The Thylacea common room was unusually subdued, the typical hum of chatter and laughter replaced by a tense quiet. The dim light of the enchanted fireplace cast long, flickering shadows on the sandstone walls, while clusters of students whispered among themselves, their voices too low to catch.
Soya sat cross-legged on one of the oversized beanbag chairs near the window, his sketchbook balanced on his knees. Inkwell, his tiny calico tabby familiar, curled up contentedly in his lap, occasionally batting at the dangling string of his pencil.
Davonte was sprawled across the couch nearby, staring at the ceiling as he tossed a small enchanted ball into the air and caught it repeatedly. Draven sat at the table, his leather-bound journal open as his enchanted quill scratched away furiously. Occasionally, he would glance up, his sharp gray eyes scanning the room as if cataloging every detail.
The door creaked open, and a prefect stepped in, their face ashen but determined. The room quieted further, all eyes turning to them.
“Listen up, everyone,” the prefect announced, their voice steady despite the tension. “We’ve just received word from the professors. Classes will resume tomorrow.”
A wave of murmurs rippled through the room, some relieved, others apprehensive. Soya looked up from his sketchbook, his brow furrowing.
“That’s… good news, right?” he asked quietly, glancing at Davonte.
Davonte snorted, catching the ball one last time before sitting up. “Depends on what they mean by ‘cleared up.’ Did they get rid of the basilisk? What about the breaches? Doesn’t exactly inspire confidence.”
Draven closed his journal with a soft snap. “It’s likely a calculated move to restore a semblance of normalcy. If the professors believe the immediate threat has been neutralized, resuming classes would serve to stabilize morale.”
“Or it’s just a distraction,” Davonte muttered, leaning back. “Keep us busy so we don’t start asking too many questions.”
The prefect cleared their throat, drawing attention back to them. “I know some of you are worried, but the professors assure us that the school’s wards are secure. Stick to the schedule, stay with your classmates, and report anything unusual immediately. That’s all.”
With that, they left, leaving the room buzzing with hushed conversations.
Soya stroked Inkwell’s soft fur, his thoughts churning. “What do you think they mean by ‘secure’? Do you think the basilisk is really gone?”
Davonte shrugged, his silver eyes flicking to the window. “Gone or hiding. Either way, it’s not exactly comforting.”
Draven leaned back in his chair, his expression thoughtful. “If they’ve bolstered the wards, it may be enough to deter another breach. But the root cause of the attacks remains unaddressed. Until that’s resolved, we’re vulnerable.”
Soya chewed on his lip, his gaze drifting to his sketchbook. The faint outline of a rune-laden beast stared back at him, a remnant of his most recent bout of ink magic. He hadn’t shared the details with anyone yet, not even Davonte and Draven. Something about it felt… different. Urgent.
Inkwell mewed softly, drawing his attention back. He smiled faintly, scratching under her chin. “Well, I guess we’ll find out tomorrow.”
Davonte let out a low chuckle. “Yeah, if we survive the first day back.”
“Optimistic as ever,” Draven remarked dryly, earning a smirk from Davonte.
The common room had settled into a quieter rhythm as the evening stretched on. The soft crackle of the fire was accompanied by the occasional scrape of chairs and murmured conversations. Near the hearth, Soya and Davonte had set up a small assembly line on the rug, their uniforms spread out before them in neat piles.
Inkwell, Soya’s tiny calico kitten, and Davonte’s ferret, aptly named Mischief, darted back and forth between the two boys. The kitten pounced at the ferret’s bushy tail, while Mischief bounded away only to double back and tap Inkwell’s nose with a playful paw.
“Do you think they actually like each other, or are they just tolerating each other for our sake?” Soya asked, watching the playful chaos with a faint smile.
Davonte chuckled as he folded his robes. “Tolerating? Nah, Mischief loves the little furball. You should’ve seen the sulk when I didn’t bring her out of the dorm the other day.”
Inkwell gave an indignant mew as Mischief tackled her, rolling her gently across the rug. Soya reached down to scoop her up, holding her close to his chest. “You’ve got to stand your ground, Ink. Mischief is too crafty for you.”
The kitten responded with a soft chirrup, swiping half-heartedly at the ferret, who was already nosing through Soya’s socks.
Davonte shook his head, amusement twinkling in his eyes. “Well, at least someone’s having fun while the rest of us stress over tomorrow.”
Soya set Inkwell down and picked up his tie, attempting to straighten the knot. “Do you think they actually fixed whatever was wrong? Or are they just pretending it’s safe so we don’t panic?”
Davonte leaned back, resting on his elbows. “If they’re saying it’s safe, then they probably did something big. New wards, maybe? Or they locked up whatever monster was loose.”
“Maybe,” Soya said, frowning as he fiddled with the tie. “But why not tell us what happened? Why keep it a secret?”
Davonte shrugged. “Standard professor move, isn’t it? Keep the kids in the dark so they don’t freak out. Or maybe they’re worried we’ll go poking around.”
“We wouldn’t do that,” Soya said with mock innocence.
Davonte gave him a pointed look. “Uh-huh. Sure. Because sneaking into restricted areas and getting thrown through walls isn’t poking around.”
Soya flushed, tossing a sock at him. “That wasn’t my idea.”
Davonte caught the sock easily, grinning. “No, but you didn’t exactly say no either.”
They both laughed, the sound easing some of the tension that had settled over the castle in the past weeks. Mischief climbed onto Davonte’s shoulder, nibbling playfully at his ear, while Inkwell curled up on Soya’s lap, purring softly.
“I just don’t get it,” Soya said after a moment, his voice quieter now. “Whatever changed—it had to be something big, right? Something that actually made a difference.”
Davonte nodded, his expression turning thoughtful. “Yeah. Maybe they found a way to reinforce the wards. Or maybe they dealt with the basilisk somehow.”
If you encounter this story on Amazon, note that it's taken without permission from the author. Report it.
“But there was more than one basilisk,” Soya pointed out. “And that thing with the runes on its horns. If they didn’t stop them all…”
Davonte sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. “Yeah, it’s a lot. But maybe they’re buying time, y’know? Enough to figure out a permanent fix.”
Soya nodded, his fingers idly stroking Inkwell’s fur. “I just hope they’re right. That it’s actually safe.”
“It has to be,” Davonte said firmly, though there was a flicker of doubt in his eyes. “Otherwise, they wouldn’t risk sending us back out there.”
The two fell into a contemplative silence, their pets’ antics providing a small, comforting distraction as they finished arranging their uniforms for the morning.
The morning air was crisp and carried a faint sense of renewal as Soya, Davonte, and Draven made their way through the castle corridors. The hum of voices and the shuffle of feet echoed around them, a stark contrast to the eerie quiet that had blanketed Austramore during the lockdown. The stone walls seemed brighter, as though the magic woven into the castle had been reinvigorated.
Soya adjusted the strap of his satchel nervously. “Feels weird, doesn’t it? Like the castle’s... different.”
“Different in a good way, or a bad way?” Davonte asked, his tone light but laced with genuine curiosity.
“Just different,” Soya replied, his hazel eyes darting to the other students walking alongside them. There was a mix of relief and apprehension in the air, an undercurrent of unease that no amount of casual chatter could fully dispel.
Draven walked slightly ahead, his hands tucked into the pockets of his robes. “It’s likely residual magic. If the professors reinforced the wards, it would leave an impression on the castle’s atmosphere. A faint hum of energy, detectable even to those without formal training.”
Davonte rolled his eyes. “Thanks for the science lesson, professor. Maybe next time, use smaller words?”
Draven didn’t rise to the bait, his gray eyes focused ahead. “I assume you’d prefer I simplify it to, ‘The castle feels weird because magic happened.’”
Soya stifled a laugh as Davonte grinned. “Now that I can work with.”
As they descended the final staircase, the familiar aroma of breakfast wafted up to meet them—freshly baked bread, sizzling bacon, and the sweet scent of pastries. The Great Hall loomed ahead, its massive double doors standing wide open, inviting students inside for the first time in weeks.
The three paused just outside the threshold, taking in the sight before stepping in.
The hall was alive with activity, the long tables packed with students from every house. Platters of food floated gently along the tables, refilling plates as needed, while enchanted candles hovered high above, their warm glow mingling with the soft sunlight streaming through the enchanted ceiling. Today, the sky above reflected a pale blue with streaks of gold, an unspoken reassurance that the worst was behind them.
Soya hesitated, scanning the room. It was almost overwhelming—so many people, so much noise after weeks of isolation in the common room. He felt a hand on his shoulder and turned to see Davonte grinning at him.
“Come on, let’s grab a spot before they run out of bacon,” Davonte said, steering him toward the Thylacea table.
Draven followed at a measured pace, his gaze flitting over the room with practiced calm. “The noise is... excessive,” he murmured as they sat down. “Though I suppose it’s to be expected.”
“It’s better than silence,” Soya said softly, reaching for a piece of toast. “Even if it’s... a lot.”
They ate in relative quiet, listening to the buzz of conversations around them. Snippets of theories and rumors floated through the air—guesses about what had caused the lockdown, speculation about the creatures that had breached the castle, and whispered concerns about whether the danger was truly over.
Across the table, a second-year Thylacea student leaned toward them, his face pale and his voice low. “Did you hear? Someone said they saw the professors dragging something huge out of the Forbidden Forest last night. Like, bigger than a dragon.”
Davonte raised an eyebrow. “Bigger than a dragon? That sounds like someone’s exaggerating.”
The boy shook his head fervently. “No, seriously! My cousin saw it from the Astronomy Tower. She said it had runes all over it—glowing ones.”
Soya and Davonte exchanged a glance, but neither said anything. Draven, however, gave a slight nod, his expression thoughtful. “If true, that would explain the sudden return to normalcy. Removing the source of the disruption would allow the wards to stabilize.”
The boy’s eyes widened. “You think they really fixed it?”
“Possibly,” Draven replied evenly. “Though I’d suggest exercising caution until we know more.”
The student nodded, visibly uneasy, before turning back to his meal.
Soya pushed his eggs around his plate, his appetite fading. The weight of the past weeks lingered, and the return to routine felt almost surreal. “Do you think it’s really over?” he asked quietly.
Davonte shrugged. “Who knows? But for now, let’s just enjoy not being cooped up in the common room.”
Draven inclined his head. “Agreed. Speculation without information serves no purpose. We’ll observe, analyze, and adapt as needed.”
Soya managed a small smile. “I guess you’re right. It’s just... hard not to think about everything.”
Before they could dwell further, the sound of a spoon tapping against a glass rang out, silencing the room. All heads turned toward the staff table, where Headmaster Spellchecker stood, his hands clasped behind his back.
“Students,” his voice carried effortlessly across the hall, calm yet commanding. “It is my pleasure to welcome you back to normal routines. While recent events have been challenging, I want to assure you that your safety remains our highest priority. Classes will resume as scheduled today, and I trust you will all approach your studies with renewed focus.”
He paused, his sharp gaze sweeping over the students. “Let us move forward with strength, unity, and determination. Together, we shall overcome any challenge.”
The hall erupted into polite applause, though the tension in the air was still palpable.
As Spellchecker took his seat, Soya leaned closer to Davonte. “I guess that’s our cue to act like everything’s fine.”
Davonte smirked. “Fake it till you make it, right?”
Soya nodded, though a knot of unease remained in his chest. The professors might have declared the school safe, but he couldn’t shake the feeling that something was still lurking just beneath the surface.
The bustling noise of students heading to their first classes of the day filled the corridors as Soya and Davonte walked side by side. The energy in the castle was a stark contrast to the quiet tension of the lockdown days. Though Soya felt slightly overwhelmed, he found comfort in the return to normalcy—or at least the semblance of it.
Davonte, as always, kept the mood light. “First class back, and I’m already betting Professor Eldwyn assigns one of those ridiculous essays. ‘Theoretical Applications of Wandless Magic,’ or something equally impossible.”
Soya chuckled softly. “You know you’re just going to charm Draven into helping you.”
“Obviously,” Davonte said with a grin. “Why do you think I keep him around? He’s like a walking textbook.”
Before Soya could respond, a familiar voice called out behind them. “Mr. Vareen. Mr. Evander.”
They stopped and turned to see Headmaster Spellchecker striding toward them, his robes billowing softly with each step. His expression was calm, but his eyes held a seriousness that immediately silenced Davonte’s usual banter.
“Follow me,” Spellchecker said simply, his tone leaving no room for argument.
The two exchanged a glance before nodding and falling in step behind the headmaster. He led them through several winding corridors, the hum of activity from the rest of the school fading as they ventured deeper into a quieter, more secluded part of the castle. Eventually, they reached a heavy wooden door etched with glowing runes.
With a flick of his wand, Spellchecker unsealed the door, the runes dimming as it creaked open. “Inside,” he instructed, stepping aside to let them enter.
Soya and Davonte hesitated for a moment before stepping through. The room was softly lit, its walls lined with protective enchantments that shimmered faintly in the air. At the center stood a small table, and sitting at it, looking pale but very much alive, was Eliza.
“Eliza!” Soya’s voice broke the heavy silence as he rushed forward, relief flooding his features. He stopped just short of embracing her, unsure if she was still recovering.
Davonte, however, had no such reservations. He crossed the room in three quick strides and pulled Eliza into a tight hug. “You absolute lunatic,” he said, his voice thick with emotion. “Do you have any idea how worried we’ve been?”
Eliza let out a soft laugh, though her voice was hoarse. “I could say the same to you two. You’ve been causing all kinds of trouble, haven’t you?”
Soya managed a watery smile as he took a seat across from her. “We thought... we thought you might never come back.”
Eliza’s expression softened. “I’m sorry. I never wanted you to worry.”
Spellchecker cleared his throat, drawing their attention. “I understand your relief, but I must remind you both that Eliza’s return must remain a secret. The individuals responsible for her disappearance are still at large, and revealing her presence could provoke them into taking further action.”
Davonte straightened, his expression hardening. “So it was Sevrin and Sage, wasn’t it? They were the ones who—”
“Enough,” Spellchecker interrupted firmly. “What we know and what we suspect are two very different things. I will not have unfounded accusations jeopardizing this investigation.”
Davonte’s jaw tightened, but he said nothing further.
Soya glanced at Eliza, his voice quiet. “Are you... okay? I mean, after everything?”
Eliza hesitated, her fingers brushing against the edge of the table. “It’s... hard to explain. Being trapped in that book—it was like being caught in a dream you can’t wake up from. I could hear things, see glimpses of what was happening, but I couldn’t do anything. It was... terrifying.”
Davonte reached out, placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder. “You’re safe now. That’s what matters.”
“For now,” Spellchecker said gravely. “But this is far from over. The runes that bound Eliza are part of a much larger and more dangerous scheme. Until we can uncover the full extent of it, we must remain vigilant.”
Eliza nodded. “I’ll help however I can. There are things I saw—fragments of spells, pieces of information—I just need time to sort through it all.”
Spellchecker’s gaze softened slightly. “And you will have that time. For now, focus on recovering.”
He turned his attention back to Soya and Davonte. “You two must remain discreet. The less attention we draw, the better.”
Both boys nodded, the weight of the headmaster’s words settling heavily over them.
As they left the room, Soya felt a mixture of relief and unease. Eliza was safe, but the dangers lurking within the castle’s shadows were far from gone. And though the halls seemed brighter and busier now, the dark undercurrents remained.