Invisible String | TVD x WIZARDING WORLD

THE FIRST TASTE ALWAYS STAYS

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I wiped the last of the blood from my mouth, guilt still clinging to my teeth like an aftertaste I couldn't spit out.

He sat beside me now, on the cold stone floor of the Astronomy Tower like we hadn't just rewritten the rules. Like I hadn't just sunk my teeth into him again.

"So," I said, turning to him, voice low. "Why didn't it work?"

Theo blinked at me, like the question caught him off guard. Maybe it did.

I sighed. "I compelled you. That night. To forget. To stay away from me. Why didn't it work?"

He smiled. Actually laughed. "Guess you weren't strong enough to compel me away."

I rolled my eyes, but there was no venom left in me. Just exhaustion. "It should have worked."

"Did you tell anyone?" I asked quietly, almost afraid of the answer.

He tilted his head, eyebrow raised. "Was I supposed to?"

"You had a chance," I said. "To win over me. To use it. To twist the knife."

Theo didn't look at me when he answered.

"I never intended to win over you, Di."

"That's a dumb move," I muttered, trying to hide the lump forming in my throat.

"I've made worse."

I chuckled, shaking my head as the tension began to peel off us, like layers of winter skin.

"So... how did you end up like—" Theodore started, voice trailing off.

"Like this?" I finished for him, raising an eyebrow.

He nodded, sheepish. "Mmhm."

I exhaled, leaning back against the wall. "Let's see... died as a witch, no doubt about that. Then came back to life as part vampire, part werewolf."

He blinked. "Whoa, werewolf? I kinda assumed you were just related to Dracula somehow. Even tried to figure out if Draco had fangs."

I burst out laughing. "Gods, can you imagine Draco Malfoy with a bloodlust monologue and a cape?"

"Honestly? Wouldn't put it past him," he grinned.

I smiled, softening. "Well, Dracula's a myth. But Damon—my dad—he's not."

His brows shot up. "He's a vampire and a werewolf too?"

"Nah," I smirked. "Just a vampire. It was Klaus's blood that changed everything. That's what made me a tribrid."

His face twisted in mock horror. "Yeah, that 'ancient tribrid compulsion' threat you threw at me last year? Suddenly makes a lot more sense."

We both chuckled again.

"How did you die though—?" he asked, a little too casually.

I turned my head slowly, eyes narrowing. "That's a sensitive question, Nott," I deadpanned.

He immediately backtracked, stuttering, "I didn't mean it like—"

"Relax." I let a lazy smile stretch across my face, though it didn't quite reach my eyes. "It's complicated."

He nodded, waiting. Still too close, still too curious.

I sighed and leaned back, letting the stars spin above me.

"Well... my family's made a few enemies over the past, what—hundred years or so?" I said, like it was just a thing. Like some families pass down heirlooms, and mine passed down blood feuds.

"One of those enemies," I continued, "decided to become queen of hell. Crown and all. And it took a lot of power—mine and Bonnie's—to finally end her reign."

Theo blinked. "Queen of hell?? That's a thing??"

"Apparently." I gave him a sideways glance. "We don't talk about how real it got."

He stayed quiet.

"I was still a new witch back then," I added softly. "Didn't know my limits. That kind of outburst—raw magic, full throttle—it took her down."

I paused.

"And it took me too."

Theo's face changed—like something clicked. Like he could see the ghost in me now, flickering just behind my smirk.

I didn't give him time to say something tragic or gentle. I just shrugged.

"Death was... a lot quieter than I thought it'd be."

"I'm glad you're back," he said, eyes on the stars like they were easier to face than me.

I looked up too. Let the sky stretch out above us, ancient and endless, just like my family. Just like the weight we never say out loud.

"Careful, Nott," I said, a smirk tugging at my lips. "If I didn't know better, I'd say you're caring too much."

He didn't laugh. Didn't flinch.

"Maybe that's what I want you to think," he murmured.

"Dangerous game," I whispered.

His eyes met mine. "You're the one who's dangerous, Di."