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

Chapter Forty-Two: Letters

July 10th, 1998 - Hogsmeade Graveyard/Godric's Hollow/Malfoy Manor

Hogsmeade Graveyard

 We pulled up to the bleak graveyard, neither one of us saying a word. Draco stayed in the car while I forced myself out, and walked until I entered the designated part of the graveyard that was dedicated to the fallen fifty- those who had died while fighting in the battle of Hogwarts. I saw too many familiar names on stones. Colin Creevey. Lavender Brown. Remus Lupin. Fred Weasley. Vincent Crabbe. Nymphadora Tonks. And then I saw her. Her name didn't belong on that stone. I didn't cry-yet. I pulled out a piece of paper, and read it aloud.

Dear Jane,

It's been two months since you left me. A week after you died, I believed that at that point, it couldn't get any worse. I believed I couldn't miss you more than I did already. Then, it was two weeks, and I was once again convinced that it could only get better from there. And now I realize that it doesn't get better. I realize now that every day that you're not here will only get harder. And I can only pray that I get stronger over time. But somehow, this is the one shock that I can't seem to get over.

I miss you. I miss your ragers in the common room. I miss sleeping in my room when we didn't want to deal with Pansy. I miss your nosiness, wanting to know absolutely everything. I miss your weird obsession over my bath with Cedric. I miss how you always knew just what to do to make me feel good. I miss our trips into Hogsmeade and ditching the boys for some girl time. I miss how you supported me in everything I did, even if you thought it was a terrible idea. I miss flying over the Slytherin section and giving you a high five during quidditch matches, hearing you scream "That's my best friend!" I even miss that brief period of time when we weren't speaking, because at least you were here.

You're the best friend I've ever had. And it pains me that we only got four short years when we deserved to be old ladies together. We deserved to have families together and watch our kids become best friends. You deserved to live a life and pursue your wildest dreams. You deserved to become the great actress we all knew you could be. Nobody gets me like you did. Nobody laughs at my jokes like you would. Nobody thinks of me in the strangest situations like you did. Nobody else can look at me at my worst and still choose to stay with me. Jane, I believe you're my soulmate. I believe we were designed to be each other's best friends.

I'm not going to WADA. I can't go without you. We either go together, or not at all. But I got married, and I had no maid of honor. I couldn't stand to pick someone else to put in a role only you could fill. Hermione, Luna, and Ginny were there. They were bridesmaids, and they were lovely. I'm blessed to have girl friends like them- but I thought of you the whole time. I don't think I will ever have a friend quite like you again. I can have many friends in my lifetime, but I will only have one Jane. And I can only hope that I've got a private room waiting for me in Heaven where we can go to ignore the people who bother us. My kids will know all about you. They'll hear all the stories. They'll idolize you. I will move heaven and earth to make sure that you are remembered. I promise they will love you just as much as I do. Best friends tell each other stuff, remember? I have a picture of us above my desk, and I'll tell you everything. Everything, Jane. For the rest of my life, I'll never stop talking to you.

Love,

Grace

Godric's Hollow

Same story. Draco waited in the car while I did what I had to do. Severus Snape was buried next to Lily Potter. We wanted to bury him with the fallen fifty until we thought about what it meant to be buried there. That graveyard was for those who lost their life while fighting. My dad's fight was already over when he died. He didn't fight, he sacrificed. There were a few places we could have buried him. It was almost his family plot in Cokeworth. But I thought long and hard about what he would have wanted, and with Harry's permission, we buried him next to the love of his life.

Dad,

You've been gone for two months, and I still haven't managed to figure out how you did more for me in four years than my mum did in fourteen. Growing up, I imagined my dad was a nobody, and that he didn't want anything to do with me. I thought maybe one day he'd show up asking for money or something. But Dad, you turned my life around.

I've been replaying our moments together, trying so hard to piece the man behind the mask. I wish I had known what you were dealing with sooner. But just like me, you're a master of deception, which is why there's no way in hell I ever would have seen. The night you died, I had a moment of realization. I realized why I was the perfect person to deceive Voldemort- because I was you. I'm a fantastic liar, manipulator, and deceiver. When I realized it, I was scared of myself. I was disgusted by the fact that I was you. But when I looked in the pensieve, it changed everything. I've never been more proud to be your daughter. I've never been more proud to be a Snape, despite all the connotations that the name carries.

But I'm a Malfoy now. I know it's against the rules, but we're married. There's something you should know about Draco. At the end of the battle of Hogwarts, Voldemort noticed us in the crowd of Hogwarts students and teachers. Lucius and Narcissa urged us to cross to their side- a final display of allegiance. I couldn't do it. My assignment was simple- outwardly demonstrate my loyalty to Voldemort. And even though we were at the end, I couldn't do it. Voldemort would have seen right through me, and he would have killed me had Draco not grabbed my hand, and walked with me. I later thanked him for what he did, and he said, "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."

Lucius is in Azkaban, and Draco narrowly escaped it. Narcissa had a talk with us about redefining what it means to be a Malfoy now that Lucius is gone and the war is over. We're entering a new age. An age of peace and rebuilding. For the past four years I have been searching desperately for my purpose. I've been trying to find it in every place I could think of. Cedric, Harry, Dumbledore's Army, quidditch, school- but it wasn't in any of those places. When I started this year, I was always asking myself, "Who am I? Why do I exist?" Well, now I know. Draco and I will rebuild the Malfoy name, and redefine how this family views love. And I exist to bring you in it. Your ways are strange, and your rules often make no sense, but you are a mastermind of love and protection- which is all I want for the legacy Draco and I are about to build.

I love you, Dad, Always,

Grace

Malfoy Manor

That season of my life will always be part of me, but it was over. Writing those letters helped me put into physicality what was happening. And when we arrived home after a long day, I had a letter of my own waiting for me. A letter that helped put into physicality what was to come.

Dear Grace,

Today was the day. I've been working tirelessly these past few months, and someone finally published Harry Potter. You have so much to be proud of. I only wish you were there to see the turnout. I certainly had a blast signing the books, but I do wish you could have had that moment for yourself.

I have great faith in Harry Potter. The sky's the limit on what it could accomplish. The books are flying off the shelves all over London, and the publishers are already asking for the next. People ask me questions about the characters and the storyline, and it's hard not to admit that I don't know. I do my best to answer, but if this is going to be a partnership for as long as the series progresses, I'm going to need your help.

Please don't be a stranger. Visit me often, and write as frequently as you wish. I want to take care of this story, and I don't want to mess things up. You should be very proud of yourself, I sense great things are around the corner.

To Harry Potter, and all he will do for us,

Joanne