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Wands, Oh Wands

Anna and Basil walked down Diagon Alley, looking in awe of all the magical trinkets on the street. Basil's grandfather had joined them as a supervisor for the two youngsters, but Basil assumed he just wanted to see the magic another time. He wore a large cape over himself which disguised him almost completely, except for the little fluff of dark hair in the front of his hairline and his elongated nose protruding obviously. Arnold was in fear of other wizards to see who he was and if that were to happen, well there would be nothing but trouble.

"Grandpa, can we go get our pets?" Basil asked politely as her eyes caught onto a cat in the window.

Grandpa Sweets nodded his head and led them into the small store where a plump witch was working at her counter with an unpleasant smile. Anna went straight for the barn owls and squealed in happiness as she found an elegant grey owl with bright honey eyes the size of softballs. Basil rolled her eyes at the immature act then continued to look at the furry cats and a few kittens.

"They seem so prestigious." Basil muttered to herself as her eyes scanned the box of cats that were lying in a care-free manner.

Then out of the corner of her eye, there was the perfect one. He was scrawny and scrappy looking with a mangy coat of orange and white; Basil scooped the little feline in her arms, the cat purred loudly and rubbed his head against Basil's neck and made a loud yawning sound. Basil rubbed the small cats head then brought him to the counter.

"You sure you want this hair ball?" The witch inquired with a look of disgust on her face as if Basil just threw a bag of vomit on her counter.

"I'm sure." Basil spat back and handed the coins over to the witch.

Basil and her new cat, which she named Hairball, walked out of the little store and found Anna with her new owl and her Grandpa with the list of supplies which had checkmarks on the things they had acquired.

"You two go grab your wands at Ollivander. I'll be buying your other necessities." Grandpa Sweets ordered sternly then marched off to another store.

Anna and Basil went on their way to Ollivander, Anna looking happier than Basil. When Basil stopped at the door, a sudden fear struck her, What if I have no magic? They'll know I'm a muggle. Anna pushed her raven headed friend into the creaky door to find an elder wizard with a small smile on his older face.

"First years at Hogwarts?" Mr. Ollivander asked with a soft voice and focused his dark eyes on two young girls.

"Yes! We're so excited!" Anna exclaimed with a jump in her step as her balance went to her toes.

"Ah yes, one of you come and try out a few wands." Mr. Ollivander instructed as he stepped into the many opening of his wand shelves.

Anna went first, her excitement was nearly killing her and if she had to wait, Basil knew Anna would surely explode. Basil waited patiently in the front part of the store; she bounced from the balls of her feet to her toes and twiddled her fingers for a dramatic effect. Then the door opened from behind her and a boy her age walked in and stood next to Basil. He had dark messy hair that stuck out, his eyes were bright green, and his skin was pale. Basil had a creepy feeling about the boy, like she's seen him before, so she clutched Hairball close to her heart.

"Hello there." The boy greeted when he caught Basil staring at him.

"Hi, you're here for a wand too? A first year?" Basil inquired with a soft smile, and then she felt stupid. Of course he's here for that.

"Yes I am! Are you here too?" The boy replied happily with a bright smile on his face.

"Yes, I'm waiting for my friend to finish up. I'm Basil Sweets." The boy nodded lightly who looked around for someone.

"I'm Albus Potter." Basil's eyes widen as the resemblance suddenly made sense. "Oh. You know who I am? Or at least my father."

"Yes I do. Your father was a great man. My Grandpa says you'll do great like your father did." Basil blurted out. Albus smiled and nodded his head politely.

"Yes, a lot of people say that. Oh looks like your friend is done." Albus commented as Anna skipped to Basil with her wand in her hand. Her smile was illuminating like a stage light.

"Anna this is Albus." Basil introduced before Anna could say anything, and then went to Mr. Ollivander.

The old man greeted her politely as he sorted through some of the wands that were knocked over, probably by Anna, then began talking to Basil with the same soft voice. Basil tried to keep her smile planted on her face, but her nerves were more powerful than her attempt.

"What's your name?"

"Basil Sweets." Mr. Ollivander eyes widen and he nodded slightly.

"Your grandfather was Arnold Sweets? You have many of his features."

"Uh yes. Can I see one of the wands?" Basil asked a bit impatient. She didn't want to start off her first day in the Wizarding World by being ridiculed by another wizard.

"Yes try this one, birch with troll whisker." Basil lightly held the wand and swung it around a few times. Nothing happened.

Mr. Ollivander brought her another wand, which nothing happened. Then another wand, which nothing happened. More and more wands were given to Basil but nothing ever happened; Basil's thoughts were rapidly getting negative, He can tell I'm a muggle. He'll find out and tell everyone. I'm going to be in trouble. Then Mr. Ollivander gave a loud sigh, he rummaged through many boxes till it looked like there was no more to try from. Basil's heart beat increased, and then something magicalhappened. A box fell from the top shelf and onto the floor; it was a very ancient looking wand.

"Will this…no…well better give it a try." Mr. Ollivander picked up the wand and handed it to Basil, "You may be surprised but the wood is from an old Womping Willow tree and the core is from Nessie's hair. Very special wand indeed."

Basil held it tightly in her hand. This is my last chance, her hand spun the wand in the air and with a surprise, there was magic. Light blue sparks burst out of the end of the wand which shot the shelf up into the air then fell back down with a giant THUD. Basil stood back and looked at the gravity of what her wand could do.

"Basil Sweets, you're a special witch." Mr. Ollivander stated with no doubt in his voice.

Basil thanked Mr. Ollivander and returned to Anna, who was not only with Albus but Harry Potter himself. Basil was taken aback from the Wizard celebrity right in front of her eyes, not to mention that Anna looked like she was about to cry and break down from her constant fidgeting. Harry Potter looked exactly like how his family described him: messy dark hair, beautiful green eyes, and circular glasses sitting on his nose.

"Father, this is Basil." Albus introduced while Basil could feel herself turning a bright rosy red across her face.

"Nice to meet you Basil, I'm glad to see Albus made friends before he left for Hogwarts." Harry greeted softly, Basil shook his hand and smiled weakly back at him.

"It was very nice meeting you, but we have to go. So sorry, but we must get everything. Goodbye." Anna butted in and took a hold of Basil to take her outside.

The Potters and Basil waved goodbye politely while Anna struggled to pull Basil onto the streets of Diagon Alley. Once they were outside, Anna seemed to explode into a fit of giggles and holding Basil tightly. Basil pulled her off and held back a laugh at the look of Anna's face which was a mix of happiness and being petrified.

"We met Harry Potter! And Albus Potter! This is the best day of my life. "Anna squealed as her legs couldn't stop shaking.

"Anna, you may need to sit down till my Grandpa gets here. I'm afraid you'll fall." Basil took Anna by the arm and set her at a free table in front of the ice cream shop.

"Thank you, but Albus Potter! We're friends with him. Isn't it amazing? And he certainly likes you-"

"What? No he doesn't. "Basil interrupted and gave Anna a bewildered look as if Anna said something ludicrous.

"Well I just assumed. You always perk up when his name is said so I thought you might have a crush on him." Anna explained with a touch of pain in her voice.

"No. Never. Believe me, I think you like him more than I do." Anna turned a bright red then changed the subject quickly with luck.

"There's your Grandfather! See, he has all of our things." Anna pointed out with a look of joy as she had just escaped embarrassment.

Basil saw Grandpa Sweets with bags of things that came in two and with Anna's owl cage which she obviously forgot. Basil was still holding Hairball in her arms and was purring lovingly in her arms. The two girls rushed to Arnold and grabbed their things from him.

"So how was Ollivander? Anything interesting?" Grandpa Sweets asked curiously as he held only one bag to himself.

Basil and Anna looked to each and laugh loudly at the thought of what just happened. Anna explained with riveting details that went as deep as what color their socks were. Basil just laughed at the story again, yet there was something nagging at her in the back of the head. That constant fear was still burning. No one must know about the past, not even Anna.