Invisible String | TVD x WIZARDING WORLD

HELLO ELEVEN (Pt. II)

The house was glowing with fairy lights and warm laughter when the front door slammed open with a loud bang, rattling the chandeliers.
"Happy Birthday, my little princess!" Klaus boomed, stepping inside like a hurricane. He was dressed sharply — dark jacket, mischievous grin — and in his hand, a large bouquet of deep red and black roses tied together with a green ribbon.
Before I could react, Klaus swooped me up into a big bear hug, spinning me around like I was a little leaf caught in a wild wind.
"Look at you," Klaus chuckled as he set me down, brushing a strand of hair from my face with surprising tenderness. "Growing more powerful, more beautiful, every single day. The world doesn't even realize what a storm you're going to be someday."
I giggled breathlessly. "Thank you, Uncle Klaus."
Just then, Elijah entered, calm and elegant, his hands behind his back. He waited patiently for the commotion to die down before stepping forward.
"Happy Birthday, Diana," he said, bowing slightly. "You are becoming a young lady of great promise. Always remember — kindness and strength are not enemies. Together, they make you unstoppable."
He handed me a small, neatly wrapped box. Inside was a beautiful fountain pen, old-fashioned but gleaming, and a leather-bound notebook with my initials engraved in gold.
"For the stories you will someday write," Elijah said warmly. "And for the history you will someday make."
My heart swelled.
Then came Rebekah, all style and sass, carrying a glittery bag almost bigger than me.
"Happy Birthday, darling!" she sang out, handing it to me with a wink. "I picked this out myself. You're going to be the most fashionable eleven-year-old ever."
I tore it open and gasped — it was a custom green leather jacket, with a tiny embroidered dragon over the heart.
"It's..well," Rebekah added casually, flicking her hair back. "Fireproof, waterproof, and... brother-proof," she added, shooting Kol a pointed look.
"Rude," Kol muttered, strolling in behind her.
Kol approached with a lazy grin, holding a small envelope. "Happy Birthday, little menace," he teased. "I figured, why get you something boring when I could get you something exciting?"
Inside the envelope was a voucher — a week-long falconry course.
"You're serious?" I gasped.
Kol winked. "What better for a dragon girl than learning to command birds of prey?"
The room was still buzzing when, suddenly, I heard a soft laugh from behind the crowd.
"Hey, kiddo."
I turned — and froze.
Jeremy.
Standing there, arms crossed, looking at me like no time had passed at all.
I blinked hard, sure I was imagining things.
I had no idea he was coming.
"You're here," I whispered, my voice already cracking.
He smiled, warm and real. "Of course I'm here. Wouldn't miss your birthday for anything in the world."
Before I could think, I ran straight into him, wrapping my arms around him so tight he laughed, hugging me just as fiercely back.
"I missed you," I mumbled into his shirt, trying not to cry.
"Missed you too, squirt," he said, his voice just a little rough. "You're getting so tall — soon you're gonna be taller than me."
When we finally pulled apart, Jeremy reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out a small box, worn around the edges like it had been held many times.
"Here," he said, pressing it into my hands. "This... it was mine. But it's yours now."
Inside, nestled in soft green velvet, was a silver compass.
Not just any compass — old, a little battered, but beautiful, with tiny, delicate engravings of stars and leaves on the casing.
"It's enchanted," Jeremy said quietly, kneeling so we were eye-level. "No matter where you are in the world... no matter how far you go... it'll always point to the people who love you the most."
My breath hitched. Tears filled my eyes before I could stop them.
"You're never lost, Diana," he said gently. "You always have a way home."
I threw my arms around him again, sobbing this time — but happy sobs, bursting with love.
"Thank you, Jeremy," I choked out. "I'll keep it forever."
He chuckled into my hair. "I know you will, little dragon."
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Damon, standing a little off to the side, watching us.
He wasn't smiling — not with his mouth.
But his eyes were shining, full of pride and something even bigger.
And when I caught his eye, he gave me a tiny nod.
The kind that said: Good. You're surrounded by the right people.
Then Bonnie practically floated into the room, wearing a sparkly green headband.
"Birthday Queen, reporting for duty!" she said brightly, pulling me into a tight hug.
Her gift was a little velvet pouch — inside was a tiny enchanted crystal that changed color based on my mood.
"It'll help you, you know," Bonnie said, tapping my nose gently. "When your magic starts to get bigger... which it will, and soon."
"It's beautiful, Bonnie. Thank you." I whispered.
Just when I thought my heart couldn't hold any more happiness,
"OHHH MY GOD, DIANA!" care shrieked, throwing glitter in the air. "ITS MY TURN NOW!!!"
She pulled me into a huge hug, almost lifting me off the ground.
"Now close your eyes," she ordered.
When I did, she placed something soft and heavy around my shoulders. I opened my eyes to see a green velvet cloak, lined with silver embroidery and tiny star patterns.
"For all your adventures," Caroline said dramatically, hands on her hips. "Every princess needs a cloak!"
I twirled in it, laughing.
"I LOVE IT, CAROLINE!" I yelled.
"Told ya," she winked.
Then Stefan came forward(I love how everyone makes me feel my bday's an international holiday), his smile quieter but no less warm.
"Happy birthday, Diana," he said softly, offering a small box.
Inside was a locket — shaped like a dragon's egg — and when I opened it, tiny illusions played inside: a flying dragon, a starry sky, a laughing girl. Me.
"Whenever you miss someone," Stefan said gently, "just open it. You'll always have us right here."
Tears threatened my eyes again.
The room shimmered with love.
Daddy —he stood at the center, arms crossed, eyes shining with a kind of fierce, raw pride.
"You're so loved, kid," he said, voice rough. "You better not ever forget it."
Then Caroline clapped her hands. "Alright! Now, PRESENT TIME!"
I raced to the huge tree covered in fairy lights, everyone cheering.
One by one, I opened the gifts: spellbooks from Bonnie, dragon figurines from Kol, a leather backpack from Klaus, a diary with a secret lock from Jeremy, a handmade crown from Rebekah, and a green gemstone ring from Elijah.
Every time I opened a gift, I threw myself into their arms, showering them with thanks.
Laughter filled every corner of the house, mixing with the faint music from the stereo and the twinkling of the fairy lights.
Finally, it was Daddy's turn. He had one last gift for me. It was a small, delicate music box, with a tiny dragon sitting atop it. As I opened it, my favourite lullaby, filled the room, it was dad's voice.
"thought you might like something to remind you of all the adventures ahead," Damon said quietly, his eyes soft as he watched me.
I smiled, tears pricking the corners of my eyes. "I love this, dad."
Daddy picked me up and twirled me around again, my green cloak billowing behind me like real wings.
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