Narcissa Malfoy née Black, was every inch the quintessence of aristocratic poise – unflappable, impeccably mannered, and alarmingly serene. From the top of her flawlessly coiffed hair to the bottom of her silk robes, she was the very image of perfection. A prefect hostess, gracious, elegant, she exuded charm, her smiles welcoming them as honoured guests in her home. There was nothing about her that screamed threat, and Klaus had been ready to dismiss Damon's claims that she was the most terrifying person to ever exist. Then she'd turned her eyes on him.

Klaus couldn't quite pinpoint the source of her intimidating presence; she didn't need to snarl or sneer to send shivers down one's spine—her very being whispered threats of genteel doom. Within moments of meeting her, Klaus was utterly convinced that Narcissa could effortlessly dispatch anyone who crossed her, bury their bodies in her rose garden, and then casually resume her tea and scones as though she'd just been discussing the weather.

She hadn't overtly done anything menacing—there was no cackling or sinister monologuing—but her demeanour alone suggested she was perfectly capable of turning you into compost if you so much as spilled your tea on her antique lace tablecloth. As Kol later put it; it was just a vibe she gave off, as if her very presence whispered, "Cross me, and I'll turn your life into a horror story—and get away with it scot-free."

Klaus finally grasped why Damon had so readily accepted Maya's romance with that boy—it was obvious that Narcissa held Maya in the same high regard as her own son, Draco, and her niece, Luna. He could almost see Narcissa, with her regal demeanour, casually issuing velvet-veiled threats for Maya's benefit. It was no wonder Damon had folded like a cheap suit under her intimidating gaze; Klaus doubted he'd fare any better. The real puzzle, though, was why Maya hadn't been taken in by Narcissa's family after the tragic loss of Jasmine and her husband. When Klaus timidly broached this topic, the answer he got was a sharp and biting: "Politics and interfering old men who think they know better than everyone else." This succinct dismissal hinted at deep layers of intrigue and old grudges, painting a complex tapestry of familial loyalty and power plays.

Klaus found himself unexpectedly charmed by Narcissa, despite her formidable presence. His siblings, too, seemed to share his surprising fondness. Her husband Lucius, who despite having the same aristocratic bearing, wasn't anywhere near as poised, and didn't have the same terror-inducing aura, was tolerable, if a bit pretentious. He clearly worshipped his wife, adored his son, and had a bemused sort of fondness for Luna and Maya, always appearing as if he wasn't quite sure why he was fond of either of them.

Draco while often attempting to emulate the same manner as his parents, was still just fourteen, only a few months older than Maya, and couldn't quite maintain it yet. Klaus supposed once he was a few years older, with more practice under his belt, he'd be able to carry it off, though he doubted Draco would be able to match his mother when it came to casually inspiring fear in others.

Luna and her father were, to put it simply, odd. Just in different ways, Xenophilius Lovegood, put Klaus in mind of the classic absent-minded professor archetype in fiction. He had an air of childish enthusiasm about him, and often went off on tangents about creatures Klaus wasn't sure were actually real. He was completely harmless, and Narcissa mentioned that the death of his beloved wife had affected him greatly which is why he was the way he was.

Luna on the overhand, for all that she had the same enthusiasm for potentially non-existent creatures as her father, was a different sort of odd. It was in her eyes, the ones that seemed to say I know things nobody else does, and when she looked directly at you it was like she could see your soul and was measuring its worth. She was the opposite of her cousin, just as graceful as Narcissa, in an effortless way that made it seem as if she wasn't even trying, but she didn't have the same elegant aristocratic bearing, more of a down-to-earth friendliness and warmth. Klaus was certain of two things: Draco would never quite echo his mother's fearsome aura, and Luna—Luna was on her way to becoming just as enigmatically terrifying as Narcissa.

Andromeda, with her regal demeanour softened by an earthy warmth, presented a fascinating contrast to her sister. While she lacked the bone-chilling presence of Narcissa, Klaus couldn't shake the feeling that beneath her affable exterior lay hidden depths, a quiet strength that demanded respect. He was certain she was just as capable of killing anyone who threatened her family as her sister was.

Her husband Ted, was the embodiment of the phrase 'still waters run deep.' His unassuming appearance masked a keen intellect and a genuine kindness that seemed to emanate from his very soul. Lacking the airs of nobility, Ted's easy-going nature was a magnet for goodwill, drawing in all who crossed his path. Elijah had found a conversational match for himself in Ted, their topics weaving through the magical and mundane with equal fervour.

Their daughter, Dora, or Tonks, he wasn't sure which, took after her father in looks and unpretentious charm. Her ability to shapeshift made her an absolute favourite of her younger three cousins. She had an infectious energy and had spent much of the dinner they'd all shared the previous evening entertaining Maya, Draco, and Luna, as well as a fascinated Kol, by changing the shape of her nose. Clumsiness and mischief were part of her charm, yet beneath that playful exterior was an intellect as sharp as her parents.

All in all, he rather liked all of them. None of them had been overly impressed by the fact that they were Originals, and none of them had shown one spec of fear of him and his siblings. It made a nice change from most people who knew who they were.

Despite liking them he still aimed a distrustful glare at the small, innocuous looking stone, contained within the box Narcissa had placed down on the table in front of them.

"What is a resurrection stone? And what does it have to do with Maya?"

He would have preferred for his daughter not to be present for this. He couldn't put his finger on it, but there was something about that stone that gave him the creeps, even before Narcissa had told them what it was called. He wasn't sure he wanted her anywhere near it, whether it rightfully belonged to her or not.

"The resurrection stone." Xenophilius corrected him before Narcissa could answer, "it's one of three items that make up the Deathly Hallows."

"From the story?" Maya asked, a curious expression on her face as she eyed the stone.

Xenophilius nodded as Narcissa cleared her throat and began to explain for the benefit of those who had no idea what story they were talking about.

"It's from a collection of wixen tales told to children. Most of them are just made-up stories, meant to entertain, but the Tale of the Three Brothers has some elements of truth to it. Xeno, you know the story best, perhaps you would like to tell it?"

Xenophilius nodded again, and began to speak,

"There were once three brothers who were travelling along a lonely, winding road at twilight. In time, the brothers reached a river too deep to wade through and too dangerous to swim across. However, these brothers were learned in the magical arts, and so they simply waved their wands and made a bridge appear across the treacherous water.

"They were halfway across it when they found their path blocked by a hooded figure. And Death spoke to them. He was angry that he had been cheated out of three new victims, for travellers usually drowned in the river. But Death was cunning. He pretended to congratulate the three brothers upon their magic, and said that each had earned a prize for having been clever enough to evade him.

"So, the oldest brother, who was a combative man, asked for a wand more powerful than any in existence: a wand that must always win duels for its owner, a wand worthy of a wizard who had conquered Death! So, Death crossed to an elder tree on the banks of the river, fashioned a wand from a branch that hung there, and gave it to the oldest brother.

"Then the second brother, who was an arrogant man, decided that he wanted to humiliate Death still further, and asked for the power to recall others from Death. So, Death picked up a stone from the riverbank and gave it to the second brother, and told him that the stone would have the power to bring back the dead.

"And then Death asked the third and youngest brother what he would like. The youngest brother was the humblest and also the wisest of the brothers, and he did not trust Death. So, he asked for something that would enable him to go forth from that place without being followed by Death. And Death, most unwillingly, handed over his own Cloak of Invisibility."

"Then Death stood aside and allowed the three brothers to continue on their way and they did so, talking with wonder of the adventure they had had, and admiring Death's gifts. In due course the brothers separated, each for his own destination.

"The first brother travelled on for a week or more, and reaching a distant village, sought out a fellow wizard with whom he had a quarrel. Naturally, with the Elder Wand as his weapon, he could not fail to win the duel that followed. Leaving his enemy dead upon the floor, the oldest brother proceeded to an inn, where he boasted loudly of the powerful wand, he had snatched from Death himself, and of how it made him invincible.

"That very night, another wizard crept upon the oldest brother as he lay, wine-sodden, upon his bed. The thief took the wand and, for good measure, slit the oldest brother's throat. And so, Death took the first brother for his own.

"Meanwhile, the second brother journeyed to his own home, where he lived alone. Here he took out the stone that had the power to recall the dead, and turned it thrice in his hand. To his amazement and his delight, the figure of the girl he had once hoped to marry before her untimely death, appeared at once before him.

"Yet she was sad and cold, separated from him as by a veil. Though she had returned to the mortal world, she did not truly belong there and suffered. Finally, the second brother, driven mad with hopeless longing, killed himself so as truly to join her. And so, Death took the second brother for his own.

"But though Death searched for the third brother for many years, he was never able to find him. It was only when he had attained a great age that the youngest brother finally took off the Cloak of Invisibility and gave it to his son. And then he greeted Death as an old friend, and went with him gladly, and equals, they departed this life."

"So, it's a fable?" Klaus asked once Xenophilius had finished the story. "A moral tale, meant to educate as much as it entertains."

"Yes, the story is just a story," Narcissa replied, "A children's tale, more for entertainment than anything else. But there are elements of truth to it, though what the whole truth is would be impossible to say because the three brothers in question lived over a thousand years ago."

"The Hallows exist." Xenophilius interjected, "It's doubtful they were actually gifts from Death, more likely that the Peverell brothers were merely talented and powerful wizards who created extraordinary items."

"Like my cloak?" Maya asked.

"Indeed." Narcissa smiled at her, "your cloak is the invisibility cloak mentioned in the story."

"You have an invisibility cloak?" Klaus turned a surprise look on his daughter and then at Damon.

"She does, but there are rules for when, where, and why she's allowed to use it."

"It was mum's." Maya added, "I use it for pranking mostly. Is that really the resurrection stone?" She directed the question at Narcissa and Xenophilius.

They both nodded.

"The Horde examined it closely after they'd removed the horcrux from the ring it was attached to. They are positive it's the resurrection stone that once belonged to Cadmus Peverell."

"And it's mine?"

"You are the last descendant of the Peverell family. Which makes it your inheritance, just as much as the cloak is."

"What about the wand?" Damon asked. "This third so called Hallow. Wouldn't that be Maya's as well?"

"That's a little trickier." Narcissa waved a graceful hand through the air in a maybe gesture.

"The Elder wand is the one most easily traced through history because it usually passes from one owner to the next via violent means. There are gaps in this history, and no one knows who the current owner of the wand is." Xenophilius interjected.

"That's not the real issue though." Narcissa stated, "There are ancient laws regarding wand ownership. A wand won in a dual, is the rightful property of the winner, so even if we could find it, they could argue that it's rightfully theirs. Alternatively, we could argue that as it was stolen from its original owner that rightfully it's stolen property and belongs to Maya, and leave it to the courts to make a decision. But as we don't know where it is, that's rather a moot point."

Klaus and Damon both nodded, conceding the point that without knowing where it was, arguing about who it belonged to would be a waste of time and effort. What they really needed to decide right now, was what to do with the eerie stone that Narcissa had presented to them and Maya. Klaus looked at Damon, trying to gauge what his feelings were on the matter. Damon shook his head, a worried frown on his face.

It was becoming easier and easier for him to tell what Damon's thoughts were and he knew the other man was in agreement. Neither of them wanted the stone anywhere near Maya, but they both acknowledged that she was old enough to have a say in matters. Even as they were communicating this to each other, Maya reached forward and picked up the stone.

"Maya –" They both spoke simultaneously, but it was already too late.

Maya could tell that her fathers were discussing what to do about the stone, even if neither of them were speaking. She was also aware enough to know they would probably want her to lock it up in her vault where it was no danger to anyone. She got where they were coming from, and even sort of agreed, she just wanted to use it once first. She reached forward and picked it up, closing her eyes and turning the stone over in her hand, three times.

"Maya –"

Their collective warning came too late. Jasmine Potter appeared in front of Maya, She was neither a ghost, nor truly flesh. Less substantial than a living body, but much more than a ghost, she moved towards her with a loving smile. Searching Maya's face hungrily as though she would never be able to look at her enough.

"Mum."

"Hello sweetheart."

"Jasmine?" Her father choked on the name, as if he wasn't quite sure this was really happening.

"Hello Nik." Jasmine smiled at him, and then at Damon. "Damon, thank you." There was a wealth of words unspoken in that simple statement, but it seemed to be enough for Babbo, who smiled sadly and inclined his head.

Maya was vaguely aware of Aunt Cissa, and Uncle Xeno slipping out of the room quietly, but most of her attention was reserved for her mum, as she knelt down in front of Maya's chair putting herself at eye level. An ethereal hand brushed across Maya's curls and cupped her face, it wasn't enough, there was no warmth to it, no pressure, like there should be.

"Mum, I –" There were so many words Maya wanted to say, but she couldn't seem to get them out, as tears ran down her cheeks.

"Maya, my darling daughter, you're so beautiful. There's so much I want to say to you sweetheart, but I can't stay for long. Cadmus, like all other Peverell's, had necromantic abilities, he was a medium, able to communicate with the dead across the veil. He made the resurrection stone, to anchor the dead to the world, to make it easier to communicate with them, but there was a downside. The stone draws on the magic of the person using it. Cadmus died because he held on too long, he couldn't let go of his love and he held on until his magic was drained past the point of recovery.

"I love you sweetheart; I have loved you from the moment I realised I was pregnant. Luke loves you to, even though you aren't his biologically, you are as much his daughter as you are Damon's and Nik's and we will always be with you, in your heart. We fought for you, because you were the most precious person in our life and we wanted you to grow up in a world free from the violence and hatred that we knew, and I am sorrier than I can say that that didn't happen. I should have tried harder to find Nik, but I thought we'd have more time, and I was trying to protect you from those who would try to use you if they knew who your father was."

"It wasn't your fault."

"It wasn't yours either sweetheart, there is no parent worth their salt who wouldn't happily give their lives to protect their children. It wasn't Siri's fault either, we all trusted Peter, he was our friend for a very long time, and he never gave us any reason to doubt him. So, you tell him that for me, you tell him he is not to blame."

"I will."

"You need to let me go in a moment darling, but first I want you to promise me something."

"Okay?"

"I want you to live. We're not going to see each other again for a very long time."

"The stone."

"It can only summon someone once, sweetheart. So, promise me, that when we do see each other again, very, very, very, far in the future, you'll have good stories for me. Make art, use your voice, prank your fathers and your aunts and uncles, have adventures, follow your dreams, go to space –"

"How did you know?"

"We're with you sweetheart, always. Even if you can't see us, know that we're watching over you. So do all those things and more, and most importantly, make sure you have at least one, totally epic love. Be every bit yourself, because the very best of me, and the very best of your dads, is in you, and don't you ever let anyone tell you that who you are is not good enough, because you have always been enough for me."

"I love you mum."

"I love you too." Her mum wrapped her arms around Maya, a solid warmth that wrapped around her even though she shouldn't have been that tangible. "You have to let go know, sweetie."

"I don't want to."

Her mum pulled back, and gave her a look of sadness intertwined with love.

"I know, but you have to sweetie, you have so much to live for. So much to look forward to, and if you don't let me go, then you won't get the chance to experience any of it."

"Maya, please." Her father knelt down in the space next to her mum's ethereal form. "Please, I don't want to lose you."

He took her hand. It was the first time they'd touched. He'd been respectful of her boundaries since they'd met, doubly so since Dr Sam and Damon had told him about the Dursley's. He'd never tried to touch her before now, never tried to take more than she was willing to give. That he would do so now, and with a desperation in his eyes and tone, said more than anything how worried he was.

"Maya," Damon knelt down on the other side, and brushed a gentle hand across her head, "I know you want her to stay, I understand, but you have to let her go, or we're going to lose you too."

"This isn't goodbye sweetheart; it's we'll meet again one day." Her mum said softly.

"I love you." She let the stone fall from her hand.

Damon was quick to sweep it up off the carpet, putting it back into the box and quickly closing it. Maya's resolve crumbled, and she leaned into her dad's embrace. He hesitated—a brief struggle between instinct and restraint—before his arms enfolded her in a sanctuary of warmth.

"I just wanted to see her."

"I know, sweetheart, I know."