Work Text:
Recently, Magnus and Alec had formalized the adoption of a baby warlock they had named Max, in honor of Alec and Isabelle's late little brother.
The baby had been abandoned on the steps of the Academy, left behind by his parents because of his warlock’s mark: blue skin and horns. While mundanes might have been repulsed by his unusual appearance, Clary, Jace, and Isabelle were not. They often visited Magnus, Alec, and Max whenever they could.
Lately, the baby had started using his magic—he could move objects, float, and, in the worst cases, set fire to curtains (though that had only happened once).
Max was currently sitting on Alec’s lap, extending his tiny arms and babbling incoherently while the Shadowhunters and Magnus chatted. Suddenly, an old box tumbled from one of the shelves—probably Max’s doing.
Clary got up from where she was sitting (which happened to be on Jace) and moved to return the box to its place. She paused, however, when she noticed an old-looking photograph inside. At first, the people in it were unfamiliar, but as she examined the picture more closely, she realized that many of them bore marks.
“They’re Shadowhunters,” she realized with a start.
"Clary, what did you find?" Jace asked, curious.
"A photograph," she replied, returning to the others. "Who are they, Magnus?"
Alec frowned. "Are they Shadowhunters? Why do you have that? I thought you didn’t like Shadowhunters back then."
"It’s not because I wasn’t too fond of them that I didn’t have Nephilim friends from time to time," Magnus said with a smirk.
"Hey, isn’t that Tessa?" Clary asked, glancing at Magnus.
"It is, indeed," Magnus confirmed.
"Who's Tessa?" Jace asked, wondering why Clary recognized the name.
"She’s a warlock my mother wanted me to meet at her and Luke’s wedding," Clary explained.
"So, Magnus, who are the others?" Isabelle asked, her curiosity growing.
Magnus sighed, taking the picture from Clary’s hands.
"This here is Charlotte Branwell," he said, pointing to a petite brunette. "Or Charlotte Fairchild, as she’s recorded in Shadowhunter history. She was the first female Consul."
At that, Isabelle let out a loud wolf whistle.
"She was married to Henry Branwell, whom you might recognize from the Codex."
"Oh yeah, he invented the first Portal, right?" Clary recalled. "With the help of an unknown warlock."
Magnus raised an eyebrow. "Of course, Shadowhunters wouldn’t credit me in the Codex. Classic."
"Wait, that was you?!" Jace exclaimed. "I always wondered who that was."
"Impressive," Alec commented.
"I’m always impressive, darling," Magnus replied with a grin. "Anyway, Henry was a dear friend of mine. Every time I visited the London Institute, he’d give me some glitter—er, I mean ghost powder. He and Charlotte are your ancestors, Cupcake. Henry even had ginger hair, like you."
"Really? Well, that trait definitely stuck in the family," Clary said.
"And that’s why you’re so small," Alec added.
Clary shot him a glare.
"Why isn’t Henry in the picture?" she asked instead.
"He was the one taking it, actually."
"And are there any of our ancestors in here, or just Clary’s?" Isabelle inquired, raising an eyebrow.
"The Lightwoods weren’t living at the Institute at that time," Magnus said, "but Jace’s ancestors are here."
Isabelle and Alec looked slightly disappointed, while Jace suddenly appeared more interested.
Magnus pointed to a boy about their age with curly black hair and a mischievous smile.
"Well, the attitude looks familiar enough," Isabelle noted.
"You already know Tessa, and this is Will Herondale," Magnus said.
Alec’s expression darkened slightly at the name.
"Oh yeah, I’ve heard about him. He’s pretty famous," Jace said, before frowning. "Wait—did you just say that Tessa was my ancestor?"
"Yes."
"But she’s a warlock!"
"She’s half Nephilim," Magnus explained patiently. "And before you say it’s impossible, yes, I know. Normally, she wouldn’t have survived, but because her mother was an unmarked Shadowhunter, her father was a Greater Demon, and she had the protection of Ithuriel, she did. And yes, she can have children. If you don’t believe me, ask her yourself."
"What does Ithuriel have to do with this?" Jace asked, confused.
Magnus sighed. "It’s complicated, and I don’t feel like explaining. Just ask her next time."
"I have a question too," Alec interjected, his voice tinged with slight jealousy. "Is this the Will Camille talked to me about? The one you loved?"
Magnus groaned. "I didn’t love him like that! I kissed him once, and it was just to get Camille to leave."
"Oh."
"Anyway," Isabelle cut in, eager to change the subject, "who are the other two?"
"That guy looks oddly familiar," Jace muttered, squinting at the picture.
"I thought you might recognize him," Magnus said.
"What do you mean?" Clary asked.
"This is James Carstairs, Will’s parabatai. You know him as Brother Zachariah."
"Oh!" Clary gasped. "Brother Zachariah?"
"Yes, Biscuit."
"I see he’s still hot," Isabelle remarked.
"My ancestor’s obviously hotter," Jace said smugly.
Isabelle shot him a withering look.
"Anyway," Jace continued, "when I last saw Brother Zachariah, he didn’t look so..." He made an awkward gesture.
"Skinny?" Magnus suggested.
"Beautiful?" Isabelle added.
"Gray-ish," Jace finally said.
"That’s a story for another time," Magnus said, smirking.
Jace just shrugged.
"And who’s the blonde girl?" Clary asked, redirecting the conversation.
"That’s Jessamine Lovelace. From what I heard, she hated being a Shadowhunter, but ironically, she became the London Institute’s resident ghost. She protects it now. That’s why Sebastian didn’t have as much success as he expected when he attacked."
Clary looked stunned. "That’s why?"
"Yes," Magnus confirmed, standing up and placing the picture back into the box.
"Now, who wants tea?"