In 990 A.D., the first school in Magical Britain for Witchcraft and Wizardry was built. Many would be surprised to know that originally, everything taught was wandless magic. The first wand was created in 640 A.D. (see tale of three brothers), but wands were only used by wizards who were considered bloodthirsty and murderous. Those of respectable origins used wandless magic until around 1035 A.D. The switch was decided on because Adrian Slytherin (Slytherin's Grandson) discovered that there was more control over the spells you cast. Wands were incredibly popular from then on, even after Adrian fell to the dark arts in later years (see Founders Politics (See ShiningAnime's Looking Beyond)) and are still popular today.

-A Study in Wandlore

Diagon Alley is beautiful. Don't ever let anyone tell you it's not. Ollivander's is creepy. Don't ever let anyone tell you it's not.

Of course, the day was already off to an awful start, as that power rush was messing with my head. I may usually have unpredictable emotions, but this was different. My thoughts were out of order. And every time I blinked, I saw my fath-James-talking to the Wizengamot. Being the eloquent bastard that he is. And…I don't want to be like him.

After the Longbottoms and I left the Leaky Cauldron and entered Diagon, we headed towards Flourish and Blotts (as we already had our money). I think Alice hoped that if we went there first, she'd stop me from begging.

I grabbed my necessary supplies, and then grabbed all the interesting books I could find. I found one book that I think I'll adore, which was called Mythologies and their Influence on Ancient Runes: A study of the field. Quite frankly, Frank and Neville both lifted me up by my arms and lifted me out of the store, Alice laughing on the sidelines.

I was furious, but figured that we probably did need to get a move on. We then went to Tatem and Tate's, as the Longbottom family and Madam Malkin's father didn't get along. The store, while less successful than Madam Malkin's, was still of fine quality. I actually enjoyed shopping there more. The sales attendants weren't as pushy, and they sold muggle clothes and casual robes on the side. Not to mention, the store was a rather fetching yellow color, with accents of orange, making the store look like a sunset.

By the time we were done getting our robes fitted (Nev and I had grown AGAIN), it was nearly Noon. We stopped to get some lunch at "Nixon and Nellie's" a bakery which sold the best bread in the world. (I have a fetish for bread).

Nev and I hit our various stores. The apothecary was his favorite (It's just so fascinating how the ingredients are preserved) and it was his turn to be dragged out (This time by Alice and I). "Gilligan's Galaxy" (where we got our telescopes) had a ceiling which depict the night sky. Every so often, a comet would zoom past. I can't imagine being shocked by the Great Hall ceiling after that.

Once all we had left were our wands, Nev decided he needed a familiar. I was unsure about how Peter would react to a cat (The animal I wanted) so I was planning on refraining from looking for one.

We walked into the store, and Neville began looking at toads. Don't ask me why, but the boy wanted a toad. He was looking at various poison frogs and moving to the toad section when I felt something brush up against me. I looked down into the most adorable face I have ever seen.

The cat must have been at least half kneazle, as the particular shade of gold his eyes were is not natural in normal cats. His face was mashed in, yes, and his tail and ears had taken a beating, but his fur was thick and beautiful. His eyes shone with intelligence and fierceness. And I knew I had to bring this cat home with me.

"This is odd," I said amused. "Most animals can tell when a person isn't looking for a familiar. You're stubborn aren't you?"

The cat sent me a look that seemed to say "And don't you forget it!" And I grinned. I held open my arms in greeting, and he bounded into my arms and curled up in them. I walked over to the counter, where Neville had found a toad. An odd toad it was too. Rather than having four legs (two on each side) it had six (three on each side). And he was calling it Trevor, for the irony of giving such and odd creature an unremarkable name.

I walked past him, grinning as he attempted to pull Trevor off his shoulder. I plopped my cat down (as he was my cat) on the counter, and said "I'd like to buy this cat."

BHPBHPBHPBHPBHPBHPBHPBHP

After being told how remarkable it was the Crookshanks (as he is apparently called) chose me, I bought my new familiar, and left the shop after Neville. We then began walking to Ollivander's.

Most kids are excited as the head off to get their wands. I was filled with dread. Getting a wand was an activity for the family. And while I was welcome to buy with the Longbottoms, I couldn't help but wish Mum, or Peter, or...maybe even James, could be there with me. Which is why when I saw Peter, I gave a shriek and went to hug him.

Peter had been gone for the past month. He works for the Daily Prophet, and so he was writing a story on how two Wizards in North and South Korea almost started world war three for the muggles completely on accident. I hadn't expected him back for another week, and although we had been owling, it just wasn't the same.

Peter laughed at me and hugged me as tightly as I'm sure I was him. When we finally broke apart, I couldn't help the words tumbling out of my mouth. "Peter! What are you doing here? You weren't supposed to be back for another week! Are you ok? Sick? Feverish? Not that I'm not happy to have you here, because I am, but seriously." Peter finally snorted and stopped me with a finger.

"Well," he said grinning, "I couldn't let my favorite Goddaughter buy her first wand all on her lonesome, now could I?"

I shook my head at him, and he grinned at me offering me his arm, and leading the way into the shop.

BHPBHPBHPBHPBHPBHPBHPBHP

Which leads me to where I am now. Inside Ollivander's (a truly creepy place).

It's not Ollivander's is bad, per say. I don't feel like it is evil. It's more like there's a constant prickling on the back of my neck. The hairs on my arms stand up and goosebumps break out over my skin, but not from the cold. And there's an odd…whisper in the air, like all the magic is under so much pressure that at any point (like a soda bottle) the whole thing will explode. It doesn't, however feel volatile.

I see Neville look at me in confusion. More likely that not he can't feel what I'm feeling. I shiver slightly and lean into Peter.

"What's wrong?" he whispers.

"The store…it feels like it is watching me. There's another presence." I shiver again.

"Indeed." Says a voice behind me, and I can't even jump, because I almost…knew he was there. "Indeed Ms. Potter. It seems you have gotten your mother's sensitivity to magic."

And despite the fact that the old guy with the wispy hair and luminous eyes creeps me out, I can't stop the sudden warmth that rushes through me at the idea that I have something in common with my Mum. Who I'm positive was perfect.

"Now," he says, smiling slightly. "We must start with the oldest. Mr. Neville Longbottom, son of Alice and Frank Longbottom, whose wands you, of course, already know. What will your perfect match be?"

And he smiles at Nev in a slightly creepy way.

"Mr. Longbottom…you are one of the easiest to place in a long time. There is a wand calling to you. It has already claimed you for its own, without you even touching it. Can you feel the connection Ms. Potter?"

I feel odd for a moment. Feel it? How?

"All you have to do, is focus your sense for magic on young Neville here." Ollivander says. And I'm still confused, until it occurs to me. It must be similar to Nev's empathy abilities. He is bombarded with other people's frequencies, ike I am bombarded with the magic of the store. He can focus on one person at a time, I can focus on one strand of magic at a time! I close my eyes, and I…feel. I reach out a hand, and I touch something…sticky, I guess you could say. It's like invisible residue is on my hand. I follow the residue mentally, now that I know what it feels like. It's almost like I'm seeing, but not really. And suddenly, I see it. A perfectly beautiful wand, which has the same residue lingering on Nev. I open my eyes.

"5 rows back, 3 bookcase on the left." I say confidently.

Ollivander smiles his mysterious little smile, and I feel panic for a moment. Am I wrong?

And then he grabs the box I suggested, and brings out the wand I felt. He hands it to Nev, and when he grasps it, the room is filled with warmth. There almost seems to be a sigh of "at last."

Nev smiles and says "I feel…warm."

"Yes, yes." Says Ollivander. "That is a side effect of bonding. It will fade soon. That will be…5 galleons, for a 10 ¾ inches, rigid, Cedar and Unicorn!"

Neville smiles, and Frank counted out the coins and handed them over. Then the trio back away to lean against the wall as Ollivander's gaze turns to me.

"Miss Potter. You are rather elusive aren't you? No one has ever gotten a picture, and I get to sell you a wand! How thrilling!" I find Ollivander's excitement kind of creepy, I must admit, and I'm rather curious how bent he is.

"Now…what it the perfect wand for you? You are not nearly as easy as Mr. Longbottom…not nearly so easy…" And then he whips out a silver measuring tape and begins to measure me. I squint down at the tape and realize I'm being measured for wand length and flexibility on one side, and wand wood and core on the other. A rather curious device really.

I watch as it slides slightly and I see 12 ¼ before the measuring tape moves again. The next thing I see is "Eld" before the measuring tape slips. Eld? The only wood I can think of that fits would be…Elder. The cursed wand wood…the wand wood of death and murder and misery. The wood of the unloyal wand. And suddenly, I'm scared.

"There we go!" Ollivander suddenly exclaims. He smiles slightly. "The combination of this core and wand is unusual as it often make for stand-offish wands, but it should work for you perfectly." And he hands me a wand.

Now, I think that this wand is the most beautiful wand I have ever seen. It is a pale color, with veins of pink, red, and brown in the grain. It cut like a standard wand, but it has a slight leaf pattern carved into the wand at the base. The wood seems to breathe health, life, and vitality. It's almost seductive, which scares me a bit. I reach out hesitantly ad take the wand.

And Oh My Magic! I feel fire racing through my veins, burning, but somehow worm and healing. And when I open my eyes, the small potted plant in the corner has grown immensely. My wand breathes life.

"Yes! Yes!" Ollivander is doing an odd little jig. "That is 12 ¼ inches, swishy, with Elder wood and Phoenix feather. A total of 9 galleons for the difficulty of collecting the materials. You have wand that is simply perfect for healing!"

I stand there in shock as Peter pays. I follow Neville in a daze. A wand perfect for healing? Is this some type of sick joke? I hate people…people hate me! I'd be an awful healer! And I'd fail at saving my mother if I were the healer. She'd need the best of the best…and that's not me. I hate that my wand is for healing. But at the same time, I can't hate my wand, because I love it with all my heart.

Bet none of you saw her familiar coming! So many people insist that Crookshanks and Hermione belong together, but I feel that Becca and 'Shanks would hit it off fabulously! Also, let me know if you think her sensitivity to magic is ridiculous. She isn't some freaky-powered person…it's more like when someone casts a spell on her, her brain screams "Move!" or when she's surrounded by magic she can feel it. Similar to how when we are surrounded by water, we are wet. I guess you could say both she and Neville have sixth senses.

Becca's Wand:

Wandlength: 12 ¼ inches.

Wood: Elder

Core: Phoenix

Flexibility: Swishy

On Wood Length:

Supposedly, wood length generally shows nothing in particular about the user, except in a few cases (see Pottermore)

On Elder Wood:

"The rarest wand wood of all, and reputed to be deeply unlucky, the elder wand is trickier to master than any other. It contains powerful magic, but scorns to remain with any owner who is not the superior of his or her company; it takes a remarkable wizard to keep the elder wand for any length of time. The old superstition, 'wand of elder, never prosper,' has its basis in this fear of the wand, but in fact, the superstition is baseless, and those foolish wandmakers who refuse to work with elder do so more because they doubt they will be able to sell their products than from fear of working with this wood. The truth is that only a highly unusual person will find their perfect match in elder, and on the rare occasion when such a pairing occurs, I take it as certain that the witch or wizard in question is marked out for a special destiny. An additional fact that I have unearthed during my long years of study is that the owners of elder wands almost always feel a powerful affinity with those chosen by rowan."

-Olivander

On Phoenix Cores:

"This is the rarest core type. Phoenix feathers are capable of the greatest range of magic, though they may take longer than either unicorn or dragon cores to reveal this. They show the most initiative, sometimes acting of their own accord, a quality that many witches and wizards dislike. Phoenix feather wands are always the pickiest when it comes to potential owners, for the creature from which they are taken is one of the most independent and detached in the world. These wands are the hardest to tame and to personalize, and their allegiance is usually hard won."

-Olivander

Flexibility:

The willingness of the wand to switch owners.

My Reasons for choosing this particular wood and core combination for Becca has nothing to do with how rare the two are, but more the fact that to work her wand, Becca is going to have to be able to be true to all aspects of herself, which, as we learned last chapter, is hard for her. She will also need the phoenix feather's independent nature to match her own.

Neville's wand:

Length: 10 ¾ inches

Wood: Cedar

Core: Unicorn

Flexibility: Rigid

Cedar Wood:

"Whenever I meet one who carries a cedar wand, I find strength of character and unusual loyalty. My father, Gervaise Ollivander, used always to say, 'you will never fool the cedar carrier,' and I agree: the cedar wand finds its perfect home where there is perspicacity and perception. I would go further than my father, however, in saying that I have never yet met the owner of a cedar wand whom I would care to cross, especially if harm is done to those of whom they are fond. The witch or wizard who is well-matched with cedar carries the potential to be a frightening adversary, which often comes as a shock to those who have thoughtlessly challenged them."

-Olivander

On Unicorn Hair:

"Unicorn hair generally produces the most consistent magic, and is least subject to fluctuations and blockages. Wands with unicorn cores are generally the most difficult to turn to the Dark Arts. They are the most faithful of all wands, and usually remain strongly attached to their first owner, irrespective of whether he or she was an accomplished witch or wizard. Minor disadvantages of unicorn hair are that they do not make the most powerful wands (although the wand wood may compensate) and that they are prone to melancholy if seriously mishandled, meaning that the hair may 'die' and need replacing."

-Olivander

I chose this combination for Neville because not only is he very perceptive (and not just because of his empathetic abilities), but he is also reliable and loyal, like his wood and core suggest. Quite frankly, this combination will attach itself to Neville rigidly, and guide him to continue being the amazing person he is and is becoming. The wand will guide him just as much as Becca's wand guides her. This is, quite frankly, a perfect match.

I am working on the idea that light magic can be just as seductive as dark magic if you delve into the arts, as the purest of magic (Patronus) and the darkest (Unforgivables) are both powered by emotion. Clearly there is a fine, fine line. We'll study that closely in later chapters!

Now, whoever can guess which house (or houses) Becca and Neville are going to gets Brownie Points! Tell me your favorites, and I will make the most popular one the first house someone is sorted into, and I'll have the hat consider that house for our dear characters. You won't influence the final placement, but you will influence the story!

Responding to reviews:

In response to SassyDoe and a few of their suggestions:

No! Don't worry all! Becca/Draco IS NOT IN THE WORKS! JK Rowling herself says he doesn't have a secret heart of gold, and plus, I think he's a bit of a dick.

Sorry people, this fic MIGHT have romance, but it will not be a slash fic as I just don't picture either Becca or Neville that way, although there may be gay characters. Maybe I'll write a slash fic later.

As always, thank you to Mythlover92, as well as the new additions of Crazyme, Aelin08, and Sassydoe!

HAPPY NEW YEAR ALL!

-PerfectionJune