Chapter 3: Wands and Gifts

"Ollivander's Wand Shop, making fine wands since 382 BC." At their final destination, John approached the moment he had been eagerly anticipating. If there's one thing that quintessentially represents the wizarding world in the Harry Potter universe, it's the magic wand. Without it, even the likes of Voldemort would be rendered powerless. Ollivander's Wand Shop is renowned as the premier supplier of magical armaments in the wizarding world. John couldn't help but marvel, "Truly extraordinary craftsmanship from 382 BC."

Upon entering, John, with an air of maturity beyond his years, cautioned Mrs. Wick to keep a close eye on her overly curious husband. The shop, though small, seemed even more cramped due to the countless narrow cardboard boxes stacked high, each containing a magic wand. The thick layer of dust covering everything made John wonder how Mr. Ollivander could stand living in such conditions. Didn't the place ever get cleaned?

As John surveyed the interior, Mr. Ollivander's gaze met his. "Good afternoon," Mr. Ollivander greeted, emerging from behind a mountain of boxes with a kind smile.

"Hello, I'm here for a..." John began.

"A wand, of course. Everyone comes here seeking a wand," Mr. Ollivander interjected, still smiling as he approached.

"Freshman at Hogwarts, what's your name?"

"John Wick."

"Very well, Mr. Wick. Which arm do you primarily use?"

"My right hand... though, my left is quite adept as well," John explained, demonstrating his ambidexterity, a skill honed through two and a half years of practicing pencil tricks to swiftly deal with threats from any direction.

"Let's go with the left hand then," John decided after a moment's thought.

Mr. Ollivander then proceeded to measure John with a tape measure that moved of its own accord, giving John the peculiar impression that he was being fitted by a tailor rather than selecting a wand.

"All wands are unique. It's not the wizard who chooses the wand, but the wand that chooses the wizard," Mr. Ollivander remarked cryptically after taking his measurements.

He then retrieved a box from the shelf and presented John with his first option: a willow wand with a unicorn hair core, measuring seven and three-quarters inches. John, filled with excitement, took the wand and gave it a vigorous swipe, only to accidentally explode a wooden cabinet in the shop, sending splinters flying everywhere. The display of raw power left John stunned.

"This one doesn't seem to be a match. Let's try another," Mr. Ollivander said calmly, replacing the wand and offering a mahogany one next. This time, a nearby paper box burst open upon John's handling.

As time passed, none of the wands seemed compatible with John, who grew increasingly frustrated with each failed attempt. The shop, once orderly, was now in disarray, leading even Watson, who had been held back by his wife outside, to wonder if they were dealing in ammunition rather than wands.

"Mr. Wick, with all due respect, I've never encountered a student as... challenging as you," Mr. Ollivander admitted, his excitement growing with each failed attempt. "Ah, I remember now. There's one wand as particular as you are."

With surprising agility for his age, Mr. Ollivander climbed the shelves and retrieved a dusty box. Blowing off the dust in a single breath, he revealed a wand made of red oak with a ptarmigan tail feather core, measuring nine and three-quarters inches, described as springy and pliable.

This wand, unique and selective, seemed to promise a perfect partnership with John, hinting at the extraordinary journey that lay ahead for the young wizard. With a smile, he reached out and took the wand from Ollivander, who handed it to John with an expectant look. It was as if he were watching his daughter walk down the aisle, filled with nervous anticipation. As John grasped the wand, an inexplicable thought struck him, "This is the one." Feeling a connection deep within his soul, he raised his hand and waved the wand with elegance. Instead of an explosion, a soft fluorescent light emerged from the tip, gentle as a breeze, caressing his face like delicate bubbles.

"That's it!" Ollivander exclaimed, clapping his hands in joy, his face lighting up with a satisfied smile. "Every wand is like a wayward child, finding its perfect match is the greatest joy." Turning to John, he added, "The red oak wand thrives in battle; it's the warrior among wands."

"It seems it suits me better than a pencil," John replied with a smile, relieved he no longer needed to rely on the pencil tucked in his lining. He hoped the red oak wand would prove more durable, sparing him the fear of it breaking. The wand cost 7 Galleons, which John paid before setting off to meet his parents.

On the way, Watson, John's father, couldn't hide his fascination with the wand, even using it to conjure a morning glory bloom atop his wife's head. John quickly reclaimed his wand, wary of his father's playful antics.

"By the way, I still need to buy an owl," John remembered suddenly, slapping his forehead. The realization hit him that without an owl, he'd be stuck using Hogwarts' communal ones, and the thought of dealing with a grumpy owl made purchasing his own seem like a wise choice.

At the Eeylops Owl Emporium, the cacophony of hoots and the smell of owls and their droppings overwhelmed Mrs. Wick, who stepped outside for fresh air. Amidst the chaos, John's eyes were drawn to a snowy owl, which he immediately chose and named Basil. Basil, with his round face and curious eyes, seemed eager to imprint the image of his new master in his memory.

Back home, Watson's playful side emerged as he took various pictures with John's wand, much to Mrs. Wick's amusement. She watched her husband with a mix of exasperation and affection, reminiscent of a parent watching over a child who refuses to grow up.

Meanwhile, Harry Potter received his own snowy owl, which he named Hedwig, marking one of his happiest days.

John's excitement was palpable when Mrs. Wick presented him with a moving gift box. Instinctively, he drew his wand, ready for anything. To his surprise, a puppy emerged, its large ears and brown and black fur identifying it as a Beagle. The puppy's enthusiastic licks on John's face immediately showcased its affectionate nature.

Mrs. Wick, watching the heartwarming scene, leaned into Watson and shared, "Your father and I thought a spider or a mouse wouldn't be suitable for school. This little one is our gift to you as you start this new journey."

Watson silently agreed, his actions suggesting the idea was primarily his wife's. Despite his newfound fascination with wizardry, Watson didn't see the appeal in bringing a mouse to school, though he humorously considered it.

John, sharing his father's adventurous spirit, felt a Gryffindor's courage in his heart. "Thank you, Mom. I agree, a mouse wouldn't have been the best choice," he said, grateful for the thoughtful gift. The memory of a certain greasy, middle-aged man who transformed into a mouse in the Harry Potter series made him all the more appreciative of the puppy.

As the puppy wagged its tail energetically, Mrs. Wick encouraged John, "Give your pet a name. I even named the first toy car your grandma gave me."

Regretfully, Watson hadn't fulfilled his whimsical idea of gifting his son a black widow as a pet, but the joy in John's eyes as he held the puppy made it clear that the right choice had been made. John had always shared a similar taste in names with his father. As he cradled the new puppy in his arms, fending off its enthusiastic licks, he pondered over a suitable name. "What should we call you? Let me think... How about Tom?" he mused. He quickly clarified, with a chuckle, "This Tom is from 'Tom and Jerry,' definitely not named after Voldemort's real name." And so, John named his first dog, embracing the beginning of countless adventures with Tom by his side.

_________

If you are tired of reading I also have this converted to an audio novel on my youtube 

https://www.youtube.com/@NovelAudioForge/featured 

Direct Link to playlist 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_Hg-qsW4rM&list=PLKskshYG-OcPTR4-Nw7IWFEBZm07D8pBV&ab_channel=NovelAudioForge