HOGWARTS CHRONICLES: I-THE PHILOSPHER'S STONE

by whith

Alexander Whitmore is a young boy living on the streets of London, facing the challenges of homelessness and survival. Despite his difficult circumstances, he possesses a unique ability to read minds, which sets him apart from others. His encounter with Minerva McGonagall, a witch from Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, changes the course of his life.

3. Diagon Alley

August 23rd, 1991 – London, England.

It was a Friday morning when McGonagall came to pick up Alexander. She was in the reception of the building at seven thirty, the exact time she said she would be arriving. Alexander was waiting for her in the reception, the cloth bag in his right hand, beside Sarah, after a short conversation between the two women Alexander left with McGonagall after nodding at Sarah. As they made their way through the streets of London the silence was becoming deafening. Alexander had yet to forget what he had seen in his nightmare, even though it had been two months ago. They've had conversations through letters, she asked him how he was doing and if he had been practicing his calligraphy, if he had read the books, she had provided him and if he was being treated right at the building. He had devoured the material; he had read all through the books on Magical Theory and History of Magic. The book on Magical Theory he had read twice, even though he could remember every word written on it after the first time but giving it a second read solidified all the concepts in his mind. Now he understood very well how magic worked.

He also knew now, that apparently, he was a legilimens and a seer, and a natural at it. Most wizards had to learn legilimency, there was also a spell that could be used to pry people's minds, it was the easiest method, but for him, it came as natural as looking at someone. The hard part for him was not prying into people's minds. Seers on the other hand were extremely rare judging by what was stated in both books.

- "How've you been Mr. Whitmore?" Minerva's voice snapped him out of his thoughts. – "I'm glad to see you look much better now, I like the hair." She noticed he looked less thin than when she had initially met him and appeared overall healthier.

Alexander nodded his head. – "So do I, though it can get in my eyes sometimes." He looked around, McGonagall was certainly dressed peculiarly compared to all the people on the street. Even compared to himself, he was dressed in simple black jeans and a grey hoodie, along with his beat-up sneakers. She, on the other hand wore the same kind of extravagant robes she wore the day he met her, though these were a different shade of grey, her pointy hat still over her head, and the same pair of glasses. – "I read both books you gave me and finished all through the calligraphy books."

McGonagall nodded and smiled warmly. – "Splendid. Are you certain you read all the material conscientiously?" She asked in a warm voice.

Alexander nodded his head. – "Yes, I read the Magical Theory book twice and the History of Magic book once. I must admit I have never been much of a fan of History, the only reason I pass those courses is because I actually have trouble forgetting anything." He turned towards her. – "But the Magical Theory book was fascinating."

McGonagall smiled as she turned toward him, looking at his eyes. – "I was never fond of History either, but it's important to know it regardless." Alexander nodded his head. – "It's good you have taken such interest in Magical Theory, given that you are a muggle-born, it would be my recommendation that you take the extra course in that subject. It's not mandatory, but we encourage students to take it nonetheless."

Alexander stopped in his tracks. – "Wait, how do you know I am muggle-born?" He asked. – "Do you know who my parents are?"

McGonagall stopped as well and turned towards him. – "I'm afraid not. I know you are muggle-born because your surname is not present in the magical world."

Alexander sighed, he knew what a muggle-born was thanks to the books, he also knew that some prejudice was probably waiting for him at the magical world, knowing very well that some magical families were pure-blood supremacists, but that wasn't something he was extremely worried about, he is no stranger to prejudice, neglect, or downright rudeness. – "I see." He answers, plainly, not letting any emotion coat his voice.

McGonagall smiled. – "I'm sorry I can't give you the answers you seek."

Alexander started walking again, his eyes not meeting her. – "It's okay." He stated in the same controlled voice. McGonagall started walking as well. – "Will we be there soon?" He asked gently.

McGonagall nodded her head. – "Sooner than you think."

After about ten more minutes of walking McGonagall turned to an empty alley, there was nothing in it, not even a trash bin and looked like it had not been cleaned in ages, nonetheless Alexander kept following her until they reached the very end of the alley, he noticed McGonagall taking an object out of her robes, it was a small wooden box, that fit in the palm of her hand. She looked towards the entrance of the alley, making sure there was no one. Alexander noticed as well that the buildings al the sides of the alley had no windows on their walls, there wasn't even a lamp on the alley, for what he could gather, there was no way at looking to what could happen here, besides the entrance. – "Now, given that you have read all the material I gave you, I'm certain you can tell me how apparition works." McGonagall stated with a smile on her face.

Alexander nodded his head. – "I doubt this is going to be enjoyable." He stated.

McGonagall smiled, realizing he had indeed read the text. Apparition was mentioned very briefly and sporadically through the History of Magic book, the mechanics of how to perform it were very vague too. – "Splendid, you have at least some sort of idea. Yes, it is going to be very uncomfortable at the least. But we are at the other end of the city, and I personally don't fancy the idea of taking the train." She opened the wooden box and handed Alexander a small vial with a golden liquid in it. – "This potion should mitigate the negative affects you could feel, but not entirely."

Alexander took the potion and eyed it. – "So, it will still feel like I am being pushed through a hole the size of a penny." He stated plainly before taking the cork out of the bottle and gulping the liquid in one swing. It tasted sour, but it was far from being the worst thing he had eaten in his life.

McGonagall pressed her lips in a thin line and nodded. – "It always feels like that, it takes some getting use to." She extended her hand to him, gesturing to the bottle, he handed it to her, after placing the cork back on it, she placed inside the wooden box. – "Are you ready?" She asked, offering him her arm. Alexander nodded his head before reluctantly placing his hand on her forearm. – "You have to hold on tight, we don't want any piece of you staying behind." Alexander nodded his head, before tightening his hold on McGonagall's arm, he braced himself as she nodded her head.

It felt exactly like the book had stated, like being pushed through a minuscule hole, though there was a certain feeling of being stretched and compressed at the same time, something he couldn't quite put into words. He had been right it was not enjoyable at all. The whole ordeal could not have lasted more than a mere instant, one moment they were standing in the alley, then for an instant he felt like he was nowhere at all, and the next his feet were back on the ground.

---

Diagon Alley, London.

- "We are here." McGonagall's voice reverbed subtly, he opened his eyes to find himself at the far end of an alley, considerably narrower than the one he was just a second ago, and much livelier, he let go of her arm. The alley was full of people, dressed similarly as McGonagall, if there was ever a magical alley he could picture, it would probably look just like this. – "It's a tad more crowded than I expected, but in any case, I made sure to make the proper reservation at Gringotts and Madam Malkin's."

Alexander nodded his head. He knew what Gringotts was, the sole wizarding bank in the world, ran by goblins. It was according to the book, one of the safest places, centuries old. – "Is there a reason we are going to Gringotts?" Alexander pondered. – "You said that the school would pay for the items I will need."

Minerva nodded. – "Yes, but it is protocol. As you know being a muggle-born means that at the very least your biological parents are non-magical." Alexander nodded, that much he understood. – "But, in Gringotts whatever gets stored there, if never withdrawn by any wizard that owns it, will stay there for at least a couple centuries before it is absorbed by the bank. There is a possibility you have inherited a vault from a distant relative."

Alexander nodded his head. – "So, I could now who my family was, or is for that matter."

McGonagall remained stoic. – "Goblins don't normally reveal any information of their clients, even if they are your distant relatives."

Alexander frowned. – "That seems… stupid." He muttered the last part; it was frustrating that apparently even in the magical world he had no way of knowing from who he comes from. But he believes her, goblins are very clever, but normally are very rude and secretive.

McGonagall smiled at him before gesturing with her head so they would start walking. They arrived at the building right in the conjecture of two alleys it was made of white marbel, slightly inclined, and stood out tremendously, it was also significantly higher than the other buildings in the alley, and most of its windows were tinted gold. – "Here we are." McGonagall stated, opening the burnished bronze door for him, Alexander entered the building to see it was just as beautiful on the inside, there was a goblin by the door, in a scarlet and gold uniform, not so different from a suit jacket and dress pants. Alexander refrained himself for looking at the goblin for more time than it was polite. They passed the entrance hall until they reached another set of doors, but these were silver and had a very cryptic message engraved on them that warned you against robbing. Alexander had never been in a bank before, but guessed it was probably the same, if you robbed, you get punished.

Once they passed the silver doors, they entered a hall that was adorned with a massive chandelier hanging from the ceiling, the floors where now a green marble and the morning light came through the golden tinted windows, making the place well illuminated in a subtle yellow light. There were several desks, elevated, probably six feet from the floor; at the sides of the hall and several doorways, they walked through the hall until they reached the very end where a single desk was placed, in it was a goblin, that Alexander assumed was the one that received people. – "Good morning." McGonagall stated. She took an envelope out of her robes and handed it to the goblin. – "We have an appointment." She finished. The goblin eyed the envelope before nodding his head and getting down from his seat.

The goblin disappeared behind the tall desk and rounded it. – "This way." He stated, guiding them towards some stairs. Once they reached the second floor, the goblin gestured towards an empty office. – "You can wait here; the head goblin will see you promptly." He finished before leaving.

They waited for a couple of minutes before another goblin entered the office and took a seat at the normal sized desk, they were sitting at the other side of the desk, facing the goblin. – "Mr. Alexander Whitmore, correct?" The goblin asked in a serious voice.

Alexander nodded his head. – "Yes." He stated plainly, not letting any kind of emotion coat his voice.

The goblin was eyeing some parchment and scribbling something down with a quill. – "This is your birth name?" He asked.

Alexander frowned. – "Yes." He stated, though he actually doesn't have a birth name, he was named by Deborah when he arrived at the orphanage, as far as he knows he has no name given to him by his birth parents. – "In any case, it's the name that was given to me. So yes, it's my name."

The goblin nodded his head, scribbling down. – "You are a muggle-born wizard, and you are here today to see if you have any inheritance, and if not to receive a vault." The goblin stated, scribbling some more before raising his glance and locking eyes with Alexander. – "In case you have no inheritance and will need to open a vault, it has been decided that, as of right now, given that you are a minor, you will be under the guardianship of either Minerva McGonagall or Albus Percival Wulfric Bryan Dumbledore. In other words, the school is taking responsibility for you, either of these people need to give authorization for withdrawals or deposits, that exceed twenty galleons to your vault but have no permission of taking anything from it on their own."

Alexander nodded his head; it was no different than how finances would work on the muggle world; kids weren't unable to move money as they pleased from the banks. – "If you have an inheritance, there will be no need for authorization as the money is rightfully yours. But I would advise to spend it wisely." Alexander nodded again. – "Either way the guardianship is already placed, whether it has jurisdiction or not here will be determined later."

Alexander nodded in understanding. – "We will need a sample of your blood." The goblin stated, before taking out a golden knife from the desk as well as a small, glass vial. – "Please, extend your hand." Alexander did as instructed, extending his right hand, before the goblin proceeded to nick his index finger, he felt the pain of the cut, but remained still, his hand not even giving a hint of a shake. Three drops of blood were collected by the goblin in the small vial, Alexander watched how, rather than falling to the bottom of the vial, the blood seemed to float in it. The goblin let go of his hand and Alexander watched as the cut healed itself immediately, the pain fading as well. – "Thank you. I will be back in a moment." The goblin stated before getting up from his seat and leaving the office.

Alexander watched as the goblin left before turning his sight to McGonagall. – "So, the school is taking full responsibility for myself? The same as in an orphanage?"

Minerva nodded her head. – "Yes, the school shall now be your new home, we have orphanages in the magical world, normally administered by the Ministry, but the headmaster has decided that the school shall be your home. Now as you know, the school is technically owned by the Ministry so in any case you are overlooked by the Ministry as well, at least until you are of age, or someone becomes your formal guardian." She took a breath and looked at the clock on the wall. – "For any Ministry related matter or school matter, Professor Dumbledore and I are able to give any authorization or deny it."

Alexander nodded his head and looked to the front again. – "I see." He stated plainly. – "Why is it the headmaster has gone to so much trouble himself, wouldn't it have been simpler to throw me into one of the orphanages you have here?"

Minerva remained stoic. – "You are the very first case we have encountered of an orphan muggle-born, I guess he wanted to provide you a home as much as he could." Alexander nodded in understanding.

Soon enough the head goblin was back, he took a seat on the desk again, he nodded slightly to McGonagall, it was almost imperceptive, Alexander failed to notice it since he was looking at the cloth bag, still gripped in his hand. McGonagall sighed slightly. – "Mr. Whitmore, you have inherited vault 696." The goblin stated, causing Alexander to raise his glance towards him. – "We have used part of the blood you provided to check for distant relatives. Another part was used to craft your key to the vault, while the last part was used to complete your registration as a client of the bank."

Alexander nodded in understanding. – "I suppose there is no point in asking you who was the owner of the vault."

The goblin nodded solemnly. – "I can only tell you that magic had not manifested in your family some generations." He extended his hand towards Alexander. – "Here is your key, do not lose it."

Alexander nodded his head and took the key from the goblin's hand. – "Now, if you will, we shall go to your vault to assess what is in there." He got up from his seat again, Alexander and Minerva followed suit, walking out of the office and down the stairs to one off the doors in the main hall.

Once they exited the great hall, the whole ambience changed, gone were the marble walls and floors, now everything was made of stone and dimly lit by torches on the walls. The head goblin stopped to speak with another before nodding towards them and leaving. There it became evident to Alexander the sheer size of this bank. There had to be some enchantment on this place that made it bigger, it appeared like a series of tunnels and caves guarded by thick metal doors that had no end. The apparent mean of transport through this maze was a cart that looked not so different from a roller coaster, the tracks extended and twisted all over the place.

- "Please, if you will." The goblin that had stayed gestured at the cart.

Alexander and Minerva got in the cart while the goblin situated himself in the driving space, soon enough they were moving and leaving the security off a floor a few inches below their feet to not seeing the end of the caves.

As the cart picked up speed Alexander's thoughts wandered, he tried to take in everything he was seeing, he assumed by his vault number that there were at the very least 695 vaults besides his own. After ten minutes of riding and seeing the cart had some sort of gyroscope that always maintained its occupants upright, they came to a stop. – "Vault 696." The goblin stated, getting off the cart. Alexander and McGonagall followed suit and they were all now in front of a massive round metal door. – "Key, please." The goblin stated, extending his hand to Alexander, the latter handed the key.

The goblin opened the enormous door with the golden key, before stepping aside letting the contents of the vault be revealed to Alexander and McGonagall. – "The vault contains some precious stones. The amount of money in it is 737521 galleons, 13 sickles and 23 knuts." The goblin stated beside them. Alexander's only visible sign of reaction was the small gulp he took. Other than that, his demeanor remained unchanging. He knew that this amount of money was a lot, considering the fact that the galleon was the most valuable coin used in the wizarding world.

The vault was dimly lit by a light that seemed to come from the ceiling and the walls, though the source was not easily identified. There were several piles of golden coins and significantly less silver coins and bronze. This was a small fortune. – "There are some pouches for your use if you wish to make a withdrawal." The goblin stated. – "I will be outside the vault."

McGonagall nods as the goblin as she gestured towards the vault, so Alexander enters with her. She took two pouches from the corner, and they entered the vault. – "How much money should I take?" Alexander asked, watching the piles of gold.

- "All of the school material does not cost more than a hundred galleons." McGonagall stated. She handed the pouches to Alexander.

He nodded his head and took the pouches. – "Alright." He stated, carefully starting to gather the coins. He took a hundred galleons and placed them in one of the pouches. – "Am I allowed to keep these pouches?"

- "They are courtesy of the bank." The goblin stated from outside the vault.

Alexander nodded before taking some more money for any need he could have, he didn't feel particularly comfortable here, this was more than he could ever need. He took ninety more galleons and placed them in the other pouch along with twenty sickles, for any other emergency he could have or maybe buying other books besides the once required. – "Okay, I think this must be enough." McGonagall nodded her head before exiting the vault, Alexander behind her.

Soon enough they had left the bank and were back at the concurred Alley. – "Alright, the first thing you should be getting is a trunk." McGonagall stated. – "But first, our appointment at Madam Malkin's is right now so we must get there first." She finished and started walking towards the north side of the alley.

They arrived at a small building, at least compared to Gringotts with purple wooden doors and a big window showcasing some dress robes. Once McGonagall opened the door a bell chimed and the woman at the reception desk lifted her sight from the parchment she was reading. – "Minerva." The woman greeted. – "As always, right on time."

- "Madam Malkin, as always, a pleasure. This is whom I mentioned in my letter, Alexander Whitmore. He is here to be fitter for his first robes for Hogwarts." Minerva stated gesturing to Alexander. – "I will leave you two to it, I'll be back shortly, I have some errands to run myself." She stated before leaving the shop.

Alexander turned to Madam Malkin, she smiled warmly at him. – "Well, come along dear, let's get you fitted for your robes, here we also have the full uniform, the white shirts to be used under the robes and the dress pants, as well as black formal socks and black leather shoes." She gestured towards one of the displays where a Hogwarts uniform was shown. – "You will also be needing ties, a winter cloak and a pair of protective gloves, here we have dragon hide gloves."

Alexander nodded his head, recalling the list of items given to him with his acceptance letter mentioned all she stated. – "I see." He stated calmly and plainly, he directed his sight to the woman speaking to him, she was dressed in robes, similar to McGonagall's but looked a tad less elegant, she was younger as well and had a measuring tape around her neck.

- "Well, come on dear." She stated after stopping at a doorway that had a single wooden stage in its center. – "Step here so I can measure you."

Alexander did as instruct and stepped on the stage; he watched in awe as the measuring tape she had on her neck seemed to have. A mind of its own, moving alone and placing itself around his body. – "Please, raise your arms to the sides." Madam Malkin asked, he did as instruct, and the measuring tape proceeded to measure his arms and around his chest and waist. Madam Malkin's skilled maneuvers reflected her years of expertise in fitting young wizards and witches for their magical attire. The measuring tape seemed to anticipate her every move, effortlessly adjusting itself to gather the necessary data for creating the perfect set of robes. Alexander couldn't help but marvel at the seamless coordination between the witch and her tools, a testament to the magical intricacies embedded within the very fabric of their world.

After little conversation, where Alexander maintained his polite yet reserved demeanor, Madam Malkin was done fitting him for his robes and clothes. – "Alright then, I will bring a set of uniform so you can wear it and we can make the last adjustments." She stated leaving the small room, Alexander was left alone for a couple of minutes before she returned with the clothes folded in her hands. – "Here you go, please, put these on." She stated exiting the room again after placing the clothes on his hands and closing the door behind her.

After fumbling for a second, he was done donning the school uniform, the white shirt was tucked nicely in his dress pants, a black necktie with the Hogwarts logo on it, black socks, and black dress shoes. Over his shirt and tie he wore a grey V-neck jumper and the robes. Everything fit him perfectly. A moment later there was a knock at the door. – "Are you done dear?" Madam Malkin's voice came from the other side of the door.

- "Yes." Alexander answered, the door then opened.

- "Oh, yes, that is the perfect fit." Madam Malkin stated, admiring her work. – "Are you comfortable?" Alexander nodded his head. – "Great, then I shall use this set to fit all of your uniform sets. How many will you be taking?"

Alexander tilted his head, the acceptance letter asked for three robes, it was the only thing specified. – "Four robes." He started. – "Six of these white shirts, four jumpers and six pair of pants. And six pair of socks as well. I believe that two neckties should suffice as well."

- "Fantastic." Madam Malkin answered. – "The robes, pants and shirts are enchanted to be self-ironing. They will also change color once you are sorted in your house, the crest of the house will appear on the robes as well. You are also required to have a name tag on your robes, will you be getting those as well?" She asked.

Alexander nodded. – "Yes, I will also take a pair of dragon hide gloves."

The woman nodded and left the room again. Alexander got off the school uniform and redonned his comfortable clothing, folding the uniform neatly. He exited the room soon after, with the clothes on his hands. Madam Malkin was sorting through what he had requested and placing all the clothing in paper bags. She arranged them expertly so it would take the minimum amount of space. Once she noticed him, she gestured so he would hand her the clothes and proceeded to fold them again, to sort them in the paper bags.

Alexander admired the skill the woman had, if he had tried to sort these items on his own it would have taken him at least double the amount of space. In the end she handed him four paper bags, they didn't weigh as much. – "I took the liberty to place the name tags on your robes, as well as on the dragon hide gloves. That'd be… 25 galleons and 13 sickles." She stated returning to the desk.

Alexander nodded his head and took 26 galleons out of the pouch he had reserved for school supplies. She smiled at him and gave him his change; he placed it on the pouch immediately after. – "Thank you very much, Madam Malkin."

Madam Malkin smiled warmly. – "You're welcome, dear. If you require anything else or if there's any way I can assist you further, please don't hesitate to let me know." Alexander nodded his head and made way to exit the shop.

After the door closed behind him, he noticed McGonagall waiting by the side of the shop. – "I trust you found everything you needed from here?" She asked, before gesturing towards a black trunk that she was standing beside. – "I got this for you" She stated.

It was a decent sized trunk, he would be able to fit all the clothes he had bought and owned there with no issue and still have some space left for books and other things, even though he didn't own much. – "Oh, thank you Mrs. McGonagall." He stated immediately going through the pouch of money. – "How much was it?"

McGonagall shook her head. – "Don't worry about it, consider it a gift from the school. It's expandable, so you won't have to worry about space constraints as you collect more items throughout the school year. And it's equipped with a variety of compartments to help you stay organized."

Alexander was reluctant to let the school pay for the trunk. – "I…" He started.

- "That's the end of it." McGonagall stated firmly, she saw his apprehension. – "Now, if you'd like you can place your bags there, so you only have to carry one thing." Alexander nodded his head and opened the trunk to put the bags there, he could see it was expandable though the effect wasn't as dramatic as the cloth bag McGonagall had lent him."

Remembering what she had said, he opened the cloth bag and took out all of his belongings from it, his clothes and the couple of books he owned, and placed them on the trunk. – "Here, thank you very much for lending me this." He stated, handing the cloth bag to McGonagall, she nodded her head and took it from him, pocketing it in her robes. Watching him settle his belongings into the trunk, she was pleased to see that everything fit neatly, leaving plenty of room for additional items.

- "Now, let's make our way to Flourish and Blotts, you will buy your textbooks there, as well as rolls of parchment and your quills." She stated, gesturing towards the shop at the end of the alley, Alexander closed the trunk and started walking beside her.

After about an hour of going through the most amount of books Alexander had seen in his life he was fascinated, he took all the core subject books requested and three additional books, once was -Modern Magical History, he thought he would need it given that the book on History of magic covered only up until the nineteenth century. He also decided to buy the second volume of the standard book of spells. And a book on Magical Theory he had eyed and seemed somewhat more advanced than the one he had read.

They were next at Potage's Cauldron Shop, where he bought all of the essentials for potion making. As they exited the shop Alexander eyed the list, he had everything he needed for the school year. – "I'm only missing a wand." He stated towards Minerva, who was walking beside him.

McGonagall nodded her head. – "Yes, next you shall go to Ollivander's." She stated, they walked until they reached the shop. – "I will wait for you here, your first wand is a very personal matter, there is no need for anyone else besides Garrick to be there with you. Go on now, it's empty."

Alexander nodded his head and entered the shop, he was taken slightly aback by the number of boxes in the walls, it looked slightly messy, though it could be an otherwise perfect organization. The walls of the shop were constructed in a dark wood, as well as the shelves that held the countless boxes, he assumed all these boxes contained wands. As he made his way further inside, he noticed a frail-looking man standing at the far end of the room, examining a slender wand with a keen eye.

Garrick Ollivander, the renowned wandmaker, turned toward Alexander as he approached. – "Ah, you must be the boy Minerva said would be coming today. Alexander Whitmore, is it?" Alexander nodded his head. – "I remember every wand I have sold, and every wizard that has bought it, I don't recall any one named Whitmore."

Alexander nodded in understanding. – "I am muggle-born, sir."

Ollivander motioned for him to step forward, and as he did, the old wandmaker studied him intently, as if trying to discern something about his character or potential. After a second of observing him in detail he nodded and smiled before walking towards the shelves on his right. – "Let's see…" He took a box out of it, and opened it, revealing a brown relatively short wand. – "Give this one a wave." He stated handing Alexander the wand by its tip, so the handle was facing him.

Alexander took the wand carefully and inspected it for a second before waving it. A surge of magic burst from the wand that shook all the shelves and caused some of the boxes to fall on the floor. – "No, not that one." Ollivander stated taking the wand from Alexander. – "Alright…" He stated, putting the wand back in its box and walking towards another set of shelves.

He pondered for a minute before taking another box and taking the wand out of it, this one was a lighter shade of brown and was slightly longer. – "How about this on?" He stated handing the wand in the same manner as before. Alexander took it carefully and waved it. This time the vase that was a top of the desk shattered before the spot where it had been combusted into flames. Alexander remained stoic as he saw the flames igniting. – "Definitely not." Ollivander stated waving his wand and putting the fire out.

- "Sorry." Alexander stated handing the wand back to the wandmaker.

- "Don't be, these things happen. I must say you have an exceptional amount of raw power; most wizards and witches only cause minimal damaged when a wand rejects them.

Ollivander continued to peruse the shelves, his fingers trailing along the various boxes as if seeking some elusive connection between them and the young wizard before him. After a few more moments of contemplation, he pulled out yet another box, this one with a delicate, almost silvery sheen. With a flick of his wrist, the box opened, revealing a slender, elegant wand nestled within.

He walked back towards Alexander. – "Let's try this one, shall we?" Ollivander suggested, his eyes fixed intently on Alexander as he handed over the wand. Alexander took it cautiously, feeling a slight tingle run through his fingers as they made contact with the smooth surface. As he waved it, a gentle stream of silver sparks erupted from the tip, dancing gracefully through the air before gently dissipating.

Ollivander's eyes widened with a glimmer of fascination. "Hmm, intriguing," he murmured, studying the display of sparks as if deciphering a hidden message. "But not quite right either, I fear." He took the wand back, carefully placing it back in its box.

- "Sorry, does it normally take this much effort?" Alexander asked, he was getting slightly worried that he had not found his wand yet, he had been here for what felt like hours.

Ollivander's waved a hand dismissively. – "It's like finding a soulmate, young Alexander. It's not always immediate." Ollivander looked through the shelves, they had been through several wands now, tried all the supreme cores, and none seem to fit him, there was only one last option, given that the wands that showed some slight compatibilities were made with a phoenix tail feather.

There is one core that is similar, but completely different at the same time, curiously it was also the only wand he had fabricated with a core that was not one of the three supreme in years. He walked out of Alexander's sight behind some of the shelves. He pondered the box once he took it, he walked back to Alexander.

- "Perhaps, this one." He handed him the wand.

This wand had a very different design compared to the ones he had tried before, it was black in its entirety, and had a hexagonal shaped handle that ended in a six-sided, flat, faceted knob, the shaft continued in this hexagonal shape getting narrower until it was completely round from halfway up until it's very tip. He took the wand on his hand, and suddenly it was like everything was right in the world, a warm light enveloped the room, making it look significantly livelier.

Ollivander marveled once again at the magical prowess this boy had, when a wand chooses its master, the glow is not nearly as expense as this. – "Marvelous." Ollivander stated. – "Fourteen inches, slightly rigid, ebony wood." He declared the properties of the wand. He smiled at Alexander as the glow subdued. – "Now… the core is very interesting young Whitmore. It's a thunderbird tail feather. It also happens to be the only wand I have crafted with a different core in many, many years, I often wondered who the wizard for it would be."

Alexander eyed the wand, it was very elegant, he liked it, it was also simple in design not as extravagant as the others he had tried. – "Very inclined towards combative magic and transfigurations." The wandmaker continued. – "The core, as with all cores, has a mind of its own and it's said to act always trying to protect its master."

- "What does that mean?" Alexander asked.

- "In dire situations, the wand may fire curses on its own. Now, a wand is a conduit for the wizard's magic, so it doesn't inherently generate it." Ollivander explained. – "Wands are but a focusing instrument, and as any conduit for instance comparing it to a wire in the muggle world, it has a certain resistance to certain conditions." He walked towards his desk. – "That is why using a wand that it's not your own feels wrong as you might have gathered, a wand that it's not your own will resist to conducting your magic."

Alexander nodded in understanding. – "I see." He stated.

Ollivander smiled at the boy. – "We can expect great magic from you, young Whitmore if what I have seen today serves as any indication." Alexander smiled at the man and nodded his head. – "That'd be ten galleons."

Alexander nodded and took out ten galleons from his pouch designated to his study material. – "Can I give you something extra? To repair the damage I caused?" Alexander stated.

Ollivander waved his hand dismissively, a gentle twinkle in his eye. – "There's no need for that, my boy. Accidents are commonplace in the world of wand selection. Consider it a part of the process," he reassured Alexander. "Besides, the joy of witnessing the harmony between a wizard and his wand is payment enough for me." Alexander nodded and placed the ten galleons on Ollivander's hand.

- "Thank you very much, Mr. Ollivander." Alexander stated, before nodding the wandmaker goodbye and making way towards the door.

McGonagall was waiting for him outside the store. – "I trust everything went well. There was some commotion I could hear."

Alexander nodded his head. – "Yeah, it took a while, but I have my wand now." He stated, with a small smile on his lips.

McGonagall smiled as well; it was not very usual for Alexander to smile. – "Well then, that must be everything we needed to buy. We can get something to eat and then I will return you to your home."