"Here, I come," he thought and entered in the shop. He spotted the bartender and went straight to him," Professor McGonagall told me to give this to you."
The bartender again regarded the boy in front of him after reading the letter. But he didn't said anything. Instead he took the boy behind the shop, tapped the wall 3 times with his wand. Soon there was a archway leading into Diagon Alley.
"Here you go, Mr. Slade. Sure you want go alone" Bartender asked and after getting a nod in reply, was gone. So was Ryan Slade after a moment.
Diagon Alley was a nice place to visit for first time. Ryan first time felt a sense of belongingness here. "I'm a wizard." he again told himself. He was sure that he was special, better than others right from the time he gained senses. He wanted to make himself better than others so that when one day he will meet his parents he can show them how wrong they were in abandoning him. Matron at orphanage had told him that one Mrs. McGonagall is bearing expenses for him. But he has never seen her.
Then all of a sudden he got two letters in a day. One by traditional post and one by not so traditional owl post. He was shocked in the night when he saw an owl sitting on the window of his room with a parchment tied around its legs. The letter was simple enough. He has been admitted into some school of witchcraft and wizardry named Hogwarts and had to catch the train from Kings Cross Station. Necessary material like robes, books, a pet and most importantly a wand can be purchased from a place known as Diagon Alley. On one leg of owl was a small pouch with some money with instruction explaining what it was and how to use it.
The money was to buy the necessary things. The letters were signed by Headmistress McGonagall and he knew at that moment that he is really special for someone like McGonagall to take care of him. He replied by the Owl, as instructed in the private letter, that he won't need any assistance while shopping. He was comfortable working alone.
He did have another letter addressed to the bartender who will lead him to the Diagon alley.
Now in Diagon alley, the first place he went to was Ollivander▓s. He wanted a wand first, a proof that he was different than all the other people walking on the street of London. He entered and found some boys with their parents shopping for wands. He waited till they all cleared away and then approached the old man behind the counter.
"I need a wand."
"Starting school this year I suppose?" He nodded.
"You don't sound very enthuastic, you know. Anyways hold out your wand arm."
After, measuring his right arm Ollivander moved in the back and returned with 2-3 boxes.
"Try them, give them a wave." Ryan did but didn't feel anything and Ollivander handed him another and then another wand. After 10 wands or so Ryan started feeling that maybe he is not supposed to have a wand, maybe he is not a wizard, not so special after all. Then furiously he contradicted himself. If something is wrong, it is the shop and not him, maybe he should search somewhere else.
"I think, I will try some other shop." He said.
"You must be muggle born, my boy,■ Ollivander smiled,■ Every wizard and witch who wants to go to Hogwarts buy their wands from me. Why Dark Lord, Harry Potter and now his sons all have my wands. Just be patient."
This time he went into back of the store and came with only one wand.
"I think this one should do the trick. Eleven and a quarter inch, maple and unicorn hair, wand with unusual combination but powerful. I don't give it out so easily, mind you, so move it with care.■ Ryan took it in his hand and felt a sort of connection. This one moved with his hand like it is an extension. After moving it for some time, he looked at Ollivander with a satisfied expression. Ollivander was however looking at him with an odd expression.
"What is your name, boy?" asked the old wand maker, with a curious expression on his face.
"Ryan Slade"
"I'll be watching for you Mr. Slade. This wand that has chosen you is meant for great things. God knows that we have faced enough troubles with the wand bearers who chose wrong path, I just hope that you will choose wisely when the time will come." He looked in Ryan's eyes as he said these words.
Ryan looked back, nodded, muttered thanks, and left the shop.