My final stop is Ollivanders, the legendary wand shop tucked between the bustling alleys. The air inside smells of wood, polish, and a faint undercurrent of magic that makes my pulse quicken—not from fear, but anticipation.
The shelves stretch from floor to ceiling, each wand resting in silence, waiting. I step forward, and the elderly wandmaker approaches, his piercing gaze inspecting me as if peering directly into my mind.
"You are special," he murmurs softly, almost to himself. "There is power in you… history, ambition… the old blood."
I smile faintly, keeping my expression polite, patient. Let him talk. Let him observe. Everything here is a test, and I intend to pass flawlessly.
The wand selection begins. One by one, I lift a wand, feel the pull, the hum of magic, and discard it politely. Most are weak, insufficient, or unresponsive to the depth of power within me. I let him comment, noting every observation, every subtle flicker of interest in his eyes.
Then it happens. A wand hums to life in my hand, warmth spreading along my fingers, a resonance I feel in my very soul. I glance down: yew, thirteen and a half inches, phoenix feather core.
The same as the original Tom Riddle's. The wand recognizes me instantly. A surge of energy passes from it into my mind, and I feel… completion. Not merely a tool, but an extension of myself. Power, potential, and history converge in the slender piece of polished wood.
"You see," Ollivander murmurs, "the wand remembers its master… and you… you are precisely who it sought."
I incline my head, calm and collected. "It seems we are well-matched, then."
[System Notification: Wand Recognition Complete — Full Affinity Established][Wand Stats: 13½", Yew, Phoenix Feather Core, Bonded to User][Reward: Magical Channeling Efficiency +20%]
I let the wand rest lightly in my hand, feeling the subtle vibrations of magic beneath the surface, the latent potential waiting to be commanded. I could spend hours here, testing spells, probing its limits, but time is precious. There are greater plans in motion.
Ollivander studies me silently, perhaps sensing the depth of strategy, intelligence, and control radiating from me. I offer a polite bow. "Thank you. I will take it."
He nods slowly, almost reluctantly. "May it serve you well… and wisely, young master."
I leave Ollivanders with the wand secured in my trunk alongside my books, potions, and supplies. Each acquisition has been deliberate, precise, and calculated to give me the upper hand. Hogwarts will not merely be a school; it will be the stage for my strategy, the proving ground for my mind, and the forge of my power.
Outside, the bustle of Diagon Alley continues unabated. I stand in the street for a moment, letting the hum of magic from my new wand and rings settle in my body.
Everything is in place.Every tool, every resource, every piece of knowledge.
And soon, the next move begins.
[Quest Complete: Acquire Wand — Reward Applied: Full Wand Affinity & Magical Channeling Bonus]
I adjust my trunk, smooth my robes, and step into the crowd. Hogwarts awaits.
But for now… I am entirely prepared.