30 August Charlotte was halfway through lunch when he was called to the headmistress’s office.
Before he even reached Headmistress Rebecca’s door, he spotted Mad-Eye Moody leaning against the wall.
The moment Charlotte saw him, he immediately understood why he’d come.
Every Muggle-born wizard was accompanied to Diagon Alley before starting school by someone who could help them purchase their supplies.
Charlotte simply hadn’t expected it to be an Auror like Mad-Eye Moody rather than a Hogwarts professor.
And he certainly hadn’t expected him to arrive so late—there was only one day left before the start of term.
In fact, Charlotte had already begun considering finding his own way to the Leaky Cauldron if nobody showed up.
Seeing Charlotte approach, Moody stepped forward.
“My apologies, Mr Elvis.
I should have come to see you sooner.
Unfortunately, those Death Eaters have become active again recently.
I have to make sure every last one of them ends up in Azkaban.” “It’s all right, Mr Moody,” Charlotte replied with a smile.
“You can just call me Charlotte.” Moody grinned.
“Very well, Charlotte.
Then let me take you to every young wizard’s first stop…” “The Leaky Cauldron.” The two hailed a taxi and travelled to a street in London, stopping outside what appeared to be nothing more than an ordinary bookshop and record shop.
Moody drew his wand and tapped lightly.
Immediately, the entrance to the Leaky Cauldron appeared before Charlotte’s eyes.
The moment they stepped inside, loud chatter filled his ears.
Then— In less than a second…
The entire pub fell silent.
Every pair of eyes turned towards Moody and Charlotte.
Many of the patrons even looked frightened.
“It’s Mad-Eye Moody…” “Why’s he here?” “Have Death Eaters shown up in Diagon Alley?” “Who’s the boy with him?” “Could he be a Dark Wizard?” “Shh!
Keep your voice down!
That madman might throw you into Azkaban if he thinks you’re one!” “…” Charlotte could tell that everyone feared Moody.
Partly because of his incredible record—half the Dark Wizards imprisoned in Azkaban had been captured by him.
And partly because decades of battling Dark Wizards had left him…
eccentric.
Many believed he was dangerously paranoid, and nobody wanted to do anything that might attract his attention.
After all…
Azkaban was the most terrifying prison in the world.
No one wanted to end up there.
Moody ignored the stares completely.
Instead, he led Charlotte to a brick wall behind a dustbin at the rear of the pub.
Turning to him, Moody smiled faintly.
“Welcome to Diagon Alley, Charlotte.” He raised his wand and tapped the brick three up and two across from the dustbin three times.
Immediately, the wall folded and rearranged itself, opening into a magnificent stone archway.
Charlotte’s eyes lit up.
Magic never gets old…
Moody stepped through first.
Just like inside the pub, nearby witches and wizards instinctively moved aside, causing the crowded street to clear wherever he walked.
As they made their way down the bustling alley, Moody asked, “Do you remember everything you need to buy before school starts?” Charlotte nodded.
“I do.
But first, shouldn’t I exchange some money into wizarding currency?” “You won’t have to worry about that.” Moody tossed him a small leather pouch.
“When we searched the two Dark Wizards who kidnapped you, we recovered three hundred Galleons.” “Consider it compensation.” Charlotte caught the pouch.
“Thank you.” Moody merely nodded before leading him through Diagon Alley.
Their first stop was Potage’s Cauldron Shop.
After that came Madam Malkin’s Robes for All Occasions, Flourish and Blotts, and Eeylops Owl Emporium.
Although Charlotte liked cats, owls were undeniably more practical.
After browsing for a while, he chose a Long-eared Owl.
Its long feather tufts sticking up from either side of its head made it look as though it had a pair of oversized ears, giving it an adorably absent-minded appearance.
Charlotte named her Anya.
Finally, the pair arrived outside Ollivanders.
Moody stopped at the entrance.
“If you want to become an outstanding wizard, you’ll need an outstanding wand.” “This is the finest wand shop in Diagon Alley.” “Mr Ollivander will find the wand that suits you best.” As soon as they entered, an elderly man with silver-white hair greeted them.
Unlike everyone else, he seemed entirely unfazed by Moody’s presence.
“Mr Moody.” “It has been quite some time.” Moody nodded politely.
“Likewise, Mr Ollivander.” “This young man is Charlotte Elvis, a new Hogwarts student.” “I’d like you to help him find the right wand.” Ollivander smiled.
“Certainly.” “Let me take a few measurements first…” Before he could finish speaking, however, an entire row of wand boxes behind him suddenly began shaking violently.
Whoosh!
A box from the lowest shelf shot out on its own and landed neatly at Charlotte’s feet.
Ollivander’s eyes widened in surprise.
He bent down, picked up the box, and slowly withdrew the wand inside.
“Eleven and three-quarter inches.” “Acacia wood.” “Core of Thunderbird feather.” He gazed thoughtfully at the wand.
“A clever yet extraordinarily powerful wand.” “My ancestor crafted it over three hundred years ago.” “And in all that time…” “It has never found a wizard worthy of wielding it.” “It would seem…” “It has finally found its master.” Ollivander gently handed the wand to Charlotte.
“Give it a wave.” The instant Charlotte grasped it, he felt a wave of delight emanating from the wand.
It was as though it had become an extension of his own body.
Perfectly balanced.
Perfectly natural.
He casually flicked it.
Crack!
A thin bolt of lightning shot from the tip of the wand and instantly shattered a ceramic vase on the opposite side of the shop.
Charlotte’s heart nearly stopped.
He had used only the tiniest trace of magic.
He hadn’t expected the wand to unleash lightning so effortlessly.
And Mad-Eye Moody was standing right beside him.
If he notices something…
that could be a problem.
Meanwhile…
Ollivander stared at him with eyes full of astonishment.
“Merlin’s beard…” “You’ve perfectly awakened the extraordinary power contained within the Thunderbird feather.” “This wand seems as though it was crafted specifically for you.” “Mr Elvis…” “I believe you’ll one day become a truly great wizard.” “Thank you for your kind words,” Charlotte replied modestly.
“And thank you for helping me find the right wand.” Ollivander smiled warmly.
“The pleasure is mine.” “Once you arrive at Hogwarts, I suggest devoting extra attention to Transfiguration.” “Only witches and wizards with an exceptional gift for transformation can truly earn the recognition of a wand with a Thunderbird feather core.” Charlotte froze for the briefest moment.
For an instant…
He thought his identity as a magical-creature Animagus had been exposed.
Fortunately, he quickly regained his composure.
After thanking Ollivander once more, he left the shop with Moody.
As they walked away, Charlotte’s keen senses picked up on something subtle.
Ever since the wand had produced that bolt of lightning…
Mad-Eye Moody’s expression had changed ever so slightly.