All rights to the Anime Familiar Of Zero are not mine

Inside the stone halls of the castle, known as the Tristain Academy of Magic, a young pinkette of small stature, being only five foot, rushed past other students and to the courtyard. Today was very important for a young mage like herself. For today was the day she and her fellow student were to summon there own Familiars that would show off there true selves in each respect.

As of right now, that wasn't going to happen for her as she was running somewhat late. She could almost here her enemy Zerbst's mocking voice in her head for being late to this summoning. In fact, the day prior to this one, she herself had told Zerbst that she would summon the most greatest Familiar to grace this Academy and put all others to shame. Part of her was actually regretting that…

never the less, she did make it some what on time. Already half the area had various beasts standing next to there summoners, ranging from something as small as a insect, to the size of dragons, one of which, was standing next to a blue hared girl with glasses and reading a book while holding her staff.

"What?" Was the pinkettes first thought at the sight of the Dragon next to the blue haired girl that seemed to only pay attention to the book before her.

"About time you arrived Louise." Said a voice behind her, making the pinkette identified as Louise turn around and glare.

"Kirche." Louise somewhat hissed, looking at the more developed beauty before her. She was five foot seven with tanned skin and fiery red hair that reached about to her waist.

"Now, now Louise." Said the redhead that wasn't effected by her more smaller rivals glare "There's no need to get so hostel…unless your just jealous that Tabitha has the best Familiar here." She smirked while pointing towards the blue haired girl and her Dragon.

Louise was going to retort, but was cut off by there teacher, Professor Colbert who called for Kirche. The said girl only walked passed Louise without a second glace, ignoring her completely. The smaller girl could only seethe in anger and glare daggers into her fellow students cranium as she walked on to there Teacher.

Once she had reach the appointed spot did she raise her want and begin to chant. After she was finished was she rewarded with a warm light, depositing a creature before her. When the light died down Kirche couldn't help but look approvingly at her new Familiar before her.

It was a Salamander that was a brilliant red that reflected the suns light, showing off its colors. At the end of the six foot long Salamander was a strong flame, burning on its own accorded and not harming the creature in the least.

"Well, aren't you magnificent!" The red head cooed while crouching down to it and patting its head. It purred back with a smile of its own. Bring her wand up, Kirche chanted the next spell for binding this creature as her Familiar.

Suddenly, at the sight of what her 'Rival' had summon started to make Louise regret making that proclamation yesterday. 'How could I be so stupid!' She mentally scolded herself 'No mage knows what Familiar they'll get, so how would I know I would call up the greatest?' It was that thought that reminded her of that title. That insult of a title that-

"Louise Valliere."

Louise shook her head from her thoughts at her name being called and took a quick deep breath and marched forth. It was time to shed that insult of a title.

So, when she reach the spot next to Professor Colber, it was with great confidence she raised her wand and began to her own chant.

"My servant that exists in this vast universe!" She started, getting a few students confused and wonder what sort of spell she was using.

"My wise, divine, powerful and beautiful servant heed my call!" Louise went on, holding her arm high "Fulfill my wish and appear!" And swung her arm down.

Not a moment latter was there an explosion, blowing them all back and clouding the place with smoke.

All around curses, insults and coughing could be heard around her because of her 'Summoning spell'.

'No, not another failure!' Her mind screamed. This wasn't suppose to happen. Not the explosion, or knocking down the others or blasting Colbert away; how could this day get any worse?!

Her answer was in the form of a strong wind that blew away the smoke and reviled-

"A doll?" She asked looking at the half foot object at her feet. Admittedly, it look rather adorable with its hooded cloak with midnight blue coloring. The tip of the hood seemed to come up and swirl forwards in a sort of spiral shape.

"Louise summoned a toy doll?" Some one laughed while looking at the said toy.

"Is it one of your old toys Louise?" Asked another in amusement.

"I would say she always lives up to expectation, but this beats past that!" Another jeered while pointing at the doll.

"I-I-It was a mistake!" Louise said in her defense, flushing in embarrassment. She didn't think things could go any more badly, but things did.

"Now class," Started Colbert that was just now recovering from a almost point blank blast "There is no reason to tease Louise". Turning to the young Valliere and the doll that laid before her, he could only sigh. She was to summon a Familiar creature, yet got some toy. The summoning was a success in a sense. Only…it brought an inanimate object and not some creature like it should.

'How do I deal with a situation like this?' He asked himself in thought. In truth, nothing like this has ever happened. You either summon your Familiar and continue on, or nothing and fail.

"Professor Colbert, please let me try again!" Louise pleaded as her fellow students continued to badger her on her supposed failure.

"I cant do that Louise and you know it." He said sadly to the deflated student before him. No matter how he looked at this situation, he would doubt any of the Teachers would recognize this as a summons, even if he put his words in.

With a heavy sigh he said to the surrounding students "Today's summoning rituals are over, you are all dismissed." before looking back at the small pinkette while the rest of the student body left.

As they left, Louise looked down at the doll that laid there before her and kneeled down to it. How did things turn out down so badly? She was to summon something great, but instead some force beyond her comprehension decided to throw a useless toy in her face! If she wasn't a mockery before, she truly was now!

"Miss Valliere…" He started, having a hard time looking at the girl who was picking up the doll from the ground. He could see a few tears roll down her cheek as she turned to look at him. He felt slightly heart broken while looking at Louise's glossy eyes that threatened to pour out a water fall of tears. He knew this was her last chance to go on as being a Mage, but now?

He could only sigh again as he informed her "Louise, you are to go to your dorm and pack up your things and be ready to leave in two days. We will inform your family of your return." With that he turned around and left.

After waiting a few moments, Louise got up and rubbed away the tears that were still on her face and went to her room, looking at the six inch tall doll the whole way.

'Why?' She thought while passing up some first year students 'Why is my life always centered around failure?' She turned to her left and continue down the hall, still trying to figure out her dilemma. Things seem to never turn out for the best.

Once she did make it to her room and lock the door, she couldn't help but look at the doll one last time before letting her emotions out and claps where she was to cry. By now night was upon the Academy as she let out her tears that dripped onto the doll, staining its little cloths with more darker spots.

She stayed like that for a while before wiping her eyes with her arm, sniffing as she did. She felt tired, and wanted some sleep. Tomorrow she would pack her things, but right now…she just wanted to sleep.

Lifting her self up with slight difficulty, she set the doll down on the table, sitting it up along the vase before undressing herself and putting on her night gown. From there she put her wand down on her night stand and put out the candle light, then went under her comforter and closed her eyes for a very unrestful slumber.

An hour latter, all was silent. No sound was made and only dark shadows remain as the night went on. Then, some movement could be seen in the dark. Slowly, two yellow spots appeared in the shadowed hood of the doll as its body twitched. Slowly, it sat up on its own before stretching as if wakening up from some sort of sleep.

Using its hands that were hidden under the sleeves of the cloak, it leaped up onto its feet and look about. Confusion was the first thing to come to mind. Where was he? How did he get there? What was that green thing from before?

These questions were brought to a halt at the sound of sniffling to his left, right, drawing his attention. From the table he stood on he could see a bed, and what look like a… moving lump?

Curiosity getting the best of the small doll, it jumped down from the table, landing in a crouch, before running up to the bed and jumping an impressive three feet. It barley reached the edge of the bed before grasping onto the blanket and pulling himself up. After that, he made his way along the bed and over the mounds that shifted a bit on there own.

Reaching the head of the bed, he glanced down to find a face of a young Human girl. He tilted his head to the side in confusion. Normally, Humans looked peaceful in there sleep, but this one seemed restless. The frown on her lips, the slight sniffles and to top it, the tear stains on her cheeks.

'Why is she sad?' He wondered, walking in front of her face. He couldn't help but lift his cloth hand and gently wipe away another tear that was now making its way down her cheek. It was then that one of her arms that was under her pillow, come out and catch him in a hug and being joined by another arm. It was here that he was stuck with her 'cuddling' him as she slept.

Normally this would be fairly embarrassing to any other, but for him it wasn't. it felt rather nice actually, as he could see a faint smile on her face now. It had been a long time since he saw another Human, and even longer seeing one smile. Perhaps he can just lay here and let her sleep, with him as her tedybear of sorts.

-The next morning-

Louise's eyes fluttered a bit as the sun shown down on her face, coxing her to wake up for the day. She really didn't want to. For one, she was having a more better sleep then she thought, and didn't want to get up. The next was it was nice under the covers and being snuggled under them. And finally, she didn't want to stop cuddling the small doll in her-

'Wait…doll?'

Almost immediately, Louise got up and looked down at the small doll that was in her arms, now laying before her. She couldn't help but blink a few times in confusion. She turned her eyes to the table with the vase and thought 'Dint I leave it on my table?'

She was sure she did, but maybe she didn't. she was tiered last night. Perhaps she took the doll off the table and looked at it before falling back to sleep?

"Whatever, it doesn't matter now." She practically growled while getting out of bed and getting dressed. Picking up her wand off the night stand and tucking it away, she went to work on putting away her things.

During which, she failed to see a certain Doll watch her do all this. It remained silent, only opting to watch her go about packing before asking in a child like voice "Why are you packing?"

The bundle of clothing Louise had in her arms suddenly dropped out from surprise and she turned around and almost yelled in fright "Who's there?"

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to frighten you." She heard the voice say, tracking it back to her bed were she found the Doll standing there on its own.

She couldn't help but gasp out "W-what? D-did you- a-are you?" She couldn't put it together, the Doll was standing and looking at her with what looked like yellow dots for eyes.

It only blinked and gave a confused look before asking "Is something the matter?"

"Yes!" She exclaimed, pointing at the current impossibility "Your talking, and standing and, and…" Louise really couldn't find the words. After all, what would most do when a Doll just got up and started to talk.

It only tilted its head the other way in confusion as she went on. "You're a Doll! Dolls aren't suppose to move and talk and watch like you are now!"

"I'm not a Doll." He stated, making the ex-Mage stop in her tracks.

"Then what are you?" She demanded.

"I'm a Puppet." Stated the 'Puppet' before happily saying "And my Name's Hurmy."

Seeing only polite she said "I am Louise Francoise le Blanc de la Valliere."

He looked at her blankly with a "…uhh…"

Sighing she said simply "I'm Louise."

"Oh, ok." he said happily while nodding. Leaving her slightly dumbfounded.

This was all so confusing. Like why was he now of all times, showing his ability to move and talk?

'Wait a moment.' She thought coming to a realization 'My summoning spell didn't fail, it worked!' But when she looked down at the Puppet, it didn't fill her with that much pride. But, then again…

"Hurmy…are you my Familiar?" she wasn't sure why she was asking, but there was a slight hope that he would know.

"Familiar?" He repeated with confusion again.

"Yes, a Familiar." She stated, only to be met with a blank face. Seeing as he had no clue what she was talking about, she tried a different rout "You know, like a servant?"

At that moment his eyes seemed to have gained a glow of recognition "Oh, like a Puppeteer!" It seemed strange to her, but he sounded happy when he said that. Never the less, it was close to the same, so she nodded.

"So you want to be my Puppeteer?" He asked excitedly. She liked the enthusiasm that he showed towards her, but it also confused her in some way.

"Why are you so excited?" She asked the Puppet, decide ding to take a seat on her bed. No sooner did she, id she find him jumping up on her shoulder and sitting down on it and explain.

"I'm a Puppet without a coordinator of sorts." He said sounding a bit glum "I enjoy fallowing others, it gives me purpose. I use to have a Master of sorts, but he past away. He gave me one last order that I plan to fulfill."

Now interested Louise asked "And what was it?"

Turning to her he said "To pass on his Puppet art." He eye smiled while looking to her "I made a wish that I would find my next Puppeteer, and then I was sent here."

"Was he a Mage?" She blurted out, wondering if Hurmy was a construct of sorts.

Hurmy chuckled at her questioned and answered "I guess you could say that." Still laughing a tinny bit "But I don't know if it's the same. But in any case, if fate has brought me to be your Familiar, I will accept."

The Valliere nodded and said "If so, I want to make the contract." She only received a confused look before explaining "In order for you to be seen as my Familiar I need to bind you to a contract. To do that I need you to off my shoulder."

"Oh" He said, hopping off her shoulder and standing on her bed. From there Louise pulled out her wand and silently prayed that this would work.

With a deep breath she lifted her wand and chanted "Petigon of five, please bless this being that he might be my Familiar." Taping his forehead that was still hidden behind shadow before kissing his forehead. The whole time he dared not move, waiting for when his Puppeteer finish.

"There it's done." She said with a small tinge of pink on her cheeks. Even if he wasn't human and it was only to seal the contract, she still felt embarrassed to do the kiss.

It didn't take long for the effects to settle in as a light shown from under his cloak. Once more curious, Hurmy opened the front of his cloak to show Runes inscribing themselves onto his chest. He was rather fascinated as they drew themselves on, and felt a strange feeling go thru him, like he was given some new ability that his Puppet Master didn't teach him.

For Louise, it was something different. She felt joy! She was a Mage for sure, and this proved it! She wasn't a (complete) failure, she didn't need to pack up, she-

"Oh no!" Louise gasped in sudden realization "We need to find Mr. Colbert!" She franticly said, hastily grabbing the half foot Puppet and rushing to the door.

"Huh?" Was his only response as she rushed out the door and thru the stone hallways.

"I'll explain on the way!" Louise said still in panic mode. She needed to find Colbert now!

As she kept on rushing thru the halls, she spotted a maid doing her rounds. Coming to a halt at the main, surprising her, she said with some huffs "Have you seen Professor Colbert?"

Working thru the shock she stuttered "Y-yes Ma'am, he's in the laboratory."

Nodding a quick thanks, Louise was going to start running again before Hurmy said "Louise, can you please set me on your shoulder, I don't like being swung around like a rag doll."

Looking down in her hand, like the even more surprised Maid, she found Hurmy looking slightly dazed from her swinging her arm about while running. She had forgotten about him in all the rush.

"Sorry Hurmy." Louise apologized, setting the Puppet on her shoulder where he seemed to cling to, ready for her to take off. To which, she did.

The Maid could only watch as both Mage and living Puppet sped down the corridors towards the lab with utter disbelief. With a sigh she went back to work muttering "Why cant they enchant the feather dusters to do the dusting?"

-The Tristain Academy Laboratory-

Inside the smoothed out room that held a number of desks, test-tubes, papers, pencils and the occasional forgotten item. On one table (more like three put together) was an assortment of jars, tubs and such with one ever so curious Professor that was mixing the compounds together to hopefully create something worth while. All he had to do was add just a smidge more of the bluish liquid…

It was at this moment the door slammed open with an accompany yell of "Professor Colbert!"

With the sudden shock of interruption, he could only watch helplessly as the concoction dripped an over amount into the other. He closed his eyes and…nothing…

Reopening them he found that it seemed to be stable and didn't explode. He let out a sigh of relief and set it down. Looking to the door he found Miss Valliere at the door with heavy breathing as she leaned on the door.

"Miss Valliere. Why did you rush in so unannounced?" Though he was a bit irked at her almost ruining his experiment, Colbert really didn't have the heart to tell the girl off after the events of yesterday. Most would find this situation the sort of were the Pinkette would plead one last chance before being sent off school grounds. However, the Valliere didn't have that sort of sad or aggressive air around her. It was more of a…

"Professor, the summoning wasn't a failure!" Were her words after calming herself down from whatever run she did to find him. But what she said didn't make sense.

"What do you mean Miss Valliere?" He asked before she took her open hand and brought it up to one of her shoulders were a Doll sat. it was then he did a double take as it was the same Doll she summoned. Then had to rub his eyes as said Doll hopped off her shoulder and onto her awaiting hand.

Smiling, Louise put out her hand with a carefully balanced Doll and introduced "Hurmy, this is professor Colbert, one of the teachers here. Professor, this is Hurmy; he's a Puppet."

'Hurmy' did an eye smile with his yellow eyes that had some type of glow, and waved "Hi!"

Colbert could only look on in surprise and some level of shame. He just failed a student that actually succeeded in the summonds… "What of the contract?" He asked so to be sure.

What he got was a bright smile from Louise and a Puppet moving his cloak open so he could see the chest were the rune was inscribed. Without missing a beat, the Teacher went over to his notes and began to replicate the rune onto it.

"Remarkable!" He commented "I've never seen a rune like this! Is it what brought him to life?" Colbert asked quickly while he continued to write down what was before him.

With a shake of her head she replied "No, he was already moving on his own."

After finishing up on what he was writing, Colbert turned to the young girl and said "Go on and relax Louise. I think this is what you needed to stay."

With a smile and a bow, Louise exited out with a "Thank you!" Cry coming from Hurmy.

Colbert only chuckled and turned around to put the equipment away so he might fix the damage he had done to the poor girl. Unfortunately, when he did turn around he found that his supposedly 'Stable' concoction was more unstable then he thought.

"Oh dear…"

The room was slowly flooding with green, bubbling slime that never cease to come out from the container he put it in. This will take a while.