6

Chapter 6: Unfortunately, No Pickiness from Guests

Diagon Alley.

Vita appeared out of thin air with Augustus and Draco in tow.

[Congratulations to the host for entering Diagon Alley and earning the achievement: Exploring Diagon Alley]

[Achievement Point Reward: 100]

Before Augustus could celebrate, he noticed Draco leaning against the wall and retching.

"Ugh!"

"Is this your first time Apparating?" Augustus asked, puzzled.

"Of course not!" Draco nearly leaped up in surprise but ended up retching again.

After a couple of minutes, Draco finally composed himself.

As Augustus prepared to enter Diagon Alley with Draco, several shadowy figures caught his attention.

Are they Aurors? Or representatives of a pure-blood family?

Augustus glanced at Vita, who nodded in acknowledgment.

"Augustus, you handle your shopping for Hogwarts first. I need to take care of something." Vita subtly drew her wand, indicating that Augustus should manage the situation.

Augustus understood and nodded. "Aunt Vita, you go ahead. I'll catch up with you after shopping with Draco."

Turning to Draco, Augustus said, "Let's go to Ollivander's Wand Shop first."

They arrived at a small, narrow shop. The door was old, and inside, wands were piled so high that it was difficult to find space to move.

It was hard to believe this was the residence of one of Europe's foremost wand makers and the birthplace of countless magical talents.

"Oh, two young wizards, welcome!"

A British accent greeted them from behind a stack of boxes, and an elderly man with unkempt white hair and brown, flared sleeves emerged.

"Hello, Mr. Ollivander!" Augustus greeted with great respect, acknowledging this esteemed figure in the magical world.

"Come in, children."

Ollivander welcomed them warmly.

"Platinum hair, pure-blood demeanor—you're from the Malfoy family! I remember when your father came to buy a wand; it was made of elm and dragon heartstring."

"Now, it's time for his son to go to school."

Ollivander's knowledge of the Malfoy family's history was impressive, though his gaze turned curious when he saw Augustus.

"Aristocratic bearing, blonde hair, blue eyes—there's no family with these features among the British pure-bloods. You must be..."

"Just call me Augustus."

Seeing Augustus's reluctance to elaborate, Ollivander proceeded without further questioning.

"Very well, Augustus. Which hand do you typically use?"

"Mr. Ollivander, I'm not here for a wand myself. I'm accompanying Draco. As for my wand..."

Augustus produced his wand and showed it to Ollivander.

"I'm ready."

"Oh my!"

The moment Augustus displayed his wand, Ollivander's eyes widened with excitement, as though he had uncovered a rare treasure.

"This wand is made of elder wood with a core never before seen... It's..."

"A Qilin nerve—a magical creature from the Far East."

"Qilin?"

Upon recognizing the wand's core, Ollivander realized Augustus's identity was extraordinary. The last sighting of a Qilin was during the duel between Dumbledore and Grindelwald. Since then, no one had seen such a creature again.

The young man before him possessing a wand with a Qilin nerve unmistakably signaled an exceptional background.

"Are you from Dumbledore's family?"

Though phrased as a question, Ollivander's tone was resolute. Augustus's smile froze. Years of aristocratic poise barely prevented him from snatching the wand back from Ollivander.

What an assumption!

How could he mistake me for a member of the old Dumbledore family?

The acquisition of this wand had been somewhat coincidental. Augustus hadn't planned to choose a wand so early. Two years prior, he had discovered in Grindelwald's collection some Qilin hair, scales, and nerves. Such valuable materials were not to be wasted, leading to this wand in his possession.

With a deep breath, Augustus managed a composed smile.

"Mr. Ollivander, please allow me to introduce myself. My name is Augustus."

"Augustus Grindelwald!"

Ollivander's eyes widened in recognition. Having witnessed Gellert Grindelwald's dominance in Europe, he knew the significance of this surname. If not for his father's suppression, He might have been an Acolyte.

Unfortunately... Alas!

Momentarily, Ollivander was at a loss for words.

"Mr. Ollivander, could you assist Draco in choosing a wand first?"

Draco's words interrupted the silence.

Ollivander, jolted from his reverie, quickly moved to Draco with a tape measure. "Young wizard from the Malfoy family, which hand do you use?"

"Right hand!"

"Try this one. It's nine and a half inches, made of redwood and dragon heartstring, similar to your father's wand."

Ollivander handed Draco the wand, which shattered a nearby window upon use.

"It doesn't feel right."

Draco shook his head in dissatisfaction.

"Perhaps you differ from your father. Try this one instead. It's ten inches long, made of hawthorn wood with a unicorn tail hair core."

As Draco waved the wand, the broken window slowly mended.

"This is it!"

"Thank you for your patronage. That will be seven galleons."

...

After leaving Ollivander's Wand Shop, Augustus was slightly disappointed that he hadn't heard Ollivander's classic phrase about picky customers.

Draco quickly pulled him toward the other end of Diagon Alley.

"Let's order our Hogwarts robes at Madam Malkin's and then head to Tufan Clothing Shop for some additional outfits."

"You know, Madam Malkin's shop might be lower in quality. If Hogwarts didn't require us to accommodate those Muggle-borns, I wouldn't..."

Unaware, they had arrived at Madam Malkin's robe shop.

Inside, several young wizards were selecting their robes.

"Hello, are these two young wizards new to Hogwarts?"

Augustus smiled and replied, "Yes, Madam Malkin. Please make a few Hogwarts student robes for me and my friend."

"Of course, just a moment."

Madam Malkin, a short, plump witch in a purple dress, exuded a warm, aunt-like demeanor.

After measuring Augustus and Draco, she retrieved a few finished robes, and with a wave of her wand, began adjusting them as needle and thread danced in the air.

"Madam, how long will it take to have our robes ready?"

Augustus thought he might not get the robes immediately and planned to purchase a cauldron and textbooks for first grade instead.

Just then, the shop's bell jingled.

Dingling!

A thin boy entered, his demeanor timid, avoiding eye contact and conversation.

Augustus's heart skipped a beat.

The boy's ill-fitting clothes and confused, helpless expression seemed familiar.

Could it be...