"The time has come for you to reveal yourself."
The voice was deep and ancient, carrying the weight of centuries. It echoed through the grand room, and the teenager standing in front of it felt a flicker of anticipation.
Caius Slytherin stood tall, his posture calm but his heart racing. His emerald green eyes fixed on the portrait of his 'grandfather', Salazar Slytherin, whose piercing gaze never seemed to waver. The weight of the moment was not lost on him.
"Are you sure, Grandfather?" Caius asked, his voice steady yet carrying the hint of a question.
Salazar's voice was unwavering. "The Wizengamot meeting is later this week. Your appearance now will give the world enough time to whisper. Besides, I believe you're ready for it."
Before Caius could respond, another voice chimed in from his left, smooth and graceful.
"And it'll be good for you to socialize with people beyond just us and Sable." Isolde, his great-grandmother, stood elegantly beside the portrait of Salazar. Her dark hair framed her ageless face, and her emerald eyes glinted with knowing amusement. Though she had seen many years, her beauty had never dimmed.
Caius exhaled, glancing around the room. The portraits that lined the walls were all he had left of his family - Salazar Slytherin, Isolde, and the rest of their kin. But they were only echoes of a past he couldn't change, fading in their own way. To think that the great Slytherin family had dwindled to just him... It stung. But that would change. It had to.
He turned and spoke with a firm voice.
"Sable," Caius said firmly.
*POP*
The small house elf appeared, eyes wide and attentive.
"I'm going out soon," Caius said. "Prepare my clothes. I'll need to make a good impression."
With a nod, Sable disappeared just as quickly as he'd arrived.
Before Caius could move, Salazar spoke again, his tone sharp.
"Before you leave, we still have your training to complete."
Caius offered a half-smile, though the idea of more training didn't thrill him. "Of course. Wouldn't miss it for the world."
Salazar's voice was laced with a teasing edge. "Since you seem so eager, we can add an extra hour of combat training after your session with Isolde."
Caius sighed inwardly. It seemed that no matter how much he wanted to step into the world beyond the manor, his training was never truly complete. But he knew why it was necessary. He had to be prepared.
The day passed in a blur of preparation. Salazar and Isolde, as always, were demanding - driving him with lessons, pushing him through every stage of training. By now, Caius had learned the rhythm of it all, the strategy, the power, the history. But there was always more to learn. It was never enough.
Eventually, he found himself in the dueling room, the familiar weight of the wand in his hand. Salazar and Isolde's portraits hung nearby, silent witnesses to his training.
"Let's see a blood-boiling curse, a bone breaker, an organ liquefier, an explosion curse, and a golem." Salazar commanded sharply, his portrait looking down at him with a calculating expression.
Caius smirked, the challenge lighting a fire within him. "Starting strong, are we?"
Salazar's grin was sharp. "Isn't that what you wanted?"
Caius exhaled, readying himself for the onslaught of magic. It wasn't just about the spells, though. It was about pushing his limits.
By the time the training session finally ended, the room was a mess - walls scorched, broken parts of practice dummies scattered across the floor, and Caius feeling every bit of the exhaustion. But it was all necessary. He had to be prepared.
After the grueling session, Caius stumbled to his bedroom, his muscles aching. Thankfully, a hot bath awaited him, courtesy of Sable's efforts. As he sank into the water, he sighed in relief.
"Thank god for Sable," he muttered, closing his eyes for a moment.
After the bath, he slowly dressed in the clothes Sable had laid out for him - dark cotton trousers, a white linen shirt, a fine acromantula silk robe embroidered in silver along the edges. It was a striking outfit, one that would surely turn heads. He would need to look the part.
Once dressed, Caius moved back to the portrait room.
"I'll be going now," he announced, his voice calm and composed.
Salazar's voice was stern but approving. "Good. Just remember your training. All will go well."
"And with that outfit," Isolde teased, her smile warm, "I'm sure you'll charm a few ladies on the way."
Caius rolled his eyes but couldn't help the slight smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. At 17, he had grown tall and healthy, and with his family's signature dark wavy hair and deep green eyes, he certainly didn't lack appeal. It had never been his focus, but he knew his appearance could be an asset. One that he wouldn't neglect
"I'm excited to finally get my own wand," he said, his voice thoughtful.
"It should help you improve," Salazar remarked, nodding. "Can't keep using someone else's wand forever."
"Oh, and don't forget the book," He added with a somber and serious tone.
"Be careful, dear," Isolde said, her smile warm and motherly.
Caius smiled back, grateful for her care. Despite the absence of traditional parents, Isolde had always felt like a mother to him.
He walked to the mansion's grand fireplace and scooped up a handful of floo powder. With one last breath, he threw the powder into the flames and spoke clearly:
"The Leaky Cauldron."
Caius stepped through the green flames, stumbling out into the bustling atmosphere of the Leaky Cauldron. He had been here a few times in the past but not for long. The pub itself was more crowded than he had expected, but his attention was elsewhere. With no time to waste, he hurried through the back and tapped the brick wall at the far corner, watching it shift to reveal the entrance to Diagon Alley.
He took a deep breath and began walking down the cobbled street. The shops around him were busy with people, and although it was a bright morning, the air was thick with the usual hustle of magic. His pace quickened. He had a lot to do. The first stop was Gringotts.
The marble floors gleamed as Caius entered the imposing structure of the bank. The goblins behind the counters didn't seem to take much notice of him, busy with other clients, but he could feel their gaze whenever they looked up from their work. He approached the nearest goblin and, in his most confident tone, said, "I need to access my account and file some necessary paperwork."
The goblin raised an eyebrow. "Account key?" it asked.
Caius slid the key across the counter, watching the goblin inspect it. The goblin paused, then glanced up, clearly taken aback. "This is House Slytherin's vault?" it asked.
Caius nodded. "Yes, I'm the heir."
The goblin hesitated, a flicker of curiosity in its eyes. "Unusual for the heir to arrive alone. Shouldn't there be a guardian present?"
"My guardian is deceased," Caius said firmly, meeting the goblin's gaze. "I am here to claim my inheritance."
The goblin studied him for a long moment before grumbling, "Very well, follow me." It led him to a large office where a taller goblin with a more serious expression awaited.
"I assume you're here about the Slytherin vault?" the goblin manager, Vragmere, asked, his voice low.
Caius nodded again. "I'm the heir. And since I am 17, I am claiming the title of Lord."
Vragmere scrutinized him. "A blood test is required, of course. It's the procedure."
Caius didn't flinch. "I understand."
He was led into a separate room where a small silver bowl was placed before him. A needle was handed to him, and with a steady hand, Caius pricked his wrist. Thirteen drops of blood fell into the bowl. The liquid swirled, glowing briefly, and then solidified into text:
Caius Octavian Slytherin, 17, Heir to the Noble House of Slytherin.
Vragmere stepped back, clearly impressed, and nodded. "The test is valid. Your claim is confirmed."
The goblins seemed somewhat in awe as they processed the paperwork. The legal documents were drawn up swiftly. When they were finished, Caius signed the papers. The vault's contents, and the lordship were now his responsibility.
"We'll take you to the vault." a goblin said as he led the way. After a sickening ride down with a treacherous looking cart, they finally arrived at the vault. The vault door creaked open with a sound that seemed too loud in the cavernous hall. Inside, gold coins glittered, and Caius's gaze darted to the collection of artifacts stacked neatly against the far wall. His eyes lingered on a few items of particular interest: a collection of rare tomes, some jewelry, and a few obscure magical objects he wasn't entirely familiar with.
Caius took only what he thought he would need for now. And the book... It was important. He wasn't sure why, but it was. Time was pressing, and he had more to do. After finally managing to pull himself away from the treasures he now held, the vault door was closed once again, and the goblin led him back to the main hall.
"Everything is in order," the goblin said.
Caius nodded and slowly started making his way out of the bank, his mind clear. Now, his next task was clear: getting a wand. He had looked forward to this for years now.
He turned down the street, making his way toward Ollivanders. The time for waiting was over.