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

Chapter Two: Dark Mark

August 1997 - Malfoy Manor

I knew Voldemort was living in the same house as me. And everybody had been telling me the same thing: Don't get involved. Jane begged me to stay with her. Draco begged me to stay out of it. But I was thinking strategically. But also I was thinking about how to infuriate my dad.

"Draco," I said as we got ready for bed one night. He had just gotten back from a meeting and had witnessed the death of a Hogwarts professor. I could tell he was tense. "I've been thinking. I know you want me to stay out of it, but-"

"Exactly," he said. "I want you to stay out of it. It's not safe for you."

"But I've really been thinking about this," I argued.

"No, Grace," he said. "Not happening."

"Draco, just listen to me."

"No," he said. "Because I know what you're about to say. You think you're gonna make life easier for me by getting the dark lord to pay attention to you." 

Busted. 

"It's not gonna make things easier. I'll only be worried about you. Let's just keep things the way they are."

"I don't like things the way they are," I said. "It's stressful. And bland."

"Did you really just say that?" he asked. "Bland? Bland because you're not face to face with death? Your plan will only make things worse. It's not worth the risk. Trust me. I mean- why are we even having this conversation? You're terrified of him."

"I am not," I said.

"Oh, so those night terrors you've been having have nothing to do with him?" Busted...again. I had, in fact, been having night terrors all summer. But I didn't want Draco to worry about it so I never told him.

"How did you know about the-"

"Because you're screaming for help in your sleep, Grace," he said. I turned my lamp off and turned on my side as a way of saying I was done talking to him. He got into bed and tried to talk to me.

"Just try to see it from my side," he said. "The person I love more than anyone in the world in direct collaboration with the most dangerous man on the planet. That's my worst nightmare. I can't let you do that." I sat up, appalled at what he just said to me.

"That's your side?" He had just described his worst nightmare. AKA my reality. So I had to do what I had to do.

I waited until he was asleep. I put on a robe and some house shoes and left the safety of the east wing, my breath trembling as I prepared myself for every possible outcome of what I was about to do. I didn't really know where I was going. I didn't know where I'd find him. And I didn't really know what I'd say when I did.

Eventually, I came across the west wing and I knew he was residing there. It was eerie. Something was haunting me as I went deeper in. A hissing rang in my ear. But it all went silent when I noticed the library door was cracked open and I could see the profile of a chair with someone's arms sticking out. A snake was curled up next to it. All I could hear was my heartbeat as I contemplated every decision that led me to this moment.

This is a bad idea. I should go.

I started to leave but a weak voice spoke.

"I know you're there."

I couldn't form thoughts. Or feelings, really. His voice was flowing but not like water. It wasn't a rushing flow. Not quite like lava, either. It didn't burn. It flowed more like acid. Consistent, but stinging everything in its path. The raspiness of his voice was like the sound of when you pour water on a hot pan you've just used. I didn't know what to say.

"I have no intention of harming you unless you present yourself as a threat. Come in." I did that. I walked in slowly and caught his eye as I looked at him. He was pale and thin. Like an alien. Or a human that never fully developed.

"You're a face I haven't seen before," he said. If I didn't know what I already knew about him, I would have thought him to be friendly. "What's your name?"

"Grace," I said.

"Is that all?"

"Grace...Snape." A creepy smile grew on his face.

"My word," he said. "And you're how old?"

"Seventeen," I said.

"Amazing," he said. "Now, why is it that I've never heard of you?"

"Well, my lord," -improvised- "my mother didn't tell him...about me."

"I see," he said. "So how did he find out?"

"About four years ago," I said. "My mom left. The ministry put me in contact with him."

"Your mother," he said, "a muggle, yes?" I gulped.

"Yes," I said.

"So you're...not pure blood."

"Technically no," I said. "But my mother abandoned me. I had no idea I was a witch because she hid it from me. She was...manipulative. And weak. And scared. I don't want anything to do with her. Or muggles." That last part was a lie. I don't care about blood status. It doesn't matter and it doesn't mean anything. But I had to say what I had to say to stay alive.

"Well, I'm relieved you feel that way," he said. "Why do you find yourself at Malfoy Manor?"

"I'm friends with Draco," I said. "More than friends, actually." I flashed my ring. "But don't say anything. It's a secret."

Oh my god. Did I really just say that? Hey Dark Lord. Ruler of all evil. I'm engaged to Draco Malfoy but hehe it's a secret so don't tell my dad. Like a damn 12 year old. I turned red. That was so embarrassing. He chuckled.

"Yes," he said. "I see. Well acquainted with the boy and the daughter of Severus. You could prove quite useful to me. If you so choose."

"Respectfully, my lord," I said, "I'm trying to finish school."

"Oh I have no intention of robbing you of your last year at Hogwarts," he said. "But when the time comes...can I rely on you?"

"To do what, exactly?"

"Help me kill Harry Potter," he said.

"What do you need me to do?" I asked.

"You're the headmaster's daughter," he said. "Your reputation will be prominent. Especially being...close with the boy. I want the students at Hogwarts to know that my influence is, in fact, infecting their generation. I'd like you to be...a face. Understand?"

"I think so," I said. He smiled and pulled out his wand.

"Then...may I?" he extended my hand, asking for my arm. I knew what was coming. His cold hand grabbed my arm and he pressed his wand on me. I had the dark mark. "I think this is a great thing," he said "Don't you, Severus?" My head snapped around to see my father, stone-faced, who had just witnessed everything through the crack in the door.