Chapter 61: Chapter 61: “Ollivander's Wand Shop”
Harry and Sirius walked towards Ollivander's Wand Shop, a quaint little store situated in a quieter section of Diagon Alley. Even though there are several wand makers in Britain, the Ollivander family holds a reputation for being the finest. It's common knowledge that most witches and wizards visit Ollivanders for their first wand.
One of the reasons Ollivanders is so popular is because they offer the first wand to every wizard at a subsidized price, thanks to some help from the Ministry of Magic. Getting a wand from here is relatively cheap, costing only seven Galleons. Considering a wand is a wizard's lifelong companion if cared for properly, this is quite a bargain.
As they arrived at the wand shop, Harry was taken aback by its appearance. Contrary to the illustrious reputation of the Ollivander family, the shop looked quite old and run-down. Its narrow facade was marked by peeling gold paint, and a sign reading "Ollivanders: Makers of Fine Wands since 382 B.C." hung above the door. Harry had expected something more grandiose, speculating that perhaps the Ministry's subsidies weren't as generous as he thought.
Entering the shop is considered a special moment for every young witch or wizard, so Harry stepped inside by himself, adhering to tradition. He was extra cautious upon entering, knowing Mr. Ollivander's knack for making a dramatic appearance often startled his customers.
As Harry gently closed the door behind him, his eyes quickly adjusted to the dimly lit interior of Ollivander's wand shop. The space was much smaller than he had anticipated, almost feeling cramped. To one side, there was a solitary chair that looked as though it had seen better days. The walls were lined with countless narrow boxes, stacked from floor to ceiling, giving the shop a claustrophobic feel. Everywhere he looked, there was a fine layer of dust, suggesting that the place wasn't cleaned as often as it should be. The shop's interior matched its exterior in terms of shabbiness, reinforcing Harry's initial impression.
"Maybe Mr. Ollivander should consider hiring some help to keep the shop in order," Harry mused to himself, scanning the room.
Suddenly, he heard a noise behind him. Turning around, he found Mr. Ollivander standing there, seemingly materializing out of thin air. Harry was relieved that the wandmaker hadn't attempted any startling entrance. Had he done so, Harry's reflexes might have led to an awkward situation, possibly involving a defensive kick aimed at the elderly, slender man.
"Ah, welcome to my modest establishment, Mr. Potter," Ollivander greeted him with a keen gaze. "I had a feeling you'd be coming in soon. You have your mother's eyes. It feels like just yesterday she was here, choosing her first wand. Ten and a quarter inches, willow, nice and supple, with a core of ashwinder egg. Excellent for charm work, and well-suited to those talented in potion-making."
He paused, scrutinizing Harry further. "But you, you're not quite like her, nor are you like your father. I suspect you'll prove to be a challenging customer, Mr. Potter. Yes, I can sense it already."
With that, Mr. Ollivander moved towards the back of the shop, disappearing momentarily behind the counter before reappearing. "Now, let us begin the process. Which arm do you use for casting, Mr. Potter?" he inquired, already reaching for a box that caught his eye.
"Actually, I can use both hands pretty well," Harry mentioned, trying to provide as much information as possible to assist in the selection process. "I've spent quite a bit of time making sure my left hand is as good as my right."
"Interesting," Ollivander noted, his eyes lighting up with curiosity. "Let's start with your right hand, then. Stretch it out for me, please." He then proceeded to take several measurements, moving around Harry in a manner that seemed almost ritualistic. Harry watched, puzzled by the significance of each measurement, wondering how they could possibly influence the choice of a wand.
"Mr. Potter, every wand I craft contains the core of a powerful magical being. It's what gives them their strength," Ollivander explained as he worked. "And remember, no two wands are alike, much like the magical creatures they come from."
With that groundwork laid, Ollivander began the process of handing Harry various wands to test. The results, however, were far from ideal. Each wand Harry touched seemed to react negatively, sending spells flying in random directions, causing minor havoc in the already cluttered shop. Harry did his best to contain the magical outbursts, minimizing the chaos as much as possible.
This experience was quite different from Harry's previous encounters with wands belonging to the Black family. Those wands either functioned correctly or remained inert in his hand. Harry surmised that the difference might lie in the fact that the Black family wands had previous owners, while the ones in Ollivander's shop were awaiting their first bond with a wizard.
After several more unsuccessful attempts, Harry half-expected Ollivander to bring out a wand with a phoenix feather core, the sibling to Voldemort's. Yet, he wondered if Dumbledore had yet to supply Ollivander with the necessary core, considering it might be reserved for Charles. Harry couldn't shake off the suspicion that Dumbledore would somehow ensure Charles ended up with a wand sharing its core with Voldemort's, crafting yet another layer of his meticulously planned narrative.
As Harry stood amidst the chaos of spellfire and splintered wand boxes, he couldn't help but let his thoughts wander.
After trying out numerous wands without success, Ollivander paused and looked at Harry thoughtfully. "Have you already been practicing some advanced magic, Mr. Potter?" he inquired, a hint of curiosity in his voice.
Harry nodded, confirming Ollivander's suspicion. "Yes, I have been," he admitted.
"That explains the difficulty we're having," Ollivander mused. "The wands we've tried so far are designed with beginners in mind. The wand's cores are not as robust, meant to grow in tandem with their owner's magical development. Given your advanced practice, you'll need a wand that's inherently stronger. Crafting a custom wand to suit your needs is the solution, though I must inform you, such a wand falls outside the scope of the Ministry's subsidization program. It will be more costly."
Harry's spirits lifted at the prospect of having a wand perfectly tailored to his needs. The idea of paying extra for a wand that would be a perfect match for him seemed entirely reasonable and worth the investment.
Ollivander then led Harry to a more private section of the shop, where they went through an extensive selection process for the wand's materials. Ultimately, they settled on Blackthorn wood paired with a thunderbird tail feather for the core.
"An unusual combination," Ollivander observed with a hint of admiration. "Blackthorn is known for its strength, resilience, and its affinity with those who are fiercely loyal and protective. Thunderbird tail feathers produce wands of great power, though they can be challenging to master. Together, they will create a wand that not only possesses significant power but also has the ability to act of its own accord in protecting its owner. This will undoubtedly be one of the most complex and potent wands I've ever crafted."
The cost of such a unique wand would be 200 galleons, a steep price compared to the standard seven galleons, but Harry didn't hesitate. He paid a deposit of 100 galleons on the spot, convinced of the wand's value to his magical journey.
As Harry left the deposit, he couldn't help but feel a surge of anticipation for his new wand. Despite the week-long wait, he knew it would be worth it. The combination of Blackthorn wood and thunderbird tail feather promised a wand of extraordinary power and loyalty, a true extension of his magical intent and personality.
"See you in a week," Harry said as he exited the shop.
Leaving Ollivander behind, Harry stepped outside to find Sirius leaning against the wall, looking a mix of impatient and relieved to see him finally emerge.
"What happened in there? Took you ages. And where's your wand?" Sirius asked, his curiosity evident in his tone.
Harry explained, "None of the standard wands chose me. Ollivander thinks it's because I've already been working with advanced magic. He's crafting a custom wand for me, which is why it took so long. I have to wait a week to get it, though."
Sirius raised an eyebrow, a smile creeping onto his face. "Is there ever a dull moment with you, Harry? A custom wand, eh? That's quite fortunate. The wait will be worth it if it's a perfect match for you. So, what's the plan now?"
"I think we should head back," Harry suggested, eager to leave the bustling Diagon Alley. "I can have Mira fetch the rest of my school supplies later. There's no rush. Besides, I'm more interested in discussing how we're going to deal with any attempts by the Potters to claim custody over me."
Sirius nodded in agreement, pushing away from the wall. "Back home it is, then. We'll have plenty of time to cover that topic in detail. Don't worry, Harry; we've got everything under control."
As they made their way back to the Leaky Cauldron to use the Floo Network, Harry felt a blend of anticipation and curiosity about the plans Sirius mentioned. The idea of having a wand made just for him filled him with excitement, but the underlying concern about his legal status and the Potters' potential moves lingered in his mind.
Chapter 62: Chapter 62: "Guardianship Troubles"
After returning to the Black Castle from their trip to Gringotts, Sirius had to quickly head back to work. He had only planned to take a half-day off, but their visit took longer than expected because Harry spent extra time choosing a wand. This meant Harry would have to wait until Sirius could return to discuss how the Blacks planned to protect him from his parents, who still legally had control over him.
With some time to himself, Harry decided to examine his new ring. Heir rings from wizarding families are known for their powerful magical abilities. Not only do they offer protection from being arrested without cause, but they can also detect if someone is trying to read your thoughts if you've been poisoned, or if there are other dangers nearby. The most important feature of the ring is its ability to choose the rightful heir of the family. Harry found these rings fascinating, especially since they were made a long time ago by skilled enchanters, a craft that is believed to be lost.
Harry looked forward to the day he could claim the Lord's ring, which would give him access to the Potter family's secrets, their manor, and their wealth. However, he knew he had to wait until he was 17, when wizards come of age before the ring would even consider him for the position of family lord.
The rest of the day flew by as Harry got back to his studies. Despite being far ahead of other kids his age, he felt compelled to keep pushing forward.
That evening, after a hearty dinner, Harry sat down with Sirius and Arcturus to have his questions answered.
Arcturus started the conversation by asking Harry if he ever wondered why they allowed him to pursue his studies so aggressively, far beyond what is typical for children his age.
Harry was caught off guard by the question. He hadn't really thought about it, assuming it was the norm. "I just thought that's how it was supposed to be," Harry responded. "Finish one thing and move on to the next. I was under the impression all kids from ancient families started their studies early."
Sirius clarified that while it's true kids from their kind of families start learning early, they usually only cover the basics at first. "It's rare for someone your age to delve so deeply into their studies," he said. "A little bit of studying before Hogwarts is fine, but diving into advanced magic can be risky for someone still growing."
Arcturus then encouraged Harry to consider why it might be dangerous for children to engage in magic beyond their age level.
As Harry pondered this, he realized the risks of performing advanced magic with an undeveloped magical core. The potential damage to his magic channels, possibly preventing him from ever using magic again, was a chilling thought.
Arcturus explained further, "That's why I had you practice each new spell you learned repeatedly, even after you seemed to have mastered it. It wasn't just about getting the spell right but also making sure your magical pathways were strong enough to handle the spells' demands."
Harry recalled feeling frustrated by Arcturus's methods. He had started his magical education at seven, hoping to quickly advance through his lessons given his previous life's knowledge. However, four years in, he had only completed coursework equivalent to five years at Hogwarts, a slower pace than he had expected. This was because Arcturus had him practice each spell many times before moving on, which Harry had assumed was preparation for silent and wandless casting. Only now did he understand the real reason was to ensure his safety as his magical abilities developed.
The magic core inside every witch or wizard acts as a reservoir for magical energy, which they use to cast spells or draw upon the ambient magical energy around them. When this reserve is depleted, they experience magical exhaustion and must rest to replenish their energy before casting more spells. Moreover, the magical channels or veins that run throughout a wizard's body are crucial for distributing magic to where it's needed for casting, whether through a wand or directly from the hands for wandless magic.
As a wizard matures, so do these magical channels, becoming more capable of handling larger flows of magic. However, if a wizard attempts a spell that requires more magic than their channels can safely manage, it could cause serious damage, like rupturing these channels and possibly rendering a part of their body incapable of magical function.
Understanding this, Harry felt grateful for Arcturus's careful guidance. He appreciated having a teacher who knew so much about magic and prioritized his long-term well-being.
If it hadn't been for Arcturus, Cordelia, and the others, Harry might have attempted spells that were too advanced, risking his future as a wizard.
Sirius reassured Harry, "We're family, Harry. We'll always look out for you." He then explained they had been working on a solution for the legal guardianship issue from the day they found Harry. They discovered several potential solutions, but most were not suitable.
Arcturus explained one option was to challenge the guardianship in the Wizengamot, which could have legally separated Harry from his parents based on their actions. However, this would publicly expose everything that happened to Harry, something they wanted to avoid to protect the Potter family name and Harry's privacy.
Another possibility was seeking asylum in another country, but that would require giving up Harry's rights in Britain, conflicting with his goal to restore the Potter family's reputation.
The best option turned out to be early emancipation, which required Harry to pass his OWL exams. There wasn't a minimum age requirement for emancipation—just passing the OWLs in the required subjects would suffice. Given Harry's advanced magical abilities, they were confident he could easily pass these exams.
However, one complication was that emancipation typically requires the consent of the current legal guardians, which in Harry's case were James and Lily Potter. This initially seemed like a significant hurdle, given their current guardianship rights.
But Sirius had a plan. "Since I'm your legal godfather, we thought we might use my consent as a way to get you emancipated," he explained. "However, this could alert your parents and give them a chance to object. So, we need to act quickly and quietly to make sure everything is settled before they can intervene."
Harry was curious about what he needed to do next. "So, how do we make this happen fast?"
Sirius assured him, "You don't need to worry about anything. All we need is for three members of the Wizengamot to sign off on your application for emancipation. Arcturus will use the Black family's vote, Amelia will use the Bones family's vote, and we just need one more. With a little persuasion, finding a third supporter shouldn't be too difficult."
Harry suggested, "What about the Longbottoms? Could they help?"
"That's an excellent idea," Sirius agreed. "They're not as close to the Potters and Dumbledore anymore, so they might be willing to support your application, especially considering the debt they feel they owe you."
Arcturus added, "If for some reason the Longbottoms can't help, I'm sure we can secure the third vote another way. But it's better to avoid involving too many others to keep this matter as private as possible."
With the plan laid out, all Harry needed to do was pass his OWL exams. "Should I take all of them?" Harry wondered, feeling confident in his ability to excel.
Sirius advised against it, suggesting, "Just take the minimum required subjects. It's better not to draw too much attention to yourself, and you don't want to limit your options for Hogwarts and beyond by completing all your OWLs now."
Arcturus agreed, "It's important to balance your achievements so you can still have a normal school experience. Excelling in a few subjects will suffice, and you can focus on making friends and enjoying your time at Hogwarts."
Feeling relieved and excited about the future, Harry decided to follow their advice. He would choose three subjects to focus on for his OWLs, taking the exams in December during the school holidays. This would not only secure his emancipation but also allow him to continue his education and life without the shadow of his parents' legal control hanging over him.
With a plan in place, Harry felt a renewed sense of purpose and optimism. The thought of gaining his independence and moving forward on his terms filled him with determination. Thanks to the support and guidance of Sirius, Arcturus, and his other mentors, he was ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead with confidence and resolve.
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