Chapter 6: I Am The Fire By: Halestorm

Both girls look over at the blonde twin that had just interrupted their moment. I mean, at least she didn't come in two minutes ago but really, she couldn't have waited five more minutes?

"Lizzie, did you not get the general life threatening threat that I left for the student body if anyone came down here before five o'clock?"

Lizzie just looked at the girls on the loveseat and smirked. She raised her wrist to show the time.

"Yeah I did, and it is six, so that's on you."

"No way! It's been six hours? How did six hours go by and we didn't realize it?"

Josie looked and Hope and just started to laugh. The look on the tribrid's face was priceless. She could tell that the older girl wanted to yell at the blonde but she knew that she couldn't.

"Ah, hon, it's ok. How about we clean everything up and we can head back in? We could go to your room and talk some more."

"Yeah right, talk, sure. That is what you were doing when I walked in."

A growl escaped the older girl's lips and her teeth were bared. She didn't like it when people picked on Josie. She didn't care if it was her sister or not.

As a shocked look came across the blonde twin's face and she took half a step back, Hope suddenly felt a warmth on her cheek. She instantly calmed and turned her face to see her beautiful girlfriend.

"It's ok Hope. She is just teasing. She doesn't mean anything by it."

Hope was completely calmed down and nuzzled her head into the crook of Josie neck and shoulder. She wrapped and arm back around the younger girl.

Josie smiled and kissed the top of the shorter girls head. She loved her so much. She loved the fact that she was so overly protective of her. If this was anyone else, she would be upset at them for threatening Lizzie, but she knew that Hope wasn't do it because it was Lizzie, she was doing it because no one was allowed to harm, (i.e. tease, make fun of, or insult) Josie.

"Damn Jo, you calmed her down to a cute little puppy."

The brunette felt Hope start to tense. She ran her fingers through her auburn hair and kissed her temple again, instantly calming her.

"Liz, are you trying to get yourself hurt." Josie couldn't help but laugh when she felt Hope smile into her neck.

Lizzie just held up her hands in surrender. She was not going to do anything else to upset these two. She heard her sisters underline warning. Even she could only calm Hope so much.

"I only came down here because dad told me to come find Hope. He wants to see her in his office now."

"Why?"

Josie couldn't think of any reason. He didn't know that they were dating, since it had been all of ten minutes, and it couldn't be the shovel talk.

"I don't know. Some extreme woman was in there with him though and she looked like Penelope in twenty years."

Both the girls tensed. They knew exactly who that woman was and what she was most likely here for. Well this was going to be interesting.

Hope untangled herself from her girlfriend, man she loved the sound of that. She stood up and was ready to head in to see the headmaster to get this over with.

"Well Jo, looks like the date is over. You should go back to your room with your sister. I have a feeling that this is not going to be pretty."

"I'm not letting you go in there alone. You are only in trouble because you were defending and protecting me. I am going with you."

Hope beamed with pride at this amazing girl in front of her. How did she ever get lucky enough that she actually like her back and wanted to be with her? She loved her with everything that she was and knew that there wasn't anything that she would do for her.

"Thank you for that baby. I appreciate that you are willing to be there for me. But you know that your dad will tell you to go anyway."

"Yeah he can try. I'm staying and neither you nor he will make me leave."

Lizzie smiled at her sister, she was proud of her for sticking up for herself, even this little bit and she knew it was because of Hope. She let her know that she was worth it and that she was important. They really were perfect together.

"You might as well give up Hope. You know that look. Nothing is going to make her change her mind and she will get what she wants."

Hope shook her head knowing that the blonde was right. There was no winning this argument, and honestly, she really didn't want to be separated from Josie.

"Ok, let's go get this over with. I was hoping to get in some cuddles before the day was over."

The three girls returned to the school with in the next ten minutes. Hope had to call to have everything picked up and cleaned.

While she was on the phone arranging that, Lizzie was getting details about the date from Josie. Lizzie had to admit, it sounded amazing. The blonde was happy that her twin was finally getting what she deserved in the romance department.

Once returning to the school, the couple separated from Lizzie and walked to the headmaster's office. They knocked and waited until they heard someone tell them to come in.

Once they entered, they saw Alaric talking with an older raven haired woman, who absolutely had to be Penelope's mother.

When Alaric looked up and saw Josie, he frowned.

"Josie, honey, what are you doing here?"

"I came with Hope."

"Well you need to leave. This meeting has nothing to do with you."

Josie's hold on Hope's hand tightened. She wasn't going to be dismissed.

"I'm not going anywhere. This has everything to do with me!"

Alaric looked as Hope pulled Josie closer to her and laced their fingers together. The look in his eyes was one of understanding. Thinking of all the information, everything made a lot more sense to him now, which in fact helped to strengthen his argument. Plus, if Josie could help at all to keep Hope from shredding and/or murdering anyone in this room, that would be fantastic.

"Fine. Stay."

The woman looked like she was going to argue and Alaric just held up his hand stopping her before she started. He was already tried at this point, and he couldn't take any more of her complaining.

"We aren't going to win this one. It is a waste of time and energy at this point to try."

"Well, no wonder your students act like this. You can't even control your own children. I'll show you how it is done!"

The woman turned towards Josie and raised her hand, and Hope jumped in front of her girlfriend and growled. Her eyes were glowing and her fangs were out and dripping poison. She took a step forward ready to advance on the woman for daring to raise a hand in Josie's directions. Whether for a spell of physical blow, she really didn't know who she was messing with.

"You are going to want to lower you hand very slowly and then not move otherwise."

Alaric knew that he needed to get a hold of the situation, and fast. 'Great now I have a pissed off and protective tribrid! Just perfect!'

"This is ridiculous! Get a hold of this creature now!"

The woman was trying to act like she wasn't scared or nervous in this moment, however, Hope could smell the fear all over her. It just caused her natural instincts to heighten. Fear equaled prey. She growled again. No one messed with Josie. Josie belonged to Hope. She was her's to protect. No one threatened what was her's.

Suddenly, Hope felt all the anger wash away as a calming sensation like a warm blanket was enveloping her. What really happened was that Josie hugged her. She wrapped herself around Hope to the point that her calming scent, unafraid, was flooding her senses. The moment that those arms were around her, her fangs retracted and her eyes went back to blue.

"There's my girl. Its ok, I'm fine. No one is going to hurt me. I know you will always protect me. I'm always safe as long as you are with me."

Hope was soothed by the words. She wrapped Josie in her arms and pulled her closer to her. She took in her calming scent knowing that she was safe and had no fear helped her to control the urge to defend against attacks.

"Ok, now, I think that it is in everyone best interest that we take seats and calmly have a discussion."

Everyone in the room sat down. Alaric behind his desk. The older woman at the chair furthest from the door facing him. Hope sat down in the other chair near the door and pulled Josie to sit on her lap. She wasn't going to let go of her. She needed her to make sure that she was safe if she was going to stay calm.

"Girls, this is Mrs. Parks. She is Penelope's mother and the head of the Parks Coven."

"I know who she is." Hope glared.

"Then I would think you would show me some respect."

"I think you have that backwards. Oh wait, do you know who I am?"

"You are the tribrid mutt."

Josie was about ready to jump out of Hope's lap. No one got to call her that. She had no problem showing Penelope or her mother what happened when you bad mouthed Hope.

Hope only smirked. Josie, as angry as she was, was ready to calm her but she didn't seem to care what this woman thought of her at all.

"That's right. I am the tribrid mutt. The head of the Mikaelson family."

Mrs. Parks paused for a moment at hearing this. She knew that she was a Mikaelson, but not the head of the family. This couldn't be true, it had to be a bluff. She had expected to easily take control threatening to contact her Aunt.

Now the brunette understood her girlfriend's smirk. This woman had thought that she had the upper hand. She thought that this was going to be so easy. Josie almost laughed in that moment.

As if sensing this, Hope turned to look into those brown eyes that she so loved, and winked.

"Hope, it was brought to my attention that you spelled Penelope. With several spells in fact."

"Yes I did."

"No denial or excuses? She isn't even scared of you! What kind of school is this?"

Alaric looked at the woman with a flare of frustration. He had lost his patience with her a while ago. Who did she think she was? Why would you want children to fear you? Respect you yes, but not fear you.

"It is a wonderful school. One where we learn to be inclusive and we learn tolerance. However, what your daughter failed to learn was that you never mess with a Mikaelson. We are not a family that takes it lightly."

Mrs. Park turned to look at the auburn haired girl. She had a sneer on her face. She wanted to yell and go after this impure mutt, but she also had to think ahead. This was chess not checkers.

"I see, you are going to blame the victim? You torment her solely because she broke up with this, girl?"

The tone in her voice was unquestionable loathing.

Hope eyes flashed again. She was growling a warning. This had gone on far enough. No one, and she does mean no one, insulted Josie. She had gone too far. Even Josie's calming hand couldn't settle her this time.

"No, I am teaching your brat of a daughter a very valuable lesson. Something that apparently all of the Parks Coven needs to learn. You don't mess with a Mikaelson or those that we claim as ours. You will show respect or you will face the consequences. And never call our bluffs, because a Mikaelson NEVER bluffs. Now I warned Penelope, repeatedly. She had multiple chances to back down. She refused every opportunity I afforded her. And the only, ONLY reason that she didn't get worse, is because of this incredible girl right here! She asked me not to harm her physically, so I didn't. Now, after we walked away and I let her go, she decided that the smart thing to do would be to would to be to come and try to start trouble. She knew what she was doing and she knew the consequences. I clearly spelled it out for her. And again, I didn't do what I wanted because, Josie made me promise. So both you and your Satan spawn so be on your knees thanking her!"

Alaric was taken aback, he had not missed the fact that Hope said that she claimed Josie, but that was a talk for another day. Now he needed to make sure that Hope didn't do something he would regret. He really needed her to take a breath and calm down, however, suggesting that would be stupid as it would do the opposite to the tribrid.

"Ok, I think we need to calmly discus this. Get upset isn't going to solve this."

Mrs. Parks decided to use that only option that she had left in her arsenal. It was the one thing that she could get away with and not enrage the other Mikaelsons.

"Headmaster. I demand that she be disciplined for what she did to my daughter! I want her expelled!"

Hope burst out laughing in that moment. She looked like she were having a manic moment she was laughing so hard.

Alaric looked at her with apprehension. This was not the reaction that he thought that she would be having to the threat of expulsion. Most would be upset about that. Hell he was upset at hearing that and Josie looked about in tears.

"Hope, honey, did you hear what she just said?"

Hope looked at Josie, and wiped away her tears. She leaned in and gave her a kiss to her cheek and then pulled her phone from her pocket. She quickly dialed a number and waited for the person on the other end of the line to pick up.

"Yeah, hey. I need you here now. Yeah Alaric's office. We'll wait. Thank you."

Everyone in the room just looked at Hope.

"Who did you just call?"

The auburn haired girl said nothing. She looked over to Josie and then took her hand and pulled her up for a hug. She whispered something that the other's in the room couldn't hear. The brunette pulled back with a mix of shock and laughter on her face.

"Oh, I am so glad that I am here to see this but not on the receiving end."

Just then, Freya Mikaelson appeared, via astral projection.

"Hope, honey! What's the matter? Why did you need me?"

"Aunt Freya. Let me introduce you to Mrs. Parks, the head of the Parks Coven. She would like Alaric to expel me from school. Would you like to explain why that is not going to happen? They don't seem to want to listen to me today, so I thought that it may be better coming from you."

Freya laughed. She couldn't help herself. The other adults in the room looked confused.

"Can someone please tell me why everyone keeps laughing? What is so funny about expelling this girl for what she has done to my daughter?"

Freya turned to Hope with a raised brow. Silently asking what she did.

"Remember the girls when I was twelve? The ones that were picking on Josie and mom tried to talk me into letting go?"

"Yes."

"Penelope did worse to Josie. Mom wasn't here as an option, not that it worked last time. Jo made me promise not to physically harm her so I didn't. I took a page out of the Mikaelson playbook."

"What did you do Hope. I just need to know what level Mikaelson you went."

"I think mom would have secretly been proud, though never would have admitted it. Dad would have bought me a present, possibly a car."

"Oh good lord, that is scary."

"Hey, I'm pretty sure Auntie Bex and you are going to love it. I know Kol will approve. Elijah would have told me that I showed honor in protecting my own."

Freya again raised an eyebrow. Something that everyone would approve including Hayley. Hope explained every detail of what she had done. When she was finished Freya looked at her with what could only be described as pride.

"Well, I think that last spell for the dates was a little much."

"That's what I said."

Everyone looked at Josie in that moment. Freya walked closer to her.

"So you must be Josie. I think I will like you. Hayley told me a lot about you. Hayley like you. She always thought that you and Hope would make a totally epic love."

Hope and Josie both had tears shining in their eyes and red cheeks. Hayley had liked her and thought that Hope and she should be together.

"Mom said that specifically? That we were a totally epic love?"

"Yes, those were her exact words after the last visit that she had here. Something about the way that you gravitate to each other. The way that you let Josie stand next to you and not forcing her behind you."

Hope's eyes locked with Josie's. Blue blending to brown. Her mother's words coming back to her. 'Have at least one totally epic love.' She knew, she was telling her and still allowing her to discover it for herself, but she knew.

Freya turned away from the girls, leaving them to have a silent moment alone after the revelation. She knew why Hope had asked, Hayley had told Freya a lot about the brunette that seem to tame the beast in her daughter.

"Now, to the point of this expulsion. Alaric, you know that you can't expel Hope right?"

"I know that we need her help with monsters, however, I can't give her special treatment. All students have to follow the rules."

The older blonde chuckled at that. This was going to be fun. Apparently the headmaster knew nothing.

"Apparently you don't know." Turning to Hope she smirked. "Now I see why you called me."

"Okay, should we start with the Parks or the Salvatore School?"

"School first, it will make the Parks more fun. At least for me."

Josie grabbed Hope and pulled her back down to sit with her. She need to be in Hope's arms right now. The older girl had whispered what was about to happen. She felt bad for her dad, a little.

"Fine, school first. Alaric, do you have the deed to the school and the information that Caroline and you signed when Klaus gave you the funding originally?"

Alaric looked confused and nodded his head. He pulled out all of the paper work including the deed from the filing cabinet.

"If you look at the deed, whose name is it in?"

Alaric looks confused. He was sure that it was in Caroline's. Since it was her husband's house. Looking, however, he was completely taken aback.

"Hope Andrea Mikaelson."

"Great, now if you would look at the contract that you and Caroline signed. And trust me, Klaus made sure that Caroline knew hundred percent of what this said and compelled a lawyer to explain it thoroughly to her, so this is not an issue of tricking her."

The headmaster read the contact. He probably should have done this before signing it instead of trusting Caroline.

"Are you kidding me with this?"

"He just read my favorite part. I can tell."

"Wait, you have read this Hope? Why didn't you ever say anything about this?"

"For the same reason that I called Freya to go over it. You adults think that you know everything and you never listen. I don't waste my words."

Josie nuzzled a little more into her neck. She really loved when Hope was confident like this. It was just shy of cocky, out full of knowing that she was in the right. Again, she felt a little bad for her dad, but, he kind of did this to himself.

"Would someone please tell me what is happening?" Mrs. Parks huffed.

"Oh, we are getting there. It will be a nice transition into our talk about your little coven."

Finally, the look on the coven leader's face started to crack and a small amount of fear slipped into her mask.

"So as you can see, this school belongs to Hope. She owns the land, buildings, and everything attached. Which is why she should have to invite anyone in. The contact that you and Hope have both signed, allow you to invite vampires onto the grounds. Also according to this contract, you and Caroline are employees of the school, i.e. of Hope's. It also states that at the completion of high school Hope is granted supervision of the requirements and admissions. Upon getting a degree in education, she will fully take over the school when she deems fit. "

The older man looked up at the girl that he has come to think of as a protégé. He couldn't believe that this whole time, she has been writing his checks.

"How is that even possible? She is only 17. She doesn't even have a school bank account!"

"That is also why she called me. Klaus set it up in trust until her eighteenth birthday. She has private accounts. Every Milaelson, save for myself as I now have a son, had or signed a will that everything goes to Hope in the event of their deaths. So that means, that Klaus, Hayley, and Elijah, left everything to her. In 3 months everything is turned over to her completely. Until then I am in charge, technically. However, for the most part, since she turned sixteen I have been allowing her to call the shots. There was only once that I have ever gone against her request."

"And I was right about that one too! You know I was!"

"We are not having that argument again. I still refuse."

"Its fine, you said it yourself, three months, then I'm in charge."

Josie turned to look at the shorter girl. The smirk on her face was worrisome.

"Do I even want to know?"

Freya responded before Hope had a chance to.

"Hope thought that we should make a few changes to the curriculum. She shouldn't be taking three courses, which not three full courses I have to agree with that point. Also, witches need to learn offensive spells. Wolves have a forest and are caged during the moon, and vampires don't have full range of their powers on animal blood. With a few exceptions, the students of this school need a real education, not coddling. I am concerned about certain aspects. Checks and balances and we are working it out still. Hope promised that she would hold off on these changes until she fully took charge."

"And why did I promise? Because Freya gave good solid reasons and she respects me so I respect her enough to listen."

Hope couldn't help but to take this dig at the other adults in the room. The ones that truly needed to learn how to give respect and not just expect it to be given.

Every eye in the room was on Hope. Some with astonishment and others with bewilderment. Freya with pride. They raised a good, smart woman.

"Now on to the Parks Coven. Do you remember the contract that you signed when you took over as the leader of the coven? Did you read it?"

Mrs. Parks stood up with her back straight and her nose in the air.

"I did. I signed a contract that stated that our Coven was sworn to your family and that as the leader I would answer to the head of the Mikaelson family. That it is my responsibility to keep the peace. In exchange for us being in your service for any and all magic related assistance demanded, we are granted your protection and are guaranteed that should a war come, you will fight on our side, or we will be left out of it if it comes to you and the other covens."

Freya nodded her head the entire time. She was actually glad that this woman was only half stupid. It really did make this whole situation that much easier.

"Great, then this should be simple. Guess who the head of the Mikaelson family is?"

"I would think that it would be you as you are the oldest."

"Yes, those with less intelligence usually think that. Mikaelsons don't really care about age. After a thousand years or so, you learn that older doesn't mean wiser. Just like not all power is the same. Klaus wasn't the oldest, yet he was the head of our family."

"Who would be strong and powerful enough, not to mention have the cunning and the intellect, to control a family like yours if not you?"

"That would again be me. I was taught by every Mikaelson. Add on to that the teaching and guidance from Dr. Saltzman and others that have befriended my family and there is no one stronger or more cunning in the family. Also, as I have proven, time and again, my spells are more powerful than any others. Not even Freya can undo them if I don't want them to be broken. Ask your daughter about that."

"Every spell has a loophole. Even a strong one."

Hope's smirk would rival that of Klaus himself. She was enjoying this meeting far too much. She really should thank Dr. Saltzman for it later.

"Oh, there is a loophole. Two to be exact."

Freya shook her head while laughing. She was going to stop her, but then decided that she was going to allow her niece have this one revelation. After all, it really was too hilarious.

"What's the loophole Hope?" Josie was curious.

"You and Lizzie can siphon away the magic."

The room went silent. Everyone started to understand exactly what that meant. The twins would never go against Hope. Especially now that Josie and Hope were dating.

"So you are telling me that the only thing that can undo one of your spells is his daughters, unless you choose to release it. Nothing else at all?"

"Josie and Lizzie! That is your magic's loophole! You have to be kidding me!"

While it seemed the other adults in the meeting where gearing up for yet another round, Freya was ready to go home at this point so she needed to get this whole mess settled.

"Okay, to end this, because I have a kid at home that needs to be put to bed, Hope owns the school and is in charge of all funding and ever decision that is made. She is the bridge to your coven and our family. Hope please stop gluing people to the ceiling, in all honesty, I know that we each have our go to, but could you maybe, for me, think of something… less. Josie, you are a lovely girl and it was very nice to meet you. I want you to know that you have an open invitation to the compound anytime. Actually, please visit with Hope during Spring Break. Any other questions, please work it out with Hope and she will call me tomorrow to fill me in on anything that I need to know."

With the finality of that announcement, Freya ended the astral projection.

Hope squeezed Josie's waist and gave her a sweet kiss on her cheek, before standing back up to address the adults in the room.

"So, I want to make this clear to start. Alaric, you are still in charge of this school. I don't intend to take over and start telling you how to run the school. You are the headmaster and you will be for as long as you choose to be."

Alaric nodded. He truly was grateful that Hope was the woman that she was. She had truly grown into herself and far exceeded all expectations.

"Mrs. Parks, I will honor our agreement between my family and your coven, however, you need to reign in your daughter. I will remove the spells from her if you can get her to agree to leave me and the twins be. I don't want a war, but I will not tolerate disrespect to me or mine. Make no mistake, this is the last warning that I will give. After that, I will get angry and anyone who has ever seen me truly angry can tell you that this is not something that you want to see or be on wrong side of. Are we clear?"

The older woman sat up stiffly but nodded her agreement.

With a complete change in her attitude, Hope turned back to her headmaster with a smile.

"Great, now, Dr. Saltzman, if you need to give me detention or suspend me that is whatever. Otherwise, I would like to get on with my day. Nothing that was said in here has to go beyond us four. I don't need to deal with everyone knowing this. In fact if it does, I will find out who it came from and we will have words. Have a great night."

Hope turned to Josie and held out her hand with a smile that is reserved just for the younger girl. Josie took her hand and wrapped herself around Hope's arm as they walked out of the office together.

"So, now that all that drama is taken care of, you want to come back to my room with me?"

Josie raised an eyebrow at the shorter girl with a smirk dancing on her lips.

"I didn't mean it like that and you know it. Although, I mean…"
The brunette giggles and shoves Hope on the shoulder. Then, just as suddenly, she grabs her by the collar of her shirt and brings their lips crashing together.

Hope instantly melts into the kiss. Her arms wrap around Josie's waist as Josie's go around her neck. Their bodies merge together and they seems to be trying to become one. The kiss was far more intense than anything that they had yet shared.

Hope started to walk Josie backwards, never breaking the kiss or slowing it down, until she was pushed up against a wall opposite her father's office. When the younger girl's back hit the wall she let out a moan which allowed Hope to slip her tongue into her mouth. The tribrid ran her tongue all over exploring ever portion of her warm wet welcoming mouth.

As oxygen became an issue, Josie tilted her head back so that she could breath. Hope took that as an invitation to trail kisses down her throat. She was nipping and sucking with abandon. She couldn't take her lips off of her girl. She was her drug of choice and she was fully addicted.

"Hope, oh baby, that f-feels so good. But we have to…"

Josie's words were cut off when Hope bit down softly on her pulse point, causing a loud moan to escape the brunette's lips.

Pulling back from Josie, Hope looked at her love, who look thoroughly disheveled. Hope wanted to capture this image and keep it forever. And as much as she wanted nothing more than to continue this, the hallway was no place for this particular activity. She didn't want anyone but herself to ever see Josie like this.

"So about going to my room?"

"Yes, now!"

The girls grabbed each other's hands and ran to Hope's room and locked the door. If you asked them later, they would say that it was the perfect end to the perfect date. As far as Josie's neck, she could have used a spell, but Hope really liked looking at her neck.

T.B.C.