Disclaimer: I don't own the Vampire Diaries or any of its associated properties. If I did, I'd be making money off of this.

A/N: Phoebe will be referring to Victoria Donovan aka Vicki as Ria. I associate the TVD Victoria Donovan, druggie and dead vampire with the name Vicki. I don't want my new Victoria with such a name. It's bad luck. So Vicki from the show is now Ria in my fanfic.

Guest: Thanks for the suggestion about Phoebe's flaws. I can see her being someone recklessly putting herself in harm's way for the people she cares for. I'm taking it into consideration.

Caeydon: I'm glad you're enjoying it. I'll do my best not to disappoint.

Ailallin: Who knows? We might, or we might not.

Misnis09: Thank you for the encouragement. I am trying to change Vicki's fate and Matt's because I think they could have been done more justice.

As a treat for my first reviewers, here's a new chapter. Enjoy.

Ch. 3 - Finally, Magic

Carol Lockwood invited Kelly to a playdate. Kelly, Carol, Miranda, Liz, and Abby were all friends together in high school and their children were only born a few months apart. Elena was born first followed by Caroline the year before and Bonnie, Tyler, and Matt only had a few days' age difference, all born in the same month. So, of course, they had to have a party since their babies had to be best friends since diapers. Yuck.

When we arrived at the Lockwood mansion, Carol greeted Kelly with a hug before bending down to speak to me in a high-pitched voice. "Well, hello there Phoebe. My name is Carol. I'm a friend of your mom's."

It took all I had not to roll my eyes. I get that I'm young but is it too much to ask grown women not to talk to me like I can't understand English. I gritted my teeth and smiled. I held the edges of my white dress before bowing to her slightly. "Bonjour Madame Lockwood. My name is Phoebe Donovan. Thank you for inviting me to your home. Please allow me to introduce my sister, Victoria, and my brother, Matthew."

I raised my head, smiled, and batted my eyelashes when Carol opened her mouth like a suffocating fish before she said, "Oh my. You're quite the lady, Phoebe. Please come in."

I stayed close to Ria and Matt while my mom chatted with Carol before the other moms began to trickle in. All the kids were left in the house while the adults went to the garden. This "playdate" was definitely just an excuse for the adults to get drunk while they left their babies to be watched over by the teen Jenna and Mason.

Even in the show, the entire town of Mystic Falls had a drinking problem. The adults were usually drunk, leaving their kids unsupervised. During the pilot episode, Elena was 16 when she went to a party in the woods, where she got drunk and ended up needing her parents to pick her up, leading to their accident.

Copying their parents, the teens in town began drinking at a young age, with no consequences due to the lack of parental supervision. It was like a cycle of generational drunkenness.

I scanned the room where the baby Scooby-Gang slept but my mind could only focus on Matt and Victoria.

While Matt was a newborn, in the past year, Ria had already become very attached to me, and me, to her.

The poor girl was given a bad hand in life, with a selfish mother who caused a scandal that stuck to her daughter like glue. Vicki, in the show, could never escape the shadow Kelly cast after she left Mystic Falls.

As the eldest sibling, all the responsibilities of the household fell on her shoulders. She endured the scrutiny from the adults around her -who didn't even bother to lend a hand- while trying to ensure that her younger brother would live a normal high school life and be happy. No matter her flaws, she was just a good person who made some bad decisions while she was in over her head. She deserved better and I was going to ensure that her life went down the right path.

But, I'm the eldest sibling now. I would ensure my sister had a life full of happiness and joy.

Matt may have been boring but he deserved a happy, boring life, without any supernatural interference. He suffered at the whims of supernatural creatures and being the muggle that he was, he had no way to protect himself from them.

As for Victoria, she deserved a happy, normal teenage experience without becoming someone's blood bag or being turned into a vampire at Damon's whim.

I would ensure that. They never asked for trouble while trouble always found them. Whether Kelly stayed or left, I was determined to give my siblings the lives they deserved and protect them. They are my precious younger siblings after all.

Turning from Victoria who was playing on her own, I looked at Jenna, who had come with Miranda, and ended up turning into the babysitter for sleeping baby Scooby-Gang.

I liked Jenna on the show. Sure, like everyone else on the show, she wasn't the best parent, but I feel like she's the only one who can be excused for her lack of knowledge. She was suddenly given guardianship of her teenage niece and nephew, trying to be a responsible parent while still giving them space to grieve and be normal teenagers. She had no idea what she was getting into as the supernatural came rolling into Mystic Falls, and both Elena and Alaric did their damndest to keep her uninformed. They didn't even feed her vervain so it would be easier for the Salvatores to compel her, which also made it almost inevitable that other vampires would take advantage, like Katherine, compelling her to stab herself. Then, Klaus came along, turned her into a vampire, and killed her for his ritual all because of Damon and Stefan's stupid need to protect Elena at the expense of other people's lives.

My teeth were barely grown in but I couldn't stop grinding them in frustration. I blame the writers. Anyone who wasn't a main character was cannon fodder. Even Caroline and Bonnie, Elena's best friends did not escape the treatment. They did everything for Elena. Bonnie almost died trying to kill Klaus for Elena, Caroline was killed by Katherine to send Elena and the Salvatores a message. And how many people met their ends because of their association with the doppelganger?

It wasn't her fault that she was born a pokemon that everyone wants to catch, but I plan to keep Matt and Ria far away from her.

I sighed heavily as I pushed the thoughts to the back of my head. I drank my chocolate milk as I looked up at the preteen Jenna. "I like you, Jenna," I said to her.

She looked at me and smiled. She picked me up from my place on the couch and placed me on her lap. Jenna seemed to like holding children a lot. She often takes me in her arms whenever she could. And most times, I let her. "I like you, too, Phoebe."

"You know, I'm going to be a witch soon," I said. I knew she wasn't going to take the words of a three-year-old seriously but I wanted to tell her. I wanted to start placing concepts about the supernatural in her mind early so she would more readily believe it in the future. I lowered the straw from my lips before continuing. "I'm going to be a strong witch."

"You know, when I was little, I wanted to be a witch too. I wanted to cast spells and magic and be a princess."

"You can still be a witch with me. I'm gonna be a strong witch and I'm going to protect you," I said as I looked up into her eyes. I made that promise to her. Even if she thought I was just a child saying things, I wanted to make that promise. And I was determined to keep my promise.

As my fourth birthday approached, I could feel my magic drawing closer to me. I was already making plans about my studies as I wouldn't have a witch to teach me. I didn't have a bunch of grimoires from long-dead ancestors either. I would have to make my own spells.

As a priestess of Hekate, I needed to familiarize myself with her domains and authorities. Hekate held dominion over many things, some she inherited from her parents, like her divination and status as a moon goddess, but her powers also came from her domains.

During the battle between Zeus and the Titans, Hekate joined Zeus even though she was a Titan. For her help, she was granted dominion over the sea, the sky, the earth, and the underworld. She spent most of her time in the underworld as Persephone's consort. Her necromancy allowed her to commune and guide the dead. Her powers were vast and her influence wide-reaching. It's no wonder she could ask favors of Thanatos and Mnemosyne.

I needed to familiarize myself with all her powers in order to create my spells. I can already say that most of my spells will be based on my knowledge of science and magic from the various shows I've watched. A lot of spells that the Wiccans performed were present in the natural world. Witches simply used magic to manipulate and change the natural forces. Witches loved their aneurysms -which are just inflated blood vessels that naturally happen in mortals. Witches could simply use the energy (magic) to cause them at will in annoying immortal beings.

I am a new type of witch with a new source of power, so why not experiment with new magics. By no means does this mean I will simply abandon all the magic I saw in the TVD verse. The magic system was complex and wide-reaching, so I don't know every spell or ritual. I could practice the easy ones that did not need spells and incantations. The first time Bonnie used her magic was to light water on fire. She could also use telekinesis and cause a brain aneurysm.

Elemental spells like fire would definitely be the easiest for me as they had very little to no incantations. I had a lot of things to learn so I made a list.

1. Start practicing yoga and meditation. Witches did a lot of spells that require great concentration during meditation and that's what yoga was all about.

2. Learn astronomy.

3. Start exercising to increase physical strength. Magic takes a toll on the body so I need to be as physically healthy and strong as possible.

4. Refresh languages (Latin, Greek, Hebrew).

5. Start learning elemental magic. Make a fire spell.

It wasn't a long list but it would keep me busy for a while.

I was born on November 30th, 1989 at 2:58 in the afternoon. So even while celebrating my birthday, I was still not officially four years old.

My heartbeat faster and faster in my chest as I watched the hands of the clock move at their own pace, not caring about my anxiety. My hands were clammy and my breathing hitched as I waited for time to declare that I was ready for my power.

Granny Amy cooked all my favorite foods and bought a birthday cake so we could all celebrate my birthday. Even Kelly got the day off. I put a smile on my face, thanking granny for my presents, several new books and a box of notebooks, and a decorative diary. Kelly gave me a giant pink teddy bear that was as big as my body.

I ate and thanked them, but my eyes would every so often wander back to the clock, still counting down the minutes as the time drew nearer.

"Thank you, granny. Thank you, mommy," I said with a smile. I lowered myself from the high chair. "May I eat my cake in my room, please? I want to read my book."

"Off you go," granny replied in her southern drawl. "Happy birthday, Phoebe."

I smiled as I wrapped short arms around her before rushing back up the stairs to my room. I closed the door as my eyes fell on the clock. 2:55. It was almost time. I lit the small birthday candles I swiped from the kitchen in a circle around me. I sat in a lotus position, entering the meditative state as I readied myself for what was to come.

I felt it at the tip of my fingertips, goosebumps spreading over my skin. 2:57. Just a few more seconds. There was no more need to track the clock as I felt the power draw closer. Every nerve in my body came alight as the vast amount of power filled my body. It almost scared me as my heart sped faster than ever since my rebirth, I feared I would surely have a heart attack. I sensed the energy around me, the energy in my body slowly seeping into the world.

I exhaled sharply feeling exhaustion wash over me. It was heavy like weights pressing on my chest and on my back. I closed my eyes and focused on my concentration, repeating my mantra. I fear nothing. I straightened my back and took several deep breaths to center myself as I waited for my heart to calm. Concentrating on the power inside me, I let it wash over my body. I let it spread through every blood vessel and every cell.

Unlike when Bonnie first awakened her magic, I felt no fear of my power. I embraced it. I had knowledge. I knew what was happening to me. I was already aware of my magic. I had goals that I wanted to achieve and people I wanted to protect. This power was a means to do that. I had nothing to fear.

I took one final breath as I opened my eyes. Instead of being overwhelmed, I felt empowered. It felt like a warm flame in a hearth spreading inside me, comforting rather than scorching.

I clenched my fists as I smiled to myself. Finally, I had my magic. Now, all I needed was practice. My smile never left my face as I blew out the birthday candles and tossed them in the metal trash can. I couldn't contain my joy as I squealed and jumped onto my bed. The bedsprings screeched and the floorboards creaked with every bounce of the mattress. Jumping giddily on a mattress, when was the last time I'd done that?

"Phoebe Grace Donovan, I hope you ain't jumpin' on your bed, little lady," I heard Granny yell from downstairs.

I laid down on the mattress to catch my breath. "Sorry, granny." As I closed my eyes, I couldn't fight the tiredness that finally came as I wrapped my arms around my giant teddy. As sleep finally came to me, I heard a man's voice speak, Happy birthday, my daughter.

I could still remember that voice when I woke up. It sounded like a man's voice. Did I imagine it? It wasn't my father's voice from my previous life. It sounded younger, but I didn't recognize it. I don't know my father as Phoebe. I don't think even Kelly knows.

I shook out of my thoughts as I looked outside. The sun hadn't risen yet and the clock showed it was just 6 in the morning. I made my way to the other side of the room, where both Victoria and Matt slept peacefully in their respective cribs.

I sat at the kiddy table in the middle of the room with my diary as I wrote my first entry:

December 1st, 1993

Dear Diary,

My name is Phoebe Grace Donovan. Granny gifted me this diary for my fourth birthday yesterday. She knows I like to write, but I've never written a diary before. All my journals were just information that I remembered about the TVD universe from my past life and assumptions about magic I learned from the various shows I watched and my own studies on the subject. I guess a diary is for writing my feelings.

Living here hasn't been so bad. Kelly's trying her best while working at the Grill. She gave me a giant pink teddy bear yesterday for my birthday. I actually really like it since I love vibrant colors and fluffy teddies. I like granny Amy too since I spend most of my time with her. I try to take care of Matt and Ria too to help granny and mom.

I'll start by saying that I'm glad I had the sense to write my memories from my previous life as Medea. As I grow older as Phoebe, my memories of my previous life are leaving me. I can't remember small, specific details about my life. I'm glad I still remember my parents and my siblings. Even the memories from the show fade. In a few more years, I'm sure as I make new memories, my previous memories will surely be completely covered in fog.

Tears fell from my eyes onto the sheet as I wrote. I love my new family, but I also didn't want to lose my old one. My memories were all I had left of them and I'm afraid that they'll leave me completely. I wiped the tears and continued to write.

As a priestess of Hekate, I know that divination is one of my many abilities. I need to create a spell or ritual to be able to use that power to help me since I can no longer rely on my memories. The journals will help as well.

My powers came on my birthday yesterday. I had been meditating all year to learn control and strengthen my body so the magic doesn't strain me like it had done to Bonnie on the show. Immediately after, I felt tired, but I didn't feel suffocated. After a goodnight's sleep, I woke up feeling refreshed and well-rested.

Since my communion with the goddess Hekate all those years ago, she has yet to appear before me. No deity has appeared before me since then so I still don't know what my mission is. I still don't know the storm that is coming, but I'm going to prepare for it as best as I can.

I'll write again later,

Phoebe.

I locked my diary before placing it in a locked wooden box with my other journals. I used all the strength I could muster in my small body to push my bed away from the wall. I lifted the floorboard and placed the box inside before putting the planks back and sliding my bed over the planks.

I created this secret hiding place to keep my journals. I didn't want anyone coming into my room and reading that I came from another universe where this universe is a television show.

With that done, it was time to practice magic. First the fire spell.

I picked up a piece of paper as I controlled my breathing. To me, magic was all about concentration and visualization. I concentrated on the feel of my magic inside my body, allowing it to reach out toward the piece of paper. Then, I picture the process of starting a fire. Knocking rocks together to form a spark. Striking a match. A fire pit. A hearth. A bonfire. I thought of every time I saw fire while my eyes remained focused on the paper. Slowly, a red-orange dot appeared on the paper as it slowly began to burn from the center to the edges of the paper. I smiled as the paper turned to ash in my hands.

I ripped another sheet from one of my notebooks before doing the same thing again. I repeated the process until a pile of ash mounted on my white table. I cleared the ash into the trash and decided to try something else.

Anything Bonnie could do, I could do it better. That was my motto. Bonnie set water on fire so I was going to do the same thing. I poured myself a glass of water, placing it in front of me. I focused on the water, trying to get at least a spark, but whenever the flames touched the water, it extinguished. I made multiple attempts but I couldn't keep the flames alight. "Ugh."

Forget that. Let's try levitation. I drank the water (it grew warm from all the flames I lit in the glass) and placed a sheet of paper on the table in front of me.

I sat up straight, took a deep breath, and focused my eyes on the paper. I reached out with my magic, visualizing it as an extra limb, slowly raising the paper off the table. The sheet levitated off the table as I reached my hand out toward it. I curled my fingers in front of me and the paper slowly crumpled into a ball. "Yes!" I jumped up as I cheered, losing my concentration, causing the ball of paper to fall on the table.

"Oops." I raised my hand again, levitating the paper into the trashcan. It was my first time practicing and I spent over an hour practicing the spells. My body felt drained of energy just as the sun took its place in the sky.

Thank you to everyone who's been reading and reviewing my story. I am so happy with the reception. And yes, there will be more diary entries in the coming chapters. Before the canon story starts, we'll see Phoebe practicing spells and learning new spells. I don't want her to be overpowered. I'm gonna try to do a slow power progression.

But it's only 1993 and we'll be skipping some years in the next few chapters. It may seem like she's suddenly good at magic, but remember years are passing by and she's practicing almost every day, increasing her control over magic and mastering the spells. We'll see her learning some new spells too.

Later, Jamie.