The next few days were rough, Damon kept her informed on Stefan's condition. Neither she or Elena were allowed back at the house, and the nurse was compelled to come over each day. Damon kept them informed on the process and how many times Stefan had gone for the supply downstairs. The two had convinced the group that Stefan was unwell and wouldn't be back for a while. Bonnie of course knew something was up but she didn't press for what it was.

"Let's do white elephant for Christmas," Bonnie said one day as they sat eating lunch.

"Yes, that's such a fun idea, include the boys too." Elena said thinking about Stefan, Matt and due to Matt, probably Tyler.

"What's white elephant?" the redhead asked eating a chip.

"What?" Caroline stopped dunking her chip in ketchup mid dunk. "Are you serious? Is that not in the U.K?"

"I dunno, I haven't heard of it, but maybe parts of the U.K. do it," she said.

"Let's do Secret Santa instead," Elena said. "Do you know that one? It's less complicated than white elephant."

"Secret Santa?" the redhead frowned "Remind me what that is? Oh that's the you get one friend from the friend group isn't it."

"Yes,"

"I only really did presents with two friends, until 5th year then it went up a little, probably should have done it then,"

With the plan to go to the redhead's house after school the day went by pretty quickly. Alaric went to the Grill as the teenagers began to sit in the living room. Damon came with Stefan, as supervision, Stefan was very good at faking being ill. Once snacks and drinks were on the table Azalea, rushed upstairs to get the pen and paper. As she was about to head back down, she noticed her Hogwarts hat perched on the side. Smiling as she thought of the opening and closing ceremonies the only time they were really worn, she picked it up and headed back downstairs.

"Right, who is going first?" she said shaking the hat a little. "Why don't we go by the eldest… Stefan your birthdays the earliest in the year right?"

With a little amusement, he put his hand in the hat, nodding a little as he read the name. Azalea shook the hat again.

"Ohh, I want to go next," Caroline said.

The redhead closed her eyes and drew a name making sure no one else could see she checked the it.

Stefan

She smiled making sure I didn't look up at him, she crumpled the paper into her pocket. As it was one of the group members that knew about the magical world, she knew she was going to get them a magical present.

"It is always the last Saturday before Christmas, it's a Mystic Falls tradition." Caroline told her.

They all agreed, and decided to watch some movies before heading back to their homes for the night.

"He is still trying, but it'll get through to him eventually." Damon voice said in her ear.

She sighed putting the phone to the other ear. Pressing her shoulder up so she could use her arms to pour water into the kettle.

"How you doing? Is the blood loss –"

"I'm fine Damon, I have ways around that," she said, hearing a knock on her door. She frowned, grabbing the phone with her hand again.

"I'm going to have to go, when is Ellie coming over?"

"Tonight, he's gotta learn," Damon said.

"Ok, keep me posted." She said, hanging up as she opened the door. Their was a group of girls on her porch.

Caroline frowned at her, stunned expression, and pyjamas.

"You forgot," she said disapprovingly.

"Forgot?" she pressed.

"We're going to a city to get presents," Bonnie said.

Azalea shared a look with Elena.

"Ok ok, let me throw some clothes on," she said, rushing up the stairs two at a time. Caroline and the others followed her up. Caroline had told the redhead the least she could do as she had forgotten is allow her to pick her outfit. Though amused the others agreed with Caroline. Caroline was happy raiding Azalea's wardrobe, and after forty-five minutes she had picked Azalea's second year Weasley jumper where Mrs Weasley had made her a lilac jumper with an owl that looked like Hedwig, and a brown skirt to wear under it. Though she had begrudged the long trip to Raleigh, she couldn't help but think it was a little like the train. The nature rolling by as they went. She learnt an American game involving licence plates. They were all shocked as she soon racked up more points than any of them.

"Why are you so good at this game!" Caroline said furiously, as Azalea called out an Arizona plate.

"I'm a seeker," she said beaming at them. The two who were in on the secret's eyes widened then they burst out laughing.

"Ok, yeah yeah, but seriously how are you so good at this?" Caroline said as she glanced back using the mirror.

"I'm just good at spotting small things Care," she said, smiling at her through the mirror. Caroline sensed she wasn't going to get anymore and frowned.

"Ohio plate,"

"Seriously!" Caroline's outrage was barely heard over the other three laughing.

After another two hours, Caroline parked the car near the city centre, and the girls piled out of the car.

"Ok, I'll go to the boutique, then we can just look around for a but, before we get lunch. Split up and get presents for Secret Santa." Caroline said checking her watch.

"Sounds good," Bonnie said.

"I can buy a North Caroline mug now,"

"Yeah," Elena said smiling at her.

"So that's Virginia, Georgia and now North Carolina,"

"Georgia?" Bonnie and Caroline said together.

"Don't ask, long story." Azalea said rolling her eyes.

They group spent another three hours in the city before they piled back into the car on the way back to Mystic Falls.

Dear Diary,

It's nearly Christmas, and a part of me is excited, yet another part of me just knows that this is the first Christmas without them… The first Christmas since they had died… The other day I saw a book that was perfect for Hermione, then I remembered. The friends I have made here have been very supportive and I am sure it will be great to celebrate with a blood relative who doesn't hate me, yet I just can't seem to find the Christmas spirit this year.

On the note of my new vampire friends, I am now using something once used for torture to help. So that's different. I am thinking of writing an article to help wizards understand that we need to be better to other species that live in our world, otherwise, maybe once I am gone, another will rise. Just like Voldemort. The magical community is full of various people who need help. The otherness that we create helps no one. I am going to work on creating a better community for all of us. Including SPEW for Hermione… I know if she was still here Hermione would be right beside me, and we would get the whole thing done so much faster.

Azalea smiled down at the page, as she imagined Hermione in court, arguing for the rights of House Elves and Werewolves. Her heart tugged with the empty loneliness that shot through her. She had the resurrection stone… maybe she could…

No.

She told herself firmly, that was a slippery slope, she told herself she had to wait till their first-year anniversary. She couldn't rely on the stone for her grief.

She took a deep breath and started writing again.

I am going to ask Draco to begin some of the paperwork to make a law enforcing that House Elves are to be given pay and sick leave. We both know that the Elves are too conditioned to want holidays yet. We know change won't happen overnight, but hopefully – with my fame – within our lifetime we will have ensured that change will continue to flourish.

Good job we live longer than Muggles.

I am impressed that I have managed to write in here once every two weeks. Perhaps my goal for the new year will be make this weekly. I know Hermione would want me to.

We'll see.

"I need more blood." Stefan growled, kicking a table into pieces.

"You'll get what you are given or you will throw up the other stuff." She replied crossing her arms as though she was talking to a child throwing a tantrum.

Damon caught his brother as he lunged at the redhead, who had not uncrossed her arms and raised a stern eyebrow.

"Stefan," Damon grunted, keeping his brother back.

"We are all here to help you, Stefan." She reminded him, walking to the chair to get ready to donate.

Unphased by Stefan due to compulsion, the nurse began to prepare the equipment, and drew her blood.

"Breathe Stefan, deep breaths. Control it." Damon ordered him. The younger Salvatore stopped snarling and glaring and closed his eyes, and took a deep breath.

She began to drink her blood replenish as the nurse removed the second blood bag from her.

"Right, I'll see you both tomorrow." She smiled. As she was about to walk through the door she heard a crunch and a thud.

Spinning she saw Damon on the floor and Stefan jumping towards her. His face went from snarling to shocked as the field around the redhead activated, sending him backwards and knocking him out. She flicked her wand elevating the unconscious ripper and guiding him down to the downstairs cell. Locking him in she made her way upstairs and began to tap Damon's face.

When he woke he sat up alert, to his relief he saw it was Lea who was shaking him, and Stefan was no where to be seen.

"I put Stefan in a timeout downstairs," she told him, helping him to his feet.

He raised an eyebrow at her.

"I told you," she smiled, "I'm a lot more capable than you all think I am."

Thanks for reading, and leaving your kind messages!

See you next time! xx