The Heiress

Siobhan recovered as quickly as Snape had said. Within a few days, Madam Pomfrey had no reason to keep Siobhan in the Hospital Wing. Although Siobhan was as fit as she had been before the attack, she was hurt on the inside. She couldn't get the fact that Edward was gone because of her out of her head. Even spending time with Emily before going back to her timetable couldn't cheer her up although it did soften her up a little. No one could keep a frown when around that bubbly little girl up to her many shenanigans.

Harry had kept his word and had not said a word to her. It was funny how they could talk when they were all in a big group taking part in some kind of discussion, but when Siobhan tried to talk to him alone,he would ignore her as politely as he could. Her chances of getting back on the Gryffindor team were very slim. Draco had somehow managed to threaten her into staying with him and she spent very strained lessons sitting next to him. Potions was no exception. Siobhan had to say it was the worst lesson because Harry hated her, Snape didn't trust her and Draco wouldn't let her go.

Her luck didn't get any better as Snape announced they would be working on a very intricate potion. With Edward and the Harry-not-talking-to-her issue on her mind, it wasn't long before her intricate potion had exploded. It was a strange explosion. It didn't go everywhere. It swelled into a bubble then seemed to flatten into sticky a substance. Cleaning it up swiftly, Siobhan looked up apologetically but Snape didn't seem to be in a very forgiving mood. He hadn't had a wink of sleep in days, with the Dark Mark on his arm burning. He was lucky to be alive with the pain he was going through. It was a lot more painful than usual.

"Why am I not surprised? Not even Longbottom's done anything wrong yet. In fact, he hasn't done anything wrong since the beginning of the year. You on the other hand, have proved that brains do skip several generations," he sneered. Everyone looked up at that moment. Had Snape just complimented Neville?

"In addition to the apology I made this morning would you also like me to apologise for being so thick? I messed up the potion, I cleaned it up and I'm just going to re-read my notes to see what I did wrong," Siobhan answered calmly. She was in no mood to pursue an argument even if her father was.

"I'll tell you what you did wrong. You put the asphodel in too early and then let it simmer instead of boil. It's one of the most stupid mistakes to make. If you had read the notes Granger sent you, you would have known that."

"Well, obviously I skipped that part. I am sorry and I'll re-do this in my spare time. Criticize all you want but it's not going to do much. In one ear and out of the other. Just like when I try and explain that I don't understand the work to you."

"Forgetting to come to the remedial potions classes held by a seventh year is not my fault. Not listening in class and taking notes is not my fault. Missing crucial lessons due to unnecessary absence is not my fault. Your lack of knowledge for the art that is Potions is definitely not my fault."

Siobhan sighed and slammed the book she had just got out on the desktop. "I don't know why I'm in this class."

"It's because the Headmaster has taken the same shine to you as he has for Potter the last five years. Personally I didn't think you should be in here, you barely passed your OWL's. Scraped an Acceptable as far as I know." Siobhan felt a blush creep up her cheeks as whispering broke out in the class.

"I should have failed. Then I wouldn't be stuck here listening to your annoying put-downs which half the time doesn't make sense. If you could see past your nose, which I believe you couldn't even if you tried, you'd see that just because someone messes up doesn't mean their instant morons. You're House are already good at that."

"I beg your pardon?"

"I'm pretty sure you heard. Unless you're losing your hearing. You can't be that old."

There was a silence in the room as everyone looked from Snape to Siobhan. Snape had stood up doing the course of the conversation and Siobhan was on the edge of her seat, tense, almost undecided whether to let herself get angry as well. His eyes were cold and her eyes mocking him. Although she didn't say anything, the satisfied smirk on her face did the trick.

"Out," he whispered, so quiet Siobhan had to strain to hear him. She looked at him blankly. It sounded something like pout. "Out. Get out of my class."

"Are you kicking out of your class?" Siobhan asked innocently. "I haven't done anything."

"Get out and don't come back."

"If you insist. It was fun while it lasted." Gathering her books, Siobhan got up but before leaving she turned back. "Oh and you might not want to use that jar of wormwood over there. It's spiked with something or other."

Siobhan closed the door at the right time for she heard the sound of breaking glass. Shrugging, she made her way to the Gryffindor Tower to get changed into something more comfortable and warm than her school robes. She was going for a spot of flying. Somehow managing to slip past the Aurors stationed at the Entrance Hall, all around the Forbidden Forest and dotted around outside, Siobhan made her way to the broom closet. Reaching out for her Nimbus 2005, Siobhan didn't expect what happened next.

There was a tugging sensation behind her navel and Siobhan found herself somewhere very far from Hogwarts.

"I would very much like to see you die rather than join us, but if the Dark Lord sees it necessary then let it be. I'm going to ask one more time? Are you willing to join the Dark Lord in his cause and serve and obey him until the day you die?"

"Never," Siobhan spat. Lucius Malfoy lifted Siobhan's bleeding face so that she faced him, and smiled. He was enjoying this. For the past hour or so, Siobhan had been tortured yet she was stubborn. She refused to join the Dark Side and that was it.

"I still have no idea what my son sees in you. Stupid boy," Lucius said, grey eyes meeting black. Sighing he stepped back and conjured up a chair and settled in front of Siobhan. "Tell me, what's so great about being on Dumbledore's side?"

Siobhan said nothing. She wasn't quite sure. She didn't know why but she was pretty sure Dumbledore didn't need to kill people just to boost his ego. And she was certain Dumbledore didn't kidnap people and force them to join his side. How had they managed to do it anyway? Hogwarts was heavily guarded, and although she could get past the Aurors, Hogwarts had wards that were hard to break. The minute she had landed, she'd been tied to the chair she was currently slumped in and had been tortured. The magical cords around her wrists were cutting into her now and Lucius noticed.

"If you weren't so stubborn, you'd have been initiated an hour ago and wouldn't be in pain. The cords act on my anger. The angrier I get the tighter they become." As he smiled the cords became looser but as he became serious once more they tightened. "See? Whether your wrists survive or not is up to you."

"I choose to keep my wrists but there is no way I am joining the likes of you."

"Why the change of tone? You were once a JED or do you not remember? You would have become the youngest Death Eater of your time if you hadn't been so cowardly."

"I wasn't cowardly, I was smart."

"I still don't see what use you can be to the Dark Lord. You are irritating, rude and rather ungrateful. You know I can put you in much more pain than this."

"I am aware of that fact, but I'd rather die than follow in the same cause as you."

"That can be arranged." Lucius swept up and patted Siobhan on the head like a dog. "Be a good girl and sit tight for a while. Time to think might do you some good."

Untied, Siobhan was left in the dark room on her own. She could barely see around her and no matter what she tried, her own magic wasn't working. She wasn't able to summon anything, let alone her wand. She was obviously going to be here quite awhile.

Whilst Siobhan was being tortured in anyway possible, all the way back at Hogwarts a search party was being set up. It wasn't until the next day after Siobhan had been kidnapped that they noticed she was missing. Lessons had been disrupted with pupils refusing to leave the sanctuarythat wastheir dormitories and Common rooms. Snape couldn't believe that this had happened. He was having terrible mood swings; one minute he was calm, the next he was throwing his dinner across the Great Hall.

"Severus, I'm afraid that until Siobhan is found, you are suspended from your job as Potions Professor and Slytherin Head of House," Dumbledore said calmly as he looked at Severus over his half-moon spectacles. It took awhile for the words to sink in. "You are emotional at the moment, natural for any parent, and it would be best if you spent time with Emily relaxing until your daughter is found."

"Exactly how do you expect me to relax? She's out there and no one can protect her. At least with a job I can take my mind off things," Snape answered leaning further into the chair. He was a mess. In the past three days she had been missing he hadn't touched a shaver and his face was accumulating unsightly facial hair, he had dark bags under his eyes from lack of sleep and his hair was yet to see a proper brushing. And that was just his physical appearance. Voldemort was toying with him, the Dark Mark burning his arm without warning and suddenly stopping.

"I'm sure she can take care of herself. A McKay, a Snape and a Riddle. She'll be fine."

"He's got her and he'll stop at nothing to make her join him. That's why he's calling me. He's more a bastard than I thought." Snape stood up suddenly. For once, he was actually going to listen to the Headmaster because he could have a point. He was going to relax, recuperate, and when the time was right, he would fight against the man who had caused him so much grief.

"Don't do anything stupid Severus. You have a daughter who's going to need you and a granddaughter who rather loves her grandfather. She finds you fascinating."

"She finds everyone fascinating, but thanks for your concern. You'll find my name isn't Potter. He's been locked in a classroom after trying to get out for the third time today."

Harry was indeed acting strangely. As Snape helped feed Emily her afternoon snack of mashed bananas and apples, he considered the young man's actions in the past 72 hours or so. Upon discovering at breakfast that Siobhan was nowhere to be found, he had attempted to get past the Aurors and failed. So far his Invisibility Cloak, a stash of Polyjuice Potion and his broom had been confiscated. For someone who had sworn wouldn't speak to Siobhan again, he was certainly going through a whole lot in an attempt to save her.

"Yum yum yum. Hug. Hug. Hug," Emily mumbled although it wasn't her usual cheerful self. Snape picked her up from her high chair and hugged her tightly. He wasn't that good with children since he usually stayed a good distance away from them but he couldn't ignore Emily's pleas for a hug.

"It's going to be alright Emily. It's all going to be alright."

"Mum. Want mum-mum. Want mummy."

"So do I. So do I."

"I'm sure Siobhan will be just fine," Paul said entering the room. He smiled sympathetically. He seemed more edgy with Snape than he was. Paul and Snape had never clicked. "Maybe it was time Emily had a nap. Let me put her to bed."

"I can do it. I have more spare time on my hands."

"I've been looking after Emily since she was a few days old. Perhaps tomorrow." He stepped forward and took Emily from a reluctant Snape. She looked like she was going to cry and wriggled out of Paul's hold for a moment before settling, all a little too suddenly.

"If you insist. Rest well Emily, I'll see you a little later. You be a good girl."

"Night-night," Emily mumbled before falling asleep. Paul turned on his heels and left the room, taking the small child in the direction of her nursery. Snape sighed and turned to leave the room when a picture of Gwendolyn, Siobhan and Emily caught his eye. The resemblance between the three was remarkable. All with one aspect similar to each other, but also an aspect from their father. Gwendolyn's had her father's hair and her mother's eyes, Siobhan had her father's hair and eyes but her mother's smile and Emily had her mother's eyes and father's hair.

Siobhan struggled to get up of the floor. She was hungry, beaten and tired. With Lucius Malfoy on her case, she was lucky to still be alive. She was knocked to the floor again as she felt a burning pain spread through her body. She writhed in pain, the curse intensifying. As abruptly as it had started it came to an end, and Siobhan was grateful. Another minute and she would have lost her mind. Gathering the last of her strength, Siobhan struggled to her feet and regarded the visitor. Extremely pale skin, resembling a white sheet, glowing red eyes and slits for a nose. His lips were twisted into a mocking sneer. Siobhan shuddered as she thought who it was. Her uncle.

"Stubborn child. Can you not see this is where you belong? With me," he said, his voice cold, so cold it sent shivers up Siobhan's spine. "Not with that fool who calls himself worthy to be Headmaster of Hogwarts."

"I belong to no one. As a matter of fact, before you so kindly brought me here, I was figuring out a way to leave," Siobhan answered. He laughed, for what reason Siobhan had no idea, and approached her. Perhaps it was the pain she was in, or whether her brain had failed to function, Siobhan stayed rooted to the spot.

"True but you are part of me. Your father had his reasons for keeping you from me I suppose. I'm not the best role model there is. But you have power. Power to carry on my name if Potter was to succeed in vanquishing me."

"What power? I haven't been able to do anything since I arrived here."

"Once you agree to follow me, I will stir all your powers. You are the last of the McKay clan meaning you are the strongest, you are the last with sufficient Riddle blood to carry on the legacy and you are the last of Snape blood. If all that power arose, you can do anything."

"I'd rather be a Muggle than join you."

"I have something that might persuade you. Bring in the child."

Siobhan's eyes widened as her daughter was brought in. She was held back as she tried to reach her crying daughter. The person who held her was trying to make her be quiet but had no success. Draco Malfoy was no born father. Siobhan struggled but found it had no effect. In fact it was wearing her out even more.

"Alright. I'll join you. If any of you harms my daughter again, I will kill you and your family."

"I think we're going to get on very well." Coming closer to Siobhan so that she could see deep inside his ruby eyes, he placed the tip of his cold index finger in between her eyes. Whispering something, Siobhan felt as if her insides were on fire. Screaming out, she wished for him to stop but the pain continued. When it was finally over, she felt much better. "Welcome to the family, my dear niece."

"Why thank you Uncle Tom. I'm sure these so-called 'powers' will come in useful." Walking away from him, she went to Emily. Picking her up, she held Emily close, comforting her until the child had fallen asleep. It was obvious she had somehow been drugged. Emily did not fall asleep that fast.

"Lestrange. Show her to her room," Voldemort commanded. Turning to his two nieces he smiled. "We need to discuss a few things, but I promise, soon you will be back at Hogwarts."

"I better be, because I am not a happy bunny." Siobhan's eyes grew a red similar to Voldemorts before returning to their original colour. Lord Voldemort had an heiress. He had found someone who could carry on his legacy. And who better than somebody Dumbledore knew and trusted?