Time seemed to stand still.
After Eric tested the unknown wand with another wave, neither Tom nor Ollivander said a word.
Both men simply froze where they stood.
Eric’s meaning couldn’t have been clearer.
He was proving that what he’d said was true.
For him, it really was the wizard choosing the wand, not the wand choosing the wizard.
He could casually pick up almost any wand and draw out its full potential.
Ollivander stared blankly at Eric as though he were looking at something that had shattered everything he thought he knew.
Eric didn’t hurry him.
He merely stood there and waited in silence.
“I understand…” A long time passed before Ollivander finally spoke.
His voice had gone hoarse, stripped of all the energy it had possessed before.
“Mr Clapton, please allow me to apologise for my behaviour just now.” Ollivander slowly climbed to his feet and brushed the dust from his robes.
“Before today, I had never encountered a wizard with talent quite like yours.” Eric smiled and waved it away.
“Don’t concern yourself with it, Mr Ollivander.” “People are naturally reluctant to believe in things that fall outside the boundaries of what they understand.
It’s an instinct most people find difficult to overcome.” “I wasn’t trying to prove anything to you.
But sometimes, we have to be honest with ourselves.” Eric glanced around the shop.
“I don’t feel that any of these wands belong to me.” “…If that’s truly how you feel, then perhaps you really could be chosen by that wand.” Ollivander gave Eric an extraordinarily complicated look.
“Please wait here.” He turned and disappeared into the back of the shop.
A short while later, Ollivander returned carrying an elegant rectangular box in both hands.
He carefully presented it to Eric.
“My grandfather acquired this wand by chance.
Its core is unknown, and it was not made by Ollivanders.” Ollivander gently opened the box.
“Ten inches.
Moderate weight.
The wood itself has barely been polished, yet its quality is exceptional.
Both its handling and the wand itself are virtually flawless.” “The craftsmanship is completely natural, almost as though every part of it came together effortlessly.
Whoever made this wand was unquestionably an extraordinary wandmaker.” “There is only one problem.” “This wand is almost impossible to use.” Ollivander had regained his composure.
The moment the conversation returned to wandlore, he once again became the passionate wandmaker he had been before.
Eric looked down at the wand inside the box.
Its shaft resembled an unworked length of wood, rough and almost entirely undecorated.
Only around the handle were there faint signs of carving and shaping, forming a natural grip.
“Are you familiar with acacia wood, Mr Clapton?” Ollivander asked.
“No.” Eric smiled and shook his head.
“I know absolutely nothing about wandmaking.” Ollivander nodded.
“Acacia itself is a highly magical wood.
It is relatively rare and exceedingly troublesome to work with.
Even I keep very few acacia wands in stock.” “Wands made from acacia will generally accept only witches and wizards of genuine talent.
It can easily be considered one of the finest woods available for wandmaking.” “But acacia possesses one fatal flaw, although some might consider it a virtue.
An acacia wand tends to refuse to produce magic for anyone other than its owner.” Ollivander glanced meaningfully at the wand in the box.
“And this particular wand happens to be made from exceptionally magical acacia.” He looked deeply at Eric.
“Oh?” Eric said.
“Then why do you think I’ll be able to use it?” Ollivander answered without hesitation.
“Because the wand you picked up just now was also made from acacia.” “Acacia wands are indeed fiercely loyal to their owners, but such loyalty takes time to develop.
Wands made from this wood also favour talent and strength.” “In other words, if you can conquer an acacia wand, then it will almost certainly become one of the best possible choices for you.” Ollivander finished speaking and gestured towards the open box.
“Go on, Mr Clapton.” “This is what you were looking for, the most unusual wand I possess.” “Its origin is unknown, although it was unquestionably made by someone of extraordinary talent.
Perhaps even one of my ancestors.” “Whether it has ever had an owner is also unknown.
It may have.
It may not.” “Its core is equally mysterious.
We have never attempted to dismantle the wand to inspect it, nor could we do so without destroying it.
All we can confirm is that the wand itself is not dangerous.” “But I should make one thing clear beforehand.” “I cannot guarantee that this wand can actually be used.
I certainly can’t use it.
In my hands, it refuses to produce even the simplest spell.” Ollivander’s pale eyes fixed upon Eric.
“But perhaps you can.
Because you are a truly gifted wizard.” Eric didn’t hesitate.
He simply reached out and picked up the wand.
A cold sensation seeped into his palm.
Faintly, Eric could feel some kind of force resisting him.
It was actually magical energy coming from the wand itself.
For the first time, Eric didn’t feel the same sensation he had experienced from every other wand in the shop.
This wand was instinctively resisting his attempt to use it.
Unlike the previous two wands, nothing happened when Eric took hold of the acacia wand.
“Expecto Patronum.” Eric raised the wand and spoke the incantation for the Patronus Charm.
A stream of pure white mist burst from the tip.
The silvery vapour twisted and gathered, struggling to form some kind of shape, but ultimately failed to materialise into a corporeal Patronus.
The spell had failed.
Eric casually flicked the wand, dispersing the white mist.
But it had proven one thing.
With Wand Affinity supporting him, he could indeed use this wand.
The sensation was remarkably strange.
As Eric cast the spell, he tried to channel his magic into the wand.
At the same time, the wand continually tried to force his magic back out.
The two were locked in a contest of strength.
For now, Eric held the slight advantage.
A laugh escaped him before he could stop it.
It came from genuine delight, a spontaneous joy that rose directly from his heart.
Looking at the awe in Ollivander’s and Tom’s eyes, Eric smiled.
“This really is an excellent wand.” “I’ll take it.” CREATORS’ THOUGHTS Hidden_Quill Thank you so much for reading!