Chapter 6: Fireworks and Adversaries.
In the few weeks since receiving Dulcie's Hogwarts Letters, the Malfoys had to avoid the Muggle World as Dulcie was very pleased, running about shouting "I am a Witch. I am going to learn spells and turn Father into a ferret." Draco was not happy that Hermione had shared that memory with their daughter, but Hermione still ached with laughter thinking about it.
As August was nearing its end they decided it was time to take a trip to Diagon Alley. September 1st was around the corner and the 11am train waits for no one. "Draco we will need to stop by Gringott's, Madam Malkin's, Eeylope's, Flourish and Blotts—"
Draco cut her off, "Darling, I know where we need to go, I have been school shopping before."
"We also have to stop by Quality Quidditch Supplies to return that Broom." she said pointing to Dulcie's Lightning Strike.
"Do we really have to? She adores that broom."
"Yes. We have to. She can get a broom next year after she'd had proper lessons at school."
Draco knew there was no use trying to change her mind. Dulcie's birthday had terrified Hermione more than she would let on. It was a wonder she said next year. "Alright then, we better be off. Dulcie, time to go!" he shouted, calling his daughter from her room.
Moments later, she appeared wearing a muggle jeans and a RedVines t-shirt with rain boots. "I'm ready, let's go."
"How many times has she seen that dreadful musical?" Draco asked Hermione, somewhat annoyed at his daughter's fondness for a play that portrayed him so poorly.
"I don't know- a few maybe. She likes to go to the theater to watch Luna's plays. Besides, the reviews that "A Very Potter Musical" is getting. It will be around for a while."
"But I do not have a small- you know what."
"Of everything in the play, that is what bothers you? That's hilarious."
"Well I don't!"
"Draco, I know. I have seen it. Now we really must go."
Hermione threw the Floo Powder into the fireplace and a few moments later they were in Diagon Alley. First they headed to Gringott's to fill their money bags and from there went to Florish and Blotts for Dulcie's spellbooks. After that they went to get parchment and quills from Scribbulus Writing Instruments.
"Mum, can we go get my wand now?"
"We have a few more stops to go and then we get your wand. I do believe your father would like to get lunch soon."
They went about with their shopping and nearly had gotten everything on the list. For lunch, they went to the Leaky Cauldron for some turkey sandwiches and pumpkin juice. Before they stopped for lunch, Draco went to return the broom, while Hermione was at the Apothecary getting Dulcie's potion making kit ingredients. While at Quality Quidditch Supplies, Draco had discovered a miniature Quidditch Pitch, complete with two teams that were charmed into replaying any Quidditch mame you wanted it to. He was so enthralled with his new purchase that he barely touched his turkey sandwich at lunch.
Reminding Draco they still had another shop to go to, Hermione headed back down Diagon Alley, leaving him to his new toy. Finally—Olivanders. Dulcie had been patiently, and sometimes impatiently, waiting to go to this store for some time.
"Hello, Miss Granger has it been that long? My, how time flies." Ollivander greeted them like an old friend.
"It really does sir, although I am Mrs. Malfoy now." Hermione replied warmly.
"Congratulations to you then! If I'm remembering correctly and 10 and a quarter inch, Vine with Dragon's Heart String for you, Mrs. Malfoy. And who might this adorable child be?"
"I am Dulcina Ariella Annebelinda Malfoy, but you can call me Dulcie. I am going to Hogwarts this year and I need a wand."
"Excellent, then shall we get started? Which is your wand arm?"
"I am left handed Mr. Ollivander, sir."
He walked to the shelf and reached for several wands, "Try this one, cedar, unicorn tail hair, 11 inches." He handed Dulcie the wand and she gave it a flick. Nothing happened. Tossing it back into its box, he offered her a different wand. "Try this one, 14 inches, Rosewood, Phoenix Feather."
The doorbell chimed and Draco walked in, "Any luck finding a wand?" he asked.
"No, not yet, but we have only tried a couple." Hermione answered.
Several wands later, Ollivander was starting to wonder if he ever would find her wand, when he had an idea. "Recently, I have been dabbling in wand making materials from other countries. Surprisingly, Japan and Australia have many superb wand crafting items. I have only made a few wands using them, I didn't intend to sell them, however they are the last I have for Dulcie to try." Ollivander went to the back storage room of his shop and returned with seven boxes, all contains very beautiful, intricate wands. "This first one is eucalyptus, a dual core of phoenix and hippogriff feathers, 12 inches, swishy but sturdy." He handed it to Dulcie, who swished with all her might trying to get it to do something, with no luck. This was not her wand either. "Try this one, 14 inches, kaya, billywig stinger, flexible." A very nice wand, but was also not hers.
"Mum, are you sure I am a witch? These wands don't seem to like me very much?" Dulcie was feeling very disheartened.
"Honey, there is a wand for you, sometimes finding it takes a while." Hermione hugged her daughter trying to offer some comfort.
The doorbell chimed again, only this time two families walked in, each had a daughter about Dulcie's age. One girl was tall and had fair skin with short blonde hair, while the other girl was a little shorter with really long auburn hair braided down her back. Before Dulcie could greet them the blonde girl spoke up, "How long are we to wait to get my wand?" she demanded.
"Just a few moments, were nearly finished. You may have a seat, I'll be with you soon." Ollivander motioned toward the chairs by the fire place. Looking rather annoyed, the blonde girl sat down with her friend. Turning back to assisting Dulcie, Olivander said "Let's try this one: 15 inches, reed, demiguise hair, whippy."
Dulcie took the wand and balanced it in her hand for a moment before handing it back to Ollivander, "This isn't it either." With a sign, Dulcie sat down next to her mum.
"Try this one. 14 and a quarter inch, ivy handled gingko containing and blended core of Veela hair and fairy wings."
"Aren't Veela wands unsafe for anyone that isn't a Veela?" Hermione asked.
"Normally, however the gingko is good for calming such temperamental cores. Here you go, give it a wave."
Dulcie's fingers had barely touched the wand when it began to emit sparks of all colors. Not just her wand, but every wand in the store. Red Sparks, Green Sparks; the entire store was illuminated. When she gave it a wave, as she had been instructed, it appeared as if hundreds fireworks went off in the small shop. Had Hermione not known any better, she would have though George had set off some Wild-fire Wiz-Bangs. Dulcie was in awe of her new wand and continued to dance around the shop, swishing at random. Dancing sparklers littered the floor and before anyone could stop her, Dulcie had the other wands not only sending out sparks, but also flying around the room.
"Dulcie please bring me your wand, we should put it away before someone gets hurt," Hermione said.
"But Mum, I am having so much fun!" With that Dulcie spun around laughing happily that she had finally found her wand. She was starting to feel dizzy from spinning and fell down, immediately, as if under immense pressure, the wands nearest Dulcie exploded. The loud band scared the child and she ran for her mother.
Unfortunately, Dulcie wasn't the only one afraid; the blonde girl and her friend stood up, shaking the soot from their nice silk robes; they had fallen into the fireplace and were very dirty.
The blonde girl, who was the filthiest of the pair, also had several tears in her robes. These robes were beyond the repair of magic. "You bloody idiot! My robes are RUINED!" she shrieked.
"Lucinda it was an accident and we can get new robes." Lucinda's mother said trying to help get some of the dirt off her.
The other girl didn't say anything, but she was definitely not pleased either.
"We will just come back tomorrow. Come Lucinda." Lucinda's mother said and with that both families were gone.
"I am so sorry Mr. Ollivander. We can pay to fix what's been broken."
"It's quite alright Mr. Malfoy. It's expected, when a wand chooses its witch or wizard, nearly anything can happen. I am indeed happy that we found her wand. And what a show this was. That will be twelve galleons please."
Draco handed him the gold and they left Ollivander to clean his shop. The three Malfoys went home, where Hermione packed Dulcie's trunk and rechecked her list of things to do.
"Dad, can I hold my wand?" Dulcie asked.
"Most definitely not; after today, you're lucky your Mum is even letting you take it to school." Having a sudden mischievous idea, Draco added, "Now, if you would like to go see "A Very Potter Musical" again, I will happily let you play with your wand there."