Harry Potter and the Year After

Chapter Twenty-Six: The Crafting of the Pensieve

Chapter 26: The Crafting of the Pensieve

In the week that followed the party at Number Twelve, Harry and Ron spent most days around loafing around the Leaky Cauldron, and Diagon Alley. Sometimes Hermione would come, but usually she would just stay at Number Twelve and read her book about Pensieves. Because Harry was avoiding Ginny at all costs, they didn't go by the Burrow at all. The thought of Ginny leaving the party so that Harry wouldn't say something to her that she obviously didn't want to hear... it was too embarrassing. What would the point be to making Ginny see him again?

The week had passed quickly. Both Harry and Ron leisurely bought their school supplies and new robes during that week, and also a fair number of butterbeers along the way.

After that week, Hermione found herself in Diagon Alley again. Ollivander had owled her the day before. The stone for the Pensieve was ready.

"Miss Granger, hello again," said Ollivander. He had been waiting in a chair behind the front display case.

"Hello, Mr. Ollivander. I received your owl," said Hermione unnecessarily. She was nervous. "I read the whole book twice this past week. I think I'm ready."

"Good. I've hewn the stone into shape and polished it. The manual labor at least is done." Ollivander magically lifted the stone from behind the display case. Hermione was surprised how shiny it was. It looked like metal.

"They can be made with any solid stone, but if it has a metallic hue it can make some memories more colorful and vibrant. This is obsidian. It's quite beautiful when magically polished, don't you agree?" Ollivander said, gazing down at the reflective plate of metallic-looking stone.

"Yes, very," Hermione said. Her mouth was dry. She stepped forward and slid her wand from her pocket.

"Ten and three-quarters... Vine wood and dragon heartstring core."

"Yes." Hermione instantly was reliving when her wand chose her, the first time she'd been in this shop. She had walked into Ollivander's, looked around at the hundreds of boxes, and her wand's box has flown from its spot high up in the shelves down to the display case before her. The box had opened and the wand had flown into her hand and had emitted a warm glow.

Ollivander seemed to have recalled the same memory because he said, "You really were destined for a greater purpose. That wand knew it even when you were just a little girl." He smiled wider than she'd seen him ever smile.

"Thank you," Hermione said, feeling herself blush.

"Well, shall we?" Ollivander said, still smiling.

"Alright then." Hermione stepped toward the metallic stone sort of platter. She was thinking hard about what she'd read. "I think I know what to do... Please just tell me if I'm doing something wrong."

"Of course," Ollivander said, nodding once "So you've chosen your memories?"

"Yes, I have."

"And you know that once—"

"Once I give them, I can never have them back. I know. This is worth it. If it means getting my parents to know me again."

"Ah," Ollivander said, pausing for a moment. "I see."

Hermione nodded at Ollivander and then turned her attention back to the stone. A hush fell over the shop as she laid her wand on the stone. It was pointed straight out ahead of her. Then, she laid her hands flat on the cool stone on either side of her wand, closed her eyes, and thought of the memories she'd chosen.