The chilly December morning seemed to start like all the rest, Zoe got up, got dressed, packed her things, made sure Snowy and Rose would be occupied while she was gone, and left for breakfast. She sat at the Ravenclaw Table, eating a slice of toast slick with jam, when the owls glided into the Great Hall, a rush of frigid air announcing their arrival.

In the rush of feathers, a large brown speckled owl dipped towards her, coming down to the table only long enough to place a large parcel beside her plate before taking off again. Something for her? Wait... Zoe glanced up from her plate to look at the parcel. The address was in her grandfather's writing.

Smiling, her hands released the toast to grope for what was inside the parcel. In a matter of seconds the string around the owl had been using to hold it was untied and the brown paper torn, revealing a letter written on parchment, an envelope with Ms. Torret written on the front, and a wooden box. The box's lid was held on by some hinges, and it wasn't very noticeable except for a long winding vine carved into the wood, spelling out 'Magewright Custom Wands' in loopy cursive.

A sudden rush of excitement coursing through her, Zoe stashed the contents of the parcel into her book bag. "I think I left my textbook in the dorm. If I'm late tell Professor Longbottom I'll be there soon," the girl told her housemates, before taking off. It was seven floors up, but the Ravenclaw arrived at her dorm in five minutes.

At her entry she was greeted by Snowy and Rose, though neither moved from where they were. That was fine. She took out the parchment first, reading it.

My dearest Zoe,

I am so proud of you. Using your Care of Magical Creatures project to benefit the family name is something that takes true wit and dedication to the Torret line. I'm sure it takes a lot of thought to decide to give up an Ollivander wand, and even more to give up a wand you've had for so long. I hope your as excited for this as I am.

Your grandmother and I have not looked at it, so you'll be the first Torret to see it. Mr. Magewright has also written an in depth description of the wand's natural abilities.

I would ask that you do not begin to use it in class. Transition between wands isn't quick, taking weeks to months of bonding. Though, going along with the old family belief, I'm sure you'll bond faster with the wand as you have bonded with the creature the core is from. Save the wand for the holiday, practice then.

I will name you true heir to the Torret family at Christmas dinner.

Love,

Ignatius, Elder of the Torret Family

Well, nothing about not using the wand in private! Zoe glanced around the dorm, no one had followed her there, and reached for the wooden box. For a few simple moments she appreciated the craftsmanship that had been put into the carving on the lid, before lifting the lid. The hinges squeaked in protest.

Within the box was a purple satin bag, held closed by a silver drawstring. On the side of the bag that was facing her, embroidered in gold thread, she saw:

Zoe Torret

Small-leaved Lime
Puck Fairy Hair
10 inches
Springy

Small-leaved Lime. She recognized that name. It was a tree that was in the ancient woodland the Torret Manor was located. Zoe knew this because it was written in the family records at her grandparents' house. Anticipation filling her, she pulled open the bag and held it upside-down.

The wand slid out and onto her bed. Instantly, Zoe drank in the appearance of the wand. She had never seen anything like it before! Hesitantly, and looking over at Rose, the Torret picked up her new wand. A pulse of heat ran through her, and all she wanted to do was perform some magic with it.

Waving it, the tip left a trail of pink sparks, each spark hanging in midair just long enough for the next three to be created, before denigrating and sending down a shower of pink glitter in a thin curtain. Zoe smiled as she watched the fragments of light disappear altogether.

Now for an actual spell. Might as well start with the basics. Zoe pointed the wand at Snowy, the white cat looking curiously back at Zoe.

"Wingardium Leviosa."

Nothing happened.

Zoe swished her wand to cast again. "Wing-"

Snowy rose, looking alarmed, and arced in the air.