Magic Wands

"Let's go. We'll stop by Gringotts first and exchange some money. I imagine you can hardly wait." Professor McGonagall knew Anduin had a fair amount of money in savings.

"Gringotts is the only wizarding bank in Britain. It's run by a group of Goblins, and is said to be the second safest place in the world, after Hogwarts," Professor McGonagall explained as they walked.

With Professor McGonagall leading the way, Anduin reached a fork in the street. One sign pointed to Knockturn Alley, while the other marked the main road of Diagon Alley. A white building stood at the junction between Diagon Alley and Knockturn Alley, with Goblin Guards in scarlet uniforms trimmed with gold standing at the entrance.

Inside, they first passed through a gleaming bronze door. The Goblin Guards on either side bowed as they went by. Beyond a second, silver door lay a spacious marble hall. Around a hundred Goblins sat behind long counters, hurriedly making entries in large ledgers. Some weighed coins on scales, while others inspected gemstones through eyepieces.

It seemed the turmoil in the outside world had hardly affected the Goblins' lives.

Following Professor McGonagall's directions, Anduin went up to a counter and presented his Hogwarts acceptance letter. He collected twelve Galleons in financial aid for students in need. Although he had money to exchange, he had applied for the grant, so he might as well take it. Then he exchanged Pounds for another hundred Galleons. For an eleven-year-old boy, that was already a fortune.

Anduin walked out of Gringotts with a leather pouch full of Galleons in his arms. He took one out and examined it closely. "It looks like pure gold, but somehow it feels different from ordinary gold."

"They're all made by the Goblins from gold, using their unique craftsmanship. I've heard they also enchant them with special Goblin magic, to prevent outsiders from counterfeiting them with ordinary gold."

"I imagine you can hardly wait to get your own wand. In the Magical World, you can hardly get anywhere without one." Professor McGonagall looked at Anduin clutching his small fortune and chuckled.

As she spoke, Professor McGonagall led Anduin to Ollivanders Wand Shop, a store with a long history. Anduin followed her inside.

The shop was cramped, narrow, and shabby. A wand was displayed in the window, resting on a faded purple cushion. The towering shelves inside were crammed with thousands upon thousands of long, narrow boxes. Behind the counter, a thin old man silently polished a wand.

"Good afternoon, Mr. Ollivander. We're here to buy a wand."

"Ah, Minerva. Nine and a half inches, spruce. It's been a while since I've seen you. Time flies—another new school year is upon us!" Mr. Ollivander glanced down at Professor McGonagall, then turned his eyes to Anduin beside her. "Things haven't been easy lately. Did you hear about yesterday—"

"Yesterday's unrest won't continue. You should have faith in the Ministry of Magic and Dumbledore!" Professor McGonagall glanced at Anduin and cut Mr. Ollivander off, worried that such troubling news might shake the young wizard's confidence in the Magical World.

"Yes, Dumbledore. If he weren't still holding things together, I expect I'd have shut up shop and left long ago. Enough of that. Let's see what sort of wand suits this young gentleman." Mr. Ollivander didn't pursue the subject. Instead, he turned to Anduin.

"Hello, sir. I'm Anduin Wilson."

"Hello, Mr. Wilson. There aren't many young people as polite as you these days." Mr. Ollivander smiled and took a long measuring tape marked with silver graduations from his jacket pocket.

"Hmm... which hand do you usually use?"

"I'm right-handed."

Mr. Ollivander began measuring Anduin, first from shoulder to fingertip, then from wrist to elbow. "Such a strong build for someone so young. Impressive!" He felt Anduin's firm arm muscles and couldn't help praising him.

Anduin broke out in goosebumps. Was there something wrong with this old man? Measuring him with a tape was one thing, but why was he feeling him up? Did buying a wand mean he had to put up with being groped?

Mr. Ollivander worked quickly. While Anduin was still lost in thought, he had already pulled a wand from the shelf and handed it over.

"Try this one. Ash wood, Phoenix Feather, eleven and a half inches. Resilient and brave."

Anduin took it and gave it a gentle wave. A ball of flame suddenly burst from the tip.

"All right, it seems this one doesn't suit you." Mr. Ollivander quickly took the wand back and picked out another.

"How about this one? Elm wood, made with Dragon heartstring, nine and three-quarter inches. A symbol of wisdom and grace."

As soon as Anduin took it, Mr. Ollivander snatched it away. "Looks like this one isn't right either."

"Try this one next. Red oak, Male unicorn hair, ten and a half inches. Exceptionally agile."

Anduin took it and gave it a gentle wave. The vase on the counter burst apart.

"All right, it seems you're already sharp enough. This one's a little too sensitive." Mr. Ollivander took the wand back.

"Don't worry. You'll find a wand that suits you here." Anduin tried several more, but Mr. Ollivander said none of them were right.

"Try this one. Lightning-struck wood, taken from a sturdy Ebony tree, with a Thunderbird feather. Twelve and a quarter inches. A firm, unshakable resolve; exceptionally durable. I made it with materials Newt once gave me, so it's quite valuable.

"It took an enormous amount of work to craft this wand. It sometimes produces Electric Arcs, and it won't be easy to earn its approval. A discerning customer should try a discerning wand." Mr. Ollivander offered him a wand as dark and lustrous as black jade.

The moment Anduin saw the jade-like wand, he was drawn to its depths. As soon as he took it, he felt as if it were connected to him by blood, like an extension of his own body.

Anduin gave the wand a gentle wave. A faint glimmer of electricity flickered at its tip.

"This is the one. I'm always truly happy when a wand finds the right owner. I can see it likes you very much," Mr. Ollivander said with a delighted smile. He was a true craftsman, and finding a home for one of his creations brought him great joy.

"Thank you, Mr. Ollivander. I like it very much too." Anduin was overjoyed as he turned the wand over in his hands.

"Ebony is exceptionally well suited to Combat Magic and Transfiguration. I'm sure it'll shine in your hands. Also, a wizard's first wand has a fixed price of seven Galleons. Hogwarts will cover any additional cost. Be careful not to lose it or break it!" Mr. Ollivander reminded him.

"Don't worry, Mr. Ollivander." Anduin happily paid and thanked Mr. Ollivander again before leaving Ollivanders Wand Shop with Professor McGonagall.