A Wand That Brings Luck

"Are you here to buy Hogwarts School uniforms, dear?" As soon as they entered the tailor's shop, a short, plump witch with a pleasant smile greeted Albert.

"Yes, ma'am." Albert nodded. "Thank you for your trouble."

"What a polite young man. Come along, let me take your measurements." With a flick of Madam Malkin's fingers, measuring tapes, pins, and scissors flew over and began measuring Albert automatically. The sight left Herb staring in astonishment.

Having clothes tailored was a complicated process, and it took a full half hour. Madam Malkin told them to come back for the package after they had finished shopping.

"Ma'am, besides the school-required clothes, I'd also like to order a black pointed hat and an ordinary black cloak. Make them to my measurements, but without a name tag. Oh, and please wrap them separately." After straightening his slightly rumpled clothes, Albert spoke to Madam Malkin.

"A black pointed hat and an ordinary cloak?" Madam Malkin looked at Herb in confusion and repeated Albert's request.

"Yes." Herb nodded. He knew they were gifts for Nia.

"All right." Madam Malkin gave the strange request no further thought and nodded to show that she understood.

After paying a deposit in Galleons, the two left Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions. They went to Wiseacre's Wizarding Supplies nearby and bought the brass scales, brass telescope, and glass phials from the list.

In fact, Albert simply handed the list to Wizex and said that he needed everything on it.

Wizex took only a few minutes to gather all the items on the list and pack them up for him.

With the shopkeeper's directions, Albert easily found Potage's Cauldron Shop and bought a pewter cauldron there.

Then, through the shop owner Potage, they found the apothecary and stocked up on the ingredients needed for Potions Class.

The apothecary was absolutely not a pleasant place. Even before entering, they could smell a nauseating stench, as though it had been specially prepared to drive customers away.

The shop displayed all sorts of strange things. Jars of herbs, dried roots, and brightly colored powders lined the cabinets.

Bundles of feathers, strings of fangs, and furry claws hung from the ceiling.

Good heavens, how could wizards possibly brew these things into potions and drink them?

Herb did not dare think about it anymore after spotting a jar of slugs.

It was simply too disgusting.

The father was beginning to question his life choices.

Maybe sending his son to that Hogwarts really was not a wise decision.

Besides potions, Albert also bought some tools for brewing them.

After paying, he dragged the conflicted-looking Herb out of the apothecary.

"Albert, how about we give up?" After pulling Albert away from the apothecary, Herb spoke with a serious expression. "Let's go to Eton College."

Albert's face twitched, and he shook his head.

"But... the more I think about it, the less reliable it seems. Maybe Daisy was right." Herb looked at his son with a complicated expression.

"We still need some books, a wand, and an Owl." Albert looked at Herb and said, "At the very least, don't jump to conclusions before we understand the wizarding world."

"All right." Herb was a little dejected, but he still nodded in agreement.

After buying the books on the list at Flourish and Blotts, Albert also purchased several books about the history of the wizarding world.

Actually, Albert wanted to linger in the bookstore for a while, but considering the time, he gave up. He asked the bookstore manager for a book list so that he could order books by Owl in the future.

Then, at Diagon Alley Stationery Shop beside Quality Quidditch Supplies, he bought a large amount of Parchment, quills, and ink.

With the owner's enthusiastic help, they found Eeylops Owl Emporium. The shop was on the northern side of Diagon Alley and easy to find, with a large number of Owls hanging outside.

He had to buy an Owl, otherwise he would have no way to stay in touch with his family.

Herb also helped buy a bag of Owl feed and Owl nuts.

Pushing the cart, Herb crossed off the purchased items one by one. Only the wand remained.

Ollivanders Wand Shop was on the southern side of Diagon Alley. They learned the wand shop's location from the witch who sold Owls.

It was a small, rundown shop.

When Albert pushed open the door, a jingling bell rang out. The interior was tiny, with nothing but a long bench.

When Herb pushed the cart inside, it felt as though he had filled the whole place. He sat on the bench, eating Pumpkin Pasties he had just bought from a stall. There were also some sweets in the cart, likewise gifts for Nia.

Albert was holding a Pumpkin Pasty as well. He was hungry too.

"Is anyone here?"

"Good afternoon." A gentle voice sounded as Ollivander emerged from the back.

"Hello, sir. I'd like to buy..." Albert put down his Pumpkin Pasty.

"A wand? Oh, of course. A new Hogwarts student."

"Yes, sir."

"By the way, what is your name?" Ollivander seemed to notice the confusion in Albert's eyes and explained, "Every wizard who buys a wand from me must be registered with the Ministry of Magic."

"Albert Anderson," Albert introduced himself.

"Very good, Mr. Anderson." Ollivander pulled a measuring tape from his pocket. "Which arm do you use most often?"

"I'm right-handed." Albert raised his arm.

Ollivander began taking Albert's measurements, first from shoulder to fingertip, then from wrist to elbow. The complicated process made both father and son wonder whether Ollivander sold wands or clothes.

"Every wand I make is unique. Wizards can always find the one most suited to them here." Ollivander continued talking to himself as he measured, but Albert was beginning to question his life choices when the measuring tape started automatically measuring the distance between his nostrils.

Albert reached out, brushed the tape aside, and walked toward the counter.

Ollivander had already taken a wand from the shelf and introduced it. "Holly and Phoenix Feather. Seven inches, very flexible."

Albert had barely reached out to take it when Ollivander snatched it away.

"Try this one instead. Ash and Unicorn Hair. Eight and a half inches long. An extraordinary combination, with good flexibility."

Albert took it and gave it a wave, but nothing happened.

"Seems it doesn't suit you." Ollivander spoke to himself. "Try this one..."

Albert tried wand after wand. Sometimes, a wand displayed tremendous destructive power, even blasting the vase on the counter to pieces and giving Herb quite a fright.

"I like picky customers." Ollivander brought over another pile of wands and said with a smile, "Redwood and Phoenix Feather. Nine inches long, with good flexibility."

Albert took the wand and felt a faint warmth at his fingertips. With a gentle flick, red sparks burst from the tip like fireworks blooming throughout the shop.

"That's the one." Ollivander happily placed the wand into a box and smiled at Albert. "Legend has it that wands made from redwood bring their users good luck."

"Do you believe that?" Albert asked in return.

"No. I believe that wands made from redwood are drawn to certain wizards, and those wizards already possess the ability to escape danger when faced with it."

"So it isn't redwood that brings luck, but its owners who give it its lucky reputation?" Albert raised an eyebrow.

"You could say that." Ollivander nodded. "That will be ten Galleons. Thank you for your patronage."