Having found a wand so perfectly in tune with her, Hermione was filled with genuine joy and gratitude. She turned to Ollivander and Draco and said sincerely, "Thank you, Mr. Ollivander, and thank you too, Malfoy."
[Ding, helped Hermione find her wand. Fortune points increased by 20]
"No need to be so formal. Just call me Draco." Seeing the brilliant light in her eyes, Draco felt a stir in his heart. He gathered his courage and asked softly, "Miss Granger, might I have the honor of becoming your friend?"
A flicker of delighted surprise crossed Hermione's eyes at his words, and she broke into a radiant smile. "Of course. I'd be very happy to be your friend. You can just call me Hermione, too."
Hearing this exchange, Ollivander and Professor McGonagall could not help looking at each other, their eyes filled with disbelief.
The Malfoy family had always prided themselves on being pure-bloods. Haughty and aloof, they never associated with Muggle-born wizards.
Yet now, the young master of the Malfoy family had actually taken the initiative to befriend a Muggle girl. Such a departure from everything they knew would probably have left even Dumbledore astonished and struggling to believe it.
After a moment of stunned silence, a smile gradually entered Ollivander's eyes as his gaze moved between Draco and Hermione.
Looking at Draco holding his peach wood wand with its lion's mane core, then at Hermione holding her vine wood wand with its dragon heartstring core, he mused inwardly:
Vine wood meets lion's mane, one wise and one brave, one keen and one steady. Such a destined bond between souls drawn to each other truly has the most wonderful rhythm. Perhaps it will rewrite many paths already set.
Then he slowly spoke, his advice carrying a somewhat faraway air. "A wondrous resonance between souls can only be encountered, never sought. Wisdom has always drawn wisdom, just as holly naturally calls to the light. Souls whose essences align will ultimately cross the divides and come together."
"But you must remember, children, even the most compatible wand requires years of polishing and adjustment before complete harmony can be achieved."
"As you spend time together in the future, always maintain this dialogue between your souls. Especially when your 'wand cores' point in different directions and your hearts disagree, you must quiet yourselves and listen to each other's voices. Do not lightly turn away from your true selves."
Having finished his lengthy speech, Ollivander's eyes betrayed a trace of barely perceptible concern, as though he feared that this precious bond would be worn away by worldly prejudice and the hardships ahead.
After Ollivander finished, Professor McGonagall abruptly rose from the sofa as well, her back perfectly straight. She said slowly and solemnly, "Hogwarts has always encouraged students to build sincere friendships founded on respect, honesty, and shared pursuits. This is one of the cornerstones of school life, as well as an indispensable source of strength along a wizard's path of growth."
Her gaze shifted to Hermione, and her tone softened slightly, taking on a greater measure of hope and counsel:
"Miss Granger, you possess extraordinary intelligence and steadfast determination. Your thirst for knowledge and dedication to truth far surpass those of your peers. A friend who can clearly understand your innermost pursuits and perceive the essence of your soul may be able to guide and support you along the thorny path of pursuing your studies and putting your ideals into practice, allowing you to walk more steadily and smoothly, with less loneliness and fewer obstacles."
Hermione did not understand why Ollivander and Professor McGonagall kept speaking with such earnest gravity. She merely nodded silently.
Having offered Hermione her advice, Professor McGonagall turned to look Draco directly in the eye. With stern scrutiny and solemn trust, she said, "And you, Draco Malfoy, have shown insight and extensive knowledge beyond your years. Moreover, you have broken through your family's entrenched prejudices. Such clarity and courage are rare indeed."
"But you must understand that befriending such an intelligent, perceptive, sincere, and pure mind and heart means you automatically take on a weighty responsibility. Your words and actions must be worthy of this trust placed in you. You must always guide each other in a constructive direction. Do not let the dust of the world obscure your true selves, and above all, do not betray this rare bond."
Draco nodded earnestly.
After a pause, Professor McGonagall's gaze softened a little, and her tone grew more approving. "I have already noticed an exceptionally rare intellectual rapport between you. Your minds are in tune, and you appreciate each other. If this rapport can become a force that encourages you to push each other in your studies, abide by school rules together, and lead others by example, then it will be something truly valuable, deserving of recognition and hope."
Finally, Professor McGonagall looked intently at Draco and Hermione once more. "I will be following this matter closely. I hope you can prove that today's choice is not merely a momentary affinity and fondness, but a true Gryffindor bond that can withstand the passage of time and the trials of wind and rain."
Draco was utterly numb. I'm just buying a wand. Is all this praise and lecturing really necessary?
Still, this feels pretty nice, like having elders witness a wedding...
For Professor McGonagall, this was indeed the sternest admonition she had delivered in recent years, but it was also the deepest respect and the highest level of "investment" she could offer a young friendship.