Who Is the Rightful Heir?

Chapter One

Fathers Shouldn't Have Favorites

Salazar's POV

Two months ago we had killed off the leaders of the DA. Neville Longbottom, Luna Lovegood, Cho Chang, and Ginny Weasley had died. Two months ago a girl named Meredith Grakshaw had come into the picture. She had claimed herself to be Morfin Gaunt's granddaughter, a place that would make her the heir to the Slytherin throne. Morfin Gaunt was the brother to Merope Gaunt, my grandmother. Meredith Grakshaw was supposed to rule the wizarding world right now. Even worse, she was supposed to be my cousin. I wasn't happy.

Immediately after our meeting, Father had taken Meredith Grakshaw under his wing. He taught her everything he taught me. He even found out that she knew things that even he, Lord Voldemort, didn't know. Father knew everything dark. Apparently Meredith Grakshaw knew more. This made Father start teaching her even more advanced stuff than me. My lessons were shortened and Meredith Grakshaw's were lengthened. Soon enough after about a week or two, my lessons were completely forgotten. Instead Father took his time to rule and help Meredith Grakshaw learn how to rule. Father ordered around his Inner Death Eaters. Meredith Grakshaw ordered around Father's Outer Death Eaters. I sat in my room ordering around the pieces in wizard's chess.

Draco came to visit me once in awhile. I think he was the only one who remembered I was there. We would talk a little about what was happening around the wizarding world, but most of the time he just played chess against me. Usually I was the one who won. I had way to much time on my hands.

But I did have time to go outside and look at what was happening around the wizarding world. Half of the population was living in the streets. Hundreds of metal barrels were scattered around, fires blazing within them. Ten or twenty men, women, and children huddled around each one. I would walk in the middle of the streets and watch people suddenly disappear, Death Eaters taking any vulnerable victim to get their type of joy and pleasure, anywhere from pain to other means. Stores were boarded up or the windows were broken. Garbage lied everywhere. The whole scene was sickening.

I bought my own food from nearby stores that were actually open. A month after Meredith Grakshaw arrived, I returned to my drinking. Another cabinet was installed into my room, this time clearly visible. Who was going to see it except for me or Draco? Who was going to even care? I also started to go to the one bookstore that was still open, owned and managed by a dark side follower. I'd buy a few lesson books and bring them home, finishing them in a day or two, and then come back for more. It had also become another routinely thing.

Since we had moved back to our castle hidden in the Forbidden Forest, I had my old room back. It was much larger than the one underground and gave me enough room to place the things I bought. I had moved my bed into a corner to make room for a large bookshelf to hold the books I bought every few days. In another corner that had always been empty, I had a table positioned there and two cauldrons on top of it so I could easily make potions. The ingredients were easy to find, either raid Father's private stash, Meredith Grakshaw's closet, buy them somewhere, or leave for a few days to hunt for them. No one ever noticed what I was doing. My desk was next to the bookshelf, making it easier to grab a book I needed. Near my fireplace I had two chairs and a small table that held my chess set. The pieces were still in their positions Draco and I had left them in when Father had called for him. That had been four days ago.

At the time being I was studying about locations of extremely rare ingredients. Most of them were quite hilarious. It was sorted alphabetically and I was reading the B section.

Basilisk: After the Great War in the 1540's, Basilisks became endangered because wizards would carelessly kill them for their blood, poison, scales, teeth, and eyes. One or two Basilisks may be hiding underground, but where exactly is unknown. Luckily, all modern potions do not require the use of any of these ingredients. But, some Dark Arts do require them.

I scoffed then quickly scribble in the book. A basilisk, even larger than a normal sized one, is settled in the Chamber of Secrets, located directly below Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Everything is intact except for a pint of blood and two scales. It is also missing a fang after a fight with wizarding savior, Harry Potter, the boy-that-never-lived.

I looked over my handiwork then closed the book. Finishing the A's and half of the B's took a long time, especially when you were adding your own little tidbits that made them even more true.

As I was placing the new book back on my shelf, someone knocked on my door. I paused. No one ever knocked on my door. Draco walked right in now and he was my only visitor ever. Slowly, I walked over to the door and opened it. My eyes glared at the person behind it.

"Hello, Salazar." Meredith Grakshaw smiled. "Your father sent me here to pick something up, a black book written by Salazar Slytherin himself I believe."

I kept glaring at her silently before answering, "The book is mine."

"Oh, it was but now your father would like me to have it. He says it is important for me to have it for when I rule. Apparently it has many good incantations and remedies I can use. Plus it will sharpen my Parseltongue, not that it isn't practically perfect already." She bragged.

I wanted to curse her. She always used those stupid words that made her sound so smart. Incantations and remedies. God, the girl made me sick. Why couldn't she just say spells and potions like everyone else?

Meredith Grakshaw stood there smiling at me, a slight smirk carefully hidden in it. I knew I had to get the book or otherwise have Father come and get it for me. That wouldn't't turn out to be pretty, especially with all of my new things in the room. I closed the door on the bitch then went to my shelf. My black book was standing upright by itself in the middle of the shelf, no other books near it. I grabbed it and started to go back to the door when I stopped and smiled my evil smile. Taking my wand out of my pocket, I walked to my desk and set the book down on it. Then I replicated it perfectly, the feeling and the vibe it gave off were all the same. To the fake one though, there were a few changes. The potions and spells I had added into it were gone and extra potion ingredients were placed into the potions that were there. Only Meredith Grakshaw would notice this though. Everyone else who could read parseltongue would see it as the real book, not one that was tampered with.

I opened the door again. Meredith Grakshaw was still there, smiling. I don't think she moved a muscle, trying to intimidate me, but not doing a thing to me. I shoved the book into her hands then shut the door again. Her footsteps were heard through the doorway, echoing down the hallway.

When everything was finally silent again, my body took control of me and I yawned. I had forgotten about sleep. I wondered when I had actually gone to bed. Studying had become my main thing now and I was intent on doing it. It had probably been days before I actually drifted into a light sleep, let alone a deep one. Figuring it was probably best if I took a break, I locked my door, stripped to just my pants, and fell asleep on my bed.

Voldemort's POV

I had sent Meredith to Salazar's room to retrieve the black book I had given to him. Hopefully there wasn't a problem. Salazar tended to take things the wrong way. Of course I was training Meredith as well as him, they were both descendants of Salazar Slytherin. I couldn't just teach Salazar, it wouldn't't be fair. Plus, Meredith had strength. She knew things that even I hadn't known. How could I let such talent go to waste?

I watched as Meredith came in ten minutes later, black book in hand. She kissed my robes then handed me the precious material. I smiled as I flipped through it. Everything was there, word for word. I even found a couple more potions Salazar had added to it, not including the ones I had made him add months ago. I smiled while looking at the interesting combination of ingredients: basilisk blood, newt foot, werewolf tail. I wondered where he got them all. I knew he didn't have any stash of his own. I had taken everything from him back in Siberia.

"Read and memorize this." I handed her back the worn book.

She smiled to me, took back the book, and bowed before she left. I knew it wouldn't't take her long to finish the whole thing. Slowly, I stood up from my throne and walked to my chambers. After a long nap I figured I would check on my Inner Death Eaters then see how Meredith was doing with the book, if she hadn't finished reading it by then.

Salazar's POV

Light streamed through my window, beaming down on me brightly. I squinted as I opened my eyes. Light. There was never any light in the Forbidden Forest. I walked to the window and looked out. I glared and thought of myself as stupid. Of course it wasn't actual sunlight. Meredith Grakshaw was producing a spell for fake sunlight.

Quickly I shut the black shade and walked away. Father would surely be happy. Sure he hated anything that reminded him even a slight bit of the light side. If I had done such a thing I would have been punished for such a stupid act. Meredith Grakshaw would get a pat on the back and a smile. Praise was all that ever came to the retched girl. Scold was all that came to me. Was I that bad?

I had to shake my head. I couldn't start thinking I was the fault here. That was what the girl wanted. She wanted me to think I was the problem and she was the solution. But I wasn't going to be fooled by Meredith Grakshaw's scheme. I wasn't that daft.

"Am I intruding on some important thought of yours?" The familiar voice of Draco asked.

I smiled and turned to look at him standing in the open doorway. I noticed his hair had grown an inch or two longer, but in two days? Maybe it was just because I hadn't seen him for awhile. Yes, that had to be it.

"Come in, Draco." I told him and waved him to sit down at his usual seat.

Draco walked in and sat as he usually did. He looked over the chess board and smiled. "I see you still have our game set-up. Haven't been practicing?"

I sat down in the seat across from him, picked up my queen, and rolled it around in my hand. The black marble was cold in my hand. I studied the intricately carved features. It reminded me of Meredith Grakshaw and her silent smirk. Without a thought I threw it at a side of the fireplace and watched it shatter.

"A little tense today, Salazar?" Draco asked.

"Father made me give up my book. My book." I told him.

"Your black book?"

I nodded. "The girl took it. Said she needed it to help her rule."

"But I thought…"

"Father has other ideas now. She's more powerful. She's more talented. She's more obedient. She's the granddaughter of Morfin Gaunt."

"No."

"Yes." I said, turning to him. "I have no importance in this family any longer. I am a mere common person. I am a nonexistent half-blood, more commonly known as Harry Potter-the boy-who-never-lived." I unclenched my hands that had started to grip the arms of the chair.

"Look at it this way, Salazar, you're free to do whatever to want. Master doesn't watch your every move. You could live somewhere else and he probably wouldn't mind."

I shook my head. "That was what I wanted before and he wouldn't give it to me. Now that I was forced to obey him I have to keep it. I would look like a fool to not try. He forced me into this life. He's going to have to force me out."

Draco hissed a bit and rolled up his sleeve. The familiar mark was bright, telling Draco he needed to come to Father. I waved him away, letting him answer his master. My father.

Voldemort's POV

Everyone whom I called were in the throne room in a minute. I was impressed. Usually it took them at least five. After everyone bowed to me, I stood and started to speak. "Report to me."

Nott was the first to step forward. "Hogwarts and Hogsmeade are under control. We have had only one problem and they have been dealt with."

Macnair was second. "Diagon Alley is being handled with great care. The wand shop is only selling to purebloods that follow you, same as the robe shop. Gringotts has been demolished same as the Leaky Cauldron. Sweet shops, Quidditch stores, and pet stores have been closed and boarded up as ordered."

Everyone else reported as usual. Nothing wrong except for a rebel or two that had been quietly and successfully handled with.

Draco went last. "The perimeter is under great guard and no one has tried to enter except for your Death Eaters."

Before he backed up I shot him with a question. "What about my son?"

Draco looked startled when I asked him. "Your son, sir?"

"Salazar. I know you've been visiting him. What has he been doing?"

"Well sir, I don't know really. I haven't been to him for days. Last time I saw him we played a quick game of chess and then you called for me, my lord. The only words we exchanged were coordinates, hellos, and good-byes."

I nodded and let him walk back to his position. We all stayed silent for awhile before I dismissed them all and watched as they bowed again before departing. Once the room was empty except for me, I went to my study then called for Meredith.

A small knock on my door told me she had arrived. "Come in."

Meredith walked in, book in hand, and sat down in a chair in front of my desk. Her usual blank face was on, showing no emotion.

"How are you coming along?" I asked her, interested on seeing if she'd finished the thing already.

"I've finished three spells and half of a potion." She told me. I looked at her silently then calmly told her to leave.

When the door was closed I stayed frozen for a few more minutes before slamming my hands on the desk. Salazar had read five spells and two potions in the first day. Meredith had three spells and barely a full potion. How could she be this bad?

Fuming with anger, I strode out of my office toward the person I needed to speak to.

Salazar's POV

"What are you writing?" A voice over my shoulder asked. I jumped and made the ink from my bottle spill over my desk, my papers, and my new book. I tried to prevent anymore mess, but only made it worse. Sighing, I took out my wand, made the ink disappear, and fixed my ruined papers and the book. Finally I turned around.

"Are you going to answer my question?" Father asked me.

"I didn't think you remembered where I lived."

"Oh I knew. I've just been a little busy." He replied.

"Only a little?" I asked. "I haven't seen you for two whole months!"

"It hasn't been that long, has it?"

I looked at him like he was joking. "You're kidding right?"

"I know it hasn't. I saw you two days ago walking down the hall, passing my office. Toward the kitchen I suspect?"

I laughed. "I haven't stepped out of this room ever since you stopped my lessons two months ago. I don't think you saw me two days ago."

Father turned and walked around my room. He scanned the books that filled my shelf, taking a few out and flipping through them before replacing them. Then he looked over my table holding the two cauldrons. A few ingredients were sitting on the table in jars while others were in a cabinet above it.

"I see you've been studying hard. Fighting techniques, flying maneuvers, wandless magic, complicated potions, and rare animals. It's all very broad. Are you sure you can learn all of this?"

"I'm done with all of the books on the shelves, Father. I'm working on this book right here." I handed him the book I had ruined only moments before and watched him read the cover.

"Rare Ingredients: Where to Find them and How to Use Them" Father read.

"Pretty interesting actually. Some of it I already know though from past experience and other books."

Father handed me back the book and started to look around again. This time he went toward the large cabinet that held my drinks. He looked at it for a little while then at me before opening it. I walked over to him.

"I see you've been drinking." He told me coldly.

"Not often." I replied. "I probably haven't had any in about a month. I've been sticking to water and wine now." I scanned the bottles of booze and smiled when I found the one I wanted. I pulled it out and two glasses then poured the red wine. Father took one and I took the other.

"You've established a good taste, Salazar. I'm proud." Father told me after taking a sip.

I bowed to him.

Father walked over to my chess set. "You seem to be missing your black queen." He looked over at the fireplace then at the floor. "Never mind. I think I found it."

I quickly rushed over and started to pick up the small pieces. "I-I'm sorry, Father. U-usually I'm good at keeping my place clean. There was just a s-small problem before. A sudden outburst. Th-that was all."

"There's no need to be sorry, Salazar. This is your room. You can do what you like."

I slowly stood up from my bowing position. Was this really my father? He's never been this nice to me before. What had I done?

A/N: There you have it... the first chapter. Reviews are very welcome and encouraged. But even just having people read it makes me happy.

Thanks!