“Professor Flitwick… it says here that first year students are not allowed to carry their own broomsticks… What exactly is a broomstick here for? The students are not expected to do the cleaning themselves, are they?” Emilia asked holding the letter.
Completing the procedures at Gringgots, we proceeded to start our shopping at Diagon alley, and yes, the movie and book fail to describe how creepy the wizarding world actually is, especially the potions related stuff, what do you mean you are selling eyeballs at the stall.
“Oh no no, don’t worry, broomsticks are not used for cleaning, they are used for flying instead, wizards commonly use brooms to fly. The cleaning duty of course isn’t done by the children. There are house elves do it, they manage everything from cleaning to cooking.” Professor Flitwick waved his hand as he explained.
“House elves? What are those?” Emilia asked curiously
“Well… House elves are like servants, but they are bonded to their master, and serve the family they are in for their entire lives. In Hogwarts’ case, they are bonded to the castle and the headmaster.” Flitwick said thoughtfully, trying to explain it to a muggle.
“You guys keep slaves? Even the school has slaves? And aren’t elves supposed to be pointy eared fair skinned forest dwelling people who are good at magic? How did you even enslave them?” Emilia asked surprised, it would seem the customs of the wizarding world was also similar to middle ages, including stuff like slavery.
“Slavery… Huh, strangely, I can’t deny that, House elves are pretty similar to slaves. But they are not what you think they are, Elves are different, they live on their own world, far away. These are house elves, they do have long ears, but look far from what you think.” Flitwick said with a wry smile.
“I see, well, let’s leave it at that. So, what are we shopping first? Let’s go get the magic wand first, I want to see that!” Emilia clapped happily.
“Mom, I am the one getting the wand, not you…” I sighed.
“Uhum, but my little baby will let mommy see his wand, right?” Fuck that got weird in there.
I was appalled by her words, and could not help but fall silent, just staring at her, then let out a soft defeated sigh.
Nothing can be done about that, that’s my own mother.
“Okay… Let’s go get the wand first…” I agreed, and it totally wasn’t because I too was interested in getting a wand, using it or not is another matter, getting one is totally a novelty. Read this novel at novelping.com for the best experience.
I mean, half the reason why I accepted going to Hogwarts was just because it was a childhood dream for me, getting the Hogwarts letter, I would be beating up my inner child if I rejected that.
David, Flitwick and Mom all chuckled seeing my reaction, but did not comment anything, and just moved towards the wand shop.
Ollivanders, makers of fine wands since 382 B.C.
“Wow, that’s an old shop… Did this shop even exist during the time Romans ruled over Britain? Wait, how did the wizarding world change over the years as the rulers of the land changed?” I asked curiously.
“Hahaha, I think you are coming into my Ravenclaw with an attitude like that. And yes, the shop did exist even during the Roman rule over Britain. Although the rulers of the Muggle world do not change the wizarding world significantly, but yes, there are some impacts. And don’t worry, you will read about it all during your classes at Hogwarts.” Professor Flitwick said with a smile.
The Ollivanders shop looked like it did in the movie, full of stacks of boxes filled with wands, but we could not see anyone in the shop.
“Yes, please wait a moment, I will be there, I will be there.” came a voice from the back, which presumably was Ollivanders himself.
“Oh, professor Flitwick, and a new student, here to get your first wand? It’s always a pleasure seeing a young wizard get his first wand.” A thin old man who looked overly overworked came to the front.
“Mr. Ollivander, yes little Damien needs his first wand, he will be in your care.” Flitwick said with a smile.
“Oh, custom wands? Yes, they can be made, do you have a specific design in mind?” Mr. Ollivander asked curiously.
“Ah yes, I do indeed, what are the procedures of making a wand? Can it be made from anything or in any design I fancy?” I asked, although I already knew the answer.
“Partly yes, design can be changed into however you want, but the materials are different, it’s not you who choose the materials, but the materials who choose you. So, we would need to go for material selection first.” Ollivander chuckled as he said that.
“Oh, what materials are required to make a wand? Isn’t it supposed to be a small wooden staff?”
“Yes, it is made from wood, but it is not just wood, at it’s core must be a magical component, there are many things which can be used, like the tail of a unicorn, A dragon’s heart string, maybe a Phoenix’s feather. This magical component is the part which gives the wand it’s magical nature. Come, let’s select the materials needed to build your wand.” Ollivander explained calmly.
Moving into the shop, I soon came to a storage area, where many different products were kept together, as if they were on display, but I could feel that there were something akin to wards in the boxes.
“Little Damien, go on and touch the materials one by one, the wards would help you absorb your magical energy, and you will feel a warm familiar sensation when you touch the material which suits you the best. Go on, try them one by one, we have plenty of time.” Ollivander instructed, pushing me forward.
I stepped forward but did not start to touch the materials one by one, instead, I checked out the different types of wood in front of me and selected a wood which looked the most aesthetic to me, it was matte black, looked like charcoal, but it felt dense and sturdy at first glance.
And it also looked exquisitely expensive, plus the black color would simply perfect with golden carvings.
And the familiar warm sensation appeared just as I touched it.
“Oh, on the very first try, it seems you are a customer who knows what he wants. And it’s Ebony, a very rare wood, one of the finest there is. Now, onto the magical component of the wand.”