Leon Alphonz Bellatunde Delgallo I

Vanessa stood at the center of the Gilbert House's backyard, her eyes sweeping across the bustling gathering of young witches. The success of the Higher Mindz Project filled her with pride. Weeks of relentless effort had brought them here, a yard full of gifted youth eager to learn, some only just discovering their abilities.

Beside her, Jenna smiled warmly at the students. "We did it," she whispered.

"We sure did," Vanessa murmured back, watching as the energy in the yard buzzed with anticipation. The air carried the scent of herbs and candle wax, mingling with the faint, lingering notes of magic already at play. It was a diverse crowd—children of solitary witches, adoptees unaware of their lineage, and even those whose abilities had remained dormant for generations until now.

Jenna cleared her throat and called for attention. "Everyone, thank you for coming. Tonight is about connection, discovery, and the start of something truly special." She gestured toward the doorway as a tall, composed figure stepped forward. "And to help guide you, we have someone who has graciously offered his knowledge and support—Leon Alphonz Bellatunde Delgallo."

The murmuring of the young witches quieted as they took in the newcomer. Leon's presence commanded respect, though he carried himself with an ease that immediately put many at rest.

He gave a small nod, his voice rich and steady as he spoke. "Good evening, everyone. I'm what's known as a donner. It means I can lend my money to others to help them manifest their abilities." His eyes scanned the room, gauging their reactions with a slight smirk upon his lips.

The parents in attendance chuckled and a few youth understood.

Leon continued, "And tonight, I want to help you take your first real steps into harnessing your power."

Excitement rippled through the students, their faces lighting up with hope and curiosity. Vanessa watched as Leon moved among them, offering words of encouragement, making small gestures with his hands, his aura radiating calm assurance. The Mystic Falls gang—Elena, Bonnie, Damon, Stefan, and Caroline—stood by, watching with wary interest. Jenna had insisted they attend, if only to show support and keep a watchful eye on things.

Bonnie, pretending to be the skeptic when it came to strangers and magic, crossed her arms. 

"I don't know about this guy," she muttered to Elena, testing her. "Magic isn't something you can just hand over."

Elena, always the diplomat, gave a small shrug. "Maybe not, but look at them. And he seems to be helping you."

Bonnie was unsure what to make of it. After discovering that Leon had complete control over Katherine, even handing it over to her, Bonnie began to wonder if what Caroline, Stefan, and Damon had seen wasn't Elena, but Katherine. More importantly, was it Elena or Katherine that visited Leon that day she was training at his house.

Bonnie sighed and looked at Leon. He was an enigma to her and she couldn't figure him out. He had done more good for her than bad towards others.

Bonnie turned her gaze back toward the students. With Leon's guidance, a young girl—Lily—held out her palm, a small flame flickering to life just above her skin. The other students watched in amazement as Leon guided her breathing, helping her steady the flame before closing her fist to snuff it out safely.

"That was incredible," Lily breathed, eyes wide.

Leon smiled. "And that's just the beginning."

All around the yard, similar moments unfolded. A boy levitated a quill with a delighted gasp. Another student whispered an incantation that sent a ripple of cool air across the yard. Vanessa's heart swelled. This was exactly what she had dreamed the Higher Mindz Project would become—a sanctuary for young witches to learn without fear.

Jenna, standing beside Damon, nudged him playfully. "See? Magic can be used for good."

Damon smirked. "We'll see how long that lasts."

Vanessa ignored his skepticism, her focus entirely on the children and their growing confidence. This was only the beginning, and she had a feeling that what they had started tonight would change lives—including her own.

As the sun fell lower, the youths gathered once more, their excitement was almost tangible from the day's breakthroughs. Leon stood at the front of the room, his expression thoughtful as he prepared to begin his lecture. He clasped his hands together, his dark eyes scanning the eager faces before him.

"Witches," he began, his voice carrying the weight of centuries of history, "have always existed alongside humanity. We've been called many things—shamans, healers, seers—but at the heart of it, we are those who wield fire." He smirked, letting the metaphor settle. "Not literal fire, though that is certainly within our reach. Fire, in this sense, is power. Magic. And, as the old stories go, power is always something that others seek to control."

He leaned against the Gilbert's dinner table, his posture deceptively casual. "You've all heard of the story of Prometheus, right? The Titan who stole fire from the gods?" A few students nodded. "Well, in some circles, witches have their own version of that tale. Magic was the gods' greatest secret, and it was stolen—not given—to humanity. Some say witches were the thieves, others say we were the recipients of a divine gift. Either way, that power came with a price."

Leon chuckled softly. "Of course, that's just a legend. The truth of our history is far more complex. My family's history, for example, is deeply rooted in the cradle of life, the lands where the first great magic was practiced. My grandfather, Papa Tunde, came to America and became a leader of the French Quarter Coven. He was powerful, respected, feared… and he paid the price for it."

The room had grown eerily silent, all eyes fixed on him as he spoke.

"I was raised in New Orleans," Leon continued, his tone growing more somber. "I was gifted, but that wasn't enough. I wanted to be the best. I bled for it, fought for it. The young witches in our community knew that strength was survival. We had no choice. Because we were hunted." His gaze darkened. "The leader of the vampire faction saw us as threats. One by one, my family fell. Only the strongest of Delgallo survived. I survived."

A heavy silence hung in the air. Vanessa, Jenna, Lucy, Bonnie Bennett, Greta Martin, and the rest of the Mystic Falls gang exchanged uneasy glances. They had seen their fair share of supernatural battles, but hearing Leon's past first hand painted a brutal picture of what it meant to be hunted, to fight for existence.

Leon exhaled, a shadow of old pain flickering across his face before he shook it off. "That's why I'm here. That's why I want to help you. Because I wish someone had been there to protect me. To teach me, to ensure that no witch ever has to stand alone. With the right training, with security and unity, we can ensure that this never happens again."

Bonnie's expression softened, the hardened hidden skepticism she had held toward him beginning to crack. Even Damon, with his animosity and thirst for revenge, regarded him with newfound curiosity.

Leon met their eyes, his own burning with quiet intensity. "So let's begin. We have work to do."

As the mixer wound down, the air buzzed with excitement over the upcoming bonfire. Vanessa and Jenna handed out invitations, each parchment marked with sigils that shimmered under the light. The bonfire would become a tradition, but this night would be the first grand gathering of the Delgallo Coven, an opportunity for witches to come together and strengthen their ties.

Lucy approached the Mystic Falls gang, her expression cautious. "I know you all have questions about tonight's gathering, but let me be clear—this isn't like the usual town parties. This is a night for witches, a night where magic is honored and unleashed. It's open to all supernaturals, but let's just say, for vampires, it might not be the most... welcoming environment."

Damon scoffed, crossing his arms. "Well, that's one way to tell us we're not invited."

Lucy smirked. "I'm just saying, if you value your limbs and your dignity, you might want to sit this one out."

Elena frowned, glancing toward Jenna. "But Jenna's going, right?"

Lucy hesitated before nodding. "Yes, but Jenna isn't a vampire. She'll be safe."

"Then I'm going too," Elena declared. She didn't like the idea of Jenna attending a supernatural event alone, even if the Delgallos and Lucy were trustworthy.

Jeremy, who had been quiet up until now, finally spoke up. "If Bonnie's going, so am I."

Bonnie turned to him with a sigh, knowing there was no changing his mind. "Jeremy—"

"No arguments," he interrupted. "I want to be there."

Caroline, however, had her own reservations. Her sharp gaze flickered toward Elena, suspicion lingering in her expression. "Of course, you want to go," she muttered under her breath. "Convenient."

Elena bristled. "What's that supposed to mean?"

Caroline merely shook her head. "Nothing. Just making an observation."

Meanwhile, Damon and Stefan exchanged glances. The thought of dealing with Leon again wasn't exactly appealing, and neither of them trusted the night's events to go smoothly.

"I'll pass," Damon said casually. "Stefan?"

Stefan hesitated before nodding. "Yeah, me too."

Just as the decisions seemed final, the front door creaked open, and a hush fell over the room. Alaric stepped inside, his posture relaxed but his eyes sharp, predatory. Jenna, mid-conversation, turned to him with a welcoming smile.

"Hey, Alaric—"

Thanks to Leon, Klaus had Alaric's personality and mannerism down to a science.

____________

"Hey, watch her closely." Stefan whispered to Caroline as he left with Damon.

"Of course. She won't get anywhere near him without my supervision. But…"

"No." said Stefan, remembering Caroline had voiced her concerns that Elena may be pretending to forget what happened.

"He's got her hexed or something. Just watch her." Stefan replied, annoyed.

____________

The night air was thick with energy as the Coven gathered at the renovated plantation house, a grand structure that had once stood in ruins but now glowed with flickering lanterns and enchantments woven into its very walls. The scent of burning sage and aged wood lingered in the air, creating a mystical ambiance that sent chills down the spines of those unfamiliar with such gatherings. Caroline, Elena, and Jeremy stepped onto the vast grounds, their eyes widening at the sheer number of witches assembled. Mystic Falls had always held its supernatural secrets, but this was beyond anything they had imagined. Dozens of witches, adorned in their finest attire, moved gracefully through the halls, their presence a silent testament to the hidden world that had existed alongside them all along.

Leon and Vanessa approached with knowing smiles, guiding Jenna and Elena away. "Come with us," Leon said smoothly, his usual relaxed demeanor tinged with an air of reverence. "Tonight isn't just any night. You must look the part."

Elena hesitated but nodded, feeling an unfamiliar flutter in her stomach. There was an undeniable allure to this world of magic, one she had yet to fully understand. As they disappeared into the house, Jeremy watched them go, his brows furrowed. He felt the weight of his own ordinary clothes against the backdrop of such regal elegance. The witches moved with such grace and confidence, making him feel like an outsider in their midst.

Caroline noticed his expression and nudged him with a reassuring smile. "Hey, don't worry. You're not the only one feeling out of place."

Before she could say more, Bonnie swept in with a firm expression. "Come on, Jeremy. You're changing too."

Jeremy raised an eyebrow but knew better than to argue with Bonnie when she had that determined look in her eyes. He cast one last glance at Caroline before following her into another section of the house.

Caroline turned to follow Elena, only to find her path blocked by a mysterious woman in a dark mask. The vampire's presence was unnerving—her stillness unnatural. Before Caroline could question her, the woman simply inclined her head as if assessing her before vanishing into the crowd, her black cloak blending seamlessly into the shadows.

When Caroline finally reunited with Elena and Jenna, her breath caught in her throat. They were transformed. Draped in rich, flowing fabrics of deep emerald and shimmering gold, adorned with delicate jewelry that looked as if it had been crafted for royalty, they exuded an ethereal elegance that was almost unrecognizable.

"You look like princesses," Caroline gasped, a rare moment of awe overtaking her usual confidence.

A slow clap echoed through the corridor. Alaric—or rather, Klaus in Alaric's body—stood poised in a tailored suit, his smirk both appreciative and predatory. The flickering candlelight cast eerie shadows across his face, making his presence even more unsettling.

"I'd have to agree with Caroline," he mused, stepping forward. "Absolutely breathtaking."

He extended an arm toward Jenna.

"Shall we?"

Jenna hesitated, her eyes flickering to Vanessa for reassurance. Something in her gut told her this wasn't the same Alaric she knew, but before she could protest, Vanessa gave her a subtle nod, her expression unreadable. Feeling trapped by expectation, Jenna placed her hand in his and let him guide her toward the grand doors leading outside.

Elena watched helplessly, the unease bubbling in her stomach threatening to spill over.

Just then, Bonnie arrived with Jeremy in tow. He was now equally well-dressed, his usual casual demeanor replaced with a sense of poise he didn't quite seem to own yet. But Bonnie barely gave him a second glance before turning sharply toward the masked vampire who had intercepted Caroline earlier.

"You stay by Jeremy's side all night. Protect him."

The vampire inclined her head in silent understanding, stepping beside Jeremy in a way that made it clear she wouldn't be leaving his side.

Caroline frowned, her suspicion growing. "Bonnie, what's going on? Who is she?" She had spent enough time around vampires to know that something about this wasn't right.

Bonnie's gaze flickered toward Caroline, her voice unwavering. "The world is changing, Caroline. And so are we."

Caroline's lips parted, but before she could question further, the grand doors swung open, revealing the flickering glow of the bonfire outside. The atmosphere was heavy with expectation, with secrets yet to be unveiled. As the night deepened, a sense of inevitability settled over them.