After the evening banquet, I retired to my dormitories common room. No one else was there except for Hermione, who was dutifully studying some book or other. I took out the Cat's tail spine bones and bits of wood Ollivander had given me. I removed the Thestral hair that was hidden inside my robe pocket. Fidell facing toward the door kept watching from above for anyone else that may enter the common room. He was ready to warn me so that others would not catch sight of what I was working on. The last thing I needed was a stupid bully ruining my new wand and killing himself by messing with things he did not understand. Nyx laid on my feet to make sure they didn't get cold or perhaps...just because she liked the idea of pinning me down...

Using a weak casting of the Diffindo severing charm I cut the small pieces of wood into the desired shape. I focused all my attention on my task. When I was done all the pieces were perfectly sized for the bone pieces they would join together. Their shape was a large bead that was two pyramids stacked base to the upside-down base of the other: like a pyramid reflected in a body of water right next to it. The hole for the bead went from peak to peak of the pyramids and fit tightly to the bones they connected to. Only one piece of wood was different as it acted as the back of the wand handle that would rest in my palm. The rest of the handle was the largest piece of the tail bones itself.

Once the wand's body was assembled all I needed to do was add the Thestral hair and enchant the wand. Completed with the first part of the project I let myself relax a little only to notice a face hovering inches from my own as she closely observed my work. Startled, I nearly fell backward over the chair forcing Nyx awake resulting in her claws digging into my ankles.

"Shit!" I blurted while panicked.

Hermione quickly apologized, "Sorry, I didn't mean to startle you. I was just so fascinated by your work. When did you learn to craft magical wands? And... I didn't know you could use bone?"

Seeing someone suddenly in my face had surprised me because I knew Fidell was watching out for intruders but Hermione was considered a non-risk because she is an ally. She was expected to keep studying and ignore me. Heck, I hadn't suspected she would even be able to recognize what I was doing or be curious enough to snoop on me.

"It's another talent of mine," I said trying to change the subject like it explained everything. A simple attempt at deceiving with the truth because Death cannot lie.

"Hmm, you are quite talented..." Hermione replied scrunching her face. I didn't recognize the meaning of the expression, is she doubting me...or just jealous?

"And?" I questioned.

"Mind if I watch?" Her eyes pleaded.

I rolled my own eyes before responding," A little actually... I just really do need to concentrate".

"I'll sit over here and you'll barely know I'm around," Hermione placated.

"Fine! Just be utterly quiet and don't distract me," I coughed in surrender.

Hermione sat there silently like a statue observing my every move.

I turned all my attention back to my task. I wrote ancient runes all over the wand body with my finger transmuting the rune portions obsidian-like color. These enchantments would serve a valuable purpose. Like the Elder wand that shared some runes that boosted its power these wands runes would also have additional effects. I added one rune that would make the pieces of the wand fuse together as if they were always one piece. Like bone growing out of a tree, the appearance would be unworldly. This rune coupled with another would make the wand virtually indestructible. Most importantly I added one last rune set that would max out its enchantments even for me. This last one would make sure that no one else could ever take my wand. I didn't want the elder wand happening all over again. That object was actually my greatest shame. This wand would shock anyone else that grabbed it, reflect any spell they tried to cast with it back at them, and return to my hand whenever I summon it.

Finally, I was on to the last part and I needed to hurry as other students would be coming in soon. Picking up the thestral hair in my left hand and the wand in my right I began the process of fusing the two together. The secret method of using Thestral hair required channeling death magic through it as I put the hair into the body of the new wand. Doing so makes the hair temporarily become less "here" until it can faze through physical objects. Once the hair reaches the center of the wand I start channeling every type of magical energy simultaneously into it causing the wand to come to life, fuse together, and power the enchantments. Although I cannot use life magic general magical energy is the fusion of all types and is what is used to awaken a new wand. I maintained a solid stream of extra death energy as well to make the wand one of undeath so I could use it.

The wand sparked to life, or unlife rather, being birthed and enchanted with far more death energy than anything ever before. The wand instantly recognized its master sparking with green fireworks. The appearance of the wand was both beautiful and sinister-looking.

Hermione gaped at the new creation in my hand. At first, she seemed lost for words but as I began cleaning my work area up of any evidence of my craft she spoke.

"What...are you?" Hermione whispered.

Alarmed, I exclaimed, "Excuse me?"

Her face warped as if suddenly enraged, "You're not human... you just can't be...WHAT ARE YOU?"