[HPforGrownups] Heir versus Descendant of Slytherin

[Lady Macbeth]

No: HPFGUIDX 98986

Julie Wrote:

Tom Riddle is the /Heir/ of Slytherin.  Being an heir is more than
being a descendant.  An heir, by definition, is "one who inherits or
is entitled to inherit another's property, title, etc." whereas a
descendant is "an offspring of a certain anscestor, family, group"
(Webster's New World Dictionary).  Being an heir implies being
designated as such by the person bequeathing the property, etc.
This is especially true in Tom's case.  Otherwise, any descendant of
Slytherin would have been able to open the Chamber, control the
Basilisk, etc.  What is it about Tom Marvolo Riddle that made him
the HEIR, not just the descendant?  His maternal anscestory was full
of descendants of Slytherin, but Tom is the heir.  Why?  Do we know
yet?


Lady Macbeth Replies:

If his mother's maiden name was Slytherin, and she had no brothers, uncles
or older sisters to inherit the estate, she would have been the rightful
"heir".  All of her stuff would have passed onto her husband upon her death;
her wizarding inheritance would have passed onto her wizard children, which
we know of only one - Tom.  Upon Tom killing the Riddles, he would have
gotten everything - part of the reason he had no problem obtaining rights to
keep and use the Riddle House.

-Lady Macbeth


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