The Last Horcrux/Diagon Alley/Ollivanders
You arrive at Ollivander's, the wand makers, and remember the first time you came here, in your original body. You can feel the girl inside you, excited to enter for the first time. You step up and open the door, a magical bell tingling to alert the wand maker that you have arrived.
You step inside the store, and immediately feel a sense of peace and quiet, as if the shop is affected by a muffliato enchantment. Perhaps it is. The shop is filled from top to bottom with shelves and boxes, each containing a magic wand no doubt. It smells of wood and resin and old paper, much like a library.
“Ahh hello miss,” says an old wizard, whom you immediately recognise as Ollivander, “you must be Miss Emily Lestrange, if I am not mistaken.”
“I am indeed,” you say smiling, and giving him a little nod and curtsy for some reason, “have we? Have we met before?” You ask him.
“I don’t believe so,” Ollivander replies, “but you do bear a striking resemblance to you mother, if you don’t mind my saying so. Sofia, of course, she was Sofia Zabini back then…”
You are struck by curiosity, and by a sense of sadness at the mother you never knew, but whom strangers seem to remember so well.
“You have a most excellent memory sir,” you compliment him, trying to swallow your sadness.
“I never forget a wand, or the witch or wizard that it chooses,” he says, smiling at you, “I can remember your mother’s wand too. Ebony and Goblin-wrought Silver, with Unicorn Horn. Not one of mine, a family heirloom, from France or possibly Italy.”
You smile back and pull out your mother’s wand, showing it to him, “I have inherited it,” you explain, “I was wondering if it is the right wand for me, or if I should choose another?”
Ollivander’s face lights up at the sight of your mother’s wand.
“Ahh this is wonderful. They don’t make them like this any more. May I?” He motions and you hand him the wand. He examines it closely, checking it for any warping and even smelling it briefly.
“A beautiful wand. Ebony wood, silver embellishments, unicorn core. Ten and a quarter inches. This would have been made by the Goblin wand maker Malgrod, in Paris, at least one hundred and fifty years ago. This is new though… this black leather cord is reinforced with goblin-wrought silver. Strange to see a wand modified…”
“What is the cord for?” You ask, genuinely curious, “I did wonder.”
“It’s purpose?” Ollivander replies, “Oh it’s a duelling cord. Quite the fashion in Paris I’m told. It’s quite simple, the witch, or wizard, holds the wand, and intones Cingulo and the cord tethers itself to their wrist. It prevents the wand from being dropped or lost, if someone uses the Expelliarmus hex for example. It also prevents another from seizing your wand using Accio.”
You are surprised at the simplicity of it. Tying ones wand to one’s wrist. You take the wand back from Ollivander and try it for yourself as he nods with encouragement.
“Cingulo” you chant, and the wand cord fastens itself to your left wrist.
“Haha! Very good!” Ollivander laughs, “Are you naturally left handed then?”
“Ambidextrous,” you respond, realising that Emily is equally able with both of her hands, “is it possible,” you ask, the thought only just occurring to you, “for a witch to use two wands at the same time?”
“It is possible,” Ollivander agrees, “but only with wordless magic or to parry a spell being cast at you. You can obviously only intone one enchantment at a time, although you can use either wand to cast it. The problem is finding a pair of wands that are both as attuned to the caster. Wands can be fickle, and not work well together. I’m also afraid that I don’t have a single Unicorn core wand in the shop, they don’t make them using Unicorn horn any more.”
“Hmmm,” you say, somewhat disappointed, “a pity. Might there be a Wandmaker in Paris or Rome who would have one, or could make one?”
“You could try Cosme Acajor’s, in the Place Cachée in Paris. If you were able to find one it would be another antique though, hunting unicorns for their horns has been banned for a very long time. They are rare and beautiful creatures.”
You think for a moment, and then ask him if the wand is right for you.
“Do you think this wand is the one for me then? Don’t I need to try more?”
“Oh miss Lestrange, I can tell immediately as you said Cingulo and it fastened itself to your wrist that the wand has chosen you. The wand chooses the wizard, or witch in this case. No the wand has made its mind up and won’t tolerate another wand I’m afraid. Unless you found it’s twin, and that is very unlikely.”
“Very well,” you respond, “how to I release it?”
“Solvo,” Ollivander simply says.
“Solvo,” you intone, and the cord immediately loosens itself from your wrist.
“I would be most grateful if you could investigate and enquire about another wand that could be attuned to this one,” you ask, “price is not a problem, I am intrigued at the possibility of wielding two wands.”
“I would be happy to look into it for you Miss Lestrange,” Ollivander smiles, giving you a respectful nod.
You turn to leave Ollivander’s, almost disappointed that you don’t need to find a wand of your own, but happy that you know more about your mothers wand and it’s creator. The idea of using two wands at once is novel to you, but you realise that this girl has more abilities than you first gave her credit for. You look around the shop for a moment, and make you way to the exit.
Where do you go next?
- Grincott’s Goblin Bank to see your wealth in your family vault
- Ollivander the Wand Maker to see if you can use your mother’s wand or if a wand of your own would be better
- Stowe and Packer’s on Carkitt Market to buy a magical bag or trunk
- Cogg and Bell’s Clockmakers in Carkitt Market to inquire about your broken Time Turner
- Twilfit & Tattings Clothing to ask about enchanted clothing and footwear
Or are you ready to go home now?
