Maria couldn't help but look around the street in wonder. She had seen the street before but it amazed her that she was buying these things and was finally going to the school to learn magic. She followed Preston until she saw him stop at the bookstore.
"Let's get the boring part over with first." Preston said with a smile. Maria smiled back and she followed him into the bookstore. Then they found everything else she needed including a brass cauldron, (she had wanted a platinum but Preston told her she'd want a brass cauldron her first year), dragon hide gloves, a black hat, and she was fitted for her robes. Finally they stopped at the wand shop.
"Do you think that you'll be ok in there by yourself? I have some other business to attend to." Preston asked.
"Oh sure, go ahead" Maria said. Preston walked the other direction and Maria entered the wand shop. At first she didn't see anyone but suddenly an older wizard appeared out of nowhere. She gasped and the man stared at her.
"Ah, yes. I was wondering when I would see you here, Miss Waksma." Maria just stared at him. He turned to the wands.
"Which hand do you prefer?" He asked her.
"The left." She told him. He continued looking at the wands.
"Ah, yes. Dogwood and unicorn hair, nine inches. Very good for charms, just like your father's wand." Maria felt a wave of sadness, she thought about her parents occasionally but it just hit her. They weren't here to watch their daughter go to their school. They wouldn't send her letters like all the other kids would receive. She took the wand and waved it, she jumped out of her depression as she heard a vase break.
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry." She said panicked.
"Oh, no worries, that happens all the time." He started to look at the wands again.
"Let's try this one, maple and phoenix feather, eight inches. You've probably seen one like this. It's very good for defensive spells, much like Preston's." She gave it a wave and saw the books fly off the shelf. He took the wand and looked again. He came back with another wand.
"Holly, and dragon heartstring, eleven inches. Very good for defensive spells, like you're mothers." He handed her the wand and she felt a warmth in her fingers.
"Ah, yes. This makes sense. The dragon heartstring in your wand comes from the same dragon that is in your mother's wand. This means your mother's and your wand have a special connection." Maria thanked the man and paid for the wand. She went outside and found Preston with his hands behind his back. Preston smiled,
"I got something for you, for your birthday." He said happily. Maria smiled,
"Really? What is it?" She said excitedly.
"Close your eyes." Preston said. Maria closed her eyes and Preston placed a cage in her hands.
"Ok, open them." Maria opened her eyes and squealed happily. Inside the cage was a medium sized, black dog with white spots on his paws and a white chest. He immediately jerked up when he heard Maria. She smiled at him.
"Oh thank you dad!" She said hugging Preston awkwardly.
"You're welcome, happy early birthday Maria!"
"He's so cute, I'll need to think of a name for him." Maria thought for a few minutes and decided on Amicus, which she found, was the Latin word for friend. She announced his name to Preston.
"That's an interesting name but I like it. Why did you find the Latin word for friend?"
"I noticed that many of the spells are basic Latin words and decided to look more words up."
"Now, will you promise to take care of him?"
"Yes, of course, you know I will."
"I just had to ask, the owner at the store told me that many people brought him back because he was older and didn't like to play as much."
"I don't care how old or playful he is, he's a wonderful dog." They both smiled and headed to their room in the bed and breakfast.