Chapter 315: I might have ended up like another Tom
The moment Grindelwald felt the magic flow brush past his cheeks, the world around him shifted back to its usual bustling self. The Magical Vision that had surrounded him was now gone, and the Ministry of Magic's corridors were once again filled with noise and activity. As he looked around, the only thing that remained in his sight was Dumbledore's retreating back.
"Does this mean you trust me again, Albus?" Grindelwald whispered to himself, a hint of amusement dancing across his face.
He chuckled softly, then with a sudden, swift movement, he turned and disappeared into the crowd.
Meanwhile, Blake was not particularly skilled in wandmaking, not to the degree that someone like Ollivander was. His knowledge of wands was limited.
However, thanks to his extensive understanding of alchemy and ancient runes, two subjects closely tied to the craft of wandmaking, he was able to make do. His creations, while not as elegant or refined as those made by Ollivander's team, had their own unique strengths.
The wand that Blake had recently crafted might not have the grace or craftsmanship of a traditional wand, but it possessed a raw power, bolstered by ancient runes and rare alchemical materials that most wandmakers would not dare use. Of course, the materials were from his system rewards.
This wand was not a delicate tool of finesse but a weapon, one imbued with an overwhelming force. Though rough in construction, its strength was undeniable, providing the owner with the capability to harness immense magical power.
Nagini, who stood by Blake's side, received the newly forged wand with a certain reverence. As soon as she held it, she felt a surge of power coursing through her veins.
There was a strange, comforting warmth to the wand, as if it was attuned to her, responding to her very essence. With just a light flick of her wrist, she could sense its devastating potential.
"Twelve and one-third inches," Blake muttered as he analyzed the wand in Nagini's hands, "The shaft is made from Alloy No. 55, reinforced with Mithril No. 361, and enhanced with ancient runes. It's quite sturdy."
Blake felt a twinge of self-consciousness.
He was certain that if Ollivander or any expert wandmaker saw his creation, they'd label him a heretic. The materials he used were unconventional, to say the least. The wand didn't look like something a wizard would carry—it looked more like a relic from a bygone era.
But Blake wasn't too concerned with that. He had already resigned himself to the fact that traditional wandmaking wouldn't suit Nagini's immense magical abilities.
Most wands, after all, couldn't handle the sheer intensity of her power. Blake knew this. He had already failed several times when trying to craft something more conventional. So, instead, he had to think outside the box.
This wasn't just a wand—it was something more. A magical launcher, crafted with alchemy, where the strength came not from intricate wandmaking techniques but from the sheer volume of rare materials and the ancient magic inscribed within it.
Nagini didn't seem to mind the wand's unusual properties. In fact, she looked thrilled. She wasn't just holding an incredibly powerful magical tool; she was holding something that Blake had made just for her. That sentiment alone made the wand priceless in her eyes.
Meanwhile, Blake was feeling much less conflicted. He had initially worried about how unorthodox his wand-making methods had become, but seeing Nagini so happy, his concerns melted away.
He grinned as Nagini casually waved the wand and obliterated a large rock in front of them. The sheer power of the wand was undeniable.
"Well," Blake said to himself, "It may be heretical, but damn, it's effective."
In the following days, Blake continued to work on various magical projects, inspired by the success of Nagini's wand. He even made some enhancements to the mithril wand that Ollivander had crafted for him.
With every improvement, his wand became more powerful, more attuned to his needs. By the time he was done, he had erased nearly every imperfection from it.
Evenings in Godric's Hollow had grown quieter since Dumbledore had left. There was an air of mystery surrounding his departure. Blake had noticed a weariness in the old wizard's face before he left, but Dumbledore had been vague about where he was going. He hadn't given Blake any specific details, just reassured him that he would return soon.
During that time, Blake and Nagini made their way back to the Marian Orphanage, the place where Blake had spent his early years. It was a place full of memories, some good, some bad, but mostly, it was a place where Blake had learned what love and kindness truly meant.
When they arrived, they were met with warmth and excitement. The children were overjoyed to see Blake, and Mrs. Marianne, who had cared for him like her own son, insisted that he stay for several days.
Blake couldn't help but feel a deep sense of gratitude as he spent time there. "I was really lucky to have met Mrs. Marianne," he told Nagini after they had left the orphanage.
"If it weren't for her, I might have ended up like another Tom..."
Nagini nodded. "She loves you, Blake. Even after all this time, she still kept your room for you."
Blake smiled fondly. "Because she knew I'd come back to visit."
Three days later, Blake returned to Godric's Hollow, but he wasn't quite done with his magical endeavours. He had been working on brewing the elusive Felix Felicis potion—the potion of luck.
It had taken several months, and now, it was finally ready. Blake had become skilled in potion-making, correcting his early mistakes and achieving success with eight out of the ten cauldrons he had brewed.
The two failed potions weren't completely wasted either. Though they weren't true Felix Felicis, they were still potent, albeit of a lesser quality. Blake called them "ordinary Felicia," and while they weren't as valuable to him, they would still make for excellent gifts or trade goods.
When Blake finally returned from the Room of Requirement with his stash of luck potions, he handed Nagini a small bottle attached to a necklace.
"Here, Nagini," he said. "This is for you."
Nagini looked at the necklace, thinking it was just another gift. "Blake, I can't keep taking things from you. You've already given me so much."
"No, this isn't just a necklace," Blake explained. "Inside this bottle is an enhanced version of the Felix Felicis potion. It's a really lucky potion. If you're ever in trouble or don't know what to do, drink it. It will guide you."
Nagini hesitated for a moment, but under Blake's insistence, she eventually accepted the gift. Tears welled up in her eyes. No one had ever cared for her the way Blake did.
What Nagini didn't know was that Blake had prepared several more of these necklaces. After returning to his room, he sealed them in envelopes, each one addressed to someone else. "This one's for Hermione, this one for Cassandra..." he muttered as he sent them off.
With that task done, Blake turned his attention back to his own magical pursuits. He entered the mirror space, a place where no one could disturb him, and with a gleam in his eye, he finally said the words he had been waiting for.
"System, I want to open the treasure chests!"
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