22 chapter 21 : The Founders' Gala

Harper returned several hours later to find Damon in the room with a lot of blood on him.

He had just fed himself by killing all these criminals for the third time and he was fully satisfied with a body of strength he had never imagined.

The time spell had aged his body a little over 640 years when Harper interrupted the process. Now Damon is actually over 800 years old.

 This artifact and the aging ritual created by Harper were an invaluable treasure for any vampire aspiring to power among his kind.

However, Harper was a genius, anyone who tries to use this pocket watch will be struck by an aneurysm which will immediately destroy all the blood vessels in the brain.

 If a vampire tried to use it, he'll have this pain constantly and it'll increase every second but a witch will be killed immediately by the diabolically violent aneurysm.

With this ritual, he had created several powerful vampires that he later fed on to increase his own power.

On this earth, he was undoubtedly the most powerful being as he knew how to use magic with real intelligence to obtain the monstrous power he possesses today. 

 Damon: How long have I been in this damn grave.

 Harper: A little over five full days. Your brother has accepted the treatment and can drink blood in moderate quantities peacefully now if it comes from a blood bag.

 Damon: Only five days?! I felt like I had been trapped and immobilized there for centuries.

 Harper: Technically that's what really happened to you, but the reward is worth it. You should go clean up, I had some clothes prepared for you.

 Damon: And about your cattle, I was wondering if-(interrupted)

 Harper: You come back and have fun whenever you want.

 "The best friend a vampire could ever ask for…" Damon said smiling before following him and after a bath the house staff brought him some clothes.

He came across Pearl and Anna but didn't say anything to them and left while Harper stayed to have a few glasses of blood with Pearl and her daughter trying to know them and understand them a little better.

 In his attitude, Harper was different from the one he was when he killed Rosalie or hung out with the originals.

He had some experience of the world, had learned a lot of things, met a lot of people and had matured.

He was still a vampire who loved to kill, it was in his instincts and that's why he created the livestock system.

The reason for creating the aging spell was simple, after digesting Kol's power, that power had been spent and drained after a while as the only way to retain it would have been to kill Kol and consume his soul.

 When this power was exhausted and he had become weaker, he realized over the years that the ancient vampires so delicious were rare, too rare so he had to find a way to obtain them easily, a way to make any vampire he encountered tasty so he created the magical artifact of the pocket watch and the aging ritual.

After consuming several elderly vampires and gaining colossal power, Harper stopped being greedy and just lived a peaceful life completely free in all his choices without fearing anyone or anything.

 Several days later, another meeting of the Founders' Council was held and Harper and Damon were introduced to Jonathan Gilbert, Elena's uncle/father who had returned to town bringing alarming news.

Several hospitals in the region have complained about their blood stocks being stolen and cases of disappearances have also been noted.

 Once again, unlike the series, it was not the fault of Stefan becoming addicted to human blood again, the culprits were the crypt vampires that Pearl had driven out of the city .

Harper didn't try to chat with Jon or even the mayor but went to chat with the sheriff. This woman greatly interested Harper who could not help but find her overwhelming charming, Harper was an old man in a young and powerful body and Elisabeth Forbes was completely to his liking.

 They chatted for a bit before Damon dragged him to Mystic Grills before he manages to get Lize into his bed. At the bar, they started discussing several topics while drinking whiskey. 

 Harper: My friend, I tell you, Sheriff Elisabeth is a purely exquisite woman (drinks) Ah! (to the bartender) Another one, partner.

 Damon: She's a middle-aged woman but yes, she's hot. She has a daughter…

 Harper: I'm not remotely interested in kids pretending to be women these days, You and Stefan are really not embarrassed to be attracted to young girls.

Damon : Fuck you, I've already told you that Elena is no longer in my best interest. 

Harper : How are things with Stefan?

 Damon: My brother is in Elena's hands, I'm going to let them coo, live their fairy tale and solve the problems that arise with my best friend aka you.

 They toasted before drinking and asking for the bottle.

 Harper: I'm starting to like this town.

 Damon: Are you planning to go to the gala and kick off the festivities in three days? Madam Sheriff is going to put on her most beautiful dress.

 Harper: I doubt I have the choice of refusing. Courtesy dictates that I am there as a member of one of the founding families.

 Damon: You're going to upset the boring blonde...

 Harper: No, I just admire Elisabeth's charm, I won't betray Lexi.

 Damon: Do you love her?

 Harper: Of course I love Alexa. (puts his hand on his shoulder) Trust me, the girl made for you is coming soon and when you realize it you'll finally be complete. I have very good premonition skills.

 Damon: I'm hungry, The false hopes you give me have starved me... 

 Harper: Livestock ?

 Damon: Livestock.

 Several days later, at the Lockwoods where the gala evening was taking place, Harper arrived a little late with Lexi, Pearl and Anna in a magnificent black and shiny Rolls-Royce Phantom which didn't fail to attract attention.

He was dressed in a very elegant all-black tuxedo and the girls wore luxurious evening dresses.

 "Doctor Freed"

 "Good evening Doctor Freed"

 "Good evening doctor…"

 Those who recognized him greeted him respectfully, despite his seemingly young age he was a very competent doctor and he was a Freed.

They returned to find the atmosphere festive and he separated from Pearl and her daughter to blend in with the crowd.

He didn't see the Salvatore brothers but he greeted Alaric and Jenna whom he saw in a corner before going out to one of the outside balconies because he didn't like loud music and rowdy crowds.

 Once outside, there was a commotion and more precisely a fight between Matt and Tyler whom Matt had caught kissing his mother Kelly.

Tyler had knocked Matt to the ground and delivered a series of punches, he seemed to be in a daze of rage even though he was at fault.

Elena tried to separate them in vain when Harper separated them effortlessly, Lexi overpowered Matt on her side and with a single arm on still agitated Tyler's chest, Harper pinned him against the wall.

 "Calm down kid…" He said using the psychic spell to calm him down and immediately, Tyler came to his senses when Richard Lockwood his father came.

 "Thank you Harper, I'll take over" Richard thanked him and he sent Tyler to clean up and calm down before calming the crowd back to the party.

 Harper: Your son has serious anger issues.

 Richard: Luckily you were there. You should take care of young Donovan, my son didn't take it lightly.

 Harper: You're right, he needs care. Would you be so kind to send us a first aid kit or something to treat the damage on his face.

 "It's the least I can do..." Richard left and within minutes a staff member came with a care kit and Harper began treating Matt's injuries to Elena's thanks.

Stefan came to find them and he respectfully greeted Harper who asked him how he was and Stefan told him that he was better, he also asked if they could talk in private so after taking care of Matt , he isolated himself with Stefan.

 Stefan: I sincerely wanted to thank you for helping me but especially for helping Damon. I don't know what you taught him when you met and when you came back to town but it changed my brother.

 Harper: Damon hasn't changed Stefan, he just has new priorities.

 Stefan: It's true that he still has his way of acting, but I found the big brother that I hadn't seen in far too long and that is priceless, Harper. Thanks again…really

 Harper wanted to answer but Damon arrived Half-drunk and in a great mood. 

 Damon: (to Harper) You're late.

 Harper: Women and their preparations, according to them…

 Damon + Stefan + Harper: We can't understand.

 Harper: So, what did I miss?

 Damon: Do you want the good news or the bad news?

 Harper: The bad one.

 Stefan: Oh no.

 Damon: All right, so please note that the Founders Council has officially put itself on vampire alert. And for the good news, know that I just broke Jonathan Gilbert's neck.

 Stefan: WHAT DID YOU DO ?! 

 Harper: Hahahaha.

 Damon: Come on Stefan, shout even louder to get us to notice. I don't know about you but I'm in an extremely good mood, I feel like this evening will be...Fun…

 He said with amusement before going to find Pearl to invite her to dance, Lexi and Elena came to take their companions and they went to dance because Lexi had hypnotized the DJ to play Jazz music.

They were having fun on the floor when Damon's gaze froze as he watched Jonathan Gilbert enter the room completely alive and unharmed. The others saw it too and were quick to react.

 Stefan: Damon...

 Harper: It's a Gilbert, you weren't attentive enough to notice the signet ring on his finger.

 Damon: Why is everyone trying to upset me?

 "Ahahahah" Harper made fun of him and they left that party to continue the party at Mystic Grills, throughout the evening Damon flirted with Pearl and he became even more reckless knowing that he was stronger than her now .

Harper had Lexi and Stefan had Elena, Damon didn't want to be the fifth wheel while the lovely Pearl was there.

This made Harper laugh, he looked at him with amusement 'cause he and Stefan bet on his success or failure.

 He came home early with Lexi to make love for almost the entire night and the little sleep he had was interrupted by a premonition that made him quite smile.

He woke up very early to go to the hospital and mentally compelled the board of directors to give him a vacation before taking one of his cars to drive to New Orleans without informing anyone.