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

Chapter Eleven: Moving On

 December 1996 - Hogwarts

The next morning, the first of December, many students woke up early for the yearly tradition of watching the first December sunrise by the lake. Hermione was still devastated, so she didn't show. Ron was there, but so was Lavander. So we didn't see much of him. Harry and I sat next to each other on a bench, probably because we just felt like we had to. I didn't feel like his girlfriend anymore. But I was. So I sat next to him. But his eyes were on Ginny, and my eyes were on Draco. And then I knew something had to be done.

"Harry," I said.

"Yes?"

"I need to talk to you about something."

"What is it?" I took a deep breath and prepared myself for what I was about to do.

"I think we should break up," I said. Harry said nothing, he only stared at me. But not with a sad face. Not with a happy face either. Just a neutral face that told me he was hearing what I was saying. "And it's not because of anything you did. I mean, you're one of my best friends. But if I'm being completely honest...I think we're both in love with other people." Harry looked over at Ginny, realizing that I knew. And I looked over at Draco, knowing that even though I couldn't have him, I couldn't keep Harry from even the possibility of Ginny.

"So what's the history with you two?" Harry asked me. I realized that I had never told anyone the truth about Draco. I didn't even tell Jane the full truth.

"There's a lot of history," I said. "But there's no use dwelling on it. I know he hates me now."

"Well, how do you know?" Harry asked.

"I just know," I said. "I did a pretty terrible thing to him. I would hate me if I were him."

"You're not going to give it a shot?" Harry asked.

"I want to," I said. "I'm just scared."

"The girl who jumped from broom to broom a hundred feet in the air with a broken shoulder is scared to talk to Malfoy?" Harry chuckled.

"Yes," I said, lightly nudging him. "You just don't understand."

"No, you're right," Harry admitted. "I don't understand how you can love someone and not even be willing to give it a chance."

"You're one to talk," I said. "When do you plan on talking to Ginny?" Harry laughed.

"If she's happy with Dean, I'm not going to wreck their relationship," he said. "But, I dunno, I'll be here. When she needs me."

"While we're at it," I said, "who else can we set up?"

"Well I think the events of last night might change some obvious choices," Harry joked.

"Please," I said. "Ron is in love with Hermione. He just doesn't know it."

"I know," Harry said.

"And they've been friends for so long that he's probably numb to the fact that they're perfect for each other."

"I know."

"Can't you talk some sense into him?"

"There's no point," Harry said. "He can't be talked out of anything. And he's so thick he would need a neon sign in the sky to tell him."

Now that I wasn't Harry's girlfriend anymore, there was a sense of relief. I could talk to him easier, and share all the things that had been on my mind. And there was no pressure.

"I love you, Harry," I said. "I just want you to know that." He put his arm around me and pulled me in as I stared at Draco.

"I love you, too," he said. It was the first time he had said it in months, and it was completely plutonic. "In fact, I love you a little too much to watch you be sad about him."

Draco looked lonely. He sat at a table, watching the sunrise as if he hated it. I saw Blaise and Jane ahead, curled up in a blanket. And all I could do was remember the days when we were happy. And then I was stupid and selfish enough to wreck it. And I could tell that he was just not the person he used to be. And I wanted so badly to know why and what he was going through. But I knew that Draco would never forgive me. But scared as I was, I felt like I still had to give it a shot.