Sherlock Holmes at Hogwarts.

Chapter 6 Broomsticks and Wands

The 10 Best Ways to Survive - by Bear Grylls
This book is centered around the idea of ​​"Don't be afraid of a thousand, just be prepared for the worst." The author uses his knowledge and experience from life to show readers how to respond correctly when encountering danger in the magical world.

Sherlock was particularly interested in the book's wilderness survival guide and the author's personal experiences of facing dangerous creatures such as trolls, alligators, vampires, and bats alone.

After flipping through it briefly, Sherlock decided to buy it.

At the end of the must-have list, there is a special reminder:
First-year students are not allowed to bring their own broomsticks.

This special reminder naturally caught Sherlock's attention a long time ago.

Shylock is not a man who follows the rules.

He never minded breaking the rules—if necessary.

Flying brooms and the like... It's hard to say whether it's necessary to carry them, but at least we have to figure out what these things are.

Sherlock finally saw it in the Quidditch boutique, also located on the north side of Diagon Alley.

As the name suggests, a flying broom is a broom that can fly in the sky.

In the magical world, it is the most commonly used means of transportation for wizards, and is also widely used in various sports competitions.

Sherlock, who has always been curious about unknown things, naturally plunged into this new thing.

However, after observing them, I found that their prices were staggering.

The price of an entry-level flying broom starts at one or two hundred Galleons - this has reached the upper limit of the currency that non-wizarding families can exchange each year.

High-quality flying brooms, such as the two first-line brands Nimbus 2000 and Seven Stars, cost more than 1000 Galleons per unit.

According to the store owner, the flying broom's biggest use for people going to magic school, besides being used for flying, is to participate in Quidditch matches.

It's a sport similar to football.

The main difference from the former is that the venue has moved from the ground to the air, and there are also some additional rules.

It can be said that in the wizarding world, everyone loves Quidditch.

However, due to various considerations, Sherlock finally rejected the enthusiastic boss - even though he claimed to provide a way for first-year students to secretly bring flying brooms into school.

In addition, he once again persuaded his mother to choose a pewter crucible.

—Mrs. Holmes had originally intended to buy one of pure gold.

Besides not allowing broomsticks, the admissions checklist also reminds new students that they can bring an owl, toad, or cat.

According to the pet store owner, toads were all the rage many years ago.

Because although it has no magical abilities of its own, it is an excellent object for practicing spells and testing potions.

Especially useful for pharmacists, its skin can absorb liquids, making it easier and quicker to test potions that need to be taken orally.

It's a historical event.

Toads are no longer popular.

Cats are not a good choice either. Besides catching mice, they are also prone to causing allergic symptoms.

So owl is the best choice.

But in Sherlock's opinion, it was purely because an owl cost 15 Galleons, which was much more expensive than the pet cats with an average price of 10 Galleons and the toads in the single digits.

But Sherlock still chose an owl.

Just from the point of view that it can send letters and parcels, it is worth the money.

This time, the three members of Sherlock's family reached a rare consensus.

Next comes the part of this trip that Sherlock is most interested in.

Buy a wand.

There is only one wand shop in the entire Diagon Alley, located on the south side of Diagon Alley.

Compared to the other shops in Diagon Alley, this shop seemed small and shabby.

A wand sat on a purple cushion in the window, and the peeling gold sign above the door read: "Olivanders: Makers of Fine Wands Since 382 BC."

——The fact that it has not been renovated may be intentional to reflect the date of 382 BC.

Sherlock thought immediately.

As he walked into the shop, a bell rang out. Sherlock's eyes quickly swept across the shop.

The space here is not very large, and there is no furniture except a bench in the corner.

Thousands of long, narrow cardboard boxes containing wands were piled from floor to ceiling, covered in a thin layer of dust.

Just then, a gentle voice sounded: "Welcome."

The speaker was a short old man, his silver eyes were like two shining moons in the dim shop.

Intelligent, confident, solitary, compassionate, around 55 years old, just finished serving another customer.

Sherlock came to this conclusion the first time he saw Ollivander.

At the same time, Ollivander smiled and said to Sherlock and his parents:
"It looks like a little wizard born in a Muggle family!"

Sherlock raised his eyebrows when he heard this.

This was the second time he had heard the word "Muggle" today.

The first time was with Tom, the owner of the Leaky Cauldron.

Judging from the context, this should refer to ordinary people from non-wizard families, but...

"Which arm do you use your wand with?"

Ollivander's words interrupted Sherlock's thoughts.

"Right hand," Sherlock paused, then added, "Left hand can also be used - if necessary."

Ollivander glanced at Sherlock in surprise.

He has been running the shop for so many years and has never heard such an answer.

After a moment of hesitation, he asked Sherlock to stretch out his right arm according to priority and began to measure his size.

From shoulders to fingertips, from wrists to elbows, from knees to armpits, every detail is meticulous.

During this process, Sherlock was surprised to find that the tape measure was operating automatically.

But thinking that this was a magical world, he soon felt relieved.

If it doesn't make sense, magic will be added.

This scene only surprised Sherlock, but it was exciting for Mrs. Holmes.

This tool is simply amazing!

I must ask this gentleman about this later. It will be much more convenient to make clothes for my husband and children with this.

After taking the measurements, it’s time to choose the wand.

Sherlock originally thought this was a very simple matter.

I never expected that the time spent on the following shopping would be even longer than my mother's usual shopping trip.

"Nine inches, willow, whirrs when swung, a good wand for spells—here, try waving it."

Sherlock took the wand.

But before he could swing it, Ollivander snatched it away.

Sherlock: (_)
What does this mean?
"Try this, mahogany, ten and a quarter inches, more flexible."

Before Sherlock could ask, the other party had already handed him a new wand.

This time Sherlock tried to wave it, but there was no response.

"Next, unicorn hair, ebony core, good elasticity, nine and three-quarters inches."

The items on the next shelf flew off – and clearly didn’t fit either.

"Ash wood, phoenix feather, seven and a half inches."

"Black walnut with argan, eight inches."

"..."

Time passes slowly without us noticing.

(End of this chapter)