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

Chapter Ten: A Game Of Quidditch, And Then Some

November 1996 - Hogwarts

Ron marched into the great hall as if he was carrying bricks on his back, fell firmly into his seat, and stared at his breakfast with dead eyes. It was his first quidditch game, and after watching his tryout, I understood why he was so nervous.

"So how was it then?" he asked.

"How was what?" I asked.

"Your dinner party," Ron said mockingly.

"Pretty boring actually," Hermione said. "Although I think Harry enjoyed dessert." I winced at the comment. She said it as if I wasn't even there. "Slughorn's having Christmas too, you know. And we're meant to bring someone."

"I expect you'll bring McLaggen," Ron said. It occurred to me how I never told Ron that I told Harry and Hermione about the comment that Cormac made. So he's been joking about the two of them this whole time not knowing that Hermione was fully aware of Cormac's thoughts about her. "He's in the slug club, isn't he"

"Actually," Hermione said. "I was going to ask you."

"Really?" Ron said, completely ignoring her obvious remark. Suddenly, Lavender Brown excitedly skipped up to Ron.

"Good luck today, Ron," she said. And then she changed her composure from bubbly to...well...slightly possessive. "I know you'll be brilliant." As we all watched her skip away, I noticed Ron looked like he was going to throw up.

"I'm resigning," he said. "After today's match, McLaggen can have my spot."

"No!" Hermione and I said instantly. Then we exchanged looks, horrified at the thought that Cormac could possibly join the quidditch team and haunt us even more.

"Have it your way," Harry said as he pushed Ron's drink toward him.

"Hello everyone," said a familiar light voice. We looked over to see Luna sporting full Gryffindor gear, wearing a hat that looked like a lion's head. "You look dreadful, Ron. Is that why you put something in his cup?" she asked. All eyes went to Harry. "Is it a tonic?" Harry put his vile of liquid luck into his pocket.

"Liquid luck," Hermione said. Ron's dreary face started to lift as he realized what he was holding in his hand. "Don't drink it, Ron," Hermione warned. But Ron was committed. He took a massive drink and stood up with a smile.

"You could be expelled for that," Hermione said to Harry.

"I don't know what you're talking about," Harry said back instantly.

"Come on Harry, Grace," Ron said. "We've got a game to win."

Quidditch is a game. It's not a performance. But Ron completely stole the show. I definitely saw Cormac pouting in the stands. The liquid luck lived up to its name and Gryffindor won against Slytherin in a landslide. Even though Draco distracted me, and Ginny distracted Harry.

Ron loved every second of it. But what he loved even more was the after party where he was celebrated the same way I was after my first Quidditch game.

"You shouldn't have done it," Hermione told Harry as he watched Ron bask in the glory from a distance.

"I know," Harry said back. "I suppose I could have just used a confundus charm."

"That was different," Hermione said, defending herself. "That was tryouts. This was an actual game." But just as Hermione was ready to give Harry a morality speech, Harry pulled out his vile of liquid luck. "You didn't put it in," Hermione said. "Ron only thought you did." Harry let Ron believe he had supernatural luck so he would have the confidence to face the match head-on. I couldn't help but smile at his wit. When the party couldn't get more intense, Lavender Brown pulled Ron close to her and kissed him, sparking cheers from the already wild crowd. I couldn't help but laugh. Lavender had hardly ever said a word to Ron, but they were kissing like they had known each other a while. But then I looked at Hermione, who almost immediately left the room. And suddenly it all made sense.

Hermione was in love with Ron.

I don't know why I didn't figure it out sooner. It was so obvious. And Ron is such an idiot it's no wonder he didn't pick up on it. It wasn't until I noticed that Harry had gone after her did I decided to follow. I made my way down the corridor and hid behind a wall as I listened to Hermione cry.

"How does it feel, Harry?" Hermione asked. "When you see Dean with Ginny? I know. I see the way you look at her."

A sudden wave of heat fell over me as I took it all in. I knew Harry was in love with Ginny. I had figured it out a while ago. But it never upset me because I felt like I had no right to be upset. I'm in love with someone else, so why can't he be? But it wasn't until this moment did I let myself fall into the fact that it hurt to watch your boyfriend fall in love with someone else. I heard Ron and Lavender giggling as they came around the corner and saw Harry and Hermione.

"Oops," Lavender said. "I think this room's taken." Then she scurried off, leaving Ron, completely flustered.

"What's with the birds?" Ron asked awkwardly, referencing the paper birds Hermione had made with a charm spell. Hermione stood up.

"Oppugno," she said. I heard the birds chirp as they flew full speed at Ron, then exploded into paper shreds on the wall behind him as he ran away.

"It feels like this," Harry said as Hermione continued to cry. I put my hand over my mouth, trying to stop my own crying noises from being heard. Why wouldn't Harry just break up with me if this is how he'd been feeling about Ginny this whole time? I told myself I wouldn't be the one to leave Harry. He had been through a lot and I didn't want to be the one to cause him any more pain. If we were going to end things, it wouldn't be because of me. But I felt like I was causing him pain by being with him. And I was causing myself pain. But Ginny was dating Dean, and I was sure Draco hated me. So what would be the point of breaking up?