The Wizarding World has a completely different currency system from the Muggle World. After exchanging their Muggle money for wizarding currency at Gringotts—a 'wizard bank' run by Goblins—they finally began their true shopping trip.
"A wand is an indispensable companion for a wizard. Most people must rely on it to cast magic," Professor McGonagall said, leading them to a shop that looked completely opposite to the Gringotts they had just left.
The shopfront was small and dilapidated, with a single wand resting forlornly on a faded purple cushion inside a stained glass display window.
However, a golden plaque hung on the shop door, inscribed with: "Ollivanders: Makers of Fine wands Since 382 B.C."
"This is the best wand shop in all of Britain. Every young wizard about to start school will find a suitable wand here, and it will accompany them for their entire life."
"This shop is so tiny... Professor, it looks like we can't all fit inside, can we?" Lily asked, as the shop indeed appeared extremely small.
"Don't worry, Miss Evans, there's enough room for all of us here," Professor McGonagall said, pushing open the old, narrow shop door. The wind chimes on the door jingled crisply, signaling the arrival of guests.
Thousands of long, narrow boxes containing wands were stacked densely along the surrounding walls, reaching so high that their tops were out of sight, looking both perilous and magnificent.
Thomas watched everyone enter the shop one by one. Despite the increasing number of people inside, the space seemed to possess an elasticity, maintaining its original sense of confinement yet miraculously not feeling overcrowded due to the influx of people.
"The space here is a bit strange; it can affect our visual judgment..." Sherlock stared at the room, fascinated. He spread his arms; despite the distance appearing very close, he didn't touch the stacked wand boxes. Instead, he nearly hit Mr. Evans's bald head behind him.
Mr. Evans narrowly dodged the arm, pulling his two daughters away from this 'eccentric' guy. He decided that when he got home, he would definitely warn Lily to have less contact with those two Snape family brothers!
"This is powerful spatial magic," Thomas had read in a book. "It can infinitely extend a finite space."
Amazing spatial magic... but what kind of twisted humor do these wizards have to insist on creating such a cramped atmosphere? They can't possibly think it makes for a good shopping experience, can they?
There was no one at the counter, and a dark small room connected behind it, making it impossible to see what was inside.
Just as Thomas was hesitating whether to call out for the owner, a slight sound suddenly came from behind the counter. Immediately after, a ladder glided out like a phantom, stopping steadily within their sight.
Standing on the ladder was a spry old man in a grey robe, none other than the shop owner, Garrick Ollivander.
"Welcome to Ollivanders wand shop," his voice was deep and magnetic.
He slowly descended the ladder, walked out from behind the counter, and scrutinized the new customers with piercing eyes.
"Oh, three young wizards," he immediately identified the new students among them.
"Powerful, new strength." When his deep, wise eyes looked at him, Thomas felt as if he could see into his very soul.
His face drew close to Thomas and Severus, who stood side by side, and he meticulously examined their features: "Finally, I see the Prince bloodline again."
Thomas paused slightly: "Prince?"
Mr. Ollivander, however, did not continue. He took the measuring tape hanging around his neck and extended it: "So, who's first?"
Everyone's gaze was fixed on the three young wizards.
"Ladies first," Thomas smiled slightly, gesturing to Lily to go ahead.
This Little Witch, destined to be a Gryffindor, was already impatient.
She skipped happily to the center of the shop, extending her hand towards Mr. Ollivander, but was stopped by her father.
The middle-aged man looked at the somewhat eccentric Mr. Ollivander, his eyes filled with worry and a hint of imperceptible caution. He cleared his throat: "Boys, you go first."
Thomas and Severus exchanged a glance. Severus, before Thomas could, extended his arm: "I'll go first."
Mr. Ollivander carefully measured the length of his arm with the tape measure. After completing the measurement, he pondered for a moment before pulling a box from the 'mountain of wands' piled on the right side.
It was a beautiful, silvery-white wand: "Try this one, thirteen and a half inches, ash wood, Dragon heartstring."
Severus took the wand. The wand felt very unfamiliar to him. He glanced at Mr. Ollivander, unsure of what to do next.
Seeing this, Mr. Ollivander immediately snatched the wand from his hand and closed the box: "Not this one!"
With a wave of his arm, another box flew into his hand, containing a creamy-yellow wand with a slightly curved tip: "Try this one."
Severus could vaguely feel a resonance of magic from this wand. Holding it felt like stroking the somewhat coarse fur of a beast.
"Give it a wave," Mr. Ollivander prompted him.
Severus gently waved the wand, and magic transformed into a gust of wind that struck the wall, causing the stacked wand boxes on that side to clatter to the floor.
Mr. Ollivander once again forcefully pulled the wand from Severus's hand and put it back in its box.
Severus was a bit embarrassed: "Sorry, sir."
Mr. Ollivander seemed unconcerned. He waved his hand, and once again summoned a new wand for Severus to try.
"Not it."
"Nor this one."
"Oh, what a picky young wizard," Mr. Ollivander's silver eyes gleamed with challenge.
He quickly went back behind the counter, rummaged through things, and pulled out a box: "Here, try this one. This is an old friend with some years on him."
The wand in the box was inky black, with a straight shaft and some inconspicuous carvings on the hilt, appearing unremarkable.
But Severus felt a fatal attraction. This time, without waiting for Mr. Ollivander, he instinctively picked it up. A red light burst from the wand tip, transforming into a Dragon soaring through the room.
The previously stable magic particles in the air began to flow, swirl, and intertwine.
The wands on the wand racks also seemed to awaken, starting to tremble slightly and emit a deep, lingering resonance.
It was several minutes before everything gradually calmed down.
Severus's face was pale from the significant loss of magic, but he felt no fatigue at all.
Thomas saw Severus's obsidian-like eyes, shining brightly against his pale skin. This would be his lifelong companion.
Everyone was captivated by this magnificent and strange scene, unable to snap out of it for a long time.
Until Mr. Ollivander exclaimed: "How wonderful! Such a perfect match. Thirteen and a half inches, birch wood, Dragon heartstring. Loyal and powerful, with the strength to transcend life and death."
"The wand chooses the wizard; it has chosen you." His voice was filled with both admonition and expectation: "Remember, child, life and death are in your own hands."
"Now it's your turn, another young Prince."
Because Severus's wand selection process was so lengthy, Professor McGonagall had already decided to take the Evans family to buy other items first, agreeing to meet later at the Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlour in the center.
Thomas stepped forward, bowing slightly to Mr. Ollivander, but he did not extend his hand. Instead, he asked: "Mr. Ollivander, is 'Prince' a family?"