Diagon Alley was, for lack of a better word, magical.

While Noa-Elise's parents had taken her to numerous places in the wizarding world, the energy that hummed within the area felt different compared to the Quidditch tournament her family would be invited to, or the apothecaries near London Mother would take her to. Maybe it was the hustle and bustle that was absent from her sheltered home life, or maybe it was the presence of different magical things that she could easily come in contact with (her parents were rather strict about letting her come close to the artifacts they have at home, except for Mitzy and her enchanted toys) so when she found out that she and Mother will go to a shopping place for young witches and wizards, she was over the moon.

She had reread the list of supplies that were provided by the Hogwarts letter that the once tightly furled parchment was now quite flat and may or may not have a couple of droplets of what was her breakfast tea decorating the sides of it. The titles of her schoolbooks and the reality of getting her very own wand caused her to lie awake the previous night.

This was it, she would attend the best school for magic and be a proper witch.

Ollivanders' looked... painfully ordinary, much to her initial disappointment. The store looked shabby with the golden-painted letters peeling over the door of the shop with the words: Ollivanders: Makers of Fine Wands since 382 B.C. There were several wands being displayed, cushioned by pillows and Noa-Elise could barely make out the outline of the interiors through the dusty window.

Elizabeth, however, was smiling ear to ear as she herded her daughter into the building. They stuck out like a sore thumb in that setting; they were dressed in beautiful robes and her mother's sterling pin shone brightly on her chestnut brown hair through the dim room. stacks of boxes covered the entire walls of the shop and a tiny counter was pushed by a staircase that led to a second floor and a room with no doors, exposing even more shelves and boxes.

"Mother, are we in the right place?" she asked, her blue eyes scanning the dust that settled on the boxes' surface with mild distaste.

"If you seek a wand that will be your companion in life, then yes" a soft voice hummed, making her jump.

They turned to see a very old man, standing haphazardly on a rickety wooden ladder, plucking boxes in his hands and climbing down without any needed support.

He looked ancient; wrinkles and liver spots covered his face with thin white hair that stuck out in different directions. But beyond the telling signs of his ripe old age, Noa-Elise couldn't help but feel a bit perturbed as his silver eyes regarded her with keen interest. He turned to her mother, squinting for a moment, tucking the boxes under his thin arm.

"Good day Mr. Ollivander" her mother greeted, tone warm with affection "I brought my daughter for her first wand. She just got her Hogwarts letter yesterday and we are doing some shopping for her school supplies."

There was a minute pause before a grin broke through the man's wizened features, "Ah, Elizabeth Forsythe! I still remember the day you came into the shop when you got your Hogwarts letter. You were Elizabeth Von Thessic back then, has your wand served you well?"

Her mother proudly produced her wand, letting Mr. Ollivander take it without hesitation. He surveyed the reddish brown wand with an elegant silver handle with practiced eyes; balancing it with his hand and checking every inch of it with precision-

"Mmm, Elm with unicorn hair. 11^3/4inches. You certainly have taken great care of it, always did perform brilliantly with memory charms and healing spells."

Elizabeth gave a short nod, tucking a lock of her hair behind her ear as they followed the man across the room. Mr. Ollivander placed the small stack on a wooden chair and gave his attention to Noa-Elise, who had been looking at him with curiosity. From what she gathered, he was a very perceptive man who obviously could discern someone with their wands and the way her mother preened at his praise meant that he was someone she had high opinion of.

Out of nowhere, he produced a measuring tape and motioned for her to come forth. Without waiting for her mother's confirmation, she tottered towards the man with confidence and heart thumping with excitement. The whole measuring was a tedious experience. He measured her from head to toe, her shoulders, the tip of her middle finger to her shoulders, her wrists, even the width of her nostrils to the thickness of her arms.

She could hear him mumbling a bit under his breath before he straightened up, moved to one of the shelves, and retrieved a box that had definitely seen better days.

"Poplar with dragon heartstring,11 3/4 inches" he said.

Her mother gave her an encouraging look and she waved the wand to feel-

Absolutely nothing

Mr. Ollivander just retrieved the wand without any concern and took a random box from the stack he was carrying earlier,

"A cypress wand might take interest with you like your Father. Cypress with dragon heartstring, 14 inches, if I remember correctly. One of the most rigid and unyielding ones I had ever made, does quite well in duels," he mused.

She gave the proffered wand a wave as well but before she could even make a full swish, he immediately snatched it from her hand and placed it back, deeming it to be an incorrect match.

Soon, even more wands came and went with the same disappointing results:

Yew with unicorn hair, 9 inches

Hazel and dragon heartstring, 13 inches

Larch with phoenix feather, 12 3/4 inches

As the stack grew, so did the worry on her mother's face, but the old wizard looked quite pleased with the lack of results,

"Another tricky customer eh?"

"Does everyone get their wands quickly?" Noa-Elise asked, not letting her nerves show in her tone.

Mr. Ollivander studied her with his penetrating gaze once again before answering, "It's the wand that chooses the wizard, Ms. Forsythe" he answered. "You can't force a powerful conduit of magic to bind itself with you unless you're willing to have unpredictable results."

"But then, how can other wizards steal and use another one's wand?" she questioned "I have read of stories where a wand's allegiance can be won under certain circumstances."

The wizard didn't answer her prodding as he walked into the back room, letting the two Forsythe ladies exchange a look before he came back with a box and offered it to her.

"This one had been tested numerous times and still haven't found its match" he explained as she opened the box and stared at the wand inside. It was a beautiful thing; rich brown wood with a reddish hue and a soft spiraled handle.

"Walnut with phoenix feather, 10 inches. Whippy, enjoys novelty and inventiveness, it will choose a curious-minded and truly independent wizard. Especially as the phoenix is a creature known for its independence and detachment in the world."

There was a hum in the air unlike anything before. As soon as she made a swishing motion, like a conductor maneuvering their own wand to instruct the orchestra; a lively spark of purple and white sprung from the tip, bathing the shop with light. Her mother clapped and cheered for her while Mr. Ollivander grinned toothily at the girl who found her rightful match.

After ringing up their purchase, Mr. Ollivander gave them a warm farewell and a short bow as they exited the shop; Noa-Elise clutching the new black wooden box that housed her new wand and a smile that adorned her face.