This all belongs to the wonderful J.K. Rowling. Please read an review!

Chapter 1: In which there is a death.

The room didn't smell of death? Yet that was what it contained. The phrase flitted through the mind of Lucius Malfoy as he made his way gracefully to the side of a large canopy bed. Dim light lit the face of a dark haired angel. Though she was only a shadow of her former self. Her once creamy skin was sallow and her prominent cheek bones protruded sickly from the delicate face. Black bags dominated her features and the only evidence of life was the shallow uneven breath escaping through her parted lips.

"She should be waking soon," a silky voice broke the quiet of the room though Lucius himself appeared non pulsed by the interruption of his scrutiny.

"This must be the end if Selena has called us both," Lucius straightened his back from where he had been bending slightly over the still form. Severus Snape rose from his seat in a high wingback chair his black robes unfurling menacingly as he glanced at his pocket watch.

"She has only a half hour before...," the words died on his lips as the figure in the bed stirred slight her black eyelashes fluttered against her cheek like a trapped butterflies wings before opening to reveal dark blue eyes.

"You came," she whispered brushing her fingers against Lucius' cool hand which lie on the bed beside the expiring woman.

"Have I ever disappointed you Lena?" Gripping her fragile hand before raising it to thin lips to press a kiss against it.

"Yes Lucius," she murmured, "yes, I believe you have." Breaking that line of thought she squeezed his hand weakly before continuing, "Severus there is a box on the desk, bring it to me?" The man complied handing the silver plated chest to the frail witch. It was nearly fourteen inches in diameter with hinges that creaked with age as she opened in slowly. Snape turned to leave the couple but was stopped.

"This involves you also brother," she seemed to be stealing herself for an impact before she spoke, "I have a-a secret of sorts. Lucius do you remember right after Draco was born," He nodded encouraging her, "and I went to France for a long summer to give you time with Narcissa and the baby?" He chuckled slightly.

"Yes, not very fitting to see your mistress when your heir has just been born. Your flight to France made sure of that. I nearly went mad. Why do you ask?" She turned her head to the side as a harsh cough racked her body. Not a minute was lost before a vile green potion was brought to her lips. She swallowed as much as she could before pushing it back at her brother who shook his head disapprovingly making her finish. Collapsing back against her pillows she sighed.

"The reason I stayed gone so long was not for my feigned excuse," she paused uncertainly, "I-I was birthing your child," she whispered her eyes flying towards the window for solace. A small choking noise escaped the man reclining on the bed beside her.

"W-What?" he managed to force the word through numb lips imploring her to look at him.

"We have a daughter Lucius. A brilliant, beautiful baby girl." Perhaps standing would clear the wind passage he reasoned rising unsure at what to do. Selena continued the words seeming to pour out of her now, "I didn't know how you would react to a bastard Lucius. The heir to the Malfoy family had been born and I knew our child would not be welcome at Malfoy Manor by your wife. But I knew that I could not let you take her from me. So as much as it hurt me I hid her. Knowing one day I would have to give my little girl back to you."

"Where?" He bit out his tongue thick in his mouth.

"Where what?" she asked puzzled raising her eyes to meet his for the first time since the conversation began. Rage seemed to consume the blond entirely as he gripped both her tiny wrists in one of his long fingered hands.

"Where did you hide the blood of my blood?" Selena was not afraid nothing could stall her fate anyways. In thirteen minutes she would be dead with or without her lover's help.

"I hid her away from the terror that had engulfed our world. I placed her in a muggle home." Lucius exploded at the news.

"What the hell did you think you were doing woman," he hissed, "the Snape and the Malfoy lines, the oldest pureblood families in Europe, procreate and you send the child to live with animals!"

"I was protecting her," Selena's voice rose slightly in volume but not much. "The family I placed her with agreed to give up all rights to the child if you should ever come and claim her. They were desperate for a baby and took a blood oath that they would sever all ties with her should the time come." Lucius seemed to be calming down as he groped for poise.

"Does she even know she's a witch?" came his biting comment.

"She attends Hogwarts. This is her sixth year same as Draco's." was the reply. She glanced haltingly at her brother who was seated serenely by the window his chin resting on his folded hands as peaceful as the day their parents had died. She swallowed slightly , there was a storm brewing inside Severus and that frightened her somewhat.

"I will remove her from the muggle filth and try to counter the adverse effects their presence could have made on our daughter," his voice was softer as he returned to Selena's side, "I will accept her as a Malfoy and raise her accordingly– as I would have done in the beginning." A tear slid down the woman's cheek. Lucius traced the silver trail it left with his thumb wiping away the moisture.

"Thank you Lucius, everything you need to know is in this box. She is wearing a concealment spell to disguise her features. It can be broken by potion only. The phial is inside also," she handed it to him after fastening the lid once more. The large clock in the hall began to chime. Three minutes, she realized regretfully. He accepted it reverently and set it on the side table.

"Be gentle with her Lucius. Girls are different than boys," Severus joined her silently as sorrow gripped her chest. "Severus," she sniffed reigning in her tears. She refused to blur the images of these two men with tears during her last moments with them. "My dear brother," her voice wobbled as she reached for him. His stony demeanor slipped as he gathered her close to him. "I love you so very much. Watch over my child,– your niece. Tell her she was loved by her mother." He squeezed her so tightly she was afraid her back bone might snap under the pressure.

"You have my word Selena," he kissed her brow before releasing her. "Ninety seconds," he whispered. Lucius seemed to panic at his words.

"Lena– this...you and I- it's the closest I've ever been to loving someone." She shushed him with one final kiss to haunt his memories.

"If you could not love me, love our child Lucius. Love our daughter." A slight breeze stole her words after they reached his ears and Selena Snape ceased existence. With a trembling hand he closed her dull blue eyes. A hand clasped his shoulder bracingly and Lucius turned.

"Let us find the girl." Lucius nodded tightly at his companion.

"I will floo you when I have the answers we need," he drew the box to him and disapperated leaving Severus Snape alone with the body of his deceased sister.

Well how was my first chapter? I hope yall liked it. Please review! Anything you have to say is appreciated ( unless it's mean). I'll update soon.