Klaus With Hope Growing Up
The Hollow, Aftermath,
After the decade long struggle of fighting the Hollow, the Mikaelsons had finally found a way to destroy the Hollow without any casualties. The Hollow needed a host. Who better than the coward Lucien Castle? After stripping him of his evolved vampirism, Freya had put the Hollow in him and immediately staked him. Not only giving him the death he deserved, but also a well deserved painful one.
The Hollow was vanquished, Davina was brought back, and the Mikaelsons lived as a family. Together. Always and Forever. They faced all the problems that came in the Mikaelson compound and faced it together. The hardest one was the Nazi vampire, Roman Sienna. And his mother. But the Mikaelsons pulled through. Roman's mother was burned alive and he was desiccated in the dungeons.
Then Hope had started going to a school for Supernaturals. The one her dad had mostly paid for and still does. Salvatore Boarding School for the Young & Gifted. Alaric and Caroline were the ones that mostly managed it because Klaus and Hayley had duties in New Orleans but they paid some visits.
_______
Dance with the hobbit- Landon,
It was a full moon and Hope's first turn. But her mom and dad wanted her to have some fun so they had taken her to the town square. The town was hosting a festival that day. The one Landon had invited her to earlier and she had declined.
Landon used to work at the Mystic Grill. Hope had visited it sometimes with her parents and uncles and Marcel and he flirted with her everytime they weren't watching. But of course, they were. It was cute though but she only saw him sometimes and wasn't really interested. So she wasn't surprised when she saw him here.
"Hope. I thought you weren't going to come" Landon asked approaching her and her mom and dad.
"Yeah. Mom and dad wanted me to have some fun" Hope awkwardly replied.
And that is when he noticed Hayley and Klaus behind Hope.
"Mr and Mrs. Marshall. Ni-nice to meet you!" he nervously said then.
"Mr. Mikaelson and Mrs. Marshall" Hayley corrected with a slight grimace at the prospect of them being married.
"And that makes our daughter a Mikaelson as well" was all Klaus added with a stern but proud face.
Hayley smiled.
Hope smiled as well. She never hated that name. They just had to hide it for her safety when she was born. But now, no one can touch the Mikaelsons. And she is proudly going to introduce herself as a Mikaelson.
"Right. Right. Mikaelson" he said then with a nervous and scared look.
"And you must be...?" Klaus asked.
"La-Landon. Kirby. I work at the uh... Grill. You might've seen me before... Or not" he nervously replied.
Klaus hummed in reply.
Hayley was amused and was certainly enjoying this too.
Hope was feeling bad for Landon but enjoying it at the same time. The boy was so scared, it showed.
Then slow music started playing and all the people coupled up.
"Do you maybe wanna dance...?" Landon blurted nervously. That's all he was right now. Nervous as hell.
"You want me to dance with you??" Hope asked surprised.
"Kind of in the moment here" he replied with an awkward smile.
Hope nodded with a small smile then as she didn't want to embarrass him by rejecting him and went with him to dance.
And he was right. He was living in the moment. Because he had no idea how to dance. But thanks to her Auntie Bex, she did. So she practically carried him through the whole thing.
After the dance was over, Klaus gestured for her that it was time. And now there was Caroline standing beside him too. Hope bid her goodbyes and went towards them.
"Caroline, hi!" Hope happily greeted.
"Hey, sweetheart. First turn? How nervous are you?" she asked with a loving smile.
"Yeah. Very. But my dad will be there to help me through it and my mom will be with me. So I'll be fine" Hope replied with a smile.
"I would come there too but I'm not looking for a wolf bite right now. Alaric might actually faint" Caroline replied with a chuckle.
"Oh c'mon, love. You know I'd never let you die" Klaus said then with his signature smirk.
Hayley and Caroline both rolled their eyes but it was Caroline who spoke, "You and your Mikaelson charm. Don't know how people fall for it. Honestly, it's pretty annoying" she said then.
Hayley gave a small chuckle.
"I'm a Mikaelson!" Hope interjected then with a fake hurt expression.
"Oh, honey. I was talking about Klaus Mikaelson. Not my sweet Hope Mikaelson. You are perfect" Caroline replied with a smirk of her own.
Klaus actually rolled his eyes, "Okay. Let's go, love. It's almost time" he said acknowledging Hope after checking his watch seeing it's almost 12 am.
"I'll see you at school, Caroline!" Hope called out before turning around.
"Sure thing, sweetheart. I'll let the twins know!" Caroline called out too with a sweet smile.
Hope smiled back with a nod and walked away. Klaus nodding his goodbye to Caroline atlast with a small smile.
_______
They brought Landon to the school after 1x01,
Hope had just almost killed Landon while she was wolfing out. But thankfully, she controlled her wolf and changed mid air and saved Landon by a few seconds by being ripped apart. Though she was angry that he had seen her wolf. Only her family had ever seen her wolf. It was something of great importance to her and wasn't for display for just anyone. But of course, Landon didn't know that. For all he cared, he barely escaped being ripped apart by a monstrous beast.
But she decided not to pay him anymore mind and had changed back into her clothes instead and they walked inside the school.
And while walking inside, he decided to ask her to tell her atleast a bit about herself. So while they were looking at some books, she started,
"The blood that runs through my veins, isn't human" she said walking towards him with a book in hand.
He looked at her confused and shocked.
"My dad is the Earth's Original Hybrid. First werewolf-vampire hybrid to ever exist" she said then.
"Klaus Mikaelson: The Great Evil" he read then from the book he found.
"Yeah. He isn't very famous around here" Hope replied with a small smile. That book was written by Alaric. She knew that. But she didn't blame him.
"I mean, my foster dad used to burn me with cigarettes. So I guess evil isn't lost" Landon nonchalantly added with a shrug.
Hope offered a tight lipped smile at that with a small nod and continued, "My mother is Werewolf Alpha Royalty. She comes from one of the very first werewolf bloodlines to ever exist"
"Wow...." was all Landon could say. Because not only Hope's father was practically royalty, her mother was actual royalty.
"My grandmother was an Original witch. She created the first vampires" she continued casually. She didn't like Esther.
Landon's eyes widened in shock.
"All of that passed down, makes me a...-"
"Unicorn?" he finished it for her with a grin.
Hope gave a short chuckle, "No. A Hybrid. Of three different creatures. A Tribrid" she replied.
"Like I said. Unicorn" he repeated.
"A Unicorn is one single creature. Whereas my daughter, is 3. My daughter can't be compared to anything" Klaus replied from behind him then. Making him jump embarrassingly high.
Then with a smirk he added, "Sorry to interrupt his pathetic excuse of flirting, love. But you are needed" he said then.
Hope had an amused look and Landon just wanted to be away from Klaus. He was honestly scared of the man.
_______
Klaus came to school after Landon broke Hope's heart,
Hope had been mostly holed up in her room, blaming herself. How can the one person she trusted after so many years came out to be a liar?? She couldn't believe herself. But she was going to find him. That is why she was right now dragging Josie away from the cafeteria to take her help for a spell to find him. Her and Josie didn't really talk. Mostly because Lizzie kept poking. And in retaliation, Hope poked back. And Josie was caught in the middle. Not knowing whose side to be on. But recently Hope was trying to make an effort. Again. So that is why she was here, in the hallways. But her train of thought was abruptly halted when her dad appeared out of nowhere and threw someone at her feet.
"Looking for someone, love?" he asked then. And only this much commotion, brought people.
"Landon??" Hope exclaimed then. Josie had a similar expression.
Landon winced and got up with a painful grunt.
"What is going on? What is this place? And Mr-Mr. Ma-Mikaelson.. What... How...?" he asked confused looking around.
"You, townie, broke my girl's heart and have risked the supernaturals to be outed. We have been searching for you" Klaus simply replied in a tone that will make anyone run away.
"How did you even fi-find him that fast....?" Josie unsurely asked then. Maybe a bit scared herself.
"I know some witches, love" Klaus replied with an actual smile.
That calmed Josie down instantly. He always managed to do that. Be the scary person one second and be the soft dad the next. Josie honestly loved him.
"Witches??" Landon decided to speak then. Still not comfortable around supernatural talk. And maybe that wasn't the best idea. Because the next second, Klaus expression changed again to a scary one.
"Wait dad. Let me", Hope said then and decided to ask. "Why did you steal the knife?? We trusted you! I trusted you! Where is it?" she asked with a hurt expression.
"I don't know. I don't have it. I swear!" he said taking a step towards her. Further from Klaus.
Josie protectively stepped in front of Hope and asked her own question, "What do you mean you don't have it??"
"I mean that I don't have it! How else do I say that??" he replied.
"Do not lie" Klaus said then in an eery tone.
Landon turned around to face him and almost immediately fainted on the spot. Because there he was. Klaus Mikaelson. With his golden eyes and blood red veins spreading down his cheeks.
People around them audibly gasped. And some even murmured things. Not good ones. Klaus heard it but didn't acknowledge. Used to it. Hope heard it and glowed her own eyes golden and scared them all off. She never hated her dad's eyes. She always found them fascinating. But she hated when people talked bad things about her father.
"Jo. Let's get out of there! We shouldn't be in the middle of all this" Lizzie whispered from behind her breaking in front after the somewhat crowd ran away.
Hope had a hurt expression but didn't say anything. Just nodded for Josie to go if she wanted to. If she was scared of her father.
Josie squeezed her hand in support. Silently calming her overthinking down and conveying her answer. Not afraid a bit. She has learned a lot about Hope's father in the coming years. And she knows he is a good person. Even if the books state the opposite or people think different. Klaus was honestly a wonderful father. A better one than Alaric was to them. She'd never say it out loud but it was there. She knew it.
Hope smiled in return and Lizzie scoffed and left herself at that.
"Woah. What are you.." Landon said then. And maybe he wasn't saying the right things to being in a situation like this.
"I can very much be your end if you don't hand over the knife right now" Klaus said then in a threatening tone.
Landon visibly shuddered at that and carefully reached inside his jacket to take out the knife and handed it over to Klaus with shaky hands.
Hope scoffed and walked away. Josie didn't know what to do. Should she go after her or will that be too weird? Klaus, as if reading her mind, nodded for her to go on, so she followed her too.
And while exiting Josie and Hope both heard,
"See, Ric? Way easier than your interrogation methods" Klaus said to Alaric behind him with the signature Mikaelson smirk.
Alaric sighed in annoyance but didn't say anything.
_______
A Full Moon,
It was a beautiful night. The sky was clear and you could easily see the moon. It was bright and huge in the sky today. And Hope doesn't usually turn when it's a full moon, but her mother was here and she had proposed that they go and turn to the actual full moon. And with everything going on with Alaric wanting her to find what supernatural Landon was, she had agreed. And she loved turning with her mom.
So here they were, in the middle of the woods. Far away from any contact.
"Ready, sweetheart?" Hayley asked with a sweet smile.
Hope nodded with a smile.
They both then waited for the moon to reach it's apex and gave themselves over to the energy. Letting the moonlight take over them. Feeling the turn. The air around them. The ground beneath them. Every single part. And very soon, it was over. Both the wolves looked at each other with admiration.
There stood a white wolf with light blue eyes that were glowing golden admiring the cream wolf with hazel eyes that glowed golden too. And with a happy bark, both the wolves ran towards the woods. Free from their problems. Enjoying the moon. The energy flowing through them.
_______
After Hope wanted to kill Landon when the Dragon came,
After they had defeated the Dragon and Landon had ran away again, one thing was still on her mind. It was what Alaric had said, 'This hatred. This vengeance. This is your father. It can't be you. I won't allow it' her blood boiled when she heard him talking about her father that way. But a part of her also felt ashamed for what she was about to do. She didn't know why she felt that. The need to kill him. But she did. She wanted to do it even if she knew she would regret it later. She needed to sort this out. So she went to the one person who was always there for her. Her savior. Her hero. Her dad.
Fortunately, she caught him just before he was about to leave,
"Dad. Um.. Can I talk to you?" she asked nervously.
"Sure, love. What is it?" he asked sitting down and gesturing for her to do the same.
She sat down and started fidgeting, "Today I almost did something bad. Something horrible. And I wanted to do it. When I found out that Landon had lied to me, I don't know why, I just wanted to kill him. I took a death spell with me to find him. But I ended up using it on the dragon. But dad, I wanted to hurt him even when I knew I would regret it for the rest of my life. What is happening to me, dad? Why do I feel like this??" she finished with tears falling down.
Klaus immediately pulled her into a hug and she quickly melted into it. After coming out, he replied,
"Sweetheart, I know what you felt. That hunger for vengeance. Unfortunately, you get that from me. My whole life, I've been vengeful. I wanted to make people that wronged me suffer. But listen to me, I gave into it. I became the Great Evil. But you won't, okay? Whatever happens. You'll always be my littlest wolf" he paused when Hope spoke again,
"How can you say that? You don't know what I will do! I'm unpredictable. I shouldn't even be here I-"
Klaus cut her off before she could go on, "Darling. I know you won't because I believe in you. I might not be the best example of a father to you, but I know you will change my legacy. Make it one of always and forever instead of blood and sacrifices. You, are my princess. My heir. And I know you will do right by our name" he said then putting his hands on her cheek.
Hope nodded with tears streaming down, "Thank you. For believing in me and all this. And I promise you. I will do right by our name. I will make everyone see the good behind the Mikaelson name. I love you, dad" she said then with a new determination in her eyes.
"I love you too, princess" he replied with a loving smile on his face.
"You have to go now, don't you?" she asked then.
But before he could even reply, she added, "When will you be back? Or mom?" she asked.
"Very soon, love. Till then, you can make those friends you promised your mother you'd make" he replied with a smirk.
Hope groaned.
"Oh c'mon, love. How about Caroline's daughter? Josie? She seems nice" he said out of nowhere.
Hope's eyebrows shot up in surprise.
"Why that face, love?" he asked with a grin.
"You have never found any of my friends nice. Even remotely. You scared Landon to death the first time you met him!" she exclaimed then.
"Well, she seems good for you. And she's polite and easy to be around. A trait that townie did not have" he explained with a shrug.
Hope was speechless at this point. Because her dad actually didn't mind Josie. And wait. 'she seems good for you'... What did that mean?!
"I should be heading off, love. See you" and saying that, he left with a smirk in place.
Hope was left speechless and surprised but she didn't have a chance to reply before her dad was out of earshot. But a question was at the back of her mind. Did he know? Did mom tell him? She didn't know. So she's not going to ask anything else for now. Her crush on Josie Saltzman didn't need to announced to her family anymore than it already was.
_______
Mombie Dearest,
The twins' birthday party had been going good. Everyone was having a good time. Hope was having a good time. Yes. Hope Mikaelson had actually attended a birthday party. It was the twins' birthday and she didn't want to miss this one. Since she had been trying to the whole 'trying to be friends' thing. But she can't say she hated it.
She loved the dress she had picked out. Maroon really looked good on her. Any shade of Red looked good on her. Atleast according to her Aunt Rebekah and Mom. And honestly, she can't complain. She felt confident. Confident enough to put the gift she bought for Josie under her pillow instead of not giving it at all. It was a charmed talisman to 'Make quiet things heard' so Josie could be heard instead of being in Lizzie's shadow and make her own decisions. And she knows she didn't get Lizzie anything. Well, baby steps.
Anyways. When she arrived, the party had already started and Lizzie was having fun with MG. No one seemed to be paying attention that Josie, who also had her birthday today, was nowhere to be found. Not that she looked for her immediately. No, of course not. Hope Mikaelson wasn't searching for Josie Saltzman first thing in the crowd. No. That would be ridiculous. Yes. She did. That's exactly what she did. And she didn't find her. And that made her worried. Because Lizzie seemed to not even notice Josie was missing. Same with her other 'friends'. So she went in search of her by herself.
And after searching everywhere around the school, she had found Dr. Saltzman pinning a woman to the tree looking frantic and worried. And that is when it all went to absolute shit.
Jo. The twins' biological mom had come alive and had buried Josie somewhere in the cemetery under the control of someone. Josie was running out of air. So without listening to another word from Dr. Saltzman she ran towards the cemetery frantically in search of Josie. She wouldn't let Josie die. Josie won't die. Can't, die. Not while she's alive. And thankfully, on her way she found MG and Satan- Penelope and recruited them to find her.
And she saved her. Barely. She had even considered turning herself so they can have an extra pair of super ears. But thankfully it didn't come to that. Josie was safe. She didn't die. She was alive and well because of the charmed talisman she gave her. But it seemed like her brain couldn't quite comprehend that yet. So that's why she had offered to walk her to her room just so she was close and to make sure Josie was okay. Which she wasn't. Of course she knew that. Who would be after being buried alive by their own mother. But she also couldn't do anything. So she stayed with her as a silent support instead.
They walked to the room in complete silence. And after they entered, Hope lingered in the doorway while Josie went in and sat on her bed with a heavy sigh.
It was after a long pause when Josie spoke,
"Thank you" and Hope barely caught it because of how quietly it was said.
"For what?" Hope asked then.
"For the Talisman. For saving my life. Everything" Josie replied gently touching the talisman that hung warmly on her collarbone.
"MG and Penelope also helped me in saving your life. And the Talisman is your birthday gift so you don't need to thank me for it. And I'm sorry for charming it without your consent" Hope replied. She was worried that Josie will be angry that she charmed her gift without her consent.
"Hope. Without your charm I wouldn't even be alive right now. And you don't have to apologize for it. I love the Talisman. It's beautiful" Josie replied with a small smile.
Hope smiled back.
Then looking at the time, Josie suddenly said, "I should go shower and change out of this dress" going to the drawers taking some clothes out.
Hope nodded.
Then as Josie was gathering her clothes, Hope said, "By the way, Jo, Happy Birthday" with a smile.
Josie turned around to face her with a small smile and replied, "Thank you"
Hope smiled and nodded in acknowledgement and went towards the door to leave herself.
But before she left the room, she said, "And also, you looked really beautiful tonight" with her signature Mikaelson smile.
Josie's face was instantly covered in a blush that was visible to Hope.
Hope's smile turned into a smirk and Josie barely got out, "T-Thanks"
And with the same smirk in place, Hope left the room.
And as soon as the door shut, Josie groaned. She couldn't even string together a sentence. 'thanks'? That's all she could come up with?! Why the hell didn't she compliment Hope back. She looked stunning in that dress. Ugh.
So instead of having a gay panic over her gay panic, Josie took her clothes and went towards the showers. Temporarily forgotten about today's events.
_______
The Necromancer,
After they had found who was behind the possessions, zombies, and bringing Jo back alive, they had thrown him in one of the cells. Which was surprisingly easy.
And after Alaric was done with his interrogation, Hope had decided to talk to their new guest. What was his name? Necromancyier? Necroman? Whatever. She really didn't care. She just wanted some answers to Malivore because she was bored as the twins' (Josie) were with Caroline in Europe.
And it looked like ugly scars was eager to give her the information. Too eager. He was so generous to let her enter his mind. He even told her how to do it. She'd need a powerful vampire. A powerful vampire. But she knew his intentions. She wasn't as desperate as he thought she was.
"She'll pass"
"That won't be necessary"
she heard her mom and dad say from behind her glaring at ugly scars.
She walked towards them and hugged them with a big smile. It has been so long since she had seen them.
"The legendary Niklaus Mikaelson! It is a pleasure meeting you!" the Necromancer said then standing up from the chair he was seated in.
"Oh the discontent is all mine" Klaus replied with a smirk.
Hope tried to not to laugh at the Necromancer's face while Hayley was amused too.
"Oh you have forgotten the glorious times we spent together in the 20s. So much killing! Wonderful for my business!" the Necromancer said next chuckling.
"Seeing your face, I'm not surprised he doesn't" Hope replied with her own smirk.
The Necromancer had a priceless reaction.
Klaus smirked at his daughter. Hayley smiled in amusement too. And seeing Klaus and Hope right now, there was almost no difference between their smirks. Like father like daughter, she thought with a fond look.
Then the Necromancer spoke after gathering himself, "You puny creatures dare insult me!"
"Dude, we don't even know who or what you are" Hayley replied with an eye roll.
So he started grandly, "I'm tHE ALMIGHTY NECROMANCER!! The master of the underworld! The Ferryman of the damned! Ruler of the-!"
"We got it, zombie face! No need for the whole repetition" Hayley said cutting him off with an annoyed eye roll.
Klaus and Hope smirked amused at her and the Necromancer lightly grunted but shut up.
Then opening up a page from the book she was carrying, Hope spoke up, "Now. Do you know what this is or not?" she asked showing the symbol of Malivore.
The Necromancer immediately recognized it, "It's the symbol of blackness! The nothingness! The empty oblivi-!"
"God say things once, would you?" Hope cut him off annoyed herself.
Then Klaus spoke and asked, "What does it mean??"
The Necromancer scowled but answered, "Loosely translated, it means, Permanent death. Meaning, no one remembers you. No one mourns you"
"That's wasn't so hard, was it?" Hayley said.
The Necromancer grunted in answer and went to sit back down.
Then Klaus said to Hope, "Anyways, sweetheart, let's leave the adult work for the adults now. Like your headmaster. And let's go and enjoy and nice meal with us at the grill" he said with a smile.
Hayley nodded agreeing.
"Yeah, alright. Let's go" Hope replied with a smile.
And then, they left the cells and walked towards the headmaster's office first so Klaus could taunt Alaric how Hope was doing his work while he was being a drunkard. And to inform him of their newfound information too of course. And then they left towards the grill.
_______
Maybe I should start from the end,
So apparently Landon was in trouble. Again. She knew because the magical bracelet she had given him before kicking him out because she felt bad for him was glowing. How does the boy always manage to end up in trouble was beyond her. But Alaric had decided that they would go and get him. She personally didn't like the idea of going to an unknown place in search of the boy. Don't get her wrong, she doesn't completely hate him but it just seems too much work for someone she barely knows. And thankfully, that plan was swiftly turned down by her parents when Alaric had presented them with it. It went like this,
_______
Alaric had called Hope in his office and had informed Klaus and Hayley to meet him before they left to tell them of his plan. Alaric seemed way too confident, Hope thought. We'll see how that plays out.
When Klaus and Hayley entered and saw Hope sitting there bored, Hayley immediately said,
"What did you do now?" to Hope.
"Nothing" Hope replied shrugging.
"So why are we here? Alaric?" Hayley asked Alaric then.
Alaric cleared his throat, "Right. So, Landon, one of my students,-"
"He really isn't" Hope mumbled but other than her parents, which she intended, Alaric didn't hear her.
"-is in trouble. The magical bracelet that Hope gave him to keep him safe-"
"Because I felt bad" Hope mumbled and corrected again. Klaus and Hayley had a look perfectly balanced between intently listening and trying not to laugh.
"-is glowing so that means something bad has happened and me and Hope are going to go and get him" Alaric finished finally.
"No" Klaus simply replied.
"No?" Alaric repeated confused.
"No" Klaus simply repeated himself again.
"But-" Alaric tried but got cut off by Klaus,
"My daughter is not doing your work. You do not have the capabilities of handling something like this so you put everything on her. She's a teenager for god's sake! Not this school's protector!" Klaus said in a firm tone.
Hope was surprised to see this outburst but not at the same time. Because he was right. Alaric always gave her everything because why? She can't die? Don't get her wrong, she loves to protect the school and will do it again too. But sometimes, she just needs a break. To spend time either with her family, friends, or alone. And things where she isn't really needed, is the best days to do so. But Alaric somehow never realises that and thinks she's some killer robot or something. Like for god's sake! What are the adults in this school for?!
But It seemed like Alaric was still as oblivious as ever, "Look Klaus, I get it that-"
Hayley cut him off this time, "You really don't get it, Alaric. And I'm very surprised that you of all people are arguing on this topic. But I get that a teenager boy is in danger. So we will get him back. You're going to stay here and be useless and Hope is going to relax and do whatever she wants. Is that clear?" she finished.
Alaric nervously and fearfully nodded.
Then Hayley turned to Klaus and asked, "Hey, isn't Bekah and Marcel near? They can go and get him"
"It will be the boy's funeral but yes, indeed. My dear sister and Marcel are just in Mexico" Klaus replied with a smirk.
Hayley and Hope smirked too because they knew exactly what Klaus meant. But oh well. As long as they didn't kill him, they were fine. So Hayley spoke,
"Then it's settled. Hope, darling, give us the bracelet. We'll give it to Freya when we reach New Orleans who'll teleport it to them" she said with a smile to Hope.
Hope smiled back and took the bracelet off and gave it to her mom.
Then looking at Alaric, she asked, "Can I go now? I would like to see my parents off" and if her question came out in an attitude, well, not her fault.
Alaric sighed, "Yes, yes"
Hearing that, Hope got up to leave followed by Klaus and Hayley who didn't even spare a glance towards Alaric before leaving.
And soon after, Hope had seen them off to New Orleans and went back to time passing around the school. The twins' (Josie's) absence really getting to her.
_______
So anyway. Thanks to Landon, Rebekah's and Marcel's vacation was ruined.
It was 2 days later though and her Auntie Bex and Marcel were bound to arrive any minute now.
And while she was waiting, she got a text. From Josie. She and Josie have been on talking terms lately and occasionally exchanged text messages too. Lizzie was trying (key word: trying) to not be a bitch too so that was plus. But everytime Josie would message her, she would involuntarily grow a smile on her face. Just like now. So instead of staring at the message notification, she decided to open it,
"Hey. Heard you were going on a road trip with dad?"
"I was. But then mom and dad talked some sense into him and got me out of it" Hope texted back. Alaric must've told Josie sometime that day about the trip before asking her or calling her parents.
"I'm glad. He really needs to stop taking you everywhere as his bodyguard"
And Hope definitely did not think Josie would ever say that but again, she isn't really surprised.
"Funny. My mom and dad said the same thing. Along with a few other things" Hope texted.
"Well, they're right. Don't tell dad I said this though"
"Don't worry. Your secret's safe with me" Hope texted back with a smile.
"Knew I could count on you"
Hope smiled seeing the message. And as she was smiling like an idiot, another message came in a few seconds later,
"Btw, I just realized, If you're not going to get Landon back, who is?"
"Auntie Bex and Marcel. They were close (in Mexico) so they flew straight to wherever the bracelet pointed" Hope texted back.
"Landon's going to have fun with them"
Hope chuckled because it was very common knowledge her family didn't like Landon very much so Josie was very right.
"Yup. Here's to hoping Auntie Bex doesn't accidentally kill him on the way here"
"Yeah. Rebekah doesn't really like him alot"
Hope chuckled.
Then another message came in,
"Hey, I gtg. Mom's taking us for shopping and Lizzie's going to have a fit if I don't move"
Hope quietly chuckled because that is so Lizzie. But she sent back a text nonetheless,
"Alright. And since I'm trying not to poke too, tell Lizzie I said hi. Enjoy shopping btw! I'll talk to you later <3" she texted back maybe immediately regretting sending the heart.
But her worries were shortlived when Josie texted back,
"I'll definitely tell her that. Talk to you later <3"
And that one heart was enough to get her smiling like a lovestruck fool.
And while she was in her reverie, another message came through. From her aunt Rebekah this time,
"Meet us in the Ric's office, sweetheart"
Reading the message, Hope immediately got up and left towards the headmaster's office eager to meet her aunt Rebekah and Marcel after so long.
_______
When she reached, there was only Alaric in the office sitting going through some papers so she assumed Rebekah would be arriving any minute now and waited.
And just as she thought, a few minutes later, the door opened and Rebekah and Marcel speeded in pretty much dropping Landon in. She had kind of forgotten he was going to be with them...
"We picked your parcel up, Ric!" Rebekah said then.
Hope immediately stepped forward and hugged them both with big smiles.
Alaric sighed while Landon spoke looking around frantically and disoriented, "Woah.. What the hell... Where am I- Hope? What am I- What's going on??" he finally finished.
So Alaric jumped in to speak, "Landon! Welcome back to the Salvatore School! I'm Dr. Saltzman as I hope you remember. We brought you back here since you were in trouble" he explained to him.
Landon slowly nodded taking it all in.
And after Hope was done hugging Rebekah and Marcel and exchanging a few words, Landon spoke to her,
"I didn't know they were family too"
"They didn't tell you?" Hope asked confused and amused.
"No.. They didn't say much of anything. Other than their name and well, threats.." he replied in a small voice still terrified from them both. Mostly Rebekah though.
Hope tried to hold in her laugh as she replied, "Well, this is my aunt Rebekah. She's my dad's sister. And that is Marcel. My dad's adopted son and Rebekah's husband and also my older brother/uncle" she introduced with a smile.
Rebekah and Marcel smiled lovingly at her.
"Wow... Your family is..." Landon started but decided not to finish that sentence after the glare he got from well, everyone except Alaric.
Then Alaric spoke again, "Anyways. I'm sorry for the... Inconvenient way of getting you here. And that Hope couldn't come"
Hope scoffed. Rebekah and Marcel shook their heads in exasperation while Landon was just confused.
Then Hope spoke again, "Since your job is done, I'm leaving" she said to Alaric getting ready to walk out.
Landon grabbed her wrist, "Wait!" and immediately let go after seeing Hope's expression. And Rebekah and Marcel's. "Sorry. I just, was wondering, if you got the trouble alert thingy, why didn't you come? I mean, I thought since you had the bracelet you'd come" he explained.
"Because I'm not your keeper. Or anyone's for that case. For god's sake! Adults are there in this school for a reason!" Hope snapped. Because, why does everyone expect her to be their savior?!
And before anyone could say another word, she walked out of the office.
"Next time someone decides to get themselves in trouble, don't count on us to rescue them" Marcel said in a firm tone that indicated he was angry and walked out too towards Hope.
Rebekah followed him but not before adding, "Or the Mikaelsons for that matter" and threw a seething glare at Landon and Alaric who both shrunk and left herself towards Hope too.
_______
Hope was just sitting in the lounging area cooling off when Rebekah and Marcel approached her and sat down.
Rebekah spoke first, "You alright, sweetheart?" she asked.
"Yeah, yeah. I'm good. Just got a little angry there. Really wanted to punch some sense into him. But I'm fine now" Hope replied with a small smile.
"I'm not going to blame you on that one, kiddo. I wanted to rip his heart out the whole time" Marcel replied with a grin.
Rebekah said then, "You and me both" with her own grin.
Hope chuckled.
Then she said, "Also, sorry that your vacation got ruined. How was Mexico City?"
"Oh it's okay, darling. We got to meet you so it's alright. Mexico city was great. Beautiful even. Rich culture. Great food. You should visit it sometime" Rebekah replied.
Marcel added, "Yeah. No worries, kiddo. And Mexico has great venues too. Maybe we can take you there on your spring break"
Hope smiled, "Maybe. If uncle Kol's destination is not more enticing" she said with a sheepish smile.
"That sneaky little bastard isn't getting you away this spring break too!" Rebekah said then.
Marcel and Hope laughed.
Then Marcel said, "Or, we could all spend the Spring together in New Orleans? All of us will fly down there as well. It will be chaotic but I'm pretty sure we can go a week without killing each other" he suggested with a grin.
Rebekah said next, "You, me, Kol, Davina, Nik, Hayley, Elijah, Freya, Keelin, and Hope under one roof? Oh I'm sure it'll be wonderful"
Hope burst out laughing. Because Rebekah sure as hell wasn't kidding.
And soon Rebekah and Marcel had joined her too. Because oh boy. That'll be one hell of a week.
Then after coming a bit down from his laughter, Marcel spoke, "C'mon! We can make it work! Maybe Hope can bring her friends so they'll balance it all out!"
"You know what? Maybe we just might" Hope said then with a grin.
"Oh lord. You both are actually considering this. Well. It'll be everyone's funeral then" Rebekah spoke then with a very mild horrified look at the prospect of the situation.
"The Mikaelsons literally can't die, Auntie Bex. And my friends can protect themselves so" Hope deadpanned with a grin.
"Oh did I say everyone? I meant everything. Because the bloody house will be no more till the week ends" Rebekah replied then with a small grin.
"Good thing then Klaus has people already compelled to fix just that" Marcel added with a grin.
"I sometimes forget dad has done that because you guys actually wreck the house when you're all together" Hope said then chuckling.
"Well, the title of the most dysfunctional family in history won't fit us if we didn't, sweetheart" Rebekah replied with a grin.
Hope laughed, "True"
Rebekah and Marcel joined in too on the laughing.
After a while, coming down from the laughter, Marcel spoke, "Anyways, Spring break aside, I'm hungry now. Let's go to town and get something to eat"
"Yeah, good idea. I'm hungry too" Hope replied.
Rebekah nodded agreeing and they all got up and left towards town.
_______
Miss Mystic Falls,
It had been a long week. Landon was a Phoenix and could practically come back everytime he died. Which was a piece of information she had refrained from sharing with her family for very obvious reasons. And to add to that, Salvatore School had decided to host this year's Miss Mystic Falls. Hope absolutely despised the event. Well, she despised all overcrowded events but especially this. And on top of even that, Landon was trying to date her. She was honestly starting to get annoyed and irritated now. She had even indirectly (very vaguely) thrown him hints that she wasn't interested so either he was really that insistent or really that dumb. She was going for the latter.
She didn't want to date him for a few reasons. The main one being she was pining over Josie helplessly. But a few others included him doing everything he did. Don't get her wrong, she doesn't hate him anymore. They kind of became friends but that's it for her. And another was his brother, Rafael. He too had feelings for her surprise surprise. He of course wasn't going to act on them but he had indirectly told her.
And Hope sometimes doesn't get it. Like, she isn't kind or nice to others. She's literally cold and rude. How does everyone like her?! Well, she does know why. It's about the looks more than anything really. But Mikaelsons take pride in how hot they look so she lets them pine. That isn't rude when she has quite straightforwardly told them to cut it out so...
Anyways, she was standing around looking at the decorations talking with Josie who was handling it right now since Lizzie was trying to charm the Judges when Landon came walking towards her. Hope sighed and waited for him to approach her. She doesn't know if he didn't even care that Josie was with her or he didn't even see her. Again, she was going with the latter.
"Hey, Hope!" he greeted with a big smile.
Hope tried her best to give an acceptable smile in greeting while Josie had a scowl on her face that she was trying to hide.
Accepting the smile, he continued with his own big one, "So, I was wondering-"
"You wonder a lot" Hope mumbled. Thankfully Landon didn't hear her. Josie did though and covered her laugh with a cough. Hope threw her a discreet grin.
But Landon did see her mumble something so he asked, "What?" confused.
"Nothing. Nothing. Go on. Don't let me stop you" Hope replied with the most fakest smile ever.
But he seemed to believe it. So with the same smile, he continued, "Yeah. So, I was wondering, are you going to participate in Miss Mystic Falls? If so, can I be your escort?" he asked.
And she has to give him, that was the most straight forward he has been.
Josie on the other hand, clutched the clip board she was holding tight. Way to be straightforward.
Hope sighed but replied, "I'm not participating, Landon" straightforwardly. She honestly just wanted to go back to being in a comfortable silence with Josie. Is that so much to ask?
Apparently yes because as Landon shot his shot again, Hope couldn't even concentrate on his words because she saw someone behind him.
"Oh. Why? I mean you're so beautiful and-"
So cutting him off from whatever he was saying, she exclaimed, "You've got to be kidding me"
Because behind him stood Roman giving an awkward wave and walking towards her.
"Oh that's great" Josie mumbled this time.
Roman approached them, "Hi" he said to Hope with an awkward smile.
"Roman" Hope greeted him with a nod. She was on friends-ish terms with him because he might not have been in his right mind when he tried to kill her and her mom, but she won't ever forget it. Forgive, yeah. Forget, no.
"I've been going on these recon missions outside of school but Dr. Saltzman needed me here today to lend a hand so I thought I could say hi..." he hurriedly explained.
Hope nodded.
"Who's this?" Landon asked confused looking at the neutral faces of both Hope and Josie.
Josie already knew who he was and she wanted to Ignalusa him right here. But she held back. For now.
And Hope reluctantly introduced him, "Landon, this is Roman. Vampire and my... Ex. And also an ex student here. And Roman this is Landon. A-"
"Phoenix. Which is so cool by the way" Landon cut her off to introduce himself in a bragging tone.
Roman had an amused look but asked nonetheless, "You have wings?"
Landon stuttered, "Well, no, I-"
But Hope cut him off having just about enough of this, "Can't die. Literally. Everytime he dies, he comes back in a burst of flames. That's pretty much it for his abilities" and there was evident irritation and attitude in her tone.
Josie's eyes widened in amusement.
Landon deflated in defeated but said nonetheless, "Well, yeah. But not dying is a pretty good thing!"
"It won't be when my family finds out" Hope replied.
Josie snorted, Roman tried not to laugh, and Landon paled.
Then Josie spoke for the first time, "We should go, Hope. Lizzie wants us" she said looking at a message on her phone.
"Sure, Jo" Hope replied with a smile and followed her leaving the two boys alone.
After they were out of earshot, Landon asked Roman scared, "It won't be that bad, right?"
"From what I just gathered, you should pray to god they don't find out or you'll find out why they're said to be the most vicious people in all of History" Roman replied with a smirk. He might be exaggerating a bit but it wasn't a lot. They both knew it.
Landon gulped and went speechless.
"I gotta go find Dr. Saltzman" saying that Roman left too leaving the boy to his imagination.
_______
When Hope and Josie arrived, they saw that Penelope was in the room too along with Lizzie. Who was pacing. Penelope gave Josie a look which Josie swiftly ignored and focused on Lizzie instead.
Lizzie immediately started, "What in the hell took you both so long!? I sent that message like 10 minutes ago!"
Hope replied to this one, "I was just reminding Landon that not dying wouldn't be very fun once my family finds out" with a smug look. Oh she will never forget that look on his face.
Josie added, "And I didn't want to miss the look on his face" with a shrug and a grin.
Instead of exploding at them for being late she burst out laughing. Hope and Josie joined her too.
Penelope was just confused.
After a few moments, Lizzie said, "Oh I just realized! I haven't spoken to your mom and dad in quite a while! Maybe I should check in and give them updates!"
Hope smiled in amusement, "Whatever you wish, Lizzie. Just don't tell them. Not yet. I don't think Dr. Saltzman would be able to handle the torture of his student. Literally"
Penelope's eyes widened comically while Josie chuckled agreeing.
Lizzie groaned, "Fine. You're right. Dad is getting old. Some other time then. And I swear to god Mikaelson, if you tell him without me present there, I will kill you" she said in full seriousness.
Hope chuckled in amusement, "You can try, Saltzman"
Seeing everyone acting normal, Penelope snapped, "Okay. What the fuck?! How are you people acting like Hope just mentioned her family taking him on a stroll? They will torture him! For something as petty as stealing a knife! How can you side with them!? It's monstrous!"
And that was one word Hope hated being associated with her family. No one but themselves had the right to say that. Not even her. So the growl that resonated from deep within her chest, made everyone jump.
Penelope's eyes widened, "What the fuck!" and she backed towards a wall.
Eyes still glowing golden in anger, walking close to her slowly like a predator stalking it's prey, Hope said, "Listen to me, Penelope, and listen very carefully. Never use that word to associate with my family again. Remember this as your last and final warning when you feel like talking shit about my family. Because next time, you won't be breathing for another one" Hope said in a dangerous tone.
Penelope had a look of fear clear on her face.
Lizzie wasn't afraid but definitely surprised by Hope's outburst because usually she is always calm and collected in all situations.
Josie on the other hand, completely understood her sudden outburst. With everything going on in the past week and now Roman showing up, she understood Hope. Even though Hope acted all cool and calm, she had emotions too. And seeing him must've definitely brought up memories of that day.
So carefully stepping towards Hope, she gently touched her shoulders and carefully said, "Hope" Not fearfully. Softly.
Hope immediately broke the death glare she was aiming at Penelope and immediately looked at Josie. Her eyes returning back to her Blue.
"It's okay. Let her go. Let's go back to discussing whatever Lizzie had to say" Josie said in the same soft and caring tone. Not even bothering to look at Penelope.
Hope nodded and backed off of Penelope with a last seething glare.
Josie went back to her place followed by Hope and slowly Penelope.
And Penelope looked like she wanted to say something but a seething glare from Lizzie this time shut her up successfully.
Finally Lizzie started before the tension in the room got more suffocating, "So! The reason I called you all here is because I am withdrawing from Miss Mystic Falls. Effective immediately!" she explained.
"What? Why? You were dreaming of this day since you were like 5" Josie said confused.
"I know, I know. But the head judge is that bitch Dana's mother. Sabotaging and costing me the crown from beyond the grave!" Lizzie replied with an annoyed look.
"She's dead, Lizzie" Hope said reminding her.
"Oh right. That dead bitch Dana's sabotage!" Lizzie corrected herself.
Josie asked next, "What are you going to do?"
"Well, even if I can't go doesn't mean we shouldn't win the crown and stick it to those townies" Lizzie replied.
Then she added, "And I have chosen the perfect candidate for it"
Josie was finally hopeful that maybe her sister would pay attention to her and choose her but-
"Hope. Mikaelson!" Lizzie said instead.
Josie's face immediately dropped and Penelope scoffed.
"No" Hope said though.
"What now?" Lizzie asked surprised at the statement.
"I'm not competing, Lizzie. It's not my thing" Hope elaborated.
"Well I'll make it your thing. We don't have anyone else that's eligible and-"
Barely not scoffing at her for forgetting her sister, Hope cut her off, "Actually, there is a much more 'eligible' candidate than me" she said hoping she'll remember her sister was in front of her with a crestfallen look.
"Who? I'm not enrolling Park there. I'd rather lose the crown than do that. So?" and Lizzie still didn't get it.
Penelope scowled.
Hope scoffed, "Josie, Lizzie. You know, your twin? Who is in right in front of you?"
Josie was surprised to see Hope vouching for her.
Lizzie was surprised to hear that but for a different reason. She stated as such, "She doesn't want to enroll so we-
But before Lizzie could go on, Josie cut her off with a scoff and snapped, "And who said that? Because I know I didn't. You just assumed because you think I cannot win. Gosh, I've wanted this as long as you but I didn't say anything because of mom and you. And now when I finally had a chance, you completely dismissed me. I can't believe you" she finished with tears in her eyes.
Lizzie's eyes widened in surprise, "Jo I-"
"Save it, Lizzie" Josie cut her off and left the room.
Penelope followed her.
Hope said instead, "You know, Lizzie, caring about someone other than yourself once in a while won't kill you" in an angry and a disappointed tone.
Before Lizzie could think of something to reply, Hope continued, "And If you want to enroll someone for Miss Mystic Falls, enroll Josie. Or no one is doing it. I'll make sure of it" she said in a warning tone.
And without waiting for an answer, Hope left too.
_______
When Josie had ran away, she went towards the library since it was the most vacant part of the school right now. But instead of being alone, Penelope came following her too.
"Are you okay, Jojo?" she asked.
"Do you even care??" Josie asked.
"Of course I do" Penelope immediately replied.
Josie sighed. She really couldn't do this right now. So she said the same, "Penelope. Do you have something to say? If not, I'd like to be left alone"
"Alright. So since you are competing, need an escort?" Penelope asked with a shameless smirk.
"I don't actually. I already have an escort" Josie replied. She didn't. But she didn't want Penelope.
"Oh c'mon. Don't lie to me. You literally just found out you are competing. How can you possibly already have an escort?" Penelope asked.
"Well, I do. So would you leave?" Josie replied in an irritated voice.
"Oh c'mon. Who is it? MG? Because I can tell you he won't be available" Penelope said in a sly tone.
"No. Not MG" Josie replied annoyed.
"Then who? Don't tell me you're actually talking about that dog" Penelope spit out.
And that was the last straw for Josie to remain calm.
"You know, Penelope, all it will take is a whisper to the Mikaelsons. A small whisper of what you said reaching the Mikaelsons for you to mysteriously die by tomorrow. Slowly. And painfully" she snapped. Because no one talked shit about Hope either.
Penelope had a look of fear but still scoffed and said, "You really have been spending too much around tho-"
"I wouldn't finish that sentence if I were you" Hope herself cut her off in a threatening tone.
There was clear fear on Penelope's face now.
"Leave" Hope said next with a seething glare.
"Whatever" and with that Penelope left.
Immediately Hope softened and asked Josie, "Are you okay?"
"I don't know" Josie honestly replied with sigh.
"Don't let Lizzie get to you. She still has a lot of work to do as a sister. And always know you aren't any less than her" Hope said next in a soft tone.
Josie just sighed as an answer.
So Hope continued, "And Caroline is as much your mom as she is Lizzie's. She loves you both equally. Never forget that" she knew Josie needed to hear this.
Josie sighed but replied, "I know. But sometimes it just feels like she forgets about me. Same with dad"
"Josie. They will never forget you. They can be pre occupied with things sometimes but they will never forget about you. They love you as much as they love Lizzie" Hope replied. She really needs to have a chat with Dr. Saltzman and Caroline soon.
"You're right" Josie replied.
Seeing the sad look on her face, Hope decided to lighten the situation, "So, I heard you were looking for an escort?" she asked with a small smile.
Josie fortunately smiled back, "Maybe"
Hope smiled fully, "Well, Josie Saltzman, shall I have the honor of being your escort?" and asked in the most formal way.
Josie giggled, "Yes, Hope. You shall"
The smile never leaving her face, Hope continued, "Well then. Let's go to the rehearsals, shall we?" she asked offering her hand.
Josie gave her a big smile and took her hand.
And with big smiles on their faces, they both left towards the rehearsals.
_______
The rehearsals went great. Hope and Josie had more fun than they'll even admit and impressed the judges quite well. Penelope tried to intervene but Lizzie's seething glare sent her running off to the other direction.
Soon it was time for the actual event. Josie was wearing the dress Caroline wore. And she looked absolutely gorgeous. But Hope on the other hand, was nowhere to be found. It was still time for the event to start so Josie decided to go look for her. But before she could even leave the main hall, Penelope appeared in front of her with a sly smirk.
"Looking for an escort, Jojo?" she asked.
"No actually. I already have one. So would you move?" Josie replied and asked with an annoyed look.
"Where's she then? Because looks like she bailed on you" Penelope replied with a smirk.
Josie knew that smirk. That smirk meant trouble.
"Well. I'm going to make sure of that. So would you get out of my way??" Josie asked when Penelope once again blocked her way.
"C'mon, Jojo. She isn't coming. I'm all you have left" Penelope tried again with a sly tone.
Instead of replying, Josie moved to walk away. Penelope grabbed her wrist to stop her. Big mistake. Because Penelope screamed in pain next. From Josie siphoning her through the connection. Painfully.
"I'm not going to repeat myself, Penelope. Move" Josie said next with a glare.
Penelope was stunned to see that reaction. Stunned enough that Josie walked away and she realized it too late.
_______
Josie checked the gym and the library on her way to find Hope. She wasn't anywhere to be found. So she went to her room last.
Her door was unlocked but had a barrier spell on it. Just as she had suspected. She siphoned the barrier off and opened the door to be greeted with a pacing Hope in a gorgeous black pant suit.
Josie was rendered speechless by her. Same as Hope as she saw Josie. They both lost the ability to function. They just stood there eyes wide and mouth agape.
It was Hope who snapped out first, "Josie! You uh you look very beautiful" she said nervously with a smile.
Josie's cheeks reddened but she replied with a smile, "Thank you. So do you, Hope. You look stunning"
Hope blushed but still got out, "Thanks. The best escort for the best girl" and even she was surprised by that boldness.
Josie's cheeks visibly took a dark shade of red.
Trying to ease the tension around them, Hope said next, "So uh... What were you doing here?"
"Oh um you were late so I uh... came to find you" Josie replied.
"Sorry. Penelope locked me in here trying to escort you instead. I was trying to come up with ways to get out that didn't involve causing an earthquake at the school" Hope replied with a small chuckle. Because of course she could get out. Magic can always be overpowered by an even stronger magic. And she was the most strongest of them all. But she didn't want to make the humans suspicious of a sudden earthquake only at the property.
Josie was amused but not surprised. So she replied, "I'm sorry for her. She did come to find me saying that you bailed on me. But I had to find you to make sure"
"I would never bail on you" Hope immediately said.
"I know" Josie replied with a smile.
Hope smiled back.
Then Hope added, "Shall we?" offering her hand.
Josie nodded with a smile and took her hand and they both left towards the event hand in hand.
_______
The pageant went smoothly. Penelope didn't try anything again and when she saw them both walking hand in hand, she officially backed off.
After the dance was over, the judges were discussing their answers. Everyone was anxiously and nervously waiting for the name of the winner.
Josie grabbed Hope's hand subconsciously because of the nerves. Hope smiled to herself and provided her silent comfort and tried to ease her nerves.
Finally the judges came up with a winner.
"So we have the winner of this year's Miss Mystic Falls from the Salvatore School itself! Miss Josie Saltzman!" the head judge announced.
The crowd erupted in applause and Josie's eyes widened in surprise and a big smile grew on her face. She immediately pulled Hope into a hug which Hope returned with equal force and enthusiasm. She knew Josie could do it.
After when Josie finally let go, she was called to wear the banner and the crown.
The whole crowd was still applauding but the only person she saw in the midst was Hope. Who was looking at her with such a loving look and a big proud smile on her face. She blushed under that attention but her smile widened even more and she stood proudly wearing the banner and crown of Miss Mystic Falls. She did it.