August 20, 2019

Finally, the day had come. Marilyn's first year of Hogwarts was beginning in just a few days. Since her eleventh birthday nearly a year ago in November, she'd been wanting to go school shopping to prepare. Her parents had her wait until closer to the year's start, which felt like a whole eternity for her. But finally, late August arrived and the family took a trip through the Floo Network to the Leaky Cauldron. Once at Diagon Alley, the family split: Marilyn and her parents went one way to shop for her, while her older siblings Elizabeth and Skylar went together to shop for themselves as Lizzy was old enough to accompany him.

Marilyn's first choice of where to go was Ollivander's, as she believed it was the obvious choice. She opened the door to the shop, taking in the sights and smells. The shop reeks of the woods used for wands, as well as the musty smell of age and dust. There were a couple other incoming first-years waiting in line to be seen by the legendary wandmaker, and Marilyn made her way to join them. Her parents stayed by the door, probably to give her space around the kids to let her socialize freely.

She ended up standing behind a girl with short blonde hair and thick glasses. She turned to look at Marilyn and gave her a big toothy grin. They shared quick introductions, as well as their equal excitement about getting their own wand. The conversation inevitably switched to Hogwarts, what House they were hoping for and what classes they expected to be the best. "I'm hoping for Ravenclaw," the girl said, "because apparently that's the smartest house and my mum says I'm plenty bright enough for it!" Marilyn didn't know what class she'd hope for, though. Her mum was a Ravenclaw and her father was a Hufflepuff, while Elizabeth and Skylar both were Ravenclaw. All the houses sounded good; she didn't know which one she'd pick above the others.

Eventually, the girl was next to pick her wand. Their conversations stopped, even after she got her wand. She immediately darted off, calling to her father and seemingly forgetting they were mid-conversation with Marilyn. But it didn't matter; Marilyn was next for Ollivander. She placed the coin payment on the counter, her mother having given it to her to give to the shopkeeper.

When she introduced herself, Ollivander gave her a warm grin. "Welcome, Miss Martinez. Is your father, perhaps, Maddox Martinez?" She nodded, and he let out a short chuckle. "Yes, I remember him. Fresh from the Muggle world, new to his wizard blood. He was nearly bouncing off the walls as he tried out the wands. You seem to share his excitement, no?" Marilyn blushed, murmuring in agreement. "But enough of that, let's find you your wand."

In total, Marilyn tried three different wands. The first two were obvious failures to Ollivander, who plucked them from her hand before she could register if anything happened. But the third he seemed confident in. She held it in her hands, and upon his instruction gave it a small swish towards a stack of books on the counter. The top book flipped open, its pages flying past until it slammed itself shut.

Olivander grinned and gave her a satisfied nod. "I figured this one was it, after those two. Chestnut and snallygaster heartstring, 32 centimeters. It's a resistant wand, requiring determination on your part. Very good with transfiguration."

Marilyn held the wand in her hand. It was gorgeous, sleek and slim with a comfortable grip. She lowered it, and gave Ollivander a polite smile. "Thank you, Mr. Ollivander, sir. I'll take great care of it!"