Wand pt.1

"What took you so long!" Patricia said with her usual haughty look, "We need to go shopping and I still have a job to do."

Miles saw her dressed in her usual work outfit, which was often a long-sleeved brown shirt and matching trousers, and a blood red waistcoat that was shorter at the back than on the front. She wore black robes, on which an ornamental eye of Horus was pinned, boots and white gloves, as well as two light brown belts across her waist, which held a leather holster to hold her wand. Patricia unlike other witches, dressed for practicality more than a statement as she didn't know when there might be an attack from one of her rivals, as she had made many enemies on her way to the top.

"I don't know why we are buying a wand here." Miles said scratching his head, "My flight is still a couple of hours away, I mean I could just buy a wand back at Ollivanders."

"Stop complaining!" Patricia replied as they both got out the tavern, and apparated to another nearby town, "I know an acquaintance in this town, who is a really great wand-maker."

"I read about the laws created by MACUSA and it just seems overly complicated." Miles said taking out a small book, "I mean, I am not even studying here anymore, so will they even allow me to buy a wand here. And to be honest, I want at least a sturdy wand that doesn't fail on me when enemies attack."

"Who will attack you?" Patricia laughed, "And besides it's not like I'll leave you alone before you reach Hogwarts. But you do need a sturdy wand, even though I guarantee that Hogwarts might be the safest place on earth from outside forces, but it's not like there aren't any forces within that can harm you. To be honest, I am not even so sure how I feel about sending you to Hogwarts."

Patricia who had been both a student and a teacher at Hogwarts knew of the dangers of the place as she was quite the explorer herself. Miles was proud that his mother at least unlike some oblivious wizards and witches had a practical mind and knew things weren't how they actually like how they seem. Miles was sure even if he had no idea about Hogwarts beforehand, he would still be good enough to fight in Hogwarts under his mother tutelage.

"But I am going there anyway." Miles said, "So I think Ollivanders might be better than your acquaintance. Who for some reason, I already know is going to be shady"

"Wands doesn't really work like that." Patricia said not paying attention to the 'shady' part, "Times have changed, and even though I still guarantee that Ollivanders are the best wand-makers of Britain but there are still many new wand-makers whose works are just as popular and reliable. And don't think too much about the wand and all the weird MACUSA laws. I told you the wand-maker is my acquaintance, didn't I?

"You mean?" Miles eyes shined bright when he finally got the gist of what Patricia meant, "The wandmaker is an illegal one."

"I raised you to be a little daredevil like me so I can't suddenly expect you to follow all these rules now can I?" Patricia said with a smirk, but she suddenly turned serious as she said, "And since I can't be with you this year around, I want you to be able to at least protect yourself both from the enemy and those bastards in the Ministry in case they want to find trouble with you. So your wand won't be traceable in any way but do be sure not to do anything I wouldn't do. Remember if you get locked in prison, I won't be there to save you."

"You're the coolest, mom!" Miles said hugging Patricia not caring much about her usual warnings, "Even I hadn't thought about untraceable wands."

―==(oIo)==―

Walking for several minutes, they finally reached the wand shop Patricia was talking about.

"I knew it was going to be weird," Miles said as he looked around the place, the shop was located in the furthest part of the town away from all the other shops. As if that wasn't enough, the building looked sketchy enough to pass as a hunted house. "Is this it?"

"Should be, I have never been here before myself." Patricia shrugged her shoulders as she walked inside the shop, following her Miles walked in as well. The moment they entered the shop, a small bell rang and suddenly the torches lit up themselves.

Interested Miles looked around when out of the corner of the eye he saw something move. A bit cautious, he turned towards Patricia who nodded at him, signaling him to stand behind her. But unlike expected a house-elf suddenly jumped on top of the counter looking at them with a creepy smile.

"Customer! A customer!" The elf merrily cheered looking at them, his dirty old shirt he was wearing flared with his movements.

"Are you sure you want to buy my wand here?" Miles whispered to Patricia, "Looking at the elf and this place, I am sure we are the only customer they had in decades."

"Where is your master?" Patricia ignored Miles as she talked with the elf, "Tell him Patricia Rakepick has come to see him."

"Gladly! Gladly!" The elf still excited jumped down from the counter and disappeared into the darkness.

Miles looked around the shady old place, that was surprisingly clean for what it was worth. The cabinets and shelves were empty, making it seem as if the shop had been long abandoned.

A few moments later, A man came from within the shop through a curtain. The man was still in his night-suit with an unshaven dirty face, as he walked in lazily towards them.

"Long time no se...*yawn*, Ms. Rakepick." The man addressed her leaning against the counter as he looked at Miles, "This must be your son, Miles. My daughter is a huge fan of yours, would you sign an autograph for her."

Miles nodded uncomfortably looking at the man in greeting. It wasn't his first time being asked for an autograph but the way he lazily addressed it made him sound like one of the creepy wizards around.

Seeing the uncomfortable situation, Patricia coughed glaring at the man.

"Oh! Where are my manners," The man sleazily said standing straight, "Young man, I am Jonathan Wolfe, you can call me John."

"It's a pleasure to meet you." Miles awkwardly replied.

"Since you're done with the introduction, let's get to the point." Patricia said with her usual commanding tone, "I want a wand for my son."

"I can see that but you should know I stopped making them a long time ago." John said staring back at Patricia, "Hell, I am not even a certified wandmaker."

"I can see that as well." Patricia said sarcastically looking around at the empty shop, "But as I said I need a wand for my son."

"And I stopped making them." John replied not backing off, "But I can still suggest a really good place for you to buy one."

"Poisonous toadstools don't change their spots, John." Patricia said, "I know, you still make wands. Though not legally I know you still do. So sell them to me and I will be along my way and before you say anything else I am pulling in the favor I owe you."

John stayed quiet as he sighed deeply, "Is this really what you want from me?"

"I don't want your pathetic life, John." Patricia said in a harsh tone, "A good wand for my son is the best you can give me."

"Looks like your mother wants you to be like her bud. Not a bad thing but not a good thing either." John said looking back at Miles returning back to his lazy casual voice, "Fine! Since this is what you want, I shall give you the finest. But you do know the rules, don't you?"

"Don't ask anything and neither answer anyone."

"Works for me."John said nodding back at Patricia as he went back inside to where he came from, "I'll be right back."

"What was that all about?" Miles asked confused, "The whole death thing?"

"He owes me a favor, that's all." Patricia said vaguely, "But he is kinda crazy about repaying it."