(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 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 sending me on my way, and I gave her a short wave right as I boarded the train. I saw Mia in the corridor and winced as I noticed the bruise on her cheek through the makeup she had hidden it with; I squeezed her hand as I passed 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; 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, that was true.

"You may be used to Leo things, but I'm not," Sirius said, and Elaine and Remus shared a look that was distinctly frustrated.

"Oh, trust me, we're not used to it," Remus muttered, 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 abruptly 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 just the same as I was. "What?" Lily asked Peter, the full weight of her attention 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 resting a hand on Peter's arm comfortingly.

"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 so much as glancing around at the others, I already knew they were innocent- if only because I could smell the shock on all of them.

"Lisbet."

I cocked an eyebrow more out of anger than surprise, and Elaine grabbed my hand. "Leo, don't," She murmured, which only worked to calm me down any because it was her.

"That's twice." She nodded.

"I'm sure she has a good reason," She reassured me as the train started to move, and I ducked my head to be able to look her in the eye properly.

"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, making Mia jump as I suddenly appeared behind her, and I felt her roll her eyes more than saw it.

"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, still laughing quietly. We reached the castle in only about ten to fifteen minutes and made our way to the Great Hall, and everyone took their seats at their respective tables; I spotted Brooke further down the Gryffindor table and waved, which she returned with only minimal teasing from her friends, then checked on Mia briefly before Dumbledore gestured for quiet. As the hall hushed, the doors opened, revealing Minnie with the first years in tow. I located Mia in the crowd again, and knew without a doubt that she was watching over 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, gingery 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.

This chapter has had edits made to it on 7/2/25 - formatting and reconfiguring of sentences. Added Elaine and Remus sharing a look that was 'distinctly frustrated'. Added Leo saying that he knew the others were innocent 'if only because he could smell the shock on all of them'. Added the part where Leo says that Elaine trying to get him to relax only worked because it was ELAINE doing it. Added Leo looking for Brooke and waving to her, and her subsequently getting teased by her friends for waving back (which Leo can hear every part of), and then checking on Mia, whereas originally he just sat with his friends until Minnie came in, and then he looked for Mia.