I Don't Want to be a Hero - Second Year
Chapter Three
Harry's New Wand
Harry had his textbooks for school, a new Never-Ink quill, and a subscription for school parchment, and the gift of a drawing journal from his father, Severus Snape. He had thought they might visit Slug and Jigger's Apothecary for his second year Potions Kit but Severus explained that he had already ordered a kit from his preferred Apothecary located in New Zealand. They now walked up the street towards the unassuming shop of handmade wands by Ollivander.
As they stepped into the shop it was empty but for Ollivander who was seated at a workbench sanding a wand he was working on.
"Mr. Potter," he greeted without looking up. "Or, do you prefer to be called Mr. Potter Snape."
"Mr. Snape, please," he replied. "Potter's my middle name."
Ollivander put down the wand he was working on, rose, and moved to his counter. He smiled knowingly at Professor Snape. "A fine son you have, sir," he nodded.
Severus returned the nod with an acknowledgement of his own.
"Mr. Ollivander, sir," asked Harry. "I lost my other wand…"
"Indeed you did," agreed Ollivander. "And doesn't Professor Snape appear quite healthy?"
Harry glanced worriedly over his shoulder at his father. He then leaned forward against the counter, "Nobody knows about that, sir! Not even my friends."
Ollivander tapped the side of his nose, and smiled. His watery blue eyes twinkled, and Severus let out a snort. "You are in need of a wand, Mr. Snape."
Harry just managed a nod. He was still wondering how the strange wandmaker knew about his wand having brought his father back to life when they encountered Quirrell and Voldy on the back of his head. The Daily Prophet had written the story but no one but Harry, the Headmistress, and Lucius Malfoy knew the full story.
Ollivander Summoned his measuring tape which spun about the room lazily, then towards Harry. Wary of anything without a brain that moved on its own had Harry backing up quickly until he bumped into the solidity of Severus Snape. Severus dropped his hands on Harry's shoulders.
"Just close your eyes, Harry. It's fine," drawled Severus assuringly.
Harry closed his eyes but his hand still caught at Severus's hand. The wizard wove his fingers around Harry's as the measuring tape danced before Harry a few minutes, and then zipped back to Ollivander.
The wandmaker caught the measuring tape, stretched it taut, then let go of one end as he scratched his chin. Finally letting go of the measuring tape he turned back to the racks of wands and moved up and down the dusty rows. A few moments later he returned with three boxes that he dropped on the counter.
"If you would come here, Mr. Snape?" asked Ollivander.
Harry stepped over to the counter and studied the three boxes. They were not distinctive and in fact all were dark, slate grey. Ollivander opened the first one to reveal a solid white wand.
"Elder wood, fourteen inches, with a unicorn core. It is a wand of a legendary status, Mr. Snape." He held the wand towards the boy.
"I don't want a legendary wand," he rasped as he shook his head vehemently. He refused to touch the wand.
"Ah well," sighed Ollivander. "It will wait for a hero to possess it."
Harry frowned darkly. "I'm NOT a hero."
"Did you not kill He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named?" asked Olivander.
"No, I didn't. I meant to hit Quirrell who hurt my dad. I didn't know his head was going to burn up when I touched him," sighed Harry. "Voldy flew out of Quirrell, and it was my… parents that killed Voldy. I'm just a normal boy and I'm 12. Now, do you have a wand for me?"
"Harry," warned Severus, "there is no need to be rude. Mr. Ollivander is doing his best."
Harry hung his head. "Sorry, Mr. Ollivander."
Ollivander was scratching his chin. His blue eyes sparkled in sudden understanding. "You say your touch burned Quirrell?"
Harry nodded, "Yes, sir."
"These will not do then," Ollivander scooped up the boxes, vanished back into his racks of wands, then called out, "Do you draw, Mr. Snape?"
Harry shouted back, "Yes, sir! I do!"
"Ah! Very good! Very good!" There came the sounds of grunting, something being tossed, and then Ollivander came scurrying back to his counter. "Kaya from Japan. A unique colour of galleon gold, Mr. Potter. It is 13.3 inches in length with the hair of a unicorn at its core. This is the wand of a creator, a healer. This is not the wand of a soldier. I believe…" he removed from the box a beautiful wand that Harry saw was the warm colour of the sun over the ocean. The handle was straight, and strong but adorned by a series of runes, and one of the runes Harry recognised as being very like the scar on his forehead. The wood of the wand twisted in a gentle spiral that caught the light. Ollivander handed the wand over to the young wizard.
Harry took the wand into his hand and felt an enlightenment of warmth spread up from his hand throughout his body. He gave it a short wave and was delighted as a beautiful sunset of sparks spilled from the tip of the wand.
Ollivander beamed with triumph. "The wand has chosen, Mr. Snape. I knew this one had waited just for you. Wonderful!"
"I have a wand!" Harry beamed as he swirled the wand again and spilled more sparks. He chuckled.
"Indeed, Harry. It is an impressive wand," remarked Professor Snape. "How much is it, Ollivander?"
"Twenty-two galleons, Professor Snape," replied Ollivander. Severus removed the amount from his purse, and paid for the wand. "Mr. Snape, before you leave," said Ollivander to stop them from walking out of his shop. Harry turned to face the wandmaker. Ollivander leaned on the counter and peered at the young wizard. "A wand… my wands… allow the owner to accomplish remarkable things in their lives. I have never sold a wand to 'just a boy' or 'just a girl'. You, Mr. Snape, may not be the hero that was foretold but you are… an extraordinary… wizard." He then smiled serenely, and tapped the side of his nose. "I know this, Mr. Snape."
Harry smiled bashfully and snapped his wand up into his sleeve, the trick that his father had shown him with his last wand. "Thank you, sir."
Severus gave a nod to the wandmaker and then ushered his son to the door, and they walked out of the wand shop. In his shop, Ollivander returned to his workbench. With a twinkle to his eyes, and a smile, he spoke to the silence.
"Happy birthday, Mr. Harry Potter Snape."
a/n: A few things before I get feedback on them:
1) Yes, I know Dad being the name for Severus from his son ought to be capitalised but I am having trouble typing and it is easier to leave it lowercase.
2) Isn't James Harry's middle name? My research shows that it is but it is cumbersome with arthritic fingers to write Harry James Potter Snape. I do want to show some honour to his parents is there in his name so Potter is now his middle name.
3) I use the UK spelling and no I am not British. I was, however, taught the King's English and my spelling by a mother who had both a father and step-father that were "stiff upper lip" British. Her step-father, I might add, was the brother of that fellow who discovered DNA.