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

Chapter Thirty-One: It All Starts Here

April 1998 - Hogwarts

Dear Grace,

This will be my last letter to you. If you write back to me, I won't be able to see it. We've destroyed another Horcrux that was found in Bellatrix's vault. I'm just glad that the trip was worth it. I'm also glad that Luna's returned safely to Hogwarts. Speaking of returning to Hogwarts, there's one more Horcrux we need to find, and we believe it's in the castle. I know this is terribly short notice, but we'll be in Hogsmeade tomorrow night, attempting to get back into the castle. I can't say for sure when we'll be able to get back in. It will likely take hours. If you wouldn't mind letting Neville and the others know so that they can keep an eye out for us, that would be greatly appreciated. And if there's anything you can do to help us get into the castle, we would really appreciate it.

One more thing. Voldemort knows. He knows what we're doing and he knows where we're going, and he's going to try to stop us. He's coming to Hogwarts. I have a feeling that this is it. That monstrous thing we've been feeling. This is it. I don't know if our paths will cross, but I can't wait to see you when it's all over. Good luck, and thank you for everything you've done.

Best wishes and lots of love

Hermione

She was right. We had both been feeling like something was coming. This was it. Once the three of them entered the castle, it would never be the same again. But I still had a job to do.

I made my way to the room of requirement. As the door opened for me, it reminded me of the days when we'd all sneak away from some proper defense against the dark arts. We thought it was so dangerous, but it was nothing compared to what Dumbledore's Army had become. As I walked in, I was overwhelmed by the terrible essence of students who were trapped in there. It felt like prison, but somehow it was the closest thing we had to freedom in all of Hogwarts.

"Oy, Snape," Seamus said. "Tell me you've got some leftovers from the welcome back feast."

"I brought you everything I could take from the kitchen on the day of the feast, Seamus," I said.

"How long ago was that?" He asked.

"Monday," I said. "I brought you guys enough food to last through the week- If you rationed it well. Don't tell me it's gone."

"Don't listen to him, Grace," Cormac said. "We've got plenty."

"Good," I said. "Where's Neville?"

"Oy," I heard him say. I looked up to find him hanging on a hammock ten feet in the air. "Have you got anything new?"

"Neville, I need to talk to you," I said. Neville rolled out of his hammock, grabbing a rope as he did to help him swing to the floor.

"What is it?"

"Not here," I said. "Is there somewhere else?"

"Look around, Grace," he said. So I did. There wasn't really anywhere else to go.

"Behind the pillar?" I asked.

"Sure." We walked behind the pillar, and I was careful to talk very slowly.

"So what's going-"

"They're coming back," I said.

"What?"
"Harry, Ron, and Hermione," I said. "Tomorrow night. They're coming back to Hogwarts and they need our help to get in."

"Are you serious?" I handed him the letter from Hermione.

"This is it, Neville," I said. "Something's going to happen. We've got to get them in. And I don't think we should tell the others."

"I agree," Neville said. "Everyone will want to help and it will be a bloody mess."

"So how do we do it?" I asked. "Hermione says they'll be in Hogsmeade first." Neville perked up at this. "What?"

"Come with me," he said. I followed him across the room to some scaffolding that was just below a painting which opened to reveal a passage.

"When did you get this?" I asked.

"It's a long story," he said, leading me down the dark and wet tunnel. "Come on."

"So what exactly is this?"

"It's a tunnel."

"No shit. Where does it go?"

"Erm," he hesitated. "About that."

"Neville," I said. "Just tell me. Come on."

"Aberforth Dumbledore's house," he said.

"Dumbledore?"

"His brother," Neville said. "He's been helping us out. That's how we got Luna back in."

"That's great," I said. "This is perfect. Why didn't you tell me?"

"Well...it's because he's also been giving us food and other stuff we need," Neville said.

"And?" I asked. "That still doesn't explain why you didn't tell me."

"Ginny insisted that you didn't know," Neville said. "She got the sense that you felt bad about not being able to help us as much as you used to. The only way you could help us out was by bringing us food. I guess she wanted you to have that. She thought it might hurt your feelings to know that you're not the only one bringing us food."

"That is so sweet of her," I said. "But so wrong. You guys need all the help you can get. I don't mind that someone else is helping you."

"I know that," Neville said. "We all thought she was being ridiculous. But she insisted."

"Huh," I shrugged. We approached a door. "This is it?" Neville slowly pushed it open to reveal a cozy sitting room. We climbed out of the tunnel.

"Aberforth?" he said. "It's Neville." Then, for a split second, I could have sworn I saw Dumbledore himself walk through the door.

"Sorry Neville," he said. "I don't have any food for you this time."

"Not here for food," Neville said. "We need a favor." Aberforth finally looked up at us and his eyes grew wider.
"You're Snape," he said.

"She's with me," Neville said.

"You sure about that, boy?" he asked. "There was once a certain Snape who my brother swore was on his side as well."

"Sir," I said. "I'm not my father."

"I suppose not," he said. "What do you need then?"

I was about to answer, but something caught my eye. I saw a mirror on the wall that was missing a piece. And the reflection was Harry. He was sleeping in the woods somewhere.

"Is that Harry?" I asked, pulling both of their attention to the mirror.

"Blimey," Neville said. "I never noticed that before."

"Yes, I've been keeping an eye on him," Aberforth said. "Now, I don't have all night. So what is it you need?"

"Harry," Neville. "He'll be in Hogsmeade tomorrow night. The three of them need to get into the castle."

"Oh?" Aberforth said. "You're not asking me to harbor a fugitive, are you?"

"You will, won't you?" Neville asked.
"Of course, I will," he said. "If someone is brave enough to ask me, I will be brave enough to do so. I won't like it one bit. But I'll do it."

"Thank you so much, sir," I said.

"I promise it won't be too much of a hassle," Neville said. "If you can find them and hide them in here, then send for me, I'll come get them immediately."

"You'd better," Aberforth said. "You're going to need them."