Wand Compatibility

"See that white building? That's the wizarding bank, Gringotts. In the wizarding world, it's goblin territory."

Fox served as Linley's guide, introducing him to the various shops in Diagon Alley.

"Goblins control the wizarding economy? Aren't you afraid they'll steal from themselves?"

Linley found this quite strange. The sentiment of "those not of our kind will surely have different hearts" existed everywhere. Wizards weren't foolish; they surely understood this principle.

"No, no, no, you don't understand them well enough," Fox said, shaking his head.

"Goblins are nominally independent, but in reality, they are still under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Magic, vassals of the wizards.

They are the defeated ones, stripped of the right to use wands.

Don't underestimate this. Without wands, they can never stir up any significant trouble. Moreover, having them manage wealth is much more reliable than wizards doing it themselves. When it comes to money, the goblins' contractual spirit has been tested by time."

Linley wasn't particularly interested in the history of the wizarding world. He was now somewhat impatient to obtain a wand of his own.

"So, should we go to Gringotts to get money first?"

Fox took out his pocket watch and checked the time.

"Hmm, we've spent too much time this noon. I have a banquet to attend after six. Let's split up.

I'll go to Gringotts to get money. You take this money I have and go buy books and a wand, then go to Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions to order your school uniform. Wait for me there."

"No problem."

Fox took out a money bag from his person and handed it to Linley.

Linley shook the money bag, and a pleasant clinking of metal sounded from within. He opened it and counted; there were over twenty gold coins.

"A total of twenty-five Galleons, enough for you to buy everything you need for school. Of course, my investment is definitely more than this, but the rest of the money will have to wait until I retrieve it from Gringotts."

Fox pointed out the location of Ollivanders Wand Shop, and then the two parted ways.

There were many people in Diagon Alley. This was the largest commercial street in the British wizarding world, containing almost all magical items available through legitimate channels.

Of course, if one wanted contraband, they would have to go to Knockturn Alley next door.

Ollivanders Wand Shop was not as easy to find as Linley had expected. He walked for a long time in the direction Fox had indicated before spotting a slightly dilapidated storefront.

[Ollivanders, makers of fine wands since 382 BC.]

Golden letters, some of which had already peeled off, were printed on the narrow wooden door.

Makers of wands for millennia, the best in my family.

Linley silently scoffed in his mind before reaching out and pushing open the wooden door that looked like it might fall off at any moment.

"Ding-a-ling..."

The crisp sound of the doorbell was quite pleasant. He stepped into the small wooden house.

As far as his eyes could see, the room was filled with tall wooden cabinets.

"Oh, I didn't expect to have a guest today."

A short old man walked out from behind a row of wooden cabinets.

He looked at Linley, who was curiously observing the shop's decorations, with a smile and asked in a gentle voice.

"Are you one of the new young wizards enrolling at Hogwarts this year?"

Linley nodded. "Yes, sir. I need a wand."

"You must be the last one to arrive this year." Ollivander took out a piece of parchment from a drawer.

"Linley Belloc?"

"That's right, it's me."

"Do you prefer your left hand or your right?"

"Uh... my right."

A silver measuring tape automatically floated out of Ollivander's pocket, hovering in front of Linley.

"Come, extend your right arm. Yes, very good, just like that."

The measuring tape made Linley feel a bit awkward, like a wriggling snake.

At this moment, Ollivander had already waved his wand and pulled a wooden box from the cabinet.

The wooden box floated onto the table in front of Linley, and the lid opened automatically.

"Beechwood with Dragon Heartstring, 12 inches. A powerful combination, try it."

He placed the wand into Linley's hand. Linley awkwardly waved it in the air, and nothing happened.

But in his mind, the system's voice sounded:

[Compatibility: 23%.]

Linley was stunned.

It had this kind of function?

As he was still dazed, Ollivander didn't stop his movements. He took the wand back from Linley's hand and placed another one into his hand.

"You don't seem to be a good match, so let's try this one. Hawthorn and Phoenix Feather, nine inches, flexible and easy to handle."

[Compatibility: 51%.]

It was a little better than before, but still no special effects appeared.

"A picky customer, I like that. How about this one then? Willow and Unicorn Hair, fifteen inches, generally on the longer side and quite resilient."

This time, the wand finally showed some change. Linley felt something flow from his fingertips into the wooden stick, and a cluster of brilliant sparks shot out from its tip.

[Compatibility: 76%.]

Ollivander nodded with satisfaction. "It likes you. This is the one..."

"Wait, sir," Linley suddenly interrupted him, pointing to the tall wooden cabinets. "Could I take a look at your wands myself first?"

Ollivander's expression was clearly taken aback. This was the first time he had encountered a customer like Linley who made such a proactive request.

"Uh... of course, you can. That's your right as a customer."

Linley felt that in this wand shop, the wand in his hand might not necessarily be the one with the highest compatibility for him.

Although he didn't know how much the compatibility between a wand and a wizard would affect the release and use of magic, Linley felt that the higher, the better.

He didn't need to take out every wand to touch it; the system could detect the compatibility of each wand through the cabinet.

Linley started from the first row of cabinets, appearing to walk aimlessly, but in reality, the system's voice was constantly sounding in his mind.

[Compatibility: 59%, Compatibility: 65%, Compatibility: 13%, Compatibility: 78%, Compatibility: 45%...]

It took him more than twenty minutes. Just as Ollivander's patience was about to run out, Linley finally finished browsing all the wands and finally selected the one with the highest compatibility for him.

[Compatibility: 92%]

"I think this wand is the most suitable for me. What do you think, Mr. Ollivander?"

Linley waved the wand in his hand lightly. The tip of the wand left a dazzling silver trail that lingered in the air for a long time.

Ollivander looked at the wand in his hand in disbelief and murmured.

"Perfect... a perfect match. It's as if it was made specifically for you. Mr. Belloc, how... how did you find it?"

"Um... I just felt it. An indescribable feeling," Linley said vaguely.

"The wand chooses the wizard!"

Ollivander suddenly shouted decisively. "It must have been guiding you, leading you to find it! This is strong evidence that wands themselves actually have sentience! I must record this, record it in the Ollivander family tree..."

Ollivander ran around the room excitedly, clutching his messy hair.

Sentience, my ass. I chose it.

Linley secretly rolled his eyes, then stopped the uncontrollably excited Ollivander.

"Mr. Ollivander, could you tell me about the characteristics of this wand first?"

"Why not? Strictly speaking, this wand wasn't made by me alone. I usually only use unicorn hair, phoenix feather, and dragon heartstring as wand cores, but its core is made of a more special material. It was a collaboration with materials brought by a wand maker from Eastern Europe, Grigovich. Quercus with Thestral Heartstring, eleven and a quarter inches. Ah, even among wands worldwide, this is a rare combination, mysterious and difficult to control, very suitable..." At this point, Ollivander suddenly paused.

Linley looked at him curiously.

"Suitable for what?"

Ollivander swallowed, as if he was wary of something, but still said it.

"...Suitable for wizards who are rational, quiet, but occasionally display madness."

Linley was somewhat bewildered. He didn't understand what this somewhat eccentric old man meant.

Seeking votes! (Simple, direct, and with a hint of cuteness)