The Vampire Diaries tells the story of Elena Gilbert, a student at an American high school in Virginia, back home from a summer in France. On her first day of senior year, she discovers a new student has enrolled: the mysterious Italian, Stefan Salvatore. Elena immediately targets him as her new romantic conquest. However, Stefan completely ignores Elena and instead turns his attention to Elena's rival, Caroline Forbes. Elena goes to her school's Homecoming Dance...

The vampire brothers Damon and Stefano Salvatore, eternal adolescents, having been leading 'normal' lives, hiding their bloodthirsty condition, for centuries, moving on before their non-aging is noticed. They are back in the Virginia town where they became vampires, as high school students. Stefano is noble, denying himself blood to avoid killing, and tries to control his evil brother Damon. Stefan falls in love with schoolgirl Elena, whose best friend is a witch, like her grandma.