(A/N): I wrote this chapter yesterday, but wanted to wait until I had the next chapter written before I posted it, in case I had another migraine attack and had to miss a day.

Leo

Elaine's reply to my letter arrived with Lawrence late the day after Lisbet and I had visited her mother and brother, and I retired to my bedroom to read it in relative peace.

Dear Leo,

Thanks for letting me know in advance that the letter was private. It wasn't an issue at that time because I was alone when I received it, but the heads up was appreciated nonetheless. Yes, my mother sent me a letter about it- and so did my father.

I bit my lip, worried about what that letter could possibly have been about.

Turns out my father wants to speak to the three of us (Jay, mum and I), and so he said he'll try again once summer comes because he knows I'll definitely be home by then.

Just because he says he'll wait until summer, doesn't mean we were going to relax our watch on the Folley household until then.

Alice came and got me from the common room because she was concerned about the fact all three owls showed up at once (you, mum and my father).

Well that was nice of Alice.

Tell Danniel I said 'thank you' for being willing to step in to stop my father, and tell Lisbet I'm grateful for her effort- not only keeping watch, but also for going to the meeting with you. My mother didn't mention anything about you being a vampire, but she did call Lisbet your aunt? Is that something you're aware is happening?

Unfortunately, yes. So, Audrey hadn't said anything to Elaine about my being a vampire, even though I had told her she knew what I was.

She also said you 'seem like a very nice young man', so I think she likes you.

Uh... I don't know what to say to that. At least she didn't see me as a bloodthirsty monster hellbent on destroying her family?

I don't mind that you didn't consult me first about the plan- you didn't have time, and I know you wouldn't do anything that would put any of us at risk, or do something you knew that I wouldn't approve of. It's definitely partially my fault that we didn't have a plan in place for what to do if he did come- I really didn't think he'd have the nerve to actually show his face, but apparently I underestimated him.

I didn't like that she blamed herself, even partially, for not planning ahead when it came to her father possibly attacking her or the rest of her family.

Should I count the charm as my Christmas present? (joking)

Good thing she was joking, or I might have to return her gift.

Love, Elaine

PS: I'm sure she was trying to comfort you, but I can see why that might make you a bit uncomfortable.

Uncomfortable wasn't the right word. It was nice, I just didn't know how to react to that sort of thing.

PPS: I didn't realise my mother didn't know Jay and I were aware of my fathers vampire hunting work. I'll have to talk to her about that at some point.

I thought about how glad I was that I wouldn't have to be there for that conversation, as I prepared my response.

Dear Elaine,

We didn't know how else to introduce Lisbet, so she said she was my aunt. That then developed into your mother asking me about my 'favorite aunt' after I gave them a brief description of the rest of my family so they knew who to expect to respond if they did need to call us for help.

I remembered that I had told Audrey and Jay about Danniel, Jo and Shari, but hadn't mentioned my father. Hopefully, that wouldn't come up in conversation with Elaine.

Just because your father says he'll wait until summer, doesn't mean we're going to relax until then. We'll be sure to keep an eye out, even with the charms in place. Ha ha, if you think all you're getting for Christmas is a plastic coin attached to a chain I won't dissuade you, but I advise you not to go looking for where I hid my presents.

We had decided to wait until I got back to exchange gifts that involved me, so I had left my pile of gifts back at Hogwarts, but I didn't particularly trust them not to snoop so I had hidden them with Mia. Let them try to get past her, I dare them.

I know she was trying to comfort me, and I wasn't necessarily uncomfortable, I'm just not used to having someone hold my hand out of the blue like that, and I didn't know how I should react. She said I seemed like a nice young man? And she didn't say anything about what I am?

It was insane to know she had called me a 'nice young man' after knowing what I was, it just didn't compute right in my brain.

You shouldn't blame yourself for not thinking about a plan earlier, none of us did, and I would never think you would expect such actions from your own father.

Love, Leo

PS: I figure I should let you know ahead of time, Lisbet is going to want to contact you some time next summer in order to further expose the twins to humans, in order to expand their tolerances. You won't be in any danger, but I didn't want to spring it on you then. Of course, I'm not very happy with the idea, but Lisbet will be Lisbet...

I sealed the letter up, and attached it to Lawrence's leg.

"Take it when you're ready, bud."

(A/N): Audrey: 'What a nice young man.'

Leo: '...nice? Young man? Me? 0_o'

This chapter has had minor edits made to it on 10/11/23 - Once again, I had to change the knut to a plastic coin, to reflect the change I made in 301.