Hogwarts Raven

Silver light and shadow intertwined for a moment.

Finally, it slowly returned to the wand.

Only a faint silver glow continued to shimmer and gradually dissipated.

"I never thought it would really wait for its master. Merlin above, I am clearly witnessing the beginning of history. You will surely have achievements that are destined to be recorded in the annals of history," Ollivander's cloudy eyes gazed at Ian, his hunched body seemed to bend even further than before.

As if slightly bowing.

"Is this the elder wood wand?"

Ian looked down at the wand, which seemed to resonate with him. He wasn't sure if this was a characteristic of the elder wood wand, but he felt his magic power unusually active and surging.

"Elder wood is the rarest wand wood, more difficult to master than any other wand. Few people choose to make wands from it because it only chooses masters with a special destiny."

"Every owner of an elder wood wand will undoubtedly be noticed in the flow of history... So, you will surely become an unparalleled great figure in the future."

Ollivander seemed very pleased with himself as he spoke.

Perhaps.

It was Ian's perfect connection with this wand that proved his attempt all those years ago wasn't a failure. This was a wand that could be used normally and was perfectly suited for a wizard.

"Thank you for your blessings. I also hope that when I grow up, I can achieve something," Ian said, very satisfied with his wand.

He couldn't put it down.

"This is not a blessing, Mr. Prince, this is the fate revealed by the wand. When I tried to prove myself, I even chose a Unicorn tail hair for the core of this wand."

"Such a combination was already against common sense, completely contrary to the rules of wand-making." Ollivander, despite his old age, now looked at Ian with burning eyes.

There was a certain vigor in his gaze, something that perhaps only a young person might possess… vitality?

Confused, Ian found it hard to describe Ollivander's current state.

"Mm?" Ian tilted his head.

Ollivander, however, smiled joyfully.

"You may not understand it now, but the characteristics of this wand will guide you towards the future it signifies..." Ollivander seemed to be far more skilled at speaking in riddles than Dumbledore.

"I don't have the ability to reveal the elusive future to you, but you will certainly overturn and change many things." Ollivander's gaze returned to the wand in Ian's hand.

"Uh, the thing I most want to overturn right now would be the wand's steep price. Considering how long it's been gathering dust, sir, could you perhaps give me a small discount?"

Ian blinked and, in his most innocent voice, started haggling.

He thought that Ollivander, with all his praise and astonishment, plus his own well-practiced bargaining skills, would surely give him a reasonable price.

However.

"Seven gold galleons, that is the regulation."

A businessman is a businessman.

When it came to pricing, Ollivander's previously humble attitude vanished without a trace.

"How about one less gold galleon?"

"If I really become a big figure in the future, I'll make you the president of the Hogwarts Wand Protection Association, so you can charge every Hogwarts student an annual wand usage tax."

Ian, with the most innocent face, painted the most shameless picture.

"..."

r

Even the experienced Ollivander was left speechless.

"Seven gold galleons. This is the Ministry of Magic's regulation." Ollivander reluctantly rejected Ian's capitalistic suggestion.

"Does the Ministry of Magic really have such a regulation?" Ian felt Ollivander must be trying to fool him. 

Just like the so-called destiny guiding him. 

He wouldn't even spare a single gold galleon. 

And yet, he claimed that Ian would become an unparalleled great figure?

"Yes, that's right. In fact, this is already the discounted price for young wizards. If you want to purchase a second wand, even if Dumbledore himself comes, he'd still have to pay me twenty gold galleons." Ollivander fully demonstrated what it means to value money over people.

"So, if Dumbledore promised you that he could allow you to collect a wand usage tax from all Hogwarts students every year, would that change things?" Ian curiously asked, raising his head, coming up with a new idea.

"Well..." 

To Ian's surprise, Ollivander actually seemed a bit tempted and started thinking about it. 

'Alright!'

He understood now!

Sure enough, powerlessness means nothing! The whole "destiny" business was all nonsense!

Ian couldn't help but roll his eyes in his mind, then started paying the money. Snape had only given him seven gold galleons, and despite using all his bargaining skills, he couldn't keep a single copper knut.

"Good luck with your studies."

After receiving the payment, Ollivander smiled again, slightly bowing and seeing Ian out of his little shop.

"Ding dang~"

Just as Ian was about to leave, a little girl and her parent happened to be about to enter.

"Move aside, boy."

The elderly woman, with an air of nobility, wore a tilted hat and a thin veil on her face. She spoke down to Ian in an authoritative tone.

Not wanting to cause trouble, Ian quickly stepped aside.

However, he also let go of the door handle.

The elderly woman had to push the door open again herself, bringing in the little girl with white-gold hair. She didn't even glance at Ian, who was standing by.

However, the little girl stared at Ian for quite a while, and Ian couldn't tell whether she was displeased by his earlier gesture. On the surface, it was hard to tell what she was thinking.

"Just like Snape, a deadpan face. Mother and daughter must be a perfect match for that old bat." Ian inwardly muttered, briefly stopping his gaze on the little girl's delicate face.

A tall nose.

Prominent cheekbones.

And slightly thin, very symmetrical lips.

Even among the many handsome men and beautiful women in Germany, the little girl's appearance was truly exceptional. But what truly drew Ian's attention was not this.

It was the little girl's eyes, which were distinctly different in color. One was blue, and the other was white. This rare heterochromia was even rarer than her exquisite beauty.

"Pureblood nobility, perhaps..." 

Ian didn't linger on the observation.

After the two people entered, he glanced at them curiously, then proceeded to open the door and leave.

As the door automatically swung back, the voices inside could still be clearly heard.

"Ms. Rosier, it's been a long time! I didn't expect you'd come to London."

"And you've brought a young wizard with you... Let me see, Heavens... Merlin above, she is... yes, yes, I mustn't cause you any unnecessary trouble."

"I never expected... this family actually still has descendants, and with such extraordinary talent. I believe she is destined for incomparable achievements."

The tone and voice were very familiar.

Good heavens! 

Praise after praise! 

Is everyone extraordinary and destined for greatness? 

(End of Chapter)