A Year of Wands and Wreckage

Wands, Robes, and Way Too Many Books

The sun is high, the time is about mid-day. And a black-haired boy leans against the wall of Madame Malkin's shop, his impatience growing as he waits for someone. He's wearing a baggy band tee, black cargo shorts, and dark blue converse sneakers. He wore a beanie which his dark curly hair stuck out of.

"Where the hell is she?" Miles, the dark-haired boy, mutters to himself. He groans and checks his watch.

Meanwhile...

A brown-haired girl watches as her father chats with a ginger-headed man in the kitchen. She was wearing a pale yellow cami top, baggy jean shorts, and white flats with a strap. Her hair was in two high pigtails and she wore her satchel. They had come to drop off something Ginny had left at their house, the time slipping the brown-haired girl's mind. She glances at the clock and her eyes widen in alarm. Sophie, the brown-haired girl, immediately taps her dad's shoulder and says with urgency.

"Dad, we have to go. Miles is waiting for me and he's gonna kill me if I'm any later." She says, knowing she was already late which wasn't unusual for her.

Her father chuckles and says, "Alright, alright, let's go then." He turns the ginger man and says with a smile. "Bye Arthur, I'll see you at work." Arthur returns his goodbye before the pair grabs some floo powder, heading towards what looks like a large fireplace. Her dad smiles and says reassuringly, "Go on, just throw the powder and say 'Diagon Alley'."

Sophie nods and steps into the fireplace. She takes a breath before speaking. "Diagonally!" She says excitedly, throwing down the green floo powder. Green flames engulf her as she's transported.

Her father sighs and crosses his arms, shaking his head as he mutters. "She did it again, didn't she?"

A few moments later, Knockturn Alley in a shop called Bourgin & Burkes...

Sophie groans as she stands up, pushing pots off her. She dusts herself off and looks around. "Seriously... Hi Mr. Bourgin, Mr. Burke." She says to the shopkeepers before casually walking out of the store she had ended up in many times before. Floo powder wasn't really her forte, but oh well. On her way out she spots a very blond boy, who seems to be about her age. She narrows her eyes and mutters to herself. "I wonder if that color is natural..." She shrugs before walking out of Knockturn Alley, entering Diagon Alley to she search for her friend.

Meanwhile...

Miles groans as he pushes off the wall. He stretches his arms before glancing around, hoping Sophie would be here soon. He sees her in the distance and she waves once she spots him. He sighs and gives a small wave back, his irritation forgotten as he walks over to meet her. Sophie smiles and greets her friend. "Hey."

Miles crosses his arms and replies. "'Hey'? You're almost an hour late. What were you-" He pauses when he sees some dust on her outfit. He sighs and pinches the bridge of his nose. "You mucked up using the floo powder again, didn't you?" Sophie laughs with embarrassment and looks away. "What? No... what would even make you say that-"

"The dirt on your clothes and your messed up hair." Miles interrupts her, crossing his arms. She pauses before admitting, reaching up to fix her pigtails. "Okay, yeah. It happened again." He sighs and shakes his head. "Whatever, let's just get our robes fitted." He says and grabs her hand, pulling her along into Madame Malkin's.

After the fitting, the two eleven-year-olds walk out of the shop. Miles groans with exhaustion and mutters. "I never wanna do a fitting again." Sophie sighs and agrees. "Me too, they take forever." She says and perks up when her pet niffler sticks his head out of her tote bag. She smiles and pets his head. Miles hums and says to the niffler. "Hey Nutmeg." He looks at Sophie and says. "Wanna head to Ollivander's now?"

"Yeah, oh my gosh. I'm so excited." She says happily as they begin to make their way towards the infamous wand shop. Miles yawns but smiles. "Me too, I hope my wand isn't lame." He says casually, trying to hide his growing excitement. "If I get unicorn hair as my core, I might die." He says sarcastically. Sophie smiles and replies. "I just hope I get something good."

They walk into the wand shop and look around, thankfully it was just them there. Sophie looks around before looking at her satchel. "Don't steal anything." She says to Nutmeg who just stares back at her with his cute black eyes. Miles chuckles at the interaction before walking around. "I wonder where Ollivander is anyway-" He interrupts himself with a startled sound as Ollivander pops up from behind the counter. He sighs with relief and puts a hand on his chest.

Sophie laughs at her friend's actions before turning towards the wizard. "Hi Mr. Ollivander." The wizard smiles and says in his aged voice. "Hello young wizard and witch, come to get your first wand I presume?"

Miles, now calmed down after the fright and a bit embarrassed, crosses his arms and replies. "Yes sir, if you're not busy would you mind helping us?" The wizard nods and looks around at the walls of wands upon wands. "Why yes, I'm sure I have something perfect for both of you. What are your names?" He asks as he makes his way out from behind the counter.

"Miles, sir." The dark-haired boy responds. "Sophie." The brunette responds after her friend. "Wonderful names and such good energies about you both." He compliments them to which they both say 'thank you'. He climbs a short ladder and grabs a few wand boxes. He makes his way back to the counter and sets them down.

"Young witch, you take this wand here and give it a wave." Ollivander says, offering Sophie a wand from an open burnt-orange box. She grabs it as he continues. "That is a Yew wood wand with a dragon heartstring core. Go on, give it a try." Sophie takes a breath before waving the wand. As a result, a few wand boxes fly from their shelves and Ollivander's eyes widen. He takes the wand back and mutters. "Nope, that's not it."

He turns towards the boy and offers him an open red box. "Your turn, try this wand young wizard." Miles makes a face and takes the wand. "This isn't-" Ollivander interrupts him. "A maple wand with unicorn hair as it's core." He groans but gives it a wave, hoping that it didn't work. To his luck, the light he desk drawer he waved it at flew out of its place, making Ollivander step back to avoid it. "No, no. Definitely wrong." He says as he takes the wand back.

The wizard sighs and looks around. He pauses and glances at the pair of young magic users before grabbing two boxes. "Try these." He says simply, placing a dark green box in front of Sophie and a muted purple box in front of Miles. The two friends glance at each other before opening the boxes and grabbing out the wands. A light seems to shine on them, a gentle wind blowing through the shop and moving their hair. They both smile and look at each other as Ollivander explains his choices.

He first looks at Sophie and says. "That wand is made of English oak and has core of phoenix feather. Once you win it over, it'll be hard to find a more loyal friend, for it chooses it's master carefully. It looked for someone faithful and courageous, someone able to engage in a remarkable range of magic." She smiles and says, looking at the wand with a hint of pride. "Wow, really?" To which the old wizard nods with a warm smile.

He turns to Miles and explains. "And that wand, black walnut with a dragon heartstring core. This combination shows that you will undoubtedly go on to do great things. The master of this wand must be true to themselves to bond with this wand for it can sense your internal conflict, so trust yourself and your friends young one." Miles nods and says with a glint of determination in his eyes. "I will, thank you sir."

The two magic users take their wands and say their goodbyes to the elderly wizard, continuing their before-school shopping as the day goes on. What will happen once they arrive at Hogwarts? Will they make new friends, or enemies? Will they be able to carry the tons of school-required books on their shopping list? Only time will tell.