Ollivander's Memoirs
Severus Snape
"Thank you very much Mr. Ollivander," the young witch smiled still in awe at her new wand, before chasing after her father out the door. Mr. Ollivander enjoyed this particular week of the summer the most. It was one of my busiest for new students to come and purchase their first wands. He expected another customer or two to walk in at any moment. Not more than two minutes later, the door to the shop opened. Inside walked young boy. He held the door open for a woman. They walked into the shop, the boy stopping a few feet from the counter and the woman a few paces behind. In her hands she held a cauldron, presumably another item on the list of school supplies for Hogwarts. This caldron, however, looked as if it had been through Hogwarts, a perhaps a few other places, many times before it was purchased today. Neither the woman nor the young boy spoke. Each resembled the other in appearance and temperament; they could not be anything, but mother and son. The young boy was small, dark haired, with a pale face and saddened expression. The mother was sickly thin, with long, straggly, dark hair and a matching countenance. They both wore clothes that looked like they hadn't been attended to for weeks. "Morning Mrs. Snape," greeted Mr. Ollivander afraid that speaking too loudly or too quickly might upset her. She looked as if she hadn't slept for days. He remembered Eileen, then Prince, from her younger years. Never an outgoing or outwardly happy person, but generally bright and well cared for. He heard that she had gone off and married a muggle, Snape, and that the marriage wasn't a particularly good one. Seeing her and her son's appearance, he could tell the rumors were true and possibly an understatement.
"This must be your son," he looked down at the boy trying to start some sort of conversation. The young boy's expression didn't change. Mr. Ollivander got the impression that this boy did not speak often unless he was ordered to do so.
"Severus," Mrs. Snape answered.
"Ah, well it is a pleasure to meet you," said Mr. Ollivander. Severus made a face as if he didn't believe a word Mr. Ollivander was saying.
"It seems like it was only yesterday when you mother was here buying her first wand," he smiled, "13 and a half inches, willow, unicorn tail." He looked to Mrs. Snape to confirm that he was correct (which of course, he already knew. He never forgot a wand he sold). She nodded her head, managing a small smile, which looked more like a desire for him to stop talking and hurrying the purchase along as quickly as possible.
"Well, why don't I find you a wand?" he asked, again Severus didn't answer. Mr. Ollivander turned to the stacks of wands behind him. As he read the labels of each wand, he glanced the Mrs. Snape and Severus. They seemed like they were standing a bit closer together. Severus looked up to his mother who smiled quickly. For a brief second she patted his shoulder. Mr. Ollivander could tell there was love there, just a strained sort of love. He thought of the week before, when the Potter family came into the shop. James Potter was so lively, so energetic, anyone could tell how much his parents cared. Mr. Ollivander got the notion that Mrs. Snape did care, but, perhaps what she was doing was all the care she could give.
Mr. Ollivander came across two wands that he thought would be suitable for Severus. He brought them to the counter. "Why don't you try this?" he handed the first wand to Severus. "Yew, unicorn tail core, 11 and one quarter inches." Severus picked up the wand and slowly flourished it for a few minutes. Mr. Ollivander could tell that the wand would work reasonably well for Severus, but he wanted him to try the other.
"How about this," he took the first wand from Severus and gave him the second. "Walnut, dragon heartstring core, twelve inches," he added. The second Severus had the wand in his hand, something changed in his eyes. For a moment, he might have even smiled. Mr. Ollivander could tell Severus had been waiting for this moment for a long time. He hoped perhaps that going to Hogwarts would change this boy—make him happier. He hoped that Severus would change before entering school, someone of his current personality might have a difficult time making friends, except maybe in Slytherin—they could be a quiet, cunning bunch.
Mrs. Snape paid Mr. Ollivander and with a small nod of goodbye, exited the shop. Severus followed her almost immediately; however, he stopped at the door. Taking second to glance out the door to see how far ahead his mother had gotten he cautiously walked back up to the counter.
"Mr. Ollivander, sir, I was wondering if a girl—Lily Evans—had come into buy her wand?"
"Lily Evans," Mr. Ollivander repeated as if he was trying to recollect whether or not she had come in.
"Yes, pretty, red hair, green eyes—she's a muggleborn."
"I remember every wand I've ever sold and also to whom I've sold them," Mr. Ollivander explained. "I do not believe I have had the pleasure of selling a wand to Ms. Evans yet."
"Oh," Severus thought for a moment, "Well sir, if you could, could you make sure she gets a really nice one." Mr. Ollivander was taken aback by this request. So many times children asked for him to give them a good wand—the best wand—and here was this young man asking that someone else get a great wand, something which he had never asked for himself.
"Of course," smiled Mr. Ollivander, "I only give the best." Next another strange thing happened—Severus smiled.
"Thank you," he said and scurried out the door. It was only a few seconds before he was unrecognizable in the crowd of witches and wizards outside. This Severus Snape was a strange boy. From the second he met Severus Snape, Mr. Ollivander thought he knew everything about him, but now he knew there was more to this boy than met the eye.