Snape's Daughter (Book Two)

Chapter Twenty-One : The Grace of Slytherin

Echo Grace ;

Mysterious,

Beautiful,

Young,

Mudblood,

Slytherin.

It's summed up the young girl pretty well. Everybody knew who she was, and if they hadn't they knew her cousin. A mudblood in Slytherin, most scowled when they walked past her. Many shoved her into the walls yet she just shook them off of her shoulder. A determined twelve year old, with glistening brown eyes. Her blood status didn't matter to her, she held her head up high and ignored the rest of the world.

Ginny stood puzzled as the brunette leaned against the Hospital Wing's wall, her wrist in a sling. She looked a state at that point, like the hope was dragged out of her. Still smiling though, always smiling.

"I don't see much of my cousin anymore, I heard she had a baby," Echo said, looking up at the vibrant ginger before her.

"Marley. Her baby's name is Marley Molly Weasley," Ginny informed Echo, as she studied the young girl.

"Marley? That was my aunts name. Is she doing well, my cousin and her daughter?" Echo asked Ginny, wondering about how her cousin could be after all these months.

"Urm, very well I suppose. I can't say much about their whereabouts, given the situation," Ginny said, looking around the Hospital Wing to ensure nobody was watching them," But I'll assure you they're safe."

"Safe? That's great, my mother will be pleased to hear that," Echo said, beaming from ear to ear.

"Really? What about Aurora's mother?" Ginny asked Echo, before the young girl fell silent. The colour of her eyes darkened and her smile plummeted.

"I... I must go," Echo murmured, before running out of the Hospital Wing. Ginny spun around to face Neville, who's confused expression mirrored hers.

"Is it me, or is there something wrong with her?" Neville said, Ginny nodding in agreement.

"What girl?" Somebody said, as the two guests faced down to see Ellia with her eyes slightly open.

"Look who finally decided to wake up," Ginny joked, smiling down at Ellia as she forced her eyes open wider.

"Oh shut up Ginny, you're not the one who nearly died," Ellia chuckled.

"Well, a sense of humour never dies I suppose," Neville laughed, before Madame Pomfrey came running over.

"My dear, you're awake! I must examine your injury immediately, to check for improvement," Madame Pomfrey said, shooing away Ginny and Neville behind a blue hospital curtain. The injury! Of course, it all flooded into Ellia's head. The stab wound, the knife, and then the blood and Draco. Draco! Her unlikely hero.

"Madame, you really must fuss. I'm sure I'll be okay," Ellia chuckled as the nurse examined her arm.

"Yes well given the state you arrived in, we all feared the worst," Madame Pomfrey said, checking Ellia's blood pressure.

"Hey, I've been in worst situations these past few months. And it's not always you meet somebody who keeps on just missing death," Ellia chuckled, as Pomfrey re-wrapped her injury.

"I'm tempted to keep you in here for longer, however due to your mental capability I doubt that would be necessary," Madame Pomfrey said.