Where Your Loyalties Lie

Chapter Twelve: Smile

After making up with my father, I quickly headed back to the common room to tell Draco the news just like I had promised. When I entered the common room, I found Crabbe and Goyle sitting on the couches, but Draco was nowhere in sight.

"Where's Draco?" I asked them.

"He'll be back soon," Goyle answered.

"What's wrong with your voice?" I asked as I took a seat on the other couch. His voice sounded higher than usual.

"Katie, you're back! How'd it go with Snape?" I turned to see Draco walking over to us. He took a seat next to me.

"It went great!" I grinned. "I finally forgave him."

"Does that mean you can tell me why you were mad at him in the first place?"

I took a deep breath and began, "Alright. Well, as you know, this all started at the beginning of the year when I was summoned to the Headmaster's office. It turns out that Professor Snape is my real father, and that him and my mother decided to wait until I was twelve to tell me." I paused for a moment. "I was just so mad at him for not telling me sooner, but I understand now that it would be hard for a little child to comprehend that the man in her house growing up was anyone other than her father," I explained.

"Whoa," Draco breathed. "No wonder you were upset!"

I nodded. "Yeah, but I'm glad that I've forgiven him and that I told you about it now."

"What were you going to tell us Draco?" Crabbe asked, interrupting our conversation. His voice was different too.

"Oh that. Well, I'm surprised the Daily Prophet hasn't done a report on all of these attacks. I guess Dumbledore's probably trying to keep it quiet. Father has always said he's the worst thing to happen to this school."

"No!" Crabbe shouted. I thought he always agreed with Draco. Very odd.

"Do you think there's someone worse?" Draco demanded.

"Potter?" Goyle suggested. Draco smirked.

"It's a wonder how people think he's the heir of Slytherin. I wish I knew who it is." I noticed Crabbe's hair growing and turning red, and he and Goyle ran out of the room.

"Stay here," I told Draco. I followed them to the girl's bathroom on the second floor. The two boys, who had been Crabbe and Goyle moments before, had transformed into Harry and Ron. They must have used poly-juice potion.

When I got in there, I heard Moaning Myrtle-the ghost of the bathroom- say, "Wait 'til you see. It's dreadful."

I decided to make my presence known. "I knew that something was up."

"Katie!" Harry gasped.

I held my hands up. "I won't tell. If you don't tell people who my father is. They'll find out eventually, but I'd prefer if you didn't tell."

"Deal," Harry agreed.

"Hermione, are you alright?"

"I'll be fine," She squeaked.

"OK. I better get back to the common room before Draco comes looking for me. Bye. Feel better!"

~~~

The holidays came to an end and classes started up again. Potions became enjoyable once more since I had forgiven Father. Today we made a swelling solution. "Outstanding for today's efforts, Katie. You too, Draco."

         "Thanks, Father." My grades seemed better now too. I couldn't focus very well at all this year during first term. Whispers broke out as soon as I called him 'Father'. I knew it would happen so I didn't make a big deal about it.