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Third Time's a Charm

Ever since Damon's surprise visit while she was at Elena's house, Bonnie had spent every day practicing spells and working on her powers. She shunned any sort of social life so that her after-school hours were completely filled with homework and spellwork. Let Elena go to the movies and walks in the rain with Stefan. Let Caroline frequent parties and become the new cheer captain. Bonnie's world had changed.

And it was working. Her powers were growing. She was getting stronger. She had listed in her journal all the things she was now able to do:

light small fires at will

float light objects (like leaves, feathers or cotton balls) in the air

push objects (like a book or plate) across a table

psychic visions (these were still pretty fuzzy)

Hmmm… when listed like that, not so impressive. She wouldn't be able to do much against an enemy by attacking with cotton balls. Still, she was also getting better at casting spells. She needed a lot of prep time, gathering materials and studying the incantations in the Grimiore though, so there would be no casting with only her mind and memory. Yet.

As she trudged to school after a particularly trying night of spelling, she was broken out of her reverie by a cacophony of voices. Ahead of her on the road, were Dara, Melody and Jules, the town's resident mean girls. They were teasing and taunting awkward and shy Kirsten, who was trying to walk faster and get away. "Why won't you come to the concert with us on Saturday Kristen?" asked Jules. Kristen hung her head and looked at her shoes. "We'll drive you there" said Dara. "Yes, and leave me there all alone like you did last time?" asked Kristen. "We lost you" said Melody, all innocence and apparent apology. "It won't happen this time. You should come with us."

Bonnie had heard enough. She caught up with the group and gave the trio a blinding smile. "What concert are you referring to Jules? Because there are no concerts anywhere around here this weekend. Besides, Kristen already has other plans this Saturday, with me and Elena." With that, she pulled Kirsten by the hand and walked her briskly away. Kristen smiled gratefully at Bonnie. How kind of Bonnie thought Kristen, and gave her a hug, her hair catching on something of Bonnie's, both of them giggling as they untangled themselves. Up on a telephone wire, a crow cocked its head.

At lunch, Bonnie sat with Elena and Caroline, sharing each other's snacks and gossip. Bonnie was all sunlight and goodness, radiant in her laughter. Tall, red-headed James Wickman, walked over, drawn to Bonnie's light and energy, tried to talk to her, and had his attention skillfully deflected towards Caroline. Bonnie didn't have time for boys, so was happy to let her flirty BFF banter with him instead. Happily basking in her friend's company, she thought she must have imagined a distant "caw" over the noise of the schoolyard.

After school, Bonnie decided it would be ok to veer from her strict routine of Elena driving her straight home. She hadn't seen Damon since that time at Elena's house and was significantly less worried about him being in her life anymore. Besides, her increased powers had given her increased confidence. She asked Elena to drop her off at the graveyard, so she could visit Gram's gravesite. "I'll come with you" said Elena immediately.

"Oh Elena, I love that you want to, but I'll be ok. Besides, I want to spend time with Grams by myself. Can you understand?" Of course Elena understood, having lost her parents less than a year ago. Besides, Stefan had wanted to take her on a drive to one of his favorite picnic sites this afternoon. She let Bonnie out near the cemetery with an admonition to be careful.

Bonnie took a few steps in her buckled brown leather boots and then stopped. She took a few deep breaths and tried her best to "see" into the cemetery. Sometimes she could sense the presence of people she knew or sometimes danger. But nothing. She wound her way through the trees and gravestones, some of them a couple of centuries old, until she got to Gram's grave. It was marked by a stone angel and the soil still looked fresh – after all, it had only been about a month since she was buried. Bonnie kneeled next to the angel, not caring that her skirt and tights were getting dirty.

"Grams" she said out loud. "I miss you so much." Tears squeezed out of the corners of her eyes. "I wish you were still here to guide me. I need you Grams." The tears were coming faster now, running down her cheeks. "I'm getting better though. I think you would be proud of me." She put one hand on the soil, wondering if speaking to the dead was a power she might eventually develop.

"Tell her I said hello" said Damon, breaking into her thoughts. Instinctively Bonnie screamed. Damon covered his ears. "Ow" he winced theatrically.

"What are you doing here?" Bonnie whispered, her voice hoarse from crying.

"Ask a stupid question… you know the rest" smirked Damon.

Bonnie grasped the angel statue and pulled herself up. She wiped her tears away with grimy hands, not realizing she was leaving streaks of dirt across her face. She looked impossibly young and vulnerable standing there with her mussed ponytail, mud-stained clothes, skirt askew and oversized sweater. "I will not help you with any spells" she said with as much strength and finality as she could muster.

"I beg to differ" remarked Damon, as he pulled a chain out of his pocket. Dangling from the end, was her vervain-filled charm.