"Ah, welcome. I've been expecting you." Danny's eyes flicked to green as they both whirled around, only to come face-to-face with an aged man descending rickety stairs, his eyes kind and his smile warm. "I wondered when I'd be seeing the two of you. It seems only yesterday that your mother and father, and young Miss Fenton, were in here, buying their first wands."
The man walked over to a shelf, flicking a hand to the counter as a measuring tape floated up, absently saying, "The wand is a unique tool that matches a wizard's personality, mannerisms, and in very rare cases, their power levels." The measuring tape, seemingly enchanted, began taking Danny's measurements without the need for Ollivander's direct attention.
Ollivander continued, his eyes studying Danny thoughtfully. "Each wand is as unique as the witch or wizard it chooses, and some say that the wand can reveal secrets about its owner that even they may not be aware of."
Danny felt a thrill of excitement as the tape measured the length of his arm, the distance between his fingers, and even the circumference of his head, including the bridge of his nose, while Harry snickered. Ollivander moved to a dusty shelf at the back of the shop, pulling down several boxes with great care. He opened one up, gently revealing the wand within, and told the measuring tape, "That's enough now. Move on to Mr. Potter."
Ollivander gently passed the wand to Danny, who took it and just held it, waiting for something to happen. The old wandmaker's eyes twinkled with anticipation as he observed Danny's reaction to the wand. "Well, give it a wave," he encouraged, gesturing for Danny to test the magical instrument. As Danny hesitantly flicked the wand, a sudden gust of wind swept through the shop, knocking over several stacks of boxes and causing papers to flutter wildly in the air.
"Nope." The wand was snatched out of Danny's hand as the measuring tape finally finished its job, measuring the height between Harry's nose and lips before flopping onto the ground limply. The rejected wand in Ollivander's hand was passed to Harry with the same effect. But this seemed to excite the man as he grinned, saying, "It would seem I have a pair of challenging customers. Not to worry, we will get you paired with a wand."
On and on, time seemed to stretch as they were handed wand after wand, each one producing peculiar reactions but no definitive match. Jazz entered, laden with parcels, and stood in the entrance, watching with amusement as Danny and Harry went through the process.
"Having fun, boys?" she asked with a smile, setting her parcels down.
"Just trying to find the perfect wand," Harry replied, waving yet another wand that produced a small burst of colorful sparks before fizzling out.
Ollivander's eyes narrowed in concentration as he reached for a particularly ornate box high on the shelf. "I believe I have just the thing," he said, more to himself than anyone else. He carefully brought the box down and opened it, revealing a wand that seemed to shimmer with an inner light. "Holly and Elder, Thestral Mane and Phoenix feather," he announced, his voice filled with reverence.
Danny took the wand with trembling hands. The moment his fingers closed around it, a golden light filled the shop, and a harmonious hum resonated through the air. It felt as if the wand was alive, singing a song of power and destiny.
"Extraordinary," Ollivander breathed. "A wand of Holly and Elder signifies great potential, a deep connection to life and protection."
Danny's face lit up with awe and excitement. "This is it."
Ollivander had disappeared once more into the back of the shop and seemed to be taking his time before coming back out, a wand box in hand. This one was laid gently on the counter, the box opened, and the wand lifted out and handed to Harry.
"Give it a wave," Ollivander encouraged, watching him closely.
Harry gave the wand a hesitant flick, but nothing happened. Ollivander took it back and handed him another. This one produced a small burst of sparks, but they quickly fizzled out.
"Hmm," Ollivander said, his eyes narrowing in concentration. "Not quite right."
He continued handing Harry wand after wand, each one producing a different reaction but no definitive match. Just as Harry was beginning to worry that he might never find his wand, Ollivander's eyes lit up as if remembering something.
"Ah, I wonder," he said, moving to a high shelf and pulling down a very old and ornate box. He opened it with reverence, revealing a wand that seemed to shimmer with an inner light. "Holly and phoenix feather, eleven inches, nice and supple."
Harry took the wand, and the moment his fingers closed around it, a warmth spread through his hand and up his arm. A sudden burst of golden and red sparks shot from the wand, filling the room with a dazzling light.
Ollivander's eyes shone with delight and also a different emotion before he took the wand away and held onto it, checking it over, muttering, "Curious... very curious."
Harry looked at him, puzzled. "Sorry, but what's curious?"
"I remember every wand I've ever sold, Mr. Potter," Ollivander said, his voice soft. "It so happens that the phoenix whose tail feather resides in your wand gave two more feathers, just two more. One of which lies within young Daniel's wand. It is curious that you should be destined for this wand when one of its brothers gave you both those scars."
Harry's eyes widened as he realized the connection. "The wand that gave me this scar?"
"Yes," Ollivander said, nodding. "You are destined for great things, Mr. Potter, Mr. Fenton. After all, He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named did great things—terrible, yes, but great."
Danny and Jazz watched in awe, while Hagrid's massive form loomed in the doorway, his eyes twinkling with pride. "Got yer wands, then?" he asked, stepping inside carefully to avoid knocking anything over.
Harry seemed to nod distantly as he and Danny both paid for their wands. Ollivander, seeing the looks on the boys' faces, quietly packed up their wands in their respective boxes and gave them back. Jazz looked concerned at her brother as she bade Ollivander goodbye and took them out of the shop.
The revelation about the connection between Harry's wand and Voldemort's left the group in contemplative silence as they exited Ollivander's shop. As they stepped into the bustling streets of Diagon Alley, Danny and Harry exchanged meaningful glances, both aware of the weight of destiny that now rested upon their shoulders. Hagrid, sensing the boys' unease, placed a comforting hand on each of their shoulders and steered them towards Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions, then Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlor after.
Madam Malkin's shop was a hive of activity, filled with the rustle of new fabrics and the hum of conversation. Harry and Danny entered, eyes wide with wonder as they took in the rows of robes in every conceivable color. Jazz followed close behind, and Hagrid lingered outside, his large frame too unwieldy for the tight space.
"Hogwarts students, I presume?" Madam Malkin said, appearing from behind a rack of robes and causing the three to nod, Jazz spotting a duo of redheads in the back mirror and rolling her eyes. "Come, come, let's get you fitted."
"I just need refitting, Madam Malkin," Jazz told the seamstress, ushering the two boys forward. "I'm happy to wait while my brother and his friend get fully fitted."
"Of course, dear." Jazz shot a smile before she was going to greet the duo, who'd turned at her voice. The boys were led to separate stools, where enchanted measuring tapes began flitting around them, taking measurements with uncanny precision. As they stood there, a pale, pointed-faced boy with platinum blonde hair entered the shop, his eyes immediately locking onto Harry and Danny. The newcomer sauntered over, an air of superiority surrounding him as he introduced himself.
"I'm Draco Malfoy," he said, his voice dripping with disdain. "And you are?"
Harry and Danny exchanged glances before Harry responded, "I'm Harry Potter, and this is Danny Fenton."
Malfoy's eyes widened slightly at the mention of Harry's name but quickly regained his composure. "Ah, Potter. I've heard quite a bit about you. And Fenton, you say? Never heard of you."
Danny just shrugged, not letting Malfoy's tone get to him. "Nice to meet you, I guess."
Draco's gaze shifted to the enchanted measuring tapes, his smirk widening, paying no mind to the accent that Danny sported, nor the scowls that had adorned the two boys' faces. "Getting fitted for your Hogwarts robes, are you? You'd better hope they're up to standard, even for a yank like you, Fenton."
"Hold still, dear," Madam Malkin said, adjusting a seam on Harry's robe, not noticing Danny tense up at the derogatory slur. "Almost done."
Draco's eyes flickered with annoyance as he watched the process. "My father says it's important to have the best. He'll be taking me to get my robes custom-made next year."
Jazz, watching from the side, raised an eyebrow at Malfoy's arrogance but stayed silent, letting the boys handle it. She wanted to step in and would have done so, had it not been for the boys she was with, shaking their heads.
"I don't care what your father says, Malfoy." Danny spoke up, his voice clipped as he brought down his arms and made to jump off the pedestal, only stopping when his robe caught on the other side, "I just want to get fitted for my uniform, get the rest of my supplies and get used to this weather before the school year starts. So, either leave or back off."
Draco sneered at the boy, looking at Harry as he folded his arms, mindful of the pins stuck in the fabric before he swept out of the shop with Danny huffing, muttering, "Really hope he isn't like Dash."
"Dash?"
"Just some jerk I went to Elementary school with. Thought he was King of the school because he was on the football team." Danny explained, looking away, "I was his punching bag up till a month ago."
"At least you don't live with your bully." Harry huffed, "My cousin, Dudley, would always chase me around the streets with his gang."
Madam Malkin finished adjusting Harry's robe and moved on to Danny, her wand flicking expertly to make the final adjustments. "All set," she declared with a warm smile. "You'll both look splendid on your first day at Hogwarts."
"Thank you," they both said, gathering their new robes.
Jazz stepped forward to get refitted for her robes, chatting enthusiastically with Madam Malkin and the boys to ease the tension in the shop. Hagrid peeked through the door, his eyes twinkling as he watched over them.
As they exited Madam Malkin's, Harry and Danny were greeted by the bustling streets of Diagon Alley, the weight of the day's revelations still heavy on their minds. Hagrid, sensing the need for a light-hearted moment, guided them to Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlor.