The glow of the setting sun cast sharp shadows across the cobblestones of the castle courtyard. Soya Vareen sat on a bench near the central fountain, his calico kitten curled up beside him. Groups of students milled about, talking, laughing, and enjoying the cool evening air.


    Davonte Evander leaned against the fountain, tossing bits of bread to his ferret familiar, who snatched them mid-air. "What a day, huh?" Davonte said, smirking. "Classes are done, no major catastrophes. I’d say that’s a win."


    "Yeah," Soya said, still turning over the day’s lessons in his mind. "It was... interesting."


    Nearby, Eliza Gorman from Thylacea sat cross-legged on the grass with a group of first-years. She waved Soya over, a grin on her face. "Soya, come here! You’ve got to see this!"


    Soya hesitated, but Davonte gave him a push. "Go on. Better than sitting here all quiet."


    As Soya approached, he saw Eliza holding an illustrated guide to magical creatures, the page open to a snarling Drop Bear mid-leap. "Look at this," she said, pointing to the creature. "Imagine one of these landing on your head in the middle of the bush!"


    "Don’t be loud, and it won’t," said a voice. Soya glanced up to see Manaya Moon, a quiet Ningaloo student, standing nearby. Her tone was calm but firm. "They only attack when provoked."


    "Still wouldn’t want to meet one," Eliza muttered, closing the book.


    Before Soya could respond, a chill ran through the courtyard as Sevrin Verelle strolled in, flanked by Sage Blackthorn. The two radiated a smug arrogance that made the other students instinctively give them space. Sevrin’s sharp green eyes locked onto Soya almost immediately, a slow smirk spreading across his face.


    "Well, well," Sevrin said, his voice cutting through the courtyard’s ambient noise. "If it isn’t the Muggle-born. Enjoying your first day in the magical world?"


    Soya tensed, his fingers curling into fists at his sides. "It’s been fine," he said quietly.


    Sevrin’s smirk widened. "Fine? That’s good to hear. Though I suppose even the most basic lessons must seem impressive to someone like you."


    Sage chuckled, twirling his wand idly between his fingers. "Do you even know what you’re doing, Vareen? Or are you just waving that wand around and hoping for the best?"


    "Leave him alone," Davonte said, stepping up beside Soya. His tone was firm, but there was a tension in his stance as he eyed the two bullies.


    Sevrin’s gaze flicked to Davonte, his smirk twisting into something colder. "And what are you going to do about it, Evander? Protect the little Muggle-born?"


    "This doesn’t concern you," Sage added, his voice dripping with mockery. "We’re just having a friendly chat."


    Sevrin turned back to Soya, his wand appearing in his hand with a casual flick. "Show us what you’ve learned, Vareen. Surely you’ve picked up something today."


    Soya’s heart pounded, but he stood his ground. "I don’t have to prove anything to you."


    "Oh, but I think you do," Sevrin said, his voice dangerously low. He raised his wand, aiming it directly at Soya. "Let’s start with something simple. Tarantallegra!"


    Soya barely had time to react before his legs jerked uncontrollably, sending him stumbling backward. Laughter erupted from Sevrin and Sage as Soya struggled to regain his balance.


    Davonte moved to draw his wand, but Sage was quicker, sending a spark of energy toward him. "Ah-ah," Sage said, his grin widening. "Don’t interrupt."


    Soya gritted his teeth, forcing himself to focus despite the humiliating spell. He raised his wand, his voice steady despite his shaking legs. "Finite Incantatem!"


    The spell broke, and Soya’s legs stilled. He took a deep breath, his grip on his wand tightening. "Is that all you’ve got?"


    Sevrin’s smirk twisted into a nasty smile. "Not bad for a beginner," he said, his tone mocking. "But let’s see if you can handle this."


    "Aqua Hastae." He flicked his wand again, sending a jet of water hurtling toward Soya.


    This time, Soya was ready. "Protego!" A shimmering barrier appeared, deflecting the water harmlessly to the side.


    The laughter stopped. Sage’s expression darkened, and he stepped forward, his wand aimed directly at Soya. "You’re getting cocky, Vareen. Let’s fix that. Cru-"


    Before Sage could finish casting his spell, a sharp voice rang out across the courtyard. "Enough!"


    Professor Marilla strode into the courtyard, her presence commanding immediate attention. Her eyes blazed as she took in the scene, her gaze locking onto Sevrin and Sage. "What is going on here?"


    "Nothing, Professor," Sevrin said smoothly, lowering his wand. "Just a bit of practice."


    "It didn’t look like practice to me," Marilla said, her tone icy. "Wands away. Both of you. Now."


    Reluctantly, Sevrin and Sage complied, though the smirks never left their faces. "Of course, Professor," Sevrin said, his voice dripping with false politeness. "We were just helping him catch up."


    Marilla’s gaze didn’t waver. "You will report to my office tomorrow evening. We’ll discuss your ‘helpful’ behavior in detail."


    As the two bullies walked away, Sage muttered something under his breath, earning a sharp look from Marilla. When they were out of earshot, she turned to Soya. "Are you all right?"


    Soya nodded, though his hands were still trembling. "Yes, Professor."


    "Good. Remember, you don’t have to prove anything to anyone," Marilla said, her voice softening slightly. "But standing up for yourself takes courage. Well done."


    As Marilla walked away, Davonte clapped Soya on the shoulder. "You were brilliant, mate. Don’t let them get to you."


    Eliza approached, her expression a mix of frustration and admiration. "Idiots," she muttered. "But you showed them."


    Soya managed a small smile, the tension in his chest beginning to ease. As the courtyard emptied, he gathered his things and headed back to the common room.


    As he lay in bed, the soft purring of his kitten beside him, Soya replayed the day’s events in his mind. He slowly succumbed to sleep as his kitten''s purrs lulled him into a deep slumber.


    The morning sunlight streamed through the enchanted windows of the Thylacea dormitory, painting the room in warm hues. Soya stretched and yawned, his limbs still heavy from the previous day’s events. His kitten stretched alongside him, letting out a tiny, contented meow. It was Saturday, and there were no classes on the schedule.


    The dormitory was buzzing with life as the first-years prepared for a day of exploration and leisure. Davonte Evander was already up, tossing his ferret familiar a piece of dried fruit while buttoning his robes. "Morning, Soya," he said, flashing a grin. "Sleep well?"This book''s true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.


    "Yeah," Soya replied, sliding out of bed and rubbing his eyes. "It’s nice knowing we don’t have to rush off to class."


    "For sure," Davonte agreed. "Eliza’s organizing something in the common room. She said it’s a ‘practice session,’ whatever that means. You coming?"


    Soya nodded, quickly getting dressed and grabbing his wand. As he followed Davonte down the spiral staircase, the familiar hum of the Thylacea common room greeted him. The space was warm and lively, with students chatting and planning their day. Eliza Gorman stood at the center, her auburn curls bouncing as she spoke with her usual energy.


    "All right, everyone!" Eliza clapped her hands to get their attention. "Today, we’re practicing spells. If we want to get ahead, we need to stay sharp even when there’s no class. I’ve got a list of charms and jinxes we can work on."


    Soya joined the growing group, curiosity piqued. Eliza handed out a few sheets of parchment with instructions for various spells. "We’ll start with something practical," she said. "The Summoning Charm. Accio is incredibly useful, but it takes focus and precision. Watch."


    She pulled out her wand, aimed it at a quill sitting on a nearby table, and said, "Accio quill!" The quill zipped through the air and landed neatly in her hand. "See? Easy enough if you concentrate."


    Soya picked a target—a small book on another table—and raised his wand. "Accio book," he said, focusing intently. Nothing happened. He frowned, glancing at Eliza.


    "Don’t worry," she said encouragingly. "It’s all about intent. Picture the book flying toward you. Try again."


    Soya took a deep breath, visualizing the book in his mind. He imagined it lifting off the table and soaring into his hands. "Accio book!" This time, the book wobbled slightly before sliding a few inches toward him.


    "That’s better!" Eliza said. "Keep practicing."


    After several more attempts, Soya finally managed to summon the book with a satisfying swoosh.


    "Nice work," Davonte said, clapping him on the back. "You’re a natural."


    Eliza moved them on to the next spell: Lumos Maxima, a more powerful version of the basic wand-lighting charm. "This one’s a bit trickier," she explained. "It creates a bright, floating orb of light that can illuminate a large area. Perfect for exploring dark places."


    She demonstrated, holding her wand high and saying, "Lumos Maxima!" A glowing orb of light burst from the tip of her wand and floated upward, bathing the room in a warm glow.


    "Whoa," Soya whispered, captivated by the spell.


    "Your turn," Eliza said, lowering her wand.


    Soya took a steadying breath and raised his wand. He thought of the warm, comforting light Eliza had conjured and said, "Lumos Maxima!" His wand sparked faintly but didn’t produce the orb.


    "Focus on the light," Eliza said. "Imagine it growing and leaving your wand."


    Soya nodded, closing his eyes briefly to concentrate. He raised his wand again and tried once more. "Lumos Maxima!" This time, a small orb of light formed at the tip of his wand. It hovered unsteadily for a moment before fading.


    "That’s a great start," Eliza said. "You’ll get the hang of it."


    By the time they took a break, Soya had managed to produce a stable light orb that floated a few feet above his head. He couldn’t stop smiling as he watched it hover, feeling a growing sense of confidence.


    The group spent most of the day experimenting with other spells from Eliza’s list, including the Jelly-Legs Jinx and the Tickling Charm. Soya found the jinx particularly fun to practice, laughing along with his peers as they wobbled and stumbled under its effects.


    As they gathered their things and prepared to head to lunch, Eliza turned to Soya. "You’ve got a knack for this," she said with a grin. "Stick with us, and you’ll be top of the class in no time."


    After spending time practicing spells with his peers, Soya felt the need for some quiet. The constant chatter and activity were beginning to wear on him, and he needed a moment to unwind. Wandering through the castle, he eventually found a secluded alcove near a window, away from the busy common areas. The sunlight streaming through the glass created a patch of warmth on the stone floor, and Soya settled onto a nearby bench, pulling his sketchbook and pencils from his satchel.


    He flipped through pages filled with drawings of magical creatures he’d imagined or seen in books. There was a particularly detailed sketch of a phoenix mid-flight, its wings spread wide with feathers like flames. Another showed a mischievous-looking goblin clutching a collection of shiny trinkets. Each page told a story, and Soya’s careful lines brought the creatures to life.


    Finding a blank page, Soya began sketching a new creature—a hybrid of his own imagination. He envisioned a sleek, fox-like animal with glowing eyes and feathered tails that shimmered as they moved. His pencil moved quickly, almost as if guided by something other than his hand. The details came naturally, the fur texture, the curve of the claws, and the faint glow around its form.


    As he worked, Soya’s focus sharpened, and the world around him seemed to fade. He didn’t notice the faint shimmer that began to emanate from his sketchbook, nor the way his pencil seemed to darken and deepen the lines on its own. The creature on the page seemed to take on an almost lifelike quality, its eyes gleaming with an unnatural depth. For a brief moment, Soya thought he saw the fox’s tails sway, as if caught in a breeze.


    He blinked and shook his head, chalking it up to his imagination. "Just tired," he muttered to himself, but his hand hesitated over the page. The drawing looked... different. More vivid, as though it were etched into the paper rather than drawn on it.


    Soya ran his fingers over the page, expecting to feel the usual smooth surface of the paper. Instead, the lines of the drawing felt slightly raised, as if the creature were pressing against the page from the other side. He frowned, turning the book slightly in the light. The shadows within the drawing seemed to ripple faintly, almost imperceptibly, but enough to make his stomach tighten.


    Taking a deep breath, Soya closed the sketchbook and slipped it back into his satchel. His kitten, which had followed him and curled up at his feet, mewed softly and stretched. He reached down to scratch behind its ears, grounding himself in the comforting simplicity of the moment.


    As he stood and prepared to leave the alcove, the faintest hint of ink remained on his fingertips, shimmering faintly in the sunlight before fading away. Soya didn’t notice, but the lingering impression of the fox stayed with him.


    The alcove had been a comforting retreat, but now he felt restless. Standing, he stretched, his calico familiar meowed softly and padded after him as he made his way out of the quiet corner.


    The castle corridors were calmer now, with most students either outside or gathered in the common rooms. Soya wandered aimlessly, enjoying the quiet but unsure of what he was looking for. He passed by an open window, pausing briefly to admire the sunlight spilling across the stone floor. The kitten wound itself around his legs, purring softly.


    Turning a corner, he nearly bumped into an older student who was leaning casually against the wall. The boy looked to be a few years older—perhaps a fourth year—with messy dark hair and an air of easy confidence. His robes bore the green trim of Ningaloo house, and a leather-bound book was tucked under one arm.


    "Watch where you’re going, firstie," the older student said, though his tone was more amused than annoyed. His sharp blue eyes fixed on Soya with interest. "You’re the new Muggle-born, aren’t you?"


    Soya tensed slightly. "Yeah. That’s me."


    The older boy gave a low whistle, shaking his head. "First Muggle-born here in what, two centuries? You must be making history just by showing up."


    "I guess," Soya said awkwardly, glancing down at his kitten, which had begun sniffing curiously at the older boy’s boots.


    The boy crouched, holding out a hand. The kitten sniffed it cautiously before allowing itself to be petted. "Cute familiar," the boy said. "What’s its name?"


    "I... haven’t decided yet," Soya admitted. "Nothing feels right."


    "You’ll figure it out," the boy said, straightening. "I’m Callen, by the way. Fourth year, Ningaloo. And you are?"


    "Soya," he replied, adjusting his satchel. "Thylacea."


    Callen nodded. "Figured as much. You’ve got that determined look about you. Listen, I’m not here to bother you or anything, but word’s gotten around. People are curious about you."


    "Curious how?" Soya asked warily.


    Callen shrugged. "Most of them are just nosy. Some think it’s a big deal, others don’t care. But if I were you, I’d keep an eye on the ones who don’t seem too thrilled about you being here."


    "Like Sevrin?" Soya guessed.


    Callen’s smirk widened. "Exactly. That one’s trouble. And his sister? Even worse. She’s got a reputation for making life miserable for anyone who crosses her."


    Soya nodded, his mind flashing back to the confrontation in the courtyard. "I’ll keep that in mind."


    "Good," Callen said, stepping aside to let Soya pass. "Anyway, enjoy your peace while you can. Once classes pick up, you’ll be too busy to catch your breath."


    Soya offered a small smile. "Thanks."


    Soya adjusted his satchel and headed toward the Thylacea common room. The corridors were quiet as the day wound down, the warm light from the enchanted sconces casting long shadows along the stone walls. His kitten trotted alongside him, its tail flicking with each step.


    When Soya reached the entrance to the Thylacea common room, the carved image of a Tasmanian tiger on the wooden door seemed to come alive, its eyes glowing faintly as it regarded him. "Password?" it asked in a deep, rumbling voice.


    "Courage through adaptability," Soya replied, the words coming automatically now.


    The tiger nodded, the door swinging open to reveal the cozy interior. The room was lively with students, some sprawled across beanbags and others huddled in small groups over games of Wizard’s Chess. The warm glow of the fire in the hearth made the space feel welcoming, and Soya felt himself relax as he stepped inside.


    "Soya!" Davonte called from a corner where he and Eliza were sitting with a few other first-years. "Over here!"


    Soya made his way over, his kitten bounding ahead and leaping onto Davonte’s lap, earning a laugh. "Looks like someone’s adopted me," Davonte joked, scratching behind the kitten’s ears.


    "How was your wandering?" Eliza asked, watching a chess piece sliding across the board. "Find anything interesting?"


    "Not really," Soya said, settling into an empty chair. "Ran into a fourth year from Ningaloo. He gave me some advice—mostly about watching out for Sevrin and his sister."


    Eliza wrinkled her nose. "His sister? Lykaios? Yeah, she’s bad news. I heard she once turned a second-year’s cauldron into a jellyfish just because they sat in her seat during Potions."


    Davonte laughed. "Sounds about right. The Verelles think they own this place. Just keep your head up and don’t let them push you around, Soya. They thrive on people backing down."


    "I’ll try," Soya said, though he couldn’t help feeling uneasy at the thought of crossing paths with either of the Verelles again.


    The conversation shifted to lighter topics as the group began planning how to spend their free day tomorrow. Eliza suggested exploring the greenhouses, while Davonte argued in favor of sneaking down to the kitchens for snacks. Soya listened, chiming in occasionally, but mostly enjoying the easy camaraderie of his housemates.


    As the evening wore on, the common room gradually quieted. Students drifted off to their dormitories, and the fire in the hearth burned lower. Soya finally stood, stifling a yawn. "I think I’m going to call it a night."


    "Good idea," Davonte said, stretching. "Tomorrow’s going to be busy."


    Soya scooped up his kitten, who had curled up on a nearby cushion, and headed toward the spiral staircase that led to the first-years’ dormitory. As he climbed the steps, the soft light from the sconces flickered faintly against the walls, and the quiet sounds of his kitten’s purring accompanied him. The day had been long, and as he reached the dormitory door, he focused on getting some rest.