(A/N): Hey Guys! This chapter is a little bit confusing (not chess tournament confusing, but still), so I must warn you.

Disclaimer: I own nothing but Leo, Elaine, Shari, Nicholai, Mia and Brooke.

Elaine

It was late at night, the second day of summer holidays, when I was preparing for bed, when I heard a tapping at my window.

I froze before turning around slowly, releasing a quiet, relieved sigh as I found it was only an owl. My owl, actually, Lawrence.

I knew that Leo had sent me a letter, seeing as no one else would use Lawrence, as they had their own owls. Or Lily, seeing as her family were muggles, but that's beside the point.

Leo's dad and Shari didn't really see the point in having an owl, due to the fact that they all lived in the same house. After all, most vampires weren't exactly hard to recognise, and sticking together was probably for the best.

I tiptoed over to the window, unlatching and pushing the window up to allow Lawrence admittance.

"Hey boy, what ya got there?" I cooed to him quietly, petting him lightly with two knuckles while untying the rolled up letter from his leg.

Unraveling the parchment, I started to read, noting that it was, in fact, from Leo.

Dear Elaine,

You told me to write, and in fear of being beaten up, I oblige.

I rolled my eyes at the formal sort of tone before continuing to read through the letter.

How's your summer been so far? It's not exactly far into it, but what else can I say? Shari's been training me till I collapse-

Here, the writing changed. The style was different, and I realised that the person writing it had changed also.

Elaine, dear, don't listen to him, he's just being melodramatic-

The style changed again, and Leo was writing now, I could tell.

Yes, thank you Shari, for that. Anyway, how's your mum? And your (I'm assuming here), brother? The one that hugged you at the station?

Ah, so he was still there for that?

Hoping you are well,

The writing changed again for the next sentence, obviously written by Shari, but was scribbled out. Still readable, but like someone hadn't wanted it to be.

Love you,

Ah, so that's why it was scribbled out!

Leo

P.S: Ignore Shari, I do.

Shari had obviously written the next, and last, line.

P.P.S: Mean.

I smothered my giggles with the back of my hand, and set out to write a reply, smoothing a piece of parchment across the top of my desk, quill in hand.

Dear Leo,

I furrowed my eyebrows. Was 'dear' really the word I wanted to use? Scanning his letter again, I shrugged, thinking that if he had used it, I could.

Smart boy for writing then, eh?

My summer's been good, so far. Collapsing huh? I hope you landed on something soft then!

I glared at the letter, trying to get the words to fit right.

Shari, he's always being melodramatic, but that doesn't mean you get to steal his letter. My mum's fine, as always. Yes that was my brother at the station (Jay), and he's fine also. Active, as always, but fine.

How's that gigantic mansion-like house you live in? Still humongous?

And here's a James-esque question, played any Quidditch recently? I know how much you like it, and it's important that you do something you actually want to do, as long as you're training, right?

Have fun being active,

Damsel

Yes, I signed it Damsel. I have to admit, I was now used to the nickname, and I didn't entirely hate it, as long as it was for irony.

I tied the letter to Lawrence's leg, after giving him some water and a few treats.

"Are you ready for another trip boy?" He bobbed his head downwards, like he could actually understand me, and I lifted him up to the window, where he spread his wings and took off into the coal black night.

I sat there, staring out at the field behind our house, before I heard my door creak open, and spun around.

"Izzy? You still up?" Jay whispered, as his head peered around the edge of the door, probably having seen the light from my lamp shining under the door.

"Yeah, couldn't sleep." I lied, but he seemed to believe me.

"Me neither." He sat on the edge of my bed before glancing up at me, seeing as I was higher than him now. "Nightmares?" I shook my head.

"No. Not tonight." He stared at me for a second before nodding.

"I'm glad." He seemed to think for a second. "Your friends..." He trailed off, glancing down at his lap as he picked at my bedspread with his fingernails.

"What about them?" I asked bluntly, curious. He looked back up at me, smiling, though the smile was slightly sad.

"Your friends, do they know?" I blinked, leaning against the cupboard in front of my bedroom window lightly, biting my lip.

"Only one." I prayed to Merlin that he wouldn't ask which, but apparently, the wise wizard had something else on his mind.

"Which one?" His tone was slightly sharp, and I knew exactly what he was thinking. And he was half-right.

"Leo." I told him softly, and he shook his head roughly.

"Izzy-" I cut him off, staring at the ground.

"I didn't tell him." I whispered, still loud enough for him to hear, loud enough for him to stop talking and listen. "He saw one of my scars," I pulled aside the shoulder of my nightshirt to show him the all too familiar scar. "And deduced it from that." I didn't mention Leo's own parental abuse. It wasn't my secret to tell, especially to Jay.

"Oh." He muttered quietly, looking somewhat ashamed. "I'm sorry that-" I shook my head, cutting him off.

"You don't need to apologise Jay. People make stupid mistakes because of petty crushes," He stared at me again now. "but this wasn't one of them." He smiled slightly, though it quickly dissolved into a frown.

"So you do like him?" I stared at him for a second before nodding dumbly.

"I do." He frowned even more, staring at a spot behind me.

"And does he like you?" I thought back, to everything the others had said.

"I honestly don't know." They said he liked me, but how could he? It was just all so confusing. Jay stood, and pulled me to his chest, wrapping his arms around me. I may have been fairly short even for my age, but Jay was several years older, and at almost Leo and Remus's degree of height. Those two towered over everyone in our year, and some people in the years above us.

"If he does, I'll kill him." I wrinkled my nose slightly, knowing he was probably about halfway serious. "If he doesn't, he'll come around." He finished, his tone softer, though his embrace hadn't lifted.

"You're one of the nicest, prettiest girls I know sis, and sooner or later, he'll realise that, be sure of it."

(A/N): So, what did you think?

Aw, Jay's a big softie! ...sort of.

Please review and/or check out my other stories!

P.S: To all my reviewers, old and new, I would like to give a huge thank you, because you guys are so awesome for sticking with me so long!

This chapter has had minor edits made to it on 29/12/22