CHAPTER 11: Echoes

Hannah wasn't given a chance to see what she looked like before Professor Snape came and whisked her away, and took her to meet with Mr. Malfoy and his son in front of a large ornate fireplace. Draco, as Hannah was introduced, took the girls hand and led her onto the hearth before taking a handful of grey powder.

"Diagon Ally." He shouted, and threw the powder down. Hannah squeaked when they were enveloped in cold flame, and closed her eyes tight. The boy then began to walk forwards, leading Hannah along, and stepped out into cool air.

"I probably should have warned you. I apologize." Professor Snape said from behind. Hannah snapped her head up and looked in awe at the bustling market they were now standing in.

"Welcome to Diagon Ally." Mr. Malfoy said.

The group moved from shop to shop, buying strange things from a list in Professor Snape's hand. Sometimes, Hannah and Draco were left in shops alone for a time; when they were being fitted for clothes, or when the two adults had to go into a poisonous ingredients shop. During those times, Hannah grew to dislike the blonde boy more and more.

"…I think I would just die if I was put into Hufflepuff. I mean, the shame." He continued. Hannah had long since tuned him out knowing whatever he said would simply irritate her. Draco quieted instantly when his father and god-father returned however, something the girl was thankful for.

"One last stop before we go home." Professor Snape said, and led the way to a large owl emporium. Draco, who was near squealing in joy, was taken ahead by his father.

"An owl?" Hannah asked.

"Every Witch and Wizard should have a loyal familiar, and an owl can take your mail for you. Most practical"

"Does the student loan cover this?"

"Well … no," Professor Snape said awkwardly, "consider it a welcoming gift."

"But -"

"Now none of that. I wish to do this for you, and an owl is hardly an extravagant expense."

The two then joined the Malfoys inside to begin the process of being picked by an owl – or in Draco's case, an Australian wood duck-maned goose that was quite far from home. Draco was not amused.

_oOoOoOo_

Professor Snape's actions confused me greatly, so much so that I half expected him to use the bird as some sort of leverage over me. He didn't, but the thought was there, and I regret that I treated him with slight suspicion for quite a while because of it.

I grew attached to the owl herself quite quickly. She had these mannerisms that were quite motherly, and unusually comforting. I named her Hedwig, not because I thought it would be a good name, but because a part of me knew that that was already her name. Strange, isn't it?

_oOoOoOo_

Hannah's sudden transition into a whole new life had gone remarkably well. Luck had kissed her it seemed, and a slight absence of mind had allowed the girl to remain calm, but luck always comes and goes.

With her new school items, wand and owl friend, Hannah was left alone in the suit of rooms – her rooms, Professor Gaunt had said – that she had been in earlier that day. The girl organized the items in the middle sitting room before racing to the bathroom.

She hadn't seen her reflection in a year, and when she finally did, a vise seemed to clench on her heart. She reached up and felt her short hair, then her cheek, then eyes and mouth.

"I want to cut my hair."

"What? Why?"

"Don't you think it would look cool? It's really fashionable too. Though I don't think I like the bigness."

"But you have such nice hair now."

"I know, but don't you think a bob or a pixie cut would be cute? I need a change. Maybe I can get one on our next birthday?"

Echoes of the conversation rang in the girl's ears and she found herself forgetting who was who, and whether she was Hannah or Laura. She stood there for a long while, her breaths coming in loud gasps. And there she stayed, for an hour or two; so long that Professor Gaunt had come to retrieve her for dinner.

"Miss Potter?" He called, looking around.

The man approached and opened the bathroom door completely and watched the girl closely. Her breath's still loud, and when combined with her pale face and wide eyes, it created an alarming image.

"Miss Potter, are you quite well?" He asked, reaching out and touching her wrist lightly.

Hannah whipped around and screamed, as it was not Professor Gaunt in the bathroom that she was seeing, but Augustus down in that dark basement. She had the cursed knife in her hand and began to strike down on the man before her.

Professor Gaunt wasn't prepared for the sudden attack and fell to the floor with the young girl beating him in the chest. He was immensely grateful that her hands were empty, and that whatever blade she though she had was nowhere near.

In an instant, he whipped out his wand and knocked the child out, catching her before her head hid the ground.

"Dobby," He called loudly and the elf appeared as Professor Gaunt lifted Hannah into his arms. "Go tell Severus to come here immediately."

Dobby popped away. The wizard opened the bedroom door with his foot and began to tuck the child under layers of sheets and blankets. She was deep in sleep, completely relaxed, her mind void of dreams or terrors. The sound of heavy feet came as Severus burst into the room and raced over to the two.

"What happened?"

"She attacked me, though her mind was elsewhere. I had to knock her out."

"I suppose something was bound to happen. She was slightly absent when I found her this morning. She had been taking her sudden change of circumstance so well." Professor Snape knelt down and adjusted the blankets slightly.

"What will you have me do, my lord?" He said.

"Nothing," Professor Gaunt replied, crossing his arms, "I gave her welcome, and I'm not receding that offer. She needs help, though I'm not sure what kind. You and I will watch her in Hogwarts."

" … Thank you"

"Yes, yes. I'm amazing, the new Mother Teresa. "

_oOoOoOo_

Professor Gaint has a snake named Nagini. She kept on following me around during those first days, as though making sure nothing happened again. I overheard the Professor hissing to her at diner one night, and felt both a little scared and jealous. How amazing to be able to speak to an animal, and have it speak back.