The Wand Makers Apprentice

Chapter 2

Ollivander opened his blinds to his shop early the next morning. The sun was still sleeping and was just pulling it's self out of bed, covering the misty morning sky in a purple-orange shadowy tinge.

Ollivander pulled up a chair behind his till and looked around the shop at the wands which filled the wall and corridors of his shop. He shut his eyes and took a deep breath, wishing that this day would end.

He's been a member of the order of the phoenix since the start of the first war, but Albus doesn't understand that he's getting old now. He's not as young as he once was and over the years he's just grown more and more grouchy. Even Albus sometimes grew tiresome of his constant moaning and negative outlook on life.

All of Ollivander's family had died when he was just a young boy, fresh from his last years of Hogwarts. His father had taught him everything that he knows about wands and they spent long days in what was then his fathers shop, learning about wand cores and where to find the best quality wand trees. Those were without a doubt the best days of his life. He wasn't rattling around his shop alone like a set of rusty old keys. He was young, he was free and most importantly, he was happy.

The tinkling of the shop door broke Ollivander from his day dream. His neck snapped up and he nodded to Albums as he approached the counter, acknowledging his presence.

Albus stood watching Ollivander for several minutes whilst he took of his glasses and began to rub his eyes.

"Good morning Albus." Ollivander said sleepy as he stood up, breaking the silence.

"Same to you Garrick." Said Dumbledore frowning. "We need to leave now."

Ollivander sighed and stood up, opening the door and standing aside to let Dumbledore pass.

Albus stood to the side of the pavement as Ollivander locked up his shop with several protective charms. The street lights were beginning to die out and the sky was growing lighter.

"We must hurry now Garrick." Albus said bluntly. "Time is running out and there is something to show you. Gordrics Hollow is where you want to be. I shall meet you there."

Dumbledore vanished as he finished his sentence and Ollivander took this as a que for him to so himself.

*******

When Ollivander had apparated to the destination where Dumbledore had told him to go, he turned to face the Potters house. His mouth hung open as Dumbledore stood a few metres ahead of him, looking across at the devastation that lay ahead of him.

"Albus!" Ollivander whispered, panic stricken. "Are you mad!? The dark marks hanging over that place! Do you expect me to go into there?"

Dumbledore chuckled and walked over to the gates of what was James and Lily Potters house, or what remained of it anyway.

There was smoke issuing over it and the dark mark lolled in it. There was fires over the garden and people were emerging from all the the square, muggle and wizard alike.

It was still dark at this time, and Albus was stood in the opened gate the Potters house. He was staring at Ollivander as if he wanted him to follow him. Ollivander had always trusted Dumbledore and he began to walk slowly towards the destruction that stood before him.

He took a deep breath and stepped into the rubble. He recognised the rusty sobs of Hagrid and surely enough he was laying around the corner of a massive pile of slate tiles, brick and a tatty old sofa, been comforted by none other than Sirius Black.

"I thought it was over Albus." Ollivander whispered to Albus as they both watched Hagrid blow his nose on a table cloth sized handkerchief. "You said it was all over."

Dumbledore looked over to him and smiled. He then walked over to the sofa stood next to it for a few minutes, then with a few quick waves of his wand, (which Ollivander didn't make, but Albus refuses to tell him where\ who he got it from,) he moved it slightly to the right.

Hagrid stopped sobbing and Sirius slowly stood up straight. Ollivander edged forward slowly, arching his neck over the sofa to look what lay underneath, and there was a small boy with jet black hair and a small cut about his eye.

Dumbledore picked up the now crying child and began rocking him for a short time until he gave him so instructions and he and Sirius walked away, deep in conversation.

"You have not yet played your part Garrick." Dumbledore said.

Ollivander raised his eyebrows and put on a 'I don't care Albus face' when really his insides were burning with curiosity...

*******

As the both of the men trudged through the rubble, Albus kept moving things with his wand as if he was looking for something. He picked up a picture frame and stood staring at it for while and then carried on for Another minutes, careful on what he was standing on and strode over to a pile of rugs, which Ollivander realised was crying.

"I thought the potters only had one kid?" Ollivander asked.

"You are quite correct in saying that Garrick." Albus nodded. "This is Rosetta Contessa Gryffindor. She's the niece of James and theyre caring for her while her mother and father went to get some bread. That was 2 years ago now..."

"Why are you telling me this Albus?" Ollivander asked, the curiosity from his insides beginning to leak onto his face.

"Well only a few weeks ago you we were discussing your concern for your shop once you had passed on..." Albus began.

"Oh no Albus!" Ollivander said, shaking his head vigoriosly, beginning to cotton onto what Dumbledore was saying. "I can't raise a loaf of bread, let alone a child!"

Dumbledore just separated, leaving the baby girl in Ollivander arms...