The echoing clack of wands colliding and the sharp thwack of spellfire reverberated through the Clock Tower's base, where the Duelling Club was in full, boisterous swing. Despite the enclosed space, a faint, chilly draft snaked through the ancient stones, doing little to alleviate Echo's burgeoning irritation. His black hair, a defiant crimson, bristled as he stood wedged uncomfortably between two overenthusiastic third-years, each attempting to hex the other into oblivion. Beside him, Severus Snape, his face a thundercloud of dark disapproval, looked as though he'd rather be brewing a particularly noxious potion than enduring the current spectacle.
"I repeat, Echo," Severus drawled, his voice a low, venomous hiss that barely carried over the din, "why are we here? And more importantly, why are you here, willingly subjecting yourself to this… amateurish display?"
Echo sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. His red hair flickered with exasperation before settling into a more resigned blue. "Willingly? Severus, do I look willing? I was quite content in the library, attempting to decipher some particularly obscure runic inscriptions on ancient healing charms." He gestured vaguely to the bustling room. "No, I believe I was… volunteered by Frank. He seemed to think I needed 'more social interaction' and 'a healthy outlet for competitive energy.' As if I don't get enough of both." He paused, his hollow eyes fixing on Severus. "What about you? I'm guessing Lily dragged you here."
Severus's shoulders stiffened almost imperceptibly. He said nothing, but a faint, betraying flush crept up his pale neck.
Echo chuckled, a knowing glint in his eyes. His blue hair brightened with a mischievous yellow. "Ah, I see. So, we're both suckers for our Gryffindors, then, eh?" He extended a fist towards Severus. "Gryffindor simps?"
Severus glanced across the room, his gaze briefly snagging on Lily Evans, who was indeed beaming brightly in the midst of a small cluster of cheering Gryffindors. He let out a barely audible grunt, then, with a look of profound begrudging acceptance, met Echo's fist with his own. "Gryffindor simps," he muttered, the words tasting vaguely of ash.
Echo grinned, his yellow hair dancing with satisfaction. "Well, at least duelling isn't so bad," he mused, glancing around. "We're inside, for one. And Black is actually wearing a shirt."
Severus's eyes narrowed dangerously. "Don't you dare jinx it, Echo. I swear, if he takes his shirt off again, I will personally hold you responsible."
Echo merely chuckled. "If he does, I'll duel him myself and burn that rug off with Incendio."
A rare, genuine snort escaped Severus, a brief, sharp sound of amusement. Echo joined in, their shared laughter a surprising moment of camaraderie amidst the chaos.
As the next round of duels ended with a particularly dramatic explosion of purple sparks, Echo turned to Severus, his expression sobering slightly. "Speaking of Gryffindors, I'm actually worried about Peter."
Severus raised an eyebrow, a flicker of surprise in his dark eyes. "Worried about Pettigrew? I thought you hated him."
Echo shook his head, his blue hair settling into a thoughtful indigo. "No, I don't hate Peter. He's… a follower, at worst, and a coward, at best. I want to see retribution for wrongdoings, Severus, not sadistic intent. When I found Peter that day in the dungeon after his little spy mission, he was so out of it. Like he'd seen a Dementor without getting Kissed."
Severus scoffed. "It can't be that bad, Echo. Peter's always been prone to dramatics."
Echo's gaze sharpened, his indigo hair pulsing with renewed concern. "He was so bad, Severus, that Madam Pomfrey had to send him to St. Mungo's. She couldn't figure out what happened to him."
Severus's casual indifference vanished, replaced by a look of genuine alarm. "St. Mungo's?" he repeated, his voice barely above a whisper. His dark eyes widened, and he ran a hand through his greasy black hair. "That's… that's highly unusual for a simple case of fright. Did she give any indication of what she thought it might be?"
Echo shook his head, his indigo hair darkening with frustration. "No, she just said it was some form of magical trauma, deep-seated. Something that had burrowed into his mind and was actively… warping his perception. She thought it might have been some kind of mind-altering curse, but she couldn't identify it." Echo paused, a chilling thought crossing his mind. "But I saw a flicker of green in his eyes, Severus. Just for a second. When he was talking about the rats singing."
Severus's face, already pale, seemed to drain of all color. His eyes, usually so keen and intelligent, were now wide with dawning horror. "Green?" he breathed, his voice barely audible. He clenched his fists, a tremor running through his body. "It can't be. Not that. It's too… too ancient. Too dark."
"What is it, Severus?" Echo pressed, his voice urgent, his indigo hair flaring with an anxious red. "What do you know?"
Severus hesitated, his gaze darting around the room, as if afraid of being overheard. Finally, he leaned closer to Echo, his voice dropping to a harsh whisper. "There's an old legend, Echo. A forgotten piece of Dark Arts lore, barely mentioned in even the most forbidden texts. It speaks of a curse, a truly vile piece of magic, that doesn't kill the victim. Instead, it… corrupts them. Slowly, subtly, it twists their mind, planting seeds of darkness in their hearts. It is, in simple terms, a way to turn someone evil in a sense." He paused, his breath catching in his throat. "And the tell-tale sign, the mark of its insidious work… is a faint, fleeting green glow in the victim's eyes. It signifies that the curse is taking root, that the victim is becoming… susceptible to suggestion. A perfect puppet for a darker will."
Echo stared at him, his red hair slowly fading to a horrified white. "You mean… Peter might be controlled, like a puppet?"
Severus nodded grimly. "If it is indeed what I suspect, then yes. And if Lucius Malfoy is involved, if the Dark Lord is involved… then this isn't just about Peter. It's about using Peter as a weapon. A pawn in their game to get to you."
The implications of Severus's words settled over Echo like a shroud. A cold dread seeped into his bones. Peter, the pathetic, loyal follower, was now a potential tool in his enemies' hands. And he, Echo, had been completely oblivious.
"We have to do something," Echo said, his voice hard, his white hair darkening to a resolute black. "We can't let them use him like this. We need to find out what curse it is and how to break it. And we need to find out who cast it."
Severus met his gaze, a rare flicker of shared purpose in his dark eyes. "Agreed. This goes beyond Dumbledore's directives now. This is a personal matter. For both of us." He paused, then added, a grim irony in his voice, "Unforchantly." Severus began.
Echo let out a low groan, running a hand through his now intensely black hair. "Unforchantly?" he repeated, a note of bitter sarcasm in his voice. "What now, Severus? What fresh hell awaits us with this… ancient evil?"
Severus sighed, a rare, almost weary sound. "This isn't some simple hex, Echo. This is magic so ancient, so deeply rooted in forgotten lore, that tomes are written about its tomes. There are no counter-curses listed in any standard texts, and there are no simple antidotes. " We would have to…" he paused, searching for the right words, "... experiment from scratch." Attempt to decipher its properties, find its vulnerabilities, and formulate a way to break it without any prior knowledge. It would be a monumental undertaking."
Echo deflated, his shoulders slumping. His black hair softened to a discouraged, almost greyish hue. "You mean… we have to invent the cure? With no guide, no map?"
Echo let out a low, guttural growl, his black hair flaring with renewed anger. "The first chance I get," he muttered, his voice dangerously soft, "I'm going to tear Lucius Malfoy a new one. I swear it, Severus."
Just then, a booming voice cut through the lingering tension. "Echo! My dear fellow!"
Both Echo and Severus winced, turning to see a young Gildaroy Lockhart, all preening smiles and impeccably coiffed blond hair, striding towards them.
Echo's black hair flared a furious, indignant red. "What do you want, Lockhart?" he growled, his hollow eyes narrowing.
Lockhart, seemingly oblivious to Echo's barely concealed rage, beamed. "Why, I've just had the most splendid idea! I've been discussing with Professor Flitwick, you see, about injecting some much-needed… flair into our duelling club. And I've managed to arrange for you to be next!" He puffed out his chest. "I even took the liberty of selecting your opponent!"
Echo said nothing, but a low, dangerous growl rumbled in his chest, his red hair almost vibrating with suppressed fury. He strode onto the duelling platform, his movements stiff with indignation. He was still seething about Peter, and now this puffed-up peacock had orchestrated his next humiliation.
As he faced his opponent, Echo's eyes locked onto James Potter. James, in turn, saw Echo, his face a mask of barely contained fury, his eyes blazing like a cat ready to pounce. A sudden, visceral wave of nervousness washed over James. Before Professor Flitwick could even begin the customary greeting, James blurted out, "Professor! I… I think I'd like someone else to go in my stead!"
Flitwick, a small, puzzled frown on his face, chirped, "Oh? And who would you suggest, Mr. Potter?"
James's eyes darted around frantically, his mind a panicked blur. Then, a name, born of sheer desperation, tumbled from his lips. "Lucius! Lucius Malfoy!"
Echo's furious expression shifted, a strange, almost terrifying glint of excitement replacing some of the anger. His red hair settled into a dangerous, dark indigo.
Flitwick's frown deepened. "Are you quite certain, Mr. Potter? Mr. Malfoy is a seventh-year, and Mr. Echo is only in his second."
But Echo's voice, cold and clear, cut through the air. "I approve, Professor."
Flitwick, after a moment's hesitation, nodded. "Very well, then. Lucius Malfoy, if you please."
Lucius, who had been watching the exchange with a sneer, now sauntered onto the platform with a confident, almost bored expression. He and Echo stood face to face, wands raised, their gazes locked.
Professor Flitwick, perched on a stack of spell books to achieve a better vantage point, squeaked, "Alright, gentlemen! The rules are simple: no unforgivable curses, no attacking before the signal, and a clean win is achieved when your opponent is disarmed or incapacitated. On my count of three…"
As Flitwick continued his explanation, Echo leaned forward, his voice a low, venomous whisper that only Lucius could hear. "I know what you did to Peter."
Lucius's smirk didn't waver. He leaned closer, whispering back, "You know nothing, brat."
"I know enough," Echo retorted, his voice laced with menace. "And you're getting sloppy. I may not know your full plan, but I'm gaining enough evidence to put you down, Malfoy."
Lucius's eyes narrowed, and a low growl rumbled in his throat. "We'll see about that."
"Oh, I think we will," Echo promised, a predatory glint in his hollow eyes.
On the sidelines, Lily, standing next to Severus, nudged him. "Echo looks really mad," she whispered, a touch of concern in her voice.
Severus, his eyes fixed on the duelling platform, a grim satisfaction playing on his lips, nodded slowly. "He is, Lily. And I'll tell you the whole story later. But for now… Lucius is about to, as Echo so eloquently put it, 'tear him a new one.'"
Flitwick, with a flourish of his tiny wand, cried, "Begin!"
Lucius Malfoy wasted no time; his wand snapping up as he immediately tried to cast several weaker stunning spells. "*Stupefy! Stupefy! Stupefy!*" he chanted, the red jets of light streaking towards Echo. But Echo, with an almost lazy grace, dodged them as if Lucius were throwing sloppy snowballs at him, his black hair flickering with an amused blue.
"Stop dodging, you insolent brat!" Lucius yelled, his face flushing with annoyance.
Echo merely chuckled, sidestepping another spell. "Stop missing, Lucius! I've seen blind worms with better aim."
Lucius snarled. "You're using the Demiguise! You're cheating!"
"What Demiguise?" Echo asked innocently, just as Shimmer, with a shimmering ripple, revealed himself from behind a nearby snack table, a half-eaten pumpkin pasty in one hand and a handful of chocolate frogs in the other. Frank and Alice Longbottom, who had been enjoying their snacks, noticed the thieving creature and shooed him away with indignant cries, as Shimmer, with a final, triumphant gulp, vanished again.
Echo grinned. "I don't need a Demiguise's ability to see into the future to predict your movements, Lucius. I've been watching you for a while, more than you realized, and I've found out that you're predictable." As he said this, Lucius caught sight of several small creatures—a few Jokerknowls, a pair of Kneazles, and even a nervous little Bowtruckle—hiding around the edges of the dueling platform, peeking out from behind pillars and under benches, all with their eyes fixed on Lucius.
Lucius growled, his face contorting with fury. "I'll show you predictable!" He picked up the pace and intensity of his attacks, his spells coming faster and with more force, but Echo still easily dodged them with an unnerving ease, his blue hair now a calm, focused indigo.
"You know what, Lucius?" Echo called out, a mischievous glint in his hollow eyes. "I'll give you a challenge. You can go as hard as you want, but I'll only use my beast magic. No spells."
Lucius let out a contemptuous laugh. "You're going to fight me with Puffskeins, Jobberknolls, and Doxies? How utterly pathetic!"
Echo's blue hair blazed with a confident, almost mischievous yellow. "That was the plan, Malfoy. But if you want the big guns, I'll give you the big guns."
With a silent, powerful command, Echo's hair flared a brilliant gold. A massive shadow fell over them as, with a deafening *CRACK* of displaced air, Godrick, his griffin, materialized directly beneath him, apparating from the Forbidden Forest. Echo landed gracefully on the griffin's back, his hand instinctively finding purchase in its thick, golden-brown fur. Godrick let out a guttural roar as his enormous wings unfurled, sending a powerful gust of wind through the confined space.
Lucius Malfoy, his sneering confidence instantly replaced by wide-eyed terror, hastily threw up a shimmering shield spell, just as Godrick slashed his massive, razor-sharp claws against it. The shield pulsed, groaning under the impact.
"Still want the big guns, Malfoy?" Echo asked, his voice calm amidst the chaos, his gold hair dancing with barely contained power. "Or are these guns a little too big for you?"
Lucius, pressed against the wall, his face pale with fear, could only stammer incoherently as Godrick continued to batter the shield, the sound of rending magic filling the dungeon.
"Fine," Echo sighed, his gold hair softening to a thoughtful blue. "If these are too much, we can try something smaller." With a flick of his wrist, Godrick shimmered and vanished, apparating back to the Forbidden Forest.
Before Lucius could register the griffin's disappearance, a soft "POP" echoed, and a magnificent unicorn, pure white with a shimmering, spiraled horn, appeared beneath Echo. Skip, the unicorn, reared up, her powerful hooves pawing the air, letting out a triumphant whinny that reverberated through the dungeon.
Lucius, momentarily regaining some of his composure, let out a derisive laugh. "A unicorn? What are you going to do with that, boy? Prance me to death?"
Echo merely smirked. "Oh, I think you'll find Skip is quite capable."
With a powerful thrust, Skip lowered her head and jammed her horn directly into Lucius's shield. A blinding flash of pure magical energy erupted, and with a shattering *CRACK, the shield spell disintegrated into a shower of golden sparks. Lucius cried out, stumbling backward, his face a mask of pure horror.
"Want to see what else I've got?" Echo asked, his blue hair flickering with a playful challenge. "I've got a Bugbear, a Graphorn... plenty of other 'small' friends."
Lucius, now thoroughly shaken, held up his hands, his voice trembling. "No! No, I... I don't want the big guns anymore! Please!"
Echo sighed dramatically, his blue hair settling into a resigned black. "Fine, I won't bring out the big guns then." With another flick of his wrist, Skip vanished, leaving only the lingering scent of wild magic in her wake.
Lucius, seeing his chance, immediately began to attack, firing a barrage of stunning spells at Echo. But Echo, his black hair unwavering, dodged each one with effortless grace, weaving and sidestepping with a casual nonchalance. He even let out a theatrical yawn. "Could you be any worse of a shot, Malfoy?" he asked, his voice bored.
Lucius, utterly irate, snarled, his face contorted with fury.
With a soft POP, a pale, grey-skinned Mooncalf, its large, black, innocent eyes blinking owlishly, materialized beside Echo. Its spindly legs were surprisingly graceful as Echo, with a flamboyant bow, took its foreleg in his hand.
"Care for a dance, my dear?" Echo crooned, his black hair flaring with mischievous yellow.
The Mooncalf, seemingly unfazed by the dueling arena, let out a soft coo, its large eyes fixed on Echo. As Lucius launched another volley of stunning spells, Echo began to waltz with the Mooncalf, its ungainly movements transforming into a surprisingly elegant dance. Each spin, each dip, each pivot was perfectly timed to dodge a spell. Echo even twirled the Mooncalf, presenting its large, soulful eyes to Lucius.
"Look at those eyes, Lucius!" Echo exclaimed, planting a dramatic, exaggerated kiss on the Mooncalf's forehead, like an old cartoon character. "Aren't they just darling?"
Lucius, momentarily aghast, faltered in his attack. Seizing the opportunity, Echo threw the Mooncalf into a dizzying spin. The creature, still on its hind legs, used its forelegs to deliver a series of surprisingly forceful slaps across Lucius's face, each one punctuated by a soft, rhythmic thwack.
After delivering its final slap, the Mooncalf vanished with a soft POP. Echo, his yellow hair now a calm, confident blue, then conjured two fluffy, purple Puffskeins. They bounced merrily on the dueling platform, their big, innocent eyes blinking.
Lucius Malfoy, still reeling from the Mooncalf's unexpected assault, let out a contemptuous laugh. "Puffskeins? You really must think I'm an imbecile, Echo! These useless puff balls are all you have left?"
Echo merely smiled, his blue hair flickering with a mischievous glint. "Oh, I wasn't going to say the same thing, Lucius."
Before Lucius could react, the two Puffskeins, with astonishing speed, launched themselves forward, their long, sticky tongues flicking out. One latched onto Lucius's nose, the other onto his chin.
"ARGH! GET THEM OFF ME!" Lucius shrieked, flailing frantically, his hands scrabbling at his face as he tried to pull the stubborn creatures away. The entire dueling club erupted in laughter, Severus Snape's surprisingly loud cackle cutting through the din.
After a moment of desperate struggle, Lucius finally managed to yank the Puffskeins off, his nose and chin bright red and glistening. He glared at Echo, his face a mask of furious indignation. "Is that all you've got, you pathetic little trickster?!"
As if in answer, a massive, vibrant purple toad, easily the size of a small dog, materialized with a wet THWAP directly in front of Lucius. Before he could even register its presence, the toad sprang forward, its cavernous mouth engulfing his entire head with a sickening SCHLOP.
Lucius let out a muffled scream, his body flailing wildly as he tried to yank the toad off, his arms windmilling in a desperate panic. Echo merely watched, a calm, almost serene expression on his face, his blue hair a steady indigo. "Take your time, Lucius," Echo advised, his voice laced with mock concern. "No need to rush."
With a final, desperate heave, Lucius managed to pull his head free, gasping for breath. His hair was disheveled and covered in a thick, purple slime. "THAT DOES IT!" he roared, his eyes blazing with absolute fury. He raised his wand. "Serpensortia!"
With a flash of green light, a venomous-looking cobra materialized from the tip of Lucius's wand, rearing its head and hissing menacingly.
Echo cooed, his indigo hair brightening with a playful yellow. "Oh, how delightfully ironic. A Slytherin fighting a fellow Slytherin with a snake. How utterly traditional." He then smirked. "I also have a snake, Lucius. But mine is bigger."
With a casual flick of his wrist, Echo summoned a Runespoor. This magnificent, three-headed serpent, easily the size of a python, materialized with a heavy THUD, its scales shimmering with iridescent hues. Without hesitation, the three heads lunged at Lucius's cobra, each head snapping and fighting for a piece of the prey. The smaller snake was quickly devoured, its struggles muffled by the Runespoor's gaping mouths.
"Don't fight over your food, boys," Echo admonished the Runespoor's squabbling heads, as they each tried to swallow the remains of the cobra.
Echo de-summoned the Runespoor, its three heads vanishing with a soft *POP*. Lucius, his face contorted with a mixture of fury and surprise, began to cast a series of more intense spells. Streaks of crimson and emerald light shot from his wand, forcing Echo to dodge with serious intent, his blue hair flickering with each near miss.
"Alright, Malfoy," Echo called out, a grin spreading across his face as he ducked under a particularly nasty Stinging Hex. "Now you're finally getting serious! I was starting to think you were going to bore me to death."
Lucius merely sneered, a dark, evil smile touching his lips as he launched a volley of Blasting Curses. Echo, however, was already moving, weaving, and twisting with surprising agility.
"I have to admit," Echo continued, sidestepping a particularly powerful *Confringo, "I admire your footwork. It's the only way to cast spells with that kind of intensity without losing your balance."
Lucius paused, a flicker of confusion crossing his face. "My… footwork?" he growled, momentarily distracted.
"Indeed," Echo said, his blue hair blazing with mischievous gold. "But let's undo that, shall we?" With a flick of his wand, Echo summoned a Murtlap. With a soft *POP, a small, rat-like creature with a sea anemone-like growth on its back appeared, scrambling around Lucius's legs, its growths snapping at his ankles.
Lucius yelped, hopping around frantically as the Murtlap tried to bite him. "Get off me, you foul beast!" he shrieked, casting a quick spell. The Murtlap, with a pained squeak, was sent skittering away before Echo de-summoned it.
As the Murtlap vanished, Echo took a step forward, then another, breaking into a run directly towards Lucius. Lucius, caught off guard and still flustered from the Murtlap, froze, his eyes wide with alarm.
From the bleachers, Lily leaned forward, her eyes bright with anticipation. "Is Echo going to pound him as he did with James and the others at the beginning of the year?"
Severus, a rare, almost imperceptible smirk on his face, nodded. "One can only hope, Lily. It would be rather amusing to see Malfoy cry like a girl."
Even James and the other Marauders, who had been silently observing, looked excited at the prospect.
Echo reached Lucius in two long strides, his fist cocked back, eyes blazing with furious intent. He looked every inch the wild, untamed force of nature he sometimes appeared to be. Lucius, his earlier bravado completely evaporated, let out a terrified shriek and threw his arms over his head in a futile attempt to shield himself.
"NOOOOOOO!" he screamed, cowering.
Just as the punch seemed inevitable, Echo's fist snapped open, his voice roaring, "POCKET DOXY ATTACK!"
With a frantic POP, a small swarm of six Doxies, their tiny, needle-sharp teeth bared, materialized directly in front of Lucius's face. They buzzed around him like angry, miniature bees, nipping at his nose, ears, and cheeks.
"GET OFF ME, YOU PESTS!" Lucius shrieked, flailing wildly, trying to swat the invisible creatures away. He stumbled backward, his movements clumsy and uncoordinated.
As Lucius continued his frantic dance, Echo made another swift motion. With a soft POP, a slender, twig-like Bowtruckle, its sharp, pointed fingers twitching, appeared on Lucius's outstretched hand. With a quick, precise flick, it delivered a painful cut to the back of Lucius's hand.
"OW!" Lucius yelled, clutching his bleeding hand as his wand clattered to the stone floor.
Before the wand could even settle, Sniffles, a jingling blur of motion, scurried out from Echo's robes. He snatched up the fallen wand with surprising speed, then zipped back to Echo, depositing it neatly in his outstretched hand with a triumphant jingle. The Doxies, their mission accomplished, vanished with a series of tiny POPs, reappearing on Echo's shoulder, where they settled contentedly.
Lucius, still clutching his stinging hand, glared at Echo and instinctively reached for his missing wand. He patted his robes frantically, his eyes widening in alarm when he found nothing. He looked up, his gaze locking onto the wand in Echo's hand.
"My wand!" Lucius snarled, his voice trembling with a mixture of rage and fear. "Give it back, you thieving brat!"
Echo merely grinned, holding the wand aloft. "Thieving? You dropped it, Malfoy. Finders keepers, I always say." Then, with a casual flick of his wrist, he tossed the wand back to Lucius, who fumbled to catch it. "And besides," Echo added, his voice dropping to a dangerous purr, his blue hair sharpening to a decisive indigo, "I'm not even half done with you yet."
Before Lucius could even register the return of his wand, two ginger Kneazles, one on each side, materialized with a silent bound, their intelligent green eyes fixed on him. With a synchronized leap, they launched themselves at Lucius, claws extended, aiming for his legs and arms.
Lucius shrieked, blasting out a furious Reducto that sent both Kneazles flying backward with pained yelps, their forms shimmering and vanishing a moment later. He stumbled, catching his breath, his eyes blazing with a wild, desperate rage. "Is that all you've got, you little beast-whispering freak?\! You've thrown everything but the kitchen sink at me, and I'm still standing\!"
Echo merely smirked, his indigo hair deepening to a confident, almost predatory black. "Oh, no, Lucius," he purred, his voice dangerously soft. "I was saving the best for last. This one, I like to call… the Ring of Insanity."
With a casual flick of his wrist, three vibrant, multi-colored Fwoopers materialized in a perfect circle around Lucius. Their long, feathery tails twitched, and their intelligent eyes blinked at him. Before Lucius could react, the Fwoopers let out a synchronized, ear-splitting scream, a chaotic symphony of high-pitched chirps and piercing squawks that seemed to bore directly into his skull. Lucius clapped his hands over his ears, his face contorted in agony, staggering backward as the sound vibrated through him, shaking him to his very core. The Fwoopers continued their screeching serenade, flying in a dizzying circle around him, their song a relentless assault on his sanity.
After a long, agonizing moment, Echo de-summoned the Fwoopers with a snap of his fingers. The sudden silence was almost as jarring as the noise, leaving Lucius swaying on his feet, his ears ringing, his eyes wide and disoriented.
With another soft POP, a small, green-scaled Wyvern, no bigger than a large parrot, materialized on Echo's shoulder. It blinked its intelligent, slitted eyes, its tiny wings twitching. "And this, Lucius," Echo said, his voice cutting through the lingering reverberations in Lucius's ears, "is Balloonie. I found him three days ago in the Forbidden Forest."
Before Lucius, still dazed and clutching his ears, could even stammer a reply, Balloonie inflated its chest, letting out a surprisingly powerful roar. A focused stream of air, like a miniature hurricane, blasted from the Wyvern's mouth, striking Lucius squarely in the chest. With a surprised yelp, Lucius was lifted off his feet, sent flying backward in an undignified arc, soaring over the dueling platform, and landing with a dramatic THUD in a pile of spare quaffles. He lay there, winded and utterly defeated.
Flitwick, after a moment of stunned silence, finally managed to squeak, "And… and the winner is Echo!"
The Clock Tower base erupted in a cacophony of cheers and applause, a mixture of awe and stunned disbelief at Echo's unconventional victory. Students flocked around Echo, their faces alight with excitement, congratulating him on his win. Severus, a genuine smile on his face, walked over to Echo, a rare, almost prideful glint in his dark eyes.
"That was… unexpectedly satisfying, Echo," Severus admitted, a faint chuckle escaping him.
Echo grinned, his black hair settling into a triumphant blue. "I told you I wasn't done with him. Though I must admit, the Ring of Insanity was a personal favorite."
Lily, Remus, and James rushed over, their faces beaming. "That was brilliant, Echo!" Lily exclaimed, her eyes sparkling. "Absolutely brilliant!"
Flitwick, his eyes wide with a mixture of awe and exasperation, finally broke the silence. "In all my years, I've never seen someone duel quite like that, Echo. Truly… unorthodox."
Echo shrugged, his blue hair flickering with a sheepish orange. "I know my spell craft is about as useful as a nipple on a boar, Professor, but my beasts do make up for it."
From the wreckage of the overturned bleachers, Lucius Malfoy, disheveled and furious, slowly picked himself up, his pale face contorted with rage. "This isn't over, you little freak!" he shrieked, his voice raw.
"It is, Mr. Malfoy," Flitwick said, his voice firm, though he still looked a little dazed. "Now calm down at once!"
But Lucius, blinded by fury, merely pushed the small professor aside with a violent shove. "Stay out of this, Flitwick!" he snarled, raising his wand and immediately launching a barrage of dark curses at Echo.
"Echo, watch out!" Lily yelled, her voice piercing through the renewed chaos.
Echo, his orange hair blazing with a confident yellow, snapped his fingers. With a soft POP, a plump, grey Diricawl, its small wings fluttering nervously, materialized beside him. Echo immediately linked with it, his eyes taking on the creature's wide, startled gaze. "I'm over here!" he called out, apparating several feet to the left, then reappearing on the right, then behind Lucius, a blur of motion as he utilized the Diricawl's unique ability. "And here! And now here!"
Lucius, struggling to hit the constantly shifting target, roared in frustration. "Stop moving, you coward! Fight me!"
Echo, reappearing directly behind Lucius, smacked his own butt and wiggled it suggestively. "What's wrong, Malfoy? Can't hit a moving target?"
Lucius, his face purple with indignation, tried again, but Echo continued to dodge, a taunting laugh escaping him. Finally, Echo reappeared in front of Lucius, his yellow hair settling into a cunning blue. "Alright, if you want me to stop moving, I will. But have you heard this one before?"
Shimmer, with a silvery ripple, jumped onto Echo's shoulder. Echo linked with the Demiguise, his blue hair flaring with a mischievous gold. "Now you see me, now you don't!" he said, and with a soft shimmer, he and Shimmer vanished, becoming completely invisible.
Lucius looked around wildly, his eyes darting frantically. "Show yourself, you little cheat! That's not what I meant!"
Then, from seemingly nowhere, a series of sharp smacks, punches, and kicks began to land on Lucius. He stumbled, cried out, and spun around, trying to swat at his invisible assailant. Echo, still linked to Shimmer, was a whirlwind of unseen motion. He grabbed Lucius's expensive, perfectly styled hair, yanking his head back, then delivered a swift, brutal kick directly to Lucius's crotch. With a choked gasp, Lucius crumpled to the floor, clutching himself and whimpering, his face a mask of agony.
Echo shimmered back into visibility, his indigo hair settling into a determined black. He stood over Lucius Malfoy's crumpled form, his hollow eyes cold and unwavering. "Yield, Malfoy," Echo commanded, his voice devoid of any warmth. It's over."
Through a choked gasp of pain, Lucius slowly, agonizingly, pushed himself back up, his face still contorted. "Not… not on your best day, you little freak," he rasped, his eyes burning with a venomous defiance. With a sudden, desperate movement, he reached into his inner robes, his fingers fumbling for something hidden within.
Echo's eyes narrowed, a flash of recognition lighting his features. The object. The one he used on Peter. He reacted instantly. With a silent, powerful command, a shimmering, serpentine form materialized from the air – Shrink, the Occamy. Before Lucius could fully withdraw the object, Shrink's iridescent body wrapped itself around his neck, coiling with terrifying speed.
Lucius gasped, his eyes bulging as Shrink began to tighten its grip, slowly constricting. He stumbled, falling to his knees, his hands scrabbling frantically at the tightening coils, trying to pry the magical creature away. As he struggled, Shrink responded, slowly shrinking its already diminutive form, squeezing tighter and tighter.
"Yield, Lucius!" Echo's voice was low and dangerous, and a growl was rumbling in his chest. His black hair pulsed with a deadly indigo.
Lucius, his face already turning a sickly blue, choked out a ragged reply. "You… you little… monster!"
Echo's eyes blazed. "Tighten, Shrink," he commanded, his voice cutting through the suddenly stunned silence of the room.
The spectators watched, horrified, as Lucius's struggles weakened. His face deepened to a profound, alarming shade of blue. He was nearly on the cusp of suffocating.
"Echo! Stop this now!" Flitwick shrieked, his tiny form trembling.
Echo ignored him, his expression serious and deadly, his gaze fixed on Lucius, who was now barely conscious, his eyes wide and pleading.
"Echo! I said Stop this now!" Flitwick's voice rose to an almost hysterical pitch.
Finally, with a visible effort, Echo relented. His indigo hair softened to a conflicted blue. "Shrink, release."
With a final, gentle squeeze, Shrink loosened its coils, then shimmered and vanished back to Echo's arm, allowing Lucius to fall forward, gasping and retching for air.
Echo leaned down, his voice a low, dangerous whisper that only Lucius, still gasping for breath, could hear. His blue hair pulsed with a cold, unwavering resolve. "The next time we fight, Malfoy, Flitwick won't be here to save you. And I will make you pay for everything you've done. For me, for Remus, and especially for Peter." His gaze hardened, his hollow eyes burning with a terrifying intensity. "And if you ever try to hurt or use anyone else close to me, you won't know a moment of rest. Not a single, solitary moment."
Flitwick, still trembling slightly, hurried over to Echo, his tiny face a mixture of fear and indignation. "Echo!" he squeaked, his voice still a little high. "While I understand your… fervent desire to defend yourself, and it was certainly a spectacular display of… beast magic, you absolutely cannot choke a fellow student, no matter how much they might deserve it! That's forty points from Slytherin!" He then turned his furious gaze on the still-gasping Lucius. "And as for you, Mr. Malfoy! Attacking a classmate outside the rules of the Duelling Club and using curses is entirely unacceptable! You will be going straight to the Headmaster's office, and you are banned from the Duelling Club for the rest of the year!"
Lucius, slowly pushing himself up, glared at Flitwick and then at Echo but remained silent, his face a mask of defeated fury. He turned and, without another word, stalked out of the Clock Tower, his limp a testament to Echo's earlier kick. Echo merely watched him go, his blue hair settling into a thoughtful black, his hollow eyes still holding a hint of their earlier fire.
"Echo," Flitwick began, his voice softening, "I understand your… passion. But this level of aggression is concerning. Perhaps we should discuss it further."
Echo shrugged, his black hair flickering with nonchalance. "Nothing to discuss, Professor. He pushed my buttons, and I pushed back. Simple as that." He then turned to Severus, a faint, almost imperceptible smirk touching his lips. "Well, Severus? Was that a sufficiently humiliating experience for Malfoy?"
Severus, a genuine smile on his face, nodded. "Quite. I daresay he won't be forgetting that in a hurry."
Lily, Remus, and James all crowded around, expressions of awe and relief on their faces.
"You were incredible, Echo!" Lily exclaimed, hugging him tightly. "I thought he was really going to hurt you!"
Echo returned the hug, his black hair softening to a warm blue. "He wouldn't have dared. Besides," he added, pulling back slightly, "I told you I wasn't done with him. And now, he knows not to mess with me or Peter."
Remus nodded, a serious expression on his face. "You did well, Echo. Peter… he needs someone looking out for him right now."
James, however, was still beaming. "And the kick to the crotch! Classic! I didn't think you had it in you!"
Echo rolled his eyes. "There's a lot you don't know about me, James." He then looked at Severus, his blue hair settling into a thoughtful indigo. "Speaking of which, we still have that problem with Peter, and that curse."
Severus's expression sobered immediately. "Indeed. We need to begin our research. The restricted section of the library will be our first stop."
Echo nodded, a grim determination setting in. "And I'll start experimenting with some countermeasures. Maybe some kind of magical immune system booster, or a mental fortifying charm."
Lily, overhearing, stepped forward, her brow furrowed with concern. "What curse? What happened to Peter?"
Echo and Severus exchanged glances. "We'll explain later, Lily," Echo said, his voice gentle. Right now, we have to figure out a way to help him."
With that, Echo, Severus, Lily, Remus, and James began to make their way out of the Clock Tower, the cheers of the Duelling Club slowly fading behind them. The victory was sweet, but the shadow of Peter's curse loomed large, and a new, more insidious battle awaited them.