Chapter #3-- Without a Wand
Rushing to keep up, Eric pranced along Mr. Dolus's side; he was absolutely ecstatic.
"Go on boy, I've business to attend to. I'll see you next year if they don't allow you to stay over the holidays." Mr. Dolus remarked apathetically, his narrow eyes fixed on an older gentleman who stood in the corner; a large black hood veiling his narrow face.
"Right, b..." Eric was about to question, but Mr. Dolus had already vanished; presumably conversing with the older man he eyed in the corner. Slightly confused, Eric wandered inside the building his caretaker had pointed to.
"Welcome to the Leaky Cauldron!" An older man greeted, his murky gray eyes beaming. Slightly weary, Eric glanced around. There were people everywhere, some wearing a shirt and pants just like him, others in lavishly decorated cloaks and robes of all colors. There was even someone dressed similar to Mr. Dolus. "Would you like a butter-beer young man; you look exhausted." The clerk offered; his gray eyes now focused directly on Eric.
"No... I'm fine, but would you be able to tell me how to get to..." Eric paused and checked his supply list again. "Diagon Alley." He finished. Grinning, the clerk went to fetch something from behind him.
Eric glanced around the room once more and noticed a few people were now staring at him; he quickly turned away as not to bring too much attention to himself.
"Here, a butter-beer on the house." The clerk beamed, than set the large mug on the counter.
"Oh... thanks, but..." Eric stopped, the older man interrupting him.
"Drink, you'll like it." The clerk grinned, his spirit clearly in the mood of giving. Not wanting to offend his new friend, Eric put the mug up to his lips and took a large gulp. It was heaven. Soothing warmth filled his body as all the worries of the past day flittered away in bubbles of froth and sugar. Wishing this sensation would never end, Eric finished; downing the rest in one quick gulp.
"Thank you very much sir." Eric said as he placed a galleon in the clerk's hand for his service.
Gazing at the small gold coin in his hand, the clerk grinned again and gave it back to Eric. "You keep it. You've got a long day ahead of you... well, with school supplies and all." The clerk laughed; his gray eyes wide with joy.
"T-thanks." Eric replied. Apparently quite shocked that someone was actually giving him something without wanting anything in return. After all, the only reason Mr. Dolus gave him money, was to prevent people from thinking he was raised by some 'unmentionable'... as he put it.
"You're most welcome... and now, what was it you wanted to know. Oh yes, Diagon... follow me." The clerk beamed and led Eric to a large wall made of dusty gray stones. Clearly perplexed, Eric gazed at the wall. "You just tap it like this, and... there." The clerk grinned as the stones began to fold in on themselves, than opened to reveal a small street filled with bustling witches and wizards. Eric was astonished, never before had he thought such things could exist; with the exception of fantasy of course. "Well, go on in... you've got a big day ahead of you." The old man smiled, than sealed the wall behind him.
"Alright, first I need to get my school uniform. Now, where can I find that?" Eric questioned to himself, than located Madam Malkin's Robes for all Occasions. Once inside, Eric found himself in the company of a middle aged woman with rather messy brown hair. "Hello." He greeted, than proceed to pull out his supply list again. He really wasn't good at remembering things which were of such a shocking nature and wearing wizard's robes, or buying a wand defiantly qualified as shocking. At least it was to someone like him. He had no idea about magic and was just as unsure about those who practiced it.
Hello, what can I do for you young man?" Malkin questioned. Eric promptly handed her his supply list; which was now quite creased due to spending so much time in and out of this pockets.
"Ah, alright... three black school robes. It'll just be a moment." Malkin rushed into a back room, than came out with three robes which were jet-black in color. "Now we just need to fit you." She remarked, her hair falling in clumpy curls. Malkin was just about to grab Eric by the hand, when Eric groaned and told her he would rather not be touched. Slightly confused, Malkin agreed and had Eric follow her instead. "My you're a tall one." She grinned, than tapped her wand around the areas which were too short or sagged. Soon she admired her handy-work and tilled up the prices. "That's three for the robes, two for the gloves and one for the hat... anything else?" She questioned.
"Yes... a winter cloak." Eric replied as Madam Malkin raised her wand and conjured several cloaks in front of him.
"We have black, red, blue, yellow and purple. Which one do you think would suit you?" Malkin questioned.
"What about that one over there?" Eric prompted as his eyes fell on a particularly expensive green cloak. Malkin eyed him suspiciously than waved her wand again.
"I'll take it!" Eric shouted as he examined the robe's workmanship.
"Very well, that's seven for the cloak and one extra for being particular". Eric quickly gave her the appropriate amount and wandered outside.
"Quite the purchase you got there boy." A young voice remarked. Turning around, Eric faced the boy. He was about one year older than himself with sleek blond hair and black robes.
"Uhh, yea... thanks." Eric responded with a half grin.
"Malfoy... Argen Malfoy." he said in introduction as they both shook hands. "And you?" He asked grimly; apparently trying not to show his lack of enthusiasm.
"Eric." Eric responded with a small bow.
"Oh, don't you have a last name?" Malfoy sneered.
"Uhh, no... I lost it a long time ago." Eric said as he gazed at his list again. "You are welcomed to come with me while I do my shopping; I've got quite a bit left you know." Eric finished, hoping that Malfoy would get the hint and leave him alone.
"Uhh, no thanks, I've got other things to do. Nice meeting you, see you on the train." Malfoy said as he strutted off into the shadows.
"Alright, next is Olivander's. I hope that does not take as long as my trip into Madam Malkin's place". Eric reminded himself, than strode into Olivander's. Olivander's was a rather dusty place with small boxes in every shape, color and size. "Hello? Mr. Olivander?" Eric yelled, hoping someone would answer him. Hearing rustling in the back, Eric walked up closer to a large wooden desk situated in the center of the room. "Mr. Olivander?" Eric called again, this time being greeted by a dusty old man with short gray hair.
"Hello, welcome to Olivander's Wands... how may I help you?" The man questioned, his mouth curving in a pleased smile. Eric handed Olivander his list, than crammed his hands back into his pockets.
"Ahh, your first wand... very well, let me see." The man smiled again and limped over to one of the shelves containing thin, dusty brown boxes. "Well... give it a flick." Olivander requested, than ducked as two very large chunks of ceramic almost hit him.
"I'm sorry, I'll pay for it." Eric apologized, seeing the broken vase that lay in the corner.
"No need. The wand just wasn't for you; the wand chooses the wizard you know, not the other way around." Olivander stated, than handed Eric another wand. "Dragon scale and willow-pine; twelve inches and great for charms... go on, try it out." Olivander grinned, than threw his arms up to protect himself as several boxes flew out of their shelves. "Defiantly not..." He remarked wearily.
After trying every wand in the entire store, Eric became a little annoyed. At least only five of the wands made things explode, while the rest simply did nothing. The old man conjured up two chairs, than told Eric to sit down and did likewise.
"My young friend, you have tried every single wand in my shop and none seem to have picked you. Two even exploded. I've never seen anything like this before and I must say it worries me." Mr. Olivander spoke, than dismissed Eric from his shop. Eric glanced back at Mr. Olivander who was visibly shaken, than went to get his other supplies. How on earth was he ever to become a wizard now; he didn't even have a wand.
Rushing to keep up, Eric pranced along Mr. Dolus's side; he was absolutely ecstatic.
"Go on boy, I've business to attend to. I'll see you next year if they don't allow you to stay over the holidays." Mr. Dolus remarked apathetically, his narrow eyes fixed on an older gentleman who stood in the corner; a large black hood veiling his narrow face.
"Right, b..." Eric was about to question, but Mr. Dolus had already vanished; presumably conversing with the older man he eyed in the corner. Slightly confused, Eric wandered inside the building his caretaker had pointed to.
"Welcome to the Leaky Cauldron!" An older man greeted, his murky gray eyes beaming. Slightly weary, Eric glanced around. There were people everywhere, some wearing a shirt and pants just like him, others in lavishly decorated cloaks and robes of all colors. There was even someone dressed similar to Mr. Dolus. "Would you like a butter-beer young man; you look exhausted." The clerk offered; his gray eyes now focused directly on Eric.
"No... I'm fine, but would you be able to tell me how to get to..." Eric paused and checked his supply list again. "Diagon Alley." He finished. Grinning, the clerk went to fetch something from behind him.
Eric glanced around the room once more and noticed a few people were now staring at him; he quickly turned away as not to bring too much attention to himself.
"Here, a butter-beer on the house." The clerk beamed, than set the large mug on the counter.
"Oh... thanks, but..." Eric stopped, the older man interrupting him.
"Drink, you'll like it." The clerk grinned, his spirit clearly in the mood of giving. Not wanting to offend his new friend, Eric put the mug up to his lips and took a large gulp. It was heaven. Soothing warmth filled his body as all the worries of the past day flittered away in bubbles of froth and sugar. Wishing this sensation would never end, Eric finished; downing the rest in one quick gulp.
"Thank you very much sir." Eric said as he placed a galleon in the clerk's hand for his service.
Gazing at the small gold coin in his hand, the clerk grinned again and gave it back to Eric. "You keep it. You've got a long day ahead of you... well, with school supplies and all." The clerk laughed; his gray eyes wide with joy.
"T-thanks." Eric replied. Apparently quite shocked that someone was actually giving him something without wanting anything in return. After all, the only reason Mr. Dolus gave him money, was to prevent people from thinking he was raised by some 'unmentionable'... as he put it.
"You're most welcome... and now, what was it you wanted to know. Oh yes, Diagon... follow me." The clerk beamed and led Eric to a large wall made of dusty gray stones. Clearly perplexed, Eric gazed at the wall. "You just tap it like this, and... there." The clerk grinned as the stones began to fold in on themselves, than opened to reveal a small street filled with bustling witches and wizards. Eric was astonished, never before had he thought such things could exist; with the exception of fantasy of course. "Well, go on in... you've got a big day ahead of you." The old man smiled, than sealed the wall behind him.
"Alright, first I need to get my school uniform. Now, where can I find that?" Eric questioned to himself, than located Madam Malkin's Robes for all Occasions. Once inside, Eric found himself in the company of a middle aged woman with rather messy brown hair. "Hello." He greeted, than proceed to pull out his supply list again. He really wasn't good at remembering things which were of such a shocking nature and wearing wizard's robes, or buying a wand defiantly qualified as shocking. At least it was to someone like him. He had no idea about magic and was just as unsure about those who practiced it.
Hello, what can I do for you young man?" Malkin questioned. Eric promptly handed her his supply list; which was now quite creased due to spending so much time in and out of this pockets.
"Ah, alright... three black school robes. It'll just be a moment." Malkin rushed into a back room, than came out with three robes which were jet-black in color. "Now we just need to fit you." She remarked, her hair falling in clumpy curls. Malkin was just about to grab Eric by the hand, when Eric groaned and told her he would rather not be touched. Slightly confused, Malkin agreed and had Eric follow her instead. "My you're a tall one." She grinned, than tapped her wand around the areas which were too short or sagged. Soon she admired her handy-work and tilled up the prices. "That's three for the robes, two for the gloves and one for the hat... anything else?" She questioned.
"Yes... a winter cloak." Eric replied as Madam Malkin raised her wand and conjured several cloaks in front of him.
"We have black, red, blue, yellow and purple. Which one do you think would suit you?" Malkin questioned.
"What about that one over there?" Eric prompted as his eyes fell on a particularly expensive green cloak. Malkin eyed him suspiciously than waved her wand again.
"I'll take it!" Eric shouted as he examined the robe's workmanship.
"Very well, that's seven for the cloak and one extra for being particular". Eric quickly gave her the appropriate amount and wandered outside.
"Quite the purchase you got there boy." A young voice remarked. Turning around, Eric faced the boy. He was about one year older than himself with sleek blond hair and black robes.
"Uhh, yea... thanks." Eric responded with a half grin.
"Malfoy... Argen Malfoy." he said in introduction as they both shook hands. "And you?" He asked grimly; apparently trying not to show his lack of enthusiasm.
"Eric." Eric responded with a small bow.
"Oh, don't you have a last name?" Malfoy sneered.
"Uhh, no... I lost it a long time ago." Eric said as he gazed at his list again. "You are welcomed to come with me while I do my shopping; I've got quite a bit left you know." Eric finished, hoping that Malfoy would get the hint and leave him alone.
"Uhh, no thanks, I've got other things to do. Nice meeting you, see you on the train." Malfoy said as he strutted off into the shadows.
"Alright, next is Olivander's. I hope that does not take as long as my trip into Madam Malkin's place". Eric reminded himself, than strode into Olivander's. Olivander's was a rather dusty place with small boxes in every shape, color and size. "Hello? Mr. Olivander?" Eric yelled, hoping someone would answer him. Hearing rustling in the back, Eric walked up closer to a large wooden desk situated in the center of the room. "Mr. Olivander?" Eric called again, this time being greeted by a dusty old man with short gray hair.
"Hello, welcome to Olivander's Wands... how may I help you?" The man questioned, his mouth curving in a pleased smile. Eric handed Olivander his list, than crammed his hands back into his pockets.
"Ahh, your first wand... very well, let me see." The man smiled again and limped over to one of the shelves containing thin, dusty brown boxes. "Well... give it a flick." Olivander requested, than ducked as two very large chunks of ceramic almost hit him.
"I'm sorry, I'll pay for it." Eric apologized, seeing the broken vase that lay in the corner.
"No need. The wand just wasn't for you; the wand chooses the wizard you know, not the other way around." Olivander stated, than handed Eric another wand. "Dragon scale and willow-pine; twelve inches and great for charms... go on, try it out." Olivander grinned, than threw his arms up to protect himself as several boxes flew out of their shelves. "Defiantly not..." He remarked wearily.
After trying every wand in the entire store, Eric became a little annoyed. At least only five of the wands made things explode, while the rest simply did nothing. The old man conjured up two chairs, than told Eric to sit down and did likewise.
"My young friend, you have tried every single wand in my shop and none seem to have picked you. Two even exploded. I've never seen anything like this before and I must say it worries me." Mr. Olivander spoke, than dismissed Eric from his shop. Eric glanced back at Mr. Olivander who was visibly shaken, than went to get his other supplies. How on earth was he ever to become a wizard now; he didn't even have a wand.
