Invisible String | TVD x WIZARDING WORLD

THE ONE WITH THE OLD GAY WIZARDS

I was curled up on the couch by the fireplace at the Mikaelson estate, a copy of Pride and Prejudice in my hands. Don't ask me how I got into classics—I have no idea. Care blames hormonal changes. Sure. Let's go with that.

It's been almost a week since I got back. And... it's weird. Seeing Elena and Dad together all the time. Like, all the time.

I mean, Stefan and Care are married, and they don't orbit each other this obsessively. Sure, Elena was asleep for years and they have a lot to catch up on, but still... I guess I'm just not used to seeing Dad play the part of a hopeless romantic.

It kind of makes my skin crawl.

I've been spending most evenings at the Mikaelsons' anyway. Klaus insists I keep training, says I shouldn't rely solely on "tribrid instincts." Freya agrees. Freya—yeah. The long-lost Mikaelson sister.

Apparently, a lot happened while I was gone. Nothing as catastrophic as Cade or Katherine, but... enough. Freya's back now too, fresh from some magical coma. Everyone's thrilled. And honestly?

So am I.
Mostly.

"Aah, there you are," I heard Kol say as he flopped dramatically beside me, knocking the couch cushion with his elbow. "Pride and Prejudice? Seriously? Overrated classic."

I didn't look up. "Says the guy who spent two hours last night watching reality TV dating shows."

"Hey, Love is Lava is a masterpiece," he said, pointing at me with exaggerated offense. "Unlike this Darcy fellow who, let's be honest, needs therapy more than a wife."

I flipped the page. "He's fictional. You, on the other hand, are just sad."

Kol gave a loud, exaggerated sigh and dramatically sprawled his arms across the back of the couch—right behind me. "I'm just saying, all this 'I love you despite myself' nonsense? Toxic. Red flags. You deserve better role models."

"Like you?"

"Exactly," he smirked, stealing a pillow and hugging it like it owed him money. "I'd never ghost someone just because I found out they had lower social status. I'd just roast them and move on."

"Touching. Remind me to nominate you for Brother of the Year."

"Oh, please do," he said, feigning wiping a tear. "And while you're at it, burn that book. I'll get you something better. Maybe a nice murder mystery. With explosions."

"And zero character development?"

"Exactly. Now that's literature."

I rolled my eyes, closing the book just enough to peek over it. "You're unbearable."

"And yet you love me," he said with that Kol Mikaelson grin—cocky, chaotic, and entirely too pleased with himself.

"Unfortunately."

He beamed. "That's the spirit, sister dearest."

"Any letters today?" he asked.

Kol Mikaelson had suddenly taken an odd interest in the Hogwarts mail system. Said he'd known witches for over a millennium, yet never once saw them use owls. Compared it to the time they were hiding out in the jungles from their father—back when they used sparrows to send messages if one of them got lost.

"Yep. One from Harry and another from Sophie," I said.

"Harry does know how to communicate like a normal human being, right? Yet somehow, most of the letters come from him?" Kol raised a brow.