James and Leila entered the Gryffindor common room a few hours later, everyone else had gone to bed. Leila was still shaken, but to look at her you wouldn't realize it, the only thing giving her away was how she clutched at James' arm. Together they sat down on the couch by the fire.

"Are you all right?" James asked, "you're shaking."

"I don't know James, it's not the first time I've had that happen to me. But it doesn't get easier you know? I just hope he doesnt try that on someone who cant defend herself"

James nodded sadly, "what can I do to help?"

"Just hold me for a minute ok"

James nodded and pulled her into his arms, "I wish there was a way that I could help you, or stop it from happening, just make it go away."

"You are James, but you cant stand guard every minute of everyday, I wouldnt want you to. You'd drive me nuts." She said and a smile finally alighted on her face.

James saw the smile and it made him smile too. They kissed and Leila got up off the couch to go to bed, "thanks for being here for me James."

"Where else would I be?" he replied with another smile.

"Goodnight, James."

They kissed again and Leila climbed the stairs to her dorm. James watched her go before he too climbed up to his dorm room, where he found Fred and Marcus sitting in their beds talking about the many rumors that were running over the school. James flopped down on his bed with a groan, "Mate what happened? Do you have any idea what the school is saying?" Marcus asked.

"I bet its nothing close to the truth. What are they saying?" James said, still staring at the ceiling.

"That Leila recieved a message from her old boyfriend in Canada and had to leave." Fred said

"That you and Leila got into a huge fight and she's leaving" Marcus added

"That Leila's father died in the field and she has to leave," Fred continued

"That-" Marcus said before James interrupted.

"That Jacob Fogel tried to force himself on Leila when she came down for dinner." James said disparigingly.

"He what!" Marcus yelled

"He tried to force himself on her, but she stunned him before he could. She's really shooken up though."

"so what do you want to do?" Fred asked

"I don't know what to do, I know she wouldn't like it if she found out but I need to do something, Fogel needs to learn a lesson. Beyond the suspension McG gave him." James said disparigingly

"Do you have any ideas?" Marcus asked

"I can't even think straight I'm so angry, I was hoping you guys might."

"we'll think about it ok James" Marcus said

James nodded and closed his curtains, sitting twirling his wand and fuming over how Fogel still believed that he was gods gift to the world, that he was infallible and could do whatever he wished to whomever he wanted.

"He will pay," James said and fell into a restless sleep.

The next morning dawned and the boys in Gryffindor tower, woke to see James' curtains still closed, something unusual as he tended to be an early riser, preferring to get up early and get in a workout before breakfast and classes. Marcus crossed to James' bed and peeked through the curtains to wake him up, but james stopped him and gestured to Leila who was laying beside him. "She came in last night around 3, didnt want to sleep alone."

Marcus nodded, "K well breakfast is ready downstairs, we'll bring you guys some toast."

James nodded his thanks, and rolled to face Leila, lightly patting her shoulder to wake her up. She slowly opened her eyes, and smiled up at him.

"Morning," she murmered

"Hey, how're you doing?"

Leila shrugged and sat up, "I'm ok. I guess...I mean I don't feel fantastic by any means but I'm ok...thanks for letting me stay here last night."

"Lei you're always welcome in my bed...though Id prefer it if it was for a more exciting reason.

Leila leaned into him and smiled, allowing it to finally reaching her eyes, "what time is it?"

"Breakfast"

"Ok, time to get up," She pulled the covers off herself and moved to get out of the bed, revealing a green long sleeve shirt and white lacy short shorts as pyjamas.

James grinned at her, and pulled her back to him, "oh no you don't."

Leila laughed and kissed him then left the room, waving goodbye to Marcus and Fred as she left.

-

When Leila reached the girls dorms, she took a breath and entered her dorm, immediately she was engulfed in a massive hug from Calla, Penny, Rose and Bethan.

"Where were you?" Bethan demanded

"I went to sleep at James'..." Leila answered and moved from the group to her bed to grab her towel and robe, before continuing onto the bathrooms.

"you went to sleep at James'!" Rose exclaimed in indignation.

Calla shushed her, "let go of the prefect inclination for a sec Rosie...are you alright Lei?"

Leila nodded and exited to the bathrooms, only to be followed closely by Bethan.

"I'm not stalking you. I promise, i just want to brush my teeth."

Leila nodded again.

"Lei seriously, what's wrong?"

"It's nothing really, I'm just worried about what James is going to do in response to Fogel."

"Fogel?"

"Jacob...Jacob Fogel. He attacked me yesterday..."

Bethan whirled around and engulfed her friend in a hug, she felt helpless and unsure of what she could do to help her. And she felt an immense hatred for Jacob, and a definate understanding of James' emotions this morning.

"I'm fine Beth, really I am...He underestimated me, like most do...I just don't want James to do something stupid."

Leila got into the shower and let the water pour over her, allowing her tension to flow away. Bethan began to brush her teeth, waiting for Leila to get out of the shower again. Bethan was mulling over how James would react to this event. He was fiercely protective of his friends and especially of Leila, but since meeting her he had become more refined, more likely to think before he acted. And she was sure that he would take into consideration how Leila would react if he were to attack Fogel outright.

Leila got out of the shower a few minutes later, wrapped in her towel and she crossed into the actual dorms, pulling out her uniform and placing it on her bed. Bethan came in soon after, and gasped at the bruises on Leila's arms, "I'd wear your sweater if i were you, James won't like it if he sees those."

Leila looked down and grimaced at the handprint shaped marks on her arms, "Thanks."

Leila dressed and together she went down the stairs with Bethan and down to breakfast.

-

Leila entered the Great Hall with the usual head-turning, and walked with Bethan over to the Gryffindor table to sit beside James. She kissed him on the cheek and smiled at him, adjusting her sleeves to make sure the bruises were covered, and dug into her breakfast. All around her, rumors flew about why she and James were pulled from dinner the night before...as per usual at Hogwarts, those rumors closer to the truth were those that were widely accepted, especially when Jacob Fogel was noticeably absent from breakfast.

Leila ignored the stares from the students and the pitying glances she got from most of the professors. Inwardly she knew that it wasnt the end of the attacks from Jacob and possibly the other Slytherins, and yet she was only barely worried. Leila knew that she was capable of protecting herself and any others that were in need of it. The only thing that worried her was being attacked from behind, something that she wouldn't put past a person such as Fogel.

Bethan watched her friend, and watched James' eyes on her every move, 'yes' she thought, 'he will do anything to make sure she's safe, i just hope that no one else realizes it.'

Leila finished eating and looked up at her friends, noticing all of the careful glances she was being covered with. Her view drifted to the staff table where McGonagall and Prof. Weasley sat looking at her as well. McGonagall noticed Leila's glance and gestured for her to approach. Leila nodded and turned back to her tablemates, "I'll see you guys in class, McG wants me."

"You'll be ok?" James asked worried, his emotions echoed on all their friends faces

"James you need to let me be myself ok, I can handle it, I promise."

James nodded sullenly and let her walk up the aisle to the professors desk, making sure that she got all the way to McG before turning back to his friends. "I don't like it"

"None of us do buddy, none of us do." Marcus said

"I think you might be underestimating her James, she's a lot stronger than any of us know. She's got the bruises to prove it." Bethan said

"Bruises?" James demanded, turning to Bethan.

Bethan realised her mistake and quickly answered, "she has bruising on her arms from the charms James, she's fine though, I think that we're all underestimating how much her dad taught her. She's far more powerful than any of us know."

Hermione had approached the group at that moment, and interrupted "Quite right Bethan."

"Aunt H." James said

Hermione nodded to her nephew, patting him on the shoulder. "I think you all should come with me to my office and we can discuss this."

James nodded and the others agreed and together they exited the Great Hall to go to Hermione's office.

-

Leila had gone with Prof McGonagall to her office to discuss how she wanted the story to play out. Nathan was waiting in the office when they arrived, and he immediately pulled Leila into a hug.

"What happened?" he asked

"I was attacked by Jacob Fogel dad. I'm fine though, I promise. Just a few bruises from misfired spells and being cornered into walls. I got out pretty easily."

"Bruises? You didnt mention those last night." McGonagall stated.

"I know I'm sorry, but James was there and he'd flip if he knew, besides i wasnt sure if there would actually be full on bruises."

"Would you mind showing me? I assume the aurors want documentation," McGonagall nodded to Nathan as she acknowledged his auror background, "I'm sure that's partially why you are here, Potter never did wait."

Nathan nodded back and Leila removed her sweater, eliciting a gasp from McGonagall and a curse from her father.

"Handprints..."

"Yes dad handprints...he used a few forceful charms...there are more on my back too from the walls. But, my Dad's here and I really don't want to have to take off my shirt in front of you." Leila said with a slightly forced smile.

Nathan tried to smile back and failed. McG took a few photos of Leila's bruises, before taking her to the next room to get pictures of the other bruises on her back and stomach. Upon their return Leila noticed how sullen her dad was looking and gave him another hug

"You taught me well dad, i'm fast, I can handle myself okay. James is overprotective enough for both of you. I'm fine, seriously."

"Okay Lei...I believe you, and the department is dealing with Fogel, so I know you'll be fine here. Just be careful.

"I am Dad, and I will be...I promise."

McGonagall watched the father-daughter team together, before allowing Leila to go to the Hospital Wing to have her bruises lessened by Madame Pomfrey, because of the nature of the injury the matron explained that there was no way to fully remove them, even using the WWW bruise remover.

-

"You all need to realize that there are some very serious things in Leila's past. I wont tell you as its not my place, but she is far stronger than you seem to give her credit for. Her father has trained her in the utmost defence strategies, and she is incredibly talented and skilled at healing and defensive spells. She has great instincts and is very quick, she may be the most talented and smartest witch of her age." Hermione was saying to James and the others.

The friends sat in silence as their teacher doled out virtue after virtue of their friend.

"Her life has not been the easiest, she is much like you in that sense James. I wouldnt worry about her or do anything brash as she wont appreciate it. I can promise you that she will not take these events sitting down, she will adapt in order to protect herself and all of you, give her the benefit of the doubt, she will be just fine." she continued

"Her past?" James questioned, almost to himself

"It's for her to tell you when she's ready James." Hermione answered, "now the lot of you get to class, you're already late."

The group nodded and left the room, each one thinking of their friend and wondering what had happened to her, and why she had their professor and friend in such awe of her abilities.