(A/N): Hey Guys! So, here's the next chapter, which, if you've read the chapter name- go on, do it now. Do it. DO IT NOW! Ahem... You can tell it contains a surprise or reveal of some sort. But what sort? Muhahaha

Disclaimer: I own nothing you recognise.

Leo

A few days later, and it was September first again, and time to go back to Hogwarts. Shari accompanied me to the platform, pulling me into a quick, tight hug before I departed, giving her a short wave as I boarded the train. I passed Mia in the corridor, flinching as I saw the bruise on her cheek, skillfully hidden by makeup. I squeezed her hand as I did so, and felt her swallow thickly, knowing I had seen it, even though no one else could. As I entered the carriage, I knew someone else had seen it as well. "Your sister has a bruise." Elaine informed me, her concern evident, even though she was trying to hide it. Luckily, only Elaine, Remus, and Peter were in the carriage- it was still early after all.

"I know." Remus raised an eyebrow, and I nodded slightly, just enough to confirm his thoughts.

"I would have thought you'd freak over a bruise," Peter piped up, and I turned my gaze to him. "Well, you are super protective of her," He explained, and I hesitated before shrugging.

"We're used to it," I said shortly, as James and Sirius entered the carriage.

"Used to what?" James asked, obviously suspicious, and Elaine shot him a look.

"Just something that happened over the summer." Technically, true.

"You may be used to Leo things, but I'm not," Sirius said, shaking his head with widened eyes.

"Oh, trust me, we're not used to it," Remus murmured, and I grinned at him.

"It's just... so weird." I rolled my eyes at Sirius's statement.

"It's not that weird." Sirius raised an eyebrow.

"It is! Leo, you're a-" He exclaimed, only to cut himself off as Lily pulled the door open.

"Why are you all staring at me?" She asked, glancing between each of us.

"Because you look more beautiful every day," Both James and I told her at the same time, and she rolled her eyes.

"Right. A secret." Peter squeaked in the corner, and Sirius's eyes darted first to him, and then to me, glaring at him as I was. "What?" Lily asked Peter, eyes focused entirely on the poor boy.

Peter hesitated, glancing at me before shaking his head furiously. "I'm sorry Lily, but I'd like to keep my legs." Lily huffed, looking frustrated, before grabbing Peter's arm.

"I understand, Peter," She said, looking to me. "A death threat from a part veela must be terrifying." We all froze.

"So," I said frostily. "Who told?" I didn't bother glancing around at the others, I already knew they were innocent.

"Lisbet." I raised an eyebrow.

"Leo, don't," Elaine murmured, grabbing my hand.

"That's twice." She nodded.

"I'm sure she has a good reason," She reassured me as the train started to move.

"Like what?" I asked, but she was at a loss.

As we descended from the train, now donned in our school robes, I saw Mia with a group of first years.

"You'll be fine guys, don't listen to those Gryffindor boys." Indeed, James and Sirius had been scaring the newbies since second year.

"Come on, we're not all bad," I piped up, appearing behind Mia and causing her to jump.

"First years, meet my brother, Leo. He shares a dorm with those nuisances." I shot the nervous looking first years a grin.

"They're harmless, really. Just try to avoid the Gryffindor women, they will mess you up." With the first years looking even more worried, Mia ushered me away, and I rejoined my group of friends at the carriages, chuckling quietly. We reached the castle in only minutes, and made our way to the Great Hall, taking seats at our respective tables. A little bit later, Dumbledore gestured for quiet and as the hall hushed, the doors opened, revealing Minnie with the first years in tow. I located Mia in the crowd, and knew immediately she was watching her first year friends.

"Noele Aaron?" A short, blonde girl made her way up to the stool, taking a seat as McGonagall placed the sorting hat on her head.

"Ravenclaw!" The hat yelled almost instantly, and Noele's blue eyes lit up.

She returned the hat to McGonagall before joining her peers at the Ravenclaw table.

"Gerard Bens?" A boy with dark brown, almost black hair moved forward, and as he took his seat, I saw the fresh terror in his light brown eyes.

"Hufflepuff!" The sorting hat exclaimed, and Gerard took his place at the Hufflepuff table beside Mia.

"Dahrya Jeyms?" A tall- well, tall for first year- girl with auburn hair and deep green eyes had the hat placed on her head, and I saw her swallow thickly. As she turned and sat on the stool, her eyes met mine as if completely by chance, and I couldn't look away. The daze was eventually broken, however, as the hat bellowed its verdict.

"Slytherin!" The hat yelled, and she didn't look particularly relieved, so I guessed that she wasn't a pureblood.

"Llouma Maars?" The girl who stepped up had light, ginger hair, grey eyes and pale skin, and I noticed a scar that ran down the side of her face, mostly hidden by her hair. She didn't seem particularly scared or nervous-

"Gryffindor!" Ah, that explains it. And with that, all of Mia's first year friends had been sorted.

(A/N): What did you think?

OOH, LILY KNOWS! You know- somewhat.

Now, I don't think Mia, as a- wait, what is she now? A second year? Would wear makeup very often, but she would use it in order to hide a bruise or scratch.

Please review and/or check out my other stories!

This chapter has had some small edits made to it on 30/12/22

This chapter has had some small edits made to it on 19/01/24 - changed Dahrya's eyes to green instead of hazel, because I already thought they were, and that's kind of becoming a plot point.