Wand

Harry untied the red cord and unfolded the parchment. It read:

Dear Harry,

It is as if we were face-to-face. You must have received quite a surprise tonight, right?

You know, the first time I saw you at school, I recognized you as the famous Harry Potter of the Magical World. Children in the Magical World grew up hearing your name, myself included. Admittedly, that was why I paid you extra attention, but please do not doubt the sincerity of our friendship. At first, I only intended to watch over you quietly and had no wish to interfere with your life. It was your sincerity, courage, kindness, and steadfast determination that drew me closer to you and made us good friends. I believe you can feel the genuine bond between us, can't you? I hope our friendship will not be affected by my well-intentioned concealment.

You have already received your Hogwarts admission letter, haven't you? So have I. We need to go to Diagon Alley to buy the items on the list. I will be going to Diagon Alley tomorrow. If you need to go with us, have Edward deliver a letter to me. If not, please tell me when you will be going to Diagon Alley, and I will go that day as well.

Your faithful friend: Allen

At that moment, Harry's feelings were complicated. On one hand, he was delighted that he could continue attending the same school as Allen. On the other, he was saddened that his close friend, whom he regarded as a brother, had concealed such a huge secret from him. But as Allen had said, one could feel whether another person was sincere, and Harry was even more sensitive to such things.

Harry borrowed a pen from Hagrid and wrote directly on the back of the parchment:

Dear Allen,

I am very happy that we can continue attending the same school. I believe you had your reasons for concealing the existence of the Magical World. Our friendship will never change.

Hagrid, the Hogwarts gamekeeper, will take me to Diagon Alley tomorrow to buy supplies. We can talk in detail when we meet tomorrow.

Your closest friend: Harry

After finishing the letter, Harry discovered that Hagrid had already dried the owl thoroughly and was feeding it corn kernels.

"I'm very good at taking care of animals. Many of the animals at Hogwarts are under my care, and Dumbledore trusts me greatly," Hagrid said proudly when he noticed Harry looking over.

Harry walked over and held out the parchment. Edward the owl immediately extended his left leg, signaling for Harry to tie the letter to it. Hagrid pushed open the window. The storm had passed, and a few stars could even be seen faintly glimmering in the sky. Edward flapped his wings and soared into the night. Carrying Allen's anticipation and Harry's joy, it became the bridge that continued their friendship.

The next day, Mrs. Harris got up early, prepared breakfast, and urged the family to wake up.

"Hurry up, Lenn, Daisy! We have so many things to buy today!" Women were always especially enthusiastic about shopping.

After breakfast, they passed through the Magic Lamp Post once more and arrived at Gringotts in Diagon Alley. After withdrawing their gold, Mrs. Harris assigned tasks to the older children. "Lenn, you go buy all the potions. Daisy and Dad, go buy the books and the Cauldron. Allen, we'll go buy your wand. Then everyone meet at Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions. You all need new school uniforms, and Madam Malkin is the best!"

As they headed straight for Ollivander's, Allen had reason to suspect that Mrs. Harris wanted to save time so she could browse Madam Malkin's shop a little longer.

Ollivander's was small and shabby. The gold lettering on the door had peeled away, but it still read: Ollivander, Makers of Fine Wands since 382 B.C. A single wand lay on a faded purple cushion in the dusty display window.

When they entered, a series of tinkling bells sounded from somewhere in the back of the shop. The shop was tiny, with nothing but a long bench inside. Thousands upon thousands of narrow boxes were piled almost to the ceiling. They were probably all wands.

There were no other customers, and the shop was utterly quiet. Allen unconsciously softened his breathing.

"Good morning. You are the first customers to arrive today," a gentle voice said. An old man suddenly appeared before Allen, studying him with large pale eyes. He seemed very pleased.

Seemingly noticing Allen's confusion, Ollivander complained, "Most people tend to visit the other shops first and only come to choose a wand at the end. It is so strange. I cannot understand their way of thinking. For a wizard, a wand is the most important companion!"

"Deep purplish-brown Walnut Wood, ten and a quarter inches long. A particularly beautiful wand, and an excellent one for casting spells. I haven't forgotten, have I, Mrs. Harris? It has been a long time!" Ollivander suddenly turned to Mrs. Harris and asked.

"Oh, of course. Your memory is as excellent as ever." Although she had already answered the same question three times, Mrs. Harris was willing to indulge Ollivander to show respect for the master wandmaker.

"Remember, wax it regularly!" Ollivander's gaze suddenly turned sharp.

"Of course, of course. I take very good care of it. This is my youngest son, Allen. We are here to choose a wand for him today." Mrs. Harris nudged Allen forward, quickly shifting Ollivander's attention.

"Oh, all right. Allen, let me see." He pulled a long tape measure marked with silver scales from his pocket. "Which arm do you use to wield your wand?"

"I'm used to using my right hand," Allen said.

"Raise your arm. Good." The tape measure operated on its own, measuring from his shoulder to his fingertips, then from wrist to elbow, shoulder to floor, knee to armpit, and finally around his head.

Ollivander darted among the shelves, busily selecting long boxes and carrying them down.

"Good," he said. The tape measure fell to the floor and curled itself into a heap. "Now, Allen, try this one. Beech wood and snake nerve. Nine inches long. Nice and flexible. Give it a wave."

The moment Allen took it in hand, Ollivander snatched it back.

"Clearly not this one. Try this instead—redwood with Unicorn hair, very flexible." Allen held it and gave it a wave. An explosion rang out, shattering the display window.

"Reparo." Ollivander calmly waved his wand, and the shattered display window was restored.

"Clearly not this one." Ollivander had Allen try one wand after another. Although Allen could use each of them smoothly and cause quite a commotion, none seemed to be a perfect match.

Ollivander, who had initially been full of excitement, now had beads of sweat on his forehead. "What a picky customer." After thinking for a long while, he returned to the back room and brought out a box wrapped in smooth silk.

"Try this wand. Mahogany, Phoenix nerve." With great caution, Ollivander took out a wand that gleamed violet-red and had a texture like rhinoceros horn.

Allen gripped the wand, and a wonderful feeling rose within him. The wand seemed to become part of his body. With a thought from Allen, sparks burst from its tip, as if it were cheering for its encounter with him.

"How extraordinary. You are certain to achieve great things. The wood of this wand came from the German Muggle royal family in the early twentieth century. Since I found a suitable core and finished making it, it has remained here for nearly a century. You are the first person able to wield this wand with such ease." Ollivander stared at Allen with pale eyes, utterly astonished. Allen decided that unless absolutely necessary, he would never come to this shop again.

After paying Mr. Ollivander thirteen gold Galleons for the wand, Mr. Ollivander bowed and saw them out.

Scholar System's friendly reminder: Want to personally craft a unique, growth-type wand? Complete the limited-time surprise quest, and you will receive the Alchemy handbook of the ancient alchemist Geber.