Disclaimer: I am a young teenage girl. I don't own anything, nor do I wish to be sued, thanks.
Chapter eleven: Family fallouts.
I sighed as I shrunk all of my things to fit into my pocket. I didn't want to leave the Burrow. For the first time, I felt as though I really belonged somewhere. The Weasleys treated me like family even though they didn't know me to start out with. In less than an hour, I'd be back with my own family, but I knew it wouldn't feel right. I sighed again and sat down on 'my' bed. Snowdrop jumped up into my lap. I stroked her coat.
"This stinks Snowdrop. I wish I could've stayed here longer." Snowdrop released a content throaty sound. I smiled. "You don't want to leave either, huh? Well you weren't even supposed to even come here." I could've sworn she grinned.
I was pulled from my thoughts as a knock sounded at the door.
"Come in!" I called. George popped his head in and smiled. He walked in and shut the door behind him.
"Good morning Love."
"Morning George," I said sadly. He sat down next to me and took my hand.
"Don't want to leave yet, huh?" He said knowingly. I shook my head.
"No, not really. Snowdrop doesn't want to either." George grinned and looked down at the fox.
"She doesn't, does she?" Snowdrop climbed into his lap and licked his face. He laughed softly. "Well no worries you two. School will be here before you know it, and you can have me all to yourselves again." Snowdrop waved her tail happily and I smiled. He picked her up and put her to his side. She let out a soft growl, but I shushed her.
"I'm going to miss you the rest of break," I whispered. He leaned over and kissed my forehead.
"Well then, how about a little present to remember me by?" He said, pulled a brightly wrapped box from behind his back and placed it next to me. "I'm not going to lie though, Mum wrapped it for me." He smiled sheepishly. I grinned, leaned over the edge of the bed, and pulled what I got for him out from underneath. I handed it to him.
"You open yours first," I said smiling.
"Why? I want you to open yours first," he whined. I stubbornly shook my head.
"No." He rolled his eyes and grinned. Working nimbly, he unwrapped the parcel and opened the small box. The top was layered with various sweets. He grinned and pulled each one out, putting them besides him. The second layer was a fabric of sorts. He pulled it out, revealing a scarlet and silver striped scarf with a two intertwining hearts, one gold and one green, stitched on the ends. He smiled and looked at me.
"Did you make this yourself?" I blushed and pushed some hair behind my ear.
"Yea… I know it's not that good though," I mumbled. He grinned, looped the scarf around my neck, and pulled me closer. He brushed his lips against mine.
"You're crazy. It's wonderful." I blushed a bit more as he removed it from my neck and casually slung it over his. I personally liked the contrast of it against his dark blue tee shirt with a long sleeved black one underneath it. He continued through the box.
Next, he pulled out a small black book of sorts. He stared at it uncertainly for a moment. I grinned, leaned over and whispered, "Open it." He flipped open the first page which was filled with enchanted moving pictures of Fred, George, and I from the past four years at Hogwarts. Each one had a date under it. He continued through the pages and laughed at some of the memories: dropping dungbombs on unsuspecting students, my thirteenth birthday when the twins made Draco's slice of cake fly into his face, the first time they let me mix one of their potions, and it exploding and covering the Gryffindor common room in green slime, and getting chased down the corridors by a furious, pink haired Snape.
On the last page was an inscription: Best Friends and Partners in Pranks: Fred, George, and Echo.
George closed it and smiled at me.
"Where did you even get all of these pictures?" I shrugged my shoulders.
"Various students took them, thinking they were funny."
"And how did you get them?" I smirked wickedly.
"Being best friends with the most troublesome duo in school does have its perks." He shook his head and grinned.
"I stand by my statement of yesterday, you are evil." I smiled.
"You flatter me George."
"Good thing Love." I smiled again and edged him to continue his box adventures. All that was left was something wrapped in green and red tissue paper. He took it and slowly unwrapped it. It was a small, long box. He carefully lifted the lid and pulled the item out of the box.
A circular golden pocket watch hung daintily from a gold chain in George's hand. Etched on one side of it were the letters 'GW,' and the other side showed 'EM.' He cradled it gently in his hands and popped it open. On the left side, there was a picture of me and George. It started with our first meeting, the day on the train before the year started, various pranks, dancing in McGonagall's classroom, the day they turned my hair gold and red, our first kiss, the ball, waking me up yesterday, and tickling me in the snow. He looked baffled.
"How is it showing all of that? There were no pictures for any of those days." I smiled.
"It plays the memories between you and the person who gave it to you," I explained. He grinned and continued inspecting it.
On the left side of the watch, it showed a white backdrop with two black pointers showing the time, and a red one pointing to his left; where I was sitting. As George held it, the word 'happy' etched itself onto the white area.
"It tells you how you're feeling too?" he asked. I smiled and nodded. He grinned. "It's brilliant! But what's the red pointer for?" I blushed slightly.
"It… it uhm… points in the direction of what you…erm… want the most."
(A/N: Pirates of the Caribbean! Love that movie! Okay, interruption done!)
George blushed, and closed the watch. He wrapped his arm around me a pulled me close in a one-armed hug.
"I love it Echo. Really I do. I'm gonna keep it with me always. Never gonna let it out of my sight." I smiled happily. He pulled back. "Now, go one. Open yours." He grinned. I smiled again as I pulled the small box open.
The first thing I pulled out was a silver wire picture frame with a green ivy vine-like wire intertwining with it. In the frame was the picture of Fred and George both kissing my face yesterday. My hair was messy and askew and there was a soft smudge of bleeding mascara under each of my eyes. A soft pink colour tinged my cheeks. My face held a look of surprise and unadulterated glee. The twins each had messy hair that stuck up in all directions and their eyes were closed. There was a small upward curve to their lips as they pressed against my cheeks. In the right hand corner was the date and a small heart. Even with it being a muggle still-photo and all three of us looked like complete disasters, it was the most beautiful picture I'd ever seen.
I leaned over and kissed George on the cheek.
"I love it George." He smiled.
"And, you can actually put it in your room at home. If anyone who you don't want to see it comes across it, it changes into a picture of you and Draco from second year." I grinned. I turned my attention back to the box. A the bottom was a grey velvet box. I pulled it out and opened it carefully. I gasped at it's contents.
A chain-linked silver charm bracelet shimmered in the sunlight that was shining through the frost laced window. Various silver charms dangled from the links including a small fox, snake, music note, star, moon, and snowflake. But the most eye catching charm dangled beautifully between music note and the star. It was a clear crystalline heart filled with a glistening red liquid. The liquid made the charm practically glow.
"Wow," I breathed. He grinned, took it from the box, and clasped it around my right wrist. When it touched my skin, a small jolt ran through my system. As I inspected each charm, George smiled again.
"Each one represents a moment with us," he said softly. I looked at him.
"Really?" I asked, touched. He nodded and began pointing out each one.
"The fox is from when I first met you on the train. The snake is from when you were sorted into Slytherin, which had made me really sad at the time. The music note is from when we danced together in McGonagall's class. The star and the moon are from the night at the Ball," he explained. I nodded.
"But what about the heart?" I asked, wondering about the most enticing charm. He smirked and leaned in to press his lips against my ear softly.
"It's for when I gave my heart to you," he whispered, his soft breath sending shivers up my spine.
"B-But what's inside of it?" I felt him grin against my ear.
"It's a love potion I made recently to give it colour. It seemed appropriate." I smiled, remembering that each love potion smelled like a person's favourite things.
"What does it smell like to you?" I asked as he leaned away from my ear. He smiled and sighed dreamily.
"Explosions, broom wood, musk, and cucumber-melon…like your hair." I blushed slightly. "What did yours smell like in potions class?" My blush grew more prominent.
"Rain, strawberries, and mint chocolate."
"Mint chocolate?" I nodded.
"You smell like mint chocolate." He smiled and kissed the tip of my nose.
I stepped out of the fireplace at my house fingering my bracelet. Draco was sitting in an armchair waiting for me. He smirked.
"Hey Echo. About time you got back. I was completely bored while you were gone. Could've ripped my hair out." I grinned.
"So, mum and dad believed your lie?" He smirked and nodded. "Good. Now, where are they?" He shrugged.
"At some friend's. Said they'll be back tomorrow morning." I rolled my eyes.
"Figures." He nodded.
"So, how was your time at that… place." He sneered. I rolled my eyes at him again, and sat down on the armchair across from him.
"I had an amazing time Draco. One that you probably could never imagine." He sneered again.
"You had fun at that place? How?"
"It's really interesting there Draco. They're all so nice too." Draco rolled his eyes. There was no use trying to convince him, so I decided to change the subject. "So how was your time here anyways?"
"Completely boring. There was really nothing to do. I pretty much stayed in my room doing nothing." I smirked.
"Well, at least one of us had fun, right?" He rolled his eyes again.
"Yea. Sure." I grinned at my twin. He was such a prat.
When I woke up the next morning, I groaned at the thought of having to get showered and dressed before breakfast. It made me really wish I was back at the Burrow.
After getting cleaned and dressed, I headed downstairs for breakfast. I pushed open the doors to the dining room to find my parents and Draco already seated, waiting for me. I smiled half-heartedly at my them.
"Happy Christmas everyone," I said, faking excitement.
"Happy Christmas Echora dear," my mother said detachedly.
"You too Echo," Draco mumbled, sleepiness riddled along his eyelids. Father merely nodded. I sat down across from Draco and house elves placed plates of steaming food in front of each of us. We ate in silence, not bothering with small-talk.
After we were done, we made our way into the sitting room to exchange gifts. Draco and I, being the youngest, went first. He loved the broom kit I got for him, and I equally loved the dark leather journal he gave me. My name was inscribed on the front in silver lettering.
Mother politely accepted her new jewellery, not really expressing any emotions, as did Father with his watch.
Father had given Draco a new broom which wasn't even out yet, and Mother gave him a set of new sleek robes. Needless to say, Draco was thoroughly pleased. I wish I could've said the same thing.
Father gave me a book on potions; probably a hint to get better marks in that class. Mother gave me a black woolly jumper which I can honestly say I despised. Their favouritism over Draco was painfully blatant. I had put up with the lousy gifts for Christmas and my birthday for fourteen years, and I was sick of it.
Anger swelled inside of me and heat filled my face. Father looked at me expectantly and snapped my last string of composure with his words.
"Well Echora, aren't you going to thank you mother and I?" He asked smugly. I stood up, letting the book and ugly jumper fall to the floor.
"No. No I'm not. I've smiled and thanked you both for all of the crappy gifts you've given me while having to watch Draco accept his marvellous ones for fourteen years! I'm not doing it anymore!" I ranted, my voice pitching with anger and frustration at various intervals. Fire was coursing through my veins and this anger that filled me made me want to claw my eyes out. My father glared coldly as my mother and Draco watched on, shock etched onto their features.
"What we give you is as perfectly acceptable as Draco's gifts, and you should be grateful for it all just like him."
"What?!" I yelled, indignation clawing it's way through my skin. "You have got to be joking me! You think an itchy jumper is as good as brand new dress robes?! That a book on potions is equal to a new, not-even-released-yet broom?! Are you completely off your rocker?!" He gritted his teeth together, and his eyes swam in a fiery anger.
"You will not talk to me so disrespectfully Echora Arabella Selene Malfoy! I demand respect!"
"Why should I respect you, Dad, when you and mum obviously favour Draco and give him the majority of your respect!? How does he deserve it when I do not?!" My father pulled his wand out threateningly.
"I recommend you stop talking before you say something you'll regret Echora," he hissed. My anger flared to a record pitch as tears flooded my eyes. I didn't even notice that my mother and Draco had left the room.
"No! Because I'm not going to regret anything I say! I've been holding this all in since I was born and it's all the truth! You've never treated Draco and I as equals, and I'm sick and tired of it! Know what else I'm tired of?! I'm tired of not being able to have friends who are different than me! I'm sick of having to abide to your ludicrous 'pure-blood only' rules! I'm sick of being judged by my last name too! I want to be seen differently than some stuck up, pure-blood favouring, Malfoy Prat, but I can't because you won't let me!" Tears now streamed freely down my pale skin.
"Shut up now Echora! You will not affiliate with muggle loving trash! The choices I make are in your best interest and-"
"That's bullocks and you know it!" I interrupted him. "You don't do anything in my best interest! It's all about you! Everything always is! You don't want your stupid named trashed and muddled, but guess what! It already is! No one holds any respect for anything Malfoy and it's all because of-"
"Crucio!" he shouted, his wand pointed at my body. My eyes bulged and more hot tears pooled in my eyes, soon spilling over, as a white-hot pain seared through my body. It felt as though millions of swords were plunging themselves into my very core. I let out a high pitched scream in hopes of releasing some of the pain, but my hopes proved useless as the pain intensified. I crumpled to the floor writhing and screaming for it to stop. My father watched as I writhed in agony, his cold grey eyes void of any and all emotions.
"If the Malfoy name is muddled by anyone, it will be because of you Echora! You are a pathetic excuse for a Malfoy! We should've done away with you the moment you were born!" He sneered, rubbing salt into the wounds. My screams echoed inside the room, and a feeling of being set on fire settled itself upon every inch of my flesh.
"St-Stop! P-P-Please!" I begged between screams and sobbed. My father merely continued on, ignoring my pleas.
"You will never speak to me in such a manner again! Do I make myself clear?" He shouted at me. I wasn't able to answer, for another shrill scream scratched my throat as another wave of scorching pain rippled through my nerves. He somehow intensified the pain when I didn't answer. "I said, do I make myself clear?!" he yelled.
"Yes!" I screamed.
"Yes what?!"
"Yes sir!" I sobbed. He finally let the curse subside, but the resulting pain settled into every sensor, bone, nerve, and inch of body. My throat throbbed from my screaming and nausea set into my stomach. I curled into a ball on the carpet as sobs racked through my body. Father left the room without another word.
I sat on Draco's floor as he inspected my back, neck, arms, and legs for any resulting sign of the curse. Father had held it longer than he had anytime with Draco. Draco was actually surprised that I hadn't passed out.
"So what's the damage?" I asked dejectedly. Draco hesitated, obviously not really wanting to tell me.
"Well… there's a pretty large burn on the back of your right shoulder and multiple smaller cuts and scratches down your back. It's not bad, but it's the most I've ever seen that curse do," he finally replied. He came around to sit in front of me. "What were you thinking Echo?" I smirked at the memory of my outburst.
"I wasn't," I replied, shrugging my shoulders, but wincing at the movement. Draco rolled his eyes.
"You're going to get yourself killed Echo." I smiled at him. "And stop smiling! This isn't something to be proud of." I outright laughed.
"Of course it is Draco! I finally stood up to our parents. Our parents! It was the most exhilarating feeling ever, and it made me feel so good."
"Yea, but I'm sure that curse didn't."
"Eh, minor details." He rolled his eyes. He knew I was just acting brave.
"Just think next time, okay?" I smiled and nodded.
"Yea sure." After a moment of silence I remembered something. I smiled and pulled out my wand, yelling "Accio!" A small, neatly wrapped package flew into the room and I handed it to Draco.
"This is for you by the way. A special Christmas present." He raised an eyebrow, but took it none-the-less.
He carefully unwrapped it and pulled out a long, leather-chained necklace with a silver oval hanging from it. The front of the oval showed a picture of me and Draco from third year. His arm was slung brotherly around my shoulder and he was smirking amusedly; his eyes full of confidence and arrogance. I had my arms crossed and bore a smirk identical to his, but my eyes were turned up as if the picture had been taken while I was rolling my eyes, most likely at my brother.
Draco flipped the pendant over to find the phrase "Twins do it best" inscribed on the back in black lettering. He smiled and laced it around his neck. He leaned forward and gave me a small, quick hug.
"Thanks sis. It's great." I smiled. I had the greatest brother in the world, even if he was an arse most of the time.
A/N: Ooh! Echo's getting rebellious! Wonder what will happen next! Well, I know since I'm the writer, but you don't! Anyways, I really enjoyed writing this chapter even though people interrupted me a bajillion freaking times! Hope you did too.