NOVEL NEXT Chapter 3: The Outset (III)
After exchanging his money, Maverick's next stop was getting a wand. For any wizard, a wand is pretty much everything. Without it, you're almost helpless.
Sure, powerful wizards like Dumbledore and Voldemort could cast spells without a wand, but that's a whole different level of magic.
The fact that there's a specific spell just to disarm wands shows how crucial they are. So, he pushed through the crowd, knowing he'd have to get one, no matter the cost.
As he walked, Maverick passed bookstores, joke shops, owl shops, Madam Malkin's for robes, and even a Quidditch supply store. However, he remained focused, knowing exactly where he needed to go: Ollivander's Wand Shop.
He remembered this shop vividly, one of the oldest in the wizarding world, where young wizards like Harry Potter and Hermione Granger had come to get their wands.
But a sense of worry settled over him. He recalled that the shop owner, Ollivander, was known for his sharp memory—and that could pose a problem.
Maverick considered making up a story about his wand breaking while he was practicing a spell. He knew Muggle-borns like Hermione didn't have the same issue, but since he'd supposedly been living "abroad" for years, it'd make sense he didn't buy a wand locally and instead came to Ollivander, the wand master, in London.
As he thought about this, he started wondering about wands in general, especially if they had a "trace." From what he remembered, wizards under seventeen had a trace, which let the Ministry detect magic around them. But it only worked when no adults were nearby, so it was unlikely the trace was on the wand itself. Maverick guessed it was more like a range detector. Either way, he didn't care much—he was already eighteen.
Ollivander's Wand Shop was small and a little shabby. The sign on the door was peeling, but it still read, "Ollivanders: Makers of Fine Wands since 382 BC."
Maverick pushed open the door and stepped into the quiet, somewhat messy store. Boxes were stacked from floor to ceiling, each likely holding a wand.
"Good morning!" A voice snapped him out of his thoughts, and he looked up to see an elderly man with silvery eyes and gray hair. It was Ollivander himself.
"Oh, hello, Mr. Ollivander. I'd like to buy a new wand—my old one broke," Maverick said, managing a friendly smile.
Ollivander narrowed his eyes, studying him. "As far as I recall, you haven't bought a wand from me before."
"Ah, yes, that's true, Mr. Ollivander. I've been studying in the Muggle world for a while, and my wand broke while I was trying to block a spell. So I thought I'd come here for a quality wand," Maverick explained, using the chance to flatter Ollivander's reputation.
Ollivander's expression softened. "Ah, I see! Well, you've come to the right place," he said with pride. Then, he walked over to a shelf, picked a box, and handed it to Maverick. "Here, try this one. Ash wood, unicorn hair, 12 inches."
Maverick was a bit thrown off. He'd expected Ollivander to measure him or ask more questions. But he shook it off, took the wand, and held it in his right hand. Suddenly, a soft breeze seemed to fill the shop, and a strange, joyful feeling washed over him.
The wand felt right, almost like it was becoming part of him. Even the tiny bit of magical energy he had seemed to react.
"Ah, yes! First try… very rare," Ollivander said, clearly pleased.
Maverick took a deep breath, realizing he'd found his match on the first try. Just then, a screen flashed in his mind, showing a prompt:
[ Item: Magic Wand ]
[ Extraordinary Characteristic: Casting ]
[ Grade: Excellent ]
[ Do you want to use one Extraordinary Characteristic Point to replicate it? ]
Two buttons labeled "Yes" and "No" appeared below this text.
But Maverick didn't have time to think it over now. He put the wand away and asked, "Mr. Ollivander, how much is it?"
"Seven Galleons," Ollivander replied, a fair price. Maverick, recalling from before, knew it was the usual cost. He paid and left Ollivander's, excited to explore this new system function but focused on getting his supplies first.
First, he went to a robe shop and got a good set of robes. Then, he visited Flourish and Blotts, where he bought every Standard Spellbook available, from beginner to advanced.
He also picked up Transfiguration guides and Magic Theory books. Thankfully, he found bags enchanted with extension charms, making it easy to carry everything.
After all that shopping, he still had over 4,500 Galleons left. Since it was his first time shopping in Diagon Alley, he didn't want to buy unnecessary items like cauldrons, scales, or random magical tools.
He went back to the Leaky Cauldron, planning to stay for a while. With all the stuff he'd bought, he couldn't risk drawing attention or using magic in the Muggle world—the consequences could be serious.