A/N: Season 2 begins, finally! I just wanted to thank everyone who has followed, favorite, commented this story and kept with it so far you guys are amazing seriously I love to read what you say in the comments and adore when you say that the wait kills you even though I do feel guilty for it as well but bear with me I have a life too anyway thank you so much, all of you and here we go onto season 2, it's a bit short there wasn't much I could do with it and I'm feeling a bit blocked and I'm not very happy with this chapter but hopefully you enjoy it anyway… P.S: Merry Christmas! And Happy New Year!

THE RETURN

Numbness was an all too familiar feeling when it came to moments like this. The moments where Leya felt completely and utterly useless, emotionless, numb. Moments like this came often during her time at Hogwarts but she always had Hermione and Ron to fall back on… but now she didn't have anyone.

Her eyes stared directly in front of her but she couldn't see anything, her breathing came out in short pained pants as if there was a weight on her chest making it hard to breathe. Heartbreak, she realized. The only family member left that had been kind to her was now gone. Her breathing became harsher and the pain increased it was too much, it was all too much.

A guttural piercing scream erupted from her mouth as she slammed her fists into the earth digging her nails in. It was a scream of loss and pain, a scream she had always heard around her and occasionally she herself would let it out on nights where she was alone, nights where she knew no one would hear her.

When Leya could scream no longer she breathed air into her lungs and it felt like the invisible weight that was only moments ago crushing her chest lifted slightly. Everything around her slowly started to come back into focus as Leya looked around, there were splinters of wood everywhere, broken branches leaves in every nook and cranny, there was even a tree completely knocked down on its side.

There was no sound, absolutely nothing except for her own breathing. Leya was sure that if it wasn't the anger and pain she took out on the trees that scared the animals away then it was her screaming. She tried to stand up from her kneeling position but instantly fell back down again, she felt weak and her hands couldn't stop shaking. Leya dug her hands into the earth once more as she hunched over a sob wrecking her body.

A snap of a branch echoed through the woods and unconsciously Leya immediately grabbed her wand which up until that moment had lain forgotten on the ground in front of her, she turned around to face where the sound had come from her stance defensive.

"Easy there, Potter. You don't want to do anything you'll regret." A very familiar voice called out to her.

A laugh bubbled out of her throat as a couple of tears slipped down; he wasn't exactly someone she would willingly choose to see especially after what just happened and the state she was in. But he was still from home.

"How do you know I'd regret hurting you?" Leya snapped but the teasing tone in her voice let the other person know that she had somewhat regained control over her emotions.

"Because who on earth would want to hurt a face as handsome as this?"

"I guess you haven't looked in a mirror lately have you, Malfoy?"

He laughed at her jibe and walked closer until he was kneeling in front of her. Leya looked into his eyes as her breathing slowed until it was in a normal rhythm. "What are you doing here, Malfoy?"

"I know what happened to your aunt."

Leya swallowed thickly her gaze turning sharp. "That doesn't answer my question."

"Your aunt sent an owl to McGonagall." Draco said simply watching as a confused expression fell over her face before continuing. "It said that something might happen to her so she thought that one of your old friends should come here to reel you back in before you did something… explosive. But I think I was a little too late for that." Draco looked around at the mess Leya had created with raised eyebrows.

"Something might happen to her?" Leya muttered angrily. "I should've known all along she was going to kill herself, she was planning it I could see it in her eyes maybe if I had done something – helped her -"

"Stop." Draco said softly but it held such command behind it that Leya complied. "Don't beat yourself up over the 'maybe's' and 'what ifs' it'll kill you on the inside, trust me I would know. What happened is in the past now."

"She was the only person in my family that was kind to me."

"I know." Draco said simply. "But she's gone now, Potter."

Leya's breathing hitched and she pushed him forcefully back, the sheer force she used had the both of them falling backwards. "Why are you here, Malfoy?" Leya bit out anger flaring in her eyes.

"McGonagall was the only one to read the letter so she decided it would be better to send me instead of Weasley or Granger."

"Why?"

"Because she knew that if she sent the both of them or either one you would come back to England in a heartbeat, back to the Wizarding World and it's not safe for you there, not yet."

Leya's eyes lowered to the ground, he was right. She hated to admit it but he was right if Hermione or Ron had come to Mystic Falls within a minuet she would've packed up and left not thinking about the consequences that could've occurred. Leya sniffed and stood her wand gripped firmly in her hand; Draco followed her lead and stood next to her.

"So, where are we going?" He asked titling his head down a little; she was shorter than him but not by much.

Leya opened her mouth to say home but it wasn't her home, it was Daisy's. Leya's home was and will always be Hogwarts but in the time she was away she had forgotten. It was easy to forget she realized, it was easy to forget where you came from. But for the time being she supposed that Daisy's house now belonged to her.

"We're going home."

And with that Leya grabbed Draco's arm tightly and they disappeared with a crack.

"Bonnie!"

At the sound of her name the girl stopped and turned around to see Elena rushing towards her. The panic and worry on her best friends face made Bonnie feel guilty knowing from Matt that it was the device that had made Tyler lose control of the car and Caroline to end up where she was.

It was bad enough to see Leya stumble through the door where the vampires burned with the help of Stefan smoke billowing behind them and to find out from Damon that her aunt was turned by Isobel and died in the fire because the device. But then Bonnie had to learn that Caroline, bubbly, blonde, sweet Caroline was in the hospital as well. The guilt was crushing and the only way she knew to keep it from swallowing her whole was too try to not think about it but it wasn't working out as well as she though it would.

"How's Caroline?" Elena asked getting straight to the point.

Bonnie hesitated before the tried to answer, the words seemed to get stuck in her throat but she forced herself to say them anyway. "She's – She's weak. They don't know if she's going make it."

"What?" Elena breathed in disbelief tears gathering in her eyes. The crushing guilt was back as Bonnie embraced her friend she closed her eyes pushing it back, trying to forget.

"Is there something that you can do? Like a spell or something?" Elena asked her voice slightly frantic as she pulled away from the hug.

Bonnie's face fell and the guilt returned tenfold. She opened her mouth but she didn't know what to say, she wanted to say yes, yes she knew how to save Caroline. Yes she knew how to bring back Leya's aunt because she was sure that the taller girl probably hated her guts for not following through with the plan. But Bonnie couldn't because then she would be lying, again. She didn't know how to do either of those things even though she desperately wished she could.

"She doesn't know how." A voice crooned mockingly before question her. "Do you?"

Her blood boiled as Damon stood next to them. Bonnie looked at Elena and she looked back expecting her answer and through clenched teeth Bonnie muttered no.

"No, you don't because it took Emily years to learn a spell like that." Damon spoke as if he hadn't heard her just say that she didn't know how. He was mocking her and her ability as a witch.

"Well, I can take down a vampire, that spell was easy to learn." Bonnie hissed angrily as she turned on Damon.

He gave her look ignoring her as he turned to face Elena. "I can give Caroline some blood."

"No, no way." Elena denied immediately it was out of the question for her.

"No, just enough to heal her. She'll be safe in the hospital and it will be out of her system in a day, she'll be better, Elena."

"It's too risky, I can't agree to that." Elena said shaking her head.

The words slipped out of her mouth before she even knew what she was saying. "Do it."

Elena turned to her shocked. Why wouldn't she be? Bonnie was saying yes to give Caroline vampire blood, Bonnie who had expressed her distaste for vampires in more ways than one was saying yes.

"This is Caroline." Bonnie said, her feelings, her guilt seeping into her words. "We can't let her die. Do it."

"If I do this…" Damon said as he turned to Bonnie. "You and me, call a truce?"

"No." The answer was simple and it always would be, she hated Damon and that was that, nothing would change her opinion of him. "But you'll do it anyway. For Elena."

Bonnie turned away feeling smug she knew what his weakness was, it was easy to tell. Bonnie was just glad that Elena was in love with the better brother she would have no idea what to think if Elena ended up falling for Damon.

"Hey, witchy." Damon called.

Bonnie stopped annoyed at the nickname; she didn't know how Leya tolerated him let alone let him use that nickname in public no less.

"You have a lot of groveling to do." Damon said seriously and Bonnie instantly knew he was talking about what happened with Leya and her aunt. "I'd get started if I were you."

The guilt returned twentyfold.

Leya clenched the mug of hot chocolate shivering slightly as a breeze swept through the house making the damp hair that stuck to the sides of her face and the back of her neck colder.

"Well it seems like you've certainly hand an interesting time here." Draco said as he sat across from her his own cup of hot chocolate in his hands.

She had just finished telling him everything that happened since she moved to Mystic Falls. And although Draco and Leya had never been close (enemies was more like it) after the war they had learnt to tolerate each other especially since she save his life twice, and his mother had basically saved hers.

"Just when I thought trouble was over I find myself stuck in trouble once more." Leya murmured, she would've never told him this much. If it was Ron or Hermione she would tell them everything within seconds no hesitation, not Draco but he was here when no one else was, he was from home and that's all that mattered to her right now.

"So what are you going to do now, Potter?"

"I – uh I don't know." Leya replied softly shaking her head. "But I do know that I'm not going to… explode, again."

"Well that's a good sign." Draco hesitated before continuing, his eye had been on the time for a while now. "I hate to do this now, Potter but… I have to go."

"What?" Leya's head snapped up and panic entered her eyes. "Don't – don't go. Stay for a bit. Please."

"I'm sorry." Draco whispered his gaze dropping to the floor. He knew that on any other occasion she would gladly kick him out but she was desperate, she didn't want to be alone not right now. She would even take him, Draco Malfoy enemy up until only a few months ago to stay with her.

"I'm on strict orders from McGonagall and I have to get back before the Ministry notices, before certain people notice."

Leya stood at the same time as Draco and followed him to the entrance of the house. "Malfoy, wait please."

He ignored her and started to talk. "I'll tell Weasley and Granger you said hello and McGonagall that you're fine. You'll be okay, Potter. You're stronger than you know."

"Draco, please…" It wasn't the first time she uttered his name with desperation.

Draco was suddenly pulled back to his home, back to a different time when his aunt was asking if the person she held her wand to was in fact Cattleya Potter. He had leaned down until they were practically touching noses, he knew who she was the moment the snatchers pulled the trio through the door but he hesitated and she had whispered so quietly that he was sure it was all in his head. Draco, please… she had whispered the desperation that filled her eyes had him stuttering for an answer. He couldn't take it anymore.

Leya watched as Draco left an old Muggle pen clutched in his hand – Portkey. She looked around her, there was no one it was completely and utterly empty. Her breathing grew heavy and she sat down on the floor as she whispered to no one. "I don't want to be alone."

Bonnie sighed as she walked around the array of food displayed on the table in front of her. She was at the memorial for Mayor Lockwood and even though she hadn't particularly liked him that much he was still their Mayor and she was brought up to always pay her respects when someone passed.

She was in a pretty good mood having just visited Caroline at the hospital which was bit of an emotional affair. Caroline had sat there happily chatting away about how the food at the hospital was as horrendous as they made it seem on TV and about how bored she was because there was nothing to do as Bonnie sat there smiling through it all. Knowing Caroline was ok had lessened the guilt considerably and she was happy that one of her closest friends since however long ago was getting better but that didn't mean that the guilt of Leya and her aunt didn't linger on the back of her mind. To be truthful Bonnie half wanted to avoid Leya for the next couple of days but she knew that their meeting was inevitable. They had to run into each other at some point.

Bonnie looked up as she saw Damon walk in and stand near her also looking at the food displayed. She needed a distraction and for the moment she guessed Damon would do. "Did you know the Gilbert device affected Tyler Lockwood?" She began as she walked closer to him.

"Well, I know it took the Mayor down." Damon replied smirking slightly.

"Don't you want to know why?" She asked curiously tilting her head.

"Yes, Bonnie, I would love to know why a non-vampire was tortured by the vampire torture device that you let John Gilbert use against us. Speaking of your guilt, how's Leya and Caroline?" Damon replied sneeringly turning to face her.

"Caroline's much better." Bonnie said calmly even though she felt anything but calm. She had purposefully ignored the topic of Leya knowing that she hadn't really done much in that regard.

"You're welcome." Damon said in reply to Caroline's health but smirked at her knowingly as Leya's name wasn't brought up.

"No, you're welcome." Bonnie snapped feeling her anger rise.

"Why am I welcome?"

"You live to see another day."

Damon rolled his eyes. "No good deed goes unpunished with you, does it?"

"It doesn't undo the bad." Bonnie lectured. "I know what you are, Damon, you might have Elena and the Sheriff and everybody else fooled but not me. One wrong move and I'm gonna take you out."

"Now you need to stop with the Witches' brew. You're starting to believe your own press." Damon scoffed looking down at her.

Bonnie's expression grew dark as her anger flared up in her. She focused all her energy on Damon and within seconds he was groaning in pain as he clutched at his head. It was easy to take down a vampire he couldn't say that she didn't warn him.

"Oh, I'm sorry, you were saying?" Bonnie asked mockingly sweet as she smiled smugly at him.

Without another word Bonnie walked away her anger and guilt was building up and she knew that any second that her magic would probably lash out at something or more specifically at someone and she hoped it would be Damon. But she had to remember what her Grams had told her. She had to stay calm or else something bad might happen but to do that she need someone to talk to (more like rant really) but Caroline was in the hospital, Leya probably never wanted to speak to her again let alone see her and Elena was…

Elena was standing outside on the front porch thank God! Bonnie walked over already feeling some of the anger lift at the sight of her best friend.

"Oh my God! Damon drives me crazy." Bonnie began straight off walking up to her. "He's walking around like he's some kind of hero for healing Caroline when it's his fault all of this happened in the first place."

"I'm sorry, Bonnie. What Damon's done is just awful." Elena said looking at her with concerned eyes.

"Okay, better." Bonnie said smiling as she breathed a sigh of relief. "Hateful Damon moment over."

Bonnie laughed a little as Elena smiled at her amused and she reached out to touch her arm. The feeling washes over her almost immediately, it was the exact same feeling she got whenever she touched Stefan or Damon. The cold dead feeling spread through her veins like ice cold water and she knew that the person she was talking to was not her best friend.

"Oh, um I've got to find Tyler and pay my respects." Bonnie said trying to stay calm and not give anything away. "I'll be back."

"Okay." The girl impersonating Elena replied with a smile and Bonnie hoped that she didn't know that Bonnie knew something was wrong.

Bonnie walked away and once she was far enough from the Elena impersonator who actually might be Katherine now that she thinks about it she took out her phone and started to call Elena. She picked up on the first ring.

"Elena? Where are you?" Bonnie asked her, her voice coming off a little nervous.

"Bonnie, I know I'm late. I'm getting in the car now. I'll be there in five." Elena explained rushed hanging up the phone. Bonnie shakily put her phone back into her bag and turned around gasping as Katherine stood behind her.

"We haven't officially met. I'm Katherine."

"I know who you are." Bonnie said her body taking a defensive stance as Katherine started to walk towards her.

"Of course you do." Katherine said surpassing her and turning around. Bonnie's back was now facing the only way out of the room, it was not a good position to be in. "You're the best friend right? I've been putting all the pieces of Elena's life together. Isobel told me it was a bit of a puzzle. I do know who Jenna and Jeremy are and I met that delicious ex-boyfriend Matt, who's sweet on Caroline…"

Bonnie took a step back surprised at how much Katherine actually knew. It was like she's been here for weeks just spying on them, getting all the details of Elena's life.

"And then there's you." Katherine said and Bonnie's heart froze. "The vampire-hating Bennett Witch. Did I do good?"

Bonnie took another step back as Katherine smirked at her. "Oh, wait! Let's not forget the other Witch. The wand-wielder, Leya isn't it, now you're not in a very good position with her are you. She's an interesting one I must say."

Bonnie turned quickly and tried to get the hell out of the room and to a place that was full of people. She was sure Katherine would never attack someone in place where there were dozens of witnesses. But Bonnie wasn't fast enough; as soon as she had turned Katherine was already standing in front of her.

Bonnie focused chanting the spell in her head and it's immediate effect had Katherine grabbing her head in pain. Bonnie started to feel her confidence boost knowing she had the upper hand until Katherine started to chuckle letting go of her head to look at her.

"I've been around a long time, Bonnie; you're gonna have to do better than that." Katherine said grabbing Bonnie by the throat and pushing her against the wall. The whites of her eyes turn blood red and her fangs appeared as she grinned at her.

"Let go of her." A familiar accented voice enunciated slowly and Bonnie looked to Katherine's side to see Leya hold up her wand to Katherine's head. "Now."

Complying Katherine let go of her turning her impressed gaze to Leya who still held her wand except this time it was pointed towards her heart. "Well, well, well, I finally get to meet the chosen one. I'm impressed."

Leya's grip tightened around her wand and her gaze grew sharp at what Katherine had called her. Neither girl looked away from each other until the double doors opened revealing Stefan.

"Katherine." He greeted.

"Stefan." Katherine purred back looking him up and down as if she hadn't seen him in a century but she knew better.

"Leave them alone."

"Okay." Katherine replied smiling at both Leya and Bonnie as she walked past them and to Stefan tracing her finger across his chest as she walked past him.

Stefan looked to Bonnie and Leya before following Katherine out into the main room. The silence between Bonnie and Leya was deafening and you could cut the tension in the room with a knife as Bonnie turned to look at Leya but she wouldn't look at her.

"Leya -"

"I have to go." Leya interrupted trying to walk around Bonnie. "Uh, I don't really do memorials and I've already paid my respects to Tyler and Mrs. Lockwood so I think I might go home or something."

"Leya, please." Bonnie pleaded. "I'm sorry, I'm so sorry. You have no idea how much the guilt has been eating me up but you have to understand that all of this started with Damon."

"No, Bonnie." Leya snapped turning to her. "My aunt is dead because you failed to deactivate the Gilbert device."

"I didn't have a choice there were still other vampires from the tomb out there. What would've happened if the device didn't actually work? A lot of people would be dead right now!" Bonnie said defending herself.

Leya knew she was right, she hated it but she knew she was right. And she admits that but it still hurt. "You're right, Bonnie. You're always right but it doesn't take away the fact that my aunt is dead, gone. And yeah maybe she had a tough time and she didn't want to be a vampire anymore but she could've talked to me. You could've talked to me about not deactivating the device. But whatever, what's done is done."

"Leya." Bonnie's voice grew soft and sympathy practically leaked through her every pore as she realized Leya's aunt had willingly stayed down there. She killed herself.

Leya's breathing grew soft but her heart beat didn't slow down. It still beat at a hundred miles per minute and she could feel her magic coiling in her like a snake ready to strike. She knew it wasn't Bonnie's fault but still she was in pain and right now the only thing that was registering in her head was that Bonnie had basically killed her aunt. Her magic wanted to lash out but she couldn't let that happen so without another word she left.