The Hollow Beneath Hogwarts

58. Say Something

"We still need to figure out how to get Ron's wand back." Luna's voice was quiet, but it immediately drew everyone's attention.

The group had drifted down towards the edge of the Black Lake after dinner. The evening was cool and still. The water reflected the fading orange light of sunset while the castle stood behind them, glowing warmly against the darkening sky.

For anyone else, it might have been peaceful. For them, it wasn't. Not with a missing wand. Not with a hidden chamber beneath the school.

And certainly not with the memory of the creature that had nearly killed Sloane still lingering over all of them.

Ron groaned dramatically. "Oh, for Merlin's sake." Everyone looked at him. "What?" he asked.

"You've lost your wand," Hermione said.

"Temporarily misplaced it."

She wanted to slap him. "You left it in an underground chamber."

"Still technically misplaced."

Ginny rolled her eyes. "You are unbelievable."

Ron shrugged. "What do you want me to say? It's gone."

"Your wand is not gone," Hermione snapped. "It is literally sitting in a chamber beneath Hogwarts."

"Exactly." Ron shrugged.  "Which means it's gone."

"No."

"Yes."

"No." Hermione looked moments away from hexing him.

"Yes."

Harry wisely stepped between them. Before Hermione could commit a felony.

Blaise sighed. "Honestly, this seems like a very simple solution." The group turned towards him. Blaise pointed at Ron. "I buy him a new wand."

Ron immediately brightened. "See? Finally, somebody with common sense."

"Thank you."

"You are welcome."

Hermione looked horrified. "No."

"Why not?"

"Because that's not how wands work."

Blaise blinked. "They sell them in shops."

"That isn't the point."

"Seems like the point."

"It's not."

Hermione pinched the bridge of her nose. "The wand chooses the wizard."

Ron nodded sagely. "Mine chose to abandon me."

Ginny smacked the back of his head. "Ow!"

"Shut up."

Harry was trying very hard not to laugh. "She's right."

Ron looked betrayed. "Not you too."

Harry shrugged. "A replacement isn't as simple as buying a new broom."

"Sure it is."

"No."

"Looks pretty simple."

Hermione made an inhuman noise of frustration. "Ollivander spent twenty minutes fitting me for my wand."

Ron looked unimpressed. "Bit dramatic."

Harry stared at him. "You watched him do it."

"Yeah, but I was eleven."

"It still happened."

Ron sighed. "Fine." He shoved his hands into his pockets. "I'll borrow one."

That somehow made Hermione even angrier. "You can't just borrow a wand."