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

Chapter Thirty-Seven: The Unveiling

The kitchen was dimly lit, the evening light casting long shadows over the worn wooden table. At its center sat a young boy, no older than six, with long black hair that fell untidily over his thin shoulders. His clothes were mismatched, an ill-fitting patchwork that spoke of neglect. His emaciated frame clutched his growling stomach, a stark reminder of his hunger. The faint echoes of his parents' angry voices from the adjoining room seemed to form a background hum of chaos and discontent.

A shift in scene brought clarity to a new memory—a sunny day on a grassy hill where two young girls stood under the vibrant blue sky. One of them, a girl with fiery red hair, extended her hand and conjured a delicate flower from thin air. The beauty of the moment was abruptly shattered by the harsh, accusatory cry of the brunette girl.

"Freak!" The word cut through the air like a knife. "You're a freak, Lily!" The red-haired Lily fled up the hill, pursued by the brunette's bitter chase. But her pursuit halted abruptly as an older version of the boy from the kitchen emerged from a hollow tree. With a serene gesture, he transformed a blade of grass into a butterfly, which fluttered gracefully toward Lily. Her face brightened, and she smiled.

"She's jealous," the older boy said softly, his voice imbued with a gentle wisdom. "She's ordinary and you're special."

Lily's eyes sparkled with a mix of wonder and shyness. "That's mean, Severus," she replied, her voice tinged with hurt.

The scene shifted to a grand hall where Professor McGonagall, with a solemn expression, held a hat over Lily's head. The hat's declaration echoed with an air of finality.

"Gryffindor!

Lily walked proudly toward the Gryffindor table, her face alight with a mixture of anticipation and nervousness. Severus watched from a distance, his heart heavy as he observed her mingling with a boy who introduced himself as James. The boy's laughter, cruel and mocking, fell upon Severus's ears like bitter rain. James's torment of Lily, and the laughter that followed, was a cruel reminder of the happiness that had slipped through Severus's fingers

The years rolled on, and the once-innocent Lily grew up and married James. Severus, now an adult, found himself lost in grief, his life spiraling into a series of dark decisions. At a dimly lit bar, Severus sat hunched over a drink, his face a mask of despair and disillusionment. The soft, sensual voice of a beautiful blonde woman broke through his brooding silence

"Excuse me," she said, her eyes glinting with curiosity. "You look troubled."

"I'm fine," he grunted, though his eyes betrayed his inner turmoil.

The woman, introducing herself as Odette, held his gaze with eyes that mirrored Lily's green depths. The resemblance was startling, and in that moment, Severus saw not just Odette but the reflection of Lily. The realization struck him deeply. He saw Lily in Odette's eyes, a cruel twist of fate that reignited old wounds and long-buried regrets.

As dawn broke, Odette slept peacefully beside him. Severus, consumed by thoughts of Lily, rose with a heavy heart, burdened by the weight of his newfound affection and regret.

The scene transitioned to a cold, somber meeting where Severus sat with Voldemort. The Dark Lord, shrouded in his malevolent aura, spoke of a prophecy—a boy born at the end of July who would be Voldemort's downfall. The name "Harry Potter" struck Severus with the force of a sledgehammer. The connection clicked in his mind—Harry Potter, the son of Lily and James. The gravity of Voldemort's intent was clear: he intended to hunt down and kill them all.

Desperation drove Severus to Albus Dumbledore, where he poured out his fears and regrets. "The prophecy didn't say anything about a woman," Dumbledore noted with an air of detached calm. "It spoke of a boy born at the end of July."