Ignoring people concerns for her safety with Isobel in town, the redhead made her way to the school to help her friend built the Miss Mystic float. She was working on the sketches and the general design, before passing the plans over to the teams who were building it. She has quickly said hello to Caroline. Bonnie had cornered her about being out when Isobel had threatened her. The redhead reminded her that she had only threatened her if Elena didn't meet her. Before her friend could argue anymore, she rushed to help Dana who seemed to have tied a knot in one of the ribbons. She helped untie it then decided to stay around people who the others could not speak in front of as a precaution.

BANG!

As her head whipped around, she heard a yell in pain. She could see Matt was under the float, she started making her way towards the group. By the time she was halfway through the crowd of people Stefan had reached them and they had gotten Matt out.

"Jeremy!"

Azalea turned at Elena crying out for her brother. She scanned the area and couldn't see him anywhere. She began to look for Bonnie so that they could try and do a locator spell together, as she got to the outer area of the crowds she saw a dark-haired woman, she was smiling at her.

Isobel.

She began to head back towards the crowd, but the vampire was right in front of her in a flash.

"Aunt Iz," Azalea said dryly.

"Hello Azalea," she smiled. "Come with me, or I will kill everyone here," Isobel gestured for her to walk away from the crowd. Walking with her back to the redhead, knowing that her niece would follow. Her hand firmly on her wand inside her pocket, Azalea followed Isobel away from the crowd. As soon as Elena's cries for her brother were no longer in her hearing range. Azalea stopped knowing that Isobel would hear. She waited til the amused vampire turned to face her.

"Where is Jeremy?"

Isobel laughed once.

"You are not in any position to be making demands," she said smiling.

"Jeremy," Azalea repeated, crossing her arms.

"Very demanding little thing," she said eyeing Azalea up and down. "Hmmm maybe a lesson in manners."

Isobel blurred forward, before Azalea could touch the holly stick, the vampire was thrown back with a flash of light and flew back into the pile of rubbish. She smirked, taking her wand out of her pocket and walking towards her.

"Yeah, no. It's gunna take more than that." She said as she reached Isobel, who was removing a plastic cup lid from her head. "I have learnt a lot about vampire abilities this year," she smiled. "Jeremy?" she repeated. Isobel snarled at her before she blurred away. She tried to stun the vampire, hitting a car instead. Frustrated, she put another protective spell up, and made her way back to tell the others what had just happened.

"Lea!"

"Lea!"

Frowning at the calling of her name, she picked up the pace. Stefan's relieved face was the first she saw. He rushed to her, putting a hand on her arm.

"Are you all right?"

"I'm fine, I couldn't get her to tell me where Jeremy was."
"You were with Isobel?"

"She told me to go with her, she's gone."

"Lea!" Elena rushed and hugged her. "You're ok? We were so worried."

"I'm fine," she reassured her.

"Did she try and take you?" Stefan asked.

"I handled it,"

"Oh my God," Elena covered her mouth, then raked her hand through her hair. "She already has Jeremy."

"We'll get him back Elena," Azalea said taking her friend's hand.

"You are going home. Isobel has made it clear that she isn't done with you." Stefan said, looking at her sternly as he put his phone to his ear. "Damon…"

Despite her protests, Alaric and Damon marched her home. Where a familiar face was waiting on the porch.

"Sheila?" She said in surprised; the older witch raised an eyebrow at her.

"Sounds like you and Bonnie are right in the middle of all this vampire business."

"I'm sorry Bonnie keeps being dragged into this,"

"Though I may not agree with what my granddaughter is doing, I am proud of her."

Azalea frowned, looking between the group for an answer.

"As we speak, she is unspelling the device to give to that wretched woman." She said. "But if it keeps you safe," she cupped the redheads face. "I am willing to hunt down vampire's one at a time instead." She said eyeing Damon. Her tone was mostly teasing but had the undertone of threat.

"Happy to help," he said smirking at her.

"You are locked in here until further notice."

Azalea, no longer amused. Glared at her in shock.

"Wha –"

"You are clearly a target, and if she gets you, she will be able to get us, and the core magical community to surrender to her wills. You can't risk her getting that kind of access. We have no idea what her plans are, but unlike most vampires she knows about your kind… I sense big things coming. I will come here for your next lesson child." She said as she walked out of the house.

"Ric, make sure she doesn't do anything stupid." Damon said, winking at her, before he too left the house. "I got plots to foil. Make sure she's tucked in for nine –" Damon dodged the hex the redhead threw his way. "Grumpy," he pouted at her, before smirking irritatingly. He blew her a kiss before blurring out the house. She grunted in frustration.

"Ric, this is ridiculous."

"The best way you can help is to stay out of the way. We'd rather not find out what these plans for you are."

She went to argue, then sighed.

"Fine,"

"I'll take it. Now." He clapped. "Let's improve your Muggle knowledge with a movie night."
She laughed once, not sure if he was kidding or not.

It turned out he wasn't. They watched some of what her uncle was calling the 'need to know' films that would be suspicious if she hadn't seen. After the second film they ordered pizza.

Excited when she heard the knock at the door she stood up, but her uncle gestured for her to stay as he grabbed his wallet and made his way to the door.

She jumped in alarm as she heard the slam.

"Wha –"

"Ric I need to talk to you."

Azalea immediately recognised the voice. She took out her wand. That woman had some nerve. "I need to talk to you and Azalea, about her safety."

The two stared at each other for a long moment. Alaric looked at the redhead who nodded, wand out and pointing. He opened the door.

"Her as in Elena?" Azalea stepped forward.

"No," Isobel smiled gently at the emerald orbs. "You." She turned back to Alaric. "She's valuable to the vampire community. Keep her safe… hidden. Goodbye Ric. Goodbye Azalea."

The spell was removed from the house the following morning. By the rest of the week the school had completed the floats and were reading of the parade on Saturday morning. The school had allowed the students to go home at lunchtime on the Friday to finish off costumes and as a reward for their work over the week. Unfortunately for Alaric, this hadn't been extended to teachers and staff. Azalea had decided to spend her time finishing of one of her paintings, as she had begun to work on the grey of the wispy moonlit clouds, she heard a knock on the door.

There was a knock on the door, the redhead put her brush down, and made her way towards the door; smiling as she saw a familiar brunette.

"Hey, I was just painting. Come in, I can get us a snack." she said, gesturing for Elena to come inside.

"Sorry Lea, I am just checking in before heading to Stefan's," she said, stepping into the house. "Given what Isobel told us about you being in danger too." She said in concern, Azalea smiled warmly.

"I'm fine Elena, this isn't my first brush with danger,"

"Uh speaking of brush," she said with an amused smile, the brunette brushed her own forehead. Frowning Azalea reached up, and checked in the mirror she saw there was some grey paint in her hair.

"Well," she said wiping it away. "I've had enough stress in my life to have some of that already," she teased. They both laughed. "In all seriousness though Elena, I am fine. Let me know if you ever need anything ok,"

Elena nodded smiling.

"Well don't want to leave Stefan waiting, he'll probably think I was attacked on the way over," she laughed a little as she spoke, rolling her eyes.

"I mean recently, I reckon that's not even a far of fear."

"Before I go, can I see your painting?" she smiled.

"Sure," she said walking towards the stairs.

After Elena left the redhead finished the painting, had a shower and got herself a cup of tea. She looked out the window into the darkening evening, as she watched the blues creep towards black. She heard her phone buzzing on the table. She frowned at the unknown number.

"Hello?" she said.

"Ah Azalea, I am glad I caught you."

"Oh Mrs Lockwood, what can I do for you?" Azalea was surprised.
"Elena gave me your number. I have a favour to ask,"

"Oh, er, sure. What'd you need?"

"Amber has the flu, and we have made the float to allow all the Miss Mystic Falls contestants to be there. It will look odd if there is a space, so I was wondering if you would fill in for her."

"Oh, ummm."

"You would really be doing the whole town a favour." She probed the redhead.

"I er…" then she began to grin, this was a good opportunity to have a laugh with the Salvatore brothers. She was also curious of how she would have looked during the period. "Sure, no problem." She said.

"Thank you so much Azalea! We will make sure a dress is altered for you in time. We really owe you one."

As the older woman hung up, the redhead smiled, texting Elena about the turn of events and telling her to keep it secret from the brothers, she wanted to see the look on their faces.

Whoop whoop! Thank you all for being so patient with me I hope you all enjoyed this chapter! xx