Killer exchanged a confused glance with Heat over your head while you leaned down to happily consume your meal.

«Today's breakfast is not bad at all!» you chimed, tongue darting out to collect some porridge from your lip «That's good, I really need all the energy I can get.»

Perona frowned, watching you eat with enthusiasm. Not once in six years she had seen you so beaming that early in the morning.

«Y/n, a question.» she started, leaning over the table to get closer «Did you take an anxiolytic potion or something? Remember when you tried to make one for that long-nose guy in Gryffindor, that didn't go very well.»

«Mph, what are ya talking about?» you mumbled with your mouth full «You know I suck at Potions, I couldn't possibly attempt that in one night!»

«Right...»

Perona leaned back and her eyes trailed onto Killer, who shook his head.

After seeing you so devoured by anxiety just the night before, it was clear something major had changed.

«Did you ask Gambia to fix you up with something?» Heat quietly asked.

«Wha--? No!» you swallowed the last bite and dropped the fork on the plate «I'm fine guys, I just figured it wasn't worth worrying too much, okay? Let's go now, we don't wanna be late for Prof. Donquixote.»

«Sure...»

Your group mixed with the crowd exiting the Great Hall and distributing into the various flights of stairs. Perona slowed down to walk beside Killer, just behind you.

«What kind of magic remedy do you thing she messed around with?» she whispered.

The blonde shrugged.

«Maybe she just snapped.»

«That's way worse!»

Transfiguration proceeded smoothly, and Charms after that.

Despite both classes being shared with Ravenclaw, you didn't even look at Trafalgar's way, this time.

After all, he had been nothing but unpleasant towards you since the beginning of the year, so he could stew in his misery for all you cared. You had more pressing matters at the moment anyway.

«Hey, Killer.» you called, walking out the castle to reach the greenhouse.

He turned to you.

«You speak Gaelic, right?»

His concealed eyebrow flicked below his thick bangs.

«Scottish Gaelic, kind of.» he confirmed «It would be more accurate to say I understand it though. I can't actually speak it much.»

«Really?»

Now that he mentioned it, you had never seen him start a conversation in that mysterious language. It was mostly Kid talking and Killer nodding, sometimes replying with a few sparse words.

«I see. Where did you learn?»

He remained silent for some time and you regretted asking. It could sound like an innocent question, but Killer rarely said anything about his past, and his blue eyes normally incinerated whomever dared bringing it up.

You were about to backtrack when he finally spoke.

«Kid taught it to me when we were children.» he simply said.

What?

Your eyes widened.

It was hard to picture Kid teaching anything of the sort to anyone, especially not as a child. You always thought they simply came from a region where Gaelic was still a school subject.

«Why the curiosity, all of a sudden?» Killer calmly asked, proceeding towards the greenhouses.

«Huh, nothing, I just wondered, since Kid often curses in Gaelic.»

The blond hummed but didn't press it further.

A little nervousness began to plague your mind again later that evening as the time of the scan approached. The guys remained nearby most of the time, but this time they didn't try to distract you or get you to talk about it. They simply hung out around you in the common room of Slytherin as the clock ticked forward.

Kid was busy with telekinesis practice the whole day and he never appeared. You subtly tried to check your palm a few times, but the outline of the rune couldn't be distinguished anymore.

When the time came, you took a deep breath and stood from the small sofa.

«You sure you have to go alone? Can't we come with you?» Perona asked with a tinge of concern.

You shook your head.

«No, they said only a tutor or something could accompany me. Meh, who needs adults anyway, right?»

«I can still walk with you though.» she stubbornly said, rising to her feel as well.

«You don't have to--»

«I will!»

You blinked, then a faint smile curved your lips.

«Fine.»

«Be careful coming back, both of you. People are all fired up about this Triwizard thing.» Killer said, watching you leave.

You waved at your friends before heading out of the House with Perona. You could hardly set foot outside, however, before a familiar voice stopped you on your track.

«Last minute as always, Miss L/n.»

Doflamingo was leaning against the stone door of the dungeon.

«Professor?» Perona gasped, stepping behind you.

He offered you his sly smirk and stood.

«Thank you for your thoughtfulness, Miss Gekko, but your presence won't be required.»

The girl frowned in confusion and you faced the blond.

«What do you mean, professor? I don't have a "trusted adult", so I can at least have a friend walking with me!»

Doflamingo scoffed but the sinister smirk never left his lips.

«You don't need it, because you do have a trusted adult. Or you meant to say that you don't trust me, Miss L/n?»

«You...?»

«Of course no one can prevent Miss Gekko to walk with us, if she insists.» the wizard added, although his words now harboured a hint of annoyance.

Perona swallowed and backed down immediately.

«I don't insist. So, huh, see you later, Y/n.»

You were still quite confused as you bid her goodbye. She had hardly disappeared beyond the stone door when Doflamingo started walking up the stairs.

«Stop lingering, Y/n, we don't have all night.»

You clicked your tongue and shuffled behind him.

«Wait, professor! Aren't you part of the scan committee anyway?»

He didn't slow down.

«As an expert of transfiguration, my skills are not needed for such procedure. In fact, I wasn't even invited.» he quickly glanced at you behind his shoulder «I'll be there as your tutor instead.»

Oh, so that's how it is. He wants a chance to assist.

«Are you even allowed to do that?» you muttered.

«When you confirm it, yes»

...you didn't ask me tho.

Despite his agenda, you had to admit you felt a little reassured by his presence.

You followed Doflamingo through the castle, towards the West Tower. Curfew was close, and fewer students were still roaming the corridors, mostly directed to their own houses. No further words were exchanged until you reached your destination.

Doflamingo led you to an area of the West Tower that was normally forbidden to students, near Professor Fushicho's office. Behind a heavy stone door, there was a quarter reserved to research, apparently. A couple of laboratories, a storage, and a wide room that looked like it was previously dedicated to teaching, given the old benches and desks gathered against two of the walls. The remaining perimeter was lined with libraries filled with ancient tomes. A big desk that resembled an altar was set near the ample window, the night beyond, and sumptuous armchairs designed a circle around a small sofa.

You barely registered all the details as you followed Doflamingo in, because your attention was immediately diverted to the people inside.

The armchairs were all occupied by professors: Corazon, Nico Robin, Dracule and Akagami. The Headmaster himself was standing by the altar, and, in front of him was maybe the most beautiful woman you had ever seen.

As the door closed behind you, most people turned to your direction. You lingered behind Doflamingo's robe.

«Is that...?»

«The Kuja Empress, yes.» he completed «Apparently they always bring in the higher ranks for you, Miss L/n.»

You clicked your tongue, a clouded expression taking up your features.

«Believe me, professor, I'd be happy to give them up.» you muttered.

Doflamingo smirked but didn't reply, stepping aside to expose you to the room.

Whitebeard turned to you with a smile, but your focus was still on the tall witch. She glanced your way, her lips twitching in annoyance and her chin tilting so high she might as well have glanced at the ceiling.

«Welcome, lass!» the Headmaster exclaimed with his impetuous voice «This is Boa Hancock. Miss Hancock is here to officially assess whether you're a Parseltongue.»

The witch rolled her eyes, not bothering to hide her peeve for one second. She had impossibly long, shiny black hair, tapered cat-eyes and a red robe that exposed a generous portion of her perfect forms. It was hard to avert your eyes from her glacial beauty.

«Professor Donquixote. I see you accompanied Miss L/n.»

You blinked as Whitebeard addressed Doflamingo, his tone less warm now.

The blonde only shrugged.

«Her uncle was not available, so I'm here to assist as her trusted adult.»

Whitebeard hummed and his gaze moved to you.

«Is that true, Y/n?»

«Huh, yes.»

You had the impression the Headmaster let out a brief, quiet sigh.

«Very well.» he addressed Doflamingo again «You may stay and watch from the sidelines, but I must ask you not to interfere with the process.»

«As long as Y/n is safe, I don't see why I should.» the other professor replied, his smirk never wavering. Then he gave you a curt nod and moved by the armchair occupied by Corazon.

The latter was grinning at you, but as soon as his brother approached, his smile disappeared and the two exchanged a dry greet.

«Oi, wench.»

Your attention was drawn by the unknown voice and you realized Boa Hancock had called for you.

«Sit, so we can get this over with.» she demanded, pointing at the couch with an impatient gesture.

You winched at her manners but didn't retort. You wanted to get it over with as well, after all.

«I want you to know, old man, that this is really below my tasks.» she told Whitebeard as you took your seat «Making me come all this way, just because Hogwarts doesn't allow Apparition. If it weren't you asking, and if I weren't bound to the Ministry's rules, I would never have come.»

«Yeah, yeah, we all appreciate it.» Whitebeard replied, walking behind the altar «You may proceed.»

She scoffed and turned to you. You swallowed.

«So, are you going to talk to me in Parseltongue or--»

«Salome.»

You frowned at her weird interruption, but a huge snake immediately crawled into the room from the half-open window.

«Holy shit!»

You jumped on top of the sofa, eyes glued to the creature.

It must have been at least fifteen feet once it coiled on the floor, with a mane of teal feathers and blue-greenish scales.

An occamy!

The snake raised his big head to her master, and the woman pointed at you with a quick wave of her hair. That was enough for the creature.

Slowly but surely it uncoiled and started crawling towards you.

«Hum, are we all aware that there's an occamy coming at me, yes?» you murmured, collecting your legs on top of the sofa. No one seemed really interested in stopping it though.

«Hey, do I have to fight it, or...?»

From your Care for Magical Creatures studies, you knew occamies were generally aggressive creatures. Once it became too close for your liking, you reached for your wand, but the snake suddenly darted with fulminous speed and wrapped around you, pressing you in between his coil.

His body was heavy and cold, and you gritted your teeth.

«Wh-What the fuck!» you coughed.

The occamy hardly noticed your struggle, instead, it came up to your face and pressed his muzzle against your ear.

«Ssstop fighting, little girl. My massster is displeased. It'sss your fault.»

You groaned, still try to break free, but you only obtained for it to squeeze tighter.

«But I know your darkessst sssecret now, and I will tell her.»

You stopped.

My darkest secret?

«That'sss right. I can sssee it in your mind.»

A grimace tugged at your mouth and your rabid eyes flicked on Boa Hancock.

She was standing there, looking at you like you would look at a disgusting insect that ruined your day. But this time, you repaid her gaze with the same scorn.

«Then you know what I'm thinking right now!» you spat «Go fuck yourself, old hag.»

Her blue eye widened and the snake's grip suddenly tightened so much that the air escaped your lungs and you started coughing.

«Miss Hancock!»

«Salome, enough.»

In an instant, all the pressure around you was released, and the occamy retreated by her master.

You fell on the couch, wheezing to regain your breath.

«Yes, as you all could see, this wench here is a Parselmouth.» Hancock declared, adjusting her hair behind her shoulder «An insolent one, too. What a waste of the gift.»

«Insolent, me?!» you uttered, voice still a little hoarse «Your animal attacked and threated me, what did you expect?!»

«At least she's not a coward, I guess. Although her head will be rolling right now, if we were in my domain.» she shrugged, turning to Whitebeard «What's so special about this girl that I had to come personally, old man? And without any witness from the Ministry too. Not that I'm complaining about that.»

«As you can see, she's a little old to be examined, her circumstances are peculiar. I assure you, the Ministry will be properly informed.»

«As if I cared. If we're done, Let me sign the documents as I let myself out.»

Whitebeard nodded.

«Of course, you'll find my assistant waiting outside. Thank you for your cooperation.»

The woman snorted and walked away, the occamy crawling behind her.

«Come on, Salome.»

«Wait, Miss Hancock!» Corazon jumped from his armchair, hurrying behind her «I thought you may want to know about Margaret, the student from your tribe, she's graduating this year, a very promising witch, and--»

«I don't care about that little traitor!» Hancock snapped, stopping on her path to ferociously glare at him «The sole fact that she's here is a betrayal of our Creed. Now, if you excuse me, I can't wait to be far from here.»

Corazon pouted, taken aback by such reaction, but he retracted.

«Of course. Have a safe travel then.»

She didn't bother to look back and finally disappeared across the door.

«What a horrible woman.» you commented.

The boisterous laugh of Professor Akagami nearly startled you.

«Well done, Y/n!» he chimed «Have you seen the face on that witch when our little troublemaker hissed back? What on earth did you tell her?»

I guess I really hissed there. I wish I could realize when I do... maybe Drake could help me on that.

«I... don't think I should repeat such things in front of my professors.»

You answer only caused more laughter from Shanks. Even Doflamingo and Whitebeard had to conceal a chuckle.

«Don't worry about whatever the serpent said.» Nico Robin added softly «The exam is designed to get a strong reaction from the examinee.»

So the whole "darkest secret" thing was probably just a bluff... what a weird test.

«All right, if that's out of the way then, we shall proceed with our business.» the Headmaster stated, clapping his hand.

The door opened again and Miss Viola walked in.

She was an associated professor that you were fairly familiar with, since you had regular training sessions in Occlumency with her. She was the one that thought you how to keep the nightmares away and, at worst, not to engage with them.

Viola was walking with grace in her long robe, as she always did, but she faltered once she spotted Doflamingo among the others.

«Doffy! I didn't expect to see you.»

What... "Doffy"?!

«Well, of course I am here. Y/n is a promising hatchling of my House, after all.»

«I hope this won't be an issue, Miss Viola.» Whitebeard commented warningly.

«Of course not.» she swiftly replied, her composure once again intact.

The witch walked over you and smiled, crouching by the couch.

«Hi, Y/n. How are you?»

«Just fabulous, obviously. What's next?»

«I'm going to make you sleep now, so the other professors can proceed with the examination. Have they explained to you what will happen?»

«More or less.»

«We'll create a magic field that will comb through your body and mind.» Nico Robin intervened «If there's any trace of dark magic inside you, we will find it, and possibly remove it.»

Meanwhile, Shanks and Mihawk had risen from their seats and had started placing black stones around you. Only then you noticed there was a white circle on the floor, and the sofa was in the middle of it.

«What are they doing?»

«This would serve to contain some kind of curses, but pay no mind to it, it's merely a formality.»

You took a deep breath and turned to Viola.

«What will I feel?»

«Hopefully nothing. At most, it should be a mild discomfort in your sleep.»

«Will I dream?»

«Probably not. But if you do, just let the dream wash over you, whatever it is, okay? Just like we learnt.»

You nodded and she placed a gentle hand on your shoulder.

«Remember that we're here to protect you, Y/n.»

«Okay. Let's do it.»

The couch was soft as you lay down. Violet pulled out her clear wand and leaned the tip against your forehead. As your subconscious started to take over your mind, your last glance rolled over to Doflamingo, to the side. It was hard to distinguish his eyes behind the shades, but an imperceptible hint of his head told you he realized.

The magic flowed from Viola's wand into your mind until she was sure you were completely asleep on the couch. Then she stood and took a step back.

«Gentlemen, let's begin.» Shanks announced.

Corazon, Nico Robin and Mihawk joined him around you and raised their wands, while Doflamingo circled back the room to stand by the altar with Whitebeard and Viola.

«I'm warning you now, Donquixote,» Whitebeard rumbled, eyes fixed on his colleagues as they all closed theirs and started chanting Latin words «If you have your eyes on Y/n, you better give up. She's not the kind of witch that would ever join your shady family business.»

«I could tell you the same thing, Headmaster.» the professor replied, crossing his arms «Y/n is not a straggler looking for a "pops".»

«Hmpf. I know.»

A purple magic field slowly took shape around you, the different flows knitting from wand to wand. When the glowing mesh was complete, it began to envelope you, eventually filtering through your sleeping figure. First the legs, then your hips, your stomach and so on.

Whitebeard moved beside Nico Robin.

«How is it going?»

The witch didn't open her eyes and kept her focus firm.

«Nothing out of the ordinary so far.»

It was around your torso that the magic field slowed down, like it was getting caught into something.

Rocinante's brows twitched.

«Having problems there, brother?»

«Not quite.» Corazon replied, arms still raised to maintain the charm «Her configuration is... peculiar. It's like, there are a lot of empty spaces. But no trace of dark magic.»

Like a filter that passed through you, only the wielders of the field could sense all the vibrations and obstacles encountered by the magic.

«Of course she's out of the ordinary, but there's nothing dark about this girl.» Shanks said with a smile.

«It's way too early to tell.» Mihawk warned «We haven't reached the mind yet.»

Viola watched the charm difficultly sliding through you, her fingers curled behind her back as she waited for it to be over with no setbacks. So her heart thumped when the field finally came to a stop around your head.

Doflamingo saw the frowns on his colleagues' faces.

«What is going on?»

Shanks clicked his tongue.

«Dammit.»

«What's "dammit", boy?» Whitebeard asked.

«A seal.» Nico Robin clarified «Something is blocking us.»

Doflamingo turned to Corazon.

«A seal? What does it mean? Who put it there?»

«Calm down, brother.» the other grumbled, effort now beginning to show on his face «We should be able to get around it.»

«Then do it!»

«Stop hasting us.» Mihawk ordered «We are going to need all our concentration to break through without hurting the girl.»

Doflamingo gritted his teeth but didn't retort.

Minutes passed by, but the magic field didn't move an inch. The only thing that increased was the strain on the wielders' features. Then you let out a groan and your forehead creased.

«What are you doing?» Viola whispered, walking around the circle to better see you.

«I'm trying to see how much I can push.» Shanks said, without smiling this time.

«She's starting to hurt.»

«It's strange.» Mihawk murmured.

«What's strange, Hawkey?» the redhead asked.

«This seal. I can't understand what type of magic it is. Nico Robin?»

«I'm not sure either.»

Whitebeard frowned.

If there was someone he could turn to when it came to types of magic from all ages, that would be Nico Robin and Dracule Mihawk.

Your body tensed up and you let out a ragged moan of pain.

«Akagami.» Doflamingo growled.

Shanks gritted his teeth and pushed his wand further, generating a wave through the field that crashed against the glitch. You flinched and started breathing heavily.

«Shanks, we should retreat.» Corazon warned, his hands trembling lightly.

«Not yet.»

«She is in pain.»

«She can take it!»

Your heavy breaths became laments, your limbs now squirming on the sofa.

«That's enough!» Doflamingo barked, hand lowering on his wand.

«Donquixote is right. Disengage.»

Shanks grunted.

«Fuck. Fine.»

The four wizards began to retreat, but their movements suddenly came to an halt.

«What's going on now?»

A moment of silence.

«We're stuck.» Corazon hissed.

«What do you mean you're stuck?!»

«If we retreat our magic, we may rip off the seal,» Nico Robin explained «with unknown consequences.»

Your ragged breathing raised in volume until it was clear that you weren't taking in any oxygen anymore. Your nails dug into the sofa before your body was finally taken by convulsions.

«Fuck!»

«She can't breathe!» Viola shouted.

Whitebeard extracted his wand and swiftly turned to her.

«Get Marco, now!»

«We can't disengage safely!» Robin exclaimed.

«We must--»

All of a sudden, golden flames burst from your forehead and through their magic threads, quickly causing them to dissolve and sending a shock wave crashing against the walls of the room in every direction. Everybody was pushed to the floor. The only person who managed to withstand it on his feet was Whitebeard.

«What the hell did just happen?!» Shanks uttered, jumping up.

«Y/n!»

Viola and Nico Robin hurried by your side as sparkles of golden ashes danced in the air around you.

You were sprawled on your back, face coated in sweat, but at least you were panting normally. A golden rune flickered on your forehead for a few seconds before disappearing.

Viola knelt beside you, her fingers brushing your damp hair away from your eyes.

«This is...»

«Algiz, the ancient rune for protection.» Robin completed, stepping beside her «Quite a raw application of it, I must say, but powerful nevertheless. It was this that pushed us out safely.»

Corazon ran to join them.

«Is she okay?!»

«So it seems, yes.»

«So she's able to use pagane rituals?! And she used it upon herself?!»

«That's impossible.» Mihawk intercepted, standing up «Such rune can only be bestowed upon by someone else to hold any effect.»

«Then who...?»

Rocinante turned to look at his brother. Whitebeard did the same, a serious expression on his face.

«Young Eustass.»

Doflamingo shrugged.

«Possible, given his background. Although I had no idea he could do something like this.»

«Well, it's wise of him not to go around flaunting his pagane skills, given the current circumstances.» Mihawk observed «Unless you live out of pacts with the Ministry, like the Kujas, the practicing of ancient magic can put you on a red list.»

«Well, this won't be the case,» Whitebeard rumbled, glaring at his professors «because nobody here is going to report it, right?»

«Right.»

«More importantly, what do we do with Y/n?» Corazon asked.

The Headmaster looked at Shanks and the redhead shook his head.

«I'm sorry I tried to push her, but chances are this would have happened either way, since we couldn't disengage once touched the seal. What I can tell you is that's nothing like I've ever seen before. I can't officially recognize it as dark arts, it could be something entirely different.»

Mihawk turned to Robin.

«What do you think?»

She rubbed her chin.

«It's probably very obscure, but I might have encountered something similar in my studies. I'll have to research it.»

Hawkeyes nodded.

«Of course, I'll do the same.»

«How dangerous do you think it is?» Whitebeard asked, to no one in particular.

«Hard to say. The good news is that, if left alone, it doesn't seem to be causing harm to her. Anything else can only be established with further research.» Robin continued.

Whitebeard nodded.

«I understand. We'll see what to do then.» his eyes moved on your resting figure «For now, not a word of this must be spoken with outsiders.»

«Yes, Headmaster.»

«And get her damn uncle here with urgency,» he added «I need to have a word with him.»

*

A/n. Alright, finally!! Sorry everyone for the long wait.

As we are going to delve into the tournament soon (but there will be a Quidditch match and another wacky adventure before), I may have a few spaces to fill in between Y/n's misfortunes.

So I'm asking you all to let me know which characters and possibly interactions you're curious to see.

The fact is, I have notes on hundreds of characters and how they're going to fit in this alternative universe, but there's no space or way I can include them all. So imma try to focus on what you guys would like the most.

No promises, since there are a lot of factors at play when I write a new chapter, but I'll keep your desires in mind.

Thank you for the support as always and see you soon(er) hopefully! :D