Chapter 3

Preparations

It had been two weeks since we moved in, and life was pretty good. My new favorite hobby was exploring our new surroundings, and Elijah and Klaus had graciously taken us on a history tour. Elijah knew the best places to gather potion ingredients, and Klaus knew all about the cave system that ran through the mountains, although Elijah didn't want me wandering around in them by myself. Living here was doing us good emotionally as well. You see, back in Mystic Falls, we were pretty much stuck in the house all the time, and now that we were free, we had become less cranky, irritable, and short tempered with each other. Elijah, Damon, and Klaus were able to apparate to London to get 'fresh blood' whenever they wanted too, and Stefan and I just hung around doing pretty much whatever we wanted. I spent most days decorating the house, and Stefan read his new books he had bought from Tomes and Scrolls. We had even invited our new friends and my future Professors, Sirius and Remus, over for dinner. That had been a blast. Damon showed Sirius all kinds of joke spells that he had invented over the years, and Elijah and Remus talked about everything from politics in the Ministry, to what I would be learning in D.A.D.A. I was so proud of my boys because of how well they took to Remus. The full moon had been a week ago, and Klaus had gone off with Sirius, so they could keep Remus company during the transformation. I knew the second I met Remus that he was a kind person, even though he was a werewolf. I'm glad I turned out to be right.

"Hey Princess, you have mail." Damon said, and gently shook me awake. "Wakey, wakey, Sleeping Beauty." He continued, as I started stirring. "It's a letter from Hogwarts." Now I was up.

"Really? Le'me see it, please." I mumbled, trying to shake the cobwebs of sleep away.

"Aww, you're so polite when you first wake up. Too bad you can't be that way all the time."

"Shush." I said, and reached for the letter in his hands. I opened the envelope, and tried to focus my eyes on the tiny scrawl written in blue ink. I need coffee.

"What does it say?"

"Dun'no, can't read it. Too small. Must have coffee." I muttered.

"Ok, Zombie Girl, let's go." He hoisted me to my feet, and steadied me as I stumbled to the door. We walked down to the kitchen where the others had been waiting. Vampires are early risers.

"Thank you Pinky." I said, as she placed a cup in front of me, and I sat there for a few minutes staring at the wall.

"Lynn, what does your letter say?" Stefan asked.

"We don't know." Damon answered for me. "She's still not all here yet." He said, gesturing toward me, and everybody laughed.

I rubbed my eyes and tried to focus again, then I started to read the letter out loud.

Dear Miss Lynn Salvatore,

We are pleased to welcome you to your first year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Inside you will find a list of items that is required for all fifth year students, as well as some additional items, due to this being your first year with us. If you already own these additional items, you will not be required to re-purchase them. I also noticed that you live in Hogsmeade, and seeing as the Hogsmeade Station is where the Hogwarts Express will let the students off, you will not be required to travel by the train. If you wish to ride the train however, you may do so, and you will find your ticket enclosed with this letter. If not, please be on the Hogsmeade Station platform at five in the evening on September 1st, and follow the first year students. There will be someone waiting to show you where to go. Again, welcome to Hogwarts, and I hope you have a wonderful year.

Sincerely,

Filius Flitwick

Deputy Headmaster

Ravenclaw Head of House

Charms Master

I looked up from my letter and grinned. "It's official! I'm going to Hogwarts!" and I unceremoniously began doing the happy dance around the kitchen. I look goofy, but I don't care.

"Well I'm glad your finally awake Princess. Welcome to the land of the..well..undead." Damon said, smirking.

I ruffled his hair. "Not even you can ruin this day for me." I told him. Then I placed my hands on my hips, and began to walk around the table. "I do here-by declare this day as a happy day! There will be no frowning, no fighting, and no annoying me." I said, in my best boot camp-drill instructor voice. "Do you understand?"

"Yes Ma'am!" They all cried playing along, and Damon stood up with a mock salute.

"Now Troops, if you will excuse me, I have to pee." And with a laugh, I ran upstairs to my bathroom.

The entire kitchen cracked up laughing. This was going to be a good day.

An hour later I emerged, showered and dressed, and found Elijah in the library going over my school list.

"Hello Lynn, I have been going over your list, and crossing out the things you already own. When did you want to do your school shopping?" He is so organized.

"Well truth be told, I was so excited just to get the letter, that I haven't had a chance to really look at the list." I said, standing behind him, so I could look over his shoulder. "Let's see, I'll need the robes, gloves, cloak, telescope, and an animal, along with all the fifth year stuff." A look of panic crossed my face. "Wow, that's a lot more than I thought. This is way too expensive!"

Stefan instantly appeared in the room and said, "No, don't you even go there. This is your education, and money is no object. We will get you what you need, and want. I know Damon and I have home schooled you ever since you could hold a wand, but this is the real deal. We will not go cheap on this." He was listening, I should have known.

"But I….."

Stefan gave me a stern look, and Elijah said, "He's right Lynn, money is no object where your education is concerned. You shouldn't worry about our finances. We have enough money to buy all these items everyday for the next thousand years, and still not have to worry about money." I knew he was right. Elijah doesn't exaggerate.

Klaus had obviously been listening too, because he instantly appeared in the room, wearing nothing but a pair of jeans, and he was drying his hair with a towel. HO-LY CRAP! Why does he have to do things like that!

"I agree with both of them Love. You needn't worry over such things. Hogwarts is a well respected school, and graduating from there would set you up with a really good career, if you choose to work in the future."

I sighed in defeat, "Alright then, I won't put up a fuss."

"Besides, this just gives Klaus another reason to spoil you." Damon said, grinning wickedly, as he walked into the library.

I glared at him, but Klaus just laughed, "Yes, it's true, I don't feel you are properly spoiled yet." And he walked behind me, and kissed me on the head. Goodness, he smells so good! "But Damon is right Love, this just gives me another excuse." He whispered. Keep calm, don't lose it.

I smiled, "Well, I have to admit. I do like being spoiled, and you guys do a pretty good job of it."

"So that settles it then." Elijah said with a grin. "When did you want to go shopping?"

I grinned and started bouncing on the balls of my feet, and they all laughed.

"Ok Love, let me get dressed first." No, really, you don't have to.

Elijah had told me about Diagon Alley, but nothing could have prepared me for the actual experience. We flooed to the Leaky Cauldron in London, and when he opened the archway, I gazed around in awe as we passed shop after shop full of magical things. The others kept laughing at me, because I was so amazed by everything that I kept bumping into things. I was glad Stefan remembered to grab my list, because I would have forgotten it otherwise. We headed up the Alley toward Gringotts, and I was surprised at how many goblins there were. When we entered the bank, they made us take a picture, and register our wands, so we could have access our vault as individuals. Elijah had already completed this process when he opened it. Once we were finished, the Head Goblin summoned another goblin named Griphook, and we followed him to where the carts were waiting. This thing looked like a rollercoaster from hell.

"Uh, S-Stefan," I stuttered, instantly walking backwards, and stumbling into Elijah, "I c-can't…can't…"

"Don't worry Lynn, just hold on to me and shut your eyes. It'll be alright." Stefan said.

I buried my face into Elijah's jacket, and shook my head. "No, I'll throw up, you know I will."

Damon gently took me by the arms, tilted my head up, and stared into my eyes. "You can do this. You won't be afraid. You won't throw up." He said, compelling me.

"I can do this. I won't be afraid. I won't throw up." I muttered automatically, then Damon nodded to Stefan.

"Ok Lynn," Stefan said, "ride with me in this cart."

"Alright." and I took a seat next to him.

We zoomed deeper and deeper underground, and pretty soon we started to see dragons that were guarding some of the other vaults. The ride seemed to take forever, but finally we came to a halt next to vault number 709.

"This is your family vault, please stand back." Griphook said, in a dignified voice, and he placed his palm on the door.

"Are you alright Love?" Klaus whispered.

I nodded, "Yes, I'm fine. Why do you ask?"

"No reason." he said smiling, and he brushed a stray hair out of my face.

We all stepped into the vault, and I instantly knew that Elijah had been right. I really didn't need to worry about our money situation. I think we have more money and the Queen of England!

"Lynn, here is a small bag of money." Elijah said. "I want you to keep it for school, so please don't spend it before then."

"Okey dokey." I said with a grin.

After Damon and Elijah finished placing galleons, sickles, and knuts into more bags, we raced back up to the surface, and headed toward the robe shop. Madam Malkin's Robes for all Occasions was a little crowded, so we went to the Magical Menagerie instead.

"Do you know which animal you want to get Princess?" Damon asked.

"You know," I sighed, "I don't know. I'm torn between and owl and a cat, and I'm having a tough time choosing. I know an owl would be better, because I could use it to send you guys letters, but I really want a cat too."

"Why not both?" Elijah asked placing his arm around my shoulders. "We could get a family owl, so we can send you things at school, and if you want to send us something, you could use the school owls instead. That way you could have your cat."

"A-are you sure?" I asked.

Elijah nodded, and I gave him a hug. "Thank you so much!"

I began to wander around the shop to look at all the cats. There were cats of all different colors and breeds, and I petted each one that would let me, but then I heard a soft meow behind me. When I turned around, I saw the most beautiful black cat I had ever seen. It was bigger than a normal adult cat, and it looked at me with big blue eyes. It almost looks like me!

"Hello kitty." I said softly, sticking my fingers into the cage. "How are you?"

It purred softly, and nuzzled my fingers.

"This cat is part Kneazl, and it's a boy." the sales woman said, coming over to me. "Would you like to hold him?"

I smiled at the woman, so she took him out and handed him to me. He looked at me and licked my nose. He's so sweet!

"Have you found one Love?" Klaus asked, coming up beside me.

"I think so." I replied. "Would you like to come home with me kitty?"

He seemed to nod, and then he settled down in my arms.

"He's beautiful Lynn, are you happy with him?" Elijah asked.

"Yes, definitely, but what should I call you?" I asked stroking his black fur. "I know! How about, Blue? Your fur is so black that it has blue hues, and you have big blue eyes like I do."

He licked my hand, and looked up at me.

"I think he likes it." Klaus said, scratching him under the chin.

"Ok Blue, your coming home with me." I said happily.

Elijah paid for him, and then we wandered through the Alley and picked up more school supplies. I still needed my books though, so we headed over to Flourish & Blotts. I don't think I've seen so many books in one place before, but I wandered through the shop with my list, and began picking out the books I needed.

"Ouch!" I cried as my foot got stepped on. I looked up to see a blond boy with a pointy chin, standing beside me.

"Sorry." He said, as he looked at me. "I've never seen you before." He continued, when he caught a glimpse of the Hogwarts school list in my hand. "Are you new?"

"Yes this will be my first year at Hogwarts. I'm from America."

"Do you know what year you will be in?"

"Yeah, I'll be in fifth."

"Oh, that's me as well. I see you're a muggle-born." He said, spitting out the last part.

"What? No, I'm pure blood."

"Really?" He asked, looking at me in surprise. "I figured the other, because of your clothes."

I laughed, "No, I just like wearing muggle clothes because I like them better. Wizard robes make me feel suffocated."

He chuckled, "Well, what house will you be in?"

"I don't know, but my family and I believe I'll be Slytherin."

Again he looked at me in surprise, "I'm in Slytherin."

"Really? Do you like it?"

"Well it's better than the other houses, so yeah. Besides, my family has been in Slytherin for generations. By the way, I'm Draco Malfoy."

"That's a cool name. I'm Lynn Salvatore." I said, shaking his out-stretched hand.

"Draco, are you ready?" A man, who could have only been his father, asked. The man saw us shaking hands, and raised an eyebrow. He looked like he wanted to say something, but stopped when Klaus came up behind me.

"Love? Elijah is ready to leave if you have gotten everything you need."

"Oh, yeah I'm ready." I said, and let go of Draco's hand. I smiled at him, "Well I guess I'll see you in school."

"Yeah, you too." He replied. His father took him by the arm, and led him away. "I hope you will be in Slytherin too." He called over his shoulder.

I looked up at Klaus. Why is he glaring at Draco?

"Ugh! I hate wearing wizard robes!" I said, stomping into the living room. "They make me look funny!"

Damon laughed, "Then why are you wearing them?"

"Because for one, I need to get use to them, and two, I wanted to try them on to make sure they fit." I replied, tugging at my collar. "I look like a big, black, buffalo!" Blue jumped off Klaus's lap, and rubbed against my legs. "See, even Blue agrees!" But Blue hissed at me.

"No Love, I think he's disagreeing with you." Klaus laughed.

"Why can't they just let us wear what we want. I hate having on this much clothing."

Klaus looked at me with a raised eyebrow, and Damon snorted. "I think you look like a bat to be honest." Damon said, and smirked.

I glared at him, "Why can't you be nice to me, just this once?"

"Because you're acting like a Drama Queen, and I think it's funny. Not to mention you look like one of those cute school girls, only with more clothes on."

I conjured the toothpicks, and we laughed as Damon ran around the house trying to avoid, and destroy them.

"Well Love, look on the bright side. On the weekends you are free to wear what you want."

"That is true, but I don't wanna wear them at all." I said with a whine.

"You will live." He laughed, and pulled me into his lap. "Besides, I think you look beautiful in whatever you're wearing."

"Flirt."

He gave me a lopsided grin, and wrapped his arms around me. "Yep."

Blue jumped into my lap, kneaded my robes, and laid down purring loudly, so we sat there for awhile watching TV, until Damon came running back into the room.

"HA! I got rid of them in record time."

"I can always conjure more." I said, not taking my eyes off the TV, and raising my wand.

He snatched it out of my hand. "Oh no you don't."

Elijah and Stefan walked in with some snacks, so we settled down to watch the movie, but I fell asleep before the end of it. I remember dreaming about bats and buffalos though, and that Klaus kept chasing them away. It was a funny dream.

As the summer drew to a close, I grew more nervous, Klaus became more moody, Damon was more annoying, and Elijah threatened to throw us all out of the house, if we didn't knock it off. Stefan on the other hand, was the same as he ever was. He helped me pack my trunk, and kept reassuring me that I would be ok. This was the first time I would be away from my family for any length of time, and to be honest, I was just plain scared. I had always been surrounded by people that I knew and loved, and now, I would be around total strangers. Yes, I was sixteen years old, and I didn't want to leave home. Maybe there was something wrong with me.

"Why are you messing with that thing again?" Klaus growled, as he walked into the living room, devouring a blood bag.

Stefan and I had the contents of my trunk spread out all over the floor, for the umpteenth time. "Because I want to make sure that I have everything." I replied. "I'll be leaving tomorrow."

"You're going two miles up the road!" He shouted. "I'm pretty sure if you forget something we can bring it to you!"

"Hey, knock it off! She's not hurting anything by wanting to double check." Stefan shouted back.

Damon instantly appeared in the doorway with a bag of popcorn, and walked over to sit in the recliner.

"Don't tell me what to do! I don't see what the big fuss is about. She has everything she needs!" Klaus yelled.

"And I don't see what the fuss is, about her wanting to check!" Stefan bellowed.

"ENOUGH!" Elijah roared, instantly appearing between them. Klaus glared at his brother, and stomped out the front door, slamming it behind him.

I instantly burst into tears. "This is not how I wanted this night to be. It's my last night, and I just wanted us to be together."

Stefan put his arms around me, and drew me close. "It'll be ok Lynn, you'll see."

I stepped away from him, and shook my head. "No, it won't. I think I'll just go up to my room, and call it a night. I'll see you guys in the morning."

I made my way up to my room, and threw myself on the bed. I don't know how long I laid there crying, with Blue curled up beside me, but I sat up when someone knocked softly on my door.

"Mistress," Pinky said quietly, stepping into my room. "Master Elijah has requested that Pinky bring this to you. It's your favorite kind of tea."

"Thank you Pinky." I said, taking the cup from her. "Please tell Elijah I appreciate the thought."

"Pinky will Miss." Then she patted my hand. "Mistress, may Pinky say something that may not be proper? It is about Master Klaus."

Curiosity getting the best of me, I said, "Yes."

Pinky smiled, "Pinky thinks she knows why Master Klaus has been so angry of late. Pinky thinks it's because he doesn't want you to go to school."

"Why?"

"Because Mistress, Master Klaus will miss you." She said, as if it should have already been obvious.

"But he's always said this will be a good thing for me. I don't understand why all of a sudden he would be against it."

"He's not against it Mistress, he just doesn't want to let you go. He-he is afraid."

"Afraid of what?"

Pinky suddenly looked upset, "Mistress, Pinky can't say anything more. If she does, she will have to punish herself."

"What are you talking about?" I asked, suddenly becoming angry. "Has someone ordered you to punish yourself, if you tell me?"

"No, No, Mistress." She told me quickly. "It's just that Master Klaus, would be displeased, and that would require Pinky to punish herself, no one has ordered Pinky to do it Miss. It's just how house elves are." She explained.

"Oh, I understand then." I said, relaxing. "Well then please don't say anything that would require you punish yourself."

"Pinky won't Mistress, but Pinky must go know. She has to finish cleaning the dinner dishes."

I smiled, and chuckled softly. "Ok, then. Thank you Pinky. You have made me feel a little better."

"Pinky is glad. She will see you in the morning."

"Ok, Goodnight."

"Goodnight Mistress." And with a crack, she was gone.

I sighed, took my cup of tea, and walked to the window. I sat down on the window seat and stared out toward the mountains. Blue followed, and sat in front of me.

I turned to look at him. "She left me with more questions, than answers, you know." I said, scratching his head.

He stood on my legs, and rubbed his head against my chin.

I laughed, "I love you too."

Suddenly Damon walked in, "Don't you ever knock?" I asked irritably.

"No." he said, and sat down on my bed. "But I did want to make sure you were ok."

I sighed, "Yeah, I'll live. It's just not how I wanted to spend my last night home. I wanted us to do something together, but it's getting to late now. I'll have to get to bed soon."

"Yeah, you need some sleep. You should know, Klaus is back, and he feels like a real dick. Elijah told him how you felt, and what happened, after he left. He was also covered in blood, and it wasn't his own."

"Did he kill someone here in the village?"

"He told Elijah that he didn't kill anyone, he just fed multiple times, so we knew he wasn't lying. He told us he went to London."

I nodded. "Ok. Well, please tell the others goodnight for me. I don't feel like going back down there. I'm just going to shower and go to bed."

"Alright. Goodnight." he said giving me a hug.

"Goodnight, I love you."

"I love you too Princess." He said softly, and kissed me on the cheek, then with a smile he walked out and closed the door.

I hope in the morning, things will be better.

I don't know how long I had been asleep, but suddenly my eyes flew open and I was surrounded by pitch black darkness. I wanted to feel scared, but the only thing I could feel was calm and peacefulness. There was also someone with me. What's going on?

"Who's there?" I called out to the darkness.

"It's just me Love." Klaus replied.

"Where are we?"

"Where do you want us to be?"

I laughed, because I had finally caught on. "Some place that hasn't got any buffalos and bats."

He laughed too. "So you liked that dream then?"

"Yeah, I thought it was funny." I said chuckling. "So where are we?"

"Where ever you want."

"How about where ever we are in awake land."

It was like he suddenly flipped on the lights, because we were in my bedroom.

"So you're in my room?"

"Yes, do you want me to leave?"

"No, it's ok." I said sitting up cross legged. He was sitting at the foot of my bed, leaning against a post with his legs stretched out in front of him, and wearing nothing but jeans..again.

Why does he have to walk around half naked?

"Does it bother you? Would you like me to put on a shirt?" he asked.

What the…?

He laughed, "Yes, I can hear your thoughts. I am, after all, inside your head."

Occlumency, must use Occlumency!

"Occlumency doesn't work against vampires Love. Not in dreams."

Crap! "Uh, I mean..uh, hmm." I stuttered, not knowing what to say. "Why are you here?" I finally asked, pulling myself together.

"I wanted to apologize." He said softly, sitting up. "I'm so sorry I ruined your last night at home. I was being selfish."

I looked down at my hands, and started to cry. "All I wanted us to do, was sit down as a family and watch a movie." And so I could curl up….Ack! NO!

He laughed, "So you could curl up…where?"

"Nevermind." I mumbled, trying to dry my eyes. "It's not important."

"Yes it is, to me, it's important." He said scooting closer to me.

I shook my head. "No. I want you to know that I forgave you hours ago. It's just I..I'm going to miss everyone and..and.." I was sobbing so hard, that I couldn't finish what I was saying.

"I am so, so very sorry Lynn. Please, please tell how I can make it up to you." he begged, placing his hands hand on the side of my face. "I'm so sorry." he whispered.

I looked up and I saw how much pain was in his eyes, tears were spilling out of them, and running down his cheeks.

"It's ok." I whispered, pulling his head down onto my shoulder, and running my hand into his hair. "It's ok."

We sat there rocking back and forth for a few minutes. "Tell me why you were being selfish."

He raised his head up, and looked at me. "I don't want to lose you Love. I'm afraid that if you leave, that you…" he sighed, "will meet someone. I don't want that to happen. When I saw you talking to that boy in the bookstore, I-I got jealous. It was then that I realized, that it is possible that I could lose you to someone else. You are so beautiful, and you have my heart, whether you know it or not." Then he looked into my eyes, and whispered, "I love you."

Kiss me.

Something flashed in his eyes, and a smile formed on his lips.

Kiss me.

He did, and it was full of passion. I don't know how long we kissed for, but I know that I nearly ran out of breath. Klaus, of course, doesn't need to breath, so who knows how long we could have stayed that way, but I was happy, and it got a little hot too.

Ouch!

"I'm sorry Love. I got a little carried away." He whispered, licking the blood off my bottom lip.

I giggled, and looked up at him. Yep, he had vamped out. I looked into his hybrid eyes, and laughed. "Your teeth are sharp you know, but it's ok." I said, kissing him again.

He laughed, "That may happened again, lots of times. You know the whole, vampire heightened emotion thing."

"Fine by me." I said, laying down and snuggling beside him. "I do find it a bit funny though. You're 1,025 years old, and worried about losing me to some boy I don't even know."

"It does seem a bit silly now, I admit, but I didn't know you felt the same way about me, as I do you."

"You don't need to worry Klaus." I said looking into his eyes. "I've loved you for a long time. I've just tried to hide it. I never thought you would feel the same way. I always thought you viewed me as just a sister." Suddenly I sat bolt upright. "Oh crap, what will everyone else think."

"Don't worry Love, they already know, trust me."

"How?"

"Damon figured it out a long time ago and doesn't care, Elijah just knows me that well, and Stefan has already threatened me with bodily harm if I hurt you. They are ok with it. I promise."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, Elijah more so, because I won't be acting like a love sick puppy anymore. He has hated that."

I burst out laughing. "Even though I'm only 16, and you are 1,025 years old?"

"I admit, it's quite an age difference." He laughed. "But you'll be 17 in six months, so if it doesn't bother you, it doesn't bother me. When a vampire falls in love, age doesn't really matter in the long run. Honestly, you could be 70 and it would still seem improper."

I snuggled back down beside him. "Yeah, because then it would be reversed, because you look 25!" I laughed.

He laughed too, "Yes, that is true. You should rest peacefully now though. You have a long day ahead of you Love, and I want you to be able to enjoy it without being tired."

"In awake land, are you laying beside me like we are now?"

"Yes. I am."

"Then please don't leave, just lay with me for the rest of the night."

"I promise I'll be here when you wake up."

"Thank you." I whispered. "I love you Klaus."

"I love you too, Love."

Everything went black. It had been a good dream.

*A/N* In case you're not familiar with the Vampire Diaries world, vampires can control dreams. I felt I should make that known. I promise in the next chapters that there will be more of the Harry Potter world. Please stay tuned, and please leave a review, and tell me what you think. Thank you for reading!