Ch. 9 Wand

I keep thinking of the Patronus Charm. The spell incantation, intent, and spell structure are all there. The only error I can think of is I didn't envision something coming forth to protect me. But neither book mentioned that.

I go through each step carefully before getting ready to give it another try. After saying expecto patronum, I envisioned a guardian coming to my aid. It ended the exact same way, a build-up of Magicka in my hand. I'm not done with this. It must be possible to cast it wandlessly.

I just don't know what I'm missing.

It should be possible to reverse engineer the process for wandless after I cast it with a wand. I'm going to need a wand to teach at Hogwarts, and a wand is required for the animagus ritual. I just don't want to be dependent on a tool for any spell.

"Trixie," I called out for my tiny helper.

With a subtle pop, Trixie answered, "Master called for Trixie?"

"Yes, I did. Trixie, I need you to take me to Diagon Alley." I'm also going to check out Knockturn Alley for a book on Apparation and Portkeys. With them being controlled spells, I'll need fewer legal means to gain books on them.

While thinking of what to purchase today, Trixie hands me a dark overcoat. "Master should wear this. It will keep Master dry from the rain."

It's official, Trixie is the best. Slinging the coat on, I offer my hand to Trixie. "Thank you, Trixie. I would be lost without you."

The tips of her ears begin to rapidly twitch, and a look of pure joy fills the house elf's face. Taking my hand, we are pulled into a world of swirling lights and color.

A small crack and there is ground suddenly under my feet again. Looking around, Trixie apparated us to the end of Diagon Alley by The Leaky Cauldron.

A slight sprinkle of rain seems to be keeping the streets mostly empty. Thanking Trixie, I make my way to Ollivanders, one of the only wand shops in Britain.

Finding the wandmaker on the south side of Diagon Alley, I swiftly make my entrance. Closing the door behind me, I take my time to observe the little shop.

Shabby is the best word I can think of to describe the small shop. The entire building is rather narrow. The walls are lined with old and sometimes broken shelves. Each shelf, broken or not, is overfilled with small boxes. I assume wand boxes.

Overall, the shop appears rather sad and run-down.

A discreet Detect Life spell and I scan the shop for the owner. Off in a corner, appears to be a disillusioned man. I can't see him, but I trust the blue outline.

Staring at the head shaped outline, "Can we hurry this along? I have more shopping to do."

An old man with white hair and deep silvery eyes suddenly pops into existence. Canceling the Detect Life spell, I take a good look at the elderly man. With a messy head of hair and an old burgundy coat, he looked like a loon.

When I read the books, I never could trust this old creeper. I always felt he used Legilimens on customers and reported his findings to Dumbledore. No idea if that's true, but I still can't help but be suspicious.

With a raspy tone, "Welcome, I am Garrick Ollivander."

Ignoring edict, "Thank you. I need a wand and have heard you are the best wandmaker in Britain."

Lightly nodding his head, "Will this be your first wand, or are you looking for a second?"

I can't help myself. With a wide smile, I answer, "Yes."

Staring into his eyes, I feel the slightest brush of foreign energy. Garrick suddenly reels back and looks away. It would appear I was right.

My smile drops away after losing all humor from his attempted Legilimency attack. "If you are done, Mr. Ollivander, I would like to purchase a wand now?"

Lightly shaking his head, he begins to walk towards the back of the shop. "Of course. Let us begin."

As he's walking by a stumpy counter, he waves his hand over a yellow tape measure.

Mr. Ollivander continues to move towards a shelf in the back as the tape measure flies towards me.

In no mood for games, I snatch the flying tape measure from the air. With a silent Finite, the tape measure goes limp.

Seeing that Mr. Ollivander hasn't even looked back, I simply throw the tape measure back on his counter. Probably a diversion to keep customers busy as he's searching for wands.

A moment later, Mr. Ollivander returns, carrying several wand boxes. Taking out a light-colored wand Mr. Ollivander faces me. "The wand chooses the wizard. You must clear your mind of any spell, and give the wand a wave. Now, try this one. Poplar and unicorn hair, twelve inches. Rigid. Good for Charms."

Taking hold of the wand, I avoid the thought of any spells. With a small wave of my hand, several red sparks fizzle out of the tip.

Snatching the wand from my hand, Mr. Ollivander hands me another. And another. And another.

Finally, waving the eighth wand, a shower of golden sparks shoot out. Mr. Ollivander curiously looks at the wand before looking back at me. "Thirteen and one-half inches. Ebony and dragon heartstring. Highly suited for martial spells and Transfiguration."

Looking back at the black wand, Mr. Ollivander continues, "Ebony wands are known for accepting masters that are capable of standing on their own. It seeks those individuals that possess the will to hold steadfast on their chosen path. One who is not likely to blinding conform to popular opinion."

"What do I owe you, Mr. Ollivander?" I cordially speak to the man. Regardless of my dislike for the fellow, he and Dumbledore are friends. I don't want the old creeper to poison my chances of becoming a professor at Hogwarts.

Returning from his thoughts, the elderly wand maker looks up at me, "That will be seven Galleons."

After paying for the wand, I slip the wand into my subspace unnoticed.

My next stop was Slug & Jiggers Apothecary. I purchased several mandrake leaves for the animagus ritual and two dozen Memory Potions. I also received confirmation my basilisk venom will be available for pick up in three days.

The light sprinkle has turned into full-on rain. I embrace the weather and directly make my way to Knockturn Alley. Besides, with a few spells, I'll be completely free of any raindrops.

Walking down the narrow and crooked alleyway, I take note of the shops I pass. Most names do not even hint as to what is sold inside, but a few are self-explanatory. There are shop signs that read Beard Trimming, Chimney Sweep Elf, and the Betting Shop.

That last one gives me an idea to help boost my resume for Hogwarts.

Putting that to the side, I arrive at my destination. Stepping into Borgin and Burkes, I cast on overpowered Drying Charm on myself.

Comfortably dry, I begin to look around the little shop of horrors. The gloomy atmosphere and the assortment of bones hanging about, remind me more of a necromancer's lair.

A tall standing cabinet catches my attention. The cabinet is made from a richly colored wood and tastefully edged with engravings. Opening the cabinet door, I peer inside. It's substantial enough for two adults to stand in comfortably.

"The Crushing Cabinet," states an oily male voice. "Anything placed inside will be crushed when the door is fully closed. Anything."

Turning towards the speaker, I see a matching image to the unctuous voice. With long stringy hair and crazed eyes, the man before me can only be described as shady.

Looking back at the cabinet, I'm now convinced this is the Vanishing Cabinet. The Hogwarts cabinet must already be damaged if this one is crushing things put inside.

Keeping my voice light, I slowly state, "I could make use of this."

The oily voice excitedly speaks up, "I am willing to part with such an incredible item for... two-thousand galleons."

He's clearly inflating the price, but it's still worth it. Being able to jump in and out of Hogwarts undetected would provide me with an alibi. A Sling Ring can also do the same, but I like having options.

Giving the crooked vendor a bored look, I state, "You have priced it well above it's actual value."

The man merely shrugs his shoulders and gives me an ugly smile.

I glance at the cabinet a second time before turning back to the shopkeeper. I'm a bit annoyed he didn't try to haggle for the price, but I should have expected that from someone running a dark establishment.

"I am looking for several books, not approved for distribution. Rituals, Portkeys, Apparation, and deadly duel techniques. Do you have any of those?"

A battle of greed and caution wage in the shopkeeper's eyes. "The Ministry has restricted those books due to the danger they pose..."

Interrupting the shopkeeper, I ask, "Do I look like I care what your Ministry wants?"

Greed suddenly overtakes the cautious look in his eyes. "No. No, you don't. Wait here. I'll retrieve the books you asked for," he replies before quickly vanishing in a back room.

I ready a ward spell and Blasting Curse just in case. If he wants trouble, I'll help him find it.

A few minutes later, the shopkeeper returns with an armload of books. As he sets them on the counter, I scan over the titles.

There are a total of twelve books on the shop counter. Four of the books are on dueling and five books on rituals. The final three books are on Apparation, Portkeys, and Fiendfyre.

"Everything you asked for and more," the shopkeeper says in his unctuous voice.

I can't help but smile at this. "I'll take all of them and the cabinet as well."

The shopkeeper's eyes shine with hunger, and a yellow-teeth filled smile appears on his face. "That will be six-thousand galleons."

I'm not even angry at the outrageous price. Dropping the Galleons on the counter, the shopkeeper begins to rapidly gather them up before they can spill onto the floor.

While he's distracted, I move all twelve books into my subspace.

As I'm walking out, I call out, "Take the cabinet to the manor."

There is a loud crack as an invisible Trixie leaves with the Vanishing Cabinet. Trixie truly is the best.

Having finished my shopping needs, I make my way out of Knockturn Alley. Unsure if the size of the cabinet tired Trixie out, I decided to give her a few minutes rest before I called her back.

By the time I reached The Leaky Cauldron, Trixie appeared beside me with a slight popping noise. "Perfect timing Trixie. Now, let's go home."

*******************

Once back home, I turned an empty ballroom into a make-shift training area. With my ebony wand in hand, I begin to go through my daily spell routine.

After running through the spells, I began to experiment. The wand was not able to successfully cast any of the Skyrim spells. But I was able to add more versatility to the Potter-verse spells.

The wand gave me a bit more control over the Hogwarts spells. I was able to overcharge spells with less Magicka than I ordinarily used wandlessly. Aiming was a bit easier as well.

Even with these benefits, I still didn't have a desire to use a wand for anything I didn't absolutely have to. It didn't make spell casting any faster, or the spells travel at higher speeds. A wand is simply a tool to assist. It's not necessary.

Finished with familiarizing myself with my wand, I get ready to attempt the Patronus Charm again. Carefully going through every step, I embrace my selected memory.

Raising my wand, I clearly state, "Expecto patronum."

I feel my Magicka race down my arm, but halts at my hand. The Magicka doesn't leave my body.

Failure.

I spend the next hour failing at every attempt I make. Even changing memories ended in failure.

Disregarding the Potter-verse way of casting magic, I store my wand in my subspace.

Sitting down, I begin to analyze everything from a new angle. The spell may be failing because I don't have a guardian to call forth.

Expecto patronum translates to 'I await a guardian'. My very soul is that of a dragon. I don't have a spirit animal to call out...

Maybe I don't need to call out for a spirit animal? Maybe, I can call for something else? That might just work.

The Dovah word for a guardian is 'vahlok'. To come forward is 'bo amativ'.

I don't know if this will be a spell or a shout, but it's time to test it. For an added boost, I cast the Calming Charm on myself. That should give me a blank slate to work with.

Diving back into my memory actually brings forth feelings of love and joy. There is real happiness moving within me. I imagine that love taking a physical form to come out and protect me.

Raising my hand, I concentrate on my desire before commanding, "Bo amativ vahlok!"

An enormous power rushes down my arm and bursts from my hand. A gigantic, corporeal dragon fills the room with a dazzling milky light.

Standing at the same height as Alduin, the monstrous Patronus is furiously looking about the ballroom. Not finding any danger, the spike filled ancient dragon circles around me protectively, constantly scanning about for threats.

I'm rendered speechless. Forced to look up at my guardian, I try to take everything in. The crystal white ancient dragon is absolutely beautiful. Love and happiness seem to be wrapping around me in tangible waves. Whether the feelings are coming from my success, or the Patronus doesn't matter.

This is simply amazing. I doubt I could use this to send messages like other wizards, but I don't doubt it's power against a dementor.

Reluctantly releasing the Patronus, I'm feeling absolutely giddy. It doesn't look like I need a wand after all. I just need to use the dovah language for spells involving my spirit or soul.

With a sudden bit of curiosity, I decided to test a theory. Using a basic magic structure, I point my hand to the table and command, "Ruvaak."

A black beam streaks our of my hand and strikes the tabletop. A large black raven quickly takes form. The raven seems to look around for a bit, before launching off the table.

Watching the raven's flight, I can't help but whisper, "This is so overpowered."