Reborn - A Harry Potter Fanfiction

i.iv chapter four

Summer, 1991; The Leaky Cauldron

So, what else do you have left on that list of yours?" Hagrid asked as the two of them finished scrapping the bottom of their sundae bowl, licking the final contents of the sugary desert off the spoon.

"I need a wand" Ember replied, quickly scanning the bit of paper and mentally marked off everything else but that. Secretly, she'd saved the best for last.

"Ah, you'll be needin' to go to Olivanders's then."

Hagrid wiped his mouth with his grubby sleeve and pointed to a rickety, old shop down the street. It was much unlike the other built up and eccentric stores that lined that row. It seemed ancient and old, but the most exciting thing was that when Ember squinted closely, she could see hundreds of tiny boxes with intricately designed wooden sticks on display in the large window, or in other words, wands.

Ember immediately jumped to her feet, pushing back her chair with incredible speed. She'd been trying so hard all day to contain her excitement and now here was the moment. Hagrid chuckled at her enthusiasm, causing a scene as he stood up due to him knocking back a few tables with his belly. The two of them then proceeded to head towards the main street and Ember giggled as she watched a few wizards and witches make peculiar faces or spill the tea from the fright from the commotion. Even in a magical world they weren't used to giants.

"Ember before yer zoom off" Hagrid called as they left the parlour, taking a moment to stop at the exit. "I just needed to ask yer something."

Ember stopped, turned around and smiled.

"I happen to need to do a bit of shopping myself, only boring old stuff, nothing yer would enjoy" he began, looking nervously towards a dark, side alley on the other side of the street. "Mind if we spilt up and meet back at the Leaky Cauldron shortly?"

"Of course, are you sure you don't need any help? I don't mind - "

"That's quite alright Ember, you go and have fun now" Hagrid assured her. "You know the way don't yer?"

Ember nodded, whilst Hagrid straightened up a bit. A sense of relief washing over his crinkled face. "Right then, I'll be off. See yer soon." He waved, now wandering up the old street, many a parcel in hand.

"Looks like it's just you and me" Ember smiled, looking down at Penelope who sat there quietly. The owl lightly squeaked in agreement. Not in any hurry, Ember gently wiped her sticky hands on her dress and tucked loose strands of her blonde hair behind her ears. She wanted to at least look somewhat presentable for the wand maker. Walking through the crowd did not take long and soon enough, Ember reached the entrance to the old, wand shop. The stone walls were cobbled and above the wooden door, lay a sign stating, Olivanders: Makers of Fine Wands since 382 B.C.

Wow, this business was old.

Nervously, yet filled with an undying sense of excitement, Ember turned the brass door knob and took her first step into the dusty room. The first half seemed to be rather bare, but behind the wooden counter lay shelves upon shelves of thin, narrow boxes; they stretched right up to the ceiling and it didn't take a genius to figure out what was inside them.

"Hello young lady, may I be of any assistance to you?" A friendly, chirpy voice called from the shadows and Ember turned to see a bright old man, scurry up to the front of the counter.

"Hello, yes actually, I was looking for a wand" she replied, smiling as she place her hands on the table with an excited bounce. The man laughed, a warm hearty one, and pushed his spectacles further up his nose.