Always and Forever: a new life.

Masquerade ball.

For the rest of the weekend Hope stayed out of the supernatural business. Tyler told her that his uncle left to go back to Florida, meaning Stefan and Damon killed him, and Matt mention Elena’s aunt, Jenna, had a freak accident with a knife, meaning Katherine stabbed her. Personally, Hope hadn’t gone outside much in the last two days, keeping to the confidence of her apartment she studied ways in which time travel can be possible through magic, with no previous study or statistic to pull from, she was at a loss.
Hope sat cross-legged on her apartment floor, surrounded by a chaotic array of books, papers, and half-empty mugs. Her laptop screen illuminated her tired expression. With each click of the mouse, she hoped to uncover the secrets of temporal manipulation, but her efforts only seemed to lead down rabbit holes of conflicting theories and pseudoscientific jargon. “Magic and time travel,” she muttered to herself, tapping her chin in thought. “Doesn’t really come with a manual does it?” She glanced around her cluttered space, half-expecting a answer to materialize out of thin air. With a resigned sigh, Hope resigned herself to the fact that this was going to take a while, and the study of time would require more than just a sprinkle of pixie dust and a pinch of wishful thinking.

Hope went to the Grill despite knowing Matt wasn’t going to be there, earlier that day he had texted her that he was going to help Jeremy and Elena bring Jenna home who was getting discharged from the hospital today. Still, for the change of scenery she went, she didn’t want the Salvatore brothers to think she was afraid of them, although Hope had to admit she was worried about hurting the timeline. Caroline hadn’t spoken to her since that day at the Lockwood mansion so Hope assumed they told her, now that did hurt, she has gotten close to Caroline in the few weeks she has spent in Mystic Falls of the past.

Hope was just enjoying her salad when Damon Salvatore made another one of his appearances, she groaned “You again? Seriously, do you have a death wish?” “Here I thought we were getting along , you know in our mutual secret of our supernatural lifestyles.” He mocked with a smirk, Hope was unamused. “What? you think I’m good to rat you out to someone about your blood drinking habits?” “You wouldn’t. One wrong spell, and your broomstick won’t be the only thing that’s flying.” “Is that all you came here for? To threaten me?” she said almost sounding bored and frustrated “What do you want Damon?” “No. The question is what do you want?” he countered with anger.

“Are you working with Katherine?” he asked , no demand. She just looked at him baffled “Okay, what is with you accusing me of working with random people I’ve never met? No. I’m not working with Katherine.” She whisper yelled back at him. “You want me to believe that? What are you doing in Mystic Falls?” he stressed again, unrelenting. His raven dark hair falling on his forehead, he had his eyes set intensity on her and Hope knew he wouldn’t go anywhere without some kind of answer. She sighed “I’m here to undo a spell that was done to me. I don’t know how or by who, but I was in Mystic Falls when it happened and I need to be here to undo it for myself, I’m trying to figure it out but I haven’t had much luck.” “So you’re saying this has nothing to do with Katherine?”

“Again, no. Who is that anyway??” her face twisted to frustration but Damon still looked at her with suspicion and confusing, he couldn’t believe this as a coincidence but the longer he watched the more unreasonable it seems, she wasn’t working with Katherine but that didn’t mean she wasn’t a threat to Elena. Damon considered her truth but in his experience, trusting people only ever lead to hurt heartbreak , right now he didn’t know what to do with her….
“Nice chatting.” He left abruptly, making Hope more pissed and confused. Sitting alone at the Grill’s table once again Hope scoffed with annoyance at the blue eyed vampire. ‘No wonder what he is going to get up to?’

As nightfall descended, a cloak of darkness draped over the world, enveloping everything in its embrace. The last vestiges of sunlight lingered on the horizon, casting a soft, golden glow that slowly faded into the deepening hues of indigo and violet.
Hope walked in through the grandiose gates of the sprawling mansion, the air was already thick with anticipation, suffused with the heady scent of lavender and smoky incense. Stars were beginning to emerge one by one, blinking into existence like tiny diamonds scattered across the velvet sky. At the doorway was the jesters in resplendent attire welcomed guests with theatrical flourishes, their masks forming mischievous smiles as they served delicacies and poured glasses of sparkling champagne. A cascade of golden light spilled from ornate chandeliers overhead, as the sounds of laughter and music echoed throughout the place, accompanied by the occasional tinkling of glasses and the rustle of fabrics. Hope’s jewel blue eyes noted a kaleidoscope of vibrant, opulent purples and shimmering golds that reminded her of her home, New Orleans, brought to life by the elaborate dresses and tuxes adorning the partygoers who mingled beneath the high ceiling of the Lockwood mansion. Shadows danced and shifted, weaving intricate patterns that seemed to come alive in the darkness.

Hope spotted Caroline Forbes across the room and decided in that moment to approach her. This was the very reason Hope was here in the first place, she wanted to make up with Caroline, the girls had become friends somewhat and this unsaid problem that arose between them because of Damon was suffocating to Hope.
The air between them  crackled with tension as they stood in the quiet corner of the hall, Caroline’s eyes skirted around her,  fidgeted with the end of her blonde curls, she refused to meet Hope’s gaze until Hope was directly in front of her.
“Hi Hope” her voice was squeaky and small “Hey Care,” she smiled softly the awkwardness was killing her “I wanted to talk to you?” Hope’s heart had clenched at the sound of Caroline’s tentative greeting. Taking a deep breath, she had gathered her courage and approached her friend. Caroline nodded hesitantly ,
“I just want you to know that I see you as a friend. When I came to this town I was alone and didn’t have anyone I could relate to or share with but then I met you, and you mean a lot to me. I know Damon must have said a lot about me but I want you to know, I am your friend. That hasn’t changed. You can talk to me if you have any problem, and I’ll be here.” Caroline’s eyes softened, and she looked up at Hope, a hint of vulnerability in her gaze. “I… I appreciate that, Hope.” Hope drew a breath and said “I also want you to know, I’m not working with Katherine. “ she added “I know Damon must have said somethings about me but… Damon’s an idiot.” Caroline snorted “Yeah that I do know, better than anyone really.” The blonde added with a smile.

“He did say something though…are you really…?” “Yes, I’m a witch, but I don’t mean anyone any harm I promise. I’m just trying to live my life in peace and I hope we can all get along fine?” a small smile tugging at the corners of her lips. “Thank you, Hope. I do trust you.”

Hope returned the smile, her heart lighter than it had been in days. “Good. Because you’re an important friend to me, Caroline.”

Caroline’s smile widened, and she reached over and pulled Hope into a warm hug. “You’re important to me too, Hope. Let’s just forget everything” waving her hand, Caroline shut her eyes laughing “and just start over?” “Agreed.” Hope laughed softly and Caroline giggled as they pulled away.
Hope nodded in agreement, her eyes shining with relief. “Agreed. Friends?” offering her hand, she asked the blonde vampire.

Caroline’s hand tightened around Hope’s, her own deep blue eyes glimmering with amusement and kindness.

“Friends.”

The party was wild, and if she was going to be honest it was the most fun Hope had ever had since she ended up in this time. She and Caroline laughed and talked and danced to their hearts content, giggling and joking the whole time, eventually Caroline went looking for Matt and Hope decided to go get them drinks but that was only a façade, Hope knew this is when Kathrine gets lured into her trap and Tyler Lockwood triggers his curse and she didn’t want to interfere with that part of the timeline so, instead Hope went outside to get some fresh air, the night was cool and she could still see the flashing lights of the party as people danced and drank.

Just then a piercing cry cut through the night, shocking Hope. She ran over to the sound only to find Elena Gilbert kneeling to the ground bleeding from her arm and back, Jeremy and Bonnie Bennett trying to help her. “What’s going on?” she breathed out “She’s hurt.” Said Jeremy but Bonnie took a defence stance in front of Elena, distrustful of Hope like most. “Are you the one who put this spell on her?” she accused, eyes narrowed, her dark skin was unusually pale in the night from the worry she felt for her friend. “What? No! I didn’t, but I can help…. If you let me...” she kneeled down beside them “Wait, but if you didn’t ….” Brown eyes widening, they weren’t the only two witches here tonight.. there was another, someone she had met earlier that night. “I think I know who did this, Jeremy keep pressure on the wound. I’ll be right back."

Running back inside Bonnie left Elena, Jeremy and Hope alone. Tears were streaming down Elena’s eyes as she tried to hold back her sobs “Hey, it’s going to be alright okay? Trust me, I know it hurts right now but it won’t for long, I can help with that, just breathe okay?” she comforted the girl “What are you going to do?” questioned Jeremy “I can heal her wound, I can’t break the spell that seems to be  linking her, only the witch who cast it can do that, but I can heal her wounds.” “Do it. please.”

Hope put her hand on Elena’s back right over the wound and muttered “Phasmaros cura quod fractum est.” and as they watched, her skin started to mend itself back together slowly with the incantation, healing completely. Elena sighed in relief, taking in jaded breaths “Thank you,” she said softly with sincerity genuinely thankful for Hope being here, the pain was almost unbearable but as the hole in her back disappeared she felt like she could stand again, but she didn’t risk it “its okay. Are you feeling fine?” Hope furrowed her eyebrows brushing her red curls out of her face, “Guys, Bonnie can brake the spell. She found the witch.”  Jeremy looked up from his phone, a hopefully look on his face. They breathed in relief. “Its okay now, you’re going to be fine.” She assured the brunette, wiping her hands in the emerald dress she wore for the event, Hope helped Elena to her feet.

After twenty minutes, Stefan came running out of the Lockwood mansion his features full of worry as his green eyes examined every inch of Elena before hugging her, the girl in response tightened her hold around his shoulders burying her face in his neck, they exchanged quick greetings. “Elena! Are you alright? Are you hurt?” “I’m okay! thank God, you’re alright. I had Hope with me, she did some kind of healing spell, I’m fine.” Over her shoulder, Stefan thanked Hope to make sure she knew how grateful he was, she nodded with a smile. Taking her leave, she decided it was time to leave the two lovebirds alone.

This had been a long night  and that was really saying something. Hope made her way over to the parking lot of the Lockwood mansion to retire for the night, just then there was a ‘thunk’ a car trunk being shut. “Hey,” she turned to see Damon Salvatore once again, his dark suit making his pale white skin stand out in the dark of the night. “Bonnie told me about what you did for Elena. Thank you, I might have misjudged you earlier.” He admitted, lips firm in a line he gave a half smile of acknowledgement.

“It’s okay, I think I misjudged you earlier too to be fair.” She admitted as well, uncrossing her arms. “Are we cool now?” he asked “We’re cool. For now.” she said with a smirk that turned into a real smile.
He chuckled, “Alright then Red, I’ll see you around.” he smirked back.