Chapter 4: Purchase of a Wand
Speechless—truly speechless. Alexander realized how naive he'd been. After all, wizards didn't walk around with name tags. Even if he met someone from the original story, he wouldn't recognize them.
It was frustrating that he wasn't yet old enough to buy a wand. But then, a thought struck him: Can't I just buy it early?
"Father, can I buy a wand now?"
"Yes," Jack replied, "but I'd suggest waiting until you're eleven and just about to start school."
As expected, Jack never says no... Here we go—time for the wand.
Alexander returned to Jack's side, and together they made their way to the final shop in Diagon Alley: Ollivander's Wand Shop.
The shop was small and worn-down, its golden sign faded and peeling:
Ollivanders: Makers of Fine Wands Since 382 B.C.
In the dusty window, a single wand lay on a faded purple cushion.
As they stepped inside, a bell jingled somewhere in the back. The shop was cramped, with little more than a single bench. Jack sat down while Alexander scanned the shop, recalling the descriptions from the book. Harry once felt as if he had walked into a carefully maintained, ancient library. The silence, the dust... it all hinted at deep, hidden magic.
Alexander's own magic power was 16, and his thinking attribute was level 2—but even then, he couldn't sense the magical fluctuations that Harry had once described. Maybe some people are just naturally attuned, like Tonks with her Metamorphmagus ability.
And Harry... From the descriptions, it was clear Harry had a natural talent for magical combat. His perception was sharp—even in third year, he'd managed a corporeal Patronus, something even skilled adult wizards struggled with.
"Good afternoon," a soft voice interrupted his thoughts, startling him.
There was a loud click, and an old man appeared. His pale eyes gleamed like moons in the dim room.
"Hello," Alexander responded politely, keeping his expression serious. This creepy old man enjoys jump scares, doesn't he? He probably stood there silently just to freak people out—he even startled Hagrid back then.
"Oh yes," the man said, eyes twinkling. "Yes, yes, I thought I'd be seeing you soon... Alexander Smith, that's right. You've got your father's eyes. It seems like just yesterday he came in for his first wand—six inches, ash wood, strong-willed, fiercely loyal. In fact, I believe we spoke just last week."
Mr. Ollivander stepped closer, inspecting Alexander carefully.
"Your mother, though, was different. She chose acacia wood—eleven inches, flexible, selective. Not easy to please, but incredibly powerful in the right hands. Of course, it's not really the wizard who chooses the wand..."
He turned toward Jack. "George Smith! A pleasure, as always. Ash wood, six inches, correct?"
"Yes, Ollivander," Jack said. "Why do you always bring up my wand every time we meet?"
"We just discussed the price of acacia wood last week, didn't we? You know I go through quite a bit here. Your family's been trading with us since 382 A.D., after all! So, what about that price?"
"As far as I know," Jack said, now sounding uncharacteristically formal, "acacia wood isn't in short supply. Wizards who use it tend to be meticulous—like my wife. Not everyone has that kind of precision."
"Right, right... let's move on." Ollivander turned to Alexander. "Mr. Smith, let's begin. Which hand is your wand hand?"
"I'm right-handed."
"Raise your arm, then." Ollivander produced a silver-tipped measuring tape and began taking measurements—from shoulder to fingertip, wrist to elbow, shoulder to floor, knee to armpit, even the circumference of his head.
As he worked, he explained, "Every Ollivander wand contains a core of a powerful magical substance—unicorn hair, phoenix feather, or dragon heartstring. Each wand is unique, just like the creatures they come from. Using a wand meant for someone else... well, you'll never get the same results."
Wow, Alexander thought. This guy should work in advertising—he even memorized the slogans.
Ollivander busied himself among the shelves, gathering boxes, while the tape measure continued on its own.
"Alright," he said as the tape coiled itself up. "Try this one. Hawthorn wood, dragon heartstring, seven inches, nice and pliable."
Alexander gave it a wave—but Ollivander snatched it back immediately.
"No, no... Try this. Alder, phoenix feather, eight inches, rigid."
Again, before he could even lift it, it was taken away.
"Hmm... Apple wood, unicorn hair, eight and a half inches, quite springy. Give it a try."
One wand after another, Alexander kept trying. The pile on the bench grew taller, and Ollivander only seemed more delighted.
"A picky customer, eh? No matter! I'm sure we'll find the perfect match... Ah, of course—how could I forget? A most unusual combination: holly, phoenix feather, eleven inches, pliable."
Alexander's heart skipped—Harry Potter's wand?! He took it, but Ollivander snatched it away again before he could try.
"No, no... try this. Aspen wood, with a rare unicorn heartstring. A very rare combination indeed."
The moment Alexander touched it, his fingertips tingled with warmth. He raised it and swung it down through the air. A burst of white light erupted like fireworks, crackling with energy.
Jack clapped enthusiastically. Ollivander beamed. "Ah, magnificent! Wonderful! Extraordinary!"
He carefully boxed the wand, wrapping it in brown paper. "Absolutely marvelous..."
"Um," Alexander asked, "what makes it so special?"
Ollivander's pale eyes bore into his. "Aspen is a fine-grained white wood, elegant in both appearance and magic. It's favored by duelists, well-suited for combat spells."
"But the true wonder," he continued, "is its core. A unicorn heartstring—not from shed hair, no. This one comes from a voluntary sacrifice, which is exceedingly rare. Most other unicorn parts are cursed if taken unwillingly. This wand... is truly exceptional."
"Twenty Galleons," he added.
"So expensive?!" Alexander gaped.
"The Ministry provides a subsidy for incoming Hogwarts students. If you wait until enrollment, it's just nine Galleons."
Tch... so this wand is still two Galleons more expensive than Harry's even with the discount? That's wild, Alexander thought.
Jack paid, and Alexander spent an extra three Galleons on a wand holster and maintenance kit.
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