The soft rustling of parchment and the occasional scratch of quills filled the Austramore library, the morning light filtering through enchanted stained-glass windows, casting shifting patterns across the long wooden tables. It was Sunday, the second and final day of the weekend, which meant the usual mix of students—some scrambling to finish assignments, others pretending to study while gossiping in hushed voices.

  At one of the larger tables near the back, Soya, Draven, Davonte, Kalsei, and Tiana sat with their books open, though only half of them seemed to be making any real progress.

  Kalsei sighed dramatically, flipping through a book with the enthusiasm of someone being forced to do manual labor. “Alright, I need someone to explain why we’re wasting a perfectly good Sunday doing schoolwork.”

  “You wouldn’t be complaining if you weren’t still trying to figure out how to write Runes properly,” Tiana remarked without looking up from her neatly organized notes.

  Kalsei scoffed. “I’ve only been here two weeks, I think I’m allowed to still be confused by why some of these things look the same but mean completely different things.”

  “You’re lucky you weren’t here while the ministry was still around,” Soya said, twirling his quill between his fingers.

  Davonte grinned. “Oh yeah, you missed some real disasters.”

  Tiana raised an eyebrow. “Like?”

  Davonte leaned back in his chair, smirking. “Like the time Professor Coorong tried to teach us Airwriting Charms and nearly blew himself out the window.”

  Kalsei perked up instantly. “I need to hear this.”

  Draven sighed, rubbing his temple. “It was meant to be a creative exercise. Coorong thought it would be fun to teach us how to write words in the air using controlled gusts of wind.”

  Soya smirked. “In theory, a cool idea.”

  “In reality?” Davonte added, grinning. “Coorong told everyone to ‘think big, be expressive’—so some people started writing whole sentences in the air.”

  Kalsei nodded. “Alright, so where does it go wrong?”

  Draven closed his book, looking deeply unimpressed. “Soya decided he wanted to ‘experiment’ and wrote way too fast.”

  Soya held up a finger. “In my defense, I thought the spell would slow it down.”

  Tiana stared. “And?”

  Soya sighed. “Turns out if you write too quickly, the wind gets… a bit aggressive.”

  “Aggressive?” Kalsei repeated, intrigued.

  Davonte grinned. “The gust rebounded off the walls, blew over half the desks, and sent Coorong himself rolling backward like a tumbleweed.”

  Kalsei slammed his hands on the table, laughing. “No. Absolutely not. You’re telling me you wind-blasted the professor?”

  Draven looked exhausted just remembering it. “He was still laughing while rolling.”

  “Oh, he loved it,” Davonte added. “Said it was ‘an unexpected display of magical enthusiasm.’”

  Kalsei wiped a tear from his eye. “I regret missing this.”

  “You should regret nothing,” Draven muttered. “That class was a nightmare.”

  “Oh, trust me, that’s not even the worst thing that’s happened,” Soya smirked. “Ask Davonte about the Potions lesson that ended with him covered in goo.”

  Davonte immediately sat up. “Nope. We’re done here.”

  Tiana and Kalsei both turned to him expectantly.

  “Yeah, you absolutely have to tell us now,” Kalsei said.

  Draven closed his book with a quiet thump. “It was… an experience.”

  Davonte slumped forward onto the table. “I hate all of you.”

  Laughter lingered at the edges of their conversation, the morning slowly slipping away as they fell into an easy rhythm of half-studying, half-swapping ridiculous stories. Kalsei, still grinning from the tales of Coorong’s wind disaster and Davonte’s failed Potions attempt, leaned forward, propping his elbows on the table.

  “Alright, but seriously,” he said, flipping a quill between his fingers, “this place has to be cursed. There’s no way a school has this many ridiculous incidents and just calls it ‘normal wizarding education.’”

  “You say that like it isn’t completely expected,” Soya said, resting his chin in his palm.

  “I expected some chaos,” Kalsei admitted. “I didn’t expect whatever this is.”

  Tiana, still methodically jotting down notes, barely looked up. “You haven’t even been here long enough to see the real disasters.”

  Kalsei raised an eyebrow. “Oh? You mean worse than wind-blasting a professor into a bookshelf?”

  Soya smirked. “Much worse.”

  And, as if the universe had been waiting to prove them right, a voice louder than it had any right to be rang through the library:

  “BEHOLD, THE GREAT DAVONTE EVANDER, MASTER OF CHAOS!”

  All five of them froze.

  Kalsei snapped his head around. “...Please tell me that wasn’t—”

  “It was,” Draven muttered.

  From the far end of the library, near an increasingly distressed Salem Blackthorn, a small, furry figure was standing upright on a table, its tiny paws dramatically gesturing as if performing for an audience.

  “DO NOT LOOK AWAY, FOR YOU WILL MISS THE GLORY OF HIS PRESENCE!”

  Soya blinked. “That’s… the ferret, isn’t it?”

  “That’s the ferret,” Draven confirmed.

  Kalsei looked delighted. “It talks?”

  Soya exhaled. “It does now.”

  The ferret, oblivious to the growing horror and amusement surrounding it, continued narrating with absolute confidence.

  “AND SO, THE MIGHTY DAVONTE EVANDER, BANE OF RESPONSIBILITY, TAKES HIS SEAT, READY TO—”

  A frantic Salem grabbed the creature and clamped a hand over its tiny mouth. “I can fix it.”

  Davonte, however, looked far too entertained. “Absolutely not.”

  Salem, pale and looking one spell away from a nervous breakdown, held up his wand. “I was trying to make it behave!”

  Soya tilted his head. “You thought enchanting Davonte’s ferret would go well?”

  “I thought it would calm down! Not—this!”

  The moment Salem loosened his grip, the ferret broke free and resumed its performance.

  “DO YOU HEAR THE WORDS OF DESTINY? DO YOU UNDERSTAND THE GREATNESS BEFORE YOU?”

  Kalsei, wiping tears of laughter from his eyes, leaned over to Davonte. “Friend, this is the best thing that’s ever happened to you.”

  Davonte beamed. “I know, right?”

  Tiana massaged her temples. “Please tell me this isn’t permanent.”

  Salem looked like a man in distress. “I—I don’t know. The spell… rebounded. It’s acting on its own.”

  “BEHOLD, THE UNBREAKABLE WILL OF DAVONTE EVANDER!”

  Soya stared at the ferret. “I am so sorry, but this is amazing.”

  Draven, rubbing his temples, muttered, “We are never going to get work done today.”

  Kalsei, still laughing, leaned back in his chair. “You think Coorong would let you take it to class?”

  Davonte grinned. “Oh, I’m absolutely trying.”

  Salem, muttering under his breath, started flipping through his spellbook. “This is a nightmare.”

  And as the talking ferret continued its dramatic proclamations, their studying session officially dissolved into chaos.

  The library had long since dissolved into barely managed chaos, with Davonte’s dramatically self-aware ferret narrating his every move and Kalsei finding far too much amusement in the situation. Salem, still flipping through his spellbook, looked about two seconds away from a full existential crisis trying to undo his own mistake.

  Soya, on the other hand, was half-listening while attempting to actually finish his notes.

  “AND NOW, THE GLORIOUS DAVONTE EVANDER SHALL TURN THE PAGE, A DECISION THAT WILL RESHAPE THE FUTURE OF HIS SCHOLARLY JOURNEY—”

  Davonte paused mid-turn. “Honestly? This is making me feel very important.”

  Tiana, without looking up, sighed. “I hate that you like this.”

  Soya smirked but before he could comment, a shadow fell over their table.

  “Evander. Vareen.”

  Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author.

  Soya glanced up, recognizing the badge of a Yarramundi prefect pinned to the older student’s robe.

  Davonte, casually, leaned back in his chair. “Yeah?”

  “The Headmaster has requested your presence. Both of you.”

  The conversation at the table immediately quieted.

  Soya felt the shift in the air—the sudden weight of something more serious.

  Kalsei sat up a little straighter, the amusement in his face dimming just slightly. “Oof. That sounds ominous.”

  Davonte scratched the back of his neck. “Uh… any details?”

  The prefect shook his head. “Just said it was important. Come on.”

  Soya and Davonte exchanged a glance.

  Neither of them asked questions.

  Soya closed his book and stood up, tucking it under his arm. Davonte followed, though not before placing his ferret onto the table.

  “Wait here, little buddy,” he said, grinning.

  The ferret, without hesitation, reared up and proclaimed:

  “THE GREAT DAVONTE EVANDER LEAVES ON A QUEST! A MYSTERY AWAITS!”

  Soya sighed. “I already regret this.”

  Kalsei gave a mock salute. “Try not to get expelled.”

  Soya didn’t dignify that with a response as they followed the prefect out of the library.

  The halls were quiet as they walked toward Headmaster Spellchecker’s office, the air heavier than it should have been.

  Soya felt his mind already running through possibilities. There weren’t many things that could have required both him and Davonte to be called in.

  He had a sinking feeling he knew what this was about.

  As they reached the tall wooden doors, the prefect knocked once before pushing them open.

  “Sir, they’re here.”

  Boromus Spellchecker stood behind his large, cluttered desk, fingers laced together. He wasn’t wearing his usual eccentric half-mismatched robes today—just deep navy blue, the faint shimmer of embroidered constellations woven into the fabric.

  “Ah, come in, come in!” he waved them forward. The prefect gave a small nod and exited, closing the door behind them.

  Soya stepped forward cautiously, exchanging another glance with Davonte.

  Boromus' usual jovial air was subdued, his bright eyes holding something unreadable.

  “I imagine you both have some idea why I’ve called you here,” he began, his voice light, but not without weight.

  Soya’s stomach twisted.

  Boromus sighed. “It’s about Eliza.”

  Davonte tensed. “She’s alright?”

  “Yes, yes,” Boromus assured, lifting a hand. “She’s safe. However—” he exhaled, folding his arms behind his back, “—her parents have been informed of her situation, and they have requested she return home.”

  Soya felt something cold settle in his chest.

  He hadn’t even seen her in some time.

  “She’s leaving?” he asked, his voice quieter than he meant it to be.

  Boromus nodded. “Tomorrow morning.”

  The words felt heavier than they should have.

  Soya knew it made sense. He knew Eliza’s parents would want her back home after what she had been through. But after everything—after all the nights spent wondering if she was even alive—it felt unfair that she would be gone before things even felt normal again.

  Davonte rubbed a hand down his face. “I mean… yeah. That makes sense. But… are we even gonna get to see her?”

  Boromus’ gaze was gentle but firm. “That… is where I must remind you both that her returning home must remain a secret, and of course that she has been found.”

  Soya’s jaw tightened slightly.

  “I understand how frustrating this is,” Boromus said, as if he could see their thoughts plain as day. “You two were closer to her than most, and you deserve to see your friend before she goes.”

  Soya’s throat felt tight. “Then…?”

  Boromus smiled faintly. “Then you will. But under strict conditions.”

  Davonte perked up slightly. “Meaning?”

  Boromus lifted a brow. “Meaning, I will personally escort you to see her. Briefly. Tonight. No one else must know. No word of her being found, no word of her leaving.”

  Soya swallowed, then gave a firm nod.

  Davonte, after a brief pause, did the same. “Yeah. Yeah, alright.”

  Boromus clapped his hands together. “Good. Then you’ll meet me outside my office just before curfew.”

  Soya felt something settle in his chest. It wasn’t relief—not really. But at least he’d get to say goodbye.

  Boromus gave them a knowing look. “And lads?”

  They both looked at him.

  He smiled. “Do not cause trouble between now and then.”

  Soya exhaled a short laugh. “We’ll try.”

  Boromus hummed. “Good enough.”

  The warmth of the Thylacea common room felt almost suffocating that night. The usual laughter and idle chatter filled the space, students sprawled across couches and armchairs, some buried in books, others engaging in lighthearted banter.

  Soya sat with his friends at their usual corner, elbows propped on the arm of the couch, fingers absentmindedly tapping against the fabric. Across from him, Kalsei and Davonte were locked in a ridiculous debate about whether or not Wizard’s Chess was ‘a sport’.

  “Mate, it’s literally a game,” Davonte argued, gesturing wildly. “There’s zero physical effort involved.”

  Kalsei grinned. “Mental effort is effort. The brain is a muscle.”

  “No, it’s not.”

  “Okay, well—it should be.”

  Tiana sighed. “I can’t believe I’m witnessing this conversation.”

  Draven, flipping a page in his book without looking up, muttered, “I can.”

  Soya wasn’t really listening.

  His mind was elsewhere—in an office lined with enchanted telescopes, in a conversation that still sat like a weight on his chest.

  Eliza was leaving.

  They would see her soon, but after that… she’d be gone.

  He wasn’t sure how to process that.

  “Oi, Soya,” Davonte nudged him. “You good?”

  Soya blinked. “Yeah.”

  Kalsei, clearly not convinced, raised an eyebrow. “You look like you just remembered you left the stove on.”

  Soya rolled his eyes. “I’m fine.”

  But it was late. Almost curfew. Which meant it was time.

  Soya caught Davonte’s gaze, and they both knew.

  “Actually,” Davonte said, stretching, “we should probably head out.”

  Kalsei squinted. “Oh? And where, exactly, are you going at this hour?”

  Soya thought quickly. “Library. Left some notes there earlier.”

  Tiana tilted her head. “You? Forgot something?”

  Soya sighed. “Yes, believe it or not, I’m capable of that.”

  Kalsei smirked. “Doubt.”

  Draven, not looking up, simply said, “Don’t get caught.”

  “Not planning to,” Soya muttered as he stood.

  Davonte shot finger-guns at the group. “Try not to miss us too much.”

  Kalsei snorted. “We won’t.”

  With that, Soya and Davonte slipped out of the common room, moving fast but not too fast—keeping their pace casual as they headed for their meeting with Boromus.

  Neither of them spoke, but the weight of the moment was thick between them.

  This was it.

  One last goodbye.

  And Soya wasn’t ready.

  But ready or not, it was time.

  The halls were quiet, save for the soft echoes of their footsteps against the stone floor. Soya and Davonte moved with careful ease, their usual banter absent as they made their way through the dimly lit corridors. Neither of them spoke, though they didn’t need to. The weight of the moment settled between them, unspoken but heavy.

  As they rounded a corner, they spotted Boromus Spellchecker standing just outside his office, hands clasped behind his back, expression unreadable. He nodded as they approached, stepping aside to open the door.

  “She’s inside,” he said simply.

  Soya hesitated for just a second before stepping through, Davonte right behind him.

  The office was warmly lit, the familiar sight of enchanted telescopes and half-finished star charts scattered across Boromus’ desk. But none of that mattered.

  Eliza was sitting in one of the chairs near the fireplace, hands folded in her lap, her wild curls pulled into a loose braid over one shoulder. She looked up as they entered, and for the first time in what felt like forever, Soya saw something that had been missing for too long—her smile.

  “About time,” she teased, though her voice wavered just slightly. “I was beginning to think you two weren’t coming.”

  Davonte scoffed, striding forward and dropping into the chair across from her. “Please. Like we’d miss the chance to send you off with one last emotional gut punch.”

  Soya lingered for a moment before settling into the chair beside Davonte, studying Eliza carefully. She looked… okay. A little tired, a little worn, but not broken.

  “I heard you guys got a talking ferret now,” Eliza said, crossing her arms. “And yet, I leave for five minutes and miss the best part of the school year.”

  Soya exhaled a laugh. “That’s what you’re upset about?”

  “Obviously.”

  Davonte grinned. “Oh, don’t worry. I’m keeping him. And if he learns to insult people properly, I’m bringing him to every class.”

  Eliza laughed, but the sound didn’t last long before fading into silence. She looked between them, something unreadable in her gaze.

  “I wanted to see you guys before I left,” she admitted, voice quieter now. “They told me it had to stay secret, but… I couldn’t just disappear on you.”

  Soya swallowed hard, forcing himself to meet her eyes. “Yeah,” he said, his voice barely above a whisper. “That would’ve been the worst.”

  Eliza nodded. “I still can’t believe this happened. I mean, I can, but… it doesn’t feel real. One minute I was fine, investigating stupid basilisk rumors, and then suddenly I was…” She shook her head. “Gone.”

  Davonte leaned forward, resting his arms on his knees. “Well, you’re back now. That’s what matters.”

  Eliza gave him a small smile. “Not for long.”

  And just like that, the reality of it settled in again.

  She was leaving.

  Soya’s fingers curled slightly against his knee. “Do you want to?” he asked before he could stop himself.

  Eliza hesitated, then let out a slow breath. “I don’t know. My parents… they think it’s best. And maybe they’re right.” She looked down at her hands. “But it feels like I’m giving up.”

  “You’re not,” Soya said immediately, the words coming easier than he expected. “You went through something awful. No one gets to tell you what’s right for you, not even your parents.”

  Eliza’s lips twitched, like she wanted to argue but didn’t quite have the words.

  Davonte let out an exaggerated sigh. “I can’t believe you’re leaving me alone with these two. Draven is way too smart, Soya actually studies, and Kalsei is just chaos incarnate. You were my balance, Eliza.”

  She laughed, though it came out a little watery. “Oh, please. You’ll survive.”

  “No promises.”

  Silence settled again, this time heavier than before. Eliza’s smile wavered. “I’m gonna miss you guys.”

  Soya swallowed against the lump forming in his throat.

  “Yeah,” he said softly. “Same.”

  For a moment, none of them spoke. Then, with a quiet exhale, Eliza stood. Soya and Davonte followed, the movement feeling far too final.

  Eliza looked between them, then, without hesitation, pulled them both into a hug.

  Soya stiffened at first, but then he felt Davonte pat his shoulder and he let himself relax, just for a second.

  “Take care of yourselves, alright?” Eliza mumbled.

  “You too,” Soya said, voice tight.

  Davonte grinned against the weight of it all. “Try not to die of boredom outside of school.”

  Eliza laughed, pulling back to wipe at her eyes. “No promises.”

  Boromus cleared his throat gently from behind them, reminding them that time was up.

  Eliza took a small step back, hands curling at her sides. “I’ll see you guys again,” she said, though it sounded more like a hope than a certainty.

  Soya nodded. “Yeah.”

  Davonte gave her a smile. ”Think you will come back next year?”

  Eliza smiled. “Hopefully.”

  And with that, she turned, heading for the door.

  Soya watched her go, feeling something heavy settle in his chest.

  Then she was gone.

  And the only thing left was the silence.

  Davonte let out a slow breath. “That sucked.”

  Soya closed his eyes briefly. “Yeah.”

  But there was nothing else to say.

  So they left for the common room, trying to remain composed for when they returned to the others.