Choosing a Wand

[Ollivanders Wand Shop]

A shabby, cramped little shop.

"Ollivanders: Makers of Fine Wands since 382 B.C."

After reading the faded gold lettering on the door, Damon looked up and saw a single wand resting on a faded purple cushion in the dusty display window.

He'd heard that wands matched their owners' traits. Filled with anticipation, Damon stepped into the shop.

"Ding-a-ling."

A bell chimed. Before the shopkeeper appeared, Damon curiously took in the interior.

The shop was tiny. Aside from a bench in the corner, there was nothing else. Thousands of narrow boxes containing wands were stacked from floor to ceiling, all covered in a thin layer of dust.

He didn't mind. He breathed in the smoky air, and then an old man emerged before him with soft footsteps. The old man's pale, large eyes gleamed like two bright moons in the dim shop.

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

Just looking at you, I feel a thrum of magic. You seem to be growing constantly—magic gathers within you, becoming stronger and stronger."

Before Damon could answer, the old man pulled a long tape measure with silver markings from his pocket.

"Which arm do you use for your wand?"

"Right."

"Raise your arm. Good."

Ollivander measured Damon, starting from shoulder to fingertip, then wrist to elbow, shoulder to floor, knee to armpit, and finally head circumference.

"There," he said, as the tape measure slithered to the floor and coiled up. "Now, Mr. White, try this one. Chestnut wood and dragon heartstring, thirteen inches, reasonably flexible. Give it a wave."

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

"Not right?"

He pulled out another wand and introduced it:

"Oak wood, phoenix feather, twelve inches, nice and springy. Try it."

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

"No, no. This is an extraordinary combination, but it's still too gentle for you."

Ollivander kept pulling out wands and taking them back. At first, he let Damon try them, but soon he didn't even bother—he'd bring one over and immediately take it away.

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

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

"Exceptional leadership. A decisive dictator. A connoisseur of life's experiences... Hmm, a picky customer."

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

"Right, it should still be the first choice, but with a change!"

"Cherry wood with dragon heartstring! Thirteen inches, medium flexibility. Try it!"

Damon took the wand and suddenly felt a heat at his fingertips. Magic surged on its own.

He instinctively raised the wand above his head. Without even needing to wave it, a red light burst from the wand like fireworks, scattering sparks across the walls.

Ollivander shouted "Excellent!" then fixed his pale, colorless eyes on Damon and said seriously:

"Dragon heartstring has strong adaptability. Its power is immense, but it has its own preferences, especially when paired with cherry wood."

"This wand is extremely difficult to master. Only those with extraordinary self-control and willpower can wield it. If you can't fully control it, one day it might turn on you—or submit to a more suitable master."

Damon raised an eyebrow and looked at the wand with slight dissatisfaction. So this thing was a turncoat?

But the moment the thought crossed his mind, a warm current surged from the wand's tip, flowing into his body along with the magic, as if trying to please him.

At the same time, a voice rang in his head.

[Ding! Detected that the host has obtained their own wand!]

[Magic Points increase by 0.005 per breath]

[With each breath, you will gain 0.045 Magic Points]

A wand gave a bonus of 0.005? That was pretty substantial.

Damon nodded to himself, not taking Ollivander's warning too seriously.

If the turncoat wand admired the strong, all he had to do was become the strongest.

In just one year, he was confident he wouldn't lose to anyone in the magical world. By then, Harry Potter would have just finished his first year. He had plenty of safe time to grow stronger.

"But you don't need to worry too much."

Ollivander stepped back and said cheerfully:

"A young wizard born with strong magic, paired with such a powerful wand—you're sure to go further than most."

"Thank you."

Damon thanked him politely and walked out of the wand shop with Professor McGonagall.

After that, they went to buy textbooks and other equipment (a tin-plated cauldron, standard size 2, a set of Crystal Phials, a Telescope, and a set of Brass Scales). Professor McGonagall escorted Damon out of Diagon Alley, and after hesitating the whole way, she finally spoke:

"Damon, you have a real talent for Transfiguration. In the future—" Professor McGonagall pursed her lips, seeming a bit embarrassed by her own words, "when it comes time for the Sorting, perhaps you could consider Gryffindor. I'm the Head of that house."

"Thank you for the invitation, Professor." Damon's face broke into a warm smile, and he promised, "I'll think about it."

For him, anywhere was fine as long as it wasn't Slytherin. He had no interest in those gloomy, self-important cowards.

Hearing his promise, Professor McGonagall let out a huge sigh of relief, but her feelings immediately grew complicated.

She knew well that such expectations might not be fair. After all, the Sorting Hat could always see through to each student's deepest desires and potential.

Thinking back to her own words—"perhaps you could consider Gryffindor"—she couldn't help but feel a little sheepish.

"Well then, I'll be waiting for you at Hogwarts, Damon."

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

Damon waved goodbye to Professor McGonagall, casually found a coffee shop, and sat there for half an hour. Then—he returned to Diagon Alley.

He had a full two hundred Galleons in hand; he'd only spent a few dozen just now. There was plenty left to buy.

What's more, his current identity came with a massive loophole—there was no Trace on him!

That meant he could cast spells freely without worrying about the Ministry of Magic finding out. So before school started, he still had one important thing to do.

Chestnut Wood + Dragon Heartstring combination

Suitable for wizards with a firm will, a strong sense of mission, and the ability to wield powerful emotions.

Oak Wood + Phoenix Feather combination

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

Cherry Wood + Dragon Heartstring combination

Corresponds to wizards with intense emotions, abundant creativity, and a daring spirit.

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

The length of a wand influences its power display. Longer wands often mean stronger magical energy output, but they may also demand higher control from the wizard.