Chapter 5: The Wand that Brings Luck

"Are you here to buy Hogwarts school uniforms, dear?" As soon as they entered the tailor shop, a short and plump witch greeted Albert with a friendly smile.

"Yes, ma'am." Albert nodded. "I appreciate your help."

"You're such a polite young man. Come, let me measure your specific parameters." Mrs. Malkin gestured, and measuring tape, pins, and scissors flew towards them, automatically measuring Albert's body. Herber was stunned by the scene.

Customizing clothes was a tedious process, taking about half an hour. Mrs. Malkin instructed them to come back and collect the package after they finished shopping.

"Ma'am, in addition to the school-regulated clothes, I would like to order a black pointed hat and a plain black cloak, tailored to my size, but without the name tag. Oh, please wrap them separately." After tidying up his slightly messy clothes, Albert made the request to Mrs. Malkin.

"A black pointed hat and a plain cloak?" Mrs. Malkin looked at Herber with confusion, repeating Albert's words.

"Yes." Herber nodded. He knew it was a gift for Nia.

"Alright." Mrs. Malkin didn't overthink the strange request, nodding to indicate that she understood.

After prepaying with some Galleons, the two left Mrs. Malkin's Robes shop. They headed to Wizec's Wizarding Supplies, not far from there, and purchased the brass scales, brass telescope, and small glass vials on the shopping list.

In reality, Albert just handed the list to Wizec, indicating that he needed to buy the items on it.

Within a few minutes, Wizec had gathered all the items on the list and helped pack them.

Guided by the shopkeeper, Albert easily found Potage's Cauldron Shop and purchased a tin cauldron.

They also found the Apothecary through the shopkeeper and replenished the ingredients needed for Potions class.

The Apothecary was definitely not a pleasant place. As soon as they approached, a nauseating smell hit them, as if it were specially prepared to drive away customers.

The shop was filled with many peculiar things, with jars of herbs, dried roots, and brightly colored powders on the shelves.

Bundles of feathers, clusters of pointed teeth, and fluffy paws hung from the ceiling.

Oh my, how do wizards manage to brew potions with these things?

Herber dared not think any further as he saw a jar of Mucus.

It was just too disgusting.

This child's father is starting to question his life choices.

Perhaps sending his son to that Hogwarts thing wasn't such a wise decision after all.

In addition to potions, Albert also bought some tools used in potion-making.

After paying, he pulled Herber, who had a complicated expression, away from the apothecary.

"Albert, how about giving up?" After leading Albert away from the apothecary, Herber spoke earnestly with a serious expression. "Let's go to Eton College instead."

Albert's face twitched, and he shook his head.

"But... the more I think about it, the more unreliable it seems. Maybe Daisy was right." Herber looked at his son with a complicated expression.

"We still need some books, a wand, and an owl." Albert looked at Herber and said, "At least, let's not jump to conclusions before understanding the magical world."

"Alright." Herber felt a bit frustrated but still nodded in agreement.

They purchased the books on the list at Flourish and Blotts, and Albert also bought additional books about the history of the magical world.

Actually, Albert wanted to spend more time in the bookstore, but considering the time constraints, he gave up and took a booklist from the store manager for future owl orders.

Then, at the stationery shop next to Quality Quidditch Supplies, he bought a large amount of parchment, quill pens, and ink.

With the help of the shop owner, they found Eeylops Owl Emporium. It was located on the north side of Diagon Alley and was easy to find, with numerous owls displayed outside.

An owl was a necessity, as without it, he wouldn't be able to communicate with his family.

Herber also helped buy a bag of owl treats and owl nuts.

Pushing the cart, Herber crossed off the purchased items one by one, leaving only the wand.

Ollivanders Wand Shop was located on the south side of Diagon Alley. They learned about the wand shop's location from a witch selling owls.

It was a small and dilapidated shop.

When Albert pushed the door and entered, a tinkling bell rang, and the shop was tiny, with nothing but a long bench.

As Herber pushed the cart inside, he felt like it instantly filled up the space. He sat on the bench, eating a pumpkin pasty he had just bought from a stall. The cart also contained some sweets, also intended as a gift for Nia.

Albert had a pumpkin pasty in his hand as well. He was hungry too.

"Is anyone there?"

"Good afternoon." A gentle voice sounded as Ollivander emerged from inside.

"Hello, sir. I would like to buy..." Albert put down the pumpkin pasty he was holding.

"A wand, oh, of course, a new student from Hogwarts."

"Yes, sir."

"By the way, what's your name?" Ollivander seemed to notice the confusion in Albert's eyes and explained, "Wizards who purchase wands from me need to register with the Ministry of Magic."

"Albert Anderson," Albert introduced himself.

"Alright, Mr. Anderson," Ollivander took out a measuring tape from his pocket. "Which arm do you typically use?"

"I'm right-handed." Albert raised his arm.

Ollivander began taking measurements for Albert, starting from the shoulder to the fingertips and then from the wrist to the elbow. The complex measuring process made both father and son suspect that Ollivander was not selling wands but clothes.

"Every wand I make is unique, and wizards always find the most suitable one here," Ollivander said to himself as he measured. But Albert was starting to question his life choices as the tape measure automatically measured the distance between his nostrils.

Albert reached out to push the ruler away and walked towards the counter.

Ollivander had already taken out a wand from the shelf and introduced it, "Made of holly wood and phoenix feather, seven inches, very flexible."

Just as Albert reached out to take it, Ollivander took it back.

"Try this one instead, made of beechwood and unicorn hair. Eight and a half inches long. An extraordinary combination, good elasticity."

Albert took it and gave it a wave, but nothing happened.

"It seems unsuitable," Ollivander said to himself. "Let's try this one..."

Albert tried wand after wand, sometimes causing great destruction. The vases on the counter were shattered, startling Herber.

"I like picky customers," Ollivander said with a smile, bringing another pile of wands. "Made of cedarwood and phoenix feather, nine inches long, good elasticity."

Albert took the wand and felt a slight warmth in his fingertips. He gently tapped it, and sparks of red flew from the tip of the wand, blossoming like fireworks in the shop.

"This is the one," Ollivander happily placed the wand in a box and smiled at Albert. "Legend has it that wands made of cedarwood bring luck to their users."

"Do you believe that?" Albert asked in return.

"I don't believe that. I think wands made of cedarwood are attracted to certain specific wizards who already possess the ability to overcome danger," Ollivander nodded. "So, it's not that cedarwood brings luck, but rather that its owner makes it famous for being lucky."

"So, it's the owner who makes it lucky, not the cedarwood itself?" Albert raised an eyebrow.

"You could say that," Ollivander nodded. "That will be 10 Galleons. Thank you for your patronage."

(End of this chapter)