A/N- I have changed the story to first person. Sorry for the confusion.
My mum must've been mad! At six o'clock on a Saturday morning she woke up the entire house, perhaps even the whole street! I would've been fine with being shouted to at seven or later, but six was taking it too far!Still, this is my mother and everyone that knows my mother learns not to argue with her. Ever. Slowly and tiredly, I half stumble, half walk down the stairs and into the kitchen where a wonderful smell of eggs and bacon fills my nose.
"Someone's perky this morning!" I call to her, slumping into my usual breakfast seat, the one next to my mums.
"Well, it is a special day today after all!" She replies, coming over to the table and placing a fried egg onto her plate. She puts the frying pan into the sink and sits next to her tired son, picking up her silver cutlery and tucking into the breakfast. "Well come on, eat up! We have to leave soon!" She says egg in her mouth. I acknowledge this and tuck into my breakfast, dipping my bacon in the egg yolk.
"Tastes really good!" I tell her, as the warm food glides down his throat like a graceful bird.
One by one, the rest of the family comes rushing down to breakfast, Rachel first, her hair a bright and pastel blue today. She wears her sleeveless tight pink top and dark blue skater-like skirt.
"Slut," I whisper to her. She hits me on the back of the head then winks and smiles. My dad comes down next, wearing a grey t-shirt and his blue jeans. I swear he wears them all the time..., Charlie thought. Finally, Callum comes down, fiddling with his short, dark brown hair. He finishes by putting his black and red hat on and slumps down next to me. He looks at me for a minute, a bit confused then tucks into his breakfast also. I don't blame him for staring, I think. I am wearing his favourite green polo shirt and grey skinny jeans after all, he is just too tired to realise.
"Excited then boys?" my dad asks, enthusiastically, chomping on a sausage. Wait, how comes he got a sausage!? Callum nods frantically, his gelled hair bounces.
"I can't wait to get there and be able to hit Rache and Charlie with a few sparks!" He says, he too chomping on food.
"That is exactly what I did when your uncle Leo first came to Hogwarts. Grandma Babs wasn't too pleased when she found out though," my dad replied, with so much enthusiasm. He usually isn't an active person in the mornings, but when Callum and he starts talking about something "so awesome" he instantly perks up. Callum looks like dad did when he was younger, according to mum. I would see, but dad doesn't like bringing out old photos. Neither does Callum... Like father like son I suppose!, I think.
"Yeah well just you remember that I know a lot more powerful spells than you do!" shoots Rachel, in a jokey-posh voice, raising her head as she speaks.
"Well Charlie doesn't!" jeered Callum.
"Well, I actually might be a better wizard than you!" I shout back defensively, nudging him to show I am joking.
"I highly doubt that," laughs dad. My jaw drops as I shoot a devilish glare at him, however I know my dad is joking, right?
"Shut up old man!" shouts my mum, laughing too. This is a good vibe this morning, I know for a fact that on shopping days, if we have a good morning, we will have a good day shopping. Or as good as shopping can be.
Once everyone had finished breakfast and cleaned up, the family finished preparing themselves then all gathered into the living room. Everyone, apart from mum, is sat down. I sit on the floor, my back resting on the legs of Rachel, who sits on the chair above me. Callum is lying down on the sofa, his feet resting on my half asleep dad. We are all very tried, we didn't even put the telly on, like we usually do every morning. My mum bursts into the room, the door banging against the wall, probably leaving a dent in it. We all jump at the noise.
"Jeez Donna," dad says, rubbing his eyes. "Do you really have to slam the door open like that?"
"Well, it woke you all up didn't it?" she replies, sarcastically, her hand on her hip. No argument there. "Now that I have your attention, shall we go?" She asks, rhetorically. I watch her walk over to the white painted radiator. She removes her wand from her knee high boots and taps the radiator with her wand three times. "Aparecium," she mutters. Suddenly, the radiator disappears into the wall, leaving no trace that it was ever there. Then, rising from the ground, comes a tall and grand fireplace taking the radiators place. "Never gets old," she whispers to herself.
"We are travelling by the Floo Network?" dad asks, his face a little pale. Mum nods her head, smiling at the idea. "Can't we just drive to the Leaky Cauldron?"
"No!" Mum snaps back. "Travelling by car will take too long, and we haven't got much time! Now take some powder and get moving!"
"We have all day..." moans dad under his breath.
He takes a handful of Floo powder and chucks them into the fireplace. Instantly, emerald green flames spring from the hearth, crackling and glistening. Dad shudders and walks into the emerald flames, completely unharmed.
"Meet you there, sweetie!" mum chirps, smiling at dad. He nods glumly and shouts,
"Diagon Alley!" The emerald green flames engulf my dad before disappearing completely. Rachel steps up next, doing the exact same process as my dad.
"You two can go together," my mum says to me and Callum. I look at Callum who seems completely against the idea. I walk over to my mum and take the sparkling silver powder from a small bag. It tickles my hand, and I almost drop it.
"Now remember, throw it into the hearth, not on the carpet. Then, step in and speak very, very clearly. I cannot stress how important this is. If you don't speak the destination clearly, you may end up in a completely different direction. We really don't want this, okay?" My mum says, a little fear in her voice. She knows how clumsy I am, obviously, so she is panicking a lot now. I aim at the fireplace, before throwing in the Floo powder. Luckily, I don't miss and the emerald flames appear. Me and Callum both step into the fire. I see my mum nod, which means I am OK to say my destination.
"Diagon Alley!" I shout. Suddenly, the green flames rise and I hear Callum shout in shock,
"Wait, my shoe is untied!" But it is too late, the flames engulf us completely.
I close my eyes in the process and before I you know it, me and Callum fall onto a wooden flooring. We lay there for a while, and I feel something cold pressing against my face. I open my eyes and realise it is Callum's foot. I turn over, disgusted, and see my sister staring over me.
"Fun?" she asks me, helping me up. I nod my head, a lot like Callum did this morning.
"Yep!" I reply. "Apart from the landing, it was amazing. It tickled a lot!" I hear my dad moan behind me.
"Makes me feel sick," he says, his hand on his stomach. "Anyway, why is Callum's shoe missing?"
"Charlie didn't give me time to tie it and know it is probably in someone's house!" Callum says, angrily. He gets up and faces me. "Wait until I am ready next time!" I laugh at his anger, the situation is quite funny. Suddenly, the fireplace roars and a shoe flies out, hitting Callum square in the face, knocking him over.
"Found it!" I chortle, holding onto Rachel before I topple over with laughter. Finally, giving everyone one final shock, green flames shoot from the old, wooden fireplace, revealing my mother smiling sweetly.
She walked out of the fireplace, not tripping nor in shock, she is perfectly fine with Floo travel.
"Amazing, isn't it?" she asks, walking over to the door of the shop with had stumbled in. She opened the glass, wooden rimmed door, the rusty brass bell failing to chime as it swings left and right. "Shall we move then?" she says, the eagerness flooding her face like a tsunami.
"Of course, let's get this over and done with," dad groans, leading the way out of the shop.
Diagon Alley is busy! I only came in here last year for Rachel's 4th Year equipment, but I never really noted how busy it actually was. The cobbled, narrow street was flooding with people (who were mostly cloaked and wore long hats,) who were rushing in and out of shops. The shops themselves, made of wood and brick, looked very old but set a nice atmosphere on the windy street. I tried my hardest to read all the signs above the shops, but they were too far away for my eyes to catch because I'm not wearing my glasses. I look around for my mum, who is slowly wandering into the crowd. I push my way through people and cling onto her coated arm, like I used to in the towns when I was younger. I look up into her blue-green eyes,
"Where to first?" I ask, not blinking, thinking I will lose her if I do. She rummages through her old, leather bag, keys and makeup clattering around as she does. After a minute or so, she pulls out a parchment, similar to the one my Hogwarts Acceptance letter was made out of.
"Let's see..." mum mumbles, staring at the parchment intensively. "Hmmm... How about... Ah yes!" She folds the parchment over and places it firmly in my hand. Mum raises her hand and points to a shop only a little down the road. "That shop there, Madame Malkin's, is where you will get your school robes, school hat and protective gloves from. Old shop that is, was there when I started school. Wonder how Madame Malkin is... probably very old by now... Anyway! Can't get distracted!" Once again, she rummages through her bag and pulls out a handful of golden coins, Galleons.
"There should be enough coins there to buy what you need! I will head over to Gringotts to withdraw some money out and then I will go and get your books. Meet me outside Flourish and Blotts, which is just next door, once you are done!" And with that, she was gone. I am now left alone, surrounded by people rushing all other the place. Callum has probably gone with dad, who will usually end up looking at brooms instead of buying the school equipment. Rachel on the other hand, is probably buying the equipment with her boyfriend, Damian. However, I know all of them are probably finding it way easier than I am... I make my way to the clothes shop.
As I open the door, a bell rings. I look around and see a nice looking shop, laid with dark wooden flooring and dark purple rugs, purple curtains with golden rims and small (yet beautiful) chandeliers hanging from the ceiling. Manikins stand firm on silver stools, yet I could've sworn they moved their heads! Clothes and robes of all colour hang lifelessly on the clothe racks. The shop is extremely quiet; perhaps people bought their uniform early. I look to my left and see a smooth, mahogany counter with a gold and silver cash register perched atop. I walk over and see a small brass bell, looking slightly out of place. I place my hand on the bell and press down the button, the ding echoing the shop. I wait a while, perhaps a few minutes, then a bit longer. Nope, still nothing. What am I to do now? Ring the bell again and look impatient even though I have waited a bit. I sigh and go to ring the bell again, but suddenly, out of nowhere, an old woman appeared behind the counter.
She turned around to face me, wearing a kind and warm smile on her tanned, wrinkly old face. Her thin, white hair was placed neatly in a bun atop her head and she wore a long light purple dress, which frilled out at the knees, getting lighter towards the bottom.
"Fist year at Hogwarts I presume?" Madame Malkin (or at least I presume) asked, tilting her head sideways. I nod, returning a smile, however feeling a little awkward. "Ah, well I will get you sorted, first customer of the day!" She chirps, hobbling over to a silver stool, similar to what the manikins are standing on. I step up onto the stool, looking at the clock above the counter. Seven o'clock! No wonder I am the first customer. People probably get their other equipment first. Madame Malkin (still presuming) measures me with a long, yellow measuring tape which she seemed to have whipped out of thin air. She measure me from shoulder to wrist, toe to armpit, my waist, neck to toe, shoulder length and my chest. Once finished, she stumbled backwards and stared at me for a while.
"Okay..." She whispered to herself before doddering up some spiral staircase and into another room. I am left alone, in the silence that seemed to linger permanently in the shop. I wonder if no one actually shops here anymore... maybe there is a newer shop. I doubt it though, most of the people I saw outside were adults anyway, and meaning most of the children shopping for school will come in soon. I wait in the silence a bit longer... a minute... three minutes... I look at the clock, now ten past seven. Ten minutes I have been in the silence. Another two minutes pass before old Madame Malkin wanders down the stairs again, holding a large white plastic bag seemed to be stuffed with items. She gestures me over to the counter and places the bag on the table.
"Now my dear," she says her voice a little croaky. "I have placed three pairs of school robes in, two dragon hide gloves, two just in case. Also, I have put in your school hat and your winter cloak with its silver fastenings. It is all the best here, if you don't mind paying for it all!" She ends with a croaky laugh, clicking the cash register fast. The price appears on the cash register in silver letters, 15 Galleons. I rummage in my jeans pocket and pull out all the money, placing it on the table. Madame Malkin places the golden coins into the cash register.
"Thank you very much," I say to her, smiling and bowing my head.
"Not at all my dear, enjoy your time at Hogwarts!" She calls, as I open the door to leave, the bell ringing behind me.
I leave the shop and already Diagon Alley has gotten busier. I move sideways to let a family into Madame Malkin's and I know it is only going to get busier from here. I remember my mum's instructions to meet her in the book shop. I turn to my left and see the larger store, Flourish and Blotts. I clench tight to my bag and rush inside. Instantly, I am flooded with the smell of books (and I good smell too, might I add). The shop is roughly three storeys high, filled with bookshelves and tables. It kind of reminds me of a library, except with a much better atmosphere. Straight ahead of me, I see a wooden counter, with a simple cash register. I hear the staff shouting to one another, asking where which book goes where and customers calling to the families. So, like a library with noise...
I wander up a set of wooden stairs, approaching the first floor. I wander over to the tick, paving slab like books and examine each one. Butterbeer and Other Famous Drinks, Gruesome Drinks that will Make You Sick!, The History of Butterbeer, Azkaban: A history, Hogwarts: A History, History of the Dark Wizards, The Battle of Hogwarts.
"'The Battle of Hogwarts'..." I whisper to myself. Hogwarts had a battle? A war? I pull the book from its place on the book is large and heavy with a brown leather binding. On the front are the words 'THE BATTLE OF HOGWARTS' written in gold, with a moving picture of a large castle burning, bright colours flying in all directions and massive explosions. A moving picture! I've seen these before, inside my parents and sisters room. They seem to be the craze in the wizard world, very popular. I can see why! There is so much detail... I open the book and begin reading.
The Battle of Hogwarts takes place in the year 2nd of May 1998, where it started and ended. But, what exactly caused the Battle of Hogwarts exactly? Well, let's get straight into it. Years ago, a dark wizard who went by the name Lord Voldemort, grew strong in power. He had an army of evil wizards and witches who called themselves Death Eaters, the slaves of Voldemort. One night, way before the battle began, a baby boy was born to the most peaceful parents of all time. These were called Lily and James Potter. There, son, a beautiful baby, who grew up to saving the world, going by the name-
I drop the book as someone's hand was placed on my shoulder. I turn quickly, to see my mother looking seriously at me.
"Please, don't read something like that. It has a very sad history," she says, her voice whimpering.
"Sorry," I say to her, placing the large book back into its shelf. "Well, have you got the books?" I ask, eager to change the subject my mother seems so upset about. Luckily, she smiles too.
"Indeed I do!" She holds up two black bags, which seems extremely heavy.
"Great! Now, all we need next is to get my potions equipment, a pet and a wand!" I say, hugging her tightly. My wand, my first and (hopefully) only wand. I have held my sisters wand, and it feels great. You can feel the power rushing through you, almost as if the wand lives. We lock arms and move towards the next shops that await us.
Cauldron equipment, check! I have my cauldron, scales and my telescope for Astronomy, a map of the stars as well for my purpose only. We make our way down to the next shop, Eeylops' Owl Emporium, to get my chosen pet. I would like a cat, preferably a Kneazle. They seem great to cuddle with and are generally cute. Besides, I like fluffy cats. However, if there are no cats that suit my taste, I will settle for an owl, but not a toad. Never a toad. Toads went out of fashion years ago, or at least so my mother says. We dodge through the heavy groups of magical folk and arrive at the Emporium. The shop is thin, but tall and long.
"Ready?" My mother asks, her eyes wide with excitement.
"Extremely excited and very ready!" I reply, a grin sitting firmly on my face. We walk in, and suddenly all becomes dark. It feels a lot smaller on the inside, with a smell of animals (which isn't surprising). Squeaks and squawks were heard from places too. The only light in the room was a few candles. Other than the owls and other animals in cages, the store was empty.
"Well hello, valued customer," came a woman's voice from somewhere behind the counter at the front, but she was covered by darkness.
"Erm, hello..." My mother replied, a little shakily. "We are here to buy a pet for my child, he is starting school soon..."
"Ah yes, first years. Right this way, please." The woman said, walking quickly into a back room. We both followed.
The back room was lighter than the main room. However, it was completely empty, apart from a crooked, wooden table.
"Now, what pet would your son like?" The woman asked, the light revealing her pale skin, black hair and warm smile. "An owl, a cat, a toad, a ferret, a rat, a Kneazle or a Pygmy Puff?"
"All these pets?" My mother said, astonished. "I thought you could only get three?"
"Ah yes, that rule was changed five years ago, they seemed to have forgotten to update the letter..." The woman said with a sigh. Such a variety of pets... It is going to be a tough decision... But I must decide; I do desperately want a pet. "We can start," the woman said, "by crossing off all the species' you don't want."
"A rat!" I say quickly, rats are disgusting. "Erm... a toad as well, not a toad. I don't really want a Pygmy Puff, or a cat..."
"Well, let us bring out the pet's you do want," the woman suggested, removing her wand.
The dark haired woman flicked her wand and from a small door on the wall, flew out four cages, each holding a cat inside.
"These, are Kneazles," she said, smiling. "They take the shape of a cat, yet they are more intelligent and can judge personalities to the owners likings. They can do other things but..." I look at each Kneazle. One, a small, white and fluffy one with crystal blue eyes and long wiry whiskers. The second Kneazle, a large, ugly orange colour with a long thing nose and dark green eyes. The other two, both black and thin, their bright green eyes the colour of grass.
"None," I say, I guess a cat isn't for me. The woman nods, acknowledging my opinion. She whips her wand again, the cages whizzing back in, more cages being replaced. The cages were longer and had a wooden bar going through the middle, each had an owl placed of them.
"Perhaps an owl?" The woman asked, smoothing her orange apron with her free hand.
The first cage held a beautiful snow white owl, with large yellow eyes. A Snowy Owl. It was beautiful indeed, and its wings were so large, even its flying was probably beautiful. However, the turn off was the eyes. They two, glimmered and shone but the expression they were shaping was an evil and stubborn look. I don't really want a mean owl... The second owl was small, and crooked, with large eyes. It was a light brown, with a bush feathery head, a Tawny Owl. In the third cage, now this really caught my eye, a medium sized, fluffy brown owl. Its species was in fact a Brown Owl. It had a soft, light brown underbelly, shaped like a 'V'. It's back and wings however, were fluffy and silky, taking a dark brown colour; the feathers shining brightly. It's head was large and had white and light brown large circles round its eyes. What really took my attention with its wobbling. When it noticed me looking, it shook left and right then stopped. I smiled at it, encouraging it to wobble again and it did. It kept going and stopping, probably smiling back if beaks had smiles. Yes, this is the owl for me. A unique personality, a beautiful body, and very kind black eyes. Perfect.
"That one, right there." I say, pointing at it, a smile blazing on my face. The owl wobbled in response, flapping its wings excitedly.
"Is this your final decision?" The woman asks, raising her eyebrows. I nod in response. "Okay." She replies and flicks her wand a final time, all the cages returning to the door. We make our way back to the dark room, where the woman taps numbers into the counter.
"10 golden Galleons please!" She says enthusiastically, handing over my new owl. My mother hands over the money and we walk out.
"What made you choose that owl?" She asks, ask she sorts out her handbag outside the shop.
"It wobbled and looked very anxious to be picked, it was kinda cute," I say, looking down at the owl, who was in fact a boy. "And I am calling it Womble. Not Wobble, Womble because Womble is different to Wobble and just sounds a whole lot better. Wobble Butler, welcome to your new family." I say to the owl, as it wobbled and let out a small squawk of happiness.
"Well, let us meet the rest of our family at the Leaky Cauldron for lunch, and then we can buy the final, essential piece of wizard equipment, your wand!" She says, hugging me tightly and stroking Womble through the cage.
We sat on the upper floor of the Leaky Cauldron around a circular wooden table (everything seems to be wooden), enjoying meat pies and potatoes, the area lit by a single candlelight. We each shared our shopping stories, Callum explaining how it took forever to be served in Madame Malkin's as it was busy and how he found it hard to find all his equipment (which he really spent most of his time looking at the brooms). Rachel told everyone how Damian had bought her ice creams and they had a romantic time shopping, which made me gag as Damian Loren is the least romantic person in the world, almost like he has no sense of emotion.
"What pet did you get, Callum?" mum asked, chewing on the gravy soaked pie. Callum, who had finished first, pushed his plate aside and places a cage on the table, a large, great grey owl inside. Its eyes were large and yellow, a firm and strong impression fixed on them.
"That is hideous!" exclaimed Rachel, her hair turning a green and red colour.
"Prettier than you," Callum snapped. He looked at his owl through the cage, "His name is Krusher, as he is a strong owl, more manly than Charlie." He grinned at me, that devilish expression on his face. I raise my eyebrows at him and continue to eat.
"Bet my Kneazle and Pygmy Puff could beat that thing up in a flash!" Rachel mocked, pushing her finished plate aside.
"Now, children, don't start!" my mother barked, looking around to see if anyone was watching. "Public place!" She added, glaring at them both whilst drinking her water.
"Anywho," piped my dad, burping loudly afterwards. "Who is excited?" he asked, in the most unenthusiastic voice he could ever pull.
"Very," I say, also pushing my plate aside. "I really want to learn how to cast charms and brew potions!" I raise my glass, holding it in the air above the middle of the table. "To new beginnings and a magical new future!" I say, cheesily, slightly embarrassed.
"To new beginnings!" They all say together, our glasses clinking. We all swig, and smile warmly before ordering desserts.
As a family, we all walked down the narrow, cobbled street, towards the south side of Diagon Alley. We turned a left and faced a smaller alley with buildings close together, at the end, a tall three storey high building with a big, blue sign that read; Ollivanders- Makers of Fine Wands since 382 B.C. Some parts of the building was old, with parts of the paint flaking off, showing the old bricks. However, the lower part seemed newer, more painted.
"Ah yes," said mum, as if she read my thoughts. "Old Ollivander was kidnapped during dark times, his shop was broken into. Luckily, locals helped out, put out the fire yada yada yada."
"Did he live?" Callum asked, still staring at the old building.
"Yep," replied Rachel, taking over from mum. "He escaped and taught his son how to make wands. His son took over when he passed and his son had seven children."
"Seven!" Callum yelled, shocked.
"Seven indeed, six boys and a girl. He had seven children as he was diagnosed with a disease he didn't share with the world. Sadly, most of his children died young and the Ollivander family have some rule that they must have children to pass on the family shop, so he kept having children with his wife. Sadly, when his girl was born he died, leaving only her. She had to learn from her father's notes and now, she runs the shop." She breathed heavily and smiled to herself, proud she knew so much.
"Very good Rache, very good!" mum said, smiling. Rachel is in Ravenclaw house, as well as my mum was, so they both share the knowledge trait. God knows what house I will be in.
"Okay, Callum and Charlie. Me and your mother has decided you will both go in on your own and purchase your wands together. Might ruin the magic if ya have your mother squealing every second." My father whispered to us, hands on our shoulders. He gave us a nudge and we both made our way nervously towards the shop.
Like almost all the other shops in Diagon, a bell rang as the door opened. A faint smell of wood and the weird presence of... magic seemed to linger. The shop was filled with shelves that reached the ceiling that were piled with small rectangular boxes all of different colours; the same was repeated on each floor. In this shop however, there was no counter, just a small crooked old chair.
"Hello..." Callum called out, his voice echoing. "Anybody here?" Nothing, silence, just a long silence. I feel awkward, I've never been alone with my twin for a while. Callum turned around and slumped on the chair. He sighed heavily. "Brilliant."
"She will be around soon..." I say, leaning against the wall.
"Well, she shouldn't keep her customers waiting," he says with another sigh. I let out a little laugh, which seems to annoy him. "What?" he snaps.
"You have to learn to be more patient. Remember what mum says, 'patience is a virtue.' I chortle, smiling at him.
"Oh shut up you twat," he snaps back, but I still notice the smile. I walk over to him and budge him slightly, making him share the seat. He puts and arm around me and I go in for a hug. To my surprise, he gives one in return.
"See, you can be nice and patient," I tell him, letting out a sigh of relief that he isn't pushing me off the chair. I don't care if I'm not getting my wand straight away, I don't get moments with Callum every day, I have only had two days that I remember. No matter how much he annoys me, I still love him and I know he loves me too, he is just too ' 'ard' to show it.
"I am seriously getting very impatient now," he says getting up. "Hello, we are waiting!" He shouts up towards the other floors.
"Oh sorry, I coming!" comes a woman's voice from the top floor. I hear a quiet whoosh and then silence again. Suddenly, a louder whoosh comes from right in front of us and a blonde haired woman in a pink bandanna and a short bum length pink dress. "Sorry about that, I got held up in making some wands upstairs!" She exclaims. The woman takes a few steps back and curtseys slightly. "The name is Geralyn Ollivander, fine maker of wands since I left school, seven years ago."
"Well, erm... Hello..." said Callum nervously. Typical, a pretty lady walks in and you drop your attitude completely, well Callum does, I'm better than that. I stand up.
"Charlie Butler, soon to be student at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, pleased to meet you." I stick out my hand and Geralyn shakes it.
"Please to meet you and your, erm, boyfriend, I presume." She says, looking at Callum. I let go of her hand fast.
"No, he's my-"
"Brother," Callum interrupts. "Just brothers, I'm not one of them." I give Callum a glare; I hate him offending people's sexual preferences. Really ticks me off.
"Sorry, I didn't realise," she says, flattening her dress, stalling probably. "Anyway, wands" She walks further down the room.
"Now, I must let you know, the wand chooses the wizard. You can't choose what wand looks good, the wand chooses you, based on your size, personality maybe, even your history. But you cannot choose. The wand chooses you, you understand?" Me and Callum both nod, it is magic after all. Ollivander walks to one of the shelves and picks a wand off the shelf. "Usually, I would do your measurements, perhaps ask you a few questions, but, I've already done that."
"What?" I ask, shocked.
"Magic is a tricky thing to learn, but when you are me, you can know how to use it without saying anything at all." She searches the shelf and picks out a dark red box handing it to Callum.
"10 inches, Willow, Unicorn Hair. Just give it a wave," she says. As soon as Callum takes it out of the box, Geralyn instantly takes it off him.
"No, no, defiantly not!" She says, a little upset. "Thought that was the one..." She wanders off behind to go find some other wands.
A few minutes later, Callum had his wand. There was a few wand boxes scattered around and a large dent in the wall, but he still got his wand. His wand was made of Yew, thirteen inches long, Dragon heartstring core and its flexibility was unbending, meaning it should always remain loyal and powerful to him. Now was my turn...
Geralyn stared at me for a while, her eyes shooting up and down, left and right as she did so.
"Could it be, that maybe a similar wand to your brothers?" she asks, obviously rhetorically. She paces for a bit before disappearing into the back. I look at Callum, nervously. He stares back, blankly.
"I'm nervous..." I say, looking down.
"Stop being a wimp, it will be fine," he replies, a little annoyed. Geralyn comes back, three green boxes in hand. She hands me the first box, and inside is a simple, long black wand. She gestures a flicking motion with her hands. I remove the wand from its place and flick and I swear I hear a smash somewhere upstairs.
"Try the next one," she says. I flick the second wand, a thick wavy, pale wand with a nice, wavy pattern. Nothing happens, just a small gust of wind. Geralyn lets out a small sigh.
"This is going to be a tough case," my brother moans.
"Long as well," Geralyn chirps, mocking Callum a bit. She gives me a wink and I smile back. She was obviously teased him for my amusement, which, of course, worked.
The piles of wand boxes were huge. An hour and a half I counted on the clock, yet, still no wand. Callum had half fallen asleep on the old wooden chair and Geralyn was becoming frustrated. She kept murmuring to herself about if I really was a soon to be wizard. Her nice, wavy blonde hair had now become knotty and puffy with stress. She wandered about the shop, from the top floor to the ground floor, even went into a basement that was newly built, but still no wand. Now I was debating if I was a wizard or not.
"I seriously am going to get very annoyed!" exclaimed Callum, kicking a pile of multicoloured boxes over.
"Manners!" shouts Geralyn, flicking her own wand at the piles of boxes, making them fly back to their place on the shelves. "I do have one last wand that might fit you; the others won't even listen to you though..."
"And if it doesn't work?" I ask, panicking a little.
"I suggest you try a different store, something like this has never really happened before..."
"Just let me try this wand, please!" I beg, not realising I am on my knees. She lets out a tired sigh, which I seem to keep hearing, and walks off into the back of the store. I look at Callum, a single tear in my left eye. I am quite upset with the result of this. Callum managed to get his wand almost instantly, so did the rest of my family, or so I hear. Geralyn returns, a dark blue box in her hand.
"Wave it, we can only hope," she says, placing a hand on her chin, observing me. I open the box and see a beautiful light colour wand, with a circular patter at the handle. The handle area is a darker wood, and the top is nice and thin. There is a faint swirly pattern in the thinner part of the wand, which kind of looks like some runes of symbols. I take it out of the box and I feel right, I feel powerful. I flick the wand once and gold, blue, silver and purple stars fly out, the whole room lighting up. The wand sends out a slow moving golden trail which moves around my body, giving me a warm, tingling sensation. This is my wand, my one true wand.
"Congratulations! A might fine wand too, might I add," Geralyn praised herself and me partly. "That is a..." she studies the wand, brushing her hair with her dainty hands and long pink nails. "Ah yes! That would be twelve and a half inches, Mapel, Dragon heartstring and it is surprisingly swishy. A very good flexibility might I add. It will surprise you though, it will either be a very loyal wand or extremely un-loyal. Good for charms work too and, might I add, is drawn to people who tend to stay in their shell but, when out, people love them. Or, this is usually the case."
Seven Galleons we paid each for our wands and we went on our way, me and Callum arguing about whose wand was better. Mine is always better, but he just can't seem to understand.
"Oh, by the way, this is your outfit from your wardrobe. Hope you don't mind!" I call to him, flamboyantly running off, mocking him.
"How many times have I told you?" he exclaims, "never borrow my stuff!" He runs after me, probably ready to stab me to death with his wand.