Chapter Three

And While We're at It…

"Hurry up! Percy, get Echo's trunk down here. We're already running late."

"Oh, Mum," Fred Weasley said, "it won't be eleven o'clock for another two hours."

"Fred, get down here," Mrs. Weasley yelled again, looking at Fred and George who were standing at the top of the stairs blocking Percy's way as he was trying to make it down the stairs with Echo's trunk in one hand and his owl's cage in the other.

"Move," Percy told them, trying to push them out of the way.

"Tried that," Echo said, walking out of the bedroom she had shared with the youngest Weasley, Ginny, during her summer stay at the Burrow. "Although the Prefect might have better luck," she added in a whisper to Ginny standing beside her. The younger girl laughed and Percy turned on them, red faced. Echo smiled and shrugged.

Echo'd been at the Burrow a month, ever since Severus had arrived at Malfoy Manor with the story she was going to stay with Andromeda and Ted. She hadn't known what to expect when Severus left her there with Fred and Mrs. Weasley, but both had accepted her with open arms. Ginny had looked up to her like an older sister, but both George and Ron seemed to despise her. Percy really didn't care either way, only to keep the peace so he could perfect his holiday homework assignments. Mr. Weasley seemed to like her company too when he was around, which wasn't much.

Ron had hid in his room or outside most of the time and George had tried a multitude of pranks during the first two days of her stay. Knowing it was him, Echo sought revenge and turned his pranks on him. After the first week, the pranks quit and she and George came to a quiet, if unspoken, truce. She knew Ron didn't trust her, but he had spoken to her in somewhat civil tones since she ended the "war" with George.

Echo knew well who trusted her in the Weasley house and she didn't need to use Legilimency to know it. Fred trusted her, looked out for her, and she knew she would always be able to go to him for help. Mr. and Mrs. Weasley did, and so did Ginny. She thought Percy just tolerated her, and she knew George hated her even if he didn't dare show it. The elder Weasley children had shown up for a visit as well and Echo like them both. She'd had a few long conversations with Bill and even though she didn't trust lightly, she did trust him.

But now they all had to leave if they were going to make it to King's Cross in time. Echo wasn't sure what she really thought about starting school. She'd dealt with prejudice her entire life, not only because of who her father was, but because she was proof of betrayal. She had asked Severus to allow her to go to Durmstrang but he wouldn't allow it. He refused to place her under the control of a former traitorous Death Eater. So now she was stuck at Hogwarts, dealing with the other children, the last generation of war-born. Her year would be comprised of those who were one-year old or thereabouts when Voldemort destroyed himself.

Which led to another concern; her cousin, Harry Potter. She had no intentions of telling him who she was or what her father had done. Maybe one day she would, but she didn't figure there was any reason to do so now. She would be in Slytherin, he would be a Gryffindor. They wouldn't communicate at all and she wasn't sure she would want him to know they were related. As far as the Potter inheritance was concerned, Severus had already removed her part of the money from the Potter vault and placed it in the Blacks' vault where only she and Severus could access it. Potter Mansion had been left to Echo through Leah and Godric's Hollow would go to Harry as it had been a wedding present to James and Lily.

Fred had tried to convince her otherwise; that she should tell Harry, that maybe he had questions about the Potter family and Echo, having been raised in Pureblood ways, knew almost everything there was to know. Fred had given up at the time, but Echo didn't think he'd leave her alone about it. She had a feeling she'd have to avoid him on the train. That'll be easy enough. I'll just find Draco and Pansy.

Plan of action set, Echo left the bedroom, pushed past Fred and George and walked down the stairs. Mrs. Weasley smiled at her.

"Go on outside, dear." Echo nodded and walked out the door followed by Fred, George, and Ginny. The three elder boys loaded all the trunks into the magically expanding car.

"Echo, how was your month with our blood traitor cousin?"

Echo sighed and turned towards Draco. He was standing at the door with Crabbe and Goyle flanking him. A mouse between elephants. I wonder when one will start jumping with fright. She stifled a laugh. "Oh, it was positively dreadful and with Dora there, I thought I would lose my mind."

Draco did laugh and sat down across from her. "I heard your cousinis on the train."

"Oh?"

"Yes, Potter. It seems he was in Diagon Alley the same day we were. We would have a very powerful year group if he was in Slytherin."

"I suppose we would," Echo said in an absent tone. "Speaking if which, where are the others? I'd have thought they'd be here by now."

"They will be shortly. There are still a few minutes and you know how Pansy is." Echo shrugged. Crabbe and Goyle sat down beside her. "So, Echo, I think we need to go find Potter and you need to work your charm to get him to come sit with us."

Amused, Echo raised an eyebrow. "My charm? The only thing I have Potter would want is information about the Potter family, information about his parents and that's something most Pureblood students have."

"But it would sound so much better coming from his cousin."

Echo sighed and picked up a book she'd been looking though before Draco's arrival. It was an ancient potions text Severus had found in Knockturn Alley and had declared it safe for her to read and had sent it to her over the summer. "Well, then, I guess it's a bad thing for your plan that I haven't told him we're cousins."

"Someone is bound to," Draco retorted. "Even the Weasleys know it."

Echo shrugged and started reading the book. Draco was attempting to lure her into acquiescing but she ignored him or tried to, as Pansy entered the car. Echo looked up then, seeing her friend and nodded once. Pansy sat next to Draco as always.

"I saw Potter," she said as greeting.

"So did I," Draco said. "I've been trying to convince Echo to convince Potter to join us for the ride, but she is lost, as always, in a potions book."

"At least I have something to do for the ride, rather than trying to rally potential enemies."

"But having Potter in Slytherin," Pansy said in a wistful tone. "We could mold him, shape him and when the time came, present him to the Dark Lord."

Echo looked up, turning her full attention to Pansy. She felt Crabbe stirring next to her. He wasn't as dumb as everyone wanted to believe. Pansy had mentioned Voldemort. Why? Referring to him as the Dark Lord? It was foolish in these times with so many people staunchly supporting Dumbledore. The girl had to have known what she said for she seemed proud she had said it. Echo suppressed a shiver, but it felt as if someone had dropped her in ice water. Trouble was going to come from this, she was sure.

Echo set her book to the side. She knew she wouldn't be able to concentrate on the half-Latin text now. She needed to watch Pansy and later she would have to talk to Severus.

"I'm going for a walk," Echo said, standing up. "Alone," she stated, watching Draco starting to stand. "Do not follow me, Drake, I'll know." She left the car with the grace only a Black could possess and walked the length of the train, trying to clear her mind. She had thought she was ready to do this. She and Severus had talked about it. She could be his spy within the Slytherin house. It only required reporting to him who Voldemort's supporters were and if they were planning anything. It wasn't going to be hard, but why did she suddenly feel like she'd rather be facing Voldemort himself than her future housemates?

The Slytherins would take her as one of their own, especially those who were the children of former Death Eaters. It was a given she was the Head's favourite. She would do well with the Slytherins, but being there would also make enemies of her friends. She didn't want to be enemies with the Weasleys. She like them and most of them seemed to like her. Then there was Harry Potter. He was sure to be in Gryffindor, too. Perhaps it was a good thing, though. Echo knew from Severus that when Harry had been hit by the Killing Curse, several of Voldemort's powers had been transferred into him. Harry Potter in Slytherin would equate to the next Dark Lord in most minds.

Yes, it would be best if she stayed away from him until there was a reason. She already knew she wouldn't be in a regular potions class so there wouldn't be any interaction there. Perhaps the truth telling session would be held off for a long time if no one else interfered.

"Hello, Echo."

Lost in her thoughts, Echo hadn't seen Percy walking towards her. "Percy," she answered with a nod.

"Have you found everyone you were looking for?"

"Unfortunate, but yes, I have."

"Why is it unfortunate?"

"Politics of Pureblood Hierarchal families. I'm debating a hostile takeover."

Percy only nodded. "Well, good luck with it, I think," he said and walked away. Echo felt like she was about to double over from laughing. She was leaning against the wall trying to keep from laughing, but it wasn't working.

"What's so funny?"

She looked up and saw Ron and Harry looking at her with strange expressions which only made her want to laugh more. She got control of herself after a few minutes and pushed the two boys back into their car.

"I told Percy I was planning a hostile takeover of the first year Slytherin Pureblood Hierarchal students."

Ron and Harry both responded with blank looks. Echo wanted to laugh.

"Down the train, I was in a car with Draco Malfoy, Pansy Parkinson, Vince Crabbe, and Greg Goyle. Now, even without the Blacks being in the current hierarchy, the family still stands as one of the original Pureblood families."

"So you're still in the Hierarchy," Ron answered after a minute. "Because you're the last Black and your mother was a Potter."

"Essentially, yes," Echo answered, ignoring the look she knew was on Harry's face if he'd caught Ron's comment. Damn, damn, damn. She hadn't wanted Harry to know. Maybe he hadn't caught the comment. She stole a glance but he was looking at Ron. "Narcissa tries to use the influence of my name and parentage to gain favor on both sides of the Hierarchy but since most people hate my parents, it doesn't get her very far."

"What is the hierarchy?" Harry asked.

Echo shrugged. "It is the families who have pure bloodlines going back at least seven centuries. You're in it; the Potter line goes back almost one thousand years. But you wouldn't have much power within the structure and unless you married into another hierarchy family, none of your children would have any influence at all and the Hierarchal line would fade out."

"That's too confusing for a train ride," Ron said.

"I've lived with it most of my life. Be glad you're not in it or you'd be faced with such troubles. If Severus accepted his place or allowed Lucius to take place as my guardian in his stead, I'd already be promised to marry into another line. None have married for love, only to keep the bloodline pure, which is why so many of the Purebloods have affairs."

"I think you're confusing them," Draco drawled from the door. Echo looked up at him. She hadn't even heard the door slide open. Maybe she was losing her touch.

"I told you not to follow me, Draco."

The boy shrugged, making the simple gesture more elegant than it should have been. "Who says I'm following you?" Crabbe and Goyle were behind him and the image of a mouse between elephants came back to her. "Pansy hates you."

"What is life if we all don't have a few enemies?"

"True. Hello, Potter. We heard you were on the train. I would like to introduce myself; Draco Malfoy. This is Crabbe and Goyle and I'm sure our cousin here has introduced herself." Draco was looking smug and Echo remembered a picture she'd seen of his father once. Both Malfoys were arrogant and they showed it.

"I think we need to leave the little Gryffindors alone, Drake. After all, we have better things to do." Echo stood up but Crabbe and Goyle were blocking the door. She turned to her cousin. "Don't we?"

"No, I think recruiting Potter into our circle is more important. What do you say, Potter, join us and stay away from blood traitors like him and his pack?" Draco was motioning to Ron. "We can teach you the grace and elegance of being Pureblood and teach you how to tell which are the wrong sort."

Echo watched in horrid fascination as Harry stood up and faced Draco. "Wouldn't you have to be the right sort to teach about the wrong sort, Malfoy?"

Echo laughed. "He has you there, Draco, I'm sorry to say. He would be an interesting addition to our group except he's far too much of a Gryffindor." She glanced at Harry and Ron, noting the look of loathing she was getting from both of them. A small part of her was pleased at her acting skills. "Let's go. We should bet back before Millicent and Pansy kill each other. I really don't want to have to explain to my godfather why they were left alone for more than three minutes."

"Very well," he said, reminding Echo strongly of Lucius. "You've made an enemy here, Potter, several, in fact. All of Slytherin House. Cheers." Echo followed Draco out of the car with Crabbe and Goyle behind them.

"Provoking them was not a good idea," she told her cousin.

"It was fun. I could tell once I saw him with Weasley he wouldn't be any good to us."

She shook her head. "You've made a powerful enemy."

"Potter? He is ignorant of our ways. He knows nothing. Weasley knows even less."

"Perhaps, Draco," she said when he opened the door to the car they were sharing with their friends, "you should watch rather than act. Voldemort will return soon and when he does, Dumbledore will turn Harry Potter into the warrior needed to defeat him and any witch or wizard who stands at his side."

"You sound like you're in his fan club."

"I'm stating a simple observation. It would be a lesson you might need to learn."

She sat down, ignored Pansy's questions and opened up the potions book.