hi sweet bubs! today i got three new harry potter candles A.K.A. bath and body work candles that people have said smell like different hp characters. i got the draco one finally (mahogany apple) and omg guys you weren't lying when you said it smells like him. I'm already obsessed with it lmao

anyways sorry for that random talk about my day. i hope all of your days were good and if not i hope they will be soon enough:)

enjoy!

I'm staying at Hogwarts for the whole break. My dad says he's gonna come visit today but I don't have much expectations of him showing up. I promise I'll stay safe and try my best to stay away from Harry.

Hows the Manor?

-Y./I.
(your initials)

-----------------

Ah I see. Well let me know how it goes if he does show.

The Manor is fine. Its giant and empty other than a few house elves who stutter every word they speak. I'm starting to regret not staying at Hogwarts.

-D.M.

-----------------

Will do.

It's really no surprise they stutter every word after what your monster of a dad does to them. (no offense) At least your parents will be home for Christmas... right?

I have a question- Why didn't you ask me to the Yule Ball?

An honest answer would be preferred.

-Y./I.

-----------------

None taken. It's unclear if they're coming back or not. Makes no difference to me anyway.

Thought you didn't want me to ask you. When we arranged this whole thing you said it had to be secret and asking you to accompany me to a ball wouldn't exactly be secret now would it?

-D.M.

-----------------

A small smile grows on my lips as I read his letter, admiring his respect toward my rule.

Hogwarts had been pretty empty since break started, which wasn't a big surprise as everyone went home to their families, which I decided against. I knew going back home and seeing my father would spark up many emotions, and conversations that I very much wanted to avoid.

He had told me he would visit around 11:30 A.M. which was in about ten minutes. I didn't have much motivation to get up and go wait for him, as I really didn't think he'd show.

Though I still get up and off of my bed, writing Draco a quick reply before giving the parchment along with a few owl treats to Crow.

I grab a large winter coat and put it on before switching off the dorm room light and walking out of the Slytherin dormitories.

"Good morning Miss Y/l/n," Snape says dryly as I pass his classroom, barely turning his head to look at me.

"Good morning," I give him a small smile, continuing to walk through the dungeons before freezing and walking back toward his classroom. "Snape-" My eyes widen at my mistake. "Professor, I mean."

"Yes?" He asks slowly, raising his head up from work he was grading.

"Do you know if my father is here?" I ask, not sure if it was a stupid question.

I knew that Snape and my father went to school together and continued a friendship out of school, I just didn't know how close or even if they were close at all anymore.

"Yes I believe I saw him walking to Hogsmeade." He responds, looking back down to the papers.

"Oh ok, thanks." I say before quickly walking away and out of the dungeons.

We had agreed to meet at The Three Broomsticks, meaning that he had actually shown up, causing panic to rise in me as I hurry out of the school and to Hogsmeade.

It was much harder to run through snow than I had anticipated, slowing me down quite a bit.

By the time I had made it to The Three Broomsticks, my boots were covered with snow, my nose and ears almost fully numb from the cold. I stomp my feet on the ground a few times in front of the building, shaking all of the snow off of them before I enter.

A small bell dings as I open the door, a rush of warmth filling my senses. I walk through the slightly crowded restaurant as I search for my father.

He is seated at one of the booths, anxiously tapping the table. A small smile works its way onto my lips before I walk over to him. "Hey,"

He smiles immediately, his anxious tapping stopping as I slide into the bench across from him. "Hey! How are you?"

I unzip my coat, taking it off awkwardly as I'm squished in the booth. "I'm pretty good, you?"

"Uh yeah, I'm pretty good as well." He gives me a small smile, before staring down at the table.

"Sorry Im late by the way," I laugh awkwardly, looking around the restaurant.

"Eh its alright," He shrugs. "Want a drink?"

"Yeah sure," I say, my foot tapping anxiously underneath the table.

He raises his arm slightly to call a waiter over, before ordering two butter beers. "Sorry I never actually asked what you wanted- I hope butter beer is fine..." He apologizes once the waiter walks away.

"Mhm it's perfect," I smile, before a wave of silence falls over us. I wasn't sure why I felt so uncomfortable around him at the moment, though I assumed it was because of the divorce. Even though my parents hadn't actually gotten divorced yet, I knew it was soon, and I knew we hadn't talked about it yet.

"So how's Crow?" He asks, though I almost wish he'd stay silent rather than ask about my owl.

"Uh he's good," I laugh awkwardly. "Still sending letters," My head nods slowly as I watch for our waiter.

Our drinks get here a moment later, giving me something to fidget with throughout the rest of this awkward scenario.

_ - _ - _ - _ - _ - _ - _
- - - - - -

After we finish lunch, we decide to take a walk around Hogsmeade.

Its been silent for most of the walk, the sound of our feet crunching through the snow being the only sound.

"So you enjoyed your lunch?" He starts to ask awkwardly.

A small sigh leaves me, the cold air turning it into fog. "Dad- are you okay? I don't mean to bug into your life but you seem... off," I frown, finally looking at him.

He bites his lip gently, looking around at all the buildings nearby. "Yeah... yeah I'm okay. These divorce papers have just been a little stressful."

I feel as though someones punching my gut when I hear him say that. I knew the word divorce must be often for him to hear, but for me, I had never heard it from him, only seen it. My steps become slower until I fully stop and turn to face him.

"I'm sorry dad... I'm really sorry... Is there anything I can do to help?"

He sighs, looking in between my eyes. "Just stay happy. Thats all I want." He smiles.

I want to believe that the small layer of liquid covering his eyes was from the cold, but I know it isn't. I know this is breaking him, and I know I'm the only thing he has left.

I wrap my arms around him, hugging him tightly as my head listens to his heartbeat. "I will. I promise."

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heyyyyy;)

i apologize for the kinda sad chapter after all of these happy chapters y'all have gotten. i want to thank all of you for the support on the last chapter, it means the world and more to me<333

thank you thank you thank you for reading, i love you all! mwah!