Hermione was puzzled as to what would make Lucious assume that she was Salazar's mother.  It surprised her, but she didn't want to focus on it as it implied that she and Severus Snape had at some point in time produced a son.  Which meant she must have had sex with him, while the idea wasn't as revolting as it once would have been, it was still something that she didn't care to examine closely. 

            Instead she turned her attention to the man in front of her.  Lucious Malfoy was like Draco Malfoy in many respects.  Luckily for her, he shared his son's tunnel vision in scheming.  The end of the plan was all he could see, details were his blind spot.  Hermione jangled at the bonds on her arms, pretending to struggle to get free. 

            "You won't be going anywhere mudblood.  Not until I get some answers." He said arrogantly. 

            Hermione rolled her eyes.  "Is that the best you can do?  Honestly its like a bad line out of an even worse movie." 

            "What's a movie?"

            "Something you wouldn't have heard of, given your disdain for the muggle world.  Your short-sightedness really is astounding."  She said brazenly.

            "Such a Gryffindor attitude.  There's nothing in the muggle world that's of the slightest interest to me you silly little girl." 

            "Right.  Which is why you can be likened to Henry the VIII." Hermione spat back.

            "Who is Henry the VIII?" 

            "Just a bloke in a song. And one of the most difficult people to ever walk the face of the planet. They immortalized him in a song." 

            "A song.  What on earth for?"  Lucious asked, curious despite himself.

            "I'm Henry the Eighth I am.  Henry the eighth I am I am.

I got married to the widow next door

I've been married seven times before

Henry the eight I am I am

Second verse same as the first!

"I'm Henry the Eighth I am.  Henry the eighth I am I am.

I got married to the widow next door

I've been married seven times before

Henry the eight I am I am" Hermione bellowed, horribly off-key.

"Stop that infernal noise girl."  Lucious insisted.

"Well its your own fault, you're the one who was interested in Henry, even though he was a muggle." Hermione smirked.    

Lucious seethed in silence and found a piece of fabric to use as a gag.  He stuffed it into the Gryffindor girl's mouth and went laughed at her outraged face.  He found himself hoping that the child from the future would arrive soon. The very presence of the Granger chit made his skin crawl.  He wanted to question the boy and find out exactly what the relationship was between the two.  Afterwards he would of course kill both of them, although perhaps the way to go about it was to torture the girl until her son agreed to join Voldemort's cause.  If he was half Snape as Lucious suspected, then he would be a valuable asset.  And the Dark Lord for bringing in such a valuable servant would honour him.    

***********

            Salazar and Snape rushed to Dumbledore's office in panicked silence.  To the casual observer, it would have been amusing under different circumstances to see two obviously related men with identical expressions and matched strides.  But now was not the time for amusement, Hermione had been missing for hours now and even wizards knew that it became less likely that the kidnapee would be found the longer his or her captivity was prolonged. 

            "Hermione's missing."  Salazar blurted out the second that the Snapes reached Dumbledore. 

            Severus turned to his younger counterpart.  "I obviously acquired the ability to collect myself before speaking in later years." 

            "Oh stuff it! How can you be cranky at a time like this? You know you're worried about her, I know what you're feeling." Salazar spat back in a venomous voice. 

            "Boys please. Can we put aside the squabbling until we have recovered Miss Granger?"  Dumbledore broke in, his voice quiet but leaving no room for argument. 

            "Of course headmaster.  Salazar has a portkey sent by the kidnaper."

            "Here."  Salazar said and carefully handed over the object. 

            Dumbledore looked at it carefully before drawing out his wand and muttering a spell.  When the light from his wand faded, two more rings were laying next too the original one.  "I've placed a duplication spell on the portkey.  Salazar, you will follow Mr. Malfoy's instructions.  Severus, Minerva and I will follow behind on a second portkey, and the third will be delivered to Aurors who will take Malfoy into custody.  It is imperative that you behave as though you aren't aware that we will follow.  Make him think that you behaved rashly."  Dumbledore said, his eyes on Salazar the entire time.

            The young man nodded, fire in his eyes and retreated from the office.  "I'll get Minerva. Severus, please deliver this ring to Janelle Fragmore.  She and her partner are in the Magical Abduction office at the ministry." 

            Severus simply nodded and stepped towards Dumbledore's fireplace.  Grabbing flo powder from the small canister on the hearth, Severus bellowed his destination and disappeared in green flame. 

******** 

            Elsewhere, Salazar had taken the ring out of his pocket and muttered the activation word.  With a slight tug of his belly, he found himself in swirling darkness before his feet slammed into something hard.  "Well, if it isn't young mister Granger.  Come to see your mummy have you?"  Lucious said silkily. 

            Snape glanced over at to see Hermione tied up to the wall with a dirty rag in her mouth.  To his relief she didn't look hurt, which surprised him considering the Malfoy of his own day.  The fire in her eyes alerted him to the fact that she was both pissed off, and from the glances at Malfoy, annoyed at being held captive by someone she had categorized as 'being thick as a flober worm.'  She tossed her head in frustration and continued struggling against her bonds.  Salazar began walking towards her to untie her.  "I wouldn't do that if I were you." 

            "What do you want Malfoy?" Salazar snapped.

            "You'll take a more respectful tongue with me son, or your mother here will suffer the consequences." Lucious said, his wand pointed warningly at Hermione.

            To the older man's amazement, a grin broke out on Salazar's face and he began howling with laughter.   "I've snogged her you idiot, she's not my mother!  Inbreeding doesn't run in all families Malfoy.  Although, it is rampant in yours judging by your quick assumptions."  Salazar sneered. 

            Lucious' face remained impassive, but his eyes flashed a split second before he shot the cructacious curse at Hermione.  Salazar dove towards her attempting to shield her from the curse, but he was too late and Hermione screamed as excruciating pain shot through her body. 

            "Are you ready to talk now?"  Lucious asked as he turned his attention towards Salazar. 

            "What do you want to know?"  He asked shaking as he watcher Hermione recovering from the curse. 

            "Who is your father?" 

            "Raymod Snape." Salazar answered. 

            "You lie convincingly. Its true that you are a Snape, you possess the cunning of that line.  And you don't wish to admit that you are the product of a union between a noble man and a common mudblood.  It would be such a blemish to the line."  Lucious answered.   

            "You're pathetic Malfoy.  You were in school, and you're just the same now. You've always been cruel and stupid.  A dangerous combination." 

            "Oh I am am I?  Then it's best live up to my- reputation.  He turned again, and bellowed Avada Kedavra!" 

Green light shot out of his wand…………. 

(Blame Lara for the cliffhanger.  It was her idea.  The next chapter is halfway written and will be up shortly, or I'll eat my kettle ; )