Chapter 8 - Mahogany, Phoenix feather, eleven inches

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The next day, Charlotte, Victoire, Ron, Teddy Lupin, George, Dominique, Mr Weasley, and Mrs Weasley all stood next to the fireplace, preparing to take the floo network to get to Diagon Alley. Fleur was watching the other underage kids because they decided it would be easier to go in a little smaller group. Dominique wanted to tag along and keep Victoire company when  Charlotte and Teddy went out to get their school supplies. 

"Alright, Ron you go first." Mrs Weasley directed. 

Ron stood inside of the fireplace, took a handful of floo powder and threw it to the ground, calling out, "The Leaky Cauldron!" He was obscured by emerald green flames and then just like that, he was gone. 

"Charlotte, you next." Charlotte stood inside the ashy grate and took a handful of the loose powder. In a swift motion she released it and yelled in a clear voice, "The Leaky Cauldron!" The flames erupted around her and she was pulled through the network, arriving suddenly in another grate. 

Charlotte fell out onto the ground, coughing up lungfuls of soot and Ron helped her up. With a wave of his wand, her throat cleared up. Moments later, an equally Teddy Lupin shot out of the Leaky Cauldron's fireplace. He stood up, brushed off his clothing and then they waited for everyone else to arrive. 

Hannah Abbott, the landlady, came walking over. "Need any help over there?" Upon seeing Ron,  her face broke into a smile. "Merlin's beard, is that Ronald Weasley? My I haven't seen you in months!" 

Ron gave her a hug. "Is Neville around here?" 

"He's out getting some more quills but he'll be back soon. What brings you 'round here?" Hannah responded. 

Ron motioned at Charlotte and Teddy. "They're going to Hogwarts this year. Need to buy the supplies."

"I feel older every day. Has it really been that long since the battle of Hogwarts?"

"I suppose it has." The others, having just come through the fireplace, said hi to Hannah. 

"I think Victoire and Dominique can stay here for a while with George and I." Ron said. 

Mrs Weasley smiled. "That's a great idea but maybe Arthur and I'll stay and you go with Charlotte and Teddy." She gave Ron a look and realization crossed over his face.

"Oh right, yeah. We'll be back soon, then!" Ron and George led Charlotte and Teddy to the back of the pub to the brick wall. George raised his wand and tapped the bricks in a pattern and then they moved, revealing the lopsided colorful buildings that made up Diagon Alley.

"Alright where would you two like to go first?" Ron asked as they winded their way through the lane. 

"Ollivanders!" Charlotte and Teddy chorused in unison. It was the dream of every young witch or wizard-- the day they got their wand. 

"Alright, Ollivanders it is then." 

Soon, they arrived at a little shop with peeling gold letters over the door that read, "Ollivanders: Makers of Fine Wands Since 382 BC". Teddy pushed the door to the shop open and a little bell tinkled cheerily. 

An ancient looking man with a tuft of white hair came hobbling out from the back of the shop at the sound of the door opening. 

"Ah yes, the young Weasley and the young Lupin. I knew I would be seeing you two here soon." The man rasped. "I am Ollivander, owner of this fine establishment. Which one of you two would  like to go first?"

Teddy pushed Charlotte forward, whispering, "You go first."

Charlotte nodded, "Alright, I'll go." She was getting a little nervous now. What if none of the wands worked? What if she got an abnormally short one or one so long that she couldn't carry it well? 

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