Chapter 7

________________

Professor Snape glared at the insolent braided *student* who would dare to *speak* to him, much less insult him.

"And you are?" he said with a drippingly disdainful sneer.

Duo hopped up and held out his hand. "Duo Maxwell. I may run and hide but I never tell a lie," he quipped jovially. 

 "Well, Mr. Maxwell, Do you make a practice of insulting your Professors, especially one who has access to at least fifty undetectable deadly poisons?" he asked haughtily, as if insulted by Duo's mere presence.

Duo visibly bristled.  "And do you regularly threaten future students who can kill *you* a hundred different ways with just their hands?" he retorted angrily.

Dumbledore interrupted before any more sparks could fly.

"Boys, this is Prof. Snape, our potions master, and Hagrid, our Care of Magical Creatures teacher.  Now no more petty arguing, you boys need to go get your wands.  Hagrid and Snape will accompany you to Diagon Alley where you will find Ollivander's Shop." 

"Sure, Headmaster, just tell the rat's nest here to get a sense of humor."  The ice in Duo's voice was palpable to everyone in the room.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Malfoy." 

"Potter." 

"What are you doing here?"

"Isn't it obvious?  I'm awaiting our arrival at Hogwarts, or have you forgotten that that's why we're *all* on this miserable train?"

"Uh, no." 

"So maybe I should ask why *you* are in *here*?  Aren't your little hero worshippers with you?"

"No, they aren't.  I went for a walk."

"You don't look like you're walking to me."

"I wanted to think, and I didn't know there was anyone in here," Harry snapped, beginning to regret ever starting this conversation.  He hated these cat and mouse games.  He just should have left as soon as he'd seen Malfoy.

"Well as you can see, it's not empty."

"Fine.  I'm leaving."  Harry said, thankful for the chance to leave.

"Wait!  …You don't need to leave…"

~~~~~~~~~~~~ 

"Oh wow! Look at THAT!"  Duo jumped and pulled Heero to yet another shop window, this one displaying cauldrons of all sizes.

"Hn."

"Oh, oh, and look over THERE!!" he yipped, dragging Heero across the street to a window displaying the 'Quickfire 3000', the newest, fastest line of brooms being sold.

"Mr. Maxwell, if you could *please* contain yourself.  People will think you've never been shopping before," Snape drawled caustically.

"Aw, c'mon Snape.  They're only kids.  Let 'em look 'round a bit," Hagrid offered in Duo's defense, who was too busy hauling Heero from window to window to have caught Snape's comment.

"You'll have to forgive Duo, sir," Wufei stated, "he tends to get over-excited by a great many things.  It's just the way he is," he continued, not sounding quite so bothered by the idea as he would like people to think.  "He's a lot more intelligent than he lets show.  Don't let his antics fool you."  The short speech spoke volumes of the Chinese boy's hidden respect for the braided pilot.

"Ah!  Now 'ere we are, boys.  Ollivander's.  In yer go."  Hagrid said, holding the door open.  "Snape 'ere will wait with yer while I tend ter some other 'ogwarts business."

The young ex-pilots filed in, followed by a very disgruntled looking Snape.  "Hogwarts Business" was all that could be distinguished from the grumbling under his breath as the door closed.

The five teens stared in varied degrees of awe and curiosity around the small shop.  Not only was it small, but it was also quite cluttered.  Floor to ceiling shelves lined the room, filled with narrow boxes, presumably containing wands.  More boxes were piled in corners, on desktops, and in chairs.  There was obviously quite a bit of overflow.

"Uh, you sure this place *sells* wands?  Doesn't exactly look like a thriving business," Duo cracked in his usual fashion.

"Ah, now I bet that is Master Maxwell," an old man replied, echoing Duo's joking tone, coming out from behind one of the many fully stocked shelves.  "Dumbledore told me you boys would be coming by to get your wands.  A bit late for a first wand, but don't you worry, your wands are in here somewhere just waiting for you.   Now who's first?"

Duo leapt, no longer attempting to hide his excitement.  "ME!"

"Are you sure about that Mr. Maxwell?  A moment ago you were questioning the quality of my wands…" the older gentleman mocked gently.

"Well, ah, yea, see I was just kidding.  I mean, I…" Duo stumbled over his embarrassment. 

"It's quite alright Mr. Maxwell, let's find your wand."

"You can just call me Duo, and how is it you *know* my name?  Especially when I don't know yours,"  Duo asked, quickly forgetting his blunder.

"Well, now Duo, I know your name of course I know your name, because Professor Dumbledore *told* me all of your names.  You may call me Mr. Ollivander.  Now, shall we find a wand for you?"

"Yeah!" Duo said, appeased with the vague answer, and eager to try out his new wand.  Maybe give Mr. Cranky Pants a good Zippity-Do-Da right up his…

"Let's see, how about, yes let's try this one.  Unicorn hair and oak, 7 inches.  Very good wand for starting out," he said as he passed the wand to Duo.  "Well, don't just stand there, give it a good wave."

Duo looked at Mr. Ollivander cautiously for a moment, not exactly sure what to do.  Then, deciding to just go for it, he swung the wand in a wide art.   Sparks flew out of the wand and across the room.   They bounced off the walls from one side of the shop to the other, before flying through the store's front window, shattering it.

"Oh shit.  I'm sorry Mr. Ollivander, oh man, I'll pay for that.  I mean, oh man, oh man, I am soooo sorry," Duo said  in a rush, quickly handing the wand back to Mr. Ollivander.

"Oh. Well no, that just won't do.  Let's try this one," the old gentleman suggested, handing Duo a different wand.

"Uh sir, not so sure that's such a good idea …"

"Oh goodness, don't worry a silly thing like that window, happens all the time.  It's certainly not your fault, oh no.   The wand chooses the wizard my boy, not the other way around.  Now go on and give this wand a go."  Olivander insisted.

"Um, alright." Duo mumbled reluctantly.  Not exactly sure what the old man meant by all that 'wand choosing the wizard' crap, and not really wanting to blow up any more windows, he gave the wand a delicate swing and closed his eyes in apprehension.  He waited, ready to hear something explode any second.

Nothing happened.

No explosions.

No sparks.

Nothing.

He opened his eyes, and was greeted with Mr. Ollivander's butt wiggling around as he dug through one of the piles of wands on the floor.  The elder man was mumbling under his breath, though what exactly he was saying no one could tell.  Duo looked down at the wand in his hand; apparently this one was a dud.

"Duo, you my boy are quite a unique wizard.  And for that you need quite the unique wand.  I think I have just the wand for you."

Mr. Ollivander came forward and offered Duo a thick, very black wand.

"Rare ebony wood, 8 ½ inches long, with a very rare and unique centaur hair encased inside.  One of only two wands I have ever made with centaur hair.  Centaurs aren't exactly known for their generosity.  But then Nicholas wasn't your normal centaur either.  A black sheep, you might say.  Loved attention and quite enjoyed human company too.  Very spirited, that Nicholas.  Gives the wand quite an explosive combination, that it does.  But I'm carrying on now, aren't I?  Go on.  Give it a flick."

Duo eyed the wand with mounting suspicion.  After taking it from Ollivander, it had warmed in his hand.  He was surprised how comfortable and natural it felt there.  Like a long lost family member, a feeling it didn't he would ever feel until just now.  He gave it a confident flick of his wrist.

It glowed for a moment.  Duo thought he might have heard bells, like stars chattering amongst each other. 

"Ah yes, perfect!  Will be a very good wand for potions, if you have the penchant for that." 

Snape glowered from his position in the corner, but said nothing.

Unaware of the mortal enemy he was making out of the Potions Master, Ollivander continued, "Should have seen it right away.  Devilish prankster that you are, just like Nicholas.  Mind you don't go blowing up the potions lab like … well anyways, might have known you boys would be special.  Who do we have next?"

Quatre walked forward.  He was just as excited as Duo, but in a more subdued, awe-filled sort of way.

"Ah yes, Mr. Winner."

"Quatre, please."

"Yes, Quatre.  Well, let's see if we can find your wand…"  Olivander trailed off as he walked around the shop pulling out boxes here and there.  He brought a short stack over and handed the top one to Quatre.  "Let's try this phoenix feather and willow.  Go on, try it."

Quatre took the wand and looked at it for a moment before flicking it with his wrist just as Duo had with his.  As soon as he did an entire shelf of boxes fell to the floor with a loud clatter.

"Oh dear, I am very sorry Mr. Ollivander, let me …" Quatre apologized, moving to clean the mess up.

"No, no, don't worry about that.  Now here give this one a try."  He said handed Quatre a different wand.  "That one is unicorn and maple.  I'm sure…"

But Mr. Ollivander was interrupted by the sparks and purple smoke that had come flying out of the wand when Quatre had given it a small swish.

"Ah, well, maybe not.  But close.  Let me see, no, no… ah yes, here we are."  He spoke more to himself, it seemed, than anyone in the room, as he passed Quatre yet another wand.

The wand began to warm in his hand the moment Quatre touched it, and before he could try it, there was a soft glow surrounding him and the wand.  He looked in awe at his skin, as the light seemed to come from inside him for just a moment before softly fading away.

"How obvious!  I should have known from the beginning! Seven and ½ inches of pale birch and Unicorn hair from none other than Samsonite.  Very aged and wise unicorn, that stallion was.  I was very honored to have had the pleasure of his company on more than one occasion.  Why that miniature there on your shoulder is a likeness of one of his many sons.   Makes for a very strong and balanced wand, would make for an excellent counter to divination, which of course is not the most stable of magics.  Yes, a very good match indeed.

Now who is up next?"

Trowa stepped forward as Quatre walked back to stand with the others.  He wasn't as excited as Duo or Quatre, but he knew that neither Heero nor Wufei would voluntarily go next.

"Mr. Barton, what a pleasure to meet you.  Shall we see which wand is here for you?"

Trowa merely nodded and watched as Ollivander once more moved about the small shop pulling out wands.  De ja vu.  Soon Ollivander again had a small stack of wands, and was now handing the top one to Trowa.

"Alright.  Give this one a go.  Dragon heartstring and oak."

Trowa accepted the wand and gave it a small wave, except he was interrupted mid-arc by the front door opening and then slamming shut, very loudly.  Then the wand began to sputter out small clouds of smoke.

"I don't think this is a match sir," Trowa said good-naturedly, passing the wand back to Ollivander.

"No, no, definitely not.  Give this one a good swish," Ollivander replied, passing over another wand from the stack.

Trowa felt a small tingle course through him.  Before he could even give the wand a flick of his wrist, he knew it was the right one.  It felt right.  He gave a small graceful flick of his wrist and was rewarded with a small warm glow.

"Hmm, yet another surprise indeed, Phoenix feather and dark willow.  Eight inches long.  Not just any Phoenix feather, the feather in your wand belongs to the one and only brother of Fawkes, Dumbledore's noble companion.  Very well balanced wand.  Excellent for work in transfigurations.  Quite the intriguing match.   …now, who's next?"

Duo grabbed Heero and pushed him forward.  "C'mon Hee-chan.  It's fun!  I swear!"  Duo pleaded enthusiastically.

However, it was clear to everyone else in the room that, judging from the glare he shot at Duo, Heero was *not* convinced.

"Please, Hee-chan?"

Heero rolled his eyes and turned to Ollivander to await his fate.  As if he really could have said 'no' to the braided baka.

Ollivander's eyes seemed to twinkle knowingly as he looked at the two boys side by side. 

"Oh yes, I know *exactly* what wand to get for you.  Yes, yes, there is no doubt about it," he said as he rummaged around in the back of the shop, obviously looking for a particular wand.  After a moment[,] he turned back around, with just one box in hand and brought it over to Heero.  "I think this one will be the exact right match you" he said confidently.

Heero took the wand, looking suspiciously from Duo to Ollivander and back to the wand.

"C'mon Heero!  Give it a good swish!!"  Duo encouraged enthusiastically from his side.

Heero reluctantly swung the wand, a bit mechanically, but he gave it a swing nonetheless.  He felt it warm in his hand; the wand glowed for just the briefest of moments before returning to its normal state.

"Perfect.  Just as I thought!  *That* wand is the only other wand I made with Centaur hair.  Eight and ½ inches of nice smooth pale oak.  The centaur hair came from Jonathan, quite a quiet that one was, but boy did he create quite the scandal back in my day when he became the life long partner to Nicholas.   Odd pair those two were, to the outside world they seemed to be nothing but opposites.  But there was something there… well I'm rambling again aren't I?  It's a good wand.  Solid and patient.  You'll be able to do wonderful things in arithmancy with that wand.

Now I believe all we have left is Mr. Chang?"

Wufei stepped forward, any reluctance he might have had was completely undetectable under the confident persona he radiated.

"Yes, let's see what we can find for you, now shall we?"

Wufei merely raised his brow and waited for the elderly man to return with his stack of choices.

"Here we go, Unicorn hair inside solid maple."

Wufei took the wand and gave it a brittle wave; a long sparkling blue ball shot out of the end of the wand and flew right at Prof. Snape, who until now had remained quiet and unnoticed.  There was a large pop and some smoke fizzled away.  And there Prof. Snape stood with two perfectly braided pigtails right behind each ear.

Duo cackled at the sight, "Oh Wu-man, that's GREAT!  Not only do you braid your future teacher's hair, but you go and turn it bright pink!  Oh gods, that's priceless!!!" he continued to cackle in near tears. 

Trowa, too, seemed to have a hard time containing his laughter.  It was not everyday that you saw our rigid fellow pilot braid and color someone's hair.   Quatre was behind Trowa, chuckling into his back, hoping not to be noticed by the professor or Wufei.  Heero wasn't laughing, but his eyes were.

Wufei's ears were tinged a very dark red as me mumbled a humble apology to the ruffled professor, who had thus far not said one word.  Snape, however, was not glaring at him, instead he was shooting daggers at Duo, who was now on the floor still cackling loudly, with tears streaming down his cheeks. 

Snape pulled out his wand and with a stiff flick of his wrist and a few mumbled words returned his hair back to its stringy, black state.

"Well that certainly won't do for a wand, now will it?  Here give this one a go," Ollivander said, going on as if nothing peculiar had just happened.

Wufei took the wand.  Still a bit embarrassed by the antics of his last wand, he gave this wand a far more subdued swing.  This time the windows and doors of the shop rattled, making the most unbearable of noises any of them had the displeasure of hearing.

"No, no, no.  That won't do at all.  Try this one," Ollivander said, shoving yet another wand into Wufei's hand.

Thoroughly disgusted with his luck thus far, Wufei gave an impatient little flick to the wand in his hand and was rewarded by a regiment of boxes flying back and forth across the room like gunfire, sending everyone to the floor for cover.

"No, no, no …"

* * *  Much later …  * * *

"Jeeze, Wufei would ya find a wand already!  This place looks like a battlefield!"  Duo whined.

Wufei glared at Duo.  As if he were purposely trying to go through every wand in the shop!

"Alright, give this one a go," Ollivander said, passing over yet another wand, not sounding one bit tired.  If anything he seemed to get happier the longer it took.

Duo groaned loudly.

Wufei gave the wand a weary swish and was rewarded with a shower of sparks and a cloud of soot to the face.

"Oh yea Wu-chan *that's* the look.  Great coverage!"

Wufei shot daggers at Duo and then looked meaningfully at Heero, making promises of death to the Wing pilot's lover if he didn't shut up. He handed the wand back to Ollivander and awaited the next sadistic torture instrument he would be given.

Ollivander wandered around the shop looking at the few boxes still left on the shelves and digging through the piles on the floor here and there.  Every once in awhile he would pick up a wand and consider it for a moment before putting it back down.

"Something rare.  Something unique."  He muttered as he went.  "Let's see.  What do I have… Oh yes!  I know!  Of course, why didn't I remember it before?  Well, of course, it's been so very long that I've had it, but still, yes, yes …" he rambled excitedly, now digging through the piles with an obvious purpose.

"There it is, almost forgot I had this wand.  For this wand has waited a very long time for its master.  Seven inches, deep red pine, and the heartstring of one of the oldest Chinese Dragons, Draconous himself.  This wand has waited many centuries my dear boy, many, many centuries," he said as he handed the wand to Wufei.  "Very strong, very *old* magic in the wand, perfect for work with the Dark Arts." He said just a bit menacingly.

Wufei watched in amazement as the wand glowed softly in his hand, not even hearing Mr. Ollivander anymore.  The soft slow warmed his hand.  The wand belonged in his hand.  It felt comfortable.  It felt right.

Mr. Ollivander watched Wufei's face as the wand claimed him as its master.  The look on his face wasn't very readable, but it seemed to be some form of surprise, or maybe satisfaction.

"Or maybe that wand has another purpose for you."  Ollivander added, now with a twinkle in his eye.  "Something different indeed."