Today held immense significance, at least for Cassandra: it was her birthday. After a restless night, she quickly prepared herself and left the Slytherin Common Room.
The morning air, carrying the rich scent of earth, drifted through the window. Warm light seeped into the stone, painting the sky a soft blue. It was undeniably today.
Her anticipation propelled her forward, robes billowing behind her. Her quickened breath couldn't mask her utter joy. Nothing could deter Cassandra from her cherished destination. Even passing students and professors sensed something unusual; Cassandra Volle rarely greeted anyone with such enthusiasm.
Outside the castle, a Bowtruckle, just emerging from its tree, was buffeted by a sudden gust. Animals scattered, birds took flight, and even the most ferocious Acromantula dared not linger.
A colossal, six-winged golden bird, wings spanning over thirty meters, ascended into the sky. Its incredible vision pierced the castle walls, spotting the girl ascending the spiral staircase to the fourth floor. With a powerful beat of its wings, the Thunderbird reached the clouds in an instant!
A piercing cry, like that of a divine eagle, echoed through the heavens. The enormous golden bird whipped up a hurricane, scattering the clouds and clearing the previously overcast sky.
...
On the fourth floor, Cassandra stood before Tom's office, her hand hovering over the doorknob.
Looking at the warm sunlight streaming through the window, she seemed to realize something. Heh… Tom isn't completely oblivious.
She could easily imagine him waiting behind the door, ready to surprise her, as he had done in years past. But things were different now. Their relationship had evolved, and Cassandra wasn't so easily fooled.
Cassandra had already decided what she wanted. She figured she could use this opportunity to plead a little, and that idiot Tom might grant her a slightly "excessive request"…
Where is he?
Cassandra pushed open the door and stepped inside, glancing around to confirm her suspicions. The office was empty!
"…"
Cassandra froze, her lips pursed, her eyes unusually calm. That guy… who is he off canoodling with?
"Aha! My dear granddaughter is another year older!" In the once-quiet office, Salazar Slytherin's ghost suddenly materialized through the wall.
Like any doting grandfather, the Slytherin ghost was brimming with enthusiasm. "My dear granddaughter, is there anything you desire? Though Grandpa lacks a body, I managed to procure an absolutely marvelous gift from that old devil Godric! Of course, if you desire something else, like magic that doesn't even exist, we shall endeavor to create it for you!"
"Sorry, Baldy Grandpa, I'm not in the mood right now." Something prepared by two of Hogwarts' founders would attract the attention of the entire wizarding world if word got out. But Cassandra was more interested in catching some fool "hanging out" than in receiving a gift.
After all, if someone wasn't working properly in the office this early in the morning, they were definitely out "hanging out."
Tom hadn't been like this before. Had he been led astray? Or was this what Muggles meant by "men don't appreciate what they have?"
Cassandra wasn't happy.
However, she didn't know that Salazar Slytherin was even more heartbroken.
His sore spot had been reopened, and he was hiding in a corner, looking emo and gloomy, as if he had lost his soul.
He simply didn't know what Cassandra was thinking; otherwise, he would have definitely said, "I don't know if Tom's been led astray, but you definitely have been!"
At this moment, Cassandra, as if suddenly remembering something, wore an expectant look. "Grandpa Salazar, do you know where Tom went?"
"..."
Now she knows to call me 'Grandpa Salazar'? Only Slytherin dotes on his granddaughter like that. "That kid went out this morning. He said he'd be back in a little while."
Hearing this, Cassandra didn't linger in the office without Tom. "Thanks, Baldy Grandpa!"
"..."
...
Diagon Alley, Ollivander's Wand Shop.
Tom sat resting inside, waiting.
"Hehehe, Professor, I haven't let you down…" Ollivander trotted over, carrying a dusty wooden box. "This is absolutely the most perfect creation I've ever made in my wand-making career!"
Looking at the box handed to him, Tom didn't rush to take it but asked with some doubt, "Why is it so dusty? Have I kept this box for a long time?"
"…"
Tom's words made Ollivander a little embarrassed. "Ahem, sorry, it's a habit… Anyway, Professor, please open it and take a look; it's simply too perfect!"
There was no response. Looking at the wooden box again, a gentle breeze swept by and the dust dissipated.
Opening the wooden box, Tom examined the wand lying inside. It was about twelve inches long. He couldn't tell what material the wand was made of, as it was decorated with magnificent gold, and the handle was inlaid with beautiful green jade.
That vain, silly apprentice of his would definitely love this little thing.
---