Harry Potter and the Wandmaker of Avalon

Part 2

Chapter 1

Severus sighed as he looked at his very persistent guests. It didn't seem that they were about to leave soon either. He leaned upon the counter of his Apothecary that he had opened after the war and gazed at the two nuisances that had made frequent visits, one Minerva McGonagall and one Poppy Pomfrey. The ladies in question had made themselves at home and Minerva even brought the butterscotch cookies Severus loved. He'd never admit to it as he took a fourth cookie though.

"Minerva, as much as I like Hogwarts gossip can you please get to the point why the two of you are here?" Severus asked. "I do have paying customers you know."

Minerva looked around the store that had no customers besides them and raised a brow. "Honestly Severus. You could pop in a bit. Albus misses you. He says Monopoly nights aren't quite the same without your biting sarcasm."

"Duly noted but the last time I 'popped in' as you so eloquently put it I got swept into a blind date that Albus set up with the new DADA teacher." Severus huffed.

"He just wants you to be happy," Minerva sighed. "It can't be good for you to be cooped up with potions all day."

"And that's why we're here," Poppy laughed. "Sev do you know about the War's 5th Anniversary gala?"

"I know of it. It doesn't mean I'm going." Severus stated as he realized where this conversation was leading to.

"But you have to!" Minerva suddenly said as she leaned forward. "You've never come to any of the galas."

"And I would prefer to keep it that way," Severus muttered. "Can you actually see me socializing with groups of politicians, wannabee fame-seekers, and golddiggers?!"

"We can," Poppy nodded as she took a sip of her tea. "You would tear them a new one with your sarcasm alone."

"Then why are you asking me to go? Did Potter put you up to this?" Severus now asked as he narrowed his eyes.

"Harry? So he asked you already." Minerva said.

"He asks every year. So does Draco surprisingly." Severus muttered as he crossed his arms. "Doesn't mean I would go. The Ministry doesn't even issue me an official invite. They still only see the last Deatheather they never got to dispose of."

"Harry didn't ask us to convince you, you know," Minerva stated earnestly. "Truth be told, us ladies are getting old and the galas are boring. Your presence would spice things up. The Ministry can shove their opinions of you into a shoebox and stuff it....."

"Minerva!" Poppy exclaimed at the crude words she knew were going to come out.

"You mean you want me to not-so-accidentally stir up trouble?!" Severus raised a brow.

"You still received the Order of Merlin First class," Minerva stated. "Official invite or not, that would get you into almost any gathering." Severus gave her a look that said he would rather be covered in flobberworms than use that method. "Or you could come as my plus one. A lady needs an escort." Minerva added.

"Besides I hear this year is special," Poppy added with a smile. "Dignitaries and important people from all over the world are coming as well."

"And I should be impressed, why?" Severus raised a brow.

"One of the guests that RSVP'd is none other than Master Camlane." Poppy stated.

This got Severus' attention as he took another cookie unconsciously. "You don't say. The famous reclusive wandmaker?"

"Indeed," Minerva stated. "It's also more shocking because they agreed to hold a course on wandlore at Hogwarts during their stay there. You should have seen Albus's face."

Severus could imagine Albus's face alright. Masters willing to guest lecture were rare in the Wizarding world since many were too caught up in their research to spare the time.

"Still what is your point Minerva? I'm a Potions master not a wandmaker." Severus asked.

"I'm just saying, if such a reclusive person can make an appearance at Hogwarts during the gala then so can you."

"Fine, I'll go," Severus muttered. "You obviously aren't going to let this go."

"Great, now all we need to do is dress Severus here in something other than black," Poppy said as the women shared a mischievous glance.

"Oh Merlin no!" Severus exclaimed as he knew what was coming. He was now regretting his previous statement to attend the gala.

Meanwhile, at the Ministry of Magic Hermione banged open the door to the Auror office. "Harry you will never believe this!" she exclaimed as all heads turned to her.

Hermione realizing what she had just done blushed. "Uhm....."

"Hermoine what's got you so flustered?" Harry asked as his friend approached his cubicle. The other Aurors at their desks were also curious and couldn't help but listen in.

"Kingsley and I were having lunch and he let it slip that Master Camlane is coming to the gala." Harry hadn't seen Hermoine this excited since she managed to convince the Unspeakables to let her into their archives. Which was a feat of itself.

Harry blinked as he looked at his friend with confused eyes. "Who?"

"Oh my gosh Harry, don't you know?!" Hermoine actually looked aghast and Harry hadn't seen that particular look since she and Ron had that row about her staying home as a housewife once she got pregnant. They got it sorted out eventually but not before Ron ended up sleeping with the garden gnomes for a week.

"Uhm.... No....." Harry said as he watched Hermoine's reactions.

"Master Camlane is THE wandmaker. The wandmaker that all other wandmakers bow to!" Hermoine grabbed the lapels of Harry's robes and shook him somewhat. "This master almost never shows his face and only ever makes wands for select people whether rich or poor! How they select the people no one knows but the wands they make are always considered National treasures! Their craftsmanship is simply amazing!"

Hermoine's exclamation had everyone's eyes on her again. "Do you have any idea how long I've wanted to meet this person?! Rumor has it that their family designed wands since Arthurian times!"

"Hermione-breathe!" Harry warned. It wouldn't do for Ron to find his wife passed out from excitement when he got back from patrol. As Hermoine got her excitement under control Gawain Robards came out of his office and shouted: "Potter if you are done humoring her then I need you to rewrite this report!"

"But I rewrote it just this morning!" Harry uttered.

"Well, it's not good enough!" Robards stated as he slammed the report on Harry's desk. "Get it done or get out. It's obvious that you can't handle this job." The Head Auror retreated back to his office and Hermoine gave Harry who was glaring daggers a sympathetic look.

"I can't believe that man," Harry muttered under his breath but Hermoine still caught it.

"Is this what Ron was going on about?" She whispered as she noticed the gazes that were now avoiding looking Harry's way. "Robards seems awfully hard on you. Ron made it seem like Professor Snape would be a ray of sunshine compared."

"Don't worry Hermoine, I'll handle it." Harry sighed as he picked up the report.