So instead of just thinking about all of these snippets Cassandra Clare has released, I decided to write some of them! I won't be writing all of them, however, probably only about 10-15. Anyway, I hope you enjoy! Reviews are lovely!

Disclaimer: Anything recognizable belongs to Cassandra Clare.

"Clary," Jocelyn said. "I want you to meet Tessa Gray."

Clary stretched as she walked through the doorway into the kitchen. She was so tired. Then again, she didn't exactly get the best sleep these days. Coffee sounded good. And doughnuts. Maybe she could get Luke to grab her some from the shop a few minutes aw-

Clary stopped short of the kitchen in surprise. Because who wouldn't stop and stare upon finding a stranger in their kitchen. Admittedly, this stranger couldn't exactly be a threat, as Jocelyn and Luke calmly stood across the island from her, but still.

"What the – Mom, what's going on?" asked Clary, looking from the stranger to her mom and Luke and back again. The stranger, a girl, had long brown hair that hung in waves down her back. She couldn't have been much older than twenty, and when she looked at Clary, Clary was struck by the piercing grey of her eyes.

"Clary," Jocelyn said. "I want you to meet Tessa Gray."

The girl, Tessa, smiled for the first time since Clary had entered the room.

"Okayyy," said Clary, cautiously moving forward.

Jocelyn hesitated, looking back at Tessa. Tessa moved around the side of the island towards Clary.

"You could say that I am a… family friend," said Tessa, holding out a hand to Clary. Clary took it, and they shook as if in agreement about something, though Clary wasn't sure what.

"Wait," said Clary. "I've seen you before. You were there, at the celebration, that night. You were talking to Magnus."

"Yes, I was."

"And you looked familiar then, too. Why?"

"Why was I there? Magnus is an old friend, and I wished to make sure that he was alright."

"Why did you look so familiar to me?" said Clary, nearly in a whisper. Behind Tessa, Clary saw Luke and her mother exchange a look. Tessa turned, following Clary's eyes. Clary knew the look the three were giving each other. It was the look adults gave each other when they were debating how much to tell a child. Well, Clary thought, I'm not a child.

"What?" she demanded.

Luke sighed. "Maybe we should all sit down."

Jocelyn led the way into the living room. On the way, the group passed tons of boxes of unshelved books. Clary couldn't help it – she wondered if they'd ever be shelved. She wondered if her life would ever go back to anything resembling normal. And it made her sad, because she knew her life never would be like that life again.

Clary watched Tessa follow Luke and Jocelyn. The girl walked with an air of superiority, of propriety. Clary wondered where she was from, who she really was.

They ended up with Luke and Jocelyn seated on the worn couch, Tessa perched on the ottoman, and Clary in Luke's favorite reading chair.

"Clary, remember how I mentioned once that a female warlock took the place of the Iron Sister for the protection spells put on you?" asked Jocelyn.

Clary nodded absently. It was too early for this.

"Well," Tessa said, "That's me."

Clary's head snapped around to look at Tessa. "Wait, what?"

"I'm the warlock that helped with your rituals."

"But you can't be a warlock," Clary said, "You don't have any mark."

Tessa smiled wryly. "Well, that is a long story and hardly relevant to why I'm here."

"No offense, but why are you here?" asked Clary.

"Magnus," Tessa said simply. She frowned, as if trying to figure out how to explain something.

"Seeing as Magnus isn't exactly on speaking terms with any of us," said Luke, "it seems he's sent a messenger."

"And I wasn't unwilling," said Tessa. "I have a special interest in the Herondale line anyway…"

Why would Tessa care about Jace enough to help me? wondered Clary. She was almost certain they hadn't even met. At least now she knew why Tessa looked so familiar: some part of the back of her mind must have memories of her from that time so long ago.

"What she was telling us when you walked in," said Jocelyn, "is that Magnus has…concerns about the strength of those spells."

Clary looked between the three of them. "You mean that they could wear off?"

Luke nodded. "Causing you to be vulnerable to demonic influence-"

"And Sebastian," Clary finished. "So what do we do?"

"Well," said Tessa, "Really, the only option is to cast the protection spells again."

"Would you be taking the place of the Iron Sister again?" asked Jocelyn.

Tessa shook her head. "I don't believe that the protection spells wouldn't work if I cast them, it's just that I feel that they would be stronger if cast by an Iron Sister. However, I believe Magnus could get in touch with the same Silent Brother as last time."

"So," said Clary, "are we thinking that my protection spells could just wear off any time?"

"Possibly," said Tessa. "Or, if this Sebastian hears of how weak we suspect they are, then he may try to remove the spells."

Clary looked at her mom and Luke. "You think I should do this? Have the spells recast?"

Jocelyn nodded, and Luke spoke. "Yes. It couldn't hurt, but it could save your life."

Clary lay on her back on the bed, watching Jace pace around his room in the Institute.

"When are they going to perform the ceremony? What if Sebastian finds out before-"

"Stop, please," Clary said, cutting him off. "Tomorrow morning. And I think Sebastian would need a little more time than that to destroy the magic on my mind."

Jace nodded, finally flopping down on his back beside Clary. They stared at the ceiling in silence. Suddenly, Clary remembered something.

"Jace?" she asked, turning her head to look at him.

"Yeah?" he replied, concern lacing his voice.

"Jace… the ceremony. Is it scary? Does it hurt?" Clary had remembered that as soon as Jace was healthy enough, they'd had to redo his protection spells. It hadn't been exactly a piece of cake, either, considering the heavenly fire still possessing Jace.

Jace smiled, and Clary was suddenly struck by how childish her question had been.

"Sorry-" she began, but Jace cut her off.

"Clary, it's a ceremony designed for babies. It's not bad, I promise."

Clary nodded, pushing herself into a sitting position. She hesitated. "Have you ever met a girl named Tessa Gray?"

Jace frowned, looking up at her. "No, why?"

"Oh, it's nothing. She seemed to know you though."

"That's weird."

Clary nodded.

"You know what else is weird?"

"What?" asked Clary, rolling her eyes.

"Gray rhymes with Fray. Didn't you say your mom called her a family friend? Do you think your mom got your name from hers?"

"I think you're reading too far into things, Jace.

Jace just grinned.