As the group watched their childhood friend break down in the arms of a stranger, they all began to question their involvement in making her unhappy. Sure, Matt and Tyler weren't necessarily that close with the Bennet witch but they grew up together and experienced a lot of things with one another. They couldn't stop their heart from aching at their friend being so in pain and yet, they hadn't noticed. They vowed to be more involved in her life and protect her from those who wish her harm, even if said person was Elena Gilbert.
Caroline, on the other hand, was feeling intense guilt and anger that she was unsure of how to act. Bonnie was one of her best friends, they spent the majority of their time together and yet, not once had she stopped and asked how she felt about being a witch and what that entails. She knew Elena relied on Bonnie's magic for a lot of things, especially when she seemed to be surrounded by trouble constantly. It wasn't until that very moment that she realised how much pressure Elena truly put on their friend, she had seen her argue with Bonnie when the girl wouldn't do something for her but had simply shrugged it off and put it down to being in a stressful situation. What hurt her the most, however, was that two strangers were able to pick up on her best friend's distress and yet, she wasn't able to see it. She vowed to be there more for her friend and stick by her side, it was clear to her that the new couple will have an important role in their lives from now on, and Caroline couldn't say she minded all that much.
Elena was seething, how dare they accuse her of using bonnie! Sure, Bonnie's magic was convenient to have whenever she needed it, but Elena was someone who was always put in harm's way, she needed Bonnie to be there to save her. She was even more furious at her traitor's best friend, who was curled in the lap of the stranger who stole Stefan and Damon from her. She had told Bonnie and Caroline about the dangerous couple who was clearly there to harm her, she saw the way this Raven girl was watching her and she couldn't understand why no one else can see it. She vowed to pull Damon away from her clutches, it was clear to her that he was being forced into a type of disgusting three-way relationship with the new couple. No, she will not allow it to continue, he will be begging for her attention again soon enough.
The Salvator brothers watched as the Bennet witch clung to Raven as if she was the oxygen she breathed. They both felt guilty because they knew none of this would have happened if they simply stayed away from Mystic falls, but in their defence, this was their home once upon a time and it had always held a special place in their hearts.
Stefan had thought of Georges' words and couldn't find himself disagreeing with them, that had been times when Stefan hadn't wanted to use Bonnie's magic and yet, Elena had downright demanded that Bonnie do something to help. He felt as if his girlfriend thought their friend owed her something and would not take no for an answer. Unfortunately, this led to the death of Bonnie's grandmother, Sheila and the guilt still eats him up.
Damon wasn't used to sobbing women, truth be told, it made him somewhat uncomfortable but watching the Bennet witch break down in his mate's arms didn't sit well with him. Yes, they've had a rocky relationship but wanted to hit himself that he hadn't realised how much of a toll it took on her to be dragged into the vampire business. However, Raven and George might be able to bring out a side of the witch that no one has ever seen and to be quite honest, he's looking forward to it.
Watching the little witch sob and cry on his mate's lap made him realise just how grateful he was to have her. She was ridiculously caring, even to those who she didn't know but like him, she could tell the poor girl was holding a lot of pain and resentment. They weren't sure that the Gilbert girl was the only reason for her breakdown, but he would never allow one of his people to suffer alone, and he's positive Raven felt the same.
-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-•
It wasn't long until Bonnie's tears dried up and exhaustion hit, but she knew she wasn't in the place to be able to fall asleep. It was then that she remembered where she was and who she was sitting on, she pulled back and a deep blush formed on her cheeks.
"I'm so sorry, oh God this is embarrassing" She spluttered and wiped away the dampness from her cheeks, avoiding eye contact with everyone.
"Hush now, little Witch. It seems all of those tears needed to be released, anyway, we magical folk need to stick together" Raven smiled softly at the girl on her lap, she hated seeing her so in pain but knew that the tears needed to be shed.
"So... You're a witch? And he's a warlock?" This brought a confused look to Georges' face, he looked at his mate before looking back at the other witch.
"A what? What the fuck is a warlock?" He chuckled and a small smile appeared on Bonnie's face when she released that he wasn't making fun of her, but had found the term amusing.
"They aren't called that in our world, he's a wizard"
"Like the wizard of Oz?" Caroline questioned curiously.
"Who?" the couple asked in unison, earning shocked gasps from both Bonnie and Caroline.
"You've never seen the movie, Wizard of Oz?" Bonnie asked, her eyes wide in disbelief as she looked between Raven and George. George seemed to be overwhelmed with the confusion he was feeling and began to rub his temples dramatically, Raven, on the other hand, shook her head in answer.
"I've never been so confused, Steffy" George groaned and looked at the vampire beside him, who was watching the interaction with an amused smile. Stefan patted him on the shoulder, feigning sympathy, ignoring the daggers that were sent his way by his girlfriend, who did not look happy one bit.
"How about a girl's night?" Caroline gasped in excitement, seeming almost giddy as she clapped her hands. Raven couldn't help but smile fondly at the blonde vampire, who seemed rather sweet and innocent. She noticed Elena looking at her friend in shock and betrayal, though she wasn't sure if Caroline knew or if she was simply ignoring her.
"I don't see why not, you're more than welcome to have it at our manor" George offered with a smile, knowing that Raven needed a night with some female friends. He knew she missed Camille and the chats they used to have, which Damon, George and Stefan were unable to provide for her, they simply couldn't do the whole girl-talk thing.
"M-Manor?" Bonnie spluttered, her shocked expression identical to those standing around.
"I bet my house is bigger" Elena commented in a smug tone, earning annoyed looks from her friends whilst the Salvator brothers looked at one another before bursting into laughter.
"What's so funny" She hissed, angry at her boyfriend and his brother laughing at her. She couldn't understand what was so special about the couple and she was positive that they weren't so rich that they live in an actual manor. She knew the Salvators lived in a large home, and so did the Lockwoods but she has not ever seen another property as big as theirs.
"Their house is two times the size of the boarding house, it's pretty amazing actually" Stefan commented as he calmed down, his tone filled with awe. This, however, made Elena even more furious and she felt the jealousy overflow.
"You've been to her house!" She accused, glaring viciously at her boyfriend, who looked utterly confused by her statement.
"Well... Yeah, of course," He simply couldn't understand why she seemed so upset by the fact. Raven was her brother's mate (not that they knew that, of course) but he had also built a solid friendship with the couple and for the first time in years, he felt he could be himself.
"I can't believe you, Stefan"
"I don't understand, what's the big deal?" Tyler commented for the first time. He truly couldn't understand why Elena reacted in such a way... Sure, Raven was breathtaking but it was clear as day that her attention was focused on George and Damon. Yes, he was surprised that she had two boyfriends and he was more shocked by the fact that they seemed to not care, nonetheless, it's their life and if what they said is true and in 'their world' this is normal, then who is he to judge?
"Jealousy isn't a good look, Elena" Damon mocked, smirking when he noticed the doppelganger's face redden in anger.
"Anyway, Bonnie and Caroline, you're more than welcome to come with me. We can have a girls' night, tonight" This seemed to excite both girls, who nodded in acceptance instantly. Before they knew it, Caroline grabbed hold of Bonnie's hand and began to drag her towards the door.
"You don't have my address" Raven called out, making them come to an abrupt stop. They sheepishly walked back to the table and everyone, except Elena, laughed in amusement at their eagerness.
"Here is my number, text me when you're ready and ill send you the address," Raven said as she wrote her number down on the back of the recipe, handing it to Bonnie who smiled in thanks before once again, being dragged away.
"I guess that means you're stuck with us, George" Damon chuckled, looking at the man who shared a part of his mate's heart. He may not be Georges's mate but there was some sort of connection he felt for the ginger, he just couldn't place what it was yet but he knew he was attracted to the wizard and hoped it wasn't one-sided.
"Oh, I don't mind that at all" George teased as he smirked at the raven-haired vampire in front of him. George had always known he was bisexual, and even though his parents weren't accepting of the fact, Fred and his older brothers always made sure to tell him how much they loved him, no matter who he was. Damon was extremely handsome, a fool would think otherwise but he wasn't entirely sure how to go about his relationship with the male when he was sure his main focus is on Raven. Don't get him wrong, Raven is their mate and she will always be a priority, but his attraction to the vampire was increasing as the days go on and it was getting harder to not touch both him and their darling mate.
-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-
Later that evening, Raven was in the kitchen, helping her elves prepare dinner and snacks for her girl's night with Bonnie and Caroline. She was feeling rather nervous and she wasn't sure why, even though she has had girl nights with Hermione, Ginny and Luna in the past... She felt as if this was somehow different. She pushed back the thoughts of the two traitors and focussed on Luna, the innocent and intelligent girl who had always stuck by her, even when those who she thought of as best friends, abandoned her. She kept in touch with Luna throughout the years but it had been some time since she had seen her, perhaps she needs to visit her.
"Mistress, you should go and get changed, Mistresses friends will be here soon" Riley spoke as she vanished the flour from our clothes after baking a delicious chocolate cake. Kreature was standing beside her, nodding his head in agreement before slightly pushing me towards the stairs, earning an amusing laugh from me.
"Okay, I'm going" she walked upstairs and into her bedroom before deciding to take a quick shower. After she was all clean, she wrapped her hair up into a bun and dressed in some silk shorts and a matching bralette. A large smile formed on Raven's face as the doorbell rang, instantly apparating to the entrance hall and opening the door, revealing the two girls who stood with their mouths hanging open and their eyes bulging out.
"Are you two okay?" She laughed and stepped aside, allowing them in. As if in a daze, they slowly entered the manor and proceeded to look around in utter disbelief. At this point, Raven was slightly worried for their well-being and decided to gain their attention by waving her hands in front of their face.
"Sorry, did you say something?" Bonnie asked sheepishly, a small blush appearing on her face.
"I asked if you were both alright" Raven chuckled slightly, looking between the two, who were still looking rather shocked.
"I-Yes we are fine... It's just-"
"Your house is fucking awesome" Caroline interrupted loudly, earning a disapproving look from her friend whilst Raven threw her head back and laughed. The girls thought the sound was angelic, it was smooth and musical and brought a sense of peace to them, though they couldn't understand why.
"Thank you, little vamp. Now, how about a tour?" Caroline was shocked as Raven acknowledged the fact that she was a vampire and yet, didn't seem at all bothered or fearful of it. She decided not to question it and simply nodded. She also decided not to question why she was able to enter the home without being invited in, amusing it had something to do with her magic.
It took around half an hour to show the girls the entire property, explaining the magical things they saw, especially the portraits in the library. It was highly amusing when Sirius began flirting with Caroline, who couldn't stop blushing until we left the room.
"So, they are your relatives that had died? How can their portraits talk? Is it really them or just an image?" Bonnie questioned, fascinated by how different their magic was from hers and her grandmother's. Raven smiled fondly at the girl and led them to the family room, where the newly bought television was prepared for a long night of movies (which Raven had asked the girls to bring some because she had yet to do so).
"Usually, when someone makes a will, they have the option to have a portrait made once they pass on. Once they are created, they are either placed in the family vaults or transported to a certain property that they had picked. Yes, those you met are my relatives and it's their magic signature and soul essence that are put into the portraits. It's not as if those in the portraits are their ghosts but yes, it is indeed them" She explained, smiling as their faces turn from confused to astonishment.
"So, you will get one when you die?" Caroline asked, her tone sad but curious. Raven couldn't help but chuckle which, of course, earned her baffled looks from the two girls.
"I'm sorry. No, I won't get one"
"Why not?" Bonnie questioned with a small frown, wanting to understand everything there was to do with Raven's world and yet, couldn't fathom why she wouldn't want to have something for her family who she will leave behind one day.
"Tell me, little witch, what did you feel when you shook my hand?" This question surprised the Bennet witch and in all honesty, she didn't want to say something that may offend her new friend. Seeing the conflicted expression on Bonnie's face, Raven smiled and took her hand.
"I want you to be honest with me, what do you feel?" Bonnie closed her eyes and focussed on the magic she felt flowing from the girl.
"It's dark and dangerous, but I don't feel as if we are in danger... I feel safe and at home. I'm sorry, I know it doesn't make much sense but-"
"It makes perfect sense and ill explain why. Now, in our world, there's proof of all the stories you may have heard growing up. I'm sure you've heard of the Greek gods and Merlin but what you may not know is there are others called the deities. Such as luck, beauty, time, mischief, fate and death-"
"Wait, you're telling us that all those things are real? Not some made-up stories that our parents told us as children?" Caroline gasped in disbelief, both girls listening intensely to the witch.
"Precisely. Now, there was a story that death himself, had given three brothers gifts. The oldest of the brothers wanted a wand that would be the most powerful, and the second brother wanted a stone that would bring back his dead wife. The third brother, who also happens to be my ancestor, wanted a cloak that would hide him from death itself. Now, the first brother had gotten himself murdered after someone found out about the wand and became jealous of its power. The second brother realised that though the stone did bring back his wife, she was merely an empty vessel who was nothing like the woman he had loved, unfortunately, he had decided to end his life because he couldn't live with the fact he was without her any longer. My ancestor, on the other hand, lived a long and happy life, hiding from death until he decided he was ready to go, before doing so, however, he had gifted the invisibility cloak to his eldest child and then welcomed death like an old friend. Ever since then, the cloak was passed down through generations to the eldest child and I happen to be one of them" She stopped to allow the girls to take in the Information, who were currently staring at her their mouths wide open.
"What does that have to do with what I feel from you?" Bonnie asked in confusion.
"I'm getting there. Anyway, it is said that if all three hallows, that's what the gifts were called, by the way, are reunited, then it will make that person the master or mistress of death itself. Unfortunately, my world had gone through a horrific war, and I happen to be in the centre of it. I'll explain it to you another time, but during that time, I had collected all three hallows. Making me-"
"The mistress of death" They spoke in unison, their eyes widened in pure disbelief. Raven nodded in response, feeling somewhat worried about their reaction.
"So, what does being the mistress of death entail?" Caroline asked after a few moments.
"Nothing much, death is rather handy and quite the comedian. However, it does mean that I possess something called death magic, meaning I'm able to communicate with those who have passed on and because of my title, I'm immortal. Not the vampire type, because quite frankly, you aren't immortal-"
"What do you mean?" Caroline sat straighter and on the edge of her seat, feeling somewhat hopeful that she was able to spend a very long time with Raven in her life, but also worried about her mentioning that vampires weren't truly Immortal.
"Sweetheart, it may be hard to kill vampires but they can die. A simply stake to the heart of their heads being ripped off will do the trick. For me, if any of those things happen, I will simply regenerate and in a day, I will be up and walking as if nothing happened" The girls fell back in their seats, both looking rather pale and deep in thought.
"Let's move on from this conversation. It's girls' night and I'm sure you do things a little differently from how we do it in my world" She chuckled and relaxed when she noticed the bright smiles on the girl's faces.
The rest of the night was spent doing each other's nails, watching as many movies as they possibly could and eating all the available food. The girls got along well with the elves, though Kreature took a little while to warm up to them. At around two in the morning, the girls drifted off to sleep on the warm and comfortable couches.