"Oi, you wanker, quit mucking about. We've got another thirteen crates to ship out before next week," George yelled from the far end of the potions room.
Fred gritted his teeth and did his best not to send a Fizzing Whizbee in his brother's direction. He'd been trying for three days to set the shielding charms, but with each passing day it became apparent there was something dreadfully wrong with his wand. If he couldn't get this sorted they'd be late on more than just one shipment. He tried one last attempt at the spell before groaning in frustration.
"Lee, can you come over here please?" Fred yelled, far too frustrated and desperate to get this damn project over with.
"What is it you need, my benevolent dictator?" Lee asked when he came over.
"Set the charms on these bloody robes will you? Need to head out for an appointment," Fred told him, the excuse falling lamely from his tongue.
"Oh? An appointment with Valerie, eh?" Lee asked, waggling his eyebrows at Fred before pulling his own wand out.
Fred clenched his jaw to keep from screaming. "No, this has nothing to do with her. Just don't let George know I've left early," he said before stalking out of the potions room. He wasn't sure who he needed to talk to, but he knew the best place to start would be Ollivander's.
xxxx
"Hermione dear, are you all right? You've been waving your wand about for the last ten minutes," Mrs. Weasley asked as she set the stack of dishes down next to the sink.
"I don't know. I haven't been able to cast a spell for almost a week now, and the spells that I manage don't do what they're supposed to," Hermione said miserably. She sniffed and rubbed her tears from her eyes. She'd never had any trouble with magic before her thirty-second birthday, so why was this happening now?
"Let me see it dear. I'm sure whatever it is we can fix," Mrs. Weasley said as she took Hermione's wand from her. "Now, lava catino," she ordered. With a sloppy start, the dishes began jumping in the soapy water before rinsing themselves off in the next basin. "Odd. You try it again dear. Perhaps it was just a bit blocked," Mrs. Weasley said, a puzzled expression on her face.
Hermione nodded and took the wand, desperately trying to ignore the tightening in her stomach. "Lava catino."
Again, nothing happened, and it took all of Hermione's strength to keep from crying. Noticing her distress, Mrs. Weasley placed her hand on Hermione's shoulder. "I wouldn't worry about it dear. Wands act up every now and then, it's an absolutely normal phase in every witches life. My sister had to go through it three times before finding out she had a severe allergic reaction to treacle. But if anyone knows what's going on with your wand, it will be Ollivander."