I sit absently looking at my nails, wondering about Hogwarts, and how life would be there. The semester officially starts tomorrow, and the very thought fills me with joy and an overwhelming sense of adventure pumps through my veins.

Of course, what do I know about adventure? But my skin tingles at the idea of facing something other than what I've been doing all this time.

I barely know anything about Hogwarts. I've only heard about it from the customers who come here. It seems like a pretty good place, from what I've heard, and apparently is one of the best in the world.

When I asked Matilda (the woman with whom I was when I read the letter) how I'd been accepted without even applying, she told me wizards receive their letters on their eleventh birthdays automatically. The very fact fills me with marvel. What a fabulous idea!

The bells on the door chime as I look up to see who it is. Long blond hair, steely grey eyes and a remarkably hard-set jaw mark the appearance of the person whom I've never seen here. Come to think of it, I've never seen him anywhere...

He walks up to the counter, sets his hands on the countertop and stands waiting, tapping impatiently.

I muster up my voice, "Yes?"

He turns to me, his eyes raking me as he asks, "Girl, where's an employee of here?"

"You're looking at one."

"Merlin's beard. Get someone, girl. I would rather not play your childish games," he snarls, his menacing tone enough to scare even the Reuben but I stand my own.

"I am the only employee working right now, so believe it. Now, what do you want?"

He doesn't reply, only sits up on the countertop and stares down into my eyes, working his hardest to intimidate me but I only stare back with a blank expression. His eyebrows knit together in what seems like confusion.

Now starting to get annoyed, I say "Seriously, what do you want, sir?"

No response. Just the intense staring that gives me goosebumps and makes me wonder if I did something to annoy him. It melts away my annoyance and gives rise to an uneasy feeling. There's something off in the way those grey spheres fixate on my face, something odd in the blank expressionless face. 

Cold. That's the word that pops to my mind when I see him. Cold and cruel.

Brushing off the thought, I push him off the countertop and yell, "Reuben!"

"Yes, Lar-" Reuben walks in, his sentence cut short when he sees the man.

"Larkynn, didn't you say you had to buy stuff? Yeah, go buy something now. And, you know what, have a long lunch outside." he tells me, his face clearly nervous.

I brush past him to take my sling bag, which is hanging off a hook, and whisper in his ear, "If you want to get rid of me, just tell me."

"Will do." he says and laughs as if what I've said is funny. His laugh sounds pretty fake to me. Hmm, it's probably this man.

"Bye bye Birdie." he croons as I walk out from behind the countertop, pulling on my shrug.

"Bye bye Blondie." I reply before heading out to of the door to the marvel that is Diagon Alley.

I pile up on everything I'll need for Hogwarts, and even buy extra stuff. I have everything, from quills to robes. Well, nearly. I still have to buy a wand.

I saved this part for last because it's my favourite. I've always admired Ollivanders' and taken every opportunity to go there, even if just to watch. I'm drawn to that store.

I walk in, a smile hiking up my lips. As I walk up to the counter, I hear footsteps. Garrick Ollivander is here.

"Hello, Fenella. I suppose you are here to buy a wand?" he asks more than tells me.

I nod my head in excitement, an overwhelming urge to squeal building up inside me. Other people might find what Ollivander told me stupid, but it actually makes sense. Guess he's seen me come here several times wthout actually buying a wand.

"You're headed off to Hogwarts?" he asks, smiling at my palpable excitement. I reply in the affirmative.

"Do you want to try to guess?"

Great he asked me! I've been learning a lot about wands and wand-making...

"Let me guess. Um, mahogany, cypress or cherry. Phoenix feather core? Could be dragon heartstring, but maybe not. Between twelve and fifteen inches. Springy, supple or pliant."

Ollivander laughs and asks me, "I'll bring up some of those."

My excitement is spiralling more and more upwards now. Ollivander returns, his arms laden with around five boxes.

"Try this. Dragon Heartstring." he says, handing me one, looking at me expectantly.

I take the wand and inspect it.

"Cherry? Around thirteen inches. Pliant."

Ollivander beams, seemingly delighted that I got it right. But this wand seems to not be the one. It erupts flecks of yellow light and shatters a window.

"Sorry about that." I point to the window as I return the wand.

"Oh, don't mind that, dear Fenella. What about this Unicorn Hair core wand?"

I try it. Seems like Sycamore, is ten inches and slightly yielding. It feels cold in my palm as it rolls off my palm.

"What about Phoenix Feather?" I say, bending down to pick the wand and putting it back on the counter. Ollivander has an inscrutable expression on his face but nods and passes me a box.

Opening it, I scrutinise the wand and say, "Mahogany. Phoenix feather core. Fourteen and a quarter inches. Supple."

Ollivander nods and motions me to go ahead and try it out. I'm already liking this wand. It feels comfortable, the etched designs moulding into the shape of my palm. I point back at the shattered window and it's repaired instantly.

Yes, this seems like it. It warms up in my palm and purrs a little. I laugh, happy with my choice. The soprano tones of my laughter deepen as bass tones join in.

"Well, that seems perfect. I usually say the wand selects the wizard, but here-"

I cut him off, "Oh, didn't you see? This wand was jumping up and down to make sure I took notice."

We laugh again, the dulcet tones of our laughter floating through the atmosphere.

Ollivander wishes me to "Have a great time!" before I leave. That was certainly a fun afternoon!

I pick up lunch and eat it before heading back to Sparring Supplies. On the way, a snowy white owl catches my eye at Eeylop's Owl Emporium, something so eerily enticing about its eyes as it fixates on me until I move along. I don't know if I should buy one. Guess I'll just ask Reuben what he thinks when I get back.

Before I realize it, I've already reached. I push open the door and saunter in, the tinkling sounds of the bell floating in the air like the sound of anklets.

"Better watch your back, Birdie." Blondie says to me in a light whisper before he walks out.

"What was that about?" I ask Reuben.

"Um, nothing." he says, desperately trying to dodge my question. I change the topic for his sake.

"Hey, Reuben, do you think I should buy an owl? I saw this rather adorable snowy white owl that pleaded with me to take it 'home'..."

"A snowy white owl? Fenella, you can barely take care of yourself, let alone an owl," he responds and continues, "What wand did you get?"

"Ooh, I picked it out! Mahogany, phoenix feather core, fourteen and a quarter inches and supple."

I know he doesn't care about what kind of wand I get, but is just portraying interest so I don't feel bad. He's too nice and sweet for his own good at times!

"Wait, Ollivander let you pick your wand? Garrick Ollivander?" he says, his eyes wide.

"Yes!" I squeal.

"Merlin's beard! Did you rattle on and on about wands and the sort?"

I fill Reuben in on happened and he listens, wide-eyed. When I finish, he laughs and pats my shoulder.

"Well, did you get everything?"

"I'm quite sure."

"Good then."

After work, I finish up and walk out. Walking back to Eeylop's Owl Emporium, I'm disappointed to see the owl absent. After searching for her, I come to the conclusion that someone bought her. I eventually settle on a tarny brown owl and return home, petting her head on the way.

"Hello, Amora." I say, patting her head as she hoots in response.

This owl I like!

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Hey, thank you so much for reading!

All chapters of this story will have a song to go with them. This chapter's is- [check back after a kabillion eighty years ;)] (seriously, I'll add one soon!)

This chapter was supposed to come up on Monday, but I decided to post this now, so it's technically a bonus chapter...

Anyways, love you!

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