No Place Like Home

The Wandmaker

Seamus

After several hours of experiments, it was concluded that Ashlynn reacted no differently to magic than any other witch, wizard, or muggle. Seamus couldn't tell if this pleased tor disappointed the Minister. On the one hand, if Ashlynn had shown resistance to their magic, the wizards might have studied her more and found new ways to improve their magic and make it more powerful. On the other hand, similar reactions meant that, if necessary, Ashlynn would be no more difficult to control than any muggle.

But then there were the nunchucks. Not only were they entirely resistant to magic, they seemed to have their own. They were clearly somewhat sentient, but for some reason, Seamus didn't think they were the usual AI. Machines and magic didn't mix well, and they were clearly magical. Then there was the question of what to do with them. Seamus tried to just hold still, but he kept fidgeting with them. It was one thing to know magic was real, and quite another to see it being tested on Ashlynn. Seamus didn't like it at all.

Eventually the tests ended and Ashlynn and Seamus were escorted back up to the minister's office. He had left sometime after the first hour, and Seamus assumed he had more important matters to worry about that a pair of teenage might-as-well-be-muggles. But they returned to find the minister reading over the report of the examination.

"You seem to be quite normal, Miss Scarlett. Except, it seems, for those gum-ducks of yours. Do you mind if I take a look at them? I'd just like to see. No harm will come to them." Ashlynn hesitated, then nodded at Seamus. He placed the nunchucks on the desk in front of the minister. "Fascinating," he murmured, reaching towards them. They rolled away from his hand until they fell off the desk and back into Seamus's lap. He shrugged.

"I guess they don't like wizards very much."

"Miss Scarlett. I would be very interested in further examining these nunchucks."

"I might be willing to let you, but I need something in exchange."

"And?"

"I need you to promise that Seamus will not be obliviated." Silence. Even Seamus hadn't been expecting that. The. Minister frowned seriously.

"You know why I cannot make that promise, Miss Scarlett."

"Then you will not be examining my nunchucks."

"So it seems. In accordance with our deal, you will be escorted to Mr Ollivander's to discuss wands."

And so they were. Seamus was excited to see Diagonal Alley, but soon discovered that the aurors apparently did not want them to see any more of the wizarding world than was absolutely necessary. They traveled by side-along apparition directly into the seemingly deserted wand shop. The aurors took up positions by the doors, and Seamus and Ashlynn were left to look around.

"Um, hello?" Seamus asked nervously.. A man appeared from between the stacks of wands. It was a long moment before he spoke.

"What have we here? A muggle," he glanced at Seamus, "that in itself is peculiar, but you," he studied Ashlynn. "You are no witch. But nor are you a muggle. Most peculiar, indeed." He glanced past them to the door. "And an escort as well. You must be something special." He turned his attention back to Ashlynn. Seamus didn't like the way he was looking at her, as if her could see straight through her. "You aren't here for a wand, are you. No, a wand would not do. You require something different. Do you not?" Ashlynn cleared her throat nervously.

"I, yes. I need something to channel my magic, but, as I am not a witch, I don't think a traditional wand will work."

"No, I don't suppose it will... So you wish me to make you a custom wand." Ashlynn nodded. "This may be far easier said than done. Even if I can come up with something, it is entirely possible that I will have to make hundreds before one chooses you. Wands do not like to be forced. It may take some time."

"I understand. I'm willing to wait as long as it takes. But you do think it is possible?"

"My dear, a muggle could do magic if you made him the right wand." Seamus opened his mouth, but the wandmaker anticipated it.

"I will not be making you a wand, Mr Gorman. Even if I could, I most certainly would not be allowed. Now, Miss Scarlett, I'm afraid I will need a full understanding of your unique capabilities if I am to make you a wand." One of the aurors stepped forward and handed the wandmaker the first part of the report from that morning. He flipped through it slowly. "I see... So you need a temporary substitute for this element. It can't be a wand, because your hands need to be free to draw. This changes the science entirely. Wizards use wands to direct magic as well as call it, but you only need help accessing it. Very well. I will consider possible materials and... forms. I will contact you when I have something."

They were rather silent as they returned to the Leaky Cauldron and were left in their room once more. They just didn't have anything to say. Ashlyn was leaving. And soon. And Seamus didn't want her to.

Once upon a time, there was a boy named Seamus Gorman. One morning Seamus walked past the London School of Arts on his way to the coffee shop down the street. As he passed by, Seamus glanced through the windows and was surprised to see a pretty girl with blue eyes and strawberry-blonde hair sitting inside, eyes closed, swaying slightly as if dancing, and painting a masterpiece. There was something different about this girl, he knew there was, but he couldn't quite place what. Perhaps it was the strange feeling of familiarity, as if Seamus had met the girl before or had perhaps been looking for her. Every morning after that, Seamus walked past the school to the coffee shop down the street, fascinated by the girl and her artwork, never realizing just how far he was falling for her. Most of a year passed in this manner before Seamus finally made contact with the girl. She had just seemed to perfect to touch. As if she would disappear just as he got close. And maybe she would. It seemed a very real possibility. But it was still a dream come true when they finally kissed.

But like all good things, it couldn't last. The girl had a dream, a purpose, and Seamus promised to help her achieve it. No matter that it meant he would never see her again. It was her dream, and who was Seamus to stand in the way of it?