After they had gotten her spell books at Flourish and Blotts, her pewter cauldron, and robes, Hagrid announced it was time for a wand. This is what Lily had really been looking forward too. Hagrid lead her through the crowd, and back towards the end of the alley. There, a dingy little shop sat, a sign bearing the words: Olivanders, Makers of Fine Wands since 382 B.C. Hagrid paused. "Um, I'll wait here." Lily glanced up at his slightly shameful expression. "Why?" she asked, in a light, curious tone.
Hagrid glowered. "I would rather not talk about it. That's all there is to say. Go on!" and at this, Lily turned and walked into the shop. A bell tinkled as she pushed the worn wooden door open to reveal a short, balding man with white hair sitting at a maple desk. He started at the noise, and glanced around. His eyes landed on Lily, and he stood. He offered her a veiny, hairy hand, which she gingerly shook. "I am Olivander," he said. "The maker of the finest wands in all of Britain. Let's get started. You stay here," he added, when Lily made signs of following. He disappeared into the shelves, which Lily realized were covered with dusty boxes which must have contained wands.
Olivander suddenly reappeared by her side, clutching a long black box. He cautiously opened it, as if the wand might suddenly come to life. Lily stuck her hand out for the wand, unsure if this was what she should be doing. He picked the wand up, but before he handed it to her, said, " Ten inches, rose. Dragon heartstring. Rather flexible." Lily took the wand, but almost immediately Mr. Olivander snatched the wand back. "No, that's not it." He disappeared again among the hundreds of shelves. Lily sat down on one of the velvet chairs, waiting tensely. What if a wand was never the right one?
She jumped at Olivanders words, as again he appeared next to her. "Remember, the wand chooses the wizard. And a wand will choose you. Don't worry." She stared at his face, with the lumpy nose and clear sparkling blue eyes, on the verge of being white. Had he read her mind? He handed her another box. "Eleven and a half inches. Hawthorne. Unyielding." Lily carefully unwrapped the wand and picked it up, only to have it yanked out of her hand. "Not that one!"
Lily tried many wands, and they soon littered the floor. Sighing, Mr. Olivander handed her another box. "Ten and a quarter inches. Willow. Swishy. Nice for charms." Lily picked up the wand, and immediately a warmth spread up her arm, and throughout her whole body. She felt… invincible. Olivander clapped his hands, like a child on his birthday. "Yes!" he shouted. "That's the one!"
Lily peered closer at the wand. It was a pretty brown, like sand, and had small flowers etched into the handle. It was beautiful. She stared at it, until Mr. Olivanders voice broke her awe. "Um, that will be seven galleons." She paid him, and thanked him, and left the shop.