Winter looked in awe at the alignment of buildings in Diagon Alley as she passed through the brick column at Platform 9 and 3/4. The cobblestone path was well worn but didn't let on as to how old it truly was. Her younger sister Celeste showed equal amazement while the youngest, Corvus, was too busy throwing a tantrum. They had passed an ice cream shop on their way to Diagon Alley but didn't stop to get any. Their caretaker, Billius Clyde whom they simply called Clyde, was trying to soothe Corvus as he stood their screaming. Corvus had always been their father's favorite and got nearly everything he wanted. Winter just shook her head trying to suppress her frustration. The thing she was looking forward to most was getting a wand and that was the first stop on their agenda.
Clyde gave Winter an apologetic glance and reached into his pocket and pulled out a few galleons. "Here." He said as he handed them off to Winter. "I'll try and see if there's any sweets that might get him to quiet down. You'll have to go to Ollivander's alone unless you want to wait at least an hour." Clyde said with exasperation. Winter knew very well that Corvus's tantrum's were notorious for being quite lengthy. Winter thanked Clyde and made her way to Ollivander's Wand shop. She opened the door and it creaked a little as she entered into the building. She looked around incredulously at all the wand cases that were stacked quite neatly all over the shop.
"I'll be there in just a moment!" a voice sounded from farther back in the shop.
Winter made her way to the counter as she awaited Ollivander.
"Thank you for waiting." Ollivander's voice rasped politely.
He was older than she had expected. He had plumy white hair and his eyes shone with kindness.
"You're welcome." Winter replied. "My name is Winter Knight and I've come to purchase a wand." she tried to say with confidence though the crack in her voice betrayed her.
Ollivander's eyes glimmered with amusement.
"Ahh, well you've come to the right place Miss Knight. Let me just take your measurements real quick. Stretch out your arms, hands forward." he said as he began to take down her measurements. Nodding to himself, he headed over to one of the shelves where numerous wands were stored. He fumbled through some until he finally made a selection. He took out the wand and held it carefully in both hands.
"Here we are." he said as he stretched both hands out to Winter, offering the wand.
Winter grasped it in her hand. It was quite a plain wand but holding it gave her a sense of pride. She was finally going to get a wand!
"Laurel, dragon heartstring, 24.6 cm and very flexible. Go on, give it a try." he said encouragingly.
Winter turned and gave the wand a wave. Suddenly one of the chairs that was by the window of the shop caught fire. Winter stared at it, mouth gaping in horror.
Ollivander waved his wand and the fire went out and the chair was unharmed.
"No, I think not." Ollivander said as he took the wand back from Winter.
"My utmost apology, sir." Winter said miserably. She was utterly embarrassed.
"No apology necessary Miss Knight." Ollivander said with his usual pep. His enthusiasm surprised Winter. She half expected him to be furious.
"The wand chooses the Wizard or Witch." Ollivander reminded her. "It can take some time, but we will find it eventually." he assured her.
He pulled another wand off the shelf and dusted the box off before heading back over to Winter.
"This one is Ash wood, Snallygaster heartstring, 31.2 cm, pliant." he said as he passed the new wand to Winter. Winter had barely even touched the wand before papers started flying all around the room.
"Hmm, definitely not!" Ollivander exclaimed. His eyebrow twitching with determination. "A difficult customer..." he muttered scratching his head. He glanced in one of the far corners of the store. "Perhaps, could it be...?" he picked up the box and looked at it hesitantly. He glanced at Winter and then back at the wand box before bringing it over to the counter.
"Try this one, Miss Knight. Walnut wood, Horned Serpent horn, 34.6 cm very flexible." he said as he opened the lid of the box.
Winter hesitantly took the wand in her hand. It was solid, but the weight of the wand felt right. It felt as though it matched her perfectly. The wand was a light brown color and there was a decorative white design at the base of the wand. She gave the wand a wave and all the papers that were scattered previously picked themselves up and neatly stacked themselves in their proper place. Winter felt a quiver of delight. This was the wand for her.
"Ahh, I knew we'd find it eventually!" Ollivander exclaimed clapping his hands together with a smile. "That wand is very efficient for spending spells, ideal for perceptive wizards who follow their instincts. Be sure to treat it with care."
Winter couldn't stop gazing at her wand. This was something she had looked forward to ever since she received her letter from Hogwarts. She was well on her way to becoming a full fledged witch.
"Now comes to the fun part of paying." Ollivander said with a teasing tone.
Winter gazed at Ollivander with pure happiness.
"Thank you, sir." she said as she passed him the exact amount of galleons and made her way to the door. She paused and glanced back at Ollivander and smiled before exiting the shop.
Ollivander waved with a thoughtful expression. He pondered what adventures Miss Knight may experience.