Chapter Seven

"Get changed, Draco Malfoy. We have been invited to tea."

Draco was no longer surprised when Luna showed up without warning at his flat, making pronouncements of this sort. Now he simply responded, "Okay...By whom?"

She held up an invitation. "Mr. Ollivander."

This was certainly not the name that Draco was expecting. "Garrick Ollivander? Why in the world would he want to have tea with me?" He took the invitation and quickly scanned it. "Luna, this was sent a week ago. Why are you just telling me about it now?"

"So you wouldn't have time to over think it and say no."

Draco handed the paper back. "You don't want me there. It would be...awkward."

Luna crossed her arms. "That's what you said about dinner with Andromeda and Teddy the first time and look how well that turned out. We see them regularly now and you love it."

"Yes, well...Andromeda and Teddy weren't held hostage in my basement and tortured by members of my family."

"No, but someone else was and that's worked out okay, hasn't it?"

He looked at the ceiling and muttered, "Damn it, woman. I hate it when you do that."

"Do what?"

He rolled his eyes. "Use logic and...facts."

Luna shoved him towards his room. "Well, I'll try not to make a habit of it then. In the meantime, get ready. We have an appointment to keep."

"Any chance of you taking 'no' for an answer?" Luna gave him a look and Draco raised his hands in defeat. "It was worth a try."

A few minutes later Luna apparated them to a small cottage just outside the village of Hogsmeade. As they walked up the short garden path Draco felt a sense of panic begin rising in his chest.

Luna gave him a quick side hug. "It's okay, Draco. I wouldn't have brought you if I wasn't sure it was all right." She stepped back and smiled. "Trust me?"

Draco took a deep breath and gave her a short nod. She winked at him and knocked. Soon latches could be heard disengaging and the door swung open to reveal a small, wizened figure leaning on a cane. The old man embraced Luna warmly. "Luna, my darling! How are you? Thank you for coming." He extended a bony hand to Draco. "And Mr. Malfoy! So glad you were able to join us today."

Draco bowed and tentatively shook the hand offered to him. "Thank you very much for the invitation, sir."

"Please! Please! Come in! Everything is all ready for us." Garrick Ollivander teetered precariously on his walking stick as he led them into a brightly lit sunroom. Draco helped the aged man into his seat while Luna began pouring the tea and serving biscuits.

Draco quickly discovered that while the old man's body had deteriorated, his mind was as sharp as ever. In no time Mr. Ollivander had drawn Draco into a discussion regarding the history of alchemy and how he had incorporated facets of that branch of magic into his wandlore.

He then turned his attention to Luna, asking for updates on Harry, Hermione and the Weasley family, particularly Bill and Fleur. He seemed quite interested in hearing stories about Teddy and smiled when Luna produced a photo of the child.

"Ahh...to be so young with so many possible futures stretched out before you." He sighed. "My days, on the other hand, are drawing to a close."

Luna began to protest but he shook his head. "No, my dear. I am very old and very tired. I asked you here today so I can tell you that I am leaving tomorrow." He gazed wistfully out the window. "I intend to use what time I have left visiting some of the places of my youth. I have spent the last year training my nephew, Antony, to take over the shop and I know that my legacy is in good hands."

Luna's eyes brimmed with tears. "But who will take care of you?"

He rested his hand on top of hers. "My niece, Antony's sister, will be traveling with me and I still have some family out there. Your time as my self-appointed caretaker has come to an end. I could not have made it this far without you, Luna, but you have more than earned respite from your duties." He cleared his throat. "You can do me one more favor, however, my dear. In my workshop there are three packages on the bottom shelf. Would you be so kind as to bring them to me?"

Luna excused herself and left the room. As soon as she was gone, Draco said, "She will miss you terribly, sir. She thinks of you as a second father."

The old man nodded. "And I think of her as one of my own children. Which is one of the reasons I invited you to tea, Mr. Malfoy. I wanted to see for myself if the things I have heard about you recently were true."

Draco felt his throat tighten. "What sort of things?"

Ollivander smiled. "Very good things, Draco. From Luna and Andromeda Tonks. They both think quite highly of you." He took a sip of his tea. "Luna's well being is very important to me, lad. And she seems very happy when she speaks about you. I can also tell that she feels safe with you. Luna has excellent instincts. If she trusts you, then I trust you."

Just then Luna returned and, per the wandmaker's instructions, laid the three boxes side by side on the table. A familiar spark returned to the man's eyes as he looked at Draco and asked, "Now, if I may I be so bold as to ask to see your wand, Mr. Malfoy?"

Draco shuddered involuntarily as his mind brought forth the memory of someone very different asking another Mr. Malfoy to relinquish his wand. Luna noticed the hesitation and gently placed her hand on his arm. Their eyes met and she gave him an encouraging nod.

Draco produced his wand and handed it to Mr. Olllivander, who held it lovingly. "Ah, yes. I remember when you acquired this wand all those years ago, Mr. Malfoy. 10 inches, hawthorn wood, unicorn hair core." He turned the object over in his hand. "Reasonably pliant, as I recall."

The elderly wizard brought the wand very close to his ear, as if it were speaking to him. Turning his attention back to Draco he said, "This wand has not always be under your control, has it, Mr. Malfoy?"

"No, sir. I was disarmed during the war. I used my mother's wand for a time until I was finally able to retrieve this one."

Mr. Ollivander nodded. "I thought as much. And how has this wand performed for you since that time?"

Draco shrugged. "All right, I suppose. Maybe not as well as I remembered but I thought it had something to do with me."

"I suppose, in a way, that would be correct. First off, a wand whose allegiance has changed often gets confused, for lack of a better word, when returned to its original owner. But there is the additional aspect of alchemy."

"Alchemy, sir?"

"Yes. As you well know, alchemy is not only the study of the composition of various materials but also how those materials interact and influence each other. In some ways, it can be considered the study of change."

Leaning forward, Ollivander continued. "Think of the difference between an arranged marriage and a true 'love match', if you will. While both relationships might be able to survive, only one will thrive because of the difference between obligation and desire."

Finding himself on a topic he loved, the old man elaborated, "In other words, the eleven year old boy that this wand first selected and the young man who sits here now are so different - the change, if you will, so significant - that this wand simply will not produce optimal results for you anymore."

With a flourish, Ollivander drew their attention to the items on the table. "So, I propose a little experiment. If you would be so kind, Mr. Malfoy, as to pick up each box in turn. Do not open the box, mind you. Simply hold it in your hands and let me know if you detect anything peculiar or noteworthy."

Draco steadied his nerves and reached for the first box. He held it for a moment but didn't feel any sort of reaction. He looked at Mr. Ollivander but all the man said was, "Anything?" Draco shook his head. "Interesting."

Draco did the same with the second. Still nothing. "Curious," was the only comment from Ollivander.

Draco began to feel as if he were back in school, facing a quiz he hadn't known to study for. He reached for the third box and was startled when a warm sensation rushed up his arm as soon as he touched it. He looked at the wandmaker and saw a smile creep across the old man's face. "Fascinating. Most fascinating indeed." He gestured towards Draco. "Please, Mr. Malfoy. Open that box if you would."

Draco untied the ribbon and lifted the lid to reveal one of the most beautiful wands he had ever seen. His face lit up as he admired the craftsmanship. "This is exquisite, sir."

Ollivander's eyes twinkled. "Thank you, my boy. Some of my finest work if I do say so myself. 10 and 1/2 inches. Willow with a phoenix feather core. Reasonably springy. Very picky about who they select those are. Must sense something in you it really fancies."

The old wizard turned slightly and gestured towards a grouping of pillows piled on a small settee in the corner. "Now, for a trial run. Nothing too complicated at first. If you will, Draco, please give us a little wingardium leviosa?"

Draco removed the wand from the case and turned it over in his hands. The vibration was much stronger now. He closed his eyes and concentrated. It was uncanny. The wand felt as if it had been tailored specifically for his grip. He took a breath, opened his eyes and with a well practiced swish and flick he whispered, "Wingardium Leviosa."

The pillows levitated from the settee and Draco sent them to the ceiling and back down in a tight spiral before placing them exactly as they had been situated moments before.

Luna burst into applause. "Well done, Draco!" she cried.

Ollivander seemed especially proud of himself. "Once again it appears that the wand has chosen the wizard." He winked. "Use it in good health, my lad."

"It would be my privilege to possess an Ollivander custom wand, sir." Draco reached for his pocket. "How much..."

Ollivander waved his hands. "No! No. I wouldn't dream of accepting money for that wand, Draco. It is my present to you."

Draco was stunned. "Sir, I-I couldn't possibly accept a gift this valuable..."

The old man sniffed and said, "You shall offend me if you do not accept it, Mr. Malfoy."

Draco struggled to find words. "I am truly humbled by your generosity, sir."

"The pleasure is all mine, my boy." Ollivander reached for Luna's hand once more. "Now if you both will excuse me, this has been rather more excitement than I have been used to of late. I start my journey early tomorrow, so if you don't mind seeing yourselves out, I think I shall retire for my afternoon nap."

There were tears as the old man and Luna embraced for the final time. Before leaving, Draco bowed solemnly to his host. The wandmaker grasped Draco's sleeve and said, "I expect to see great things from you, Draco Malfoy."

Draco whispered, "I shall do my very best not to disappoint you, sir."

Ollivander watched through the window as Draco and Luna left the cottage and walked down the path. As they disappeared the old man repeated to himself, "Great things, indeed."