Down here in New Orleans

Down here in New Orleans

- The Lyrical Diaries –

Hope’s POV (1866)
The day Katherine openly accused me from witchcraft, the whole town was shocked, yet their fear for magic overpowered that on which I ended up on the fire pile. Of course the trio of Salvatore siblings wouldn’t let me go down without a fight.
The youngest one, Dahlia, had been my best friend since day one. I guess we sensed the supernatural edge in each other way before we told the other what we really were.
Stefan, Dahlia’s older twin, was the brother I never had. We would recommend books to each other, share thoughts and even ask the other advice when needed.
And then there was also the eldest one, Damon. He was the first one out of the three who I met two years ago when we bumped into each other at the market by accident. From the first moment I had looked into his eyes, I knew I had fallen in love and that I fell hard. I tried to hide it though, and apparently, Damon hid his feelings for me too. But love always finds a way. And because of the fact I held Damon’s heart, a jealous Katherine was determined to get rid of me.
In this time that was rather easy with all the witch trials where only an accusation was enough. What Katherine didn’t know however was that I in fact really was a witch. And that’s how the plan got born.
I would wait until the fire on the fire pile had grown to its highest point and would then use my powers to teleport away. The crowd would think my body had been consumed by the fire, except for the three Salvatores.
It was a good plan. But it also was a damn hard one. Why? Because the whole town had to watch me burn. My parents, my friends, the jealous she-devil known as Katherine Pierce, Dahlia, Stefan and… And Damon. What made it even worse was that, yes, this plan kept me alive but it also meant I had to leave everything, everyone behind.
No more shopping trips and laughing with Dahlia. No more book discussions with Stefan. No more secret dates with Damon. That’s what hurt the most.
Nonetheless I followed the plan and teleported away from the life I knew the moment the flames were reaching high for the sky. And from there I had made my way to New Orleans.
It had been two days since my supposed death and I had hoped that the bubbling excitement of New Orleans would keep my mind busy and distracted from the ones I left behind back in Mystic Falls. Sadly, that didn’t happen.
For the second night in a row, I had dressed in my prettiest dress before making my way to a popular club where music was played the whole time and alcohol flowed. Somehow I fell a bit out of place between all the glitter and glamour but still took a seat at the bar before I ordered a drink.

‘In the South Land, there’s this city,
Way down on the river,
Where the women are very pretty
And all the men deliver.
They got music!
It’s always playing!
Start in the daytime, go all through the night.
When you hear that music playing,
Hear what I’m saying, it makes you feel alright.’.

“Now, sweetie, there’s no need for the long face.”a voice coated in an English accent commented on which I glanced at my right only to lay eyes on a blonde girl in a very rich dress. “At least, not when the music is playing.”she added with a wink before she ordered a glass of champagne.
“Is that how the Originals roll?”I asked with a smile before I took a sip from my drink earning a surprised look from the girl. “You’re Rebekah Mikaelson, are you not?”I questioned. “And how would you know that?”she asked interested.
“Hung around some vampires these past years. Apparently supernatural beings attract.”I muttered in reply causing Rebekah’s eyes to twinkle with curiosity. “And that makes you what, sweetie?”she wanted to know.
“Wouldn’t you like to know.”I said with a grin as I emptied my glass.

‘Grab somebody, come on down.
Bring your paintbrush, we’re painting the town.
Honey, there’s some sweetness going around.
Catch it down in New Orleans.’.

Rebekah dragged me from the bar towards a seating area that seemed only for the rich and regulars. We came to a stop at a table where three men were sitting, one with a girl on his lap.
“Guys, you have to hear the story of this one!”she told them and refused to let go of my arm. “This is Hope Weatherly, a witch of Mystic Falls that hung out with the Salvatores and ended up on the burning pile thanks to Katherine only two days ago, yet she’s still alive and kicking.”.
“Rebekah, dear, it’s rude to tell somebody’s story yourself.”one of the two brunets scolded her. “Especially if you don’t introduce her to the spectators.”.
“Right!”Rebekah remembered and quickly pointed at the guy who spoke. “Hope meet my brothers, Elijah, Kol… And the one who’s flirting with his next snack is Klaus.”. “Euhm… Nice to meet you?”I said in return and got a charming smile from Elijah and Kol while being completely ignored by Klaus.
“The pleasure is all ours.”Kol spoke before he motioned to Klaus. “Don’t mind him. He only has two modes. Ignoring or insulting. Seeing as this is our first meeting, I would say he did well.”.
“So, you really outsmarted Katrine Petrova?”Elijah asked on his turn before sipping his glass of champagne. “I did.”I admitted. “Then please take a seat and tell us all about it.”he replied and motioned to an empty chair for me to take.
I sat down and told them the whole story from the point of Katherine’s accusation to the moment I came to New Orleans.
“So now I live in a crappy motel room in a city where I don’t know anyone.”I ended. “Now there you’re wrong, darling.”Kol remarked. “You know us now.”. “And I’m sure we could offer you one of our guestrooms at our mansion.”Elijah picked in. “Couldn’t hurt to have a witch around…”.
“We’re not taking in the witch.”Klaus spoke for the first time but still refused to look at me. “Now look who’s awake and social.”Rebekah answered, the sarcasm dripping from her voice. “I hate to bring it to you Nik, but we already outvoted you, so… Tough luck, Hope’s staying with us.”.
Klaus glared at me, his pale blue eyes burning with detest. “Better be careful.”I told him. “If you look too long in a witch’s eyes, she might set you on fire.”. Klaus snorted in response before he focussed all his attention back onto the girl he clearly had hypnotised.
“Oh, I like the attitude of this one!”Kol praised me which caused me to smirk. “Whatever.”Klaus muttered unimpressed and urged the girl on his lap to stand up. “Now if you’ll excuse me, I have to dance with my snack before I can take a bite.”. And with that he just waltzed onto the dancefloor.
“Oh, I love this song.”Rebekah sighed on which Elijah stood and offered her his hand which she gratefully took. My eyes followed them until they too fell into the rhythm of the music the band was playing. A sad sigh escaped my lips.
“Why so down, darling?”Kol wondered as he emptied his glass. “Let’s just say I had to leave my dance partner behind in Mystic Falls.”I replied as memories of Damon passed through my mind.
“Well, I never really had one to begin with.”he mused before he too stood and offered me his hand. “Care for a dance? I would love to show them all how it really has to be done.”. His comment made me smile on which I accepted his extended hand before the Original led me onto the dancefloor.

‘We got magic, good and bad.
Make you happy, or make you real sad.
Get everything you want, lose what you had,
Down here in New Orleans.’.

“You know, I used to be a witch too before all of the fangs happened.”Kol told me as he twirled me around in a waltz. “Really now?”I asked. “Yes.”he assured me. “I was quite talented too, if I say so myself.”.
“Do you miss it?”I wanted to know. “Yes.”he admitted with a smile. “Magic is a sport of brains and wits. Being a vampire is a sport of killing and not getting caught.”.
That was the moment the band changed songs. It was a waltz again but the tune made me freeze in place. The Swanlake waltz. Or better yet, the first dance of Damon and me.
“Everything alright, darling?”Kol asked concerned when he noticed my hesitation. “Yeah, just…”I started. “Let’s just say I really miss the dance partner I had to leave behind.”. “Am I that bad?”he questioned with a smirk.
“No, you’re not.”I assured him with a smile of my own. “It’s just that I haven’t really come to terms yet with that I’ll never see him again.”. “Never is so drastic, darling.”he commented. “Especially with your super witchy powers and now us as backup. You’ll see him again for another dance.”.
“Promise?”I asked him. “Promise.”Kol answered sincerely. “And until then you can stay here with us in New Orleans and help me on a daily basis to annoy Klaus.”. “Deal.”I agreed with a grin which the Original quickly mimicked.

‘Hey partner, don’t be shy.
Come on down here and give us a try.
You want to do some living before you die.
Do it down in New Orleans.

Stately homes and mansion,
Of the Sugar Barons and the Cotton Kings.
Rich people, poor people, all got dreams.
Dreams do come true in New Orleans.’.