how your parents met

The train pulled itself forward, Tears from Ivy's eyes blurred her vision. Unable to speak, she

mouthed out a 'Bye'. Klaus smiled at her, eyes becoming gloomy, he too was equally pained

to leave her and Mystic falls behind. Harriet gave his hand a little squeeze and pulled him in

her chest, Klaus melted in her touch. They held hands and walked towards their seats.

The train was almost empty, only some shady looking people sat around them, avoiding

Klaus's gaze the best they could. Harry looked outside the train, taking in all of the places

landing in front of her window, Klaus rested his head on her lap like a child, the comfort of

her warmth soothing the tremble in his chest. Harry looked down and smiled at him, ruffling

his hair till sleep came over him.

Klaus woke up to two pats over his head. He looked up and his eyes fell on the view outside

the window, they had arrived at New Orleans. His head snapped at Harry's direction and an

uncertainty gushed over him, like a centipede hung on his shoulder telling him to run away.

He pulled Harry in and gave her a tight hug. A noise from the back of her throat escaped

from surprise but she embraced him without questions.

They took their luggage from the storage and walked out of the train, Klaus sneaked glances

at her every moment he could get.

"My house isn't far from here, It's a place called Abattoir in the french quarters. No

one…except my elder sister Freya lives there for now." He gave her hand a little squeeze.

Harry looked at him and tilted her head.

"Your other siblings?"

He shrugged, "Never returned. Though I believe the lives they are living are far better now.

Rebekah, my sister, never wanted any of the titles, this luxury she was given. All she wanted

was to live as a human, she might be doing that now." Klaus spoke of her with a fond smile,

Harry's face mirrored his expression as he reminisced about his family.

"And…your parents?" She leaned in carefully and studied the way his face muscle slightly

twitched and twisted.

"The reason it's an empty mansion now." He answered firmly. "You might want to be careful

in Freya's presence. She is a witch too, a powerful one at that." He sighed and shook his head

slightly.

Just like Klaus had said, the Mansion wasn't far off. The car ride was mostly silent after

Harry got to learn that his entire family were witch vampires except him who had never

gained the witch powers and remained a Hybrid between a Vampire and a werewolf. Harry

noticed that Orleans looked dull and isolated, the colour of the buildings were neutral as if a

dust storm had eaten up the whole city, people didn't seem to smile at each other and ran off

to their own lives and work. Unlike Mystic falls that felt like family and home, Orleans felt

cold and lonely.

The mansion was big, Harry's mind ran to the words her broker had spoken of. The size of it

all made her shudder, and the fact that she was going to meet his family finally settled in her

veins. Her feet paused where they were and she tugged at Klaus's sleeves. He immediately

turned to face her and rushed to hold her tight.

"Is everything alright?" He asked, giving a light peck at her forehead.

"Will it be alright if I meet her like this? What if I don't get her approval?" She scanned

herself from top to bottom and fixed her glasses. She wore simple clothes, a pair of black

boots, a white sundress with red prints and Klaus's shirt jacket on top of it. She pulled her

skirt from the sides to show it properly and looked at Klaus again. He burst out in soft

chuckles and caressed her cheeks.

"She will, you don't have to worry about something like that." He held her face in his hands

and slightly pulled them towards himself, asking her to face him. He leaned in for a gentle

kiss and pulled at her lips till their tense bodies relaxed and collapsed into each other's.

"Better?" His voice rasped out. Harry hid her face in his shoulders and gave him a nod, her

face flushed crimson due to the moment they just shared. She pulled herself together and

walked beside Klaus, grasping at his arms and took a deep breath, Klaus followed.

He closed his eyes for a moment, collecting himself, then knocked at the door. The door was

opened rather quickly, more than Freya would like to admit, as if she had been waiting for

him. The door opened to reveal a beautiful woman, with long and wavy blonde ombre hair

and a really smokey makeup with peach lips. She smiled at Klaus, her cheeks forming smile

lines, then turned to Harry and tilted her head, a finger pointed slightly at Harriet.

"This is…?"

"Harriet, Harriet potter." Klaus smiled. "And Someone I've come to love." Freya raised her

eyebrows as if in disbelief, her lips tugged into a half smirk and she nodded, fiddling with a

pendant she wore. Before Harry could say a word, her vision went black and and her limbs

gave out, before she could collapse, Klaus took hold of her. "Oh my, she doesn't seem alright.

Come on in." Freya spoke, rather calmly. Klaus lifted her in his arms and rushed inside. He

placed her on the sofa.

"It's alright, I am alright." Harriet spoke in a weak voice, her hand placed on Klaus's cheeks.

"Must be due to travelling." Klaus leaned into the touch of her hands and nodded. He told

Freya to watch her and stormed off to get some water. She settled in a couch beside her,

crossed her legs over each other and stared at Harry, following each of her little moments.

Her aura suffocating the breath out of Harry's lungs. She gave off a strong scent that often

came out of strong witches to intimidate their rival. Harry turned her head away, looking at

the gate, hoping to get some fresh air. Light on her foot, before Harry could notice Freya was

closer to her, leaning in her face. Freya's eyes were glowing red and her fangs had come out

to display. Harry, with pure shock, jerked up and stood up, the quick moment causing

nausea and dizziness to take over her. She ended up fainting.

When Harriet opened her eyes, she wasn't in the hall anymore, her clothes had been changed

to a white night gown and she was resting by a bed near a window, in some room she didn't

know of. She struggled against the weighted blanket, her hands having almost no strength,

she tried lifting herself next but failed. Freya rushed to the rescue and lifted her up, holding

her for a minute until she could sit by herself.

Harry squinted to see Freya move and flailed her arms around to search for her glasses.

Relief washed over her as she came in contact with the cold glass from the frame. She wore

them quickly and looked back at Freya, feeling a little threatened under her supervision.

Freya had settled in a chair beside her bed, legs crossed over each other again, her sage green

dress lifted up to reveal her gorgeous tanned legs, causing Harry to gulp. She elegantly held a

wine glass in her hand and rested the other hand on the arm of the chair. Her amused

expression was replaced by a welcoming one, a tender smile lingered on her lips as she

twirled the wine glass in her hands.

"I am sorry about earlier." Freya said in a low voice. "I was just checking what's wrong from

up close, didn't mean to startle you like that."

"Where's Klaus?" Harry said, dismissing her apology.

"Klaus is out to get you medicine, I've never seen him so panicked before." She chuckled and

lifted her glass, taking it to her lips and pausing. "He must like you a lot, I've never seen him

looking so gentle and fond before." She takes a sip of her wine.

"He's always been gentle to me, despite everything others have said." Harry said out loud,

emphasising on the word 'others'. The smile on Freya's lips only grew wider.

"I don't know about others darling, I am his sister." Harry tried to look anywhere except at

her face. Her eyes rested on Freya's hands, her hands thin and delicate and pale with maroon

nail polish on her short nails. They looked soft and fragile, unlike how her face looked bold

and her aura, threatening. "Did he not tell you about the horrors he has committed?" She

leaned in. "Do you really not know what kind of man he is?"

"I know a part of it." Harry defended herself. "And I am ready to accept everything he has to

offer."

"Very well." She shrugged. "It's strange." She spoke after a pause.

"What is?"

"You. Any witch in Orleans is ten times stronger than what she is supposed to be. That's how

magical this place is, all our witch ancestors have channelled their energy in this place as if it

was their heart, we receive blessings from them." She keeps her wine glass down and rests

her head on one of her hands. "You fell sick the moment you placed your foot here, that can't

happen unless you've left negative memories in this place."

"It's just the travelling I tell you. I've never–never been here."

"Maybe someone else has." She smiles. Harry felt her nape run hot and her face burn pink.

She had only heard stories about how charming vampires could get. Klaus was already

breathtaking and now his sister looked so charming, Harry felt her mouth run dry.

Before Harry could respond, the door to their room burst open. Klaus, almost tripping on his

feet, ran to Harry. He had sweat running down all over his body and his eyes trembled and

his lips quivered ever so slightly. Yes, despite what others have said, this man here was the

gentlest he could be even after everything. And yes he loved her, so did she. He placed his

hand on her forehead and her neck then sighed in relief when she showed no signs of fever.

Freya stood up from her seat and fixed her dress, clearing her throat to inform them that she

too was there. She walked closer to them, the click of her heels echoing through the empty

room.

"You can place green candles or white candles and rub herbs over her body till she feels well."

She winked at Harriet. "That's how us witches keep well." Klaus nodded at her and started

looking around for candles she mentioned.

"Uh-Uh" Freya made a loud dismissing sound. "You don't have to worry about that, I'll

arrange them in a minute before I leave."

"Leave?" Klaus aggressively breathed out.

"Well I hope you don't expect me to live with a fresh pair of lovers? I very much like my

peace." Harry blushed at her words. "Besides, she might feel too overwhelmed in the

presence of new people in her state. I'll let the bunch know that you have such a pretty

girlfriend." She flicked at Harry's chin and forced her to look up. "Keep her well." She patted

Klaus on his head and left the room. Just as Freya had said, she arranged two whole boxes of

green and white candles and left body herbs for her, without a word, she had left the

mansion all empty for both of them.

Klaus had lighted up the candles as per Freya's instructions and rubbed the herbs all over

her arms and legs and left to cook when sleep came over her.The candles bought relief over

her for the night and she had slept soundly, Klaus had set a mattress beside her bed and slept

there after spending the whole day with her.

Morning came and all the relief from the candles had vanished. The candles were still lit up,

but it felt as if the healing powers bounced off her body. Klaus's anxiety grew, he gave her

meds, food and stayed throughout but Harry's condition seemed to worsen. He called in an

old witch he knew who also worked as a city doctor. Even she couldn't identify what was

causing Harry's weakness and fever. She told Klaus to continue with the medicines and the

candles and performed a small ritual on her.

Like before, it momentarily provided relief and disappeared just as quickly. Harry's cheeks

were sunken in just like her eyes and she had grown pale, her hands were thin and looked

like they would break the moment something touches her. She was on saline drips and had to

be held for every walk to support her body. Klaus had forgotten how to eat, how to sleep and

even how to breathe. Harry had lost the energy to voice her thoughts out, and Klaus lost the

will to speak. He looked like a mess, taking care of her, staying by her side and doing

everything in his strength to keep her well, nothing seemed to work.

Harry sat by the window and stared outside. The sky was dull with the moon shining over her

head, even in her state, she looked ethereal with silver hair shimmering under the moonlight,

Klaus looked at her with a smile and kissed her forehead. She weakly smiled at him and

blinked slowly. Klaus, without a word, knew she was sleepy. He pulled her closer and gently

placed her head over the pillow and tucked her in the covers, caressing her head till she

closed her eyes and slept.

####

'Oh you look lovely.' The man with rimmed glasses spoke in a low voice. His hands were

calloused and were rough to touch. His large hand had scars on them, but oh they were so

gentle to touch. The frame of his body was large, larger than that of the woman he was

holding in his arms under the moonlight by the lake. His voice was warm, relaxed,

soothing. He fixed his glasses and pulled the woman closer.

In the reflection formed in the lake, the woman's face was hidden by the moon itself. Her

cedar skin was the only thing you could see and remember, and it carried an ever glowing

youth. She leaned in the man's chest, her hands resting around his shoulder. They both

looked at the moon with a yearning.

####

Harry woke up with a sudden jerk. Her face had regained some of its colour. She weakly

called out for Klaus. Her heartbeat had become faster and her face was burning hot. She was

panting and gasping for air. Her heart burned and ached. Klaus came running to her after

hearing the slightest of her whimpers.

"I am here, I am right here." He hugged her. "What's wrong?"

"A dream— I had a dream." Her breathing finally calmed down and she threw the blanket

away from her legs. She was wet from sweating too much as if she had just taken a shower.

She held onto Klaus's t-shirt and pulled him till he sat beside her. She explained her dream

to him, it was a short one and there wasn't much to say. Klaus, just nodded, unsure about

what to say and what it meant. He told her to rest and that it may be because she must have

seen something similar. Harry looked defeated but nodded nonetheless, it's not like she had

something better to say or to defend herself or prove that the dream carried a meaning, Even

though it made her feel like her chest may rip apart.

Again, she spent her day, resting away in bed, unable to move and unable to heal. The night

fell and sleep once again came over her.

####

"You! You are banished from heaven for life! If you shall enter this place one more time, I

will make sure that you do not get to witness another second." The woman spoke with rage,

her hand glew lavender and a similar shade of fireballs grew out of them. There was a

pang in her chest, her lungs tightened and blood spilled out of her eyes and lips. She did not

move an inch and instead, floated above the ground with her hands burning with magic.

"Go back to where you belong." She uttered in airy whispers.

The man looked at her with tears in his eyes, yet he dared not to move. Instead, he limped

towards her. The woman wanted to push him away, yet she stood still and the magic from

her hands dissipated. Her hair that was dancing around her, sharing the same sentiments,

calmed down and settled on her shoulders. She lingered in the air and stood still, unable to

harm the man despite the orders.

The man finally stood in front of her, with his large hands, he gently grabbed the nape of

the woman and pulled her in for a kiss. He hungrily chased after her lips, tasting nothing

but salt, as tears from both their eyes kept pouring out. The woman pulled back from the

kiss and rested her forehead on his, both panting and gasping for air.

"If you've ever loved me, my angel, just say so." The man's voice came out raspy and

gasping for air, his hand still pulling the woman by her nape and their foreheads still

connected. "And I will leave you and this place all alone like you wanted. I'll never show my

face around here, ever again."

"You know I do, you know it so well." The woman squeezed her eyes shut as more tears

rolled over them. She trembled with agony.

"Let me hear it. That's my last request." The man said, finally catching up with his breath.

"I love you. Oh I love you so much it hurts." The woman collapsed in his arms, bawling her

eyes and screaming in pain with no mercy in sight. The man kneeled on the floor with her,

silently crying as he readied himself for the parting.

####

Harry woke up with a jerk again, just like before. Drenched in sweat, heart and body on fire

and panting and gasping for air. Klaus held her trembling body in her arms. This time he

couldn't dismiss the fact that her dreams meant something. He shushed her down in his

arms and called the old witch again.

The witch entered the room calmly, trying her best to not let Harry feel the disturbance. She

pulled the chair closer to the bed and took her trembling hands in hers. She studied her face

and caressed Harry's hair.

"It's the memories, they're catching up to you. Lost memories of a loved one." She looked at

the sky and took a pause. "they're clinging onto you because they're being forgotten." She

speaks slowly, in a way Harry can understand.

"Memori– Memories? I've never had a loved one visit here." She breathed out.

"You will not get better until you find the answers for yourself is all I can say. The memories

call for you, something is undone. The lovers have to meet." She sighs in disappointment.

Klaus walks her out and begs her all the way out, if there was something else, something,

anything that saves from the pain she was living in. The witch just shook her head and patted

his head.

Harry was afraid to sleep tonight. She whimpered in Klaus's arms who only caressed her

head and showered her with kisses. Though sleep took over her weary body quite easily. She

ended up passing out in his arms.

####

"Oh James. James I did not know." The woman sobbed and looked at her slightly bulged

out stomach. Her legs gave out, the women beside her held and supported her, she plopped

down with a loud thud, crying in the arms of one of the lady's. "Oh James, come back to

me." She sobbed.

"I did not know I had your child here with me, our child here with me." She held her aching

stomach with one of her hands.

The dream glitched out to a new scene, the same royal bedroom with the same woman

sitting on the bed, this time alone and lonely, with a child squeaking in her arms.

"You look just like him!" A tear escaped her eyes and fell on the face of the child. The child

shook her head slightly. "Don't you think you would be happier with him, hm? Harriet?"

The woman, Sera, gasped. "That name just came to me! It suits you. When you carry his

name, Harriet Potter, make sure you make him as proud as you can."

She called one of the ladies in and handed the child to her, her grip still strong on the child.

"You decided this, you have to let her go, Sera. This is what you decided yourself." The lady

took the baby in her hands by force and cooed at her. "I am sure she will live a happy life."

As the lady left with Harriet, Darkness took over the room and in Sera's heart. She silently

cried to herself, tucking her head in her knees in the corner of her room.

####

Instead of morning, Harry woke up in her feverish state in the middle of the night. Klaus

jolted awake with her. Sweat forming on his head, he caressed her back as tears continuously

rolled down her eyes.

"Those— those people. From my dream." Harriet could barely speak. "They are my parents. I

saw! I heard!" She gulped and struggled for air. "S…Sera, James potter, I heard her call me

Harriet!"

"Calm down, you aren't breathing!" Klaus exclaimed. He sat down and laid her in his arms.

Her eyes stuttered for a while and hung low, she tried to listen to Klaus calling out her name

but his voice trailed off into the far distance and his face blurred. The gushing of blood in her

head slowed down and it no longer hurt, her limbs went loose and torso numb. She crumbled

in his arms.

####

Young Sera ran around the palace with Emily, her younger sister by her side. And Lucifer,

an angel, his brother, following along with them. He smiled at her and they smiled back,

ready to do whatever mischief they were about to.

They grew together inside the palace and were free to run to earth as they pleased. The

three of them were stuck beside each other like gum. That was until Lucifer let Pride

corrupt his mind. His relationship with Sera and Emily became strained as he started

rebelling against god and the heavenly principles. Some of the points of his rebellion gained

an audience and he soon made his own army. Though they weren't strong enough and

ended up being defeated by the Heavenly principles. They were banished from Heaven for

a long period and were forced to find their own home, as neither heaven nor earth accepted

them as their children.

That's how hell came to its existence as the glory it stands in today. A lawless land with its

arm open for any child that had fallen to this place. It resembled earth and was the

opposite of whatever heaven stood for. If heaven stood for purity and peace, Hell stood for

tainted souls and chaos. The people of hell drowned in pride and lust and fun and joy.

People of hell spiralled out of control but Lucifer never did. Though he let himself loose, he

never forgot the morals and teachings he was taught back when he was an angel. Most

importantly, Sera came to his mind. Oh how disappointed she would be if she learned how

he had sinned.

Sera had learned about what happened after a week of Lucifer's banishing. As a concerned

sister, Sera rushed to search for him and comfort him. She learnt about hell and sneaked

out right away, without caring about the consequences she would have to face later.

She was shocked by the chaos the place had raised. No order, no law, no decorum, There

was an inner turmoil in her heart. She wanted to turn and run away but her heart wanted

to see Lucifer, in case it's their last meeting. She ran through the streets and found Lucifer

sitting in his mansion, with a woman he seemed to be fondly looking at.

Her heart settled, Lucifer has always been a good person at heart, just shared dif erences in

opinions and morals. She was about to leave as Lucifer's eyes landed upon her. He took the

woman's hand and drifted towards her.

"Sera!" He called out. Sera stopped where she was, tears welling in her eyes, she turned

towards him and pulled him in for a hug. "I am sorry."

In a muf led voice she said, "I am sorry morningstar, I am sorry I couldn't protect you."

Lucifer pulled back and wiped the tears from his eyes then Sera's and grinned at her.

"This is Lilith by the way, my beloved. I fell in love the moment my eyes landed on her."

Lilith, now that she had finally gotten a proper look of Sera, gasped and bowed towards

her.

"Oh my angel I didn't recognize you. I am humbly at your feet." Sera took hold of her and

lifted her. She softly giggled.

"You don't have to follow the formalities Lilith, now that you're my sister in law! I recognize

you from Heaven." She pulled her in for a hug instead.

Lucifer and Lilith took Sera to their mansion and treated her with great hospitality for

days as they chatted about the kind of lives they lived here. Sera listened greatly with a

smile. Lucifer, though was the creator of this place, stayed true to his morals. And in that

moment, she felt prouder than ever.

Days passed and it was finally time to let go, Sera had to return back to her duties, She had

to be announced as the highest Seraphim angel in a few days but she had sneaked out to

hell. Lucifer and Lilith bid her goodbye as she left for Heaven.

Upon reaching, the heavenly gates were fully open. Emily, the youngest of angels and her

sister Serenity stayed in a corner, concerned laced over their faces. Her father stood in the

centre and the heavenly principles showed their presence on the other corner.

"A lady who is about to become the highest Seraphim angel, goes and spends time in that

lawless land? That filthy, rotten place?" Sera's father speaks, sending tremors down her

body.

"Father." Yet she speaks, in her defence. "Lucifer was a member of us, of the heaven and

heavenly principles, he is my brother! He helped in creating earth despite me believing he

was nai—"

"That's enough!" Her father yelled. "How dare you defend that tainted soul in front of me!

He was a member of Heaven but no more Sera! No more! His soul has long withered away

and he created a filthy place for dirty bastards like him to live."

"Father!"

"No! You shall not utter another word, Sera." He huf ed out, chest moving rapidly as he

heaved. "Be grateful that we are not banishing you from heaven for an eternity for

partaking in such acts. You will be nobody on earth till we tell you to return. Have all the

powers you want, on Earth nobody gives a damn about powers. They'll call you a witch

and burn you at the stake!"

"That's enough." A gold glowing orb, the heavenly principles spoke. "I believe that gets the

word across, Sera. You will not be crowned as an angel until you live a humble life on earth

for a decade or till we request you back. You may leave now." The golden gates slowly

started shutting away, Emily and Serenity stayed behind them, following the slow pace of

the gate, crying their eyes out as they witnessed Sera slowly disappearing into the fog.

When she opened her eyes, she was in a forest. The moonlight sneaking through the tall

trees being her only witness. Her wavy silver hair reached till her waist and her body was

covered in brown rags. She was covered in dirt and a burning pain took over her body. The

night was dark and she could see nothing but forests disappearing into the horizon. She

staggered through the forest for what felt like ages, her weary body knocking the breath

out of her lungs, her legs finally gave out in the middle of the forest and she laid on the cold

mud hugging her body.

She was fully conscious and breathing. She heard footsteps approach her and tried to

wriggle around to move, but to no avail, she stayed where she was. The footsteps got closer

and closer and a figure came in front of her. It was a man with a wand in one of his hands,

A human witch! She had studied about.

She couldn't see his face but she could feel from the tap in his foot that he was hesitating for

something. After a pause, she heard a sigh and felt her body getting lifted up from the

ground. The touch of the cold soil was replaced by the warm embrace of that man. Her eyes

stuttered and drifted shut, all her senses were drowned as sleep took over her.

When she opened her eyes, she felt unusually warm. She slowly regained her consciousness

and looked down, the rags were no longer covering her body and she was seated in a tub

full of warm water. Her eyes widened and she looked up. The man from earlier was

hovering over her body as he wiped the dirt of from her naked body slowly.

She yanked her hand back and covered herself.

"Stay back, I demand!" She aggressively said. "I shall burn you to ashes if you dare take

another step towards me." The man chuckled and pulled her arms back in his hands.

"You can do that after you've had some food in your system and are clean and no longer

this weak." Sera tried to channel her magic in her hands but it didn't work, instead it sent a

throbbing pain in her entire body and she slumped back, before she hit the tub hard, the

man reached his arms behind her back and gently placed her back. "See? You're still

recovering. I am James, by the way. James potter."

"Sera." She curtly replied. Sera decided to lay back and relax, she couldn't sense any harm

from the man and since he was taking care of her like this, her senses melted into a puddle

and comfort got the best of her. James bathed her and cleaned of the grime of her body

and helped her stand up on her feet from the tub. He rushed of to get a towel and closed his

eyes to let Sera cover herself entirely. She was still limping, he helped her sit on the bed and

handed her clothes he had gotten from other guards working.

It was a loose robe that hung low from her shoulders and had a plain silk dress inside. She

was flustered at how revealing the dress was but there was no other option for now. She

changed into the clothes and walked to the main hall where the smell of warm food was

intense.

"Oh? You're up and running already? You should relax. I've made some warm soup for you.

Not the best but it is packed with a lot of things to help you recover." He yelled from the

kitchen. Sera slowly nodded to herself and held tightly onto her robe. The place, though

neat and proper, was a little dusty. While James was cooking away in the kitchen, Sera

used it as an opportunity to exercise how far her powers can go. She cleaned the sofa

placed beside her using her magic. A periwinkle tread escaping from her hands and

devouring the dust as they go.

James, who was holding two bowls of soup in his hands, saw this scene and approached

her slowly. Up until now, seeing how weak Sera was, he assumed that she was a mere

human stuck in the woods and not a witch like him.

"You…are a witch too?" He spoke softly. At his voice, Sera jumped and clutched at her

robes, a scream escaping her mouth. Her legs slightly slipped and she bumped at the sofa,

bouncing a little on the soft cushions. James chuckled behind her, placing the bowls on the

nearby table and walking of to help her. "Did I startle you that much? My bad."

Sera flinched at his contact and frowned. She helped herself get on her feet. "I can very

much stand by myself, thank you."

"Well! That didn't seem to be the case when we met two hours ago, but I am glad you can

now." He smiled. He seated himself behind her and handed her a bowl of soup and took one

for himself. They ate in silence for a while, the sound of chewing and slurping filling in the

silence. It felt awkward at first, but the warmth of the food they shared eventually made

their silence comfortable.

After a pause, Sera spoke. "I am no witch, I don't belong to this human realm." She avoided

James' gaze. He tilted his head in confusion and started eating slower than he was, waiting

for Sera to continue.

"I belong to heaven." She turned to look at him, her hair dancing around even though there

was no wind. Her eyes shone lilac and a gem like crystal drop rolled down. A white streak

faded in on her nose and white freckles below her eyes. "I am a Seraphim angel, James

potter." Her voice echoed. James choked on his food and almost dropped the bowl. Before

he could do so, Sera returned to her normal self and patted him on the back.

"You shouldn't trust people so easily." James spoke after his coughs died down. "What if I

turned out to be a bad person who took advantage of the fact that a weak angel had landed

up in my house?"

"You could've done a lot worse when you saw a passed out woman in the middle of

nowhere." She gently tapped his nose and smiled. "But here you are, cleaning me up, giving

me food, and a place to stay, even when you don't know what kind of a person I truly am.

Besides, we angels can sense intentions." James, without a word, continued eating his food

and Sera went back to hers.

Night fell deeper and Sera was made to sleep on bed while James slept on a thick blanket

on the floor. Guilt settled on Sera's gut as the cold wind gushed in from the windows. She

bit her lips and frowned but eventually went to sleep.

Sera woke up to the smell of food again. She rubbed her eyes and walked to the kitchen to

see James cooking something for both of them. He told her to get cleaned up till he set the

breakfast and she followed. She changed into a new set of robes and dress and eased down

on the dinner table this time and James kept popping back from the kitchen with plates and

dishes in his hands. He placed them down one by one and Sera stared at them in awe. He

dusted his hand and sat on the chair across with a smug grin dancing on his face.

Sera talked about her life from heaven, about what had happened and how she ended up

here. About Lucifer and the banishing and about hell.

"So… they basically sent you here to suf er all alone, just because you are a caring older

sister?" James talked in a muf led voice, food still half chewed in his mouth and eyebrows

pulled together in a deep frown. "That, I believe, is extremely stupid. You've lived an uptight

life until now, they're so strict with everything!" He talked as if it had personally of ended

him.

"That's just how things work up there. How do you think earth maintains its orders,

without laws? She laughed, a deep laugh from deep within her chest, free. "We have to be

strict with each other so people here can live their lives without much worry."

"Don't you wish for a life like that for yourself, just a day without worry?" Sera stops her

motions and her eyes grow darker. A day without worry? It wasn't something she could

af ord. With all the responsibilities on her shoulders, with all the work she had to do, the

people she had to overlook and taking care of her younger siblings. She looked at James

again and realisation hit her in full force.

She had gained freedom from the shackles she was locked in. She was sent on earth, with

all her powers and no restrictions. With no supervision and a long period of time till their

anger simmered down. The grip she had on her loose robe was released and she pulled

James in for a tight hug. The robe slipped slightly of her shoulders and James collided with

her collarbones, taking in her scent of lavender and clouds from her smooth cedar skin. His

face was painted crimson and he shut his tightly to avoid gazing at her skin.

She pulled him back and laughed out. "Thank you! I do. I want a life like that!" She

exclaimed. Sera beamed and happily gulped down the rest of her food. James, who was

suddenly deprived of her scent and embrace, coughed and stared at the wall with no

thoughts, dazed.

Day by day, Sera was making herself more at home and used her powers to their extent.

She cooked with them, cleaned with them and took care of the garden with her healing

properties. She had learnt that James was a protector of this place called Hogwarts and the

place they were living in was given to them to live there comfortably while protecting this

precious place. There were lots of other people working with him and he got her clothes

from one of the people working with him. He left at night and returned at dawn and

jumped to help her straight away. While Sera cooked the food, James cleaned after his mess

and while he did the dishes, Sera made sure they were neatly kept back in their respective

cabinets.

"It's—It's as if we are a married couple." James giggled, wiping water of the last plate.

Sera halted in her motion and went still. She looked at James while he seemed completely

unbothered. He whistled away without sparing a glance at her. Sera had not known of

mortal love at all.

She noticed his rough big hands, gently holding the fragile plate, just like how he had held

her when he found her fainted in the woods. How his hazel eyes had focused only on her

back then. How his black hair coiled a little at the front and his glasses sat on top of his

nose. His unwavering patience, and his sweetest bit of voice that spoke her name with no

conditions, no greed.

James looked at Sera and extended the plate towards her. He noticed her face was

unusually red and she seemed zoned out. His lips formed a small pout and he walked

towards her slowly, waiting for a reaction from her. She gave none, except her eyes

followed his body as he approached closer.

James pulled her in closer to himself and kept the plate on the counter. He placed his cold,

wet hand on her forehead and tilted his head. "Are you getting a fever?" He asked, his voice

low and laced with concern. She jolted out of whatever trance she was in and looked at

James. Her hands naturally rested on his chest.

"Can we go out today? I haven't had the chance to really see what this place looks like. Do

you have to go?" She softly said, her voice barely audible.

"Is that what you were thinking so hard about?" He patted her head. "Of course we can. It's

not that busy of a season so they won't really require my presence. I'll get you something

for our first outing too." He smiled at her and kept the last place himself.

James excitedly rushed out of the house and made Sera wait for a while in the bedroom.

When he returned, she could hear his thumping footsteps all the way to their room from the

ground, that's how overjoyed he felt. It made Sera blush. He peeked in the room and pushed

out a hanger, it had a white and silver evening gown hung on it. She gasped and jumped

out of the bed.

"What's that?" She asked, walking towards him. James straightened his back and handed

her the hanger. She ran her hands across the dress. The top part was see-through and

barely covered by a thin net. It had a sweetheart neckline and embroidered all over. The

sleeves were frilly and ended right at her elbows. "It's ..gorgeous." She felt moved by the

dress.

"It's your dress for today, get changed quickly, I'll show you around." He smiled at her and

closed the door for her. Sera felt her chest fluttering. She felt a little shy as the silk robe

slipped of her. The cold wind touched all parts of her body, leaving trails of goosebumps.

Yet she felt warm from inside. A heavy deep breath escaped her lips as she changed into her

new clothes. She stood in front of the mirror and looked at herself, the dress hugging all

parts of her body perfectly. She looked at the door and noticed two silver heels rolled in. She

tucked her hair behind her ears and slipped into the shoes. She walked out of the house and

down the stairs to meet James, who was waiting for her near the trails that lead into

woods. He noticed her walking down and his jaw hung low. He stared at Sera in disbelief,

she looked prettier than anything he had seen on earth. She smiled at him. He gave her his

hands and she immediately took them.

"There isn't much to see in these parts of Hogwarts, but there's a place I must take you to."

He bowed at her. They walked for a while as James explained to her the parts of the forest

and the stories he had within them. His fast pace started slowing down and his words died

down as they came near a lake. The trees were barely as crowded as before and they had a

clear view of the sky. Tonight the moon was full and shone proudly. Sera gasped at how

pretty earth could look. James sat down and patted the seat beside him, asking Sera to join.

The moon glistened above their heads, Sera's hair glowing under the silver lighting. James

was starstruck.

"Oh you look lovely." James spoke without hesitation but in whispers. He was afraid any

word could break and make the scenery vanish from his eyes. Sera looked at him with

surprise on her face. He pulled her closer to him and Sera shifted without questions. She

was close enough to hear James' heartbeat going crazy, or it was her own, she couldn't tell.

"It seems like I am falling for you, James potter. It seems like you've stolen my heart." She

pulled back and kept her hand on his chest, feeling the thumping of his chest under her

fingers.

"That seems to be the case for me too, Sera." He smiled. Sera smiled back. James was the

first one to lean in and catch her lips. He slowly worked up the pace and Sera tightly

clinged onto his shoulders. He slid his hand on the back of her head and grasped at her

hair, tilting her head more for easier access. The sweet, gentle kiss full of Yearning, turned

intense pretty quick.

James took her hand and held onto them tightly. "You don't mind cutting our walk shorter

do you? I don't think I can hold back anymore." He said, his voice groggy. Sera gulped and

shook her head. They rushed back to their house, the entire time, James didn't let go of her

hand and slightly pulled her with all his desperation.

They made it home as fast as they could but could barely enter inside as James had latched

onto her lips again and kept fidgeting with the key hole instead of letting her go. They

stumbled inside and Sera shut the door with her feet to not waste any more of their time.

She yanked the jacket of his shoulders as he worked his way up on the hooks of her dress.

All that without ever letting go of each other's lips.

Urgency took over them, they couldn't even make it to their room that night and passed out

on the sofa on top of each other

As the morning came, Sera blinked her eyes open, squeezing them almost shut as a bright

light fell upon her eyes. She rubbed her eyes together and immediately got up, as she had

never seen this bright of a light falling over James house before. She looked beside her and

James was sleeping soundly, a peaceful look on his face. She caressed his face and noticed

something of .

They were no longer on the couch and Sera was wearing a white gown while James was

wearing a white night suit. The bed was entirely white and too big and soft for it to be there

home. Realisation dawned at her and she ran out of the room.

"Sera, you're finally up!" Emily called her from behind, she had worry all over her face and

there was sweat clamping up her forehead. "How are you feeling?" Sera shook her head in

denial, she held tightly onto Emily and kneeled down, Emily hugged her. "I know, I am

sorry."

"How did they find out?" Sera asked, her voice breaking at the edges.

"They've always kept their eyes on you. I am sorry."

"Everyone knows?"

"They do, everyone knows."

"Even father?"

"Yes…even him." Emily pulled her closer. "We still have some till they announce their

decision. Me, Lucifer and Serenity have been waiting to meet you and him!" She chirped.

Sera looked up at her and weakly smiled, she ruf led Emily's hair. She already knew what

their decision would be. Sera sent Emily of to call the rest and trudged back into the room.

She plopped beside James and stroked his hair. He woke up with a smile and took her

hands in his and kissed her knuckles. The smile of his face dropped after seeing a tear roll

down Sera's cheek and the backdrop that looked nothing like their house. She explained

everything to him before Emily ran in with her light footsteps and Lucifer and Serenity

followed.

James bowed to greet them all and they did the same. Lucifer had a little child running

between his feet. Sera, forgetting her worries for a while, let out a soft gasp and picked her

up. They spent time chatting away before the hearing and just as Sera had expected, she

was forbidden to ever enter earth again and James was banished from showing his face

around, breaking up the two apart forever.

'How dare you fall for a measly human! He is not worth living here!' Her father had

screamed at the top of his lungs. Not only had she loved a mere human, she also came down

with his child in her.

####

Harriet opened her eyes, crying and sniffling as she looked at Klaus who had held her all

night in his arms.

"You're awake. Oh my god!" Klaus pulled her in and gave her a tight hug. She embraced him

and kissed his neck. "I was so damn worried." She ruffled his hair and pulled back.

"Klaus there's somewhere I must be." His eyebrows pulled together in a deep frown.

"Not in your state Harry, I can't let you go like this!" He exclaimed.

"Not right now, please." She muttered. "I have somewhere to be. Take me back to Hogwarts."

"That!.. It will take a while and you aren't eve—"

"Take me back to Hogwarts Klaus, now." She pulled her white gown and plucked out the drip

pipe inserted in her hand and left the room with great urgency. Klaus didn't have it in him to

stop her. He took his car and called a driver as they left for Hogwarts in their messy state. As

they approached closer and closer, Harry's body temperature started increasing. She kept

whimpering and heaving throughout the way and Klaus urged her to return back multiple

times. She shook her head and nestled in his arms.

When they reached near the big gate to heaven, Harry couldn't even keep herself stable and

kept trembling, the keys too heavy on her hands. She used both hands to open the gate and

squeezed her eyes shut. Klaus took a hold of her shoulders to keep her from falling.

Harry's mind felt light and so did her body as she entered the gate of heavens. All her mind

was set on was finding her mother. Sera was busy correcting something written on a paper in

Emily's hand.

"Mother." She panted out. "You have to come with me."

"Oh Harriet! Didn't know you were coming sweetie. What's with your look, where do you

plan on taking me, my child?" She flicked Harry's chin and smiled at her. "I see your

boyfriend is here with you! Hello Klaus." He nodded with his face still full of worry. "Is

something the matter?"

"We have no time to waste please. You have to– You have to return to earth, mother." Emily

dropped the paper she had in her hand Sera's eyes widened. She turned her face away from

Harry's quickly, bile rising up to her throat.

"I can't. I was—"

"I know. I know everything there is to know, mother. About the house, about you staying on

earth, you meeting father, I know it all, We have to go." Sera turned back, her hands clutched

on her chest, breathing tight and mouth hung agape.

"I still cannot."

"You can, I'll take you there." Harry grasped at Sera's hand and rushed towards the holy gate,

Klaus and Emily following them. Sera stopped right before the exit and looked around. Emily

nodded her head slightly, encouraging her to go. Harry doing the same. She tugged at Sera's

hand. As Sera took a step forward, they both felt a zap running through their veins, causing

them both to wince in pain. Sera stopped and looked at her palms.

"I can't do this, I can't hurt my own child!" Sera screamed, shutting her eyes tightly.

"And I can't see you hurting any longer, I belong both to heaven and the earth and I am the

only one that can take you back, please, bear with me." She cried out. Sera took her hand

back in and Harry pulled her closer. The pain from the electricity running in their hands

growing stronger and stronger, It felt as if their veins would burst from all the pressure. Sera

took a deep breath and pushed out stronger with everything left in her. Her whole body

collapsed on Harry's as the Halo from her head faded away and her wings turned into gold

dust. Harry ended up fainting. Emily looked at them with a proud smile and sad eyes and

Klaus rushed to hold them both.

Heaven's image crumbled away and the key, still in Harry's hand, lost its shine. Sera looked

at Harry and rested her hands on her cold cheeks. Klaus took the key away from her hands

and handed it to Sera.

"You should go, This is what Harry wanted for you." He encouraged her. "I'll take care of her

till you return." She held the key tightly between her first and hesitated, She nodded and ran

to the rusty gate with her bare feet. She struggled with the key as her body wouldn't stop

shivering. As the gate creaked open, she picked up her gown and rushed into the woods,

trying to feel the familiarity of the trails, her breath getting stuck in her lungs.

Her feet stopped as a familiar house came into her view, now old, cracked and broken. There

was now an old broken and dusty bed in front of the stairs. A middle aged man sat on the bed

with a brown shawl wrapped around his neck. He held a newspaper in his hand and was bent

to focus on its contents.

"James." Her voice trailed off. The man's back straightened and he snapped his head in the

direction of the voice. His eyes widened as if he had seen a ghost.

"Sera." He whispered out. She nodded and opened both her arms. James threw the

newspaper on the floor and ran towards her, feet stumbling as he had hit the bed due to the

rush. He falls right in her arms and she catches him. "Oh god, what a cruel dream you've

given me."

"This isn't a dream James, I am here, I am right here." They connected their foreheads and

cried in each other's arms. "I missed you."

Their emotions calmed down a bit as they heard a rustle behind them. Klaus had slowly

followed Sera with Harry lying in his arms. Sera proudly smiled at James as he looked at her

with pure shock on his face. It's as if they could communicate without words. James

understood without a word as the resemblance was too prominent to miss. Klaus smiled at

him and James pulled Sera aside gently and slowly walked towards them. He took Harry's

face in his hands and kept one of his hands on his heart.

"What's her name?" He could barely speak.

"Harriet. Harriet potter sir." Klaus informed him. He ruffled Klau's hair and hugged Harry's

body. He looked back at Sera who had been fondly observing the view. "We have a daughter."

Sera nodded and glided towards them, leaving a kiss on Harry's forehead.

"We do. She looks just like you." She said, stroking Harry's hair.

Klaus took them both back to his mansion. He gave room to Sera and James and cleaned the

room Harry was resting in. She received medical care and attention for a few days by the

same witch who had treated her before, who happily responded to all his questions as Harry

was only recollecting her inner powers due to all the strain. Sera and James shared a little

about their story with Klaus and Klaus told him about theirs.

When Harry opened her eyes, her skin had returned to its natural bounce and was lively and

warm. She was surrounded by three figures. She got up and fixed her glasses. Klaus was

smiling at her, sitting beside her on the white chair he always waited for her on. In front of

her was Sera, her mother, looking a little old and a lot more humanly. She smiled at her and

held her face, Harry leaned in to the warmth of her touch. Beside her mother, was her father

who looked a lot like her. He pulled her in a tight squeeze of a hug and caressed her back.

"I am so proud of you." Was the first thing he told her. Harry melted under her touch.

A few days later, Freya had returned with the rest of her family and Klaus's siblings. The

week after was spent on introductions, funny stories and emotional uniting. Rebekah had

returned with a new boyfriend of hers. Finn, Elijah, Kol and Freya all took up on their old

rooms and Klaus moved more of his stuff in the room they and Harry shared. Sera and

James resided in the room beside them.

The mansion that was once an object of fear for Klaus had become the epitome of family and

love. Everyone had settled right where they belonged and shared their unconditional love,

even to the members that were new. Rebekah and Freya spent their entire time with Harry

and Sera and all the guys enjoyed themselves together. Hedwig too, who was always a free

bird with her own missions, had occasionally stopped near their apartment to meet and greet

them. Laughter echoed in the halls and the creeping plants that had withered were cropped

and taken care of. The gardens were full of flowers and the morning always smelled like

coffee. So this is what love was, They both had learnt.

"Finally everything is settled huh?" Klaus spoke in a low voice, resting his head against the

window, looking at the top of Harry's head as she had leaned into his shoulders. He placed a

light kiss on her head as she snuggled closer to him. She stroked his chest and nodded.

"It is. The house feels so warm and soothing. Your sisters are taking good care of me and so

are the wives of your brothers. This is the happiest I've felt, love." She pulled back and looked

at Klaus, smiling widely. She kissed his lips and he grinned.

"So are your parents, they're taking care of all my siblings like their own kids! I am worried

they'll get too used to it."

Harry giggled. "Let them." He pulled Harry's hands to his chest again, right on his heart.

"Don't you still feel like something's missing?"

"What could possibly be missing from such a lovely house?"

Klaus leaned near her ear as his hot breath kissed her skin. "A child of ours." He slowly

growled and nibbled on her ears. A small moan escaped her lips, before she let pleasure get

to her senses she pushed him behind slightly.

"Not when everyone's home! What if someone hears us!" She smacked his chest. Klaus pulled

her on top of him and grabbed her hair in his hands, getting them all away from her face.

"The mansion is too big for something like that." He left trailing kisses on her neck. "Besides,

the rooms are sound proof, why do you think it's so silent in our room?" Without hesitation,

Harry removed her glasses and put them safely on the window sill and caught his lips back,

arms snaking around his neck. One of his hands firmly grabbed her by the hip and kept her

at her place. As the night fell, the moon served as the only witness of their love.

New Orleans had gained its colours back, in Harry's eyes. It didn't seem swallowed by the

dust, instead, the earthy tones brought her mind peace. Their family was finally complete

and had a new member, Luna Mikaelson. Their lovely 3 year old daughter who everyone had

come to love and cherish. All her uncles and aunts and grandparents spoiled her with gifts

and treats every other day.

The cracks that were left in their hearts by the past, the partings, the conflicts and the

loneliness, were slowly filled bit by bit each day with the sound of little Luna, laughter and

love. They had finally found the family they had always dreamt of, and their Parents, Sera

and James, finally found their loves back.

A man, standing on top of a small ladder, hung up a large portrait in the middle of the

mansion. Harriet and Klaus sat in the middle with Luna smiling widely in their arms, Sera

and James stood beside them and Klaus's siblings behind them, all sharing a soft, fond smile.

Their lives were complete, and they wanted nothing more.