I still don't own the Harry Potter universe and won't ever in the future either.
Warnings: highly twisted, overly used plot lines; possible OOC.
Thank you all so much for reviewing! It means so much to me! I appreciate all of you that took the time to answer my questions and to let me know what you think. Keep it up! Comments and tactful criticisms are wonderful!
I'm dreadfully sorry about the amount of time it took me to get this chapter up. For some reason, it was the hardest to write so far. Ugh…and I still don't like it much more, I'm just so sick of it I decided to post it and get it over with. In other words, if you're going to tell me how much it sucks, save your energy, I know already.
Epic Proportions: Genealogy: Exposure
Severus Snape sat across from Dumbledore in his office, mind occupied with thoughts of his seventh year Potions class with Gryffindors and Slytherins. Most particularly, Hermione Granger, who had had something slightly disturbing revealed to her in class earlier.
Minerva McGonagall was also present in the room. After all, Hermione was one of her students and she also knew what was going on. Albus told her almost everything happening within Hogwarts.
Snape was the last of the teachers to turn in the information received about the students' families. Dumbledore thought he was in the clear, that maybe Hogwarts didn't have what they were searching for, but the look on Snape's face didn't encourage that line of thinking.
A few rolls of parchment sat on the desk and Dumbledore dreaded reaching for them. "Is there anything that needs to be said before I look through these?" Dumbledore asked kindly, noting Snape's discomfort.
"One of the potions must have been wrong. Ms. Granger received an impossible result. Nonetheless I still included within the parchment of information." Snape was highly tempted to twiddle his thumbs just to make the whole moment more bearable.
Dumbledore's and McGonagall's eyes met in worry. Of all the people, this was truly a shock.
"Impossible…as in how?" Dumbledore didn't want to hear it, knowing once he did, there was no going back.
Minerva appeared just as dismayed as he did, if not more. After all, Hermione was one of her prized students.
"The potion indicated her mother is a Slytherin. Everyone is aware the last of the actual Slytherin females, Circe Slytherin, died fifteen years ago without leaving behind any children." He cleared his throat, "well, as much as anyone knows." Most of the response sounded rehearsed, as if it was something he was used to discussing with others. "She never even married before she died."
Voldemort was often concerned that the female descendant of Slytherin who was to immediately receive all authority over his supporters and himself would live during his time (AN. I promise I will reveal what this part means in, uh, the last chapter of part 1. Until then, form your own opinions of where I'm taking this. It IS hinted at throughout the whole chapter.). With Circe's death, chances were even slimmer. Especially since the prophecy Salazar foretold specifically mentioned she would be the daughter of a Slytherin female. Circe only had one brother, Geoff, so there weren't any worries there anymore.
The Slytherin lineage was something that still worried Snape. He continued to hope for a miracle so that something would occur to get Voldemort out of the position of authority he held and someone even better would replace him; someone who could return the wizarding world to its formal glory before Voldemort and before Grindelwald. Someone who could finally bring peace to a troubled world.
"Miracles never do cease, do they, Minerva?" Was Dumbledore reading his mind again? Snape found it irritating how easily Albus managed to know everyone's feelings.
McGonagall raised an eyebrow. "I do not see how this fits into a miraculous category, Albus. The girl's life is about to be drastically changed and many things she held to be truth will be proved lies." She lifted her teacup to her lips for a sip.
Snape felt as though he had been kicked in the gut. "Do you mean to tell me," he choked out, "that Ms. Granger really is a descendant of Slytherin? Did Circe have a child before she died?" Could there truly be a future for their world? While Ms. Granger was a particularly irritating student, she was quite intelligent and completely aligned to Dumbledore's side. There was no one better to be put in such a difficult position. She would be respected for her intelligence and many of her ideas would have the potential to be considered by Voldemort's inner circle within time.
Albus nodded. "That is, however, all I am aware of concerning the status of that family at present moment."
"And that is why Durmstrang and Beauxbatons are doing the same thing, correct? Hyperian Slytherin contacted each school and had them do this 'school project,'" he sneered, "to find his long-lost grandchild?"
McGonagall nodded. "And I think it best we not mention any of this to Ms. Granger yet. It's an unfair burden for someone of her age to be forced to take. Undoubtedly the Slytherin family will be most repulsed by her upbringing and do whatever in their power to remove that obstacle from Ms. Granger." Inwardly she sighed. Her favorite student would happen to be blood to the opposing House. It was just her sort of fortune.
"Perhaps we should invite her Muggle family to stay with us here for awhile until this matter is resolved completely." Dumbledore mused, twirling his beard idly. "Although I would need a reason to explain this to Ms. Granger since she obviously is not aware of her apparent adoption."
Snape stood up at that point, figuring it best for him to hear as little of the conversation as possible. With Death Eaters, one could never be too certain if there was Verita Serum in one's beverage. "I suggest you mention a source informed you her parents are current targets. On that note, if you would please excuse me, I still have some matters to attend to."
"And I think it best I not be here when the messenger comes to pick up the results, either." Minerva announced as she set her teacup aside and stood to leave with Severus.
Dumbledore smiled half-heartedly. "I thank you both for your time and thoughtfulness. I hope this all ends for the best."
The moment the door closed, he sighed and put his head in his hands. Hermione Granger was a supporter of the rights of muggleborns since she was, after all, one herself. Or so she believes. This was potentially a great break for those against Voldemort now that one of their own was guaranteed respect in Voldemort's circle of followers. Unfortunately, it is a huge responsibility to place on a girl her age with so little experience in the world.
It must have only been a minute later before the door opened again and Lucius Malfoy was there, blocking all the light from the hallway torches.
"Ah, Mr. Malfoy. How may I assist you?" Dumbledore asked, composing himself quickly and trying to conceal the exhaustion he was almost sure would try to creep out with his voice. He was getting too old for this, but he would never give it up.
The impertinent scowl his son seemed to share with him never left his face as he entered. "I was sent by Hyperian Slytherin to pick up some information you were to have prepared for him."
Albus highly doubted Lucius had ever said a sentence in which he wasn't the subject ever in his life. His eyes wearily roamed his desk for some parchment to pen a quick letter to Slytherin. Originally he was going to hand over all the results, but seeing the messenger, Albus decided it would be much safer for his students if he was to just write a quick letter to Hyperian Slytherin. He was trusted with that information and for the sake of many muggleborn children, he knew he must keep those records as far away from Voldemort and his Death Eaters as possible.
Lucius' eyes hungrily roamed the room as he neared the portraits of previous headmasters, trying to use them as a cover. He was proud and cocky enough to believe Dumbledore had no clue what he was doing. Like almost every other time he was here, there was nothing out in the open to learn.
From behind him came a hesitant cough. "Mr. Malfoy." The letter was more like a quick jot, with only two words on it: Hermione Granger. The only thing that took even a semblance of time happened to be the wards he put on the letter to prevent Malfoy from poking his nose where it did not concern him.
Lucius had to give the man credit. For an old wizard, he certainly moved quietly. Dumbledore was right behind him, with a letter he was apparently to take to Slytherin.
"This is the information asked of me. I know I can trust you to deliver it safely." In the same way he knew he could trust him to donate thousands of galleons to muggleborn help funds. As much as he wanted to say that, he refrained.
Lucius remained standing there. "And?"
"Mr. Malfoy, if you expect me to inform you what this about, you are sadly mistaken. Especially with so many flies buzzing around." Albus did not put it past Lucius to use Skeeter as a constant source of information regardless of what he was told. Nor would he put it past her to use him, willingly or unintentionally.
The fly perched on Dumbledore's bottle of ink began buzzing around at that. Rita Skeeter had been so proud she managed to sneak in with Lucius Malfoy and now it turns out Dumbledore knew all along! That really irked her. Hogwarts' alumni really were not jesting when they spoke of Dumbledore's amazing knowledge of everything going on around his school.
After getting far away enough from Hogwarts' premises Lucius apparated straight to the large Slytherin Manor. Although 'castle' was probably the more technical term for it.
Lucius investigated the envelope cautiously, attempting to get what he could from it, but Dumbledore warded it well and he was unable to get through it without it appearing as though it had obviously been tampered. He finally just gave up, hoping Slytherin would tell him.
A moment after he knocked on the door, a well-dressed House Elf clothed in a silver and green striped pillowcase with a silver rope knotted around his, or her, he wasn't certain yet, waist answered the door.
"This way please! Master is waiting! Sinky anxious to please her Master!"
Female then, Lucius thought absently, following her to where Hyperian Slytherin waited.
Sinky poked her head in. "Man to see you, Master! Man you sent to find-"
"Send him in, Sinky and stop speaking of that." While many told Malfoy he had a cold and drawling voice, Slytherin had a deep voice full of thunder even in a casual setting. Lucius would hate to ever hear him angry. His voice was soothing at the same time, making the man impossible to stand against. With thunder and power in just a voice, he could move mountains.
"Yes, Master! Of course, Master! Sinky most sorry! Sinky never do it again!"
Lucius couldn't see anything that was taking place during this conversation, but he was quite familiar with the Slytherin family and could imagine how Hyperian looked during this interchange.
Sinky opened the door wider and motioned for him to enter.
"And Sinky, inform my son and his wife to come join us."
The walls of Hyperian Slytherin's study were made of a dark wood. The carpeting was thick, dark green plush with thread of silver accents. All the wooden furniture in the room matched the walls exactly. The impression the room gave was of overwhelming power like the man who owned it. The intimidating effects of the room to caused people to make mistakes and he used that to his utmost advantage.
"Welcome, Lucius. Please," he gestured towards one of the leather armchairs across from him, "take a seat.
Hyperian's hair was originally black but was now half silver, giving him a highly educated appearance and kept him still looking handsome even in his older age. He naturally attracted respect, and for that matter, fear.
A 'please' from Hyperian was his version of a polite order. Right before Lucius sat down, he pulled the letter from Dumbledore out of a pocket and slid it across the desk to Slytherin.
Slytherin flipped the letter over to see the familiar Hogwarts seal. Definitely information from Dumbledore. "While we wait for my son, would you care for a drink?"
"A drink would be most appreciated, Lord Slytherin."
Hyperian looked him in the eye. "You do not need to be so formal when it is just us, Lucius. We are friends, are we not?"
There was a great deal of hidden meanings behind those words. Salazar Slytherin was a man highly respected by all wizards in all countries and many generations later, this was still the case with the Head Slytherin. With power comes a great deal of prestige and a great deal of irritating people who wish only to climb the social ladder. Malfoy was an esteemed name as well, but not near at the caliber of Slytherin. Few families were thought of more highly than his, and the Slytherin family was one of them.
"Of course we are, Hyperian. I wouldn't have it any other way." He accepted the glass Hyperian held out to him and settled down more comfortably to wait.
"Lucius," Slytherin looked up from absently swirling his drink around. "In this letter is the name of a student at Hogwarts that I would like for your son to watch over and lead in the right direction."
He was confused. Hyperian never cared before what happened at Hogwarts, much less of any student. Granted he would ask about Draco occasionally, and other important Death Eater's children, but those times were few and far between. "What is so special about this student?"
His eyes twinkled dangerously. "It seems the Slytherin line will go on. There is a chance the prophecy will be completed."
"Do you mean Geoff and Margaret-" He did not finish before Hyperian cut him off.
"No, the rumors are true. I will never receive an heir from them. But apparently Circe eloped three years before her death. I will spare you the unnecessary details and just tell you she had a child one year later. According to her diary, which is where we found all of this information, she asked the nurses to put it up for adoption right after birth in order to keep the child safe from her family. Really! Am I such a cruel father?" He chuckled deeply. "She never mentioned in her diary whether or not it was even a girl or boy. The child should be about Draco's age and undoubtedly must be magical. The Headmasters at Durmstrang and Beauxbatons have already written back to me with a negative. That leaves only Hogwarts."
"Excellent news!" Lucius breathed. "Lord Voldemort will be most pleased to hear of this new development." And would most likely reward him for being the first to know of this information, he hoped.
Hyperian snorted. "About as pleased as a mandrake out of soil. Nevertheless, tell him anyway. I feel I owe it to my cousin to know of his relative."
It was then that the rest of the family opted to grace them with their presence. "News from Hogwarts, Father?" Geoff raised an eyebrow imperiously. "I have to say I would be just as happy as anyone else here that I have a nephew or niece, but I think it's a lost cause by now." He helped himself to the bottle of brandy and a glass and made himself quite at home.
Lucius could feel his heart beating faster as Hyperian played with the harmless envelope. This was an important moment in history, and it appeared as though Slytherin was allowing him to be a part of it. It was an incredible honor.
"Yes, news from Hogwarts. I believe my grandchild has been found. Hopefully the child can make it further in life than you two have." He appeared oblivious to the look shared between Geoff and Margaret. If he did notice, he obviously did not care.
He took his sweet time opening the letter from Dumbledore, and what seemed like an eternity to read it. In truth he was just playing the name over and over in his head. "Tell me, Lucius, what do you know of a 'Hermione Granger'?"
Lucius's eyes widened. It figured. There had to have been something more to a girl that managed to make the highest grades Hogwarts had ever seen. It only made sense she would be a relative of Salazar Slytherin. There were just those two tiny problems…she was a Gryffindor and allied to Dumbledore.
"Hermione Granger is Head Girl at Hogwarts. She has broken every academic record ever set there, including Lord Voldemort's. She believes she is Muggleborn, so I would assume she has no idea of her adoption. Unfortunately, she was sorted into Gryffindor and is close friends with the Weasley family, as well as Harry Potter. She most likely completely supports Dumbledore, especially since she believes herself to be one of dirty blood."
Hyperian snorted. "What it all comes to is her birth family is the epitome of everything she hates, is that not so, Lucius? And she is the future of the Slytherin family."
Lucius turned over different ideas in his head. The only way to get her to accept them would be if they were all she had left. Hyperian fully supported the removal of muggle-born witches and wizards from society, but did so from a distance. Most likely he would not have a problem with the sudden demise of his granddaughter's adoptive parents. "If I may be so bold, I am sure I could get a group together to, shall we say, remove the problem of her family? No one would be likely to suspect you if we do it immediately especially considering the distaste for our activities you openly display in public. It might be surmised, but there would be no proof."
Geoff was nodding in thought. "And Head Girl, you mentioned? If someone where to break into her rooms, perhaps a child of an associate of yours and destroy everything in it, almost all her ties to the past would be gone. Granted she would have some extended family and most likely some muggle friends, but we can do what we can."
"What you're saying is you would like to completely emotionally drain her and then pick up all the pieces for your benefit?" Margaret sounded horrified. "Imagine what kind of mental problems the poor thing would have!"
"Oh come off it, Margaret!" Her husband snapped at her. "What if she happens to be the one? What if Salazar's final heir ended up being a muggle-lover? Where would that leave us? On a street most likely!"
Hyperian began pouring more drinks for everyone. "Yes, I think her parents should be removed from the scene. I do not believe we need to stoop to common vandalism, however." His eyes searched out Lucius's. I'm leaving the future of the magical community up to you, Lucius. Can you eliminate them tonight?"
"Easily. In fact, I will leave at once to prepare everything. It was quite rude of those muggles to never inform their daughter she was adopted. They should be firmly punished for their deceit."
None of the Slytherin family noticed when he finally left, being too involved in their thoughts. Hyperian located a parchment and began writing a letter to Dumbledore. He would meet his granddaughter and he would have her respect! She was a Slytherin and she was going to act like one! He hated knowing he had to completely rely on a seventeen-year-old girl for the future.