "And why is that?"

He didn't respond for a moment. When they'd finally gotten to the gates, he said, "The parties are rather specific… for specific tastes. Neither the Dark Lord nor my aunt have a desire for these affairs. Though Death Eaters are generally encouraged to attend."

She nodded, willing her nerves to calm. She extended her arm to him, and he stared down at it before gingerly wrapping his fingers around the tattoo and walking them through the barrier.

He walked them to the top of the hill for Apparition, and as he drew his wand, her anxiety tumbled over. "Will something similar happen tonight?"

His eyes were cold and dead as he looked at her, questioning.

"S-similar to my room. Will you need to—"

"No." It was harsh against the wind. "You will stay close to me, and we will let everyone see you so that we don't have to return for several weeks. That's all."

She swallowed, shivering.

"There will be minor contact," he said, clarifying her question. His eyes were on the sky, and she wondered much minor contact he could stand. As if he'd been the one assaulted.

Then again, they'd both been violated. In different kinds of ways.

She offered him her elbow. He took it in a firm grip, and they slipped away and appeared at the edge of a small town, dark and quiet. The cobblestone streets led up a long hill, and at the top, a looming castle looked down on them, the Dark Mark slithering in the sky above it.

He led them forward toward the gates, and just before following him, she caught sight of an old sign hanging off a dead street lamp.

Edinburgh Castle This Way

Chapter End Notes

Updates on Sundays.

Pinterest board for The Auction here .

Find me on Tumblr , Instagram , and Twitter .

Facebook group for Auction followers and the Rights and Wrongs series called Rights & Wrongs . Come yell about socks with us.

Chapter 15

Chapter Notes

Happy Sunday! Much love to SaintDionysus and raven_maiden for their eyes on this.

Please take care of your mental health if you are easily triggered.

See the end of the chapter for more notes

Edinburgh Castle loomed over them as they approached on the cobblestones, devoid of the usual tourists or families. Devoid of the Muggle military guards at the gates. Instead they passed cloaked Death Eaters and seedy Dark object dealers begging for Draco Malfoy's gold like paupers.