Charlie followed Professor McGonagall into the shop.
The narrow shop was crammed with slender boxes in every available space, stacked high like mountains.
The air was filled with the scent of old wood and magic.
In the center of the shop, a thin, dark-haired boy held a wand, his eyes sparkling with excitement.
Beside him sat an exaggeratedly tall Giant, almost touching the ceiling.
The Giant, seeing Professor McGonagall, immediately scrambled to his feet.
"Professor McGonagall!"
Hagrid greeted her excitedly, accidentally hitting the chandelier above his head, causing it to swing wildly as he stood up.
The entire shop's lighting swayed.
"Hello, Hagrid," Professor McGonagall responded gently.
Her gaze fell on the dark-haired boy, and she thought, 'This must be Harry Potter.'
'He was so tiny when he was sent to the Dursleys, and now he's grown… well, he's still tiny.'
'Damn it, do the Dursleys not feed this child?'
'He should be a healthy growing teenager, but he looks severely malnourished.'
'His clothes are also ridiculously large, clearly hand-me-downs.'
Harry had already chosen his wand and was about to leave with Hagrid.
Before leaving, he curiously looked at Charlie, who had just entered the shop.
'Is he also a new student?'
A wave of surprise surged in Harry's heart.
The boy his age in front of him was truly handsome; his black hair was neatly combed, and his black eyes were deep and spirited.
His clothes were also very fitting, and his every gesture exuded an aristocratic air.
Compared to his own disheveled appearance, it was a world of difference.
Charlie noticed Harry's gaze and smiled at him in a friendly manner.
He had clearly heard the shop owner's address earlier; this should be the famous protagonist, Harry Potter.
Seeing Charlie's smile, Harry's cheeks flushed slightly, and he nodded hastily in response, then followed Hagrid out of the shop door.
Charlie was stunned.
'Why are you blushing, you silly goose!'
'Has British affection spread to eleven-year-old children already?'
"Professor McGonagall, it's a pleasure to see you."
Mr. Ollivander slowly greeted his guest; he looked quite old, with messy silver-white hair draped over his shoulders, and his light-colored eyes held a wisdom that seemed to see through everything.
"Mr. Ollivander," Professor McGonagall nodded in acknowledgment.
"This is Charlie White, a new student this year."
Mr. Ollivander's gaze fell on Charlie, and a flicker of interest crossed his eyes.
"Mr. White, it's a pleasure to serve you. Let me help you choose a suitable wand."
He pulled out a tape measure, which automatically began to measure Charlie's body data.
"The wand chooses the Wizard, Mr. White," Mr. Ollivander said as he measured.
"Every wand is unique, just like every Wizard."
After the measurements were complete, Mr. Ollivander walked towards the wand boxes and began to select carefully.
"Try this one: twelve inches, willow, Unicorn hair."
Charlie took the wand, and as soon as he waved it, the surrounding wand boxes began to shake wildly. Mr. Ollivander quickly snatched the wand back.
"No, no, clearly not this one."
"What about this one? Eleven and one-third inches, birch, dragon heartstring."
Charlie tried again, and this time it was worse. The entire shop's windows began to vibrate, and the glass emitted an unsettling hum.
"Oh dear, not that one either," Mr. Ollivander frowned.
"Your magic is very powerful, Mr. White. You need a sufficiently powerful wand."
For the next fifteen minutes, Charlie tried one wand after another.
Mr. Ollivander's expression grew increasingly solemn as he rummaged through something in the back of the shop.
He muttered to himself, "Perhaps I should try that one."
He took out an ancient box from the deepest corner, thick with dust. Opening the box, a dark-colored wand lay inside.
"Thirteen inches, elder, Phoenix feather core," Mr. Ollivander's voice was somewhat serious.
"This is a very special wand, Mr. White. Elderwood is called the wood of death, and Phoenix tail feather represents rebirth."
Charlie took the wand, and instantly, a warm current spread from his palm throughout his body.
A golden light shot from the tip of the wand, blossoming into beautiful flower shapes in the air.
"Perfect!" Mr. Ollivander clapped his hands excitedly, "What a perfect match!"
Charlie felt the warmth emanating from the wand in his hand, and a surge of excitement filled his heart. Was this his own wand?
"This wand is very special, Mr. White," Mr. Ollivander said earnestly.
"Only extraordinary Wizards can successfully be paired with an elder wand. And a Phoenix tail feather will only choose a Wizard destined for greatness."
"Seven Galleons, Mr. White," Mr. Ollivander closed the wand box.
"Please cherish this wand."
Charlie paid and carefully put away the wand.
Before he left, Mr. Ollivander suddenly spoke, his voice low with a hint of mystery.
"You will achieve great things, Mr. White."
Charlie:???
Why did that sound so familiar?
So you say that to everyone, don't you?
Mr. Ollivander smiled profoundly; this was the secret to business.
Whoever comes to my Mr. Ollivander's wand shop and leaves happy will surely come back for their next wand.
Otherwise, how do you think I've been making wands since 382 BC?
Coming out of Mr. Ollivander's wand shop, Charlie held his wand, feeling incredibly excited.
Professor McGonagall checked the time.
"Next, we'll go to Flourish and Blotts to buy textbooks."
Charlie looked at the book titles on the list: "Standard Book of Spells, Grade 1," "History of Magic," "Magical Theory," etc.
He secretly grumbled to himself, 'Aren't these just the magic versions of language, history, and physics textbooks?'
Charlie bought all the required textbooks, spending a total of 13 Galleons.
As for additional supplementary materials... well, Charlie knew himself well; he wouldn't open them.
There's no reason why someone who disliked opening textbooks in his previous life would suddenly love studying in the magical world.
"Next, to Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions," Professor McGonagall said.
Madam Malkin was a short, plump Witch, and she warmly greeted Charlie.
"Hogwarts new student? Stand on the stool, dear."
Charlie stood on the stool, and Madam Malkin began to measure him.
"I want the best fabric," Charlie said directly.
Professor McGonagall was a little surprised.
"Ordinary fabric is sufficient, Mr. White."
"No, Professor," Charlie shook his head, "I like comfortable clothes."
Madam Malkin smiled, "The best fabric is indeed more comfortable and more durable."
What she didn't say aloud was that it also earned her more money.
Three sets of high-quality Wizard robes, plus a Wizard hat, dragon-hide gloves, and a cloak, cost a total of 40 Galleons.
[Congratulations, Your Majesty, for completing the foolish monarch act: Extravagance, gaining 5 tyrant points!]
Charlie secretly rejoiced in his heart.
So that's it, the system approves of this behavior.
Next, they bought cauldrons, scales, telescopes, and other school supplies, spending 10 Galleons.
"Finally, let's get a pet," Professor McGonagall said.
"An Owl, a cat, or a toad; you can choose one."
In Eeylops Owl Emporium, various Owls chirped and hooted.
Charlie's gaze was immediately drawn to the largest Eurasian Eagle-Owl in the shop.
The Eagle-Owl was brown and black all over, its wings spread over a meter wide, and its amber eyes gleamed brightly.
It stood proudly on its perch, looking down on everyone.
"I want that one," Charlie pointed at the Eagle-Owl without hesitation.
The shop owner looked at him in surprise.
"Are you sure, young man? That's an Eastern Eagle-Owl, the largest Owl species, and it has a very bad temper."
"They are usually purchased by adults."
"That's the one," Charlie said firmly.
This was a mysterious tradition from the East: bigger is better!
[Congratulations, Your Majesty, for completing the foolish monarch act: Greed for Grandeur, gaining 3 tyrant points!]
In the end, Charlie spent 15 Galleons to buy the Eagle-Owl.
He named it "Storm," because it looked like an impending storm.
Storm, however, was surprisingly docile towards Charlie, obediently standing on his shoulder, occasionally gently preening his hair with its beak.
"It seems to like you very much," the shop owner said with a smile.