My Father's Only Rule {DRACO MALFOY X SNAPE'S DAUGHTER}

Chapter Fourteen: Almost Home For The Holidays

December 1995 - Hogwarts

"Well," Hermione said, throwing me the latest edition of The Quibbler. "The truth is getting out. Slowly but surely." After a closer look, I read the headline carefully. The Return Of The Death Eaters: Followers of You-know-who and where they are now. After further inspection, I read some names that made the hair on my arms stand up straight. Crabble, Goyle, and Malfoy.

"Is this accurate?" I asked her. "Lucius Malfoy?"

"This is what Harry told me," Hermione said. "Everyone has been ignoring him. Most of Voldemort's supporters, especially Slytherins, have been trying to keep his return under the radar. So I talked to Luna about publishing this article. A detailed account of Harry's story from that night. I thought about leaving a copy in Umbridge's office. I'd love to see the look on her face when she reads it."

"So it's true, then?" I asked. "He really is a death eater?" Hermione slowly sat down on the couch next to me.

"Lucius Malfoy is an active death eater," she assured me. "I can't speak for Draco."

"That just doesn't make any sense," I said.

"Grace," she said. "Can I ask you something? What exactly is your relationship with Draco?"

"None," I said quickly. "There's nothing. There's no relationship."

"I've picked up on that," she said. "But before this year. Everyone thought you were dating. I guess...I don't know...you've surprised me. Being Snape's daughter and a family friend of the Malfoys. You're just not who I thought you'd be."

"Well," I said, prepared to lie. "Draco and I were never dating. There's really a lot about him I just don't understand. But Lucius being a death eater? I don't know, it's just, I don't know."

"Well," Hermione said. "It doesn't really matter anymore, does it? There are two sides to this war. I think it's for the best that you've landed with us."

When the daylight hours rolled around, Harry and I went back to our common room. All the Weasley boys had their trunks packed and were waiting for Ginny in the common room. Hermione comforted Ron while I comforted Harry. When Ginny finally came downstairs, we said goodbye and watched McGonagall escort them to the portkey. Then Hermione sat down next to Harry and me.

"By the way, Grace," Hermione said. "We're all spending the holidays with the Weasleys. Ron wanted me to tell you that you're invited."

"Why didn't he tell me himself?" I asked.

"He's still a little indifferent about you," Hermione said. This didn't really upset me that much.

"Why didn't the twins tell me?" I asked. "We're friends."

"They're so absent-minded, I don't think even they knew," she said.

"You're right," I said. "I'm sure my dad will be fine with it." Harry looked like he had checked out. "Hey," I said, catching his attention. "Are you ok?"

"Yeah," he said, as he pulled my head onto his chest. "Yeah, I'm ok."

I didn't want to anger my dad any more than I already had, but I did want to spend the holidays with the Weasleys. When I had my bags packed, I went to my dad's tower to tell him my plans.

"Hey, Dad," I said as I walked in. He was packing up the last of his things.

"Grace," he said. "You have all your bags packed?"

"Yeah," I said. "Oh, and by the way, Ron invited me to spend the holidays at the Weasley house. With Hermione of course. And Harry." His eyebrow raised at Harry's name.