CHAPTER 2

WANDS AND MAGIC TRAIN

Arya was very giddy inside. She would have jumped the whole way if it weren't for the Professor. She had already pinched herself three times to wake herself up or to make sure she wasn't dreaming. She was dying to see the Diagon Alley and most importantly she wanted her wand. Her wand. But she had to wait because Professor McGonagall had to take another kid from a non-magical family. She was so lost in daydreaming that she didn't notice how the time had passed. And soon she was standing in Diagon Alley behind the Professor. The only word her mouth could fathom was "wow".

"Wow", said another voice.

Arya turned to see the boy Professor McGonagall had brought with them. He was taller than her and seemed to be accompanied by his mother. He had beautiful eyes. The boy and his mother looked enchanted. All four went to buy the necessary things. The boy had to exchange his muggle money. Muggle ...what a word , Arya though in her mind. The books were expensive. It looked as if a teacher, Gilderoy Lockhart was selling his own books. Arya wasn't sure what to feel about that. She just wanted to stand at one place and look at each shop for one full hour to absorb every single magical detail it had to offer. Then they got their robes and finally it was time to get their wands.

As soon as she stepped inside the shop, she felt something. Something she couldn't quite describe. Ollivander , the wand-maker presented himself. He was an old man who looked overworked and brimming with knowledge. Something in the shop made her feel scared. Or maybe just nervous or probably overwhelmed.

Professor McGonagall noticed her and said, "are you scared, child?"

"No Professor", Arya tried to lie. She noticed that the boy was looking at her concerned and nervous.

The boy went to try first. Ollivander then explained to him that 'the wand chooses the wizard'.

"Applewood, unicorn hair core, 11 and half inches. This core would be the last to turn to the dark side", said Ollivander, extending a wand towards the boy. He took it and waved and all light fused.

He looked scared but at the same time fascinated. This made Arya smile.

"No no, this is not for you", Ollivander concluded.

He went on to try five more wands. Arya couldn't tell what Ollivander was looking for but his words fascinated her. He took out a slightly longer wand this time and said, " redwood, 11 and three quarter inches, phoenix feather core, very very rare. It takes time to mature , and once you win it over it will not leave your side. Go on."

The boy took the wand and it seemed like some magic happened, like they talked to each other and bounded each other.

It was Arya's turn now.

"Cidar, 10 and a half inches, unicorn hair, try it."

Arya tried to take that wand but it repelled her. She tried hard to grab it but to no avail. This wand was embarrassing her. A wand... She felt anger and embarrassment which could now go only if she had the rarest wand for herself, a phoenix feather wand.

Then Ollivander said, "it's okay. It happens sometimes. Maybe you are more inclined towards forbidden knowledge and adventure."

He then went back and came with another wand.

" Sycamore, 11 and half inches, dragon heartstring core, it will produce the most flamboyant spells, the most powerful spells and has a proclivity to dark arts."

Arya took the wand and now nothing mattered. She didn't desire any phoenix feather wand. Just this one. She would win the whole world with it . It was her wand .

She looked up and found Ollivander looking at her.

"This wood it very unique. It is known to burn down when 'bored'. It needs adventures to go on. I can see you doing great magic with it. Be careful though", Ollivander had said.

Arya had never felt so content and complete before. She bade farewell to the Professor. She couldn't sleep that night. She would play the day in her head over and over again. She had her books now and she'd also bought some newspapers to understand more about the world she was getting in. Professor McGonagall had smiled over this. She also remembered seeing a yellow owl. She would've taken it but didn't want any more money spent. She convinced herself to buy another owl later , kissed her ticket and hid it under her pillow.

Arya didn't understand how all those days just passed and there she was standing on platform nine and three quarters, still amused how she had ran through a barrier. So many people. Arya noticed a redhead girl clutching her books very close to her chest. Was that bushy haired, concerned looking girl Hermione Granger? The one who had topped all her subjects? Arya had taken her as some sort of student ideal. Nobody there seemed alone. Everyone had a friend or family with them. For the first time Arya felt that it would've been nice if someone was there with her. And then she saw the boy standing with his mother and father probably the only people she knew in the magical community. She waved at them almost as a reflex. The boy noticed her and told his mother. The mother saw Arya and waved at her, Arya walked up to them.

"Are you by yourself, dear?" The woman asked kindly.

" Yes, ma'am. I don't know anyone here. I saw you two and ..." Arya stammered.

" Oh dear, we too don't know anyone here. You are the only little witch we know ." The woman seemed very kind and amongst all that chaos she felt comfortable for a moment.