Care for Magical Creatures was the last lesson of your Monday. Professor Inuarashi had the whole class gathered in the yard, not too far from the border of the Forbidden Forest.

Afternoon periods were reserved for elective subjects, so students from all Houses were taking them together. You sat with Heat and Ginrummy, who were the only other Slytherins there.

«Welcome back to Hogwarts, kids. This year is going to be very special, I saw a few of you have already put their name in the Goblet.» the Professor smiled proudly «Magical creatures have always played a role in the Triwizard Tournament before, so I want to focus my lessons on what may be useful to our champions.»

«Kid and Killer should be here.» Heat mumbled.

«The creep for Ravenclaw certainly is.» Ginrummy said, hinting towards Law, who sat with his usual crew.

«You know, it could actually be a problem if Trafalgar is selected.» you whispered «People call him the best novice of our year.»

«Screw people!»

You turned to see who hissed that. Bartolomeo was sitting not too far and obviously had eavesdropped your conversation.

«Luffy is the one and only champion of Hogwarts-dabe!»

Your lips curled.

«...right.»

«Hey, Slytherin, are you speaking lowly of–»

«You right there!» Inuarashi barked «Focus! Gryffindor and Slytherin, minus 5 points each!»

«Oh gosh!» you groaned, dropping your head on your knees.

«As I was saying,» the teacher continued «our past greatly affects who we are, and who we are greatly affects our magic. Sometimes, rough stories make for superior wizards. Today's lesson will be a good example.»

He pulled out a piece of meat from a lather bag hanging from his belt and threw it a few feet away, in a little clearing right out of the first trees.

Nothing happened for a few seconds, then you heard a low whinny and hoofs approaching. Immediately after, pieces of meat began to be torn apart and disappear.

You yelped.

«Woha! This must be...!»

«Threstal.» Inuarashi confirmed «Now, most of you can't see them, but there are at least three Threstals in the clearing right now. They are not dangerous if not disturbed and approached the right way, but obviously it's difficult to do so.» he cleared his voice «If someone can see them and feels okay sharing it, you can try to get closer. I'll give 40 points to whomever manages to ride one.»

You swallowed. Since you lost so many points already, it was a good chance to make up for it. Unfortunately, all you could see was the dust moving around and the meat almost gone.

«Who knows the condition to be able to see these animals?»

Your hand rose, but Inuarashi picked Laura.

«You can see them if you saw someone dying.»

«Good, five points to Hufflepuff. Now, nobody wants to try?»

A few seconds of silence passed, then Trafalgar Law slowly stood.

«Can you see them, kid?»

The wizard nodded.

«Then you're on. Someone else?»

Next was Drake, another student from Ravenclaw. After him, Heat.

You were caught by surprise.

«Dude, you can see them?»

«Yes.»

One by one, all the students started to clumsily approach the clearing, even the ones who were just walking in the darkness, so you stood up with a sigh.

Drake was the first to successfully climb a Threstal. It was weird seeing him fluctuating in the air.

Soon, the wizards were dispersed, with Inuarashi walking around to check the various situations.

Okay, hum... how am I supposed to pat on the head something I don't even see? I hope it's not the butt.

You walked closer to a piece of meat being torn apart.

«Hem... easy, horsey?» you muttered, stretching a hand. You could hear him grunting.

«Y/n-ya, freeze.»

Law's firm voice came from your side, and something in the way he spoke made you listen.

«W-What?» you asked, still.

«There's one Threstal behind you, and doesn't look pleased. I think you're approaching her foal.»

«Great.» you grumbled, paying attention not to move.

«Just stay still. I'll lure them away.»

Law extracted the wand, pointing it at the meat.

«Wingardium Leviosa»

The piece started levitating, and he drove it in another direction. According to the sounds he made, the foal happily followed it, and his mother with him.

«It's fine, you can move now.»

You sighed, feeling your body relax. The Ravenclaw just turned and proceeded to walk away.

«Trafalgar, wait!»

He shot you a glance over his shoulder.

«What?»

«Well... thanks.»

«I didn't do it for you, I did it for the course. If someone gets injured, it's likely to be suspended.»

Well, he's one honest guy.

«But still. I owe you one.»

Law shrugged.

«And so...» you chew your inner cheek as he scoffed in annoyance.

«And so what?»

You stared at him.

«Watch out for the Vinsmoke trio. I think they are planning something for you.»

«Oh?» he lifted his eyebrow «And why are you telling me? "The House comes first", isn't it our motto?»

«The House is important, but it's not everything.»

«Careful, Slytherin. Your friendly mates might hear you.»

You offered him a smirk.

«Maybe you're taking this the wrong way: I told you so we're even. If I walk into a match between you and the brothers, don't count me on your side.»

Law snorted, walking away.

«Don't worry about me, Y/n-ya. It's the Vinsmokes you should fear for.»

As a tradition for the first day, all the students were required to gather in the Great Hall an hour before dinner, so the teachers could announce the new Head Boy and Girl of the year, along with the prefects and some other stuff like that. That left you with a couple of free hours after the last lesson.

It was starting to rain, so most of you rushed inside the castle. You were about to take the stairs down the dungeons when you ran into Momonosuke and Chimney back from their first Flying lesson.

«It was WONDERFUL!» the blond little girl was yelping. The boy looked rather annoyed by her enthusiasm.

«It was okay.» he grunted.

«Hey!» you waved at them.

«Y/n-senpai!»

«Oh, the Slytherin lady!»

«How was your first day?»

«Fine I guess.» Momo mumbled.

«You guess? I was all over the place after my first lesson with Prof. Jinbe.»

Chimney patted his shoulder with a grin.

«He fell from the broom.»

Momonosuke pushed her away.

«I didn't! I just slid a little!»

A soft giggle erupted from your lips and the child lowered his eyes with an embarrassed grimace.

«Don't beat yourself over it, Momo! Can you keep a secret?»

He raised his face, slightly interested now.

«What?»

«Well... Monkey D. Luffy fell from his broom too the first day. So did Cracker.»

His eyes opened wide.

«Really?»

«Sure.»

You winked at him.

Chimney tilted her head.

«See? I told you it was no big deal. I'll see you later.»

Momonosuke weakly waved at her before following you down to the dungeons.

«It's nice to see a Slytherin and a Gryffindor hanging out together from the beginning.» you smiled.

«She's just stuck to my shadow.» he muttered.

Quite a few people were already in the common room, chilling. There were Charlotte Flampe and Pudding, the two bitches of Slytherin, already gossiping between each other; Killer and Blue Gilly were talking by the fire, while Charlotte Raisin and Suleiman were playing Wizard's Chess.

Momonosuke stiffened beside you.

«Hey, don't be agitated.» you tried your best reassuring smile «The moment the Sorting Hat sent you here, Slytherin became your new family. Even if they can be a little rough around the edges sometimes, all the people here will fiercely defend you against anything outside.»

The kid shot you a doubtful glance.

«They don't even know me.»

«Doesn't matter. You are a Slytherin.»

You patted his head and headed to the stairs for the girls' dorm. Everyone greeted you absent-mindedly, with Killer lightly touching your arm.

Like the men's, the female wing was divided in seven rooms, one for each grade. After a warm shower, you entered the sixth one. Perona and Ginrummy were chatting around while throwing different clothes on their beds.

«Y/n! You're gonna be late again!» Ginrummy sighed.

Perona rolled her eyes.

«As always.»

She was right.

Your hair was only half dry while you ran behind your roommates muttering your signature "shitshitshit", trying to hurry and buttoning up your uniform all together. The common hall was already empty.

You reached the Great Hall with some other usual latecomers, so you, Zoro and Penguin greeted each other with an understanding nod.

The four long tables were nowhere to be seen, but hundreds of chairs were placed in tidy lines in front of the professors' platform. Most of the students had already taken a seat, but luckily the ceremony had not started yet and everybody was still chatting.

«Y/n!» Perona waved at you from the side and you dived into the crowd to reach the place she saved for you. As always, the Houses were well divided, so you found yourself surrounded by Slytherins.

Kid's crew sat right behind you, and he finally looked alright, sneering beside Wire. He didn't look at you, though.

«Okay kids, now be quiet.» the thundering voice of Principal Edward echoed in the room. You noticed that Aokiji, the man from the Minister, was still sat on his right.

The hall was silent in a second.

«Good guys. The sooner we're done with this, the sooner we eat. First of all, I ask the head professor of each House to step forward and announce the new prefects of the year.»

Prof. Akagami, Prof. Jinbe, Prof. Dracule and Prof. Donquixote stood and walked around the table to face the students.

Shanks looked rather bored as he started to read the list in his hand.

«Okaaay, so, prefects for Gryffindor. Fifth year: Haruta and Nefertari Vivi. Congratulations. Sixth year: Margaret and Sabo...»

Every name was followed by a quick clapping and friends patting each others' shoulders.

After he was done, Jinbe announced the prefects for Hufflepuff and Mihawk the ones for Ravenclaw. Finally, Doflamingo eyed his list.

«Fufufu, let's see who we have for Slytherin. Fifth year: Charlotte Pudding and Saldeath. Yeah, very impressive. Sixth year: Cavendish and L/n D. Y/n. More interesting. Seventh year: Charlotte Katakuri and Charlotte Smoothie. So obvious it's boring.»

You loudly gasped when you heard your name and stared at Prof. Donquixote, who just smirked at you.

«Congratulations, Y/n!» Heat whispered from behind, while Perona shook her head.

«It must be a mistake. We cannot have you as a prefect, we're so screwed!»

Wow, so much for my bestie.

You groaned, dropping your head.

«This just means more work for me!»

The head professors went back to their places, and the principal took the word once again.

«It's my pleasure to name Charlotte Katakuri and Wanda Head Boy and Head Girl of the year. Do your best, kids.»

You all clapped.

«The second thing on the agenda is the confirmation of the Quidditch teams. Monkey D. Sabo, Neptune Fukaboshi, Diez Drake and Charlotte Katakuri: stood up, please.»

«Just how many times was Katakuri named already?» Cavendish huffed near you.

The four guys obeyed. Since they were all from different Houses, they were rather far from each other.

«As captains of your teams, you are requested to arrange the training rotation and confirm your team members to Professor Jinbe by the end of the week. And now...»

Rolling drums spread in the hall. Glancing around, you noticed Professor Brook beating on the instrument from a corner. Principal Edward smiled knowingly.

«I'm glad to present you the Quidditch matches calendar.»

The drums increased their volume as Prof. Rocinante gracefully agitated his wand in the air. Silver sparks erupted from it and formed floating words in the air when Brook reached his climax.

30th Oct.

Hufflepuff Vs. Slytherin

13th Nov.

Gryffindor Vs. Ravenclaw

22nd Jan.

Slytherin Vs. Gryffindor

5th Feb.

Ravenclaw Vs. Hufflepuff

25th Mar.

Hufflepuff Vs. Gryffindor

12th Apr.

Slytherin Vs. Ravenclaw

2nd May

Match for 3rd place

20th June

Final match

Kid leaned over you.

«Sweet. We get to kick the flabby ass first.»

You sneered.

«We open with Hufflepuff? This is too easy.»

Killer called for your attention.

«The day after they will announce our champions for the Triwizard Tournament! We have to shine!»

Nearby, Raisin relaxed on his seat.

«With brother Katakuri we have nothing to fear. Both the Quidditch and the Triwizard cups will be ours.»

Kid's eyes sharpened at the comment.

«Hey!»

«Don't listen to him.» Killer warned «You know how these Charlottes are, all fawning over their older brother.»

People were whispering excited among the other Houses too.

After a couple of minutes, the floating words disappeared and the principal cleared his voice.

«One last thing before dinner, kids! You probably noticed we have a guest.» he hinted towards Mr. Aokiji, who lazily waved «As you know, he's here to supervise the organization of the Triwizard Tournament for the Ministry. However, it would be rude from our part not to keep our guest entertained, so we decided to organise a little something for Friday night: the first session of the Duelling Club will be open to the public and will consist in sparring matches among the contenders. Let's show the Ministry what you got, kids!»

«Hell yeah!» Protgas D. Ace roared among his brothers.

Mikita elbowed you.

«Are you gonna sign up this year?»

«Nope.» you shook your head «Prefect and Quidditch is already enough. For all the rest I'll be just a spectator.»

Killer chuckled from behind and you turned, slightly annoyed.

«What.»

«Stop saying it, Y/n, it ain't gonna happen.»

You scoffed.

«I'll prove you wrong, blondie. I'll prove you all wrong!»

Kid shrugged.

«Sure, sure.»

You crossed your arms, pouting.

«You'll see.»