So I had the idea for this new story (I am aware that I haven't updated my others, I just need a little inspiration as I'm not entirely sure where I'm going with them) but I just HAD to get the first chapter out...hopefully you like it (I say when's if there are lots of people reading it when there might be none but oh well)

Chapter 1

The knock at the door interrupted Maryse Lightwood from her daydream, a momentary lapse in her otherwise pristine level of concentration. She shook her head and cleared her throat.

"Come in." The words sounded cool and harsh to anyone that didn't know her, as well they should. It wasn't just anyone that could be promoted to head of the institute, an elite boarding school and foster home for all nephiliam and downworlders in need of shelter and education. Certainly it catered for day pupils but the majority, and indeed the children who showed the most potential, were boarders or permanent residents. Given that these children had no one to care for them outside the institutes walls Maryse felt that it was her duty to be like a mother to them, meaning she had to fight to keep her icy exterior intact when facing any other authority figure.

The door opened to reveal the face of Imogen herondale, an equivalent of a mundie social worker, and a constant frustration to Maryse.

"Imogen, what a pleasant surprise. Please," she said gesturing to the chair opposite her large mahogany desk, "have a seat."

A curt nod was the reply as Imogen sat down in the plush chair as she rooted around her bag to retrieve a rather sparse looking file.

"I have another one for you, though she's a little different to any others we've seen pass through these walls recently. Some have questioned if the institute has the skills and facilities required to take care of her."

Maryse rolled her eyes internally. This monotonous pattern of slyly insinuating that she couldn't do her job properly was starting to get tiresome. As always she replied confidently.

"The facilities inside the institute are perfectly capable of housing even 100 more students, with the staff exemplary and showing the utmost commitment to their job. We would be happy to accommodate one more, whoever they are. May I see her file?"

Imogen wordlessly passed over the file and Maryse flicked through. Abandoned girl...apparently with the sight...8 years old...mundie schools won't accommodate as no permanent home. Apart from a small picture clipped on the piece of paper that was it.

"So what is she? Have any runes been put on her?"

"So far no, she's only been found by our team for a few days and we need her to be accommodated"

"Well obviously we'd be happy to look after her, whilst trying to find some answers of course..." Maryse replied, abruptly cut off by Imogen's call to the other side of the door.

"Clarissa. In here now."

The door creaked open marginally as a tiny child with large green eyes and red curls framing her face was seen clutching the handle.

"Now come and stand by me girl, don't be shy." Imogen clicked impatiently and the girl immediately quickened her steps.

"Welcome Clarissa, to the institute. We hope you will be very happy here - could you tell us where your belongings are so we can retrieve them and take them to your new room?" Maryse spoke in a careful, soft voice, knowing first hand how important it was to feel safe in an unfamiliar environment.

The frail girl shook her head and whispered quietly "I don't have anything with me, I'm sorry."

Trying to mask how heartbroken Maryse felt internally she put on a bright smile, standing up as she reached out her hand to take Clarissa's.

"Well now," she said, "we'll just have to get you some new things then won't we? Whilst we're at it we'll give you the grand tour of your new home. How does that sound?"

For the first time Maryse saw a hesitant smile grace the little girl's face.

The two of them walked together to the laundry room, leaving Imogen to file the necessary paperwork back in her office.

"Now everyone gets their own room here at the institute, and you can decorate it how you please starting with the colour of your bedclothes. Which is your favourite colour?"

Clary eyes the range of colours dotting the shelves speculatively. After much consideration, after all these finer details were of great importance to 8 year olds, she pointed at the emerald green sheet and duvet colour with a hint of a smile.

"What an excellent choice. If you just grab them then we'll be on our way to your new room - is there any particular kind of toy you would like us to get you for it as well?"

Clare's brow furrowed in an endearing way as she considered her options. Finally she spoke up.

"If there was possibly a sketchbook, that would be perfect"

Maryse smiled, eyeing the young girl with a flicker of recognition before it disappeared. "Of course" she replied giving her hand a squeeze.

As they walked down the corridor with all of the bedrooms in Clary glanced at the names on the various doors. Simon...Isabelle (covered in black marker with the words 'IZZY'S ROOM GET LOST')...Helen...Aline...Meliorn...Raphael...those were a few that caught her eye. Next to the room that said 'Jace' was an empty one which Maryse was opening.

"'Now this here's your room. We allow most things to be put in here however you cannot keep any weapons on here or there will be serious repercussions. They belong in the armoury." At Clary's alarmed face Maryse remembered just who she was dealing with, and how inexperienced they were with the shadow hunter world.

"Sorry sometimes I forget I'm not talking another one of the children here who frequently try to sneak weapons into their rooms. They're training tools you understand, I know you have the sight but just how much do you know of this world?"

"I'm not sure what you mean..." Clary began uncertainly, "I don't remember anything until they found me and I'm not...not sure..." Her little chest started shaking as angry tears slipped down her face. Maryse was about to comfort her when the door opened suddenly.

"Mother, mother!" A voice screamed full of excitement. "There was news that a new girl is moving in! When, oh when! Can I meet her is she...oh sorry I didn't see you there." The girl with the long black hair stopped in her tracks.

"Isabelle Lightwood how many times have I told you not to enter a room without knocking?"

"Sorry mother" Isabelle replied, the same Isabelle, Clary supposed, who changed the name on her door with the black marker. The cheeky grin Izzy gave Clary as Maryse turned back around to face her didn't go amidst and sparked a wave from Clary in the direction of the raven haired girl.

Maryse continued going other the rules of the institute before handing Clary over to her daughter to show her around as she had business to attend to. As soon as the door was closed Izzy ran towards Clary and grasped her hands, spinning her round and shooting questions at her.

"SO! Where do you come from? And what are you? I'm obviously a shadowhunter but we have loads of other people like Simon and Raphael are vampires which is pretty cool, Maia and Jordan are werewolves and Bat is as well...oh! And Meliorn he's one of the Fairfolk and between you and me I think we're going to get married..."

Izzy's enthusiasm was infectious and soon Clary found herself giggling along with her as she tried to answer her questions as best she could, though she didn't know much. After 10 minutes or so of mindless chatter Izzy deemed Clary fit to be her new best friend as "Aline was getting annoying anyway".

Linking her arm with her new 'BFF' Izzy led her downstairs where all the other residents were hanging out. Before entering the door marked 'playroom' Clary took a big breath, thankful for having confident Izzy by her side.