Reunion
“Esther! We are running out of time! The Ancestors can’t run for much longer! You must hurry!” Tessa yelled at her protege. Esther vanished to await her chance to re-enter her body with only one thought, “Soon, my children…Soon.”
Damon has never felt this awful in his existence. For the past two days, he has been sweating, shivering, and overwhelmed with nausea. His body aches and occasionally he feels like his bones are breaking. The only reprieve is the comfort of his mates. That was somewhat of a shock; both Leilani and Niklaus are his mates, not just the persons he wants to be with. Damon’s vampire was able to sense a connection between the three of them, but now that bond seems to have become stronger after being bit.
Klaus and Lei have barely left his side. Fenrir and Bill have been in and out, monitoring his health and progression of the Lycanthropy. A very guilt-ridden Mason stopped by a few times before Klaus’ wolf growled at him to leave. Mason hung his head and whimpered in shame as he left the Salvatore Boarding house. Fenrir had warned Stefan to stay away from the triad until after Damon recovered. It was a precautionary measure for the young vampire’s sake.
On the third day, Damon’s fever elevated to a dangerous level. He woke Lei with his groaning and extreme body heat. She was laying on her side facing Damon, so she reached over him and lightly shook Klaus, “Hmm?” Klaus groggily opened his eyes to look at Lei. “We need to cool him down. Cooling charms are not enough. Winky!” Lei moved from the bed as Winky appeared, “Fill the bath with ice and change the bed linen please.” Winky snapped her fingers and the bath filled with ice and cold water.
Before Lei could levitate Damon to the bath, Klaus picked him up and carried him. Damon tried to open his eyes but was too weak, he was delirious from the fever. Damon thought he was dreaming when heard Lei’s voice but then he felt himself being carried. His body went into shock as he was slowly lowered into the ice water, “Ahh, haa, cold. Hmph.” Damon was shivering even harder from the sudden drop in temperature. Lei wandlessly transfigured her pants into shorts and stepped into the bath, hovering over Damon, “I’m sorry, Damon, but I need to dunk you for a few seconds. Your fever is too high.” All the response she got was a whine that sounded more canine than human. Lei carefully dunked him under then released him.
Klaus heard it too, “He’s almost through this, isn’t he?” Fenrir came into the room at this point. He was already on the way over when Winky informed him of Damon’s ice bath. “A few more days tops. Then he’ll shift for the first time to settle the Lycanthropy,” Fenrir handed Klaus a potion, “Nutritional potion.” The Original Hybrid has become not so paranoid around the wand wielders. They have not shown any indication of hurting him or his brother.
Klaus sat on the outside of the bath above Damon’s head. Lei held Damon’s shoulders down for a few seconds then let go. Damon resurfaced with a loud gasp, his body shivering uncontrollably. A potion was uncorked and poured into his mouth, “Drink, Damon. You need it.” He heard Klaus say above his head. Damon did his best to swallow all of it, he gagged at the taste but kept it down. Leilani levitated Damon out of the bath onto the freshly made bed after using a drying charm. Damon rolled back onto his left side and closed his eyes. He is hoping to sleep through everything.
He slept through the next two days; on the sixth day everything came to a head. He woke up alone and in pain. Damon curled himself into a tight ball, and whined thinking his mates had left him when they were only downstairs. Klaus heard Damon’s whines, grabbed Lei and whooshed her into Damon’s room. They climbed onto his bed, “We’re here. We’re here.” Klaus sat against the headboard while Lei laid in front of Damon, stroking his face, “We haven’t left, just finishing breakfast.”
Damon was going to speak when all that came out of his mouth was a scream in pain as his bones began to break. Klaus scooted closer to hold onto Damon, “Don’t fight it, love.” Damon tried not to focus on the pain. Lei was still stroking his cheek. She felt and heard his facial bones shatter. Her eyes widened, shedding tears, “Don’t fight it. If you fight against the pain your transformation will take longer.” Damon opened his eyes. His beautiful blue eyes were replaced with Lycan Amber.
Leilani smiled, “There he is. Come on out now. Don’t hold back.” Klaus moved to face Damon and met his wolf’s eyes with his Hybrid’s, “Yes, love. Almost there.” Damon closed his eyes as another bone broke, and rolled off the bed taking the top blanket with him. The sound of bones breaking and setting, and growling could be heard from under the blanket on the floor. Klaus moved off the bed with Lei behind him, just in case.
What felt like forever, the blanket rose from the floor and dropped revealing a transformed Damon. His wolf form was as big as Greyback. Fur pitch black, sleek, and soft. He stood over seven feet tall, very broad and muscular, Amber eyes, and a mouth full of sharp fangs glistening with venom. Lei slowly maneuvers to pull her wand and non-verbally casts her Patronus. She gasped in shock when she saw her Patronus. It no longer resembled Prongs. It was a massive wolf. Lei shook her head to clear it for now, and sent a message, “Fenrir, need help. Damon shifted.” As her Patronus flew through the wall heading towards her house, Damon snarled at the two of them.
Hermione’s Patronus appeared in between Damon and Klaus, “Stay in the room with him. Lock the door, and keep calm. He won’t hurt either of you.” A soft knock came from the door, Fenrir can be heard on the other side, “He will shift back soon. It would be best if he has scent marked you both.” Lei perked up, “Oh.” She faced Klaus, “We need to hug him.” Klaus pulled her back even further from the Lycan, “Are you mad?” “Well, one side of my family does suffer from the Black Family Madness,” Lei shrugged. She moved around Klaus and slowly approached Damon, “It’s alright. It’s going to be alright.”
Damon snarled a bit louder the closer Lei got. Leilani cautiously wrapped her arms, or tried to wrap her arms, around the massive Lycan. He stiffened for a moment before leaning his head down and got a snout full of her scent. Klaus followed Lei’s example and came closer to Damon. The Lycan turned his head to Klaus and sniffed his scent, becoming calm. Damon wrapped his arms around both of them and brought them closer to his body as possible. The trio stayed in this position for several minutes before Damon relaxed and shifted back. His nude body slumped into their arms. The shift of weight almost caused Leilani to fall over if it wasn’t for Klaus. The Hybrid scooped Damon up and moved him back to the bed. Lei conjured some black, silk boxers for Damon as Klaus pulled the blanket onto the bed and fully covered him.
Hearing Damon’s even breathing, Lei opened the door to let Fenrir in. He ran a few diagnostic spells, looked over the results, “He is a Hybrid. Half vampire, half Lycan. Like Niklaus but different. Klaus’ wolf is more dominant, where Damon’s vampire is more dominant. Damon will still need blood but not as much. And only time will tell what other ways he is affected.” Fenrir rolled up the scroll and observed the sleeping Hybrid, “I’m just glad he survived. And hope he won’t be pissed at me.” Lei shook her head, “I doubt he will. If he is like Klaus, he may be able to control the shift.”
Klaus was deep in his head, “I’m not alone. He’s a Hybrid like me. And…And, they’re mine. They’re my mates.” He wasn’t sure how he felt about that. For the longest time, Klaus always thought love was a weakness. However, the two he feels the most connected to are powerful in their own right. Damon is now a Vampire/Lycan Hybrid, and Lei is a very powerful witch that can shift into a wolf at any given moment. Klaus smiled, not smirked but smiled…He has his own pack. Klaus and Lei joined Damon on the bed and fell asleep.
Elijah was growing impatient. He didn’t want to rush his brother, but he wanted to be reunited with his family. Soon, Klaus, Lei, and an over-energetic Damon came into the Evans household. “Ready to reunite with our siblings, brother?” Klaus asked. He could see Elijah was anxious and couldn’t help but goad him on. Elijah actually rolled his eyes, “Must you be so obnoxious?” Klaus snorted. Lei stood between them, “I asked Kreature to retrieve the rest of the Mikaleson family and put them in the dueling room. We should head there now.”
If Leilani would have paid attention to her wording, she would have realized she said ‘family’, not ‘siblings’. So when Elijah, Klaus, Lei, Damon, and Stefan reached the dueling room they were shocked to see four coffins and a very angry, bound, and gagged man in the middle of the room. Lei was going to unbind the man when Klaus beat her to it, “Marcellus? What…I…We thought you were dead?” Marcel narrowed his eyes at the only father he ever knew and sire, “You didn’t look back. How would you know?” The pending confrontation was cut short when a cement sarcophagus was dropped into the room behind them.
Elijah moved towards it and pushed the lid off. The moment he saw who was inside he whooshed to the other side of the room, “Mikael.” Klaus grabbed Marcel and whooshed him next to Elijah before grabbing Leilani and Damon. Of course, Lei is not one to back down, moved over to the sarcophagus. She cast similar spells to the ones she used when scanning Fell’s Church Tomb, “Huh? Interesting.” She cast the spells over the other coffins. Each scroll stating their names and if there were any spells, hexes, or jinxes on them.
Lei went back to stand next to Damon and Klaus, “Mikael has been desiccated and bound for almost a decade.” She pulled out the next scroll, “Uh oh.” Lei looked at Klaus, “Finn is awake. He’s been aware for over 600 years.” Elijah didn’t hesitate, “Oh my god, Finn.” He was pulling Finn’s dagger before anyone could react. Lei conjured several piles of blood bags, a few blood replenishers, and Blood Pops. Elijah was already holding a blood bag for Finn but the eldest brother was not accepting it. Lei suggested, “Try one of the vials. It's a Blood replenisher and there’s absolutely no blood in it.”
Another thud next to the front of the room had everyone turning. Leilani gasped in concern, “Kreature, are you alright?!” The older, grumpy house elf was covered in blood, holding his favorite cleaver, “Nasty witches. Had to cleave my way out.” Lei had to hold in her laugh, “Alright, Kreature. Thank you for your help. Why don’t you tend to your cleaver and have Winky tend to your injuries?” Kreature moved off the frosty, glass coffin, “Yes, Mistress.” Her spells are already moving to this new coffin, “Freya Mikaelson. Currently under a sleep spell. Oh Merlin! This is some dark magic.” Getting over the shock of finding out their eldest sister is alive, Finn suddenly hovered over Freya’s coffin while Elijah read over Lei’s shoulder. She handed the scroll over to Elijah and left the room.
Soon returning, Lei, Bill, and Narcissa read over the scrolls. Bill is concerned, “The magic keeping Freya asleep is very dark. She’s also linked to someone and her magic is being used to power the one she is linked to.” Finn snapped, “Wake her!” Bill was used to this sort of tone from the Goblins, he’s not phased in the least, “Not yet. The one she is linked to will wake as well. Freya needs to be unlinked or linked to someone else before awakened.” “Then link her to me! Do not leave her like this,” Finn bellowed.
The sound of rustling chains caught Damon’s attention, “Um, guys. I think Mikael is awake.” Narcissa walked over to Mikael’s sarcophagus and leaned over, but then she found herself in Elijah’s arms on the other side of the room. He sheepishly looked at her, “Forgive me. Mikael is not known to be merciful. I don’t want anything happening to you.” Bill took Narcissa’s spot. He could see Mikael’s eyes were open and following his movement. Bill spoke to Mikael, “The chains will not hold for much longer. Judging by everyone’s reaction, you are not one to approach. You’ll only get one warning, hurt anyone inside this home and you die.” Bill made no move to remove Mikael’s chains as he walked away.
Two gasps were heard from the other siblings. Kol sat up and was being fed blood bags by Klaus. Elijah was feeding Rebekah. Kol stopped draining his tenth blood bag and a Blood Pop was shoved in his mouth. Damon was the one to do that, “It’s a Red Lolly. They’re vampire candy.” Kol sucked on the Blood Pop, the tension from his shoulders dropped slightly. He then became tense for another reason, “We’re surrounded by magic.” Kol was in awe by the feeling, he whispers, “It’s comforting.” “It is brother. These witches are new to our world,” Klaus told his younger brother. He chuckled at Kol’s confusion, “It’s their story to tell.” Klaus helped Kol out of his coffin.
Rebekah was studying the room, she had locked her eyes on one person, “Stefan?” He smiled at his other best friend, “Hello, Rebekah.” Stefan helped her climb out of her coffin. She felt the tension in the room and wondered why everyone was so silent. It was the fact everyone was focused on the cement sarcophagus. Rebekah points to it, “Who’s that?” Stefan leans down to whisper in her ear, “Your father.” She instinctively takes a step back. Stefan rubs her back, “It’s okay. He’s been desiccated for almost a decade. Come on. Let’s get you introduced to the 21st century.” Stefan escorted Rebekah out of the dueling room and upstairs with Kol following behind them.
Lei pulled on Klaus’ jacket sleeve. He snapped his attention to his mate, “What do you need, Nik?” He faced his father’s sarcophagus, “White Oak is the only stake that can kill us.” Lei brought out her wand, “Accio White Oak Stake.” The sound of ripping came from Mikael’s pants and a sizable wooden stake flew into Lei’s outstretched hand. She gave it to Klaus, kissed his cheek, and stepped back to give him some room. Elijah and Finn stood on either side of Klaus, “Together.” The three of them stood over Mikael and shoved the stake into his heart. They stood back as Mikael’s body went up in flames. A voice from behind startled them, “Don’t worry. He will never be able to resurrect.”
Before any of the Originals could ask, Damon says, “Hello, Death. Didn’t expect to see you until Lei’s birthday.” Thanatos smirked, “Yes. That is normally the case but Mikael’s final death is one I wanted to witness as his personal Reaper. And I have some news for Lei.” “Oh? What news?” Lei noticed Death’s expression, the news may not be good. “Well, for starters, Mikael will be moved to another dimension as a Reaper as pennants. My Reapers are working to clear out the Other Side. And I will be bringing over several wand wielders very soon. Your old world has gone into World War 3 and the magicals has been exposed.”
Marcel cleared his throat, “Excuse me? Did you say ‘Old world’?” Thanatos faced Marcel, “I did.” He moved closer to Marcel, the temperature in the room dropping. Death’s presence was very intimidating, even more so with how close he is to Marcel. Thanatos’ eyes darkened, “The Ancestors are being reaped as we speak. The Ancestral Well and the Other Side is a crime against Nature. A crime against me!” His voice sent chills down everyone’s spine. He stepped away from Marcel, his eyes lightening to his normal shade of gray, “Soon, your witches of New Orleans are going to lose their Ancestral magic. They will have to return to Earth magic. You might want to prepare yourself.” Thanatos snapped his fingers and sent Marcel back to New Orleans.
He gave Lei a side hug, “They will be arriving shortly. I know it is short notice but that world is on the verge of imploding.” Lei nodded, “Thank you.” Thanatos kissed her temple, turned to Klaus and pointed to Mikael, “Save his ashes. You’ll need them for the witch Freya is linked to.” Klaus nodded his head and went to gather Mikael’s ashes into a pile. Bill conjured an urn for him. “Thanks, mate,” Klaus scooped up the ashes into the urn and sealed it.
Narcissa observed Elijah, “Are you alright? That must not have been easy, he was still your father after all.” Elijah fidgeted with his cuffs and tie, a nervous twitch, “Yes. He was a cruel man before we were turned, after which he became a monster that monsters were afraid of.” Elijah kept his eyes on the now empty sarcophagus as he spoke. Narcissa brushed the imaginary lint from Elijah’s suit, “Well, come along. Your siblings will need your guidance to adapt to the times.” Elijah half-smiled and offered Narcissa his arm like a gentleman to escort her out of the room.
Damon and Lei approached Klaus. The Original Hybrid was unnaturally quiet while clutching The Destroyer’s urn to his chest. He didn’t want to put it down thinking Mikael may rise from his ashes and kill him. Lei gently put her hand on his shoulder, “Would it make you feel better if his urn was put somewhere warded that only you could access?” Damon moved to Klaus’ other side, “Not even your siblings could get in. You heard Death, his ashes will be needed.” Klaus didn’t say anything, he was trying to hold in his emotions. He didn’t know if he wanted to rage and go on a killing spree, or breakdown in tears of relief.
Klaus spoke quietly but loud enough for Damon and Lei to hear, “For over a millennium, my siblings and I have been running from him.” Klaus cleared the lump in his throat then spoke, “Every time we were on the verge of happiness, Mikael would destroy it. Anytime I felt happy or at peace, it would shatter from his presence. When my siblings would threaten to leave me, I dagger them. To keep them close, to keep them safe.”
“Safe? That wasn’t keeping us safe, that was you controlling us! We wanted to live our own lives! Instead, we got a dagger to the heart!” Kol had come back into the room. Klaus knew this fight was inevitable. He clutched the urn a little tighter as he turned to his siblings who followed Kol. “Those lives you all wanted to live would bring Mikael’s attention to you. I couldn’t have that. The mindless killings, dropping the bodies, never cleaning up after yourselves. How long do you think it would have taken for The Destroyer to find you? It was for your own good! Why do you think Finn was daggered for so long?! He was suicidal, probably still is!” Finn stepped next to Kol, “That may be, at least before finding Freya alive.”
The tension in the air was thick, the Original siblings moments away from a physical altercation. A gasp from Lei garnered everyone’s attention, “The wards shifted.” She didn’t wait to hear anyone ask what’s wrong before Lei bolted out of the dueling room. Lei ran quickly through her home to the foyer. She skidded to a stop at the scene in front of her.
Thanatos was standing amongst several witches and wizards; some of which Lei knew to be dead. Hermione, the Weasleys, the Malfoys, and Fenrir were standing behind Leilani. The Originals and Salvatores stayed further back from them. “I told you it was short notice,” Death actually looked sheepish. He had rescued as many as he and his reapers could. Only nine stood with Thanatos; The LeStrange brothers Rodolphus and Rabastan, Pansy Parkinson, Lavender Brown, Minerva McGonagall, Luna Lovegood, Severus Snape, Sirius and Regulus Black.
The last three had everyone thinking they were hallucinating. A very emotional Lei stepped closer to the new group, “Padfoot? Uncle Sev? Regulus?” Those three crowded Lei. “We’re here pup,” Sirius bear-hugged his goddaughter. Severus stood to the side and patted her back while Regulus shuffled his feet awkwardly. Lei knew something that would make Regulus feel a little better. She pried herself from her dogfather and called, “Kreature.”
The old, grumpy house elf ‘popped’ next to Lei, “Yes, Mistress.” Lei didn’t say anything, she just pointed behind him. Kreature turned and sobbed, “Master Regulus!” The younger Black brother now has a sobbing house elf clinging to his legs. He patted his head, which had an interesting reaction. A silver glow surrounded the house elf and Regulus. Once the glow faded, everyone noted the changes to Kreature; he looked younger and seemed more energetic. Kreature had bonded with his favorite person and friend.
Thanatos stood near Lei and said, “I tried to bring Remus but he wanted to stay with Tonks and Teddy. Everyone who is here wanted to leave. Fair warning, someone came with them.” Death moved to the side and showed who he was talking about. Lei grew uncomfortable under the judgemental eyes of, “Mrs. Norris.” Leilani took a step back, “How are you?” She whispered to Death, “How is she still alive?” Of course, everyone with supernatural hearing heard her and chuckled. Mrs. Norris’ eyes narrowed further, her tail lazily flipped back and forth like a human would tap their foot in disappointment.
Hermione cleared her throat, “Why don’t we get everyone situated for the night? Then we can explain this world’s differences.” Pip, Winky, and Kreature navigated the group through the house to their guest rooms. Sirius, Severus, and Minerva stayed behind. Minerva stern as ever, “I never in my wildest dreams thought I would be transported to a different version of Earth. Now that I am here…I’m glad to see you two again.” She hugged Hermione and Lei. Sirius being the goofball he was, threw his arms around the three of them.
Severus rolled his eyes, “Silly mutt.” Sirius lifted his head, “You love me, Sev.” “Debatable,” Severus shrugged. Being in the afterlife had given the Marauders and Snape time to reflect and bond. They are not the best of friends but they do get along well enough.
Damon moved closer to Leilani, “Lei, I’m going to take them to the Boarding house for the night. We’ll be back tomorrow morning.” Finn voiced, “I’m not leaving without Freya.” Fenrir made a suggestion to Finn, “We can move her to the Sanctuary and you can stay with her. It’s dinnertime for most of them anyway.” Almost all of the Originals followed Fenrir, leaving Klaus with Damon and Stefan. Damon just shrugged, “Well, whatever suits them.” Klaus is still holding Mikael’s urn, “Knowing Kol, he probably will move into the library. Any item, book, tome, or scroll containing magic he’ll devour. It’s his way of staying close to the magic he lost when we were turned. He even created a few covens over the centuries.”
Later that night everyone settled into their rooms. Damon, Klaus and Lei were laying in her bed. They had quickly gotten used to sleeping next to each other. Now that Damon is healed, his senses have heightened even more than a vampires. Every sight, sound, and smell is clearer. Klaus had set Mikael’s urn inside Lei’s massive closet before relaxing on the bed. The three of them are in the same positions as the past few nights.
Stefan went back to the Boarding house and he was exhausted from the past week’s events. If he wasn’t so tired, he would’ve felt the witches that were hiding in his home. Four of the seven witches that took residence in the old witches’ house were sent to capture the Ripper of Monterey. They were going to use him to retrieve Esther’s coffin so they could wake her. One of these witches was a very angry Lucy Bennett and Bonnie’s mother Abby. They rendered Stefan unconscious and dragged him out of the Boarding house, the wand wielders none the wiser.
AN: Uh-oh! Cliffhanger. Esther will arrive in the next chapter. The newest arrivals will take a moment to get used to their surroundings. And Caroline gets a visit from her father in the next chapter.