Chapter 35: Ollivander's Store, Harry's Appearance

In Diagon Alley, Meira and her family stood excitedly on the street. After all, Meira was eager to go shopping. As soon as she heard the opportunity, her interest piqued.

It so happened that Martin and the others still needed to buy school supplies, so Cole accompanied his family.

The Lucius family was also present. Since the day Martin wrote to Draco about joining Hogwarts, Draco had been overjoyed to have a friend accompanying him to school.

As for Goyle and Crabbe, they merely followed Draco; he had never considered them his equals since childhood. Only Martin and the Black cousins could truly be his friends.

"Martin, are you getting an owl? I want a raven, but my father won't allow it," Draco whispered, eyeing Lucius who conversed with Cole intermittently. Clearly, Draco was displeased with Lucius's decision but had no choice in the matter.

"My father said we can choose any pet. Besides, we already have an owl at home for delivering letters," Martin replied, eliciting envy from Draco at the freedom Martin and others enjoyed in choosing their own pets. Draco wondered why Uncle Cole was so lenient.

At that moment, Meira and Narcissa, preoccupied with their own affairs, headed straight to Ms. Prim Burnell's Beauty Pharmacy. Meira, despite her natural beauty, couldn't resist the curiosity to explore the beauty potions of this world.

Cole made no objection and led Lucius and the children directly to Ollivander's wand store.

As the doorbell chimed, Cole entered and saw Ollivander poking his head out from amidst a pile of debris.

"Oh, Mr. Black! Walnut, dragon heartstring, ten and a quarter inches. A fine wand, not easily bent," Ollivander remarked, prompting an inward smile from Cole. In England, virtually all wizard wands originated from Ollivander's.

Ollivander, the wand master, possessed an impressive memory. However, the wand he mentioned was once owned by the original Cole; Cole had since acquired a new one.

"Mr. Malfoy, good to see you as well," Ollivander greeted Lucius, refraining from divulging the origin of Lucius's wand, a cane he carried wherever he went.

"Is there a problem with your wands?" Cole inquired.

"Mr. Ollivander, we're here to choose wands for the children. They've all received Hogwarts letters," Lucius replied.

Ollivander's eyes gleamed as he gazed at the children through his spectacles, smiling after a moment of reflection.

"How time flies! It feels like yesterday when you were here selecting a wand. And now, it's time to choose wands for your children. Who shall go first? Little Black or little Malfoy?" Ollivander asked.

The unkempt appearance of Ollivander made Draco slightly uncomfortable; he even detected a hint of nervousness in the old man.

"I'll go first, Mr. Ollivander. My name is Martin Blake," Martin announced, standing up in his small suit, appearing older than the others except for the eleven-year-old Draco.

Ollivander smiled, took out a measuring tape, and inquired whether Martin was left-handed or right-handed.

Several children, including Cole, puzzled over why height and arm length mattered. Wizards typically retained their wands from childhood, so what was the significance of these measurements? Cole suspected it was a ploy by the Ollivander family to demonstrate their expertise and monopolize the wand business.

While measuring, Ollivander observed the Black family children closely. Apart from the Weasleys, he had never seen a pure-blood family with so many children.

"Excellent talent! Try this one—yew wood, dragon heartstring. Ideal for powerful wizards," Ollivander said, placing a wand in Martin's hand. Martin waved it, causing wand boxes to fly and those at the back to vibrate. Unlike other young wizards struggling to control their wands, Martin's proficiency was well-known.

Observing this, Draco was on the verge of excitement, while Lucius appeared displeased.

"Mr. Ollivander, I believe this suits me perfectly, doesn't it?" Martin asked, feeling the wand and choosing it outright.

Next was Jerome. With the same process, every wand in Ollivander's store found its rightful owner.

The ease with which Ben, Darlene, and Alice found their wands left Ollivander feeling unaccomplished. He preferred discerning young wizards, but all the Black family children's wands seemed suitable.

"Very well, but remember, it's the wand that chooses the wizard, not the other way around," Ollivander said, his wisdom disregarded by Martin and the others who were already familiar with wand lore.

Draco eagerly awaited his turn, standing up with a thrilled expression. After some experimentation, Draco found his wand—a hawthorn wood with unicorn hair, precisely ten inches long.

Watching Draco wield his wand, Cole couldn't help but sigh. Despite Draco's usual arrogance, he possessed a kind heart. Martin's wand, lacking unicorn hair like Draco's, hinted at their differing personalities.

For instance, yew wood, often associated with death, reflected Martin's darker side, while unicorn hair symbolized purity and kindness, traits evident in Draco.

As several children discussed their wands, Cole failed to notice two figures, one large and one small, standing outside the window.

Hagrid, towering at three meters, adjusted his moleskin coat and cast a disdainful glance at Lucius through the glass.

"These troublesome wizards are a nuisance. They belong in Azkaban," Hagrid muttered.

When Harry first entered Diagon Alley, he had been curious about Ollivander's Wand Shop. Hearing Hagrid's words, he turned to him with curiosity.

"Hagrid, do wizards have bad people too?" Harry inquired.

"Of course, Harry. Some wizards are born to cause harm. Remember to steer clear of them. Come, let's head to Gringotts first to withdraw money. The Malfoy scent is always unpleasant," Hagrid replied, leading Harry away with a look of distaste. As they walked, Harry pondered silently: Was there anyone with a stronger scent than Hagrid?

Of course, Harry kept his thoughts to himself. Hagrid remained the kindest person he had encountered in recent years.