I do not own Harry Potter or The Vampire Diaries. They belong to the respective badass women who created them, J.K. Rowling and Julie Plec.

***

"What the bloody hell do you want?"

Damon Salvatore stood on her porch, arms crossed, leaning against the post. She shut the door after her, for sure not inviting him inside. She perched on the railing, tucking one leg under her, holding a mug of coffee in the other.

"Why the hostility?"

"Why do you think?" she rhetorically asked. "Mason phoned me last night; he said you stabbed him with a silver knife."

"Granted, not one of my better ideas," he confessed. "But can you blame me?"

"I told you, silver has no effect on werewolves," she said. "And what did you do? You attacked him like the bloody idiot you are."

"Well, now I know to listen," he shrugged, peering through the front window. "Think I can get some - "

"No," she interrupted. "Tell me why you are here."

"You said you had books about the supernatural."

She watched him intently, taking a sip of the coffee. She had no intention of letting anyone but her get their greedy little hands on them. They were her only advantage. No way in hell was she letting that go just so they can satiate their curiosity because they were stupid little bastards.

"Well?"

"No," she spoke. "If that's why you're here, you can leave."

"Not even a peek?" There was a glint in his eye. A familiar gleam. One that would have had scared her had she not seen it in a pair of grey eyes once too often. It was one of mischief. He was up to something, and it wasn't just getting the books.

Rising, she narrowed her eyes at him. "I suggest you leave now, Salvatore."

He hissed threateningly. "I could kill you right now. Then I could enter all on my own."

"Something tells me I could take you." Adelaide casually sipped her tea, mug in both of her hands. "You gained an enemy in Mason and now, you gained one in me. You'll see just what I am capable of. Now, that, Salvatore, is a threat. Do not take it lightly." She motioned to the porch steps. "Please. Take your leave."

Salvatore glowered. "This is not over."

"It hardly ever is."

-

Adelaide frowned at her attire. It was something she wouldn't be caught dead in. Far too bright and girly for her tastes. Though, in retrospect, that was probably why Forbes had chosen it for her. A pale yellow flowy top, jean shorts, and white sandals. All she needed was for her hair to be in braids and she'd be the picture perfect of innocence. And if Forbes had her way, that would be the case.

The blonde had dragged her out of the house and to the historical society volunteer picnic. She had yet to let Adelaide out of her sight since they arrived. She'd been introduced to Forbes's mother, who was the sheriff, Carol Lockwood, and a few other members.

"Can I leave now?" asked Adelaide, glancing around.

"No!" shouted Forbes.

"And why not? It's not as if I'm from here."

"You just can't, okay?"

Adelaide arched a brow. "Fine. I'll stay. If you're going to get so worked up about it." She looked around some more and saw Mason unloading boxes. With a quick goodbye to Forbes, she hurried over. He caught her gaze and smiled. She returned it as she sat in the back of his car as he continued.

"Funny seeing you here." He trailed his eyes over her, lingering slightly longer than necessary on her bare legs. "Dressed like that. Gotta say, you do the whole dark clothing thing better."

She frowned. "Forbes forced me to come here… and she picked my outfit. I hate it," she grumbled. Adelaide scooted over a bit to hide herself from view and pulled out her wand from her back pocket. Whispering the incantation, whirling the wand around her, her clothes transformed into a new black long-sleeved top, dark grey shorts, and black ankle boots. "Better?"

"Much," he confirmed.

Adelaide grinned, then she remembered something, slapping his arm for his attention, which she already had. "You will not believe who visited me this morning."

"Let me guess…"

"Damon Salvatore," they said simultaneously.

"He had the nerve to ask me if I'll let him borrow my family's book collection," she scoffed. "As if I'll help him after what he did." Scowling, Adelaide looked past his shoulder. "Speaking of Salvatore…"

The youngest brother, Stefan Salvatore, walked up to the pair, a look of determination on his face. He didn't bother questioning Adelaide's presence. Her and Mason were known to hang out together since her arrival. You see one, the other wasn't far behind. She hopped down from the back of the Jeep and stood by Mason's side as Stefan joined them.

"Stefan, right? The younger brother," Mason said as if he didn't know.

"The nice one," Salvatore added. "The one offering an apology."

"Not interested," she answered.

Mason nodded, clicking his tongue. "What she said."

Stefan sighed. He knew it was going to be a problem to negotiate peace with Mason after the stunt Damon had pulled. Even more with Adelaide there. She seemed to be firmly set against anything related to Damon. Probably smart on her part. "My brother acted impulsively."

"You think?"

"If you and Damon keep at each other's throats," Stefan began, speaking to both Mason and Adelaide. He was very much aware of her and what she can do, especially with her on the opposite side, "somebody innocent is going to get hurt, and I don't want that. You have family here, Mason, so I can imagine you don't want that either. What do you say we just quit the whole alpha male fighting thing and call a truce?"

Mason guffawed. "I made the same offer to your brother - "

"He turned it down with a knife," she finished.

"He made a mistake," Stefan admitted. "I'm here to make sure that neither one of you makes another one."

"Tell your brother to watch his back."

That was that end of that. Adelaide picked up a box to help Mason when Stefan grabbed Mason's arm, keeping him from walking away.

Stefan let go when it was he wouldn't walk off. "I'm guessing that he only has to worry about that during a full moon. Otherwise you're not as strong, am I right? Or you would have killed Damon by now." At his silence, Stefan knew he was. From Adelaide's scowl, he gathered that she knew the same.

She stepped up defensively in front of him. "There's two of you, and there's two of us. I'd say that's a fair fight. Tell him to bring it on."

Mason placed a hand on her shoulder, jerking her back. "If he comes at me or her…"

"He won't," promised Stefan.

With one glance at Adelaide, she nodded imperceptibly and he shook hands with Stefan. Adelaide huffed and walked off, Mason following, steering her in the right direction.

She tore away from him when they were far enough away. "Do not tell me we just made a truce with Stefan Salvatore. I trust him as far as I can throw him, and that is more than I trust his brother."

"No, I made a truce," he corrected. "This isn't your fight."

"It is," she objected. "We Slytherins might be conniving snakes, but I am fiercely loyal to my friends. It's one of my very few good traits. I stand by them, whether they're in the wrong or not." Her head tilted, nose scrunched, as she thought back to her school days. She stood by Draco for so long, even times when he was clearly in the wrong. One simply didn't go against their own. "It's a fault, really, now that I think about it. But nevertheless, I am in this with you."

Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Forbes frantically waving her over. "Remember that, Mason." She jogged over to Forbes and Gilbert. The blonde wasted no time in shoving a paintbrush in her hands. "Easy, Forbes," she warned when the paint splattered on her top. "I just changed into this."

"What's your deal with Mason Lockwood?" Forbes asked, not bothering to question the sudden outfit change.

Adelaide paused, brush in the air, confused. "What?"

"Are you with him or something?"

"Forbes - "

"Because I think you can do so much better," she interrupted, painting like nothing. "Who knows what he's hiding? I would just forget about him all together if I were you."

Adelaide looked at Gilbert for help, but the brunette was focused on Stefan. "Sweetheart, I'm not with Mason. We're friends. And, frankly, he's not exactly my type."

Forbes looked as if she didn't believe her, but let it go. Instead, she turned the reigns on Gilbert. She had noticed the looks between Elena and her recent ex. They had been happening for the past hour. "Uh-oh. Longing looks are being exchanged."

"I think I'm gonna talk to him," Gilbert declared, dropping the paintbrush in a bucket.

"No, Elena, I think it's a bad idea," Forbes called after her as she walked over to Stefan.

Salvatore joined them seconds later. Adelaide threw the brush at him. She had enough of the Salvatores for the day. What she wanted was to go home. She reached for her wand tucked in her shorts, needing to feel the security of it. She entered the woods, out of sight. The sooner she got away, the sooner she could return to her normal.

-

"Are you tired of America yet? Ready to come back?"

Draco Malfoy's handsome face stared up at her from the fireplace. She had called him on the Floor network soon after she gotten home. She needed some fragment of her old life. Almost immediately, she had changed into an old school sweater and shorts, feeling like that fourteen year old again. Timsy had made her a pot of tea, and she took it in the library where the fireplace was.

Letters didn't quite hold the same effect as face-to-face. And, frankly, she missed seeing him. Years of living in the same house only to be separated by an ocean.

"If you are, I won't hold it against you," he continued.

Adelaide rolled her eyes. "Sorry to disappoint, Drake. I rather like it here."

"Do you really?" he asked. "Vampires and werewolves running about. How can you?"

"It keeps things interesting, that's for sure," she mumbled. "But some are fouler than others. This certain vampire in particular."

"What did he do?" He chuckled when he saw the slightest furrow of her brows. "I know you. There are only two ways to get on your bad side: be a self-righteous prat, or do something against you. So, I repeat, what did he do?"

She smiled, loving the way he knew her so. "He downplayed my intelligence and tossed away my offer of an alliance. Not a smart move on his part."

"I almost feel sorry for the poor bloke. He has no idea what he's done," Draco jested. "You weren't the Slytherin Princess because of your beauty."

They shared a laugh, enjoying the short time they had. Soon enough, one of them would have to leave. Most likely to be her than him. He had told her of his plans to get involved in his family's company, to make it better than it had been when under Lucius' control. It was hard, though, when most most wanted naught to do with him at the present. It was hard on him.

That was the main reason she didn't want to, and had to, leave. If she stayed, she'd become his enabler, his crutch. It wouldn't have been healthy. For the both of them.

"Mistress!" she heard Timsy yell then a crack signaling its presence.

With a sigh, Adelaide rose from the chair. "That's my cue. Love you, Draco." He grumbled a bit then his face disappeared completely. She picked up her cup of tea and faced Timsy. "What is it?"

"Vampire here," said Timsy, wringing its tattered cloths. "Timsy no open door."

She stood from the floor and led the way out of the library. One by one, she walked down the stairs, sipping as she went. Just as the house-elf said, the door was closed. Royalty was perched on the windowsill, back arched, hissing violently. Handing her cup off to Timsy, she opened the front door.

"Forbes… and Gilbert," she said, hiding the surprise. "To what do I owe the pleasure?"

"We need to talk," Gilbert stated, taking a step closer.

Smirking at her moxie, Adelaide held the door open wide, allowing them entrance. Royalty hissed as they passed by. "What about?"

The girls glanced at each other than her. Gilbert seemed to be the one who did the talking. She sat on the edge of the couch as if ready to flee at a moment's notice. "Mason. Whatever he said to you, it was a lie."

"You don't know what he said."

"He's not working with you," she told Adelaide, and none too kindly. "He's working with a vampire named Katherine. She forced Caroline to spy on the two of you when you and Mason started getting close. He's not with you, Adelaide."

She shook her head, unwilling to believe. "It's not true. He's been nothing but honest with me. If this is one of your little ploys to get me on your side, it's not going to work. I suggest you leave before I make you."

"Ade…" tried Forbes.

"No. I'm not listening to anymore of this. Leave."

"Just ask Mason," Gilbert said, standing. "Ask, then see if we're lying."

Adelaide watched as they left, the short visit over. It wasn't that she knew they were wrong. It was that she was worried they might not be. Since that day of the barbecue, there was something off about him. She played it off, but now, the inkling was growing more and more.

-

The next day, Adelaide gripped her wand tightly, prepared for an ambush, and knocked on the door. A long night of thinking and plotting, and she came to one conclusion. Stick with Mason, lies and all, or align with the enemies for the time being. All she wanted was the truth, anyway she could get it.

The door opened and she was met with a confused expression before it turned into a smile. "Ade. What's up?"

"Who's Katherine and why have you been lying to me?" she demanded.

"No small talk, huh?" he joked, attempting to ease the tension she set. "Straight to the point."

"Answer the damn question."

He glanced down and saw her wand tapping against her leg, ready to be put to use. Mason opened the door for her to enter. "Why don't we talk in private?"

She followed him into his bedroom, looking over the place. So impersonal. As if he hadn't been planning on staying long. "Talk," she ordered when the silence stretched long enough. "Katherine is… You were lying because…"

"She's sort of my girlfriend," he admitted. "She's the reason I came back. My brother had something of importance to her - a moonstone - and she wants it back."

"And you got it for her? She used you to get it?"

"She's not using me. I want to help," he defended. "We love each other."

"Right. Just tell me something. Did you actually want to be my friend, or were you using me also when you found out I was a witch?" There was no hurt or betrayal in her tone. She was truly curious as to what his intentions were when he befriended her. There should have been some offence, but no. Whatever his answer, it would help her with her decision in the end.

Mason hesitated. She had, in fact, been a topic of discussion the previous night when he met up with Katherine. The vampire had been pretty vocal about her distrust - and distaste - for the British witch. And even more about his sudden friendship with her. He knew that Katherine wasn't jealous; she never got jealous. It was that Adelaide was getting in the way of her plans. She didn't like that.

"I did want to be your friend - I am your friend," he told her honestly, "but you are also useful, and I want you on my side."

"Your side," she repeated, nodding. "There is no one else. The others, they're on the same side, and Salvatore turned down my offer. So I'm with you." She took a step back. "Last resort or not." Then she disappeared in a blur of color.

"Last resort?" he asked himself.

-

Adelaide had just Apparated back home when her phone rang. Damon Salvatore. She was half-tempted to let it go to voicemail, but alas. Her stupid curiosity won out. With a curt tone, she demanded what he wanted. There was the usual smart aleck response before she snapped at him. She pictured him rolling his eyes as he commanded, not asked, for her presence.

She practically hung up on him and Apparated to the boarding house. Yes, she hated him, but he reminded her of Draco in the infinitely smallest of way so she'd take it where she could get it. Even if it was in the form of the arrogant and irritating Damon Salvatore.

Her feet landed on the wooden floorboards and she was met with three pairs of wide eyes. "What is so important that I had to come over straight away? I might have been in the middle of something."

Salvatore recovered first. "We both know you weren't." He vamped to her, hiding his surprise when she didn't flinch. "What do you know about ancient Aztec curses?"

Instead of answering, she walked past him, bumping his shoulder, and to the one person in the room she had yet to meet. "Hello. I'm Adelaide Renner, and you are?"

"Jeremy Gilbert," said the young teenager.

"Lovely to meet you," she replied then turned to the man. "Alaric."

"Adelaide."

Satisfied, she focused on the books spread out on the table. "Aztec curses, you say? In general, or is there a specific one you're inquiring about?"

"The Sun and the Moon curse," answered Salvatore.

Jeremy passed her the book and she thanked him. As she flipped through the pages, something in her memory triggered. She was a little girl and eavesdropping on her parent's conversation. A conversation about that curse and the truth behind it. A truth that she wasn't all that inclined to share.

"Sorry, but I can't help you," she said, heartbeat steady as she spoke. "I've never heard of it. I can look in my parents' library, but I doubt anything would be in there. They had… certain interests."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes." She turned back to the book, reading a line that popped out. She controlled her heartbeat for Salvatore's sensitive hearing. "What's this about a moonstone? It says it seals the werewolf curse. Does that mean something to you?"

"It's a witch thing," translated Salvatore. "Whatever seals the curse is usually the key to unsealing the curse."

"Are you a witch?" Jeremy asked Adelaide.

She nodded. "I am, one of the brightest witches of our age. But I'm not the witch you're thinking of. I'm not a Wiccan. I don't mess with nature. It's far too judgmental for me. How they can manage, I do not know. But they are impressive. I'll give them that."

Salvatore rolled his eyes, turning the conversation back to its original topic. "If we start believing in some supernatural witchy-woo legend from a picture book, we're idiots." He faced Jeremy. "Who has the stone now?"

"Tyler."

Adelaide let out a silent breath. They didn't know. They didn't know Mason had it.

"Can you get it?"

"Yeah."

"See? Now your life has purpose."

She cleared her throat and backed away from the table. "Well, I'm needed no longer so I'll just - "

Salvatore stopped her from leaving. "Where do you think you're going? I'm not letting you out of my sight."

"And you think you can stop me? Let me make this clear for you, Salvatore, I do not care for you, nor do I wish to help you. I only came because of my curiosity. It's a bad habit of mine. Now, if you will - " She brandished her wand and pointed it at him. "Everte statum!"

He flew back, thrown. With a glare directed his way, she Disapparated. Alaric helped Damon up. "Why do you always have to make enemies?"

"It's what I do," he muttered.

-

Volunteers were wandering about the Lockwood Mansion setting up for the masquerade ball. Furniture was being moved, tables set. It was a flurry of movement. Carol Lockwood was directing people about. Adelaide evaded her sight as she searched for Mason, not feeling like being roped into another town event.

She spotted him carrying a box. Of course he would be helping. A founding family member. She began to walk over, but stopped short when she saw the younger Salvatore. They appeared to be talking, but she knew otherwise. She headed over, accidentally bumping into a girl.

"Sorry about that," she mumbled. The girl was in a daze. Adelaide grabbed Mason's arm as he passed by, causing him to run into the dazed girl. He apologized and led Adelaide away until they were out of hearing range. She removed herself from his grasp. "What was that about?"

"I tried to get Stefan and Damon killed," he replied.

"When was this?"

"At the picnic."

"Oh," she said lamely. "It didn't work."

"No shit."

"Your incapability aside," she searched for eavesdroppers, "they're looking for the moonstone. Salvatore reached out to me, hoping I could help. He's out of luck."

"Did you - "

"I didn't tell him you have it," she placated, knowing that he was going to ask. "I have more sense than that. Look, I just thought you should know."

Mason frowned. She was being cold, a wide turn from the friendship they used to share. All because of a lie. He guessed he should be lucky that she hadn't frozen him out completely. But the professionalism in her tone unnerved him. "Thanks."

"We're on the same side," she reminded him. "Your arse on the line becomes my arse."

He dragged her away further when he noticed Carol scouring the property. Last thing he needed was for his sister-in-law to say something. "Do me a favor. In a well on the edge of the old Lockwood property, the stone is there. Get it before they can."

"I'll keep it safe for you," she promised. "Come by my place later. We can figure out what to do next."

"Adelaide," he called when she began her trek in the woods. "In case they… Can you…?" He motioned to his head, whistling low.

She held up a hand to stop him. "You want me to erase that request from your memories in case their little witch can see them," she surmised, taking out her wand, tip in his direction. "Fortunately for you, I agree. Too bad I didn't think of it myself. Obliviate."

Mason stood stock-still, eyes glazed over. He blinked twice, confused to find her gone. All he remembered was her telling him about Damon then her request to go to her house later. Confused but too occupied to think it over, he returned to the house to finish setting up. He'd see her later.

-

Adelaide walked into the woods. She vaguely remembered where the old Lockwood cellar was. The well would probably be somewhere near there. But if she took it, she needed something else to take its place. As she walked through the trees, she tried to remember if she had a similar moonstone in her potions cabinet, or maybe she could replicate it. Clearly, it wouldn't be the same. The one she was looking for held magical properties, a spell, but they wouldn't know the difference until they executed the spell to lift the curse. By then, it'd be too late.

The sky had lost some of its brightness, but the sun was high. She had time, but not a lot. Then she found it.

A well wound by vines and leaves. She removed some of the vines and looked down. It was deep and dark, even in the sunlight. A sliver of water shone, but there was no way to know how deep the water went. "Acciomoonstone," she cast into the well. Seconds later, a small box rose from the well and landed in her hand.

She opened the box and gasped. She could practically feel the magic resonating in the small stone. The milky white stone held a lot of power. It was amazing. "This is what they want," she murmured, turning the stone over in her hand. "I almost feel sorry they can't have it."

Adelaide pointed her wand at the stone and whispered, "Geminio." An exact copy of the moonstone rested in her palm beside the other one. But if felt different. The lack of magic was obvious. She placed the replica in the box and did one last spell to it, smirking. That would keep them busy for the time being. She shut the box and muttered an incantation. The stone box turned invisible, blending in with the skin of her hand. "Let's see if they find this," she whispered as she dropped it in the well, pocketing the real stone. "Done."

-

The hours had passed and nightfall arrived.

With no sign of Mason.

He should have been there hours ago. She was trying not to worry herself. He probably went to see that fat cow Katherine, lost track of time. There was no need to worry. If he didn't show up by the next morning, then she would worry. But not tonight.

No, that night, she had to strengthen her defenses. From them all.

"Mistress?" called Timsy from the doorway.

Adelaide stopped what she was doing and looked up, irritated. "What?"

"Mister Lockwood is here. Timsy let him in."

"I'll be out in a moment. Make sure he's comfortable," she ordered as she went back to the potion. It was a simple potion, not taking her more than an hour to complete. She poured the finished product in a phial and placed it in the cabinet with the others.

She cleaned up the mess then left the room, locking the door behind her. "Mason, you're late. By about four hours. What was so important that - " She paused when she saw the person in the living room. A Lockwood, yes, but not the one she was expecting. "Lockwood. I assumed you were Mason."

"He didn't tell you either?" he asked, tone full of hurt and disappointment.

"Tell me what?"

"He left. He went back to Florida."

Adelaide fell back on the couch beside him, shaking her head. "But he… We had plans. He wouldn't just up and leave."

"That's what he does," said Tyler with a hint of bitterness. "I thought he'd at least stay a little longer, but…"

"Great. He retreats and leaves it all to me," she muttered. "Just what I need."

Tyler was confused. She hadn't meant for him to hear, but he did. What did he leave for her? Did she know? If she did, could she help him? He didn't have any more time to think as that thing that let him in came back with a tray of tea. He hid his disgust well, but she could see it.

"You may go now, Timsy," dismissed Adelaide as she poured herself and Tyler a cup of tea. "I thank you for not disrespecting her. Forbes and Salvatore were not as considerate." She handed him his cup and added sugar and milk to her own. "Timsy is my house-elf. It lives to serve my family, which consists of only me at the moment.

"Mason, when he came around, was kind to it," she said, sipping on the tea. She didn't bother asking whether he wanted any or not. It was custom, something she learned from her mother. Be polite yet push. "If you come around more often, I ask that you treat Timsy with the same respect as he."

"Sounds fair."

"So? Mason. Did he tell you about his… monthly activities?"

"He told you," he stated, unable to help the inflection at the end.

She shook her head. "I figured it out; he confirmed. But that's not why I asked." She shifted her body to face him. "I want you to know that I'm here. If something ever happens, you can come to me. I guarantee you that I have more experience than those people you call friends."

"Were you and my uncle…?"

"No. Only friends," she clarified. "But I can do for you what I did for him. After the last full moon, I started to brew wolfsbane potion. Now, I hope you may never need it, but if you do, come by." She placed the teacup on the table and Tyler took that as his cue.

"Thanks, Ade."

"No problem," she smiled. "Hope to not see you too soon."

"Same here."