Harry Potter : This Progress Too Much

"Black prickly pear wood, thunderbird tail feather core, eleven and two-thirds inches—a very powerful wand," Ollivander said, carefully taking a dark wand from a dusty box and handing it to David. "This wand is unique to warriors. It excels in Transfiguration but is difficult to control."

David took the wand in his hand, feeling a surge of energy course through him. Ollivander observed with interest. It seemed that David was particularly suited for powerful wands.

Wands with dragon heartstring cores were active and strong-willed, always eager to prove their worth. Phoenix feather wands were similar, known for their cooperative nature. Unicorn hair, however, was the least compatible with David—it lacked the same raw power.

Zzzzt! The moment David grasped the wand, tiny arcs of lightning crackled around his hand and up his arm. Yet, oddly enough, he felt no discomfort. Experimentally, he gave the wand a wave. Magic flowed smoothly through it, and for the first time, David felt as if the wand was an extension of himself.

"Mr. Ollivander, I believe this is the one," David said confidently.

After testing many wands, this one felt perfect. Its affinity for combat and Transfiguration made it even more appealing.

But Ollivander shook his head. "No, not this one."

David blinked in surprise. "What? But I—"

Ollivander cut him off with a knowing smile. He had spent his life crafting and selecting wands, honing an almost supernatural instinct for the perfect match. He could tell when a wand and wizard were merely compatible—versus when they were destined for each other.

The black prickly pear wand had certainly responded well to David, eager to be chosen. But Ollivander knew there was another wand, an even better fit, waiting for him.

David sighed and placed the wand back in its box. "Alright," he muttered. "I guess we keep looking."

Ollivander reached for another box. "Aspen wood, horn of a long-horned water snake, twelve and a half inches," he announced. "A duelist's wand—powerful, and particularly useful against Parselmouths."

David arched an eyebrow. "You mean it warns people about Parselmouths?"

Ollivander hesitated before responding, "Something like that." There was another reason he hadn't mentioned—this was the most expensive wand in his shop.

The cost of wand materials varied widely. Unicorn hair was the cheapest, adding only ten to twenty Galleons to a wand's price. Dragon heartstring was pricier, its value dependent on the dragon species it came from. Phoenix feathers, rarer still, were the most expensive. Fortunately, Ollivander had a stockpile—phoenix feather wands were rare matches, meaning fewer were sold.

But horned water snake wands? Those were nearly impossible to find. The species was rare, its horns taking over a decade to regrow. In America, where Ilvermorny's founder had used a horned water snake wand, they were in even higher demand.

Ollivander had gone to great lengths to acquire this particular wand.

David barely had time to grasp it before Ollivander sighed. "No, not this one either."

David frowned. "Seriously?"

Professor McGonagall, who had been quietly watching, now looked concerned. "Garrick?" she asked.

Ollivander didn't respond at first. Instead, he rubbed his chin in thought. He had never struggled so much to find a wand match before. Even the pickiest of young witches and wizards eventually found a suitable wand.

If David left here without one, it would be a serious problem. How could he learn magic without a wand?

After a long silence, Ollivander spoke, "No, it's nothing. I'm simply… astonished by Mr. Adrian's talent."

McGonagall's brows knitted in confusion. "Astonished?"

Ignoring her, Ollivander bent down, rummaging beneath the counter.

Finally, he pulled out an elegant, polished wand. "Try this one," he said softly. "Yew wood, thestral tail feather core, fifteen inches. One of my finest creations."

David hesitated. Something about the wand made him uneasy.

Ollivander smiled. "Go on."

David reached for the wand, recalling what he knew about yew wood. It was associated with powerful, sometimes dark magic. Voldemort's wand had been made from yew. And thestral tail feather cores were equally rare—used only in the most mysterious, and often feared, wands.

But the moment his fingers wrapped around the handle, a strange sensation rushed through him.

The magic inside him seemed to awaken. Other wands had merely served as conduits, allowing him to channel power. But this wand? This wand didn't just allow him to use magic—it amplified it.

David could feel it, a seamless connection. Magic wasn't just passing through—it was flowing in perfect harmony, bending effortlessly to his will.

From the tip of the wand, dark, shimmering light swirled outward, curling around his arm like living smoke.

McGonagall took a cautious step back.

Ollivander, however, smiled approvingly. "Yes. This is the one, Mr. Adrian."

David exhaled slowly. He had found his wand.

Or rather—the wand had found him.

After paying seven gold Galleons, David and Professor McGonagall left Ollivander's shop.

Shopping in Diagon Alley

With his wand secured, David followed McGonagall to Flourish and Blotts, where he purchased textbooks for the upcoming school year. The sheer number of books was overwhelming, but McGonagall assured him that most students felt the same way on their first visit.

Next was Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions, where he was fitted for Hogwarts robes. The fabric was soft yet durable, and Madam Malkin ensured they were tailored perfectly.

After that, they visited Partridge's Cauldron Shop, where David purchased a standard-size pewter cauldron along with potion-making supplies.

By the time they finished shopping, David had spent a total of sixty-eight gold Galleons and nine Sickles—the bulk of which had gone toward books.

Finally, Professor McGonagall asked, "Would you like to visit Eeylops Owl Emporium? First-years are allowed to bring a pet—an owl, a toad, or a cat."

David shook his head. "No thanks. Owls are useful, but Hogwarts has plenty. I can just use school owls when I need to send letters."

McGonagall nodded. "Very well."

With that, their shopping trip came to an end.

David had everything he needed.

His Hogwarts journey was about to begin.