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

Chapter Forty-One: What It Means To Be Malfoy

May 2nd, 1998, 7:30 am - Hogwarts

Narcissa threw Draco and I into the carriage, and almost climbed in herself, but Lucius stopped her.

"Narcissa!" he said. "A word." Narcissa, with a firm face, obliged, and she slammed the carriage door shut leaving Draco and I alone. I was visibly distressed. I kept looking out the window, longing to go back. Then it suddenly dawned on me. If Draco and I had not moved when we did, Voldemort would have known something was wrong and our cover would have been blown. He would have killed us. I couldn't move.

"Thank you, Draco," I said. "I...I almost blew it. I'm not as strong as I thought I was."

"I failed my assignment, and your father stepped in and completed it for me. It ended up costing him his life. The least I could do is return the favor and complete yours for you." I looked up at him. It seemed as though he'd begun to respect my father just as I had. "I have a lot to learn from him. And I'm going to take care of his daughter."

Lucius and Narcissa got in the carriage rather aggressively, but silent. My head was still looking out the window.

"Drive!" Lucius shouted, banging on the wall. As we began to move, and an uncomfortable silence filled the carriage, I couldn't stop looking back. I belonged there. That was where my loyalties lied. Even if I was just there watching, supporting, encouraging- that would be enough. Those were my friends, and not just from this year. During fifth year, when DA was in its infancy, those were my people. I have truly been so blessed to have been lucky enough to be trusted by those people, especially given who I am and what I've done. Draco and I looked like cowards walking away. And I know Draco doesn't care how they perceive him, but I do.

"Don't look back, Grace," Lucius snapped. "If you're going to be a Malfoy you've got to learn to have some dignity."

"Dignity?" I repeated. "Dignity? How can you sit here and preach to me about dignity when you just did the least dignified thing I've ever seen in my life?"

"And what would that be?"

"You ran away!" I screamed. "And you wanna tell me to learn some dignity. Those are my friends! You do know how this ends, right? Harry wins! Voldemort will die! You're going to Azkaban-"

Smack!

"How dare you speak to me in that way!" Lucius hissed, and he struck me across the face. I was shocked. And as I looked at Draco, who had previously been quiet during my exchange with his father, I was reminded of that day in sixth year when Draco was yelling at me about my book and he raised his hand, and I flinched. He wasn't going to hit me, but I thought he was, so I flinched. Draco was horrified with himself. And now, I had actually been hit by a Malfoy man. But Draco was done being silent, and Narcissa was equally mortified by her husband's actions. Draco started to lunge at his father, but Narcissa pushed him back.

"I'll handle this," Narcissa said. "Stop the carriage!" As the carriage came to a halt, Narcissa kicked Lucius out. "A word," she said mockingly. Once they were out and clearly mid conversation, Draco cuffed my face with his hand.

"Are you alright?"

"I'm fine," I said.

"I'm so so sorry, Grace," he said, kissing me. "I'm so sorry."

Smack!

Draco and I looked out of the carriage to see Lucius facedown on the side of the road. Narcissa calmly climbed back into the carriage. The awkward silence was back as we continued to ride. Suddenly, I felt like the horrible one. After all, I shouldn't have fought Lucius.