At the table of blue and bronze, amidst the students chattering over their breakfast, as jokes were told and laughs were shared, only one small girl sat all alone.

Miserably, she looked over at the other first years who ignored her pitiful gaze like she didn't exist at all.

Completely invisible

As the blonde first-year struggled not to cry, it was hard to ignore the brutal voice in her head that sounded suspiciously like her father.

'You're not good enough,' that was all the letter her father had written to her had said upon finding out she was placed in Ravenclaw and not Slytherin.

She'd prefer it if he'd packed a letter with razor blades and sent it to her. It'd probably hurt less.

Things only got worse when classes started.

She kept messing up the Lumos spell because of her stutter, she accidentally kept lighting her match on fire instead of turning it into a needle.

'It's because you're stupid.' The voice whispered in her ear.

She kept pricking herself on the spiky bush in Herbology.

'Because you're useless,' It murmured viciously.

Potions turned out to be the worst. Severus Snape was intimidating at best and downright nasty at worst, especially to her. Though her brother got along with his Godfather, Professor Snape was not a patient man and she made too many mistakes for his liking.

His glare just reminded her of how pointless it was to keep trying. All she'd ever done is screw things up.

Fifteen points. She'd lost her house fifteen points on her first day and now she had to pay the price.

Carina Malfoy sat all alone at the Ravenclaw table, iced out by the Ravenclaws for being too stupid, hated by the Gryffindors for being a Malfoy, avoided by the Hufflepuffs because of her brother, and loathed by the Slytherins for being weak.

Even her brother was ignoring her, though probably because of how stressed he was, which she could do nothing to help him with.

Her father was right.

She wasn't good enough. She was just a disappointment to the Malfoy name.

As she sniffled, wishing she could disappear, only one soul was kind enough to approach the sulking girl.

A figure sat down across from Carina, the same patch of blue on her robes, and said, "You have quite a lot of Pippindimplers."

Carina jumped and looked up at the figure, confused. She brushed away the tears in her eyes to see who had approached her.

It was a girl, about the same age as Carina with straggly, waist-length blonde hair- a few shades darker than Carina's platinum blonde. She has a rather pretty face except for her protuberant silver eyes which stared off into space and raised eyebrows which made her look surprised at all times. She somehow seemed as if she was looking right into Carina's soul and somewhere else entirely at the same time. Her wand was held behind her left ear and she wore a jingling necklace around her neck of small bottles which had something glittery tucked inside them.

"You're Loony?" Carina asked, with a frown, remembering the other Ravenclaw girls calling her that.

"Luna Lovegood," The girl said rather plainly as if she was not offended at all, "They call me that to make fun of me."

"Oh, I'm so sorry, I didn't know," Carina stuttered out, ashamed she had insulted someone.

"Don't worry," Luna smiled, "It doesn't hurt me. I'm rather more concerned about my shoes. They've gone missing again."

"Your shoes?" Carina asked, "Why would your shoes go missing?"

"Broonies, I'm assuming. They hide in the walls and take things for their nests. My shoes make a rather comfortable bed, I suppose."

Carina nodded seriously like that made sense.

"Is there a way to get them back?" Carina asked curiously, not wanting her to go around barefoot all the time.

Luna smiled brightly, "It's quite alright. Things always have a way of coming back to you. Even if not in the way you expect."

Carina couldn't help but smile at the girl, the only one willing to approach her. She didn't feel so miserable anymore.

"Um, I'm Carina," she said, hopefully, purposefully leaving out her last name in hopes the girl wouldn't dash away like the others.

"I know," Is all Luna said.

"Um," Carina frowned, her words getting stuck in her throat like they always do. Despite her shaking hands and fear of the word 'No', Carina powered through and asked, "Do you want to be my friend?"

Luna beamed, her smile brighter than the sun. "You always ask me that. In every Universe, and every time and every moment I've ever seen."

"Uh…" Is that a yes, Carina wanted to ask, unable to follow the girls' thought pattern.

"And I'll always say yes. For there is no world where you and I are not friends."

And Carina smiled for the first time since stepping foot into Hogwarts.

Carina was right. Her brother was stressed.

Incredibly stressed.

And the main factor was the black furry coat laying at his feet. The red-eyed beast pretended to sleep but Draco knew better.

He was lucky to have a familiar, that was what everyone said. His mother and Carina had been the only ones to see how truly horrifying the beast was.

Familiars are supposed to match you. Potter had a freaking phoenix and the Girl-Who-Lived had a massive tiger.

What did it say about Draco that his match was a freaking hellhound?

Their bond, from what he read also wasn't normal. Draco couldn't feel anything from the bond- just a big, black gaping hole in his chest that felt like he was carrying around a dementor in his pocket- sucking up all of his happiness and leaving only misery.

'Stupid dog,' Draco thought bitterly. Any thoughts of jealousy from the Potter's last year had melted away. He'd give anything to get rid of the creature and its ever-soul-sucking presence.

He rubbed the cold spot around his chest. It never went away, no matter what he did.

Draco was ready to strangle everyone around him at the drop of the hat and his main concern- his sister wasn't helping.

In addition to his new tagalong, he also had to worry about his baby sister, who he'd caught being bullied three times on the very first day.

'If she can't learn to toughen up, she doesn't deserve the Malfoy name,' was all their father said when he brought up his concerns.

Great parenting, the twelve-year-old boy thought sarcastically. He brushed a hair through his messy platinum blonde hair, having been too stressed lately to comb it back like he usually did.

Just when he thought the bullying was bad, he noticed she'd gotten tangled up with Loony Lovegood. The daughter of a half-blood whose only achievement was a rubbish magazine. Not to mention the man had taken Dumbledore's side in the last war.

Their father would be furious and all of that anger would be directed at his baby sister who couldn't defend herself from a fly.

No, Draco had to nip this in the bud and he had to do it fast. She needed a proper friend, one he could control or bribe to keep an eye on the timid Carina.

And the perfect one just walked in.

Killian Grey spared him not a single glance, walking into the library like a lion into its den. He took his sweet time, as students in the way automatically parted for him- no matter their year or house. Despite only being a fourth year, Killian was not to be taken lightly.

The Noble House of Grey was respected by all sides- even feared.

'Never associate with a Grey,' His father had warned him last year.

Well, it was too late for that, Draco thought.

He swallowed uncomfortably as Killian took a seat across from him, propping his feet on the table without so much of a glance from Irma Pince- the unpleasant librarian whose favorite pastime was shushing noisy children.

Killian sent him a smirk as if he had all the time in the world but the calculating glint in his eye left no mistake. From the moment he had been spotted, Killian was analyzing him, waiting for the slightest mistake or hiccup.

Draco had learned from last year, however. There would be no slip-ups. Not when his baby sister was concerned.

"Grey," Draco nodded his head in greeting, face blank.

Killian's smirk deepened. "Malfoy. A little bird told me you were in need of my services."

"That's correct," Draco said impassively, never once taking his eyes off the lazy boy in front of him.

"Oh? And what is it you need?" Killian tilted his head.

"I'm not a fan of mice," Draco said meaningfully, "I assume you have a way to deal with them?"

Killian's eyes narrowed on him but then he flicked his wrist under the table and the spell surrounded them like an air bubble. Faelan growled at his feet, shifting uncomfortably and Draco stiffened just the tiniest bit but Killian looked unworried.

"I've heard of your new familiar. It's the talk of the town," Killian said with a glance at the black dog. "Very unusual, isn't he? Red eyes are a bit unsettling, don't you think?"

And the snake in raven's skin looked at him, the perfect bait laid out in a trap. Anything Draco said was information and information is power to the Greys.

'Don't take your eyes off them for a second, Draco,' His father's voice reminded him.

"I have a request for you," Draco said instead, taking Killians' eyes off his familiar. Killian smirked knowingly but thankfully, relented.

"And what do you have in mind? More information on those Potters?"

"No."

Draco smirked inwardly when Killian shot him a look of surprise, glad to have the upper hand now.

"Blackmail, then? Political sabotage? Perhaps, smuggling and trafficking? I'm afraid I'm all out of firewhiskey and cigarettes."

"No," Draco said firmly, "I want to make a deal."

Killian's grin stretched across his face. "State your terms."

"My sister, Carina, was sorted into Ravenclaw. She's…" Draco hesitated on what word to use here.

Timid? Shy? As Unmalfoy-ish as could possibly be? No, he sounded way too much like his father.

Killian, however, answered for him.

"Ah, the little mouse." He nodded seriously. "Quite the faint-hearted one, isn't she? The snakes would've eaten her alive on the spot but us, Ravens. Well, we like to play with our food a bit."

Draco grit his teeth, gripping the edge of the table in order not to lose his composure.

"I've seen her being bullied multiple times," Draco said fiercely, "Which is why I want you to protect her."

Killian tilted his head, baffled. "Me? I don't do protection services, Malfoy."

"You take requests," Draco insisted, hurriedly. "I will owe you another favor."

Killian's eyes narrowed. "Another favor? You have quite a debt already, little Malfoy. You haven't paid up for that one yet and you think I'll deal with you again? I'm not afraid of taking what you owe right here, right now. But I doubt you'll find it pleasant."

The room dropped in temperature very quickly as Faelan leaped to his feet, red eyes glaring into Killian's as he growled once in warning.

There wouldn't be a second one.

Killian and Faelan stared one another down, neither backing down until finally, the pressure released and Killian sighed in defeat.

"Fine, fine. Call off your guard dog, Malfoy." Killian said bitterly.

Draco breathed a sigh of relief but Faelan didn't back down, eyes still on Killian, who only shrugged and turned to Draco with a frown.

"I won't take your request," He said, leaning back in his seat.

"What?" Draco sputtered, slamming his hands on the desk in response to his volatile emotions. "You just said-"

"I won't take your request," Killian repeated, eyes narrowed on him, "But I will make a deal with you. Not for a favor or anything of the like, though. Just an exchange of services."

"And what's that?" Draco sat back down, warily, not liking the pleased look in Killian's eye as he surveyed him.

"I will take Miss Carina Malfoy under my wing. No harm shall befall her during the length of our deal. In return, you must do the same with one of your Slytherins."

"What?" Draco asked, bewildered.

Killian shifted uncomfortably. "A first-year. I had hoped she would be placed in Ravenclaw where I could keep an eye on her but unfortunately, she is more snake than I had realized."

"So you want me to protect her?"

"Well, yes and no," Killian said vaguely.

"You're not making any sense." Draco bit out.

Killian sighed, running a hand through his black hair, "It's not her who needs protection. It's everyone around her."

"You mean she's a threat?" Draco put the pieces together, alarm growing.

Killian gave him a wry smile, "She's not malicious, more like a ticking time bomb. Any wrong move could set her off and I need someone to watch her- make sure the other Slytherins don't set her off."

"You want me to play babysitter to a bomb?" Draco growled.

Killian shrugged. "It's your choice to accept or not. She's in your house, either way, you'll be the one sorting the wreckage. But that mousey sibling of yours? Can she swim? I'm afraid they've been planning a little night-time dip for all her belongings."

Draco grit his teeth, ignoring the urge to lash out and flip over the desk. A ban from the library would be the last of his concerns- especially if he couldn't get someone to protect his sister.

But babysitting what Grey himself had admitted was akin to a bomb?

He shut his eyes tightly, weighing the pros and cons in his brain but ultimately, it was the thought of his little sister sobbing into her hands as the dragon plush he'd handmade for her floated down into the icy cold lake- that was what made up his mind.

"Deal," Draco offered his hand, biting back the scathing insults he wanted to unleash.

Killian smirked, "Nice doing business with you."

They shook hands and the deal was struck.

As Draco tugged his hand away, he bit out, "What's the name?"

For the first time, Killian actually looked hesitant, reluctant almost but ultimately, he sighed, meeting Draco's eyes as a familiar but unexpected name came from his mouth.

"Thana. Her name is Thana Grey."

Journal Series 01 Trial 05

Welcome Back, Pup!

Connected Journals:

"Lily-Flower", "Prongs", "Padfoot", "Moony", "Nevermore", "Doe", "Bookworm," "ChessMaster", "The Herbologist"

New Conversation:

("Pup"- To- "Doe", "Bookworm", "ChessMaster", And - "The Herbologist")

Pup: Did you guys get the journals I sent you?

Bookworm: These are fascinating! How do they work? There must be some complicated magic! You said your Aunt made them? Mother or Father's side? This sort of reminds me of what they are trying to do in the non-magical world. They just released the World Wide Web last month and it's absolutely amazing. I tried it while in France and I was able to communicate with a person in China! Instantaneously. Computers are a lot more expensive though and these journals are magical. Science and Magic aren't that different in my opinion.

ChessMaster: We get it. Cuold yuo not?

Bookworm: Honestly, Ronald. Spelling mistakes?

ChessMaster: Lay off, will you?

The Herbologist: Children, Behave.

Doe: Did you need something Harry? It's almost midnight.

Pup: I wanted to start a discussion about that chamber we found last year. Hermione managed to find someone to decipher it from Old English.

The Herbologist: Oh, yeah! Did you find anything cool in it?

Bookworm: Harry and I think it was written during the Founder's time. The letter was written by someone named Kassandra Alesius and she mentioned the names of "Lady Helga", "Lady Rowena", "Lord Salazar" and "Lord Godric". We think the chamber was actually built by the founders.

ChessMaster: Wicked! And nobody's found it before us?

Pup: As far as we could tell, No.

Doe: So did it give us any new information?

Bookworm: Well, the pages were split up into three parts. The first is the letter left behind by this Kassandra person. We know she is from the Elder House of Alesius and the daughter of Priam and Hecuba, which as far as I could research only referenced the ancient greek myth.

Pup: I dug through the Potter Grimoire and The Elder House of Alesius was actually descended from the greeks. They were a line of Seers who were cursed for no one to believe them. The Kassandra in that story was an ancestor of this Kassandra, as far as I know. They went into hiding after her publicized death so there's not much information besides that.

Bookworm: She also makes quite a few references to the 'Guardians of Old' but I'm not sure about that. I couldn't find anything relating to it. I couldn't find enough about Seeing to research but apparently, she believed that the prophecy she saw was a 'Constant' or a future that will always come to pass. She claimed that she saw the world being destroyed by these so-called Feopertine. She believed they were destined to destroy the world or rewrite it.

The Herbologist: Creepy. Destroy the world? Rewrite it? What does that even mean?

Doe: I think it means they're going to destroy the world or rewrite it.

Pup: Astute observation, Mara.

Doe: Thank you.

ChessMaster: But how?

Bookworm: That's the part I'm not sure of. Apparently, it's these stones that she gave to the founders which contained the dangerous magic. They made it so that only those with "Like-magic" may enter this chamber and find the stones. Like magic could mean anything so I'm not sure but the chamber door we found will only open once every stone has been placed in the correct impression. Even Kassandra didn't know what was behind the door.

Doe: Okay, then. What about the second part? You said there was a part of the prophecy with it right? Does it say anything?

Pup: That's what I'm researching. It wasn't written in Anglo-Saxon like the letter, it was written in Ancient Runes. I've been trying to decipher it but Ancient Runes is a third-year class so it's going really slowly. I don't want to bring attention by asking one of the upper years but I've managed to make out a few lines.

Pup: When four eras of silence hast passed, Feopertine shall arrive at long last. In the next lines, I only have a few words. A (the rune either means unyielding or safety, hard to tell) (No clue on this word) blood (Begins or Starts, I think), first (cold, Winter, snow, something like that). After that, I'm pretty much lost. But the use of the word era really has me baffled. In geological terms, an Era is thousands of years but in Ancient Runes, an era is only a couple hundred. Without the context, it's hard to tell what they consider to be an 'Era'.

ChessMaster: My head hurts. Can't these things be simple?

Bookworm: No. The last page I found is a riddle. Oppositely, it'll lead us to the next stone but there are fourteen lines in it so I'm having a hard time deciphering it. I did get the first four though.

Bookworm: To find the first of which you seek,

you hear me though I do not speak.

I watch your hours from day to night

The future and past are within my sight

I have my own guess but I'd rather wait until I have the full riddle to make a rash decision.

ChessMaster: It's a clock.

Pup: It's totally a clock.

Doe: Oh, I was thinking about the Astronomy tower. Day to night, thing? Future and past could refer to the stars.

The Herbologist: I thought it was a sand timer, I dunno. Isn't there one on McGonagall's desk?

Pup: Good point. Or a time-turner.

Bookworm: I said to wait until I have the full riddle! There are ten more lines. They could be a red herring for all we know.

Pup: Another good point. Plus, the school has gone through a lot of remodeling since the Founder's time. The Great Hall wasn't built until the 1600s. It could be a location that doesn't even exist anymore.

Bookworm: I'll keep deciphering it but in the meantime, all of you should focus on schoolwork. We can worry about saving the world later. We need to earn back all those points we got taken.

ChessMaster: It's Justin's fault! He kept pinching me the entire time and accusing me of pinching him! Then he called my family Trodglodites.

Bookworm: You mean troglodytes?

ChessMaster: That's what I said!

Pup: Do you even know what a troglodyte is?

ChessMaster: Well, no. But I know it wasn't anything good!

Bookworm: A troglodyte is often used as an inaccurate or slander word for a person with neanderthal or "caveman" qualities.

ChessMaster: I'm gonna kill him.

The Herbologist: I'll go stop him.

Pup: By the way, Mara. How did the entrance to the platform get stuck anyway?

Doe: Oh, well, look at the time, it's midnight. We really should be in bed. Big day tomorrow. Good night, love you, bye!

Pup: She's hiding something.

Bookworm: Like you've never done that before. Give it a rest, Harry. I'll see you tomorrow.

Pup: Night, Hermione.

Bookworm: Good night, Harry.

End Conversation