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

Chapter Twenty-Four: Allies

February 1998 - Hogwarts

 I was a silent supporter of Dumbledore's Army. An inactive member. I admired how outwardly Neville led the troops. They were busy freeing students from detention and writing rebellious messages on the walls. But one day, in DADA, we were told to practice the imperius curse...on some first years. Neville was told to go first, and he refused. Professor Carrow punched him right in the eye. Thankfully, the ordeal took up so much time that they never got to me. I would have refused, but Carrow wouldn't dare punch me. My father's punishments were extreme, and he had instilled quite a bit of fear in the students. But not me. The only defiant student he couldn't control was his own daughter.

Dear Grace,

So sorry it's taken me so long to get back to you. We've had quite a turn of events. We found the sword of Gryffindor. Harry said he found it in a lake, but that doesn't make any sense if Neville claims he saw it in your father's office. But Neville isn't the most reliable narrator. Ron came back. He and Harry used the sword of Gryffindor to destroy the locket. Now we're one Horcrux closer to victory. Thankfully, nobody has to wear that awful thing anymore.

We kept seeing this symbol called the Deathly Hallows while researching. Harry said Xenophilius Lovegood would know about it, so we paid him a visit. We then found out that Luna had been taken because of what Xenophilius had been writing in the Quibbler, and that Xenophilius had informed Voldemort of our whereabouts in hopes of getting her back. We managed to escape.I can't imagine how Neville and Ginny are. I want to say I hope we'll be able to rescue her, but I believe she's being kept at Malfoy Manor. We wouldn't dare go anywhere near there.

That's quite interesting about that sex ghost. I wouldn't have ever thought that would happen at Hogwarts. It seems completely mental. But I'm glad you got it resolved. And I'm glad that Dumbledore's Army is starting up again. I hope Neville's got some good recruits, and I hope he's not having too much trouble.

I think we're going to rest for a while. We've had so much going on these past few months, that I think we need to stop moving for a little bit. But we're all alive, and we're all doing well, at least for the time being. Good luck at school. I miss you.

Best wishes and lots of love,

Hermione

Malfoy Manor. Of course, Luna was being kept at Malfoy Manor. I would be spending spring break there. Perhaps I could help her escape. Even if it didn't work, at least I would be trying to do something.

I knew that I was the last person that Dumbledore's Army wanted to see. But I knew that Neville and Ginny would want to hear what Hermione had said. All of DA sat together at breakfast, and they got quieter as I approached them.

"Neville," I said, feeling their eyes on me. "I know you don't want to see me right now. But I wanted to tell you that they got the sword. And they've visited Luna's dad. They almost got captured. Hermione says they're taking a rest for a little while." Neville didn't say anything. I rolled my eyes and gave him my letter as proof. "I'm not making it up...And if Luna's being kept at Malfoy Manor...well, I'll be spending spring break there. I'll do what I can." He still didn't say anything. None of them did. I took my letter back and walked away. I had done all I could do.

"Grace," Neville finally said. "Look, we've been talking it over...we know you. And we know that if you've got that...that thing...well, it must be for a good reason." I looked around at the faces of DA and realized that I had mistaken their apologetic eyes for scornful. "And, well, you're not part of DA...but you've helped. With your letters. And you've helped by not ratting us out to your father."

"I could do more," I admitted. "And I will where I can."

"We understand why you can't," Ginny said. "Your support alone is more than we could ever expect from someone in your shoes."

"What we're trying to say is," Seamus said, "we're sorry. Well, I can't speak for everyone, but I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said what I said."

"I shouldn't have either," Cormac said. "And uh, that...that includes what I said at quidditch tryouts last year. I shouldn't have said that either." I almost laughed as I remembered Cormac's comment about Hermione and I.

"I'm really going to try to help Luna," I said. "I'll do everything I can. At the very least I won't let them harm her."

"Do what you can," Ginny said. Then out of nowhere, she hugged me. Ginny and I had never been close, so I was taken aback when she hugged me. But she grew up with brothers. And at Hogwarts, she had two sisterly influences, Luna and Hermione. And now they were both gone. So maybe...maybe she needed me a little bit.