The early morning sun bathed the town of Fernwick in soft, golden warmth, illuminating the bustling streets filled with students and magical townsfolk eager to start their day. Soya, Draven, Tiana, Kalsei, Davonte, and Sage made their way along the cobbled pathway winding into the heart of the quaint wizarding village, their footsteps mingling with cheerful chatter from other students who had come to enjoy the weekend away from Austramore's stone walls. Fernwick bustled with life, its vibrant shops beckoning with brightly decorated windows, showcasing everything from enchanted sweets to curious artifacts that whispered of forgotten magics.

  Davonte led the group enthusiastically, practically bounding with excitement. He had been looking forward to this outing for days, captivated by the idea of the upcoming cosplay event—a concept he’d thoroughly misunderstood but was nonetheless deeply enamored with. “Right, first stop has to be costumes,” Davonte declared energetically, his silver eyes sparkling with anticipation. “We gotta look our best if we’re gonna win any prizes!”

  "Are there prizes?" Draven asked dryly, glancing skeptically at his friend. "Or did you just assume that?"

  Davonte flashed a mischievous grin. "There's gotta be prizes, right? Otherwise, what's the point of dressing up like a bunch of book characters?"

  Soya smiled faintly, pulling his sketchbook closer against his chest as they walked. Despite the vibrant cheerfulness around him, he couldn't fully shake the lingering anxiety that still clung from recent events—yet his friends' enthusiasm helped ease it, at least somewhat. Beside him, Tiana moved gracefully, her steel-blue hair catching the sunlight in delicate ripples as she shook her head with amusement.

  "Considering how excited you are, Davonte," she said gently, "I’d bet you already have something outrageous in mind."

  Davonte shrugged nonchalantly, though his grin betrayed his excitement. "Maybe something heroic. A legendary wizard, a dragon tamer, something with style."

  Soya laughed softly. “Let me guess—someone tall, imposing, and powerful?”

  Davonte threw an exaggeratedly wounded look toward Soya. “Exactly. Finally, someone who understands me.”

  Kalsei giggled, his amusement deepened. "Davonte, please don't pick something you can barely walk in. I'd rather not have to rescue you again."

  Davonte dramatically clutched his chest, feigning offense. "I'll have you know, I'm always graceful."

  Draven’s mouth twitched into a faint smirk. "The shattered vases in Professor Wickham's classroom suggest otherwise."

  Davonte opened his mouth to protest, but Sage, lingering quietly near the back of the group, spoke first, interrupting him with an unexpected softness to his usually cool voice. "What exactly do we wear for something like this? Do people really just…dress up as other wizards?”

  His tone was uncertain, almost guarded, as if wary of showing too much interest in something so trivial, yet clearly intrigued. Soya cast him a gentle glance, understanding Sage’s discomfort. After all, the very concept of dressing up for fun likely felt foreign to someone so serious and tightly wound.

  "Well," Soya began carefully, offering Sage a warm, reassuring smile, "cosplay isn't exactly traditional here. But Davonte mentioned the idea to Boromus, and I suppose he loved it enough to go ahead and arrange it anyway. Usually, people dress up as characters from stories—heroes, villains, historical figures—anyone you admire or find interesting."

  Davonte added proudly, puffing out his chest a little. "Yeah, I heard about it from Soya, apparently it's big in the Muggle world. Although," he admitted sheepishly, rubbing his neck, "I might've misunderstood a little bit about what exactly counts as 'wizarding literature,' but whatever. It'll still be awesome."

  Tiana shook her head again, hiding a smile. "That explains a lot."

  Kalsei tilted his head thoughtfully. "Well, if it’s based on literature, I think I'll go as someone famous. Maybe The Great Akihiro? I've always loved stories about him."

  Draven tilted his head, eyes narrowing slightly as he glanced towards Kalsei. "Isn't he famous for accidentally setting fire to an entire library?"

  "Yeah," Kalsei replied cheerfully. "But it was an accident, and he apologized right afterward!"

  Davonte raised an eyebrow skeptically. "I'm not sure that's the takeaway from that story."

  Soya chuckled softly, feeling tension ease from his shoulders as he watched his friends discuss their costume ideas. He noticed Sage quietly observing the conversation, clearly uncertain of his own place within this friendly banter. Despite everything Sage had done before, Soya couldn't help but feel an odd pang of sympathy for the other boy, who now seemed distinctly lost amid their easy camaraderie.

  "What about you, Sage?" Tiana asked kindly, her eyes softening slightly. "Have you thought about who you might dress as?"

  Sage's expression flickered briefly with uncertainty, and he hesitated for a moment before responding with a carefully composed mask of indifference. "I don't know yet," he admitted stiffly. "I haven't really thought about it."

  "Then maybe you can just browse around today," Soya suggested quietly, his voice gentle but encouraging. "There's no rush—sometimes inspiration just finds you when you're not expecting it."

  Sage looked away quickly, almost embarrassed by the kindness directed his way, and muttered something vaguely affirmative. Soya didn't push him further, sensing Sage’s discomfort with kindness—but he hoped his words had helped at least a little.

  The group eventually arrived at the first shop—an eccentric little establishment named Madame Marigold’s Masquerades. It was brightly painted in hues of emerald green and gold, its large windows overflowing with flamboyant costumes, shimmering cloaks, and an assortment of curious hats. Davonte eagerly charged ahead, tugging open the door with an excited grin.

  "Alright, everyone! Let's find something amazing!" he declared, his voice filled with boundless enthusiasm. Kalsei laughed warmly, linking arms with Tiana and tugging her inside as Draven calmly shook his head and followed along behind. Tiana cast a quiet glance towards Soya, who smiled shyly back before stepping into the bustling shop.

  As they stepped inside, the welcoming chime of a small enchanted bell echoed pleasantly around them, and the delightful scent of fresh fabric and faint magic tickled their senses. The group quickly dispersed, weaving through the shelves and racks filled with wondrous costumes.

  Soya paused briefly in the doorway, watching as his friends explored eagerly. He noticed Sage lingering behind, clearly uncomfortable but also quietly curious. Turning slightly towards him, Soya offered a small, reassuring smile. "Come on. Let's find something good."

  Sage hesitated only a moment longer, then nodded and quietly followed him into the shop.

  Neither boy spoke more as they began to browse, each searching through the endless selection in thoughtful silence. Yet somehow, the silence between them felt less strained now, softer even, and maybe—for the first time—a bit hopeful.

  Tiana moved gracefully through the crowded racks of colorful cloaks, intricate robes, and glittering accessories toward the shop counter, where the boutique's owner stood sorting a stack of feathered hats. The woman was striking, with silvery hair pulled back in a neat bun and glasses perched on the bridge of her slender nose. She looked up as Tiana approached, her expression brightening with warmth and curiosity.

  "Excuse me," Tiana began politely, her voice steady and clear despite her hesitation. "I don't mean to intrude, but I can't help noticing that your shop seems… unusually well-stocked with costumes. From what I know, costumes aren't particularly popular here in Fernwick."

  The shopkeeper smiled kindly, her eyes twinkling with amusement as she set down the feathered hats and clasped her hands together atop the counter. "You're quite right, young lady," she replied cheerfully, her voice carrying the gentle authority of someone accustomed to addressing curious customers. "Costumes haven't exactly been flying off the shelves in previous years. But recently, Headmaster Spellchecker personally sent a charmingly vague message to all shopkeepers in Fernwick, informing us that there would be a rather unusual event—a 'cosplay day,' if I recall correctly—taking place at Austramore."

  Tiana raised an eyebrow slightly, amused by Boromus Spellchecker's casual eccentricity. "Charming but vague," she repeated softly, a faint smile tugging at her lips. "That does sound rather like him."

  "Oh yes," the woman laughed warmly. "I must admit, we were all a bit confused at first. Cosplay? We had no idea what that meant. But the headmaster suggested that costumes based on famous wizarding literature, legends, and history would be greatly appreciated by students and professors alike. I daresay every shop in Fernwick has been racing to assemble a suitable inventory."

  Tiana's gaze drifted thoughtfully across the shop, taking in the wide array of garments filling every corner of the boutique. "It's impressive how quickly you all managed to get everything prepared," she noted appreciatively.

  The shopkeeper beamed proudly, adjusting her glasses as she nodded. "Fernwick takes pride in meeting the needs of Austramore students. After all, without you young witches and wizards, this town would scarcely have its delightful charm."

  As Tiana continued her pleasant conversation at the counter, across the boutique, Kalsei was dragging Sage toward a corner overflowing with a vibrant assortment of whimsical costumes. Soya, standing nearby, watched nervously, unsure whether to intervene or simply let Kalsei unleash his unique enthusiasm on the wary Sage.

  "You know," Kalsei announced cheerfully, his eyes sparkling with mischief as he studied Sage thoughtfully, "I've got just the perfect costume in mind for you."

  Sage, whose expression had immediately darkened with suspicion, crossed his arms defensively. "I haven't asked for your help, Detra," he muttered, but the usual venom in his tone was noticeably dulled, softened perhaps by uncertainty or resignation.

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  "That's what makes me such a good friend," Kalsei responded brightly, completely unfazed by Sage's cold demeanor. "You didn't have to ask—I just knew you'd need help."

  Before Sage could object again, Kalsei swiftly selected several items from the shelves, draping fabrics over his arms with an almost gleeful determination. Sage stood stiffly in place, clearly unsure how to handle the overwhelming force of cheerful enthusiasm that was Kalsei.

  Nearby, Soya watched carefully, partly worried for Sage’s dignity but mostly intrigued to see what his friend had in mind. "Kalsei," Soya began gently, stepping forward to intervene just slightly, "maybe we should let Sage decide for himself?"

  Kalsei waved him off confidently. "Trust me, Soya," he laughed easily, eyes twinkling. "Sage needs someone to push him out of his comfort zone."

  Sage scowled, though his cheeks flushed faintly in embarrassment. "My comfort zone is just fine, thank you very much."

  "No, it’s not," Kalsei grinned impishly. Without giving Sage another chance to resist, he thrust a set of fluffy cat ears onto the dark-haired boy’s head, arranging them meticulously before stepping back to admire his work. Sage stood rigidly, glaring with icy disdain at his reflection in the mirror, though his fierce expression was comically undermined by the soft, twitching cat ears perched atop his head.

  "There," Kalsei announced triumphantly, clasping his hands together with delight. "Purrfect!"

  Davonte, who had wandered over during the exchange, snorted loudly, doubling over with laughter. "Detra, you're a genius," he wheezed between chuckles. "I never knew how badly I needed to see Blackthorn as a kitten."

  "Shut it, Evander," Sage hissed, eyes narrowing dangerously.

  Davonte merely laughed harder, clapping Kalsei approvingly on the shoulder. "You're my hero, mate."

  Soya, trying desperately to suppress his laughter, approached Sage carefully, sensing his embarrassment beneath the simmering annoyance. "It—it’s not so bad," Soya managed to say gently, giving a kind smile in Sage’s direction. "You actually look kind of nice."

  Sage’s glare softened fractionally, his discomfort shifting to mild uncertainty. He stared at Soya, searching the smaller boy’s expression for any hint of ridicule. Finding none, his eyes darted away, embarrassed but less angry. "You’re just saying that," he muttered, fingers self-consciously touching one of the fluffy ears.

  "No, he isn’t," Kalsei declared, folding his arms smugly. "Soya never lies."

  Sage shifted uncomfortably but said nothing further, quietly accepting his fate for now. Across the room, Tiana turned away from her conversation with the shopkeeper, glancing curiously toward the boys. A delicate smile crossed her lips, amusement glittering in her eyes as she saw Sage in his unexpected new attire. Even Draven, who had quietly observed the scene without comment, allowed himself the smallest of amused smirks.

  Though Sage still looked deeply uncertain about the entire situation, he made no move to remove the cat ears. Instead, he stood quietly, flushed with embarrassment but somehow, reluctantly allowing himself to be part of their world—even if just for a moment.

  By the time the sun hung high in the sky, the group had finally settled on their costumes, each selection reflecting their individual personalities—or perhaps hidden aspirations. Sage, much to his initial embarrassment and the gentle amusement of his companions, had ultimately embraced Kalsei's playful suggestion, deciding to lean into the feline concept that had been thrust upon him. Though he tried to maintain his usual cold facade, he secretly found himself appreciating the subtle elegance of the enchanted cat ears atop his head, even though he would sooner face detention than openly admit such a thing.

  Soya watched Sage quietly from a few paces away, pleased to see the once-distant boy beginning to show a slightly more approachable side, even if it was reluctantly. Sage eventually selected an outfit that balanced perfectly on the edge between cute and intimidating—a sleek, black-and-silver ensemble featuring claw-shaped embroidery along the sleeves, a cloak hemmed with subtle silver trim, and dark leather gloves etched with rune-like patterns that suggested both sophistication and danger. The look was unexpectedly striking on him, accentuating the piercing darkness of his eyes and the sharpness of his features, even as the ears softened his usually intense presence.

  "You look great," Soya said softly, approaching Sage with a gentle smile. "It suits you."

  Sage's cheeks darkened slightly, and for a brief instant, his usual mask faltered, revealing genuine uncertainty beneath. "It's...passable," he mumbled, his gaze dropping momentarily before quickly recovering its guarded confidence. "But don’t tell anyone I said that."

  Soya smiled warmly. "Your secret’s safe with me."

  Seeing Sage embracing the cat ears with begrudging enthusiasm seemed to inspire the rest of the group, who quickly became engrossed in finding their own costumes. Tiana, elegant and poised as always, chose an outfit inspired by a famed sorceress from Australian wizarding folklore, known for her strength, wisdom, and unwavering sense of justice. The gown she picked was both practical and graceful, adorned with intricate embroidery in shades of midnight blue and silver. She carried herself with quiet dignity, effortlessly embodying the historical figure's presence and confidence.

  Draven, as meticulous and analytical as ever, took his time selecting something suitably dignified. Eventually, he settled upon robes that matched the ceremonial attire of an esteemed former Head of the Australian Ministry of Magic, famed not only for his magical prowess but for his cunning and decisive leadership. The deep emerald and gold robes enhanced Draven's calm, authoritative air, and when he quietly adjusted the high collar, Davonte could not resist teasing him for looking like a politician even outside class. Draven merely offered a slight shrug, replying dryly, "I suppose dignity isn't for everyone."

  Davonte, predictably, opted for something significantly more flamboyant. After thoroughly interrogating Soya about Muggle stories filled with heroics and knights of legend, Davonte selected a shining suit of enchanted armor—complete with a cloak of vivid crimson that billowed dramatically around him with every movement. His excitement was infectious, and even Draven had difficulty hiding his amusement as Davonte practiced exaggerated heroic poses in front of the shop mirror, declaring loudly that Austramore would soon witness the bravery of the "greatest knight they've ever seen."

  Soya shook his head with amusement, feeling his spirits lift as he watched his friends lose themselves in their newfound roles. Finally, after a gentle nudge from Kalsei—who had already transformed himself into an irresistibly adorable cat boy, complete with pastel-colored fur trimmings, whiskers drawn delicately across his cheeks, and a tail charmed to swish realistically—Soya chose a simple, comfortable costume of his own. In a quiet show of solidarity with Sage, he decided to don a matching pair of enchanted cat ears, though his attire took on a gentler, softer appearance, blending shades of muted charcoal with playful accents of white and pale silver.

  He glanced toward Sage as he adjusted his costume, half-expecting some form of teasing or disdainful remark, but the other boy merely watched him quietly, his usually piercing gaze softened into something unreadable but faintly approving.

  "It's nice," Sage finally murmured, barely audible, as though reluctant to reveal even this tiny compliment.

  Soya smiled shyly, warmth blossoming gently in his chest. "Thanks, Sage."

  From across the room, Davonte let out an exaggerated groan, though he seemed unable to hide his own grudging amusement. "Great, now there’s two of them. As if Detra wasn’t already enough of a cat fanatic."

  Kalsei giggled, cat ears twitching in playful delight. "You’re just jealous you didn’t join our squad, Davonte."

  Davonte huffed indignantly, clanging slightly as he shifted within his armor. "I’m a knight, thank you very much. Knights don’t get jealous."

  Draven tilted his head slightly, regarding Davonte skeptically. "Are you certain? Historical records suggest otherwise."

  Davonte waved dismissively, flashing a wide grin. "Yeah, yeah, history. You ruin all my fun."

  Together, the group paid for their purchases and stepped out into the early afternoon sun, each student clutching parcels filled with colorful costumes and new memories. Except for Davonte, who had now embraced his role as a knight and wore his costume out onto the street. As they slowly made their way deeper into Fernwick, laughter and cheerful conversation filling the air, Soya found himself walking closer to Sage, quietly enjoying the way his usually distant companion seemed to relax slightly in his presence.

  For the first time, Sage felt less like an outsider. Though he would never openly admit it, especially to anyone else, something about Soya's quiet encouragement had reached him, gently cracking open the carefully constructed armor of indifference he had worn for so long.

  As the afternoon sun began to dip, casting slender shadows across the town, the group paused at the intersection in front of Perswick’s Particular Potions to discuss their next moves. The village bustled with students and townsfolk enjoying the early-afternoon energy, laughter and conversations weaving comfortably through the air around them. Draven, ever observant, checked the time thoughtfully before speaking.

  “Perhaps we should split up to explore,” Draven suggested logically, eyes flickering to a nearby shop window advertising newly released magical history volumes. Tiana’s gaze followed his, clearly intrigued by the same shop. She tilted her head slightly, the faintest hint of a smile curving her lips as she glanced back at Draven.

  “I’ll join you,” she said calmly, nodding toward the bookshop. “I need something new to read anyway.”

  Davonte rolled his eyes dramatically, his armored shoulders clanking as he gestured toward the streets in exaggerated resignation. “Typical. You two and your obsession with dusty old tomes. Honestly, it’s a miracle your brains haven’t melted from boredom.”

  Draven adjusted his robes, unfazed, simply raising an eyebrow at his friend’s theatrics. “Perhaps we prefer intelligent company.”

  Davonte scoffed, feigning wounded pride. “Ouch, mate. Brutal.”

  Before Draven could offer another dry retort, Kalsei suddenly grabbed hold of Soya’s wrist, his eyes alight with excitement. “Soya, come with me! There’s this fantastic broom shop down the street, and I just have to show you something—I promise it'll be quick!”

  Without waiting for an answer, Kalsei tugged Soya along eagerly, the smaller boy laughing softly and stumbling a little as Kalsei pulled him away, his protests lost beneath Kalsei's infectious enthusiasm. "We'll meet you all back here before sundown!" Kalsei called cheerfully over his shoulder, already guiding Soya into the bustling crowd.

  Davonte turned, suddenly aware that he was left standing alone with Sage, who remained silent at the edge of the group. Sage was watching the retreating forms of Soya and Kalsei with an unreadable expression, a mixture of curiosity and uncertainty that flickered briefly across his face before being hidden once again beneath his usual mask of cool detachment.

  The tension between them was unmistakable. Davonte felt his instincts bristle; he was naturally protective of Soya and couldn’t easily forget Sage’s earlier cruelty. Yet, he also remembered Soya’s quiet words from earlier, the soft plea for him to give Sage a chance.

  Swallowing his reservations, Davonte exhaled slowly and turned toward Sage, forcing a relaxed smile onto his face. "Guess it's just you and me, huh?" he said lightly, attempting to sound friendlier than he felt.

  Sage met Davonte's eyes warily, clearly uncertain of Davonte’s sincerity. His shoulders tensed, and his expression hardened defensively. "You don't have to babysit me, Evander," he replied curtly, crossing his arms tightly. Despite his attempt to appear unaffected, the edge in his voice betrayed a hint of insecurity beneath the usual arrogance.

  Davonte regarded him for a moment, biting back a sharp reply. He forced himself to soften his tone, recalling the faith Soya seemed to have in Sage. “I’m not babysitting you, Sage. Believe it or not, I’m actually choosing to be here. Call it giving you a chance, I suppose.”

  Sage narrowed his eyes skeptically, though the hostility ebbed slightly, replaced by wary curiosity. "Why?" he demanded, clearly puzzled by Davonte’s unexpected willingness. "You have no reason to trust me."

  Davonte sighed, shrugging his broad shoulders, the armor clinking faintly. "Honestly? I don't. But Soya seems to trust you—or at least he wants to try. He tends to see the best in people, even when the rest of us don't."

  Sage glanced away, his gaze dropping to the cobblestones beneath his feet. "He’s na?ve," he muttered, though without the usual biting disdain. "Trust like that will get him hurt."

  Davonte regarded him carefully, sensing a vulnerability beneath Sage’s harsh facade. "Maybe," he admitted. "But maybe he sees something we can’t."

  A tense silence settled between them for several moments, broken only by the distant chatter and laughter of the village. Finally, Sage shifted slightly, his eyes darting back toward Davonte, studying him carefully before offering a hesitant nod.

  "Fine," Sage relented, lifting his chin slightly in guarded acceptance. "Lead the way, knight-boy."

  Davonte cracked a grin, allowing the tension to dissolve somewhat as he turned toward the street lined with intriguing shops. "Careful, Blackthorn," he teased, walking forward with Sage falling into step beside him. "Keep being decent like this, and you might just become likable."

  Sage snorted in disbelief, though the corners of his lips twitched into the faintest hint of a smirk. "Let’s not get carried away."