Peridot is a Beautiful Gem

Stepping out of her room, the orphanage was noticeably quieter. 

The older orphans were holed in their rooms, studying. The Hogwarts year was only three weeks away. The non magicals had set off on a simple outing. Just a small walk around town only meant to prevent crowding and keep jealousy at bay.

The children still here crowded around the entrance whispering to each other in hushed voices.

Seren stood towards the outer edge of the group, fiddling with her hands and trying not to seem too excited.

Across from her stood Callisto, back leaned against a wall repeatedly tossing a crumpled piece of parchment between his hands. Directly next to him kaiser stood rigid as if he was preparing to go to war.

Then, the door creaked open.

Every head turned.

The children parted like the red sea as the man strode in.

Cassian Winters wasn't the typical image of a wandmaker that Seren had in mind.

He was tall and broad shouldered, with skin the colour of dark mahogany, flowing black hair. he wore a long, dark slate robe embroidered with constellations. His eyes were sharp and their brilliant peridot green gleamed under the candle light.

He took in the room with one calculating sweep before a smile settled onto his face.

Now taken position at the head of the dining hall, Cassian clapped his hands twice.

chairs begin fill the room funneling through the hallway behind him arranging themself into perfect, neat rows.

"Take a seat now." His voice was rich and magnetic. "You'll each get a wand in the end."

Seren found herself seated between Kaiser and Callisto, gripping the sides of her chair slightly.

When Cassian sent his gaze throughout the room again Seren could his gaze pause on her. She could feel Cadmium Colours churn beneath her skin. It was giving her a warning, she could feel it.

Cassian turned his attention to Kaiser

"You. Step forward."

Kaiser stood quietly. No trace of his earlier nervousness remaining.

He walked silently to the front of the hall. Cassian watched him without an expression, then he reached into the wand case beside him and pulled out a single wand. 

"Beach, phoenix feather, eleven inches, supple.

Kaiser takes it in his hand carefully. The wands tip begins to glow, then crackles and dims, fading like a dying match.

Cassian snatches the wand from his hand before handing him another.

"Cedar, dragon heartstring, 11 inches, Rigid.

Kaiser reaches towards it carefully. Before he can even grasp it, it begins to vibrate before zapping his hand. 

Cassian takes the wand back wordlessly already reaching for the next.

"Rowan, dragon heartstring, 12 inches, firm.

Kaiser took it carefully, his hands big and steady.

The moment his fingers closed around the grip, a gust of air swept through the room. It wasn't violent. It felt like a heavy breath shaking off exhaustion after a long nap. 

Cassian nodded.

"A good match. This wand has been waiting for you.

Kaiser returned to his seat wordless.

Next, Cassian's gaze shifted.

"Callisto."

Callisto rose to his feet with an exaggerated stretch his smile never leaving his face. He approached casually, as if this was going to be as simple as selecting cand from Honeydukes.

Cassian offered him two. Callisto gave the first wand a strange look before reaching for the second. The wand was a dark black and slightly curved.

"Snakewood, phoenix feather core, ten inches, slightly springy.

Twirling it once in his hand Callisto noticed the brief shimmer of a warm gold hue that flickered along the tip.

"Curious," Cassian murmured. "Wands don't usually bind this quickly."

Callisto gave a mock bow.

"I'm full of surprises."

Cassian didn't smile.

"You mustn't disappoint it ."

Seren was the last of the children to receive a wand. most had left by this point eager to try out their new toy.

Kaiser and Callisto stood off to the side, stood to finally receive her wand. Marching stiffly, looking as if she resigned herself to an unfortunate fate.

"You." Cassian muttered. He didn't continue instead reaching into his wand case.

"Maple, Unicorn hair, eleven inches, supple."

Taking the wand in her hand Seren felt no reaction.

"Oak, dragon heartstring, nine inches, Firm."

Another wand with no response.

"Birch, Phoenix feather, ten inches, Springy."

Yet another.

Having gone through ten wands at this point Cassian's gaze was starting to feel more like a glare.

Cassian wordlessly reaches into his wand case, this time digging deeper, his hand rustling against the many wands found within the extended space before pulling out a ornate wand holder.

He didn't hand it over immediately, his eyes flickering to Seren as if gauging her.

opening the case, it felt like the world took a pause. Like the wind had run away, a rush of cool air filled the space surrounding her then warm mixing together again and returning to normality.

Seren let out a breath she didn't even know she was holding and marveled at the wand before her.

Among all the wands Seren had seen today this appeared by far the most unique. It was white like bone, straight as an arrow and covered in ornate marble designs.

"Cypress wood, Dual core, made with the corpse of a saint, and the bones of the cruelest man."