Chapter 49 - Olivander

"Ding, ding - the bells chimed."

Anna and Otto stepped into the shop. They couldn't quite gauge its depth as the lighting dwindled the farther in they looked. Yet, they beheld hundreds of shelves filled with small boxes. The only thing unsettling them was the absence of a shopkeeper. Otto contemplated calling out to someone loudly. However, before he could start, a dry voice echoed from the depths of the store, "Oh, visitors, I'm coming, wait a moment."

After a while, they saw an elderly wizard with large gray-blue eyes that seemed to peer straight into the soul. His hands were dry and calloused, with long fingers that might have been fit for playing the piano. He was dressed in the standard wizard's robe, burgundy or brown, with an embroidered ring-shaped design over his heart, signifying the wand shop. Observing the appearance of the old man, Anna, who held a card received from a chocolate frog, covered her mouth in astonishment.

"Are you Garrick Ollivander? But aren't you supposed to be in the Diagon Alley shop?" She was extremely surprised. You see, for those who grew up in the magical world from birth, Ollivander is just the owner of the shop where magical wands are sold. How should I put it... an important and well-known person might stop seeming so special after you've seen him a couple of hundred times. But Anna and Otto were different. Just before entering the wand shop, Anna bought a chocolate frog. And she got Garrick Ollivander. Here's what was written on his card:

"Mr. Ollivander is arguably the best wandmaker in the world, and many foreigners come to London specifically to buy a wand crafted by him. Mr. Ollivander grew up in this family business, showing his talent very early on. His ambitions extend to studying the characteristics of wand cores and woods to find the perfect combination and create the ideal wand.

Before Mr. Ollivander took over the family business, wizards used a variety of substances as magical cores for their wands. Clients often provided the master with something particularly precious or a source of family pride as the magical core for their wand.

Mr. Ollivander, being a purist, always insisted that a good wand couldn't be made using the hair of the client's favorite Kneazle, or a sprig of Dittany that once saved the client's father from poisoning, or a strand of hair from a Kelpie's mane encountered by the client in Scotland, unless paired with the client's favorite wood.

According to Mr. Ollivander, the best wands are a combination of a strong magical core and a carefully chosen wooden casing, all tailored to the characteristics of the future owner, allowing the wand to unleash its full power in the hands of its wielder. Initially, this revolutionary discovery faced resistance, but it soon became clear that Ollivander's wands far surpassed all others. His methods of finding the right wood for the casing and selecting a suitable magical core for creating a wand perfectly suited to its owner are closely guarded secrets and the envy of all competitors.

A distinctive feature is that he remembers all the wands he has ever produced and recalls which wand went to whom."

This was a card from a limited edition. Asmodeus allocated funds to the chocolate frog manufacturer. Now, they don't just feature brief summaries of the achievements of the greatest wizards but also those recognized by the magical world for their craftsmanship, research, skills, etc. So people would know those who deserve respect. He decided to increase the level of education among young people and newcomers to the magical world. In any case, these frogs are cheap, and most people entering the magical world will decide to buy and try local sweets. It's a win-win situation.

"Ha-ha-ha, for the first time, I see someone so excited to meet me. I like you, young lady. Too bad you're not a witch... yet." The last word he said silently to himself.

"Actually, I've decided to move my main shop here. My little old shop will be managed by my daughter, Lisa Ollivander. There are many more people here, and I can encounter more interesting combinations. She'll have time to practice interacting with customers. Even though Diagon Alley is not as popular as it used to be, a good number of wizards from England still visit. Alright, young folks, I've talked enough about myself. Today, as I understand it, you've come for a wand, young man?" said Garrick, addressing Otto.

"Yes, Mr. Ollivander, you're correct. My name is Otto Nelson—I used to be a Squib. This is my wife, Anna."

"That's wonderful! Every time, I'm so delighted to see new faces in the wizarding world. Although, after this kid Asmodeus invented magical rings, I had to involve my son and daughter in the business. I'm very pleased with this influx of customers in my old age. Mr. Nelson, which hand do you usually use?"

"I'm right-handed."

"Right-handed, good. Extend your arm; I need to take some measurements."

Otto watched as a tape measure flew out from Ollivander's sleeve and meticulously measured him—height, arm span, distance between nostrils, finger length, and so on. While the tape measure did its work, Ollivander recorded the data in a 10x10 table, making it easier to find a suitable wand.

Anna observed the process with keen interest.

After some period of time, Ollivander pointed to the corner to the right of Anna, saying, "Wait a couple of minutes; you can sit on the couch over there. I need to retrieve some potential matches."

Ollivander returned after a short while, accompanied by 5-7 boxes of various lengths levitating behind him.

Placing the boxes on the table and removing their lids, Ollivander motioned for Otto to come closer.

"Here, try the first one you like. I need to understand where to go from here. If you were a child, I would personally give you the first wand to try. But I've noticed that the older former Squibs get, the more challenging it is to find the right wand. I don't know if it's because a person's personality develops gradually, and the wands don't have enough time to adapt, but the wands I've sold to adults seem to fit them even better than the ones I sell to children. Just remember, 'The wand chooses the wizard, Mr. Nelson, not the other way around.'"

Otto glanced at the boxes on the table and decided to pick one at random. Perhaps it was the appearance of the wand that drew him in. He reached for a box. Ollivander observed his movements and commented:

"Vine wood, 12.5 inches, dragon heartstring core. Powerful and flexible."

Ollivander was about to continue his explanation when Otto waved the wand, and a sound of explosion echoed.

Quickly taking the wand from Otto, Ollivander said, "This one is not suitable. Try this one. Willow wood, 13 inches, unicorn tail hair core. Very stable and faithful."

Otto took the wand again and waved it. A light appeared at the wand's tip, but it quickly vanished.

"It fits, but not perfectly..."

Ollivander took the wand from Otto once again. Placing two wands back into their respective boxes, Ollivander slid two boxes toward Otto.

One box contained a shiny, jet-black wand, polished to perfection, while the other held a reddish-brown wand with a dragon pattern at the tip.

"Choose for yourself; I believe both of them will suit you."

Otto thought for a moment and reached for the coal-black wand, feeling that it resonated with him more.

Observing Otto's choice, Ollivander commented, "Hmm, 13.5 inches of beech wood with a unicorn hair core. An interesting choice. The beech wand is ideally suited for a young but wise person beyond their years, or a knowledgeable and experienced adult. Beech wands are not favored by those who are narrow-minded or impatient. Such wizards, upon receiving a beech wand, often seek out knowledgeable wandmakers, like myself, demanding an explanation as to why their beautiful wands lack power. However, a properly matched beech wand can achieve a level of skill and artistry rarely seen in wands of other woods, hence their shining reputation.

As for the core...

Unicorn hair produces the most resilient magic and is less susceptible to fluctuations and blockages than other cores. Wands with unicorn hair are the least likely to turn to Dark Arts. They are the most loyal of all cores, usually maintaining a strong bond with their owner, whether the owner is a seasoned wizard or a beginner. A slight downside to unicorn hair is that it doesn't provide the most powerful wands, although this can be compensated for by the wood used for the wand. They are also prone to melancholy if mistreated—meaning the hair can 'die,' requiring replacement. I promptly turn away those whose 'core dies' and refuse to serve them in the future."

Hearing this, Otto waved his wand, and a spring breeze gently wafted through the store. Anna joyfully applauded at the sight.

"Your wand has chosen you. Please treat it with respect and don't consider it merely a tool. It's your loyal companion that will never betray you."

"Yes, I'll treat it like my second wife. Hey!"

Otto exclaimed, feeling a nudge to his leg.

"What second wife are you talking about?"

"It's just for comparison; of course, I won't trade you for a wand. I meant I'll take good care of it..."

"Hmm," Anna smirked.

"Mr. Ollivander, how much do I owe you for the wand?"

"45 galleons for sincerity. Would you like to buy a set of oils and brushes for wand care? It's an additional 5 galleons."

"Yes, please. Here's 50 galleons."

"Thank you very much for your purchase. I hope to see you unlock the potential of this wand in the future and not waste such fine craftsmanship."

"Don't worry; I won't disappoint. Thanks again."

"You're welcome."

After bidding farewell to Ollivander, Otto and Anna headed towards the door, but before they reached the door they heard:

"Ding, ding - sound of the bells ringing"

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