This is my very first ficcy. Any help with plot, ect. would be appreciated.
Disclaimer: Locations and some characters belong to J.K. Rowling. This story was given to me by my friend, Sarah. If you have read something written by Silly Little Kitty Cat (who is no longer on ffn) this is her story, changed quite a bit, but it was written with her full and complete permission. Athenaia, Michael, and Stephanie Smith are her characters. The rest were all created by either me or Ms. Rowling.
Enjoy!
**********
Ten-year-old Athenaia Smith rushed around the campground. Her shoulder- length, auburn hair flew along after her. Picking up her black cat, Shadow, which was somewhat difficult because of a large envelope in her hand, she raced towards her the tent to find her mother. They were camped out at the site of the Quidditch World Cup. The game had just ended and Athenaia and her family were walking back to the tent. An owl that had an important, smug look on its face, had just delivered a letter holding the Hogwarts crest. Athenaia was so excited that she almost stepped on a large Gray owl. It was lying on the ground with a hurt wing. Mr. Smith healed it quickly, but it wouldn't leave.
"Guess what, Mum! I've been accepted at Hogwarts!" Athenaia cried, bursting into the tent, "Just like you and dad! I made it!" She showed her mother the still unopened envelope. Mrs. Smith was just a larger version of Athenaia with her auburn hair, azure eyes, cream colored skin, and a tall frame. When Mrs. Smith heard the news she bent down and gave her daughter a big hug.
"Athena, that's great! I knew that you'd make it! Your father will be so pleased! Who's this?? she asked seeing the owl for the first time.
"Oh! He had a broken wing and dad fixed it and now it followed me home!"
"Well, I guess we?re keeping it then. What did you name her?"
"Rana."
"Frog? Ok, well, just hope that no one understands Ancient Muggle Languages. Rana stays home, too. She'll be a family owl."
"Ok, Mum, can I bring Shady with me to Hogwarts? Please?"
"Well, let's just take a look at the letter, shall we?"
Athena pulled the letter out and read:
HOGWARTS SCHOOL
of WITCHCRAFT and WIZARDRY
Headmaster: Albus Dumbledore
(Order of Merlin, First Class, Grand Sorcerer, Chief Warlock,
Supreme Mugwump, International Confederation of Wizards)
Dear Ms. Smith,
We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please find enclosed a list of all necessary books and equipment.
Term begins on September 1. We await your owl by no later than July 31.
Yours sincerely,
Minerva McGonagall,
Deputy Headmistress
"Isn?t this great?" Athena asked her mom, "I get to go to Hogwarts! I've been saving up all my money to just buy my school supplies! This is fantastic!"
"Calm down dear," came the reply, "Look at the supply list."
Athena opened another, larger, piece of parchment. It read:
HOGWARTS SCHOOL
of WITCHCRAFT and WIZARDRY
UNIFORM
First-year students will require:
1. Three sets of plain work robes (black)
2. One plain pointed hat (black) for day wear
3. One pair of protective gloves (dragon hide or similar)
4. One winter cloak (black, silver fastenings)
Please note that all pupils? clothes should carry name tags
COURSE BOOKS
All students should have a copy of each of the following:
The Standard Book of Spells (Grade 1) by Miranda Goshawk
A History of Magic by Bathilda Bagshot
Magical Theory by Adalbert Waffling
A Beginners? Guide to Transfiguration by Emeric Switch
One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi by Phyllida Spore
Magical Drafts and Potions by Arsenius Jigger
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them by Newt Scamander
The Dark Forces: A Guide to Self Protection by Quentin Trimble
OTHER EQUIPMENT
1 wand
1 cauldron (pewter, standard size 2)
1 set glass or crystal phials
1 telescope
1 set brass scales
Students may also bring an owl OR a cat OR a toad
PARENTS ARE REMINDED THAT FIRST YEARS ARE NOT ALLOWED THEIR OWN BROOMSTICKS
"Mum! It says we can bring a cat! Please, can I bring Shady? PLEASE?" Athena pestered
"Oh, all right," her mom conceded.
"YES!"
"BUT!" Athena groaned. "You must provide her food and take good care of her. She is your responsibility. If she gets lost or runs off, then I guess you won't have a cat."
"I'll take really good care of her," Athena said, "I promise."
"Okay, now that this is settled," Mrs. Smith said, "Off to bed!"
"But Mum-"
"No excuses! It's almost eleven thirty. Go!"
"Okay, 'night Mum!"
"Sleep tight Athena, we'll get your stuff in the morning." Mrs. Smith tied a reply to Professor Dumbledore onto Rana's leg and sent her into the night.
Athena awoke the next day extremely excited. She was going to Hogwarts! In a day she would be on the Hogwarts Express! Athena pulled on a powder blue robe, and hurried outside. Her mother was waiting for her.
"Come on! We've got to make it to Diagon Alley before we run out of time to buy your things."
Athena hurried around the tent and grabbed her broomstick, a Cleansweep Seven. "Can we fly there?"
"No," her mother replied, "We might be seen by Muggles."
"Oh," Athena sounded disappointed, "How are we going to get there then?"
"Floo Powder."
"Okay. Is Dad coming?"
"No, he has to take Ares and Artemis home."
"Good morning, my lovely witches," Mr. Smith had come outside, "How are you two doing today?" Mr. Smith was a tall, muscular man who had dull, red hair with just a tint of brown. His green eyes were twinkling.
"Fine, Dad. I got accepted to Hogwarts!" Athena said with a huge grin on her face. "Isn't that great!" She hadn't shown her dad the envelope on the way back to the tent.
"It sure is," said Athena's nine-year-old brother, Ares, standing at the tent flap. Ares looked just like their father except that he had brown eyes and his skin was lighter.
"Good morning Ares," Chorused Athena, her parents, and her seven-year-old sister, Artemis, who had just walked outside. Artemis had the same color skin as her parents and sister, but her hair was strawberry blonde and she had startling ice blue eyes. She also had the smallest build of them all. Athena's parents loved Muggle mythology, so they named their children after the Muggle's ancient gods and goddesses.
"Come on Athena," said Mrs. Smith, "we have to get to Diagon Alley."
"Why?" asked Artemis.
"Because," Ares said matter-of-factly, "Our older sister was just accepted to Hogwarts and we have to get her stuff."
Artemis stuck her tongue out at her older brother. "Does that mean you'll get to meet Harry Potter!?!" she said, turning to Athena, "That's so cool!"
"Come on ," Mrs. Smith said impatiently, "lets go!"
They walked to the fireplace where Mr. Smith had raised his wand and murmured something Athena could never hear, no matter how many times she had seen him light the fireplace. A fire leaped into being in the fireplace, and Athena took a pinch of Floo Powder, threw it into the fireplace, and walked straight in shouting, "Diagon Alley!"
Athena watched the lights swirl around her. She was used to traveling with Floo Powder, but it always seemed somewhat dizzying. Before she could count to ten, she was in Diagon Alley. The many shops surrounded her as she landed. Athena moved to the side for her mother, then took out her Hogwarts supply list. She decided that she should just go down the list in order to get her stuff, but first was a trip to Gringotts, the local wizarding bank, to get her money. The Gringotts bank was a towering, snow white building with bronze doors. Athena liked the poem that was inscribed on the silver inner doors of the bank. She had it memorized.
Enter, stranger, but take heed
Of what awaits the sin of greed,
For those who take, but do not earn,
Must pay most dearly in their turn.
So if you seek beneath our floors
A treasure that was never yours,
Thief, you have been warned, beware
Of finding more than treasure there.
As soon as she was done reciting the poem to herself, her mother popped up behind her.
"Well, Athena," Mrs. Smith asked, "where to first?"
"Gringotts," she answered grinning, "I have to get my gold."
They walked down the road and stopped in front of a Gringotts goblin.
"I've come to take some gold out of my safe," Athena told the goblin, "Number one thousand three hundred and thirty nine."
"Do you have your key?" the goblin questioned.
"It's right here," she said, holding it up.
"Very well then," the goblin motioned them towards a corridor, "follow me."
The trip down was thrilling for Athena. She had always enjoyed those Muggle rides called, 'roller coasters,' and this was just the same to her. When they got to her safe, Athena grabbed a couple handfuls of Galleons, Sickles, and Knuts. She had saved up to about two hundred Galleons throughout her ten--almost eleven--years of life. Her birthday happened to be on September fourth, three days after her train ride to school.
"Madame Malkin's," Athena said pointing as soon as they came out of Gringotts. As soon as she walked into the shop, she was greeted by a squat witch who seemed to be smiling perpetually.
"Hogwarts?? she asked, "Just come right over here." She motioned Athena to a footstool and slid a robe over her head. First she pinned the sleeves and hem to the right length, then sewed them. After that, the witch took Athena to another room and gave her a hat and a winter cloak that was at the same length of her new robes. Finally, she gave Athena a pair of dragon hide gloves and Athena paid for everything.
Athena emerged from Madam Malkin's only to find her dad and siblings there as well as her mum. Mr. Smith explained that since it was only a fifteen minute car trip home from the Quidditch field, that he figured that they'd meet up with Athena as soon as they could.
Athena smiled and said, "Well, then you can help me find my books at Flourish and Botts," and headed off into another store. Once her whole family was in there, she gave everyone orders. "Mum, The Standard Book of Spells, Grade one by Miranda Goshawk and A History of Magic by Bathilda Bagshot. Dad, Magical Theory by Adalbery Waffling and A Beginners? Guide to Transfiguration by Emeric Switch. Ares, One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi by Phyllida Spore and Magical Drafts and Potions by Arsenius Jigger."
"Yes Ma'am!" Ares replied sarcastically.
"Just get my books!" Athena retorted handing a bag to Artemis. "Artemis, can you get me ten rolls of parchment, three quills, and a bottle of color-changing ink?"
"Sure!" Artemis said and bounced off.
Athena sighed. Artemis thought that Athena was the greatest thing in the world, next to Harry Potter, and was determined to do almost anything she said. Shaking her head, Athena headed off to find Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them by Newt Scamander and The Dark Forces: A Guide to Self-Protection by Quentin Trimble.
Athena met her family in the middle of the store. Collecting all her books and telling Ares to take some rolls of parchment from Artemis, Athena paid for her books and crossed the street to the cauldron shop where she bought her cauldron, scales, and a telescope. Dumping all her purchases into her cauldron, Athena dragged her family down the street to the Apothecary. She needed some basic potion ingredients as well as some crystal phials to hold them (glass would have just been knocked over and broken by Shady).
Last, but not least, they trudged down to Ollivander's Wand Shop. Here they were greeted by an old man with wide, pale eyes. As soon as she entered the shop he stood up and went to her parents.
"Michael," he shook her dad's hand. "twelve inches, dragon heartstring, dogwood, rather inflexible, right?"
"That's the one!" Mr. Smith said laughing.
"And my dear Stephanie," he said turning to Athena's mother, "eleven and a half inches, cedar, phoenix feather, kind of springy?"
"You do remember every wand you sell!" exclaimed Mrs. Smith.
"Of course," he replied, "And here's young Athenaia Smith," he said, turning towards her. "Well, we'd better get your measurements." The tape measure took her measurements while Mr. Ollivander raced to the other side of the room and grabbed a box, saying, "Every Ollivander wand has a core of a powerful magical substance. We use unicorn hairs, phoenix tail feathers, and the heartstrings of dragons. No two Ollivander wands are the same, just as no two unicorns, dragons, or phoenixes are quite the same. And of course, you will never get such good results with another witch's wand."
When he returned he set the box down in front of her, and the tape measurer stopped. Opening the box, Mr. Ollivander let Athena see what was in it. It was full of wands! Athena had never seen so many wands before in her life! Mr. Ollivander picked up a wand and told her to give it a wave. Just before Athena could raise her arm, Mr. Ollivander took it back.
"Try this one," Mr. Ollivander handed her a wand, "ten and a quarter inches, beechwood, unicorn hair, somewhat whippy. No," he said and grabbed it back. They tried out about twenty more wands until Mr. Ollivander held up and examined a rather pretty, shiny, mother-of-pearl colored wand. "Why not?" said Mr. Ollivander and held it out to her, saying, "eleven and three quarter inches, birch, unicorn hair, pliable." When Athena held this wand up in the air, it sent a shower of sparks over her, Mr. Ollivander, and her family.
"Interesting combination," Mr. Ollivander said, "that's the only birch wand that I have. And I have a lot of wands. That's the only combination that birch will work with. and only because the unicorn that gave the hair for this wand happened to stick its horn into the trunk of the tree. That's why the wood looks like a pearl. It was only a foal too. The wand length is the length of the unicorn's horn. If you were to rip this wand apart, don't really break it, I'm just giving an example, the hair in the core would be golden, not white."
"Oooh!" cried Artemis, "Can I hold your wand Athena? Please?"
"Go on," Mr. Ollivander told Athena, "she's too young to do any lasting damage."
Athena handed Artemis her wand and Artemis started holding it like it would shatter if she held it too tightly. Artemis was holding it so close to her face that Athena could see the wand sparkling in her sister's eyes.
"It's so pretty!" she exclaimed running one hand gently along the edge, "and smooth too. It doesn't just look like a pearl, it feels like a pearl too!"
"Do you have a wand care kit?" Athena asked, "I want to keep my wand in good condition."
"Yes, we do," Mr. Ollivander said, "Right behind the shelf with all the boxes."
Athena went and grabbed one of the kits, paying eight Galleons for both and thanking Mr. Ollivander, and walked out of the store. Her family followed after her.
"Who wants ice cream?" Mr. Smith asked, "My treat."
They all ate ice cream sundaes and then it was time to head on home. Athena took a pinch of Floo Powder and threw it into the Diagon Alley fireplace. After stepping forward and shouting, "Tempi Michael!" Athena was back in her fireplace.
It was only one more night until Athena had to go to school. She packed all of her stuff into a Hogwarts trunk that she had received after visiting Ollivander's, and went to bed with Shady curled up beside her.
Disclaimer: Locations and some characters belong to J.K. Rowling. This story was given to me by my friend, Sarah. If you have read something written by Silly Little Kitty Cat (who is no longer on ffn) this is her story, changed quite a bit, but it was written with her full and complete permission. Athenaia, Michael, and Stephanie Smith are her characters. The rest were all created by either me or Ms. Rowling.
Enjoy!
**********
Ten-year-old Athenaia Smith rushed around the campground. Her shoulder- length, auburn hair flew along after her. Picking up her black cat, Shadow, which was somewhat difficult because of a large envelope in her hand, she raced towards her the tent to find her mother. They were camped out at the site of the Quidditch World Cup. The game had just ended and Athenaia and her family were walking back to the tent. An owl that had an important, smug look on its face, had just delivered a letter holding the Hogwarts crest. Athenaia was so excited that she almost stepped on a large Gray owl. It was lying on the ground with a hurt wing. Mr. Smith healed it quickly, but it wouldn't leave.
"Guess what, Mum! I've been accepted at Hogwarts!" Athenaia cried, bursting into the tent, "Just like you and dad! I made it!" She showed her mother the still unopened envelope. Mrs. Smith was just a larger version of Athenaia with her auburn hair, azure eyes, cream colored skin, and a tall frame. When Mrs. Smith heard the news she bent down and gave her daughter a big hug.
"Athena, that's great! I knew that you'd make it! Your father will be so pleased! Who's this?? she asked seeing the owl for the first time.
"Oh! He had a broken wing and dad fixed it and now it followed me home!"
"Well, I guess we?re keeping it then. What did you name her?"
"Rana."
"Frog? Ok, well, just hope that no one understands Ancient Muggle Languages. Rana stays home, too. She'll be a family owl."
"Ok, Mum, can I bring Shady with me to Hogwarts? Please?"
"Well, let's just take a look at the letter, shall we?"
Athena pulled the letter out and read:
HOGWARTS SCHOOL
of WITCHCRAFT and WIZARDRY
Headmaster: Albus Dumbledore
(Order of Merlin, First Class, Grand Sorcerer, Chief Warlock,
Supreme Mugwump, International Confederation of Wizards)
Dear Ms. Smith,
We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please find enclosed a list of all necessary books and equipment.
Term begins on September 1. We await your owl by no later than July 31.
Yours sincerely,
Minerva McGonagall,
Deputy Headmistress
"Isn?t this great?" Athena asked her mom, "I get to go to Hogwarts! I've been saving up all my money to just buy my school supplies! This is fantastic!"
"Calm down dear," came the reply, "Look at the supply list."
Athena opened another, larger, piece of parchment. It read:
HOGWARTS SCHOOL
of WITCHCRAFT and WIZARDRY
UNIFORM
First-year students will require:
1. Three sets of plain work robes (black)
2. One plain pointed hat (black) for day wear
3. One pair of protective gloves (dragon hide or similar)
4. One winter cloak (black, silver fastenings)
Please note that all pupils? clothes should carry name tags
COURSE BOOKS
All students should have a copy of each of the following:
The Standard Book of Spells (Grade 1) by Miranda Goshawk
A History of Magic by Bathilda Bagshot
Magical Theory by Adalbert Waffling
A Beginners? Guide to Transfiguration by Emeric Switch
One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi by Phyllida Spore
Magical Drafts and Potions by Arsenius Jigger
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them by Newt Scamander
The Dark Forces: A Guide to Self Protection by Quentin Trimble
OTHER EQUIPMENT
1 wand
1 cauldron (pewter, standard size 2)
1 set glass or crystal phials
1 telescope
1 set brass scales
Students may also bring an owl OR a cat OR a toad
PARENTS ARE REMINDED THAT FIRST YEARS ARE NOT ALLOWED THEIR OWN BROOMSTICKS
"Mum! It says we can bring a cat! Please, can I bring Shady? PLEASE?" Athena pestered
"Oh, all right," her mom conceded.
"YES!"
"BUT!" Athena groaned. "You must provide her food and take good care of her. She is your responsibility. If she gets lost or runs off, then I guess you won't have a cat."
"I'll take really good care of her," Athena said, "I promise."
"Okay, now that this is settled," Mrs. Smith said, "Off to bed!"
"But Mum-"
"No excuses! It's almost eleven thirty. Go!"
"Okay, 'night Mum!"
"Sleep tight Athena, we'll get your stuff in the morning." Mrs. Smith tied a reply to Professor Dumbledore onto Rana's leg and sent her into the night.
Athena awoke the next day extremely excited. She was going to Hogwarts! In a day she would be on the Hogwarts Express! Athena pulled on a powder blue robe, and hurried outside. Her mother was waiting for her.
"Come on! We've got to make it to Diagon Alley before we run out of time to buy your things."
Athena hurried around the tent and grabbed her broomstick, a Cleansweep Seven. "Can we fly there?"
"No," her mother replied, "We might be seen by Muggles."
"Oh," Athena sounded disappointed, "How are we going to get there then?"
"Floo Powder."
"Okay. Is Dad coming?"
"No, he has to take Ares and Artemis home."
"Good morning, my lovely witches," Mr. Smith had come outside, "How are you two doing today?" Mr. Smith was a tall, muscular man who had dull, red hair with just a tint of brown. His green eyes were twinkling.
"Fine, Dad. I got accepted to Hogwarts!" Athena said with a huge grin on her face. "Isn't that great!" She hadn't shown her dad the envelope on the way back to the tent.
"It sure is," said Athena's nine-year-old brother, Ares, standing at the tent flap. Ares looked just like their father except that he had brown eyes and his skin was lighter.
"Good morning Ares," Chorused Athena, her parents, and her seven-year-old sister, Artemis, who had just walked outside. Artemis had the same color skin as her parents and sister, but her hair was strawberry blonde and she had startling ice blue eyes. She also had the smallest build of them all. Athena's parents loved Muggle mythology, so they named their children after the Muggle's ancient gods and goddesses.
"Come on Athena," said Mrs. Smith, "we have to get to Diagon Alley."
"Why?" asked Artemis.
"Because," Ares said matter-of-factly, "Our older sister was just accepted to Hogwarts and we have to get her stuff."
Artemis stuck her tongue out at her older brother. "Does that mean you'll get to meet Harry Potter!?!" she said, turning to Athena, "That's so cool!"
"Come on ," Mrs. Smith said impatiently, "lets go!"
They walked to the fireplace where Mr. Smith had raised his wand and murmured something Athena could never hear, no matter how many times she had seen him light the fireplace. A fire leaped into being in the fireplace, and Athena took a pinch of Floo Powder, threw it into the fireplace, and walked straight in shouting, "Diagon Alley!"
Athena watched the lights swirl around her. She was used to traveling with Floo Powder, but it always seemed somewhat dizzying. Before she could count to ten, she was in Diagon Alley. The many shops surrounded her as she landed. Athena moved to the side for her mother, then took out her Hogwarts supply list. She decided that she should just go down the list in order to get her stuff, but first was a trip to Gringotts, the local wizarding bank, to get her money. The Gringotts bank was a towering, snow white building with bronze doors. Athena liked the poem that was inscribed on the silver inner doors of the bank. She had it memorized.
Enter, stranger, but take heed
Of what awaits the sin of greed,
For those who take, but do not earn,
Must pay most dearly in their turn.
So if you seek beneath our floors
A treasure that was never yours,
Thief, you have been warned, beware
Of finding more than treasure there.
As soon as she was done reciting the poem to herself, her mother popped up behind her.
"Well, Athena," Mrs. Smith asked, "where to first?"
"Gringotts," she answered grinning, "I have to get my gold."
They walked down the road and stopped in front of a Gringotts goblin.
"I've come to take some gold out of my safe," Athena told the goblin, "Number one thousand three hundred and thirty nine."
"Do you have your key?" the goblin questioned.
"It's right here," she said, holding it up.
"Very well then," the goblin motioned them towards a corridor, "follow me."
The trip down was thrilling for Athena. She had always enjoyed those Muggle rides called, 'roller coasters,' and this was just the same to her. When they got to her safe, Athena grabbed a couple handfuls of Galleons, Sickles, and Knuts. She had saved up to about two hundred Galleons throughout her ten--almost eleven--years of life. Her birthday happened to be on September fourth, three days after her train ride to school.
"Madame Malkin's," Athena said pointing as soon as they came out of Gringotts. As soon as she walked into the shop, she was greeted by a squat witch who seemed to be smiling perpetually.
"Hogwarts?? she asked, "Just come right over here." She motioned Athena to a footstool and slid a robe over her head. First she pinned the sleeves and hem to the right length, then sewed them. After that, the witch took Athena to another room and gave her a hat and a winter cloak that was at the same length of her new robes. Finally, she gave Athena a pair of dragon hide gloves and Athena paid for everything.
Athena emerged from Madam Malkin's only to find her dad and siblings there as well as her mum. Mr. Smith explained that since it was only a fifteen minute car trip home from the Quidditch field, that he figured that they'd meet up with Athena as soon as they could.
Athena smiled and said, "Well, then you can help me find my books at Flourish and Botts," and headed off into another store. Once her whole family was in there, she gave everyone orders. "Mum, The Standard Book of Spells, Grade one by Miranda Goshawk and A History of Magic by Bathilda Bagshot. Dad, Magical Theory by Adalbery Waffling and A Beginners? Guide to Transfiguration by Emeric Switch. Ares, One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi by Phyllida Spore and Magical Drafts and Potions by Arsenius Jigger."
"Yes Ma'am!" Ares replied sarcastically.
"Just get my books!" Athena retorted handing a bag to Artemis. "Artemis, can you get me ten rolls of parchment, three quills, and a bottle of color-changing ink?"
"Sure!" Artemis said and bounced off.
Athena sighed. Artemis thought that Athena was the greatest thing in the world, next to Harry Potter, and was determined to do almost anything she said. Shaking her head, Athena headed off to find Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them by Newt Scamander and The Dark Forces: A Guide to Self-Protection by Quentin Trimble.
Athena met her family in the middle of the store. Collecting all her books and telling Ares to take some rolls of parchment from Artemis, Athena paid for her books and crossed the street to the cauldron shop where she bought her cauldron, scales, and a telescope. Dumping all her purchases into her cauldron, Athena dragged her family down the street to the Apothecary. She needed some basic potion ingredients as well as some crystal phials to hold them (glass would have just been knocked over and broken by Shady).
Last, but not least, they trudged down to Ollivander's Wand Shop. Here they were greeted by an old man with wide, pale eyes. As soon as she entered the shop he stood up and went to her parents.
"Michael," he shook her dad's hand. "twelve inches, dragon heartstring, dogwood, rather inflexible, right?"
"That's the one!" Mr. Smith said laughing.
"And my dear Stephanie," he said turning to Athena's mother, "eleven and a half inches, cedar, phoenix feather, kind of springy?"
"You do remember every wand you sell!" exclaimed Mrs. Smith.
"Of course," he replied, "And here's young Athenaia Smith," he said, turning towards her. "Well, we'd better get your measurements." The tape measure took her measurements while Mr. Ollivander raced to the other side of the room and grabbed a box, saying, "Every Ollivander wand has a core of a powerful magical substance. We use unicorn hairs, phoenix tail feathers, and the heartstrings of dragons. No two Ollivander wands are the same, just as no two unicorns, dragons, or phoenixes are quite the same. And of course, you will never get such good results with another witch's wand."
When he returned he set the box down in front of her, and the tape measurer stopped. Opening the box, Mr. Ollivander let Athena see what was in it. It was full of wands! Athena had never seen so many wands before in her life! Mr. Ollivander picked up a wand and told her to give it a wave. Just before Athena could raise her arm, Mr. Ollivander took it back.
"Try this one," Mr. Ollivander handed her a wand, "ten and a quarter inches, beechwood, unicorn hair, somewhat whippy. No," he said and grabbed it back. They tried out about twenty more wands until Mr. Ollivander held up and examined a rather pretty, shiny, mother-of-pearl colored wand. "Why not?" said Mr. Ollivander and held it out to her, saying, "eleven and three quarter inches, birch, unicorn hair, pliable." When Athena held this wand up in the air, it sent a shower of sparks over her, Mr. Ollivander, and her family.
"Interesting combination," Mr. Ollivander said, "that's the only birch wand that I have. And I have a lot of wands. That's the only combination that birch will work with. and only because the unicorn that gave the hair for this wand happened to stick its horn into the trunk of the tree. That's why the wood looks like a pearl. It was only a foal too. The wand length is the length of the unicorn's horn. If you were to rip this wand apart, don't really break it, I'm just giving an example, the hair in the core would be golden, not white."
"Oooh!" cried Artemis, "Can I hold your wand Athena? Please?"
"Go on," Mr. Ollivander told Athena, "she's too young to do any lasting damage."
Athena handed Artemis her wand and Artemis started holding it like it would shatter if she held it too tightly. Artemis was holding it so close to her face that Athena could see the wand sparkling in her sister's eyes.
"It's so pretty!" she exclaimed running one hand gently along the edge, "and smooth too. It doesn't just look like a pearl, it feels like a pearl too!"
"Do you have a wand care kit?" Athena asked, "I want to keep my wand in good condition."
"Yes, we do," Mr. Ollivander said, "Right behind the shelf with all the boxes."
Athena went and grabbed one of the kits, paying eight Galleons for both and thanking Mr. Ollivander, and walked out of the store. Her family followed after her.
"Who wants ice cream?" Mr. Smith asked, "My treat."
They all ate ice cream sundaes and then it was time to head on home. Athena took a pinch of Floo Powder and threw it into the Diagon Alley fireplace. After stepping forward and shouting, "Tempi Michael!" Athena was back in her fireplace.
It was only one more night until Athena had to go to school. She packed all of her stuff into a Hogwarts trunk that she had received after visiting Ollivander's, and went to bed with Shady curled up beside her.
