Choosing a Wand

Ollivanders Wand Shop

A mysterious little shop, shabby and small.

"Ollivander, makers of fine wands since 382 B.C."

After reading the peeling gold sign on the door, Damon looked up and saw a wand lying alone on a faded purple cushion in the dust-covered display window.

He had heard that wands corresponded to their owners' traits as well. Filled with anticipation, Damon stepped into the little shop.

"Jingle, jingle."

The bell rang. Before the shop owner appeared, Damon curiously surveyed the furnishings inside.

The shop's main hall was tiny. Other than a long bench in the corner, there was nothing else. Thousands upon thousands of narrow wand boxes were stacked from floor to ceiling, all covered in a thin layer of dust.

He did not mind it. As he lightly inhaled the dusty scent hanging in the air, an old man appeared before Damon with the sound of footsteps. His large, pale eyes shone like two bright moons in the dim shop.

"Hmm, you seem to possess a rather special aura, young man.

"Just looking at you, I can feel magic stirring. You seem to be constantly growing, with magic gathering within you and becoming stronger and stronger."

Without waiting for Damon to answer, he pulled a long tape measure marked with silver scales from his pocket.

"Which arm do you use to cast with?"

"My right hand."

"Raise your arm. Good."

Ollivander took Damon's measurements, first from shoulder to fingertip, then wrist to elbow, shoulder to floor, knee to armpit, and finally around his head.

"Good," he said. The tape measure slipped to the floor and coiled itself up. "Now then, Mr. White, try this one. Chestnut Wood and Dragon Heartstring, thirteen inches, reasonably flexible. Give it a wave."

Damon took the wand with great interest and gave it a wave, but the next second, Ollivander snatched it back.

"Not right?"

He took out another wand and introduced it.

"Oak Wood, Phoenix Feather, twelve inches long, quite springy. Give it a try."

Damon was just about to try it, but before he could even raise it, the wand was taken away again.

"No, no. Though it is an extraordinary combination, it is still too gentle for you."

Ollivander kept pulling out wands, then taking them back. At first, he had Damon try them, but later, he did not even bother. The moment a wand was held before Damon, it was immediately taken back.

As the process continued, the pile of tried wands on the bench grew higher and higher.

Yet the more wands Ollivander pulled from the shelves, the happier he seemed.

"Exceptional leadership. A decisive dictator. A lover of life and experience... hmm, a picky customer."

Ollivander scratched his head and abruptly pulled out the twenty-third wand.

"Yes, it should still be the first choice, but with a few changes!"

"Cherry Wood paired with Dragon Heartstring! Thirteen inches, neither too soft nor too hard. Try it!"

Damon took the wand, and suddenly felt a heat at his fingertips as magic began to surge of its own accord.

He instinctively raised the wand high above his head. Without even waving it, red light burst from its tip like fireworks, spraying golden sparks as dancing flecks of light fell across the walls.

Ollivander shouted, "Excellent!" Then he immediately fixed Damon with his pale, colorless eyes and said seriously,

"Dragon Heartstring possesses great adaptability. Its power is immense, but it also has its own preferences, especially when combined with Cherry Wood."

"This wand is extremely difficult to master. Only those with exceptional self-control and willpower may possess it. If you cannot fully control it, perhaps one day it will turn on you or submit to a more suitable owner."

Damon raised an eyebrow and looked at the wand in his hand with some dissatisfaction. So this thing was a traitor?

But just as that thought arose, a warm current suddenly flowed from the tip of the wand, continuously passing into his body along with magic, as though it were trying to please him.

At the same time, a voice rang out in his mind.

Ding! Detected that the host has obtained his own wand!

Magic increases by 0.005 points with every breath.

With every breath, you will gain 0.045 Magic Points.

A wand alone gave an additional 0.005? That was quite considerable.

Damon nodded to himself and did not take Ollivander's warning too seriously.

Since this traitorous wand admired the strong, all he had to do was become the strongest.

He only needed a year. He was confident that he would not lose to anyone in the wizarding world, and by then, Harry Potter would have only just finished his first year. He had plenty of time to safely improve himself.

"However, you need not worry too much."

Ollivander stepped back and said happily,

"A young wizard born with powerful magic, paired with such a powerful wand—you will surely go farther than most."

"Thank you."

Damon thanked him politely and left the wand shop with Professor McGonagall.

Afterward, they bought textbooks and other equipment as well—a standard size two pewter cauldron, a set of crystal potion vials, a telescope, and a brass scale. Professor McGonagall escorted Damon out of Diagon Alley. After hesitating all the way, she finally said,

"Damon, you have great talent in Transfiguration. In the future—" Professor McGonagall pressed her lips together, seemingly embarrassed by what she was about to say. "When it comes to Sorting, perhaps you could consider Gryffindor. I am the head of that house."

"Thank you for the invitation, Professor." Damon wore a warm smile as he promised, "I will."

As far as he was concerned, anywhere was fine as long as it was not Slytherin. He had no interest in those gloomy, self-important cowards.

Hearing his promise, Professor McGonagall immediately let out a great sigh of relief, but her feelings soon became complicated again.

She knew very well that such expectations might not be fair. After all, the Sorting Hat could always see the deepest desires and potential within every student.

Thinking back on her words, "Perhaps you could consider Gryffindor," she could not help feeling a little embarrassed.

"Then I will wait for you at Hogwarts, Damon."

"Alright, Professor. See you on September first."

Damon waved goodbye to Professor McGonagall, casually found a café and sat there for half an hour, then—returned to Diagon Alley once more.

He had a full two hundred Galleons in hand. He had only spent a few dozen just now, and there was still plenty to buy.

Besides, his current identity came with a huge loophole—he did not have the Trace on him!

That meant he could cast spells freely without worrying about being discovered by the Ministry of Magic. Before school began, there was still one important thing he needed to do.

Chestnut Wood + Dragon Heartstring Combination

Suitable for wizards with steadfast personalities, a strong sense of mission, and the ability to command powerful emotions.

Oak Wood + Phoenix Feather Combination

Corresponds to mature, steady individuals who have faced significant challenges. It suits wizards who are rational yet emotionally deep, especially those who have grown through challenges and self-reflection.

Cherry Wood + Dragon Heartstring

Corresponds to wizards with intense emotions, abundant creativity, and a willingness to take risks.

It also suits those who can calmly control their emotions in battle and unleash tremendous power.

Such wizards are usually outgoing, decisive, and possess a strong sense of purpose and inner drive. Especially when facing challenges, they can quickly mobilize their passion and potential.

A wand's length affects the display of its power. Longer wands often signify stronger magical energy output, but they may also demand greater control over magic from the wizard.