Echoes of Magic & Blood

Chapter 1: Anna's Sacrifice

Anna Potter sat quietly in her small room within the Mikaelson compound, her heart heavy with memories and fears. New Orleans was a far cry from the world she had known, but it was a necessary refuge. She had fled here to protect her family from the relentless pursuit of Thomas and his Death Eaters. The knowledge that she carried a piece of Tom's soul within her, as one of his Horcruxes, made her presence a danger to anyone she loved. That was why she had left Harry, her parents, and Draco behind.

The Mikaelsons, the Original vampire family, had taken her in. Though they were cautious and guarded around her, she was grateful for their protection. However, the unease in the compound was palpable. Trust was a fragile commodity here.

It was a humid afternoon when chaos erupted in the Mikaelson mansion. Anna was reading by the window, trying to lose herself in a book, when she heard a commotion downstairs. Curious and a little concerned, she placed her book aside and ventured out of her room.

As she descended the grand staircase, she saw the Mikaelson siblings—Elijah, Klaus, Rebekah, and Kol—in a heated argument. Their voices were low but intense, and the air was thick with tension.

"What's happening?" Anna asked, her voice tentative.

The siblings turned to her, their expressions a mix of suspicion and frustration. It was Klaus who spoke first, his eyes sharp and penetrating. "Mikael is here. He's found us."

Anna's heart skipped a beat. She had heard of Mikael, the vampire hunter who was also Klaus's father. The mere mention of his name was enough to send a shiver down her spine.

"What does he want?" she asked, though she already knew the answer.

"He wants to destroy us," Rebekah said, her voice tinged with fear and anger. "And he won't stop until he does."

Elijah stepped forward, his demeanour calm despite the situation. "We need to protect Hope. She's the most vulnerable right now."

Hope Mikaelson, the young daughter of Klaus, was a precious beacon of their family's future. Her safety was paramount to all of them.

"I'll help," Anna said immediately, surprising even herself with the firmness in her voice.

Klaus scoffed. "And why should we trust you? You're an outsider, a witch with ties to a dark wizard we know nothing about."

Anna met his gaze steadily. "Because I know what it's like to be hunted. I know what it's like to want to protect your family at all costs. Let me help."

For a moment, there was silence. Then Elijah nodded. "Very well. We need all the help we can get."

The plan was hastily drawn. Mikael had to be lured away from the compound while Hope was moved to a safer location. Anna's role was to create a diversion strong enough to distract Mikael, giving the Mikaelsons the opportunity to escape with Hope.

The evening was fast approaching when Anna found herself in the dark, narrow alleyways of the French Quarter. She could feel the weight of her task pressing down on her, but she steeled herself. She had faced the dark lord, she reminded herself. She could face Mikael.

As she moved through the shadows, she felt a presence behind her. She turned swiftly, her wand at the ready, to find herself face to face with Mikael.

"Ah, the witch," Mikael said, his voice dripping with contempt. "What are you doing here, girl?"

Anna lifted her chin, refusing to show fear. "I'm here to stop you."

Mikael laughed, a cold, mirthless sound. "You think you can stop me? You're just a child, playing with magic you don't understand."