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The Wilderness Survival Handbook—by Bear Grylls
Centered around the principle of "better safe than sorry" (literally, "not afraid of ten thousand, just afraid of the one-in-ten-thousand chance"), this book uses the author's real-life knowledge and experiences to show readers how to correctly respond when encountering danger in the magical world.
Sherlock was particularly interested in the book's wilderness survival guide and the author's personal accounts of facing dangerous creatures like trolls, Runespoors, vampires, and Lethifolds alone.
After a quick browse, Sherlock decisively bought it.
At the end of the required list, there was a special note:
[First years are not permitted their own broomsticks]
This special note had naturally caught Sherlock's attention long ago.
Sherlock wasn't one to follow rules blindly.
He never minded breaking rules—if necessary.
Flying broomsticks... whether carrying one was necessary remained uncertain, but at the very least, he needed to figure out what this thing actually was.
At Quality Quidditch Supplies, also located on the north side of Diagon Alley, Sherlock finally saw it.
As the name suggests, a flying broomstick is a broom that can fly in the sky.
In the magical world, it is the most commonly used mode of transport for wizards and is also widely used in various sports competitions.
Naturally, Sherlock, always curious about the unknown, dove headfirst into learning about this novel item.
However, after some observation, he found their prices staggering.
Entry-level flying broomsticks started at one or two hundred Galleons—already reaching the annual currency exchange limit for non-wizarding families.
High-quality flying broomsticks, like the top brands Nimbus 2000 and Cleansweep Seven, cost over 1000 Galleons each.
According to the shop owner, for those attending magic school, besides flying, the main purpose of a broomstick was for playing Quidditch.
It was a sport similar to football (soccer).
The main differences were that the playing field moved from the ground to the air, and there were some additional rules.
It could be said that everyone in the magical world loved Quidditch.
However, after considering various factors, Sherlock ultimately declined the enthusiastic owner's offers—even though he claimed he could provide a method for first-years to sneak broomsticks into the school.
Additionally, he once again persuaded his mother to choose a pewter cauldron.
—Mrs. Holmes had originally wanted to buy one made of solid gold.
Besides the prohibition on bringing broomsticks, the school list also mentioned that new students could bring an owl, a toad, or a cat.
According to the pet shop owner, toads were all the rage many years ago.
Although they possessed no magical abilities themselves, they were excellent subjects for practicing spells and testing potions.
Especially for potioneers, their skin could absorb liquids, making it more convenient and faster to test potions that needed to be ingested.
Unfortunately, times had changed.
Toads were no longer fashionable.
Cats weren't ideal either; besides catching mice, they could easily cause allergic reactions.
Therefore, owls were the best choice.
However, in Sherlock's opinion, this was purely because an owl cost 15 Galleons, significantly more expensive than the average 10 Galleon pet cat or the single-digit priced toad.
But Sherlock still chose an owl.
Just for the ability to send letters and parcels, it was already worth the price.
This time, the three members of the Holmes family rarely reached a unanimous decision.
Next came the part of the trip Sherlock was most interested in.
Buying a wand.
There was only one wand shop in the entire Diagon Alley, located on the south side.
Compared to the other shops in Diagon Alley, this one appeared small and dilapidated.
A single wand lay on a faded purple cushion in the dusty window. The gold lettering on the sign above the door was peeling, reading: [Ollivanders: Makers of Fine Wands since 382 B.C.]
—Perhaps the lack of renovation was intentional, to emphasize the 382 B.C. date.
Sherlock immediately thought.
As they stepped into the shop, a tiny bell tinkled somewhere in the depths.
Sherlock's eyes quickly scanned the interior.
The space wasn't large; apart from a single spindly chair in the corner, there was no other furniture.
Thousands of narrow boxes containing wands were piled right up to the ceiling, and a thin layer of dust covered everything.
Just then, a soft voice spoke: "Good afternoon."
The speaker was a small old man, his pale silver eyes shining like two bright moons in the dim shop.
[Intelligent, confident, lonely, compassionate, around 55 years old, just finished serving another customer]
The moment he saw Ollivander, Sherlock immediately reached this conclusion.
Meanwhile, Ollivander smiled at Sherlock and his parents:
"Ah yes, a young wizard from a Muggle family, I see!"
Sherlock raised an eyebrow upon hearing this.
This was the second time today he had heard the word "Muggle".
The first was from Tom, the owner of the Leaky Cauldron.
Analyzing the context, it likely referred to ordinary people from non-wizarding families, but...
"Which is your wand arm?"
Ollivander's words interrupted Sherlock's thoughts.
"Right-handed," Sherlock paused, then added, "Left-handed too—if necessary."
Ollivander looked at Sherlock with some surprise.
In all his years running the shop, he had never heard such an answer.
After a moment's pause, he still prioritized and asked Sherlock to extend his right arm, beginning to take measurements.
From shoulder to fingertip, wrist to elbow, knee to armpit—meticulously.
During this process, Sherlock was surprised to find the tape measure operating automatically.
But considering this was the magical world, he quickly accepted it.
When explanation fails, supplement with magic.
This scene merely surprised Sherlock, but for Mrs. Holmes, it was exciting.
This tool was simply wonderful!
She definitely had to ask this gentleman later; it would make sewing clothes for her husband and child so much easier.
After the measurements were taken, it was time to choose a wand.
Sherlock had initially thought this would be a simple matter.
He never expected that the time spent next would be even longer than his mother's usual shopping trips.
"Nine inches, willow, swishy. A nice wand for charm work—here, give it a wave."
Sherlock took the wand.
But before he could even wave it, Ollivander snatched it back.
Sherlock: (_)
What was the meaning of this?
"Try this one. Mahogany, ten and a quarter inches, rather pliable."
Before Sherlock could ask, the man had already thrust a new wand into his hand.
This time, Sherlock did try waving it, but there was no reaction.
"Again. Unicorn hair, ebony core, springy, nine and three-quarter inches."
Items flew off a nearby shelf—clearly unsuitable as well.
"Ash wood, phoenix feather, seven and a half inches."
"Black walnut and dragon heartstring, eight inches."
"..."
Time slipped by unnoticed.
(End of Chapter)