the daughter of severus snape

Chapter 37: Nevermind, it's Bella and Zane Now

I'm in DADA when my mark burns. This year, Dad's finally the DADA professor. I know he's wanted this position since ever. I wince. "Dad, may I please be excused?" I mouth to him "dark mark." 

"Yes, you are excused." People are actually surprised that he let me, but I rush out. It burns so bad. 

----

"Yes, my lord?" I'm at Malfoys Manor now. 

"Ah, Bella Snape." 

"Yes, you summoned me."

"I see." He also summoned Draco. Did he hear our conversation earlier? He couldn't have, could he? I see Zane standing next to him. I can't say anything about it without raising concern. Other than me, Dray, Zane, and the Dark Lord, are Lucius and Narcissa. I don't think this room has ever been so empty. I remember once me and Dray ran around here, chasing each other. Oh, if I only knew. "I know you've met Zane." Zane smirks.

"Yes, he killed my boyfriend."

"And I punished him for that." He did?

"You're with Mr. Malfoy, are you?"

"Yes, she is, my Lord," Dray interjects. The Dark Lord looks at him slowly.

"But I didn't ask you, did I?" Dray nods.

"Yes, my liege. Draco Malfoy and I are together. We just started dating this year, though we've had feelings for longer." I look at Lucius and Narcissa. Narcissa gives a faint smile and Lucius looks away. "An unlikely pair." We nod, even though we both know that is not true.

"You two will break up." We gape at each other. We've only just got together and he wants us to break up already? "S-sir, excuse me?"

"You and Mr. Malfoy will break up. What's so difficult for you to understand?"

"I- May I ask why?"

"Because I've got a new pairing for you." I think I know where this is going. Please no.

"Who?" 

"Zane." A tear escapes my eye, "is there something that upsets you?" No, I just like crying.

"No, my liege. I will do as you say."

"Of course you will. Be off. Zane, accompany her." I feel absolutely sick to my stomach. This has to be a nightmare. I sneak a look at Dray. He doesn't look back. "So, sweetheart," Zane says.

"What?"

"That's no way to treat your boyfriend is it?"

"Why does is the Dark Lord concerned with my relationships?" I demand.

"Because, my dear, I've asked him to. You're very good looking, you know?" I don't even blush. 

"Well, killing off someone's soulmate is not a good way to impress them."

"I do regret that. However, that needed to have been done. Would you have joined us otherwise?"

"You could have gotten him to break up with me. Or me with him." He stops.

"I suppose I haven't considered that option. I do apologize, from the very bottom of my heart." I scowl at him. I return back to class, another tear escaping my eye. Dad sees this, and mouths "meet me after class." I nod. This all just feels like some bad dream. It can't be true. It has to be some kind of joke. I know the Dark Lord does not do jokes, though. Class ends and I talk to my Dad. "Dad. He wants me to date Zane." Dad spits his water out and hugs me.

"I'm sorry, Bells. You shouldn't have-"

"I had to. I need to protect you and Dray."

"What will you do, Bells?"

"Whatever it takes, Dad. I'm not losing either of you. If that means I have to date, even marry my worst enemy, then I'll do it."

"I'm supposed to do the protecting, not you." I sigh.

"You have protected me."

"I've failed though, haven't I? First year,-"

"You blame yourself for that?"

"Of course. I should have been more attentive." It never even crossed my mind that Dad blames himself for all the bad stuff that's happened to me. "Don't. It isn't your fault. How come you've never told me before?"

"I needed to stay strong for my princess."

"You knew about that?" It makes me wonder how much else he knows. He laughs.

"You students aren't so good at keeping secrets. I will murder that boy once this is all done, okay?"

"No objections." It was at this moment that I've decided. I will not let Voldemort win. Even if I have to sacrifice my own life. There's too much at stake. Call me selfish for it directly affecting me to realize it, but I don't care. This has helped put things into perspective. The past no longer matters. All those times I've been broken, I've died, I've lived, I've laughed, I've cried no longer matter. It's the future and present that does. I will protect my family. I will date Zane if that's what it takes to prove my allegiance to Voldemort. I am Bella Rae Snape.