-=The Harry Potter Universe is the empire the sun never sets on.=-

Abandon

"We have run behind, must get a move on." Snape made no further explanations, ushering her into the Great Hall and up to the High Table. Evening tea had already commenced. "Everyone this is our newest addition, Madam Echo Desiree." They tucked in and filled their plates.

The food and conversation was very good. Introductions had been made, along with the usual questions about her and her background. This is a really amazing place, I wonder what the students will be like. Reaching over squeezing Snape's knee Echo asked, "what are the students like, Professor Snape?"

He jumped slightly at her unseen hand. Hissing in her ear, "quite as bad as certain members of staff. Kindly remove your hand."

In an excellent imitation of pure penance, "I'm terribly sorry, I apologize for my trespass." Snape snorted in disbelief, seeing the warm glow from her green and hazel eyes.

~*~

"Through this door is the boudoir and water closet," Echo walked at Snape's side as they ambled from room to room.

Elbowing Snape in the waist, "that is a great bed, can't wait to climb into it."

"As I was saying," Snape directed her away from that course. "You can put charms on the room or transfigure it. You'll want to devise wards for your study door. Some of the guests we host are, to put it diplomatically, over-friendly."

This got her attention, "overly friendly? For all I know, you might think I'm overly friendly. What do you say to that?" Giving him a mock glare.

Tilting his outstanding nose a little higher in the air, "I wouldn't suggest such a thing."

"Guess I'll have to try harder. I'll have to find somethin' inspirin', keep me in a friendly mood." Severus could see the cogs turning, deciding that speedy exits were on the better side of prudence, left.

~*~

Echo happily spent the next several hours decorating and settling in. It was cool in the dungeons so she lit a glowing fire. Sitting in contented silence watching the fire settle into a slow burn.

~ECHO, Echo, echo~ Discomposed Echo stiffened slightly and removed an antique compact mirror. Her face giggled out from the mirror. "Real clever. Happy? You got my attention." Echo asked sharply.

The face looking at her from the mirror pulled into view a framed picture of Snape. Holding the picture wasn't enough, she stroked it fondly. "You want me to feel guilty? Well, I feel guilty." Angry she closed the compact, stuffing it into her pocket. Echo brushed tears off her cheek. Why can't you leave me be.

A knock at the door brought her around, "come in." Snape stepped smartly inside.

"Madam Desiree, we can start on our itinerary tomorrow if you are settled in." Snape could tell something was wrong. Echo waved him over.

"That's fine, what time is breakfast?" Not at all interested in addressing her condition.

"Promptly at 7am. If you need anything feel free to ask." Snape said perfunctorily.

"Listen, Mr. Snape." Echo began uncomfortably.

"Echo, it's first names, unless students are around." Snape sat helplessly seeing that she wanted to talk.

"Severus then, thank you for taking me on. Honestly I wasn't sure you would. You must get submissions all the time."

Shifting slightly, "no actually. I'm a lying traitor. You're probably ruining your reputation in polite circles as we speak."

"What does reputation matter to me?" Echo waved off his concern.

Thunderstruck Snape demanded. "What does it matter! I should think it makes a great difference to someone quickly on her way to winning Potioneer of the Year." Echo was rather pleased and surprised. "Oh yes Echo, I've read all about you. Your academic achievement, such an early potions mastery." Holding up an admonitory finger. "Your work with David Eaton, renown Potioneer; probably the best in the States. It hadn't gone unnoticed."

Echo rolled her eyes. "I don't want all that nonsense. David is a great wizard and I learned so much from him. Can't tell you what we worked on. I expect he wouldn't have told me, except he knew I didn't want his glory. My goal doesn't include getting famous."

Snape's mind boggled at the notion. He didn't know a single Potions Master who didn't want to win Potioneer of the Year. "What's your goal, if not glory?"

Snape caught her flinch, before she smiled pleasantly. "Nothing you need to worry about." Echo stood to release the strain of Severus' probing. Standing by the mantle she picked up a beautiful shiny goblet. The face reflected in the goblet shook her finger at Echo. She reacted jerkily dropping the goblet. Picking it up nonchalantly, replacing it on the mantle.

If Severus hadn't been suspicious before, he was now. "Something wrong with the goblet?" He asked dryly.

"No. It's me I'm afraid. Feeling out of sorts, new place, new people, nothing is familiar to me." Echo frowned.

"Something I undo?" Snape asked cautiously.

"You could spend the night hold my hand. My sister and I shared a bed from day one, all the way up until we got a two bedroom apartment. We came up the hard way, so you share everything. It would be just like that." Echo seemed cheered by the idea. "Anyway with a big bed like that, I'll feel like I'm lost at sea. Might have to shrink if so it's more comfortable."

"Echo Desiree, even if you were able to see things that way, which I doubt. I couldn't quite picture myself in the role of your sibling." Crossing his arms across his chest.

"That's very sweet." Plopping down next to him, "I'm very flattered." Looking up into Severus' face wearing a look of delight. "Wanna go get your jammies?" Poking Snape in the side.

"I have no idea what jammies are, and you do realize I'm twice your age." Snape insisted.

Keenly she examined his face, "you're trying to convince yourself." Severus grumbled. Echo squirmed closer to Snape and rested her head on his arm. After he reluctantly put his arm around her, she rolled over onto her back with her head in his lap. He looked down into her face. "Please?" Working the comical frowny face routine.

"I am immune, that's the oldest trick in the book." Snape was smug.

Her face softened, "I'm not." Severus seemed to be watching her face so intently, he didn't see the hand about to brush his cheek. He didn't look so smug after that.

AN/Thank you for reading!