Chapter 2: Professors and Wands
We're currently at the living room with the one saying he's professor Dumbledore and having tea with him. He told us that Hogwarts is real and that I'm a witch. He told us that author of the harry potter series is in fact a witch too and based her books on Hogwarts and because of that, some places and some people in it are in fact, real. But he assured us the story of it wasn't true and just fictional. He actually looks like he's telling the truth but I don't know yet whether to believe him or not. I think he realized that I didn't fully trust him yet because he suddenly showed as a bit of magic. He made the tea table levitate. Maybe I should really trust him and keep my hopes high. Maybe I wouldn't wake up the next morning and everything isn't real and is just a big mistake. Maybe I should learn to trust that some things that can be found in the fictional book can be real.
"We are truly sorry that we didn't find out about you being one of us sooner." He said "We would be happy to have you in Hogwarts but I'm afraid you have to start there as a first year student."
"Would I really learn to control my powers and learn more things about it if I go there?" I asked curiously. I really want to know more about my abilities and be able to control it so I won't need to distance myself to my friends anymore.
"Yes of course" He answered "And maybe we could arrange some examination for you after your first year so you can step a year if you want to of course."
I look at both of my parents with a hoping expression on face and requesting their permission "I also think it would be good for you Cey. If you want to go we won't stop you." My father said. A big grin appeared on my face and I suddenly hugged them as I say my thanks. I've been wishing for years and years for something magical like this so I definitely won't let this pass. Yeah I know I doubted everything at first but could you blame me? It was a fictional place in a fiction novel so highly doubtable.
"If you want you can go to Hogwarts two weeks earlier before the start of the semester to help you sort out your powers" Professor Dumbledore offered.
"Really? Thank you so much sir" I said excitedly.
Professor Dumbledore looked at his packet watch and then slowly stood up "I'm afraid I was go now. I will send a professor to get you and he will help you buy or things and teach you the basics."
"Can I know the name sir?" I asked politely.
"The professor hasn't been decided yet since normally muggle-borns don't usually take up the offer." He replied "I'll send you another letter to inform you the details."
"Thank you" My mother said "We appreciate your and your school's help"
"There's nothing to thank." Then he turned to me again "See you at Hogwarts Ms. Martel"
"Just call me Cey Professor" he nodded with a gentle smile his face and then, on a blink of an eye, he disappeared.
"I think that's a very convenient way of transportation." My father joked. He's always late in everything. It's a good thing that he owned the company and he's not just an employee or else he's already terminated a long time ago. He inherited the company from his parents and because my father is a good business man he manage to make to grow bigger. He also has other small business that he's trying to make enhance more and make it a bigger company.
We stayed at the country side for about 2 weeks after the letters came to have a family bonding. I have to stay at the school for the whole school year except for Christmas plus my two weeks preparation in it. We went back home two weeks before I go to Hogwarts so that I could spend my time with my friends. Erika was furious at me when I told her I'll be transferring to London. She called it as the other side of the world and it's too far. Eventually she accepted it and made me promised to call her every day. I wonder if it will be possible. Does electronics work in there? And if it does is it allowed in the school rules? But if electronics works in there how come they use owls to communicate?
A week before I go to Hogwarts the promised letter of Professor Dumbledore came. The one who will I spend my two weeks with is enclosed in the letter. It says there that it is Professor Severus Snape. Oh boy, I hope that he isn't like as described in the book. I'm scared of the Professor Snape in book because he was supposed to be mean and grumpy even though on the latter part of the series he is a hero. I also wonder how he really looks like. Does he look like Alan Rickman? Or does he like what is describe in the book like Professor Dumbledore? And why on earth would Professor Dumbledore send him? For sure there's a lot of other teachers in the school so why him? I'm so scared and yet there is something that excites me.
The letter also says that I'll be staying at Professor Snape's quarters since the dormitories are under renovations. He will also be the one to teach me the basics of controlling my powers and other basic stuffs. And he will be my tutor for the entire year to help me prepare for the examination that will let me skip a year. In short, I'm going to spend a lot of time with him through the entire school year.
Tomorrow is the day before Professor Snape comes here to pick me up. Erika will be sleeping over since this is my last day here and I'll be gone for the whole school year. I told her that I will be flying to London tomorrow but she didn't have to come with me to the airport because someone from school will be coming over to my house and pick me up. She agreed with it but she said that she will be staying for the night. She's also helping me pack my things.
"I can't believe your leaving me for London" She said as she browse through my closet to pick my best clothes while I pick my best shoes then afterwards we'll both browse through my bag collection together.
"It's for the best" I told her "It's the best school in Europe and beside I'll learn to become independent and the main reason of transferring" I lied to her.
"Cey you know how to cook. You do your own laundry. You can be left in this house with destroying it and you know how to clean. That's already independent." She does have a point in there. I can live by myself in this house. I know how to do many things. I have good credentials that could help me have a good job if I would want to so I think my lies are really lame. "And besides your brother needs to become independent to in fact he needs it more that you do." My brother being a guy doesn't know how to cook or do anything chore related stuff. There was a time in the past that we left him in charge of the house for a week and when we came back the house was a disaster. There are a lot of pizza boxes everywhere, undone dishes and his dirty clothes piled up everywhere.
"My brother doesn't want to come" another lie. My brother wants to come. He said that it was unfair it was only me who has powers.
"He declined?" She exclaimed "he declined and you didn't? How could you?" opps another wrong lie.
"It's for the best and the school has the best facilities ever" she had a lot of things to say that she let herself do so. It was hard to explain her without telling her the truth but somehow I manage. I still can't tell her the truth. I mean, who would believe that Hogwarts exist? That wizards and witches are real? After we packed my things, which is enclosed by two big trunks, We watched some movies with the whole family while eating popcorns and of course ICE CREAMS!. We slept at around 4 in the morning which is not very sensible considering that the letter says Professor Snape will come at around 8 in the morning but who cares this is my last day here and I better enjoy it.
My mother woke us up at around 6 to have some breakfast after breakfast I quickly took a nice short bath before saying goodbye to Erika. She left at around 7:30 since there's a family event in her house today. By 7:45 all my things are already at the living room ready to leave. At exactly 8 someone rang our doorbell. When I opened the door I saw a handsome man around his early 30s or maybe late 20s. He's wearing black pants, black polo, and long black robes. He's in all black. Is he Professor Snape? He looks handsome to be professor Snape. "Stop gawking Ms. Martel and start moving" He hissed with a low voice.
"You're Professor Snape?" I asked too curious for his liking because scowled at me.
"Are you expecting someone who looks like Alan Rickman or maybe Alan Rickman himself? Well I'm sorry to disappoint you Ms. Martel. Now move along" He hissed at me again saying every word like venom especially my name. Maybe he doesn't being portrayed by others but he doesn't also look like that he wants to be in the movie himself.
"Well, actually, no, Professor. You're actually better than I expected." I said with a smile adding a European English accent that I learned during the summer. But then he just glared at me and didn't say anything. "Well just let me get my things and say my goodbyes to my family" I wasn't lying when I said he is better than I expected. He do have the greasy black hair, hooked-nose and sallow skin like described in the book but his teeth are even and white and he's damned handsome. Though I think he has the grumpy and mean personality just like in the books.
"Aren't you supposed to do that before I arrive here?" he snapped at me. But I ignored it and simply said "Do you want to come in Professor? My mother prepared a very delicious hot chocolate. Or maybe you'll want some juice or whatever drink you would want?"
"No" he said firmly. "Don't bother and be quick" he hissed. I immediately went to the living room and say my goodbyes to my family and then I quickly return to the door where Professor Snape is waiting. He eyed my two trunks and said "You're going to school Ms. Martel not to a fashion show"
"Sorry Professor but I need these things" I said to him not even looking sorry. Again he didn't say anything but he grabbed my cases and hold them both on his one hand then his other hand grabbed my arm. Then boom! Everything went black and it was like I was being sucked into tiny tube and i feel like I'm going to throw up. When the feeling of going through into tube had gone, I opened my eyes and saw that I am not in my own town anymore. Suddenly, I'm in a busy town full of shops and the more I observed the more I realized that all the shops are shops for witchcraft and wizardry. "Are we in Diagon Alley?" I asked him.
"Where else do you think?" He simply said. Then we proceed in buying all the equipments that I will need.
HOGWARTS SCHOOL
of WITHCHCRAFT and WIZARDRY
UNIFORM
First-year students will require:
Three sets of plain work robes(black)
One plain pointed hat (black) for day wear
One pair of protective gloves (dragon hide or similar)
One winter cloak (black, silver fastening)
Please note that all pupils' clothes should carry name tags
COURSE BOOKS
All students should have a copy of each of the following:
The Standard Book of Spells (Grade 1)
by Miranda Goshawk
A History of Magic by Bathilda Bagshot
Magical Theory by Adalbert Waffling
A Beginners' Guide to Transfiguration by Emeric Switch
One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi
by Phyllida Spore
Magical Drafts and Potions by Arsenius Jigger
Fantastic Beats and Where to Find Them
by Newt Scamander
The Dark Force: A Guide of Self-Protection
by Quentin Trimble
OTHER EQUIPMENT
1 wand
1 cauldron (pewter, standard size 2)
1 set glass or crystal phials
1 telescope
1 set brass scales
Students may also bring an owl OR a cat OR a toad
PARENTS ARE REMINDED THAT FIRST YEARS ARE NOT ALLOWED THEIR OWN BROOMSTICKS
I will start a conversation with him every now and then but he will always end with a simple no, yes or short explanations "Can't I be exempted about the broomstick? I've always wanted to know what it feels like to fly." I asked him as we pass the shop called Quality Quidditch Supplies. It is the shop the sells broomsticks and other Quidditch necessities as the name implies.
"No" he said firmly and with authority. "You're still a first year"
I didn't say anything anymore. He said that I should also buy things that needed by second years for my training to be able to skip second year for the next school year. And that's what we did. We bought everything I need.
Before we went to the last shop I needed to go I convinced Professor Snape to take a break in the Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlour. I ordered Treacle tart which is very delicious by the way, and a 3 scoops sundae with chocolate toppings and a cherry on top of it. I also ordered a Treacle fudge and a lemon drop. This shop's menus are very delicious and I think this my new favorite Ice cream parlour. Professor Snape just ordered a fire whiskey. Maybe he doesn't like sweets. I kept talking and talking to him during the short break but he always found a way to end every conversation I made.
The last thing that we are about to buy is my wand. As soon as we entered Ollivander's we were immediately greeted by an elderly man whom I presume to be Mr. Ollivander. "A muggle born I presume?" he asked not really talking to me as he was busy looking for something in shelf of rectangular boxes but I know he was talking about me. No one answered him so he continued "I almost didn't feel your magical powers. It's very low."
"What do you mean Mister?" I asked him curiously as I realized that he was talking to me.
"Did you not know that every wizards and witches can feel others magical power. Other can even measure them" He said as he continuously searched for something. "But in your case Miss, everyone can know how little magical powers you have. You almost feel like a muggle" So that's why everyone at every shop and every alley was looking at me curiously. I just pushed it behind my mind and didn't mind it but now I know why. "Ah" He suddenly exclaimed catching our attention "I think this will do fine." He said as he carries an olive colored box which I presume holds a wand towards us.
He opened the box and let me get the wand from it. It's an elegantly and detailed carved off-white wand. I already loved it at first sight. "Sycamore" Mr. Ollivander started giving the details of the wand. "Phoenix feather as a core. Fourteen and a quarter inches. Nice and supple." I studied the wand more. It's really lovely and I love its color. "Well give it a try" I heard both of them said. I gave it a wave and a dim yellowish light glowed around me.
"Hmm..I'm not entirely sure if it is right...Why don't you try this one?" he said as he randomly grab a box of wand. I looked at him very curiously. "Well just try it if it will have the same effect on you" He said when he noticed that I'm nowhere near in getting the wand from him. I already like the wand in my hand. I don't want to let it go.
"Just try it" Professor Snape said impatiently.
I put down the sycamore wand on its box and politely took the other wand from Mr. Ollivander. I gently waved it but nothing happened. No glass shattering. No shelves destroying. No light glowing, nothing at all. It is as if it was just a piece of stick. "Well I guess the Sycamore is the one for you" Mr. Ollivander said. I paid Mr. Ollivander 7 galleons for the wand.
When Professor Snape and I were about to leave the shop, the last column of shelves of wands in the Mr. Ollivander's shop started shaking violently and all the boxes burst out of the shelf. I thought Professor Snape would tell me to leave it be as it has nothing to do with me but he said nothing and just stood there with me watching Mr. Ollivander investigates the cause of the scenario. I think I'm becoming a judgmental person and I don't like. I don't want to judge people without knowing them.
Mr. Ollivander came back to us carrying a blood red colored wand box. "This was the only box that didn't fall off the self" he said as he walks directly towards me. "I hid this at the very back of the self unseen to any other people for years. Only one had tried this one and it rejected her. It was already 4 years ago" he said as he pulls out the wand from the box. The wand's color is red as blood. It's beautiful, more beautiful than the Sycamore wand. It's carved as if it was made for royalty. "Why don't you give it a try?"
"What will happen to the Sycamore wand if it also matched to me?" I asked him curiously. I also love the one Mr. Ollivander is offering but I also love the Sycamore wand. In fact, I have already given a name to it. Syca. If you guess that I get from the name Sycamore then you guess it right. I'm not very original in giving names so bare with it.
"You could keep it and use it" He replied. "It's not forbidden to have more than one wand Ms. Martel" he continued giving me an assuring smile.
I get the red wand from Mr. Ollivander and stared at it in awe. At close, it's more beautiful than I imagined it to be. Its details are very beautiful and gracefully carved. I haven't done anything yet but as I held the wand dark red light started to glow around me. At first it was dim but it become brighter and brighter. The room is looking like it was fully drench by blood because of it. I gave it a wave pointing at the boxes of wands on the floor in front the last column of the shelves. Suddenly the boxes started to fix itself in self and in a very short time the boxes are back in their place as if nothing happened. I didn't cast any spell but it was what in my mind. I wished it to fix the boxes back in there places. Could it be that the wand grants my wishes.
"It would seem that the wand also chose her" Professor Snape said with his monotone voice.
"Yes, yes...It seems that's the case..." Then he turned his gaze to me again "It's made from blood wood. It's a common wood yes but this one is different. The wood is ages for more than 500 years. The tree where it came from is still alive and it lives within the castle grounds." The tree is still alive? I wonder what the real age of the tree is. "It's unbending but very easy to use by its owner"
"You said that there is only one other witch who tried this wand, who is she?" I asked curiously.
"To whom that wand is originally made for. A witch born from the royalty of our world" He said.
"A princess?" I wonder aloud.
"If it was made for her then why did it reject her?" Professor Snape asked. Does he know who she is?
"You do know a prophecy made for the king and queen, do you?" He asked Professor Snape.
"The prophecy of an untainted child would be born within the family." Professor Snape stated. Untainted? What does that mean?
"Yes, yes that prophecy." he agreed "I made the wand a year after that prophecy has been made since that was the time everyone thought she will be born. However, no child was born within the castle after a year. The queen did not even conceive a child. And after two more year that was the only time that they had a child. Over the years I manage to enhance the wand more. I had put three cores in it. A dragon's Claw, dragon heartstring and a mermaids scale. But I did not expect that it will reject her. Even now it is still a mystery to me. We thought that maybe it was because she is not of right age. But the wand made it clear that it is not for the princess perhaps I should just make another one for her."
"Then how much is this Mr. Ollivander?" I asked too eager to have the full right of the wand. And oh, I will name it Sanguis. It's the Latin translation of blood.
"I'm giving it to you. This is the first time something like that happened here. Besides I made that wand not for money but as a gift." he replied with a gentle smile on his face.
"Thank you Mr. Ollivander" I said returning the smile.