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

Chapter Three: Departure From Malfoy Manor

 August 1997 - Malfoy Manor

"Do you have any idea what you've done?" my dad hissed at me through gritted teeth. Any other Hogwarts student would have been terrified.

"Oh, I would think long and hard about the things that you've done before you try to talk to me about what I've done," I said. "I thought I made it clear to you that you are not my father. So I'm not playing your game and I'm not following your rules. In fact, you know what?" I held my hand up and shoved it in his face so that he could see my engagement ring in all its glory. "Guess who. So I'm gonna let Voldemort use the fact that you're my father. In fact, I'll be the daughter of the year as long as he's watching. Because you have your plan and I have mine. So stick to your thing because you may think you know what I'm doing but you don't. You have no idea."

I walked away without even giving him a glance. He was a traitor. He was the bad guy. And I wanted nothing to do with him. Ever. But if being his kid made Voldemort trust me more, I could play along.

Was I a death eater now? I stared at that horrible mark on my arm. Did the mark make me a death eater? Or did my acts make me a death eater? I had no intention of fulfilling Voldemort's wishes to help him with anything. What was important was that he thought I did. What was important was that I had his attention on me, and I could get it off of Draco. Speaking of Draco, I knew he would find out eventually. And he would be mad. Furious. And one question lingered. How was I going to tell him?

I had played every possible reaction in my mind. I'd imagined him in a screaming fury. I'd imagined him not mad, just "disappointed." I'd imagined him crying, asking me why I did it. I just hadn't imagined what I would say yet. Or when I would say it. In fact, it had taken a whole two weeks before I worked up the courage to even realize that I had to say something. We were packing up for school and about to leave. I dragged my trunk to the doorframe of his room and took a good look around. He dragged his trunk over and grabbed a hold of mine.

"Ready?" he asked.

"I have to tell you something," I said.

"What is it?"

"Put the bags down," I said. "The good news is we don't have to hide our relationship anymore."

"What? Why?" I took a deep breath.

"I did something," I said. "You're not going to like it." The look in his eyes told me that he knew exactly what I was talking about.

"Grace."

"Just hear me out, Draco," I said quickly. "I knew he would love the idea of me. My dad is his right-hand man and the new headmaster at Hogwarts and you're my fiance. I'm the ultimate package. He needs a face for the students at Hogwarts and the important thing is that now he'll pay attention to me. I have no intention of doing it but I can pretend to if it will get his attention off of you. And now we don't have to hide anymore. I did it for you. I did it because I love you. Please tell me you understand at least a little?" He didn't say anything. He grabbed my hand, forcing me to reveal my dark mark. I looked at him with apologetic eyes. He shook his head, holding a lot of emotion back. He grabbed our bags and left. "Draco," I said as he was walking away. He didn't turn around. "Draco, come on." Nothing. I buried my head in my hands, frustrated. Not upset, just frustrated. I could understand that he was upset but I never expected him to walk away from me.

I caught up to him as we left Malfoy Manor, keeping about two meters back so I didn't trigger him. I saw him throw our trunks into a servant's arms and get into the carriage in a frustrated burst. Mippy, the house elf saw me meekly follow and stopped me before I walked out the pristine double doors.

"Is Miss Grace alright?" she asked me. "Master Draco seems quite disturbed. Can Mippy help?" Mippy had been sweet since the day I first came to Malfoy Manor.

"I'm fine. Draco will be fine. Thanks, Mippy." I walked through the doors and climbed into the carriage that would take us to the Wiltshire train station. His entire body was turned away from me.

Maybe this was a mistake.

We had a first-class compartment to ourselves on the first train. Neither one of us had said a word since we left the house, but I didn't want to pressure him into having a conversation he wasn't ready for.

"It was stupid," he spat. Without even looking at me. I was relieved to hear his voice.

"I know."

"And irresponsible."

"I know."

"You did exactly what I told you not to do," he said.

"I know, and I am so sorry."

"You never listen, damnit. You do whatever you want and you don't think about the repercussions. And you're lucky enough to have found someone who is willing to clean up after you. Understand?" What?

"What?"

"Don't do that," he said. "You thought I would ignore you forever? Don't be dumb. I've learned by now that I'll always have to fix your messes. But you're still here, aren't you? And there's still a ring on your finger, isn't there? After everything you've done."

"I've done some stupid shit," I whispered.

"And you're still here." I looked up at him.

"I really did do it because I love you," I said.

"I know you did."

"And I'm really sorry," I said.

"I know you are," he said. "But what's done is done. So just don't do any more damage. And keep that mark hidden. Understand?"

"Yes," I said.

It was a tense scene, but I knew that it was his way of moving on. And there were only a few more hours before I would see my best friend in the whole world.