Magical Studies at Hogwarts...

Chapter 3 Cedar Wood and Unicorn Hair

Two days later, at nine o'clock in the morning, Professor McGonagall arrived at St. Mary's Orphanage on time. Ike and Julianne had gotten up early and were waiting for Professor McGonagall's arrival.

After exchanging greetings, Professor McGonagall extended her hand and said somewhat seriously, "Mr. Stradl, please hold my hand firmly. The journey ahead won't be very pleasant, and you'll feel a little uncomfortable, but it's nothing serious."

"Remember! Don't let go of my hand, or something terrible will happen."

"Yes, Professor McGonagall." Ike knew exactly how Professor McGonagall would take him to Diagon Alley; he was well aware of the dangers of Apparition.

Professor McGonagall nodded. "Goodbye then, Ms. Julianne. I'll bring Mr. Strand back before lunch."

As soon as they finished speaking, a "snap" was heard, and the two of them disappeared from the room.

When it reappeared, it was in front of a bar that looked very old and cramped.

Ike didn't go to the infamous Broken Axe Bar. Even though he had prepared himself mentally, he still didn't expect Apparition to be so uncomfortable.

It was as if a robust adult had been forcibly shoved into a cramped suitcase and then violently shaken around. Ike took several deep breaths before finally managing to swallow the food residue that was stuck in his throat.

"The first time is always like this, it will get much better after that." Professor McGonagall patted Ike on the back, and only after Ike recovered did she lead him to push open the door of the bar.

As I had imagined, the atmosphere inside the Broken Axe Bar wasn't great. Some male and female witches were either sitting or standing, holding glasses of unidentified liquids—perhaps mead, perhaps butterbeer, or maybe flaming whiskey.

Wearing wizard robes, some were talking to each other, while others huddled in corners, hiding themselves in the shadows.

Old Tom stood behind the bar, wiping the table with a dirty-looking rag. He greeted Professor McGonagall and Ike warmly as they entered.

"Professor McGonagall, why are you bringing the new students here so early this year?"

"Yes, new student." Professor McGonagall nodded slightly as a greeting. Old Tom, knowing Professor McGonagall's personality, immediately said, "Then I won't keep you any longer. Goodbye, Professor McGonagall."

"goodbye."

Leading Ike around the bar, he arrived at a small courtyard. On the surface, apart from some weeds and a trash can, there was nothing there, but Ike knew very well that this was the most bustling place in the British wizarding world—Diagon Alley.

Professor McGonagall then took out her wand and tapped it against the wall as she said, "Mr. Strayed, remember to count three pieces from the top of the trash can, then two pieces horizontally. When you have your wand, tap it three times, like this..."

A small opening appeared where Professor McGonagall had pointed, and the entire brick began to shake and slowly roll to both sides, creating an archway in front of Ike.

"This order cannot be wrong. Although some naughty students may move the trash cans, this place is enchanted. Just wait five minutes and the trash cans will return to where they should be."

"Of course, it would be even better if you could remember the exact location of this brick. Now, let's go to Gringotts to collect your scholarship."

Professor McGonagall led Ike through the archway, then suddenly turned around and smiled.

"I almost forgot, Mr. Streid..."

Welcome to Diagon Alley!

Ike then feigned excitement, and Professor McGonagall nodded in satisfaction before leading Ike straight to the conspicuous white building in Diagon Alley.

After weaving through the dense crowds of Diagon Alley, Ike finally stood before the renowned bank. A large, gleaming bronze door stood open, and goblins in scarlet, gold-trimmed uniforms stood at the entrance, bowing in respect to each wizard who entered Gringotts.

Passing through the bronze gate, one enters a silver gate. Engraved on the gate is a passage of text, full of warnings and threats.

Ike remained silent and followed Professor McGonagall through the silver gate.

What came into view was a spacious marble hall, where a hundred or so fairies sat behind tall counters, some weighing money with scales, others examining gems with eyepieces, and still others calculating accounts with quill pens.

Professor McGonagall walked straight to the back and handed Ike's admission notice over.

"Mr. Strad's scholarship."

The fairy took the notice, checked the records, and then handed back a money pouch.

"Twenty Galleons, please keep them safe."

Professor McGonagall nodded slightly, handed the money bag to Ike, and led Ike away.

"Hogwarts provides a scholarship, not much, but enough for you to buy everything you need for school. You can collect this money at Gringotts before the start of each school year, but next year you'll need to come and collect it yourself, Mr. Strayed."

"Of course, if you have Muggle currency, you can exchange it for Galleons at Gringotts. There are no exchange restrictions at Gringotts in this regard."

"Now, let's go buy a magic wand."

Deep inside Diagon Alley, you'll find a run-down little shop. The sign reads "Olivendine Wand Shop," with a smaller line stating "Wands made since 382 BC." A worn-out wand sits in the window on a faded purple cushion.

Pushing open the door, you're greeted by long, narrow boxes that stretch all the way to the ceiling, making the store feel even more cramped.

"Welcome, Professor McGonagall. Are these the new students for this year? They're here much earlier than usual." An elderly man with a full head of white hair appeared before Ike, riding a ladder.

"Buy a wand for Mr. Ike Strayder, Mr. Ollivander." Professor McGonagall, as always, was serious and nodded to Ollivander as a greeting.

Ollivander, clearly aware of Professor McGonagall's personality, nodded slightly and then asked, "So, Mr. Stradl, what is your dominant hand...?"

"Right hand."

Ike replied.

"Right hand, of course, the vast majority are right hands." Ollivander took out a tape measure and gestured for Ike to extend his right arm. The tape measure then automatically measured Ike's arm length, forearm length, height, and even head circumference.

"Every Ollivander wand contains extraordinary magical substances; that is its essence. We typically use unicorn hair, phoenix tail feathers, and dragon heartstrings."

"Every Ollivander wand is unique because no two unicorns, phoenixes, and dragons are exactly alike."

"We firmly believe that wands choose wizards, just as we firmly believe that you will find your own wand here."

Ollivander put away the measuring tape, turned around, took a box from the shelf, and handed it to Ike: "Try this one, grapevine wood, dragon heartstring, eleven inches."

Ike held the wand in his hand but didn't react. Ollivander gestured for Ike to wave the wand, but to no avail.

"It seems this isn't the one." Ollivander took back his wand, climbed the ladder again, and took another one down from the shelf.

"Cedar wood, dragon heartstring, eleven and seventy-five inches. Try again, son."

Upon receiving the wand, a silver-white orb suddenly shot out from the tip of the wand, directly blasting down the towering mountain of wands on one side.

"Restored to its original state." Ollivander took back his wand and waved it, and the collapsed Wand Mountain was restored to its original state.

"In fact, almost every young wizard goes through this when buying their first wand. We always have to go through some ups and downs before we know which wand is really right for us."

Ollivander muttered, "But I think I already have the answer."

"Try this one, cedar, unicorn hair, twelve and seventy-five inches," Ollivander said, handing it to Ike. "I think this is it, I'm sure of it."

The wand master was, after all, a wand master. The moment Ike held the wand in his hand, he felt as if it were originally a part of his own body. A soft, silvery-white light emanated from the tip of the wand and slowly spread out like ripples.

"This is it, this is it!" Ollivander exclaimed, clapping his hands. "My father, Gervés Ollivander, always said that the owner of a cedar wand can never be deceived, and I wholeheartedly agree with that."

"Cedar wands are always a good match for a very insightful owner."

"And unicorn hair often produces the most consistent magic; they are the most loyal."

"What a brilliant combination! Child, I think you will become an excellent wizard!"

Ike looked at the smooth, white wand in his hand with great satisfaction. At the very least, it was a wand with top-notch appearance.

"Thank you, Mr. Ollivander."

"No need for that." Ollivander's smile was very bright.

"Sincerely, six gallons."

(End of this chapter)