Chapter 77: Persuading Through Unicorn Tail Hairs

"It really has been ransacked!"

As George pushed open the door to his potion shop and saw the chaotic mess inside, he couldn't help but twitch his lips in frustration.

The shop had been thoroughly turned upside down, resembling a burglar's handiwork. Clearly, during his half-year absence at Hogwarts, some dark wizards had broken in to plunder.

Fortunately, George had long since sold off anything valuable. The intruders likely left empty-handed.

"Reparo!"

With a flick of his wand, George cast the Mending Charm, restoring the disordered shop to its original state.

If only he had learned protective enchantments earlier, he could have set up some Anti-Unlocking Charms or protective wards before leaving. Such safeguards would have kept most dark wizards at bay.

Petty thieves like these typically lacked significant magical prowess. After all, capable dark wizards wouldn't stoop to such disgraceful acts.

"Scourgify."

After tidying up the shop and arranging his belongings, George lit a lamp and began studying into the night.

The book he was engrossed in was titled "An Introduction to Wandlore," authored by the wand-making master, Garrick Ollivander.

The book detailed extensive knowledge about wands, though it offered no instructions on crafting them.

Wands are primarily composed of two elements: the wood and the core.

Not all wood is suitable for wand-making; only those trees imbued with magical properties can be used. Such trees are rare and challenging to identify, as they look identical to their mundane counterparts. Only years of experience can distinguish them.

However, there's a simpler way to find such trees: look for Bowtruckle nests. Trees hosting these creatures are often ideal for wand-making.

Different types of wood lend distinct characteristics to wands. A wand crafted from a wood that aligns with its owner's personality enhances magical effectiveness.

For example, wands made from acacia wood respond best to the most talented wizards, while alder wands prefer kind-hearted and helpful individuals. Applewood wands are drawn to those with ambition and ideals, and cedarwood wands resonate with resolute and loyal personalities.

Beyond the type of wood, a wand's length, rigidity, and flexibility also affect its magical performance.

The wand core is even more critical, as it largely determines the wand's magical amplification.

Wand cores are typically made from the hair or other parts of magical creatures, such as Veela hair, Thestral tail hair, troll whiskers, Graphorn heartstrings, and Doxy spines.

Among these, unicorn tail hair, dragon heartstrings, and phoenix feathers are the most prized.

"Unicorn tail hairs, huh?"

George muttered as he pulled out a small box from his suitcase. Opening it, he revealed several bundles of pristine white unicorn tail hairs.

He knew that someone like Ollivander, a master wandmaker, wouldn't be swayed by money alone. Attempting to bribe him with gold Galleons would likely prove futile.

That's why George prepared these rare and precious unicorn tail hairs.

Unicorns, being among the most sacred magical creatures, are valuable in every aspect.

Their blood can sustain life, even for those on the brink of death. Their horns are key ingredients in high-level potions, with powdered unicorn horn priced at 21 Galleons per gram. Unicorn tail hairs are top-tier materials for wand-making.

However, unicorns are exceedingly rare, with only a handful remaining worldwide.

In the Forbidden Forest near Hogwarts, a few unicorns still roamed, despite Voldemort having killed one the previous year.

In the final days before leaving Hogwarts, George had used his "Wing" magic to silently fly into the Forbidden Forest at night. Utilizing his telepathic abilities to communicate with the forest creatures, he avoided dangers like centaurs and Acromantulas, eventually locating the surviving unicorns.

With precise control over his magnetic magic, he swiftly and painlessly cut the tails hairs of several unicorns, collecting these rare materials.

Unicorn tail hairs grow back, much like a horse's mane, so his actions didn't harm the creatures.

George was determined. If these bundles of unicorn tail hairs couldn't persuade Ollivander to teach him wand-making, nothing would.

Each unicorn tail has about 2,000 hairs, and with four unicorn tails, George had amassed a staggering 8,000 hairs. Even a single strand could produce a top-tier wand.

"If I must, I'll bombard Ollivander until he agrees to teach me."

...

The next morning, George stepped out of his potion shop to find Knockturn Alley blanketed in snow.

The snow, which had fallen all night, softened the usual eerie atmosphere of the alley.

Leaving a trail of footprints in the pristine snow, George made his way to Ollivander's Wand Shop on the southern side of Diagon Alley.

It was his second visit to the ancient wand-making establishment, the first being when he purchased his wand before starting school.

Ollivander's Wand Shop, established in 382 BC, was one of the oldest stores in Diagon Alley. Despite its age and somewhat shabby appearance, the store retained a certain charm.

The golden letters on the shop's sign were peeling, yet it remained an iconic sight.

Pushing open the door, George triggered the tinkling chime that signaled his arrival.

"Good afternoon. Are you here to buy a wand?"

An elderly man with silvery eyes and white hair greeted him softly. This was Garrick Ollivander, the shop's legendary owner.

George approached with a polite smile.

"Good afternoon, Mr. Ollivander. My name is George. I'm not here to buy a wand but to learn the art of wand-making from you."

"You must be joking," Ollivander replied, his expression freezing in disbelief.

George calmly placed a heavy pouch containing 100 Galleons on the counter.

"I'm willing to pay tuition. You can name your price, as long as you agree to teach me."

"I'm sorry, but I can't teach you," Ollivander said after a glance at the pouch, his surprise evident.

Despite the generous offer, the ancient wand-making techniques were the lifeblood of the Ollivander family, secrets passed down through generations. No amount of money could persuade him to share them.

Seeing Ollivander's resolute expression, George sighed. He had anticipated this outcome.

Without a word, he placed a box containing four bundles of unicorn tail hairs on the counter and opened it.

"What if I offer these as payment?"

The moment Ollivander saw the gleaming white bundles of unicorn tail hairs, his calm demeanor shattered. His silvery eyes widened in shock, nearly fixated on the box.

"Unicorn tail hairs... so many!"

The legendary wandmaker, usually composed, looked as though he might leap with excitement.