"Justin's a wizard?!" Harry exclaimed in astonishment after finally processing what he'd heard.
"Found out myself at my birthday," Richie replied. "Justin didn't even suspect it until the Deputy Headmaster of Hogwarts paid him a visit."
"Well, that's something!" Harry drawled.
The younger Potter looked amazed—almost stunned—but also a little happy at the thought that he would be going to the same school as his friends.
"Well then, let's find you your wands," said Mr. Kiddell. "Would you mind if I used some special charms on you? They're completely safe and will significantly speed up the selection process."
"Yes, sir, please," Harry nodded.
"I don't mind, Mr. Kiddell," Richard replied.
The wizard flicked his wand. First, he pointed it at Richard, then cast the same charm on Harry. After that, he stood silently for a moment, deep in thought.
"Mr. Potter, I believe a holly wand with a thunderbird feather core will suit you," the shopkeeper said. At a gesture of his hand, a box flew off the shelf. He opened it, took out a wand, and handed it to Harry. "Give it a wave—away from people."
Holding his breath, Harry waved the wand. At once, a burst of red sparks shot out from the tip.
"It's warm…" Harry whispered, a delighted smile spreading across his face.
"Excellent! A very powerful wand. It suits you perfectly, Mr. Potter," Mr. Kiddell said. He then summoned another wand and handed it to Richard. "Mr. Grosvenor, your turn."
The wood in Richard's hand grew warm. Unlike the previous wand—which the young wizard had barely been able to sense—this one brought a feeling of calm and seemed almost affectionate, like a loyal and devoted puppy.
Richie gave the wand a flick. A rainbow burst from the tip and quickly dissolved into nothing.
"Magnificent!" Mr. Kiddell beamed. "A perfect match, Mr. Grosvenor. Beech wood with a dragon heartstring core—a rare combination. A well-matched beech wand is capable of a level of finesse and mastery rarely seen in others. And dragon heartstring is an exceptionally powerful core. I'm certain, young man, you'll excel at charms."
Richard merely nodded silently, taking in the information. Anyway he had focused almost exclusively on charms in his studies, so the wandmaker's words fell on well-prepared ground. From Griselda Marchbanks, Richard already knew that certain types of magic come more easily—or with greater difficulty—depending on the wand and the wizard's natural affinity.
"And what about my wand, sir?" Harry asked.
"Holly is particularly well-suited for defensive magic. Paired with a thunderbird feather—or phoenix feather—it becomes a formidable weapon. No one and nothing should stand in the way of such a wand's owner—it will sweep everything aside without hesitation."
Will charge at problems like a ram at a new gate until he smashes through, Richard thought. Harry Potter's a stubborn one. No wonder he was supposed to defeat the main villain in the series. Though in the first episode, I think he bought his wand from a different shop—Ollivander's, in fact. Still, I doubt it matters. What difference does it make where you buy a magical tool?
"That'll be seven galleons each," the wandmaker announced.
"Mr. Kiddell," Richard addressed him, "we'd also like something to store the wands—sheaths or something similar, preferably reinforced. They look rather fragile."
Interest sparked in the wizard's eyes.
"We have standard belt holsters, as well as arm and leg mounts. I can also offer wand care kits."
"Good belt holsters—two of them," Richard began listing. "Two care kits, and an instruction manual on how to use them wouldn't hurt." After a moment's thought he added: "Why hold back? Let's take the arm and leg mounts as well. Only the best!"
"The best?! In duplicate?" the wizard brightened. After Richard nodded, he continued, "I can offer dragon-hide sheaths treated with anti-jinx potion and protected against Summoning and Disarming Charms."
"That'll do," Richie agreed. "Anything else you could recommend, Mr. Kiddell?"
Mr. Kiddel seemed to glow with delight, like a little sun.
"Mr. Grosvenor, you're an excellent customer. I can also offer special grips that fit onto the handle of the wand, with the same protective enchantments as the sheaths. With them, the wand won't slip in your hand."
"We'll take everything. And one more thing—these wands seem very fragile. Is it possible to purchase spares?"
"I'm afraid not, Mr. Grosvenor. My apologies," Mr. Kiddell said with an apologetic smile. "The Ministry of Magic forbids wizards from owning multiple wands. If, unfortunately, a wand is broken, you'll have to order a new one. But it's best to avoid that. The longer a wizard uses a wand, the more attuned it becomes—magic comes a little easier. That's why no wizard would trade their old wand for a new one without a serious reason."
"I understand, sir."
At that moment, Richard was struck by the idea of disguising a wand as a magician's cane—or even as some kind of advanced technological gadget.
"Mr. Kiddell, could you make a wand casing in the form of a cane? Ideally one that would still allow spellcasting."
"That's possible, but only simple spells would work with a cane."
"I'd like to place such an order, sir," Richard said. "Let me send you the sketches by owl, and we can agree on the price through correspondence."
"Of course—I'd be happy to take on your order, Mr. Grosvenor. But it won't be cheap, and it will take time. I'd say at least six months—perhaps even a year."
"That's acceptable. How much?"
After hearing that, Richard expected some astronomical figure—no less than a hundred thousand pounds, or in local chips, twenty thousand galleons—but when the wandmaker gave his answer, the young lord barely managed to keep from laughing.
"Around a hundred galleons—maybe a little more or less. It depends on the materials and the amount of work."
"That works for me, sir—even if we go well beyond the stated budget due to rare materials. How much do we owe for everything?"
(End of Chapter)
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