Fairy Godmother had no other name, either that or she preferred to keep it a mystery. However it held no doubt that this grand, shimmering winged being floating mid-air before Christine was the real deal. Exactly how most children's books and fairytales portrayed her to be.

"Why am I here?" The confusion overflown and it took over the fascination Christine got for seeing a supposedly fictitious figure real. She was also at school today, working on an art activity she was having challenges on.

A smile graced the kind-winged being. "You are here because it's the right place to be, I heard the wish within your heart, Sundrop"

Sundrop? Now she gained a rather peculiar nickname. It was more acceptable though compared to the derogatory ones she got from her schoolmates who deemed her artistic side ugly or nerd-ish.

Christine frowned though, more confused than enlightened. "My wish? I don't know what I wished for..."

"You do not need to remember now because in time you will know and on top of that...you are here because someone yearns for help." With those cryptic words said, the Fairy Godmother waved her star wand and before the short-haired girl could ask more, she disappeared in a poof of sparkles.

.

.

A school for magic, talking animals, talented boys, and more. But despite it all, Christine managed to rein in composure because internally there was a trickling feeling that this adventure was going to be a roller coaster one.

It wasn't like anyone back in her town would totally miss her, not even at school. Sure she talked to some classmates but they weren't friends.

"Hi! We are your new dormmates! I'm Christine!" She quickly introduced herself to break the stifling and suffocating awkward silence that came after the red-haired girl toppled over the petite pale-haired one. "Nice knowing you! Sorry we came barging in without notice, we just got enrolled today!"

Her cheerfulness broke the awkward spell in the air, Mary got up and straightened her uniform. "Nice meeting you too! I'm Mary! It was really a surprise, we weren't told we would have new members today, but more people more fun!"

Grim didn't seem to share her thoughts, he rather looked stressed and holding himself from saying anything further.

Right, he wasn't happy about having more people in here. Christine observed, that when they arrived there the talking beast with blue fire was staring at them one by one while stating he was the prefect or leader of this dorm.

Phoenix stared hard at Mary, and took her seconds before talking. "...Mary?" There was a glint of recognition in her electric blue, purple-tinted eyes. But quickly it flashed, the familiarity disappeared. "I see, I am Phoenix Salem" She pointed to the brown-haired girl beside her. "This is–"

"Ink Stackhouse but please call me anything you like!" Ink shook the redhead's hand, acting more jolly and approachable than the taller girl. She gritted her teeth, internally cringing at using the new name but had to.

Mary also smiled back, unaware of the brooding aura Phoenix was emitting. "It's a pleasure! I'm really glad to have more people join us here!"

"Well, then how about we do the cooking for tonight as part of a mini celebration?" Christine suggested.

–

While Christine and Ink were busy cooking with Mary watching them happily, Grim stepped out onto the back of Ramshackle Dorm near the woods along with Vernie as well as Phoenix. Once they were far enough not to be heard or seen, the raccoon-cat no longer stopped himself from almost turning into a living blue flame.

"Do not lie to me, who sent you two? And what are your motives for being here?!" Grim gritted his teeth, fuming.

Vernie frowned subtly, she hated discord. "I already told you earlier that I did not come here as an enemy" She replied softly.

"This world is already in a state of disorder and chaos!" Grim pointed up at the sky where the more visible lilac line was, "Only a few could see that up there but it's getting bigger!"

Phoenix narrowed her gaze, "And how is that our doing? If you wish for things to go back in order then I suppose you know precisely what I want, creature. You know what I came here for. Let us not pretend we are ignorants here"

"What are you talking about? What did you come here for?" Vernie gazed at the taller girl, perplexed. When she first encountered her and Ink inside Headmaster's office, she sensed a barrier around them preventing her from knowing their true nature and magic.

But Phoenix didn't reply, she wouldn't disclose her reason to this one–while Vernie appeared to be harmless, there was no doubt she wasn't entirely ordinary.

"I will not give you what you want," Grim replied, "Look you two, to hell with your reasons and motives but don't dare to get in MY way, you hear me? Don't try to alter a strand of hair in Mary's head or I will make you regret it"

They returned to Ramshackle Dorm as if nothing happened, acted like they were casual and the topic was never brought to the surface again. They dined in a scrumptious meal Christine and Ink made, Mary enjoyed it to her heart's delight.

–

"I'm going to require some help here," Dire was already nursing his second bottle of white wine that evening while reading some reports–regarding Overblot cases, it was indicated in this article that although fatal and a rare encounter, it didn't mean overblot had no means to be countered. The best, quickest way to clear an overblot is using the Purification type of magic. "...which is a rarity in this land" He sighed.

Not everyone possessed Purification type of magic, among his students, he could only count on his fingers who could perform such a spell. And this magic always has a catch, using it too much was also proven detrimental to the mage.

But it would have been easier if he got this type of unique magic too.

More about that later, the masked headmaster shuffled through the reports littering his table and felt his face scrunched stressfully upon chancing on what Kyle–their school doctor–sent from the infirmary.

Ten injuries in a day?! What made this ridiculous was the names logged in were the main players of Magift. To think the tournament was approaching too.

There came a light knock on his door and stepping inside was Sirius Oswald, the latter didn't appear to be sleepy or frustrated unlike him. "Sir, I would like to inform you that these came from Sir Crewel–he wouldn't be returning until tomorrow from a trip outside the country but he specifically asked that these be worn by the new dorm once they were formally introduced in the assembly" He showed the headmaster five paper bags.

"Oh boy, I told him to not get too attached" Dire murmured to himself, massaging his forehead. "He never listens when he's into something he likes"

"Sir?" The assistant was confused by his statement.

Shaking his head, the masked mage explained what he meant. "Divus is...I'd say the best professor and he is also doing really well in the industry he is passionate about however there's just one thing that usually causes him to waver, that one past he refused to move on from...no matter what I tell him." Sighs, "Kindly bring those clothes over to Ramshackle, I think they should still be up" An idea struck him, "And inform them to see me tomorrow right after the general assembly"

Doing what he was told, Sirius went to Ramshackle Dorm. He noticed the garden in the front porch bearing no other colors except gray; the whole lot itself was like out of an old colorless memory. But instead of gloom, there was a surge of excitement in his veins and it made him smile as he neared the porch.

Soon, things will go to our favor.

He knocked and waited for someone to answer.

The door was pulled open and he was greeted by Vernie. "Yes?"

Sirius recalled a hidden conversation they had with Kyle when the latter informed them about a 'threatening presence' in the school who might get in their way. This was the person he pertained to.

"A delivery of clothes from Sir Crewel, he instructed these to be worn as your official dorm uniforms and the Headmaster wishes to see everyone tomorrow after general assembly," Sirius told her without breaking composure.

Vernie took the paper bags with her small hands, giving a barely seen nod. "Okay thank you, I will inform the others...by the way, Mr. Oswald..."

"You may just call me Sirius, no need to be too formal," He said, still smiling.

It was hard to tell if Vernie was being curious or trying to intentionally provoke him. "You are not a native of this land, are you? Why did you choose to land a job in this school? It's a private institution but it's not the only one"

Interesting... Sirius was astounded yet he schooled his expression quickly and on the outside, he was unfazed. "I want to make a difference" was his cryptic reply. "Is that why you are here too, Miss Evergarden?"

She said nothing more about the topic, "Point taken" Then she returned inside the dorm.

–

Morning assembly was held outside in the quadrangle, each dorm student was lined up and their leaders were the ones ensuring no one was out of place or doing something suspicious. They'd regularly have this set-up whenever Headmaster had an important announcement to make or for special events only.

Headmaster Crowley was ready to go up the stage to introduce the Ramshackle members when one of the security staff came to him in panic.

"Sir! We have an emergency! There are a couple of rabid trolls coming this way if we don't apprehend them they'll get inside the school!" The security person was sweating despite being cold and he was visibly shaken. "The other professors are already out there but none of their magics are enough to put the monsters down! Please help!"

Dire turned to Sirius, "Please take charge, I need to see this" He sounded serious and left no room for arguments.

As he took off, Sirius threw a glance at where Lancelot stood–a white rabbit hanging onto his shoulder and he knew well who that rabbit was. In this world, they formed an uneasy truce but once they are back to where they should be...well that's a different story.

No one noticed the way Lancelot's blue eyes suddenly flickered Ruby red and the mad grin plastered on Fenrir's face as he saw the headmaster left them. No one knew how gratified Sirius was when Dire said he would be in charge.

This world hates you, and even if it doesn't...

We will make it so.

Sirius went upstage, everyone became silent and turned their attention to him. "Greetings everyone today, we are introducing the new members joining Ramshackle Dorm. And whatever lingering questions you have in mind shall be answered that yes, it wouldn't be classified as a vacant dorm anymore because of having six members." With a gesture, he signaled the Ramshackle members to come up on the stage.

There was a chorus of awe, gasps, and murmurs from the audience when Grim came to the stage leading the five girls behind him. The ribbon around his neck was also gray like their dresses but the gem in the middle was an electric blue.

"I feel like an exotic animal being trotted in an open market" Ink commented, she was okay with the uniform she got and it wasn't hard to put on but the eyes directed their way, those stares were heavy she could feel them. But she was glad there were no intrusive voices wrecking her skull yet. Not yet.

There were various reactions from the crowd of boys.

"Oh, so we're really going co-ed already huh?"

"At least we have female classmates, it's a tad boring to see the same faces every day"

"The short-haired girl looks cute, maybe I'll try asking her out"

Meanwhile up the stage–Phoenix was aloof, unaffected by the stares and the obvious way Rook was trying to get her attention but internally she was annoyed and found this trivial and waste of time. Vernie's reaction was also hard to read, but she also weighed in the looks from the others and she quickly identified these boys' first impression was the same–they thought she was frail and harmless. Christine was giving a small smile and the only one who was waving friendly at some.

There were also some students who decided to pick on Grim and being the short-circuit he was, he didn't hold back trash talking.

"Good riddance" Ink shook her head at how explosive their leader was being, then her attention was drawn to Mary; eyebrows knitting in the middle of her forehead, she spoke. "Princ–Mary, what is the matter?

But the redhead didn't hear her, she stood there in an awkward manner as if her feet were encased in ice and frightened. Mary wanted to move closer to the others, to hold onto Vernie's arm but then she recalled what the pale-haired girl said last night. She couldn't act too familiar with her, it'd be too iffy.

I can't breathe properly. Tears welled in Mary's eyes, she couldn't see the faces in the crowd, all she could hear were insults, taunting laughs, and malicious smiles. Her heart was beating abnormally loud against its ribcage. Her knees were threatening to fold.

Deuce, from the line he stood with Ace, noticed that their friend was having a hard time being up there. "I think we should stop this already"

"Dude, she looks dying up there, didn't know her stage fright is this intense" Ace stated, as he looked around. "The hell did the teachers go?" He glanced back at Sirius who was still smiling on the side, "Is he not gonna end this? Mary ain't looking well!"

–

"Will she be alright?" Vernie asked as soon as she stepped out of the infirmary with the girls and Grim. It took them an agonizingly more minutes before Sirius decided it was time to end the assembly and bring their dormmate to the infirmary.

Kyle closed the door behind him, "Yes, she only needs some rest but given how she reacts under pressure I do not think she will be up for the task Sirius will delegate to you. I heard the headmaster has a special task for your dorm but with him doing an urgent errand, Sirius will explain it instead"

This got Christine raising a brow, "A special task already? Huh."

Vernie also found this dubious but didn't voice it out, "I see, then we shall be off to see Sirius"

"Is there any potion to help Mary feel better quickly? A strengthening potion perhaps?" Phoenix asked directly, stepping forward to Kyle. "If she acts the way she is now, no one will take her seriously and that is not how she should be"

Ink quickly nudged her friend on the side with an elbow. "What she meant is if there are any healing potions our dormmate can drink"

"I do not know about any strengthening potion approved by Headmaster himself but fret not, she isn't in any detrimental situation, she will return to you all later or tomorrow" Kyle stated.

Grim was starting to get annoyed as his default expression, he spoke to no one after their trip to the infirmary and went to the Headmaster's Office to meet with Sirius.

The assistant was there going over some files and he stopped what he was doing when they entered in.

"So what the heck is this task you're gonna put on our plate and what's in it for us?" Grim fired the question without hesitation.

Amusement was dancing in Sirius' eyes–these people were all a mixture of curiosity, confusion, anger, and being lost. Oh, how he loves it.

"There had been a recent case made that we got many students getting injuries recently, either tripping on the staircase, breaking limbs and more" Sirius explained, "It was such a weird coincidence since Magift Tournament is coming soon and all these students who got injured were frontline players. We would like to assign your dorm to partake in this case and help us find the culprit, we feel like someone is responsible for this but we don't have any evidence yet."

"And what would you have us do?" Phoenix asked, more annoyed.

Ink raised both eyebrows. "Wow, really? Now we're going detective on everyone?"

"Hmm, so you want us to carry this responsibility on your behalf," Vernie said.

Christine knitted her eyebrows. "Is that your football here or something?"

"What's in it for us?" Grim repeated his earlier question.

Sirius was still unfazed, "Miss Salem and Miss Evergarden, kindly look into the Pomefiore and Octavinelle House if anyone looks suspicious or someone is bound to be hurt again, while for you Miss Stackhouse and Miss Corbett please check on Savanaclaw and Scarabia." He turned his gaze on Grim, "You will go to Heartslabyul with Ace and Deuce as I know you are closely acquainted with them already. As for your question, if you get to solve this case, we will have you do an intermission number at the Magift Tournament"

Grim didn't look please, "That's supposed to encourage me to do this crap?"

–

This guy—

"Are you supposed to be here, Rosehearts?" Kyle acted confused upon seeing the Heartslabyul Prefect enter the infirmary, the tight grip he had on his pen broke it into two but he quickly hid it from the view.

Riddle, as expected, was prim, straight composure and carried himself like a prince on the way to being a king.

Just like Lancelot.

He gave the young doctor a short nod of acknowledgment before looking around, "It will not take a while, Doctor Ash, I wish to see Alice and I am not breaking any rules for asking so"

Before Kyle could reiterate and stop him from moving, Riddle already found where Mary was. He also closed the white curtain after finding the white bed to have some privacy and much to Kyle's annoyance, it hid them from his eyes.

"Alice?" Riddle sat on the chair he pulled close beside the bed.

Mary stirred awake, her eyes were swollen and puffy. "Riddle, what are you doing here?"

"You were crying," Riddle said instead, he reached out to wipe off the remnant of tears from her face. "How are you feeling now?"

She cast her gaze down on her hands, "I do not know...I followed your advice and studied consistently but it seems it has no effect at all. When I was up there, I felt really scared" But what Mary didn't mention to him was that being on the stage forced a fragment of memory to the surface. One that wasn't familiar.

Riddle felt her melancholy, he placed a hand on top of hers. "You must be pushing yourself too hard, changes are not going to happen overnight. I do not want you to get sick by wanting to keep up with me"

"But you were right, if my head is always empty, it wouldn't be good!" Mary was on the verge of crying again.

He frowned, "I'm sorry for saying that to you, please do not take it literally. Your head is not empty, Alice." Riddle pulled her head down on his shoulder. 

---

(A/N: I did the Wheel of fortune to identify the love interests of the girls from Ikemen Series, IkeReve, and even Midnight Cinderella. It was...interesting, I can't. LOL.)