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Although the idea in his heart was strong, Robert wasn't in a hurry to make a move on the Whomping Willow. He simply observed it from a distance for a few moments before following Neville and Seamus back to the castle.
After that, he earnestly attended classes, completed homework, and did his best to recover the points he had previously lost. He knew he couldn't afford to be reckless.
It hadn't been long since the wand he created spiraled out of control and nearly demolished the dormitory. Professor McGonagall and even Dumbledore hadn't entirely taken their eyes off him. If he acted strangely again so soon, it would be quickly noticed.
Robert also wasn't confident that the punishment would remain lenient if he violated school rules again. After all, professors had limits to their patience. They might excuse a first offense, but a second could be met with real consequences.
Wasn't Newt Scamander—famed magical creature expert—expelled for keeping magical beasts? Robert didn't know the full story, but even if Scamander had only kept a few magical pets, it had been enough for expulsion. So there was no harm in trying to stay on the professors' good side.
Just like that evening when Professor McGonagall deducted twenty points after the dormitory incident—much less than expected—a large part of her leniency had come from the wand Robert had made using a hair from her own head as its core.
She had seen his craftsmanship firsthand and knew he was serious about wand-making, not just causing trouble. That's why the punishment had been more symbolic than punitive—merely a warning.
Fred and George had been baffled for days. They couldn't understand how smashing up the dormitory and waking up half the castle had cost Robert only twenty points and no detention, while they had been given detention just for sneaking around at night.
It proved that first impressions mattered. Robert decided the smartest course of action was to keep a low profile until things settled down.
Strangely enough, after he set his sights on the Whomping Willow, he no longer felt bored while crafting wands. In fact, his efficiency skyrocketed.
It was as if that single clear goal had lit a fire inside him. Every step forward felt like progress toward something larger, and the days felt brighter because of it.
In the following weeks, Robert became immersed in that enthusiasm, so much so that he nearly forgot about the Whomping Willow altogether.
Since the Red Cap's heart was meant as a treat for Tom, Robert didn't want to bother Snape for it right now. Instead, he made use of the generous Christmas wand-core materials Hagrid had gifted him.
Besides, Snape's temper had been particularly volatile lately. Sometimes, he would deduct points from Gryffindor students for the flimsiest reasons—just passing by in the corridor could cost someone two points. If the student happened to be Harry, the deduction often doubled.
Naturally, Robert didn't want to poke the metaphorical Hippogriff.
And anyway, Hagrid's gift had been quite useful. There was no need to risk provoking Snape just to get his hands on the Red Cap materials.
During this time, most students at Hogwarts became aware that Robert made wands during his free time. Some even came by specifically to watch him work, and Robert generally didn't mind the company.
For many, it was the first time they had ever seen the wand-making process up close, and their curiosity was understandable. Over time, though, they got used to the sight.
Occasionally, students would bring random objects they thought could serve as wand components. Robert patiently explained that no matter how straight or attractive a roadside branch looked, it couldn't be used to craft a functional wand.
He also clarified that while pet cat hair or owl feathers were cute, their magical compatibility was far too low to function as cores—especially compared to magical creatures like toads, which actually made decent core materials.
Still, if someone insisted and was willing to pay, Robert would help make a keepsake or novelty wand.
Pet hair and a rowan wood body? Three galleons each. The price was fair—not cheap, but not outrageous either.
Surprisingly, these custom "toy wands" became quite popular. Robert received thirty orders in total and earned a decent sum.
That very evening, he used part of the profit to order a new batch of top-quality magical wood: hawthorn from Devon, grapevine and beechwood from the Pyrenees in France. He replenished everything he had used that semester and still had extra to spare.
Encouraged by the success, Robert's passion for wand-making grew even more intense and carried him through to the Easter holidays.
But as the exams approached, the professors ramped up their workload. Homework came in heaps, and Robert had to spend long hours in the library just to keep up. Wand-making was now relegated to evenings only.
"You really should take some time to memorize the key points," Hermione told him after dinner one evening, her tone gentle but firm. "Yesterday in Herbology, you got the Fanged Geranium's habits completely wrong. That'll cost you a lot during the exam."
"Thanks for the reminder, but I really don't have the time," Robert replied, scratching his head.
The Easter break was even more stressful than Christmas. The sheer volume of homework was crushing. He wasn't like Hermione, who could breeze through extra assignments while still finding time to revise the twelve uses of dragon's blood or perfect her wandwork.
He had other priorities—ones far more important to him than memorizing lecture notes.
"Maybe you could… make fewer wands?" Hermione offered hesitantly.
"That's impossible," Robert said instantly. "The exam isn't that important. First years don't take O.W.L.s. As long as I pass and move on to second year, that's enough. But wand-making? I can't stop now."
After finishing the two-foot wand a few weeks earlier, he had felt a tangible change in himself.
Not only had his rune carving sped up significantly, but his ability to bind and convert cores had become more fluid and natural. It was a critical period of growth—one that required constant practice.
Seeing his unwavering determination, Hermione opened her mouth to argue further but thought better of it and stayed silent.
After dinner, Robert returned to the dormitory and picked up where he had left off with his latest wand.
Halfway through the Easter holidays, something unexpected happened.
He created a jet-black wand in a single day.
[Ebony, Acromantula Leg, Eleven and One-Third Inches]
[Status: Perfect]
[Properties: Binding—Leg-Locker Curse Effect +5%; Petrification Curse Effect +5%; Imprisonment Charm Effect +5%]
Though each bonus was just 5%, the combined enhancements for three highly practical spells made it worthy of the title Golden Legend.
Seeing the stats, Robert couldn't help but think of the Whomping Willow again.
Multiple legs—well, branches—and a sense of dangerous sentience made the Acromantula and the Willow oddly alike. The compatibility between them, at least symbolically, was striking.
Even more conveniently, Hagrid had given Robert two Acromantula legs—he had only used one.
The longer leg still remained, untouched and brimming with potential.
The idea that Robert had once buried deep in his mind now came rushing back with renewed urgency.
He wanted to prune the Whomping Willow's excess branches.
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