03: Wands and Gifts

03: Wands and Gifts

"Ollivanders: Makers of Fine Wands since 382 B.C."

At last, John arrived at the most exciting part of his journey. If there's one thing that represents the magical world in Harry Potter, it has to be the wand. Without a wand, even Voldemort would be powerless.

Ollivanders Wand Shop.Vissit novelbin(.)c.om for updates

This was the largest armory supply in the wizarding world. John couldn't help but praise, "No wonder they've been making wands since 382 B.C., truly extraordinary."

Immediately, he acted like a little adult, reminding Mrs. Wick to keep an eye on her overly curious husband.

John, filled with excitement, stepped inside.

Upon entering, the first thing he saw wasn't a person, but thousands of narrow boxes containing wands piled up high. The already small shop appeared even more cramped with these boxes. The thick layer of dust everywhere made John wonder how Ollivander lived there without ever cleaning.

As John was looking around, Ollivander was also sizing him up.

"Good afternoon," Ollivander said with a kindly smile as he emerged from the mountain of boxes.

"Hello, I'd like to get a..." John began.

"A wand, of course, everyone wants a wand," Ollivander finished his sentence with a smile, stepping out from behind the counter.

"A new student at Hogwarts. What's your name?" he asked.

"John Wick."

"Very well, Mr. Wick, may I see your dominant hand?"

"Right hand... though I can use my left hand too," John responded, being ambidextrous thanks to his two and a half years of practice in handling pencils, allowing him to deal quickly with enemies on both sides.

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

Ollivander took out a tape measure and started measuring John. The tape measure had been enchanted. Watching the serious Ollivander, John felt a strange sensation. This old man seemed more like a tailor than a wand seller.

"Wands are unique. It's not the wizard that chooses the wand, but the wand that chooses the wizard," Ollivander said with a mysterious smile after taking the measurements.

Returning to the shelves, he pulled out a box. Opening it, he revealed a black wand inside.

"Oh, and we need to buy an owl," John suddenly remembered. Without an owl, communication at Hogwarts would be nearly impossible.

...

At Eeylops Owl Emporium, the noise and smell of owl droppings made Mrs. Wick leave quickly.

"This one," John chose a snowy owl at first glance, naming it Basil.

Basil, the snowy owl, tilted its head and stared at John, as if trying to remember its new owner.

Back home, John's father had a great time taking photos with John's wand, and would have worn John's wizard robe for more pictures if it fit him. Mrs. Wick watched with a smile, as if looking at a child who hadn't grown up.

Meanwhile, Harry also received his gift: a snowy owl he named Hedwig, making it the happiest day of his life.

...

John received a gift as well. When Mrs. Wick brought it out, the moving box startled John, who instinctively drew his wand.

Opening the box, out popped a puppy. With large ears, a brown head, and a black back, it was a Beagle, a beagle hound. The puppy immediately licked John's face enthusiastically.

Mrs. Wick smiled at the heartwarming scene and said, "Your father and I thought you shouldn't take a spider or a rat to school. This little one is your school gift."

John's father silently mouthed, "That was your mother's idea," clearly thinking rats were cool pets.

John thought if his father were a wizard, he'd definitely be a Gryffindor with his adventurous spirit.

'Well, I wanted a cat and I also thought a name for it but why can't I name a dog with that, right?'

"Thank you, Mom. I agree, rats aren't the best choice," John said, appreciating the gift.

"Ow, he is too cute!"

Naming the puppy Tom, after the cartoon character, not Voldemort, John embraced his first dog.

...

TL: I thought only Cats, Owls, and Toads could be kept as pets in Hogwarts?