Sunlight filtered gently through the tall dormitory windows, warming the wooden floors with golden hues. The morning after the celebrations arrived too soon for Soya, who stirred softly beneath his blankets, unwilling to immediately give up their warmth. It was Draven, as usual, who broke the silence first, efficiently pushing back his blankets and rising from his bed with the precision of a well-oiled machine.

  "Morning," Draven greeted quietly, straightening the edges of his bedcovers meticulously, already dressed in his robes for the day.

  Davonte groaned theatrically from beneath his pillows, shifting sluggishly and pulling the covers even tighter around himself. "I can't believe it's already time to leave. Can't we sleep just five more minutes?"

  Soya sat up slowly, yawning as he stretched his arms over his head, feeling the stiffness of sleep slip from his muscles. “If you take five more minutes, it'll turn into twenty," he teased softly, a hint of amusement in his voice.

  Davonte sighed dramatically, finally conceding defeat. He swung his legs out of bed, mussing his already disheveled hair with exaggerated resignation. "Fine, fine. You win."

  From across the room, Sage quietly slipped from his bed. He didn’t say much in the mornings, but he seemed more at ease these days—comfortable enough to offer a faint nod in greeting as he adjusted his robes carefully. Soya gave him a warm smile, appreciating the subtle gesture of friendship the quiet boy now offered. It was something that had once seemed impossible.

  Together, the four boys dressed quickly, each preparing their belongings for the journey home later that evening. The dormitory was filled with a sense of bittersweet anticipation; the excitement of the holidays mixed with a quiet sadness at leaving Austramore behind, even temporarily.

  Once ready, they descended together toward the Thylacea common room. The familiar space already buzzed softly with other students gathering belongings, sharing laughs, and excitedly discussing plans for the break. Kalsei and Tiana awaited them near the common room fireplace, their bags packed neatly at their sides.

  Kalsei beamed energetically as they approached, his ever-present enthusiasm radiating as brightly as the morning sun. “Morning, sleepyheads!” he greeted cheerfully, his enchanted cat ears twitching in amusement at their still-drowsy expressions. “You’d think you lot had danced all night.”

  Davonte snorted softly, rolling his eyes with a playful smirk. “Some of us take mornings at a more dignified pace, Kalsei.”

  Kalsei laughed, nudging him lightly. “Dignified? You? Sure, Davonte.”

  Tiana’s gentle laughter filled the air, light and melodic. She offered them all a kind smile, her eyes sparkling with quiet excitement. “I still can’t believe it,” she admitted softly, turning toward Soya. “I’m actually going to the Muggle world today. It hardly feels real.”

  Soya returned her smile warmly, feeling genuinely excited for her. “You’ll love it,” he assured her with quiet enthusiasm. “It’ll feel different, of course, but in good ways. I can’t wait to show you everything.”

  Tiana’s expression softened, eyes wide with curiosity and anticipation. “What’s it really like?” she asked earnestly, her voice tinged with genuine wonder. “I mean, no magic at all… it’s hard to imagine.”

  “Well, it’s… simpler, I guess,” Soya replied thoughtfully, his voice gentle and reflective. “Things don’t move or think on their own, obviously. No enchanted portraits, no wands, no flying brooms. But they have their own sort of magic, I think—technology, stories, art, music. You’ll see.”

  Draven adjusted his bag with practiced efficiency, adding his calm voice to the conversation. “I’d be particularly interested in their literature. The few muggle books you lent me were rather insightful.”

  Davonte tilted his head curiously at Draven, eyebrows raised. “Only you could make going home for the holidays sound like research, Draven.”

  Draven offered a quiet shrug, unapologetically serious. “It’s always good to learn something new, Davonte.”

  Their banter continued comfortably, punctuated by Kalsei’s animated interjections and Davonte’s exaggerated complaints about packing and travel. Sage stood quietly nearby, occasionally offering muted amusement at their interactions, clearly still uncertain how deeply he fit into this new dynamic, but nevertheless content to be included.

  Eventually, Soya turned again toward Tiana, sensing her lingering excitement and uncertainty. “My parents will be thrilled to have you,” he assured her gently, recognizing the nervous anticipation in her eyes. “They’ve never hosted someone magical before, so expect a lot of questions.”

  Tiana laughed softly, visibly relaxing at Soya’s reassurance. “I don’t mind at all. Honestly, I’m looking forward to experiencing everything—the big things and the small things.”

  Davonte grinned, nudging Kalsei. “Wait until she discovers electricity. It’ll blow her mind.”

  Kalsei snickered, his eyes twinkling playfully. “Or cars! She’ll probably think they’re enchanted carts.”

  Tiana laughed lightly, her cheeks faintly pink from embarrassment, but her excitement undimmed. “I suppose I have a lot to learn.”

  “You’ll be fine,” Soya reassured her warmly. “Besides, that’s what holidays are for—new experiences and making memories.”

  Tiana’s expression softened even further, her smile gentle and grateful. “Thank you, Soya. Really. It means a lot.”

  Their conversation gradually quieted into a comfortable silence as they all absorbed the significance of the day ahead. Around them, students continued gathering their belongings, laughter and excited chatter drifting through the common room, each one eagerly discussing their plans and destinations.

  In that shared moment of quiet, Soya felt a warmth in his chest—a soft, gentle reassurance that, despite everything, Austramore had given him something irreplaceable: genuine friendship. No matter where they traveled, what awaited them at home, or how distant this magical place felt during the holidays, they carried pieces of Austramore with them—memories, laughter, lessons, and bonds that could not be broken.

  The halls of Austramore were bustling with students heading to the great hall for breakfast, Soya, Draven, Davonte, and Tiana headed down a corridor, each in a quiet conversation.

  "I’m just saying," Davonte said, flipping his unruly hair out of his face, "having a ferret that narrates my life is the best thing that’s ever happened to me."

  As if on cue, the small white ferret on his shoulder perked up and spoke in a deep, dramatic voice. "And thus, the young wizard strode through the grand halls of Austramore, confidence oozing from his every step—"

  "See? That’s peak living right there," Davonte smirked.

  Tiana rolled her eyes. "It’s weird."

  "It’s poetic," Davonte corrected.

  "It’s an abomination," came a voice from nowhere.

  Before anyone could react, Salem Blackthorn popped out of thin air—possibly from behind a statue, possibly from another dimension (no one could ever be sure with him). He moved with the desperation of a man on a mission.

  "You again," Davonte groaned. "Look, Salem, we’ve been over this. You cannot fix Percy. Percy is perfect."

  Percy—the now-narrating ferret—lifted his head dramatically. "The noble creature, wise beyond its years, ignored the misguided fool before him—"

  Salem's eye twitched. "I have to fix him," he insisted, his voice sharp with urgency. "Do you know how many failed attempts I’ve made? Do you know how many times I’ve tried to shut him up? It’s been months, Davonte. Months of this voice. I hear it in my nightmares."

  "And so the weary young wizard, tormented by past failures, prepared to once again—"

  Salem flinched and clapped his hands over his ears. "No. Not again. This time, I’ve got it."

  Draven, always the practical one, adjusted his glasses. "Your last fix made the ferret narrate in a deeper voice. I struggle to see how you will improve upon that."

  "I did the research," Salem snapped. "It’s the voice, right? The deep, omnipotent voice. If I change the gender of the spell’s target, the magic might reset and stop the narration."

  Soya squinted. "That’s not how magic works."

  "Yeah," Tiana added. "That’s definitely not how magic works."

  Salem ignored them and pulled out his wand with determined flair. "Stand still, Percy, and prepare to be normal again."

  Percy arched his tiny back like a seasoned stage performer. "And so, the brave hero braced himself for—"

  With a sharp flick of his wand, Salem shouted, "Mutatio Genderis!"

  A gust of magic swept through the hallway, followed by a faint pop. There was a sharp, high-pitched yelp—and suddenly, something was very wrong.

  Salem blinked, Draven blinked, Tiana slapped a hand over her mouth, and Soya took a careful step back in quiet horror. Standing in the middle of them all, Davonte—now unmistakably a girl—stared down at her transformed form with growing dread.

  "...Oh," Salem whispered. "Oh no."

  Davonte grabbed a fistful of her now much longer, silkier hair, eyes wide. "What the—" She stopped, coughed, and tried again, only to hear the unmistakably feminine tone of her own voice. "WHAT DID YOU DO?!"

  Salem made a noise somewhere between a squeak and a whimper. Draven, ever the analyst, gave a small nod and said, "Well, I do believe you succeeded in changing gender. Just... not for the ferret."

  Tiana erupted into laughter, staggering sideways to brace herself against the wall. "Oh, this is the best day of my life."

  "FIX IT!" Davonte snapped, hands balled into fists.

  "I—uh—" Salem fumbled, shuffling his wand in his fingers. "Give me a second—"

  "You are not getting a second!" she snapped again, the higher pitch of her voice only fueling her fury. "Turn me back now before I—"

  Percy, ever reliable, raised his tiny head and proclaimed, "And thus, the newly transformed heroine began her quest for vengeance—"

  Davonte let out a frustrated shriek that echoed down the corridor.

  Soya, struggling to keep a straight face, mumbled, "At least Percy still works."

  Tiana broke into another fit of laughter, gasping for air. Salem, sensing the incoming storm, turned to bolt down the corridor—but he wasn’t fast enough.

  "You’re a dead man, Blackthorn!" Davonte shouted, her voice shrill with fury as she sprinted after him.

  Salem yelped and ducked behind a suit of armor, his robes flying behind him as he disappeared down the hallway. Davonte—now “Davonta,” as Tiana promptly nicknamed her—charged after him, her longer legs giving her impressive speed.

  "Get back here!" she howled.

  "It was an accident!" Salem cried, weaving past a column.

  Draven calmly turned to the others, adjusting his sleeve. "Do you think we should intervene?"

  Tiana wiped tears from her cheeks. "Absolutely not."

  "Honestly," Soya said with a sigh, "Davonte should’ve seen this coming."

  "And thus, the enraged warrior pursued her foe with the fury of a thousand suns—" Percy narrated from Davonta’s shoulder, clearly enjoying himself far too much.

  "Stop encouraging this, Percy!" Salem barked as he dove behind a pillar.

  "You think I won’t fight you just because I’m a girl now?" Davonta called after him, cracking her knuckles with menace.

  "I would never think that! You’re equally terrifying in all forms!" Salem squeaked back.

  Draven tilted his head, considering. "Salem, perhaps it would be wise to correct this before she finds you."

  Peeking out from behind the pillar, Salem caught sight of Davonta’s expression and realized Draven was right. "Fine! Fine! Just let me—"

  But before he could finish, a voice thundered through the corridor like a spell cast from the heavens.

  "SALEM BLACKTHORN!"

  Everyone froze.

  Salem turned slowly, wand still mid-wave, looking like a boy caught red-handed in the middle of a heist. Davonta, hair still flowing from her sprint, came to a halt beside him and crossed her arms, her glare promising unspeakable retribution.

  Wickham, resplendent in her long auburn robes, strode down the hall like a fox on the prowl. Her sharp hazel eyes fixed on Salem, her voice cold and commanding. "Would you like to explain why one of my students has been mysteriously transformed into a girl?"

  Salem gulped. "Uhh… it was… a science experiment?"

  "A science experiment?" she repeated, each syllable as sharp as a blade.

  "Yeah," Tiana piped up cheerfully from the side. "He’s been really dedicated to his studies."

  Soya nudged her hard, whispering under his breath. "Not helping."

  Wickham’s gaze shifted toward Davonta. "And you—do you feel any different? Any lingering magical effects?"

  Davonta sighed, brushing her hair back with a hand that still trembled slightly from adrenaline. "Other than the fact that I’m now experiencing what it’s like to have amazing cheekbones? No, I feel fine."

  Draven, ever observant, murmured thoughtfully, "Interesting. The spell may have altered external appearance, but not core magical resonance. Fascinating."

  Salem muttered behind them, low and bitter, "You can analyze this after she stops trying to kill me."

  Wickham exhaled slowly, clearly summoning patience. "Salem. Do you know the proper counterspell?"

  He gulped again. "I think so."

  "He thinks so," Percy narrated from Davonta’s shoulder, his voice solemn. "The group had little faith."

  Salem snapped his wand in the ferret’s direction. "Would you SHUT—"

  "Enough," Wickham snapped, her voice slicing clean through the chaos. "Salem. Fix this. Now."

  He nodded so quickly it looked like his head might fall off. "Absolutely, Professor."

  Salem took a deep breath, raised his wand, and aimed it at Davonta with trembling hands. "Reversio Corpus," he whispered.

  A streak of blue light enveloped Davonta in a shimmer of magic. For a moment, everyone held their breath. The glow flickered, dimmed, and disappeared.

  Davonta looked down at her hands, then checked her hair. She blinked once. Twice. Then she shouted, "It didn’t work!"

  The author's narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

  Their friend group stood frozen, hovering somewhere between alarm and complete, helpless amusement. Draven adjusted his glasses with growing intrigue. "Fascinating. The transformation appears seamless—no loss of magical resonance, no noticeable side effects beyond the obvious."

  "You mean besides the fact that Davonte is still a girl?" Soya said, squinting.

  Davonta raised her hands again, turning them palm up before patting her cheeks and running a hand through her silky hair. "Oh my god, I have cheekbones. This is insane."

  Tiana collapsed against the wall, wheezing. "This is the best thing that’s ever happened."

  Wickham folded her arms, brows furrowing with a sudden shift in seriousness. "Salem. What kind of spell did you use?"

  Salem’s shoulders hunched. "It was supposed to be standard transfiguration… sort of."

  Wickham narrowed her eyes. "Sort of?"

  He hesitated, his voice dropping to a mumble. "It... might’ve also used some Blackthorn runic enhancements."

  She froze. The hallway went silent.

  Wickham's expression darkened as her mind caught up with the implications. "You combined a transfiguration spell with Blackthorn rune magic?"

  "It was for efficiency!" Salem blurted. "I thought maybe layering the runes would stabilize the spell matrix, but now I think it... merged with the gender identifiers in the core sequence and—and—"

  "Salem," Wickham said, her tone dangerously calm, "do you understand what you’ve done?"

  Salem’s face drained of color. "…Made things worse?"

  "You’ve created a hybrid spell that isn’t simply visual or illusion-based," she explained, the weight in her voice making everyone else go quiet. "This is a full corporeal transformation with anchor points built into runic frameworks. This isn’t just a mistake—this is advanced magic that even most professors wouldn't touch without formal testing."

  Davonta gasped dramatically. "Wait. WAIT. This means I get to experience being a girl for a while!"

  Salem’s eyes went wide with panic. "WAIT, NO, YOU DON’T WANT TO—"

  Davonta struck a playful pose, flipping her hair over her shoulder with practiced flair. "I bet I look amazing in skirts."

  Salem collapsed against the nearby statue with a groan. "My father’s going to kill me."

  Draven rubbed his chin, nodding. "It would be wise to test the limits of this transformation before reversing it."

  Soya raised an eyebrow. "So what you’re saying is, we’re leaving Davonte as a girl for a while?"

  "NO, YOU ARE NOT SAYING THAT," Salem cried, spinning to face him.

  Davonta threw an arm around Soya’s shoulder with a grin. "Yes. Yes, they are."

  Tiana wiped a tear from her eye. "Okay, but like—what if this is an improvement? What if girl-Davonte is just as iconic as guy-Davonte?"

  Percy flicked his tail with a flourish. "And thus, the newly formed heroine prepared herself for a bold new adventure—"

  Salem screamed into his hands. "I can’t take this."

  Soya smirked. "Well, Salem, if you’re so good at fixing things, maybe you should try fixing it again."

  His face paled instantly. "Oh no. Ohhh no. The last thing I need is to make it worse."

  "C’mon, Salem the Great and Powerful," Tiana grinned. "What’s the worst that could happen?"

  "Tell them to stop," Salem begged, turning toward Draven with pleading eyes. "Tell them I shouldn't try again."

  Draven shrugged. "Statistically speaking, yes, you could make it worse."

  Salem grabbed him by the shoulders and shook him. "That’s not helping!"

  Meanwhile, Davonta was busy admiring her reflection in a nearby window, turning her head slightly to admire the light catching her jawline. "You know what? I think I can work with this. This might actually be the best thing that’s happened to me all year."

  Soya nudged her lightly. "Wait until your parents see you."

  Davonta froze. Then gasped. "Oh. My. God. You’re right."

  Salem dropped to his knees. "No, please."

  Wickham’s expression remained perfectly unimpressed. "You altered a student’s physical form without permission, Blackthorn. That’s an offense worthy of detention."

  Salem winced. "...How much detention?"

  "Oh, let’s just say," she replied with a glint in her eye, "enough time to study proper Transfiguration spells."

  Soya and Tiana immediately took a synchronized step backward, clearly wanting no part in whatever punishment that would entail.

  Draven, ever the academic, hummed in thought. "Perhaps we can take notes for future reference—"

  "NO," Salem shouted, spinning toward him. "NO MORE SPELLS. I AM NEVER FIXING ANYTHING AGAIN."

  Percy, still nestled comfortably on Davonta’s shoulder, lifted his nose to the sky. "And thus, the weary young wizard accepted his fate, doomed forever to clean cauldron pots in detention—"

  Salem looked as though he was about to faint.

  Davonta, finally satisfied, slung an arm around his shoulders. "Don’t worry, buddy. Maybe next time, you’ll actually fix Percy."

  Salem shuddered. "I’m never trying again."

  "You say that," Tiana said with a sly smile, "but we all know you will."

  Salem’s eye twitched.

  By the time Soya, Davonta, Draven, and Tiana finally reached the Great Hall for breakfast, the chaos of the earlier spell had slightly subsided, though whispers and curious glances still followed them down the corridor. Davonta—now embracing her temporary form with surprising enthusiasm—walked with an amused swagger, clearly entertained by the startled expressions she garnered from their fellow students. Beside her, Tiana remained unable to stop grinning, every now and then bursting into another quiet giggle that earned her a playful glare from her friend.

  Entering the bustling Great Hall, they quickly spotted Kalsei and Sage already sitting at the Thylacea table, engaged in a quiet, albeit awkward, conversation. Sage’s eyes narrowed slightly as he noticed the group approaching, clearly sensing something was off. His gaze shifted towards Davonta, and a bewildered expression crossed his normally composed face.

  "What in the world happened to you?" Sage asked bluntly, staring openly at Davonta as she gracefully took her seat.

  Davonta flipped her long hair dramatically over her shoulder, tossing Sage a teasing wink. "Magic happened, Blackthorn. Pure, questionable magic."

  Sage raised an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed by Davonta's theatrics. "Whose questionable magic?"

  "Your brother’s," Draven answered plainly, adjusting his glasses with clinical precision as he began arranging his breakfast meticulously. "It seems Salem was attempting to undo the enchantment placed on Percy, the talking ferret, but instead, he inadvertently performed a corporeal gender transformation spell on Davonte."

  Kalsei's eyes widened, a delighted laugh escaping his lips. "Wait, so you're—"

  "Davonta," Tiana supplied cheerfully, reaching for a slice of toast. "She’s actually rocking it."

  Davonta smirked triumphantly, reaching across the table for some jam. "Honestly, I think Salem might’ve done me a favor. Look at this jawline."

  Soya chuckled, shaking his head slightly as he filled his plate. "I think Salem might argue otherwise."

  Across from them, Sage’s lips twitched, as though he was fighting back a reluctant smile. "My brother truly outdid himself this time," he remarked dryly, turning his attention back to his breakfast.

  Kalsei snickered softly, leaning forward on the table to better observe Davonta. "Well, I think you look fabulous. I’d keep it this way if I were you."

  Davonta gave a mock sigh of despair. "I might have to. Salem’s apparently invented some kind of hybrid rune transfiguration spell that even Professor Wickham can’t easily fix."

  Soya paused mid-bite, his brows furrowing with concern. "Wait—does that mean you’re stuck like this for the holidays?"

  Davonta shrugged nonchalantly, taking a bite of her jam-covered toast. "Looks that way. Should make for an interesting family reunion."

  "Your family is going to have so many questions," Draven noted calmly, clearly amused by the scenario.

  "Well," Davonta smirked mischievously, "it wouldn’t be a true Evander family gathering without a little drama."

  Around the table, the group laughed easily, the comfortable camaraderie enveloping them like a warm blanket. Even Sage, usually distant and reserved, seemed at ease, quietly absorbing the group's conversation. He still spoke rarely, but he appeared content simply being included, something that was gradually becoming natural rather than forced.

  As the students around them ate, excited chatter filled the Great Hall, the air buzzing with conversations about holiday plans and farewell gatherings. Soya glanced at Tiana, noticing the quiet excitement still evident on her face. "Ready for the Muggle world yet, Tiana?"

  Tiana smiled warmly, nodding eagerly. "More ready than ever, especially after this morning. I’m looking forward to something less chaotic."

  Soya chuckled softly, his expression gentle. "Honestly, magic makes things a lot more unpredictable. You might find life back home surprisingly calm."

  Davonta gave an exaggerated sigh. "Calm is exactly what I don’t need right now."

  Draven gave her a knowing look. "Perhaps not, but it might be exactly what Salem needs."

  Davonta laughed, a rich, bright sound that filled the space around them. "Well, lucky for Salem, he has all holidays to figure out how to fix me."

  Kalsei raised an eyebrow mischievously. "Or make it worse."

  Davonta groaned dramatically. "Don’t even joke about it, Kalsei."

  Throughout their lively banter, Sage quietly ate, occasionally glancing at the group as if silently studying their interactions. He still seemed somewhat detached, as though uncertain how deeply he belonged, but his presence was far more relaxed than it had ever been. For Sage Blackthorn, that subtle, comfortable silence spoke louder than words.

  Finally, after finishing their meals, the friends gathered their belongings, slowly rising from the table. Around them, the Great Hall bustled with students moving out into the corridors preparing for the journey home. Soya stood up, gathering his sketchbook and bag, and glanced at his friends.

  "Last day," he said softly, a hint of nostalgia touching his voice. "It feels a bit strange, doesn’t it?"

  Davonta threw an arm around his shoulders, her grin wide and playful. "Don’t worry, Soya. I have a feeling our holidays will be even more interesting than school."

  Tiana laughed lightly, stepping close beside them as they prepared to leave. "If the rest of our break is anything like this morning, I think we’ll be just fine." she added, as they moved out of the Great Hall, heading towards the courtyard.

  The sun warmed the stones of the courtyard as students gathered, laughter mingling with soft farewells and promises of letters to keep in touch over the holidays. Soya, Davonta, Draven, Sage, Tiana, and Kalsei stepped out into the bright morning, immediately spotting familiar faces spread throughout the yard.

  Grundle Strang, impossible to miss, towered over the others, holding Barney, his sleepy wombat, carefully in his massive palm. He smiled warmly at everyone who passed, offering gentle waves and soft goodbyes that seemed almost apologetic for disturbing the quiet of Barney’s nap. Beside him stood Manaya Moon, quietly laughing at something Grundle said, the scars on her cheek catching the sunlight as if proudly worn rather than hidden. She seemed relaxed, at ease in her own skin—a stark contrast to the shy, reserved girl she'd been earlier in the year.

  As Soya approached, Manaya caught his eye and gave him a small, grateful smile, absentmindedly touching the flower he'd given her, now delicately tucked into her hair. Soya felt his cheeks flush slightly and quickly turned away, shifting his attention to Saunak, who was animatedly describing a prank gone awry to Salem. His hair was a bright, excited gold as he bounced on the balls of his feet, mimicking the explosion with exaggerated gestures. Salem, looking slightly haunted and exhausted from his recent magical mishap with Davonte, merely nodded with a pained expression, clearly still wary of any and all magical experiments.

  "Oi, Soya!" came an unmistakably Aussie drawl from behind them. Alara Steele hurried over, her oversized jumper sleeves flapping as she stumbled slightly but caught herself with practiced clumsiness. "Thanks heaps for the other day. Reckon I owe ya big-time, mate."

  Soya waved off her thanks with an awkward smile. "Don't mention it. Seriously, it was nothing."

  "Well, it weren't nothin; to me," she insisted stubbornly, her cheeks pink from embarrassment but her eyes earnest. "You ever need someone to back ya up, just shout, yeah? Wally and I'll sort 'em right out."

  The blue-tongued skink flicked his tongue lazily from her shoulder as if in agreement, prompting a quiet chuckle from Davonta. "Good to know Soya's got backup," Davonta teased gently. "With Percy narrating and Alara defending him, he's practically untouchable."

  "And thus," Percy proclaimed from Davonta's shoulder with flair, "the noble heroine realized the strength in friends and allies—"

  Davonta groaned good-naturedly, flicking the ferret’s snout lightly. "Honestly, Percy, give it a rest."

  As the group laughed, Sage lingered near the edge, quietly stroking the silky fur of the black kitten cradled in his arms. He glanced toward the others, not quite joining but not pulling away either, still uncertain of how to fit himself into this circle. He startled slightly when a large shadow fell over him, and he looked up to see Grundle towering above, a broad, gentle smile on his face.

  "That's a lovely little friend ya got there, Sage," Grundle rumbled softly, reaching one enormous finger to carefully pet the kitten's tiny head. "What's their name?"

  Sage hesitated, uncomfortable with the genuine kindness, before finally mumbling, "Haven't thought of one yet."

  Grundle nodded sagely, withdrawing his hand slowly. "Take your time. Names gotta feel right. Barney took me weeks."

  As Grundle lumbered off to join Manaya again, Tiana nudged Davonta playfully. "You think Barney knows he's called Barney yet?"

  Davonta snorted. "I think Barney knows exactly three things: eating, sleeping, and looking adorable. Names are irrelevant."

  The group fell into easy laughter again, the warmth of friendship palpable. Kalsei leaned close to Soya, cat ears flickering playfully as he whispered, "You think we'll all survive without causing any chaos over the holidays?"

  Soya gave him a wry smile. "Not a chance."

  Just then, Lykaios Verelle appeared at the far edge of the courtyard, her expression unreadable as always. She met Soya's gaze briefly, offering the smallest nod of acknowledgment before her attention shifted pointedly away, clearly still irritated by the glitter incident from the previous day. Draven adjusted his glasses slightly, observing her cool detachment with clinical interest.

  "Interesting how some things never change," he noted dryly.

  "Speak for yourself," Davonta muttered, still self-consciously tugging at her newly feminine hair. "Some things definitely change."

  Soya chuckled softly, nudging her shoulder. "Well, at least you can say your year ended on a memorable note."

  Davonta sighed dramatically. "Next year better be less eventful."

  "Somehow, I doubt that," Tiana smirked, eyes sparkling with excitement.

  As their laughter quieted, Boromus Spellchecker strode into the courtyard, his vibrant robes billowing behind him. He smiled warmly at the students, pausing every few steps to offer final words of encouragement or a comforting pat on the shoulder. Catching sight of their group, he gave them an approving nod and raised his voice slightly, drawing everyone's attention.

  "Remember," he announced with theatrical flair, his eyes twinkling mischievously, "the end of one adventure merely signals the beginning of the next. Make good choices, embrace your oddities, and above all—don't burn down your parents' homes with experimental magic."

  The laughter that erupted was genuine and carefree, students smiling and relaxing into the promise of summer and freedom, if only for a short while.

  As the group slowly dispersed, heading to their dorms to pack and prepare for the evening departure, Sage lingered behind for just a moment, gently petting the kitten now purring contentedly in his arms. He glanced at the retreating figure of Soya, a small, hesitant smile tugging at his lips.

  Maybe this next year wouldn't be as lonely as the last.

  The halls of Austramore were filled with the bustling noise of excited students dragging trunks, bags, and animal carriers toward the Great Hall, each eager to start their holidays. Laughter and shouts echoed through the ancient corridors, mingled with the occasional disgruntled meow or indignant squawk from familiars unhappy about their temporary confinement.

  Soya checked over his belongings one last time, ensuring Ink Well was safely tucked into her carrier. The kitten pawed lazily at the door, mewing softly as if complaining about being disturbed from her nap. Soya smiled gently, tapping his fingers against the wire frame. "It won't be for too long, Ink. I promise."

  Beside him, Sage was carefully holding his own kitten, his movements awkward yet gentle. He glanced toward Soya with faint embarrassment when he noticed he was being watched, quickly returning his attention to the tiny black bundle curled against his chest. "Quiet now," Sage muttered under his breath. "Don’t embarrass me."

  Davonta, now grudgingly adjusting to her new, longer hair, sighed dramatically as she packed her final belongings. "Percy, I swear if you narrate this entire train ride home—"

  "And thus, the heroine threatened her faithful companion once more," Percy declared proudly, prompting Davonta to groan in mock despair.

  Draven calmly finished closing his trunk, ignoring the chaos around him as he turned to Kalsei, who was currently lounging comfortably against the wall, feline ears twitching occasionally. "Did you even pack anything?" Draven asked mildly.

  Kalsei gave an indifferent shrug, eyes half-lidded with characteristic boredom. "I packed enough."

  "Which means he probably threw his clothes randomly into a bag five minutes ago," Tiana teased, hoisting her own neatly organized trunk onto a small wheeled trolley. "Honestly, Kalsei."

  Kalsei merely yawned in response, clearly unbothered by any and all accusations.

  Together, the group made their way toward the Great Hall, joining the steady stream of students heading for Boromus’s farewell address. Inside, the Hall was already crowded with students gathered around tables or standing clustered in groups, excitement tangible in the air. At the head of the room stood Boromus Spellchecker, his hands clasped lightly behind his back as he observed the students warmly, his eyes crinkling with a genuine fondness.

  Once the final few students had filtered in, Boromus raised a hand for silence, and a calm hush fell over the crowd. He smiled warmly at the assembly, his voice carrying clearly across the hall.

  "As another school year draws to a close, I want to thank each and every one of you for making Austramore the extraordinary place it is. You have learned, grown, and perhaps most importantly, you have formed bonds that will stand the test of time. Remember to take what you've learned this year and apply it—not just in your magic, but in your lives. Enjoy your holidays, rest, and recharge. And when you return, remember: Austramore will be waiting."

  His words were met with applause, the students cheering enthusiastically. With a final nod, Boromus stepped back, signaling that it was time to depart.

  As the students began to file out toward the waiting train, Davonta caught Soya's sleeve, giving him a mischievous smile. "Try not to corrupt Tiana too much with your muggle ways."

  Tiana, overhearing, rolled her eyes and laughed, nudging Davonta playfully. "I think I'm more worried about corrupting him."

  Draven adjusted his glasses thoughtfully. "Statistically speaking, the probability of mutual corruption is quite high."

  "Great," Soya chuckled. "That's reassuring."

  Outside, the Austramore Express gleamed proudly on the tracks, steam billowing softly from the engine in gentle clouds. Students quickly boarded, the platform alive with excited chatter and hurried goodbyes.

  Soya and Tiana managed to find an empty compartment toward the back of the train, settling their trunks overhead and gently placing Ink Well's carrier beside them. The kitten, apparently deciding her confinement was acceptable, curled up for another nap. Tiana watched the bustling students on the platform through the window, a small, thoughtful smile playing on her lips.

  "You alright?" Soya asked gently, noticing her distant gaze.

  She nodded slowly, turning to face him with a soft sigh. "It's just weird, you know? I've never had a proper home to go back to during the holidays. It's always just been... another place to stay. But now…" She trailed off uncertainly, eyes searching Soya's face.

  Soya smiled reassuringly, reaching out to squeeze her hand briefly. "Trust me, you'll love it. My parents are going to adore you. And you'll finally get to see what a 'television' is."

  Tiana laughed softly, visibly relaxing. "As long as it’s not as terrifying as Davonta makes it sound."

  Soya grinned. "Davonta exaggerates literally everything."

  Just then, the train gave a gentle lurch, slowly beginning to move. Soya watched through the window as the familiar silhouette of Austramore gradually shrank into the distance. A year had passed, filled with adventures and dangers he'd never expected. He wondered briefly what awaited him next year—what secrets were still hidden, what magic he might uncover.

  Yet as he glanced back toward Tiana, smiling as she eagerly pointed to something outside the window, he pushed those thoughts aside. For now, at least, he was content to simply enjoy this moment, surrounded by friends who had somehow become family.

  The train carried them onward, the gentle rocking motion soothing. With each passing mile, Austramore faded further behind, yet somehow, Soya felt certain—

  He was exactly where he was meant to be.