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Augustus stood with his parents at the entrance of Diagon Alley, looking out over the cobblestone street that seemed to stretch on forever. Wizards of all kinds walked by, their clothing as varied as their magical abilities.
To Augustus, who had awakened the Eye of Inquiry, these wizards appeared as glowing orbs, some bright, others dim, each representing the strength of their magic.
Following the crowd, they walked ahead. The dazzling sunlight reflected off a pile of pots outside a nearby shop. Above them, hanging from a sign, were large pots in various metals—brass, tin-plated, silver—each marked with labels like "Self-Stirring,"
"Collapsible," and other intriguing features.
"We need to get you a wand first," Clovey said, turning to Augustus. "Even though you've mastered wandless magic, trust me, having a wand makes a big difference."
"A wand?" Augustus replied, nodding casually. "Sounds interesting. Maybe it'll help me understand this low-magic world better." He followed Clovey and Aurora toward the wand shop.
It was a small, shabby store. The gold lettering on the door was peeling, reading: "Ollivanders: Makers of Fine Wands Since 382 B.C." Inside, a dusty display window held a single wand resting on a faded purple cushion.
When they entered, the soft sound of tinkling bells came from somewhere behind the shop. The space was small, with nothing but a long bench.
"Good afternoon," a soft voice suddenly spoke, and when they turned to look, they saw an old man standing in front of them. His pale, large eyes shone like two bright moons in the dimly lit shop.
"Hello, Ollivander, it's been a while," Clovey greeted, giving the old man a friendly pat on the shoulder.
"Ah, yes," the old man said, nodding. "Yes, yes, Duke Clovey, Lady Aurora, you two came here to buy your first wands all those years ago—feels like it was just yesterday. And this young man is your son, I assume? Here to pick out his first wand."
"Of course," Clovey replied with a smile. "But, in my opinion, it's less about the owner picking the wand, and more about the wand choosing the owner."
At these words, Augustus, who had been scanning the room, turned his attention back to Ollivander.
"How does a wand choose its owner?" Augustus asked with a subtle smile, clearly intrigued.
"Every Ollivander wand is made from powerful magical materials—that's what makes them special," Ollivander explained, looking at Augustus.
"We use unicorn hair, phoenix tail feathers, and dragon heartstrings. No two unicorns, dragons, or phoenixes are exactly the same, so every wand is unique. Likewise, every wizard is unique, and when a wand finds its true owner, it glows with a brilliant light."
Augustus looked closely at the old man, absorbing his words.
"Then, sir, how do you know which arm to use for the wand?" Ollivander asked, breaking his gaze.
"Uh, I usually use my right hand," Augustus replied, lifting his right hand and gently tapping his nose.
"Hmm." Ollivander pulled a measuring tape from his pocket, lined with silver markings, and approached Augustus to take his measurements. But Augustus stopped him.
"No need for that, sir. I think I've already found my wand."
As soon as he spoke, a long box slid out from the shelf behind Ollivander, and a silver wand flew from the display, landing perfectly in Augustus's hand. The moment he held it, an enormous surge of magical power exploded from him, shattering the shop and sending debris flying.
Wands tumbled to the ground, and even neighboring shops were affected. Clovey and Aurora stood frozen in shock, staring at their son in disbelief. They had never seen him unleash such terrifying magic.
"This... this can't be," Ollivander muttered, his wide eyes almost bulging from their sockets. He stared at the silver wand in Augustus's hand.
"A brother wand of the Elder Wand, the Silver Moon Wand... What does it mean that it has chosen now?" Ollivander whispered to himself, transfixed by the glowing wand.
"Is it called the Silver Moon Wand? Nice name," Augustus said calmly, his eyes gleaming. The wand shone brightly in his hand, radiating immense power. "But I'm sorry about the damage. We'll make sure to compensate for it."
"No worries, it's fine," Ollivander waved it off. "But please, do take good care of this wand. It's chosen you, Mr. Augustus."
"Of course," Augustus replied. As he held the wand, he felt a connection—a bond, almost like blood flowing through him. "Whether it's the wizard choosing the wand, or the wand choosing the wizard, I think once they meet, they've already chosen each other."
They left the shop and stepped into the evening light. The sun was beginning to set, casting a warm, golden glow over Diagon Alley. Augustus pulled out the list that had been sent from Hogwarts.
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
[Uniforms]
First-year students need:
Three plain black robes
One plain black pointed hat for daytime wear
One pair of protective gloves (dragon hide or similar material)
One black winter cloak with silver fastenings
Note: All student clothing must be labeled with the student's name.
[Textbooks]
All students must prepare the following books:
"Standard Spells, Beginner's Edition" by Miranda Goschack
"History of Magic" by Bahida Bashat
"Magical Theory" by Adebey Wolflin
"Beginner's Guide to Transfiguration" by Emery Swish
"A Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi" by Philida Spoll
"Magical Potions and Elixirs" by Asenni Gigg
"Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them" by Newt Scamander
"Dark Forces: A Guide to Self-Defense" by Quentin Trimble
[Other Equipment]
One wand
One cauldron (tin, standard size 2)
A set of glass or crystal vials
A telescope
A brass scale
Students may bring either an owl, cat, or toad.
Please note: First-year students are not permitted to bring broomsticks.
Augustus had only completed the wand purchase so far, and with the shops closing soon, Clovey summoned a house-elf to help gather the rest of the items from the list.
The entire Diagon Alley was bathed in the warm glow of sunset, the last rays of the day spilling over the streets, the rooftops, and the figures of passersby, who moved in and out of the golden shadows.
"....."