Love thy Enemy

Echo took Draco up to her room, handing him some clothes she hoped would fit. She had a personal bathroom and allowed Draco to change in there.

"You knew I was coming?" Draco askes through the door of the bathroom as he peels off the wet clothing.

"Yes," Echo replies, using her wand to magically put on her night clothes.

"You're blind aren't you?"

"I am, since I was two." Echo straightens her night dress and sits on the cot.

"And you're my cousin?" Draco opens the bathroom door in flannel pajamas and a men's tank top.

"Yes, I am," she looks in his vicinity, "I'm glad those fit. I was afraid they wouldn't"

"How did you become blind?" Draco didn't know why he was so interested in this girl but something about her reminded him of himself. He sat across from her on the bed.

"My father... when he found out I existed was angry, but he couldn't bring himself to take my life. He settled for taking my eyesight instead. I was born with telepathy and the ability to see the future. I learned to hone those skills and I get by without assistance. Though I do sometimes run into things if I'm not used to an area."

"You use a wand, yet I've neer seen you before. Did you go to Hogwarts?"

"No. I went to Durmstrang. Sirius and I thought it best I not go to Hogwarts due to my handicap and my lineage."

"Your lineage? What's being a Black have anything to do with going to Hogwarts or not?"

"Not that part of my lineage. My mother was a Black, my father is not."

"Who are they?" Draco knew she must be avoiding the topic for some reason, "You said that you and Sirius decided for you to not go to Hogwarts. Did they abandon you?"

"My mother did after my father took my eyesight. Sirius took me in as a baby and raised me. I think of him like a father. My parents are a very touchy subject."

"Why?"

"My mother is your aunt, Bellatrix Lestrange."

"I thought she never had children."

"She did. Me. The fun bit is that I'm not her husbands child. She had an affair, with the Dark Lord himself."

"You're the child of my aunt and 'You-Know-Who'? You expect me to belive that?"

"No, I don't expect you to, but I've never been known to lie," Echo looked away a distant look appearing on her face.

"I didn't mean to make y-"

"You haven't made me uncomfortable. I was sifting through your thoughts, finding the truth behind the person I see. You want to know, most of all, who else lives here... I see a boy, rejected by Harry Potter, for believing his father's lies about the boy who lived... I shall not dig deeper. I promised to answer questions, not be a psychiatrist. You will find in the morning that you are in a house of enemies."

"Enemies?"

"Sirius Black is my caretaker and the godfather of Harry Potter. For the summer Harry and his friends have moved in to keep myself and Sirius company. Remus Lupin stays here periodically as well. I know that they will not take to your temporary residency here. We must tred lightly."

"You mean I'm currently living under the same roof as Potter?!"

"Not at this moment... They are out getting supplies for a birthday feast next week."

"These clothes... did you borrow them from Potter or Weasley?"

"Goodness no... I knew you would be here a half-hour before your arrival. I apparated to the nearest store and bought some clothes that would make due, until I could take you to a store so we could get you clothes more to your liking."

Draco didn't know what to say. This was the nicest thing someone had ever done for him and it was someone he'd never known.

"What can I do to repay you for you kindness?"

"You have no wand, so you and I will clean tomorrow, I know this place needs it. Tomorrow just try to keep from starting an all out war in the house with Harry and his firends, keep my parents a secret and you've done all you can... Time for bed," Echo lays down and flicks her wand at the light making it go out. "Goodnight, Draco, you don't have to keep acting nice on my account... I can read minds, I know you're normally cut throat."

Draco lay his head down, and closed his eyes, yet sleep didn't come.