Chapter 3: The wand

I am 10 years old now. I know that in one year I will get the admission letter from Hogwarts. They will send a letter before or on the 11th Birthday of the kids chosen by the ancient Quill of Acceptance ( via an owl ) and I need to complete a few things before I have to leave for my boarding school.

In the morning after breakfast with Nan, I do my regular exercises. Did I start eating less or something? Nope. I eat more, exercise even more and instead of having fat, I 'look' fat. My training is more on the principle of developing myself like a strong bull rather than a fit horse.

I know many will argue that speed or agility is best for wizards but considering my genes, this was the best fit for my body.

I then spend the rest of the day in the library and swimming in the evening before going to dinner with Nan.

This has been my routine for the last three years but I need to modify it now. This morning, I go to look for my Nan.

"What's up, dear? Tell me, you want something. I know the look," My Nan said just after having a look my face. Well, I don't act in front of her so catching my true emotions are truly easy for her.

"I decided to buy my wand, Nan. I think I have found what I am looking for and it's time to start the magic practice with a wand," I replied to my Nan with a sweet smile.

"Hmm...yes. You do have some progress on wandless magic but considering Winny is an elf and her magic won't be that easy for you to learn or master, it's time to start with wands. Tell me, dear, with all those wandlore books and history on wands, can you guess your wand materials?"

"Nan, I am not sure which one will be available but I guess my wand should be a combination of cherry wood with any of the core. Dragon heartstring or phoenix feather as the core would be a more powerful combination." I replied with a straight face.

I know mentioning cherry wands can make anyone laugh as in the western world as there is a notion that the pink blossom of the living tree is made for a frivolous or merely ornamental wand. After all, it's a pink wand and does not look scary or powerful. But those who know it, understand that it packs a true lethal power.

But It's all a theory and to test it, after a short discussion, I and my Nan are now standing in front of the famous wand shop, Ollivanders.

They are supposed to be the best wand makers in England but look at the shop! It's like a broken-down place. One thing is clear in the magical world, people don't take business seriously.

I even had to redesign a lot of facades of our shops which resulted in a higher rent but people in the magical world are still too far behind when it comes to doing a business.

Anyway, we go inside, there is a sound of the tinkling bell but the shop is empty or as it appears. I know Mr Garrick is hiding behind the counter. The magic perception I learned from Winny clearly gives me such feedback.

"Good morning, young wizard. First-year at Hogwarts but I think it is rather early for you, young Longbottom," came a voice of a man who tried to scare us or surprise us in his own way. Maybe it would have been something but I have learned how to be aware of my surroundings quite early.

"That may be true Mr. Ollivander but magic has no age and I believe it's time for me to start my wand training. So, instead of wasting time on other topics, shall we?" I cut him short before he goes on showing off his perfect memory when it came to his work. And the memory of my parents is worth way more than seven galleons.

"Ah! A rather impatient one. Well, your wand arm?" questioned Ollivander with a slightly unhappy look.

I extended my right arm without any care of his look and Ollivander brought his measuring tape and continued to do his thing.

"Every Ollivander wand has a core of a powerful magical substance, Mr. Longbottom. We use the three most powerful cores - unicorn hairs, phoenix tail feathers, and dragon heartstrings." He continued to explain, again without anyone asking.

"That will do," said Ollivander as the measuring tape fell on the floor.

"Right then, Mr. Longbottom. Try this one. Walnut and Dragon heartstring. Ten inches. Unyielding. Just take it and give it a wave." He passed one wand to me but I already know this is not for me.

"If I may Mr. Ollivander, I believe a cherry wood would suit me more. Do we have wands with that wood here?" I asked without even touching the one he offered.

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Ollivander paused whatever he was doing and looked at me with his white pale eyes.

"Hmm...It seems the art of wand making will not die so easily. Impressive young wizard are you not Mr. Longbottom. Very well, we Ollivanders have every type of wand possible and I think I some interesting cherry wands that can match what you are asking for!" He said suddenly with a big smile on his face and went deeper into his shop.

I could see him climbing a ladder of some sort and then bringing down a few boxes. There are literally thousands of wands in this shop. I believe more than the entire population of wizards in England.

"Here. Let's try this then. A unique combination of cherry with dragon heartstring. Go ahead and give it a slight wave." And so I picked the wand and felt the magic inside me getting restless. I gave it a wave and then the dead plants on the pots near the window came alive and started blooming.

"Amazing. Truly amazing Mr. Longbottom. A wand that connects with nature so deeply. Yet mastering such a wand is not easy. Cherry is often underestimated here and this combination with dragon heartstring needs exceptional self-control." Ollivander was ecstatic.

"This is good Mr. Ollivander. Truly good. But you said you had other combinations?" I again put a question, after all, he said those exact words and I would be a fool to pick my wand without going through all other options.

Ollivander looked at me and then at my Nan and after a few minutes of collecting his thoughts, he spoke in a reminiscent way.

"As a wandmaker, I often go on various tours and travel various parts of the world. During my trip to Japan in those days, I met wand makers there and we crafted a few unique wands. This one I have, cherry with a Fox Spirit Whisker. This one is truly unique and yet to find its masters here and even I am not sure how it acts or the affinity it shows," he said and handing out a wand case. After looking at the wand, I see a pink wand, inlaid with a handle that had a fox symbol on it.

It was beautiful and something that called for me. I picked the wand and it gave a huge powerful magic blast from me.

"Boom!" The magical force inside me came out like water coming out of a broken dam. It was too powerful and somehow it tried to escape my hands.

"Enough!" I shouted at it loudly and it slowly stopped struggling. I gave it a wave and then I could see beautiful cherry petal-like energy flowing with an image of a fox dancing through it. This was it. How and Why it never mattered but this was my wand!

I could hear things falling and boxes being thrown but well, it is not my shop to care.

"MARVELLOUS! Truly a magical sight Mr Longbottom. I have seen things Mr Longbottom, many things but this magical sight is truly my first!" Ollivander nearly jumped out of the counter to hold me.

My Nan feeling scared of his extreme enthusiasm came behind me and that did bring him back to the real world.

"Ahem, sorry Lady Longbottom. But this combination has been the first I have ever seen. You have to know a fox spirit does not choose any master. It is cunning yet loyal and often worshipped as a goddess in the Asian region. Sadly, this one is the only one I have and I think considering its whimsical and unstable nature, it's not a good fit for you." Ollivander said and raised his hand to ask me to hand over the wands.

In his dreams!

"We will take it, Mr Ollivander. After all, you sell the wands and nowhere does it say we cannot choose the one we want. We will take this and thank you for your services. Here, seven galleons." My Nan intervened simply and handed him a pouch. Before Mr Ollivander could say anything, we left the shop swiftly.

-----Garrick Ollivander's POV----

I saw the Longbottom boy leaving my shop in a hurry. I cannot stop them in any way but this is the first time I am truly thinking about what will be the result. This boy will bring a great calamity or a great change. He will do magnificent things, terrible but magnificent.

I believe I must write a letter to Albus. He must know Harry won't be the only one he needs to keep an eye out for.

"Fox spirit" I mumbled to myself. It has been ages since I used other beast cores and it seems I need to import those now.

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