Elias stood warily outside the suspicously cheery shopfront of Elder & Ash, his Hogwarts letter clutched so tightly in his fist that the parchment had begun to crumple.
Of all the stores in Diagon Alley, it was the only one that he had never been brave enough to enter. There was something about the idea of a wand shop that had always made his stomach twist with nerves. What if the wands had smote him down for his audacity, in wanting to claim one of them? It did not bear thinking about. At least now he had evidence that he would be a wizard. The letter in his hands was everything.
He shifted his weight from foot to foot, peering through the window at the rows upon rows of narrow boxes that lined the walls. The shop itself seemed to almost hum with magic, making the fine hairs on his arms stand on end. Even from outside, he could feel the ec-lectic-city of centuries of wandlore and ancient magic.
"Come on, Elias," he forced one foot in front of the other and pulled on the door handle, "You've faced down Mrs. Kettleburn when she caught you nicking treacle tarts. This can't be worse than that."
The bell above chimed with a sound that seemed to resonate through bones, eyes immediately going to the crooked stacks of wand boxes that crowded the tiny store.
"Um, hello?" he called out, his voice smaller than intended. He cleared his throat and tried again, a bit louder this time. "I'm here for... well, I need a wand. For Hogwarts."
Elias held up the crumpled letter and envelope like an emblem to prove his worthiness, before self-consciously dropping his hand back to his side.
LINK to Application: Elias Everett
Pick a Creature:
Oh, dragons! Hebidrean blacks are so cool!
What type of magic appeals to you:
Charms and enchantments, like mum. Probably? I mean.... I like making stuff!
Most Proud of trait:
Curiosity (killed the cat)
Which subject would you do best in
Charms and Ancient Runes for sure
How would you describe yourself: (pick as many as you want)
Accident prone...
After Hogwarts, what would you like to do:
Make stuff, and learn about aeroplanes!
What are you afraid of:
Muggles are scary
“Good day to you! Welcome to Elder and Ash, I am Bernadette…Hmm… Or Bernie or Miss Hawthorn or Witchy McWitchface,” she titters with laughter, high and squeaky. “Don’t you fret, I will answer to just about anything… Except Clyde.” She shakes her head emphatically. “HE is a bowtruckle and can be quite persnickety, so watch your eyeballs, he likes to poke.” She nods at the young student, as if what she said was the most important piece of knowledge to take away from this conversation.
“Can I assume you are here to find your wand? Yes!? Of course! Good Good.” Not waiting for a response, Bernie comes around the counter and begins measuring the patron who just entered her shop. Lifting this arm and that, measuring each individual finger, kneeling and quickly measuring their feet, then popping back up to look deeply, and awkwardly into their eyes. “Fascinating. Did you know a quarter of the bones in your body are in your hand? No?! I didn't think so. OK! Let’s find you a wand. Pop Pop!”
Bernie ran around the shop, spitting out random nonsense facts that most people really didn’t need to know. “Did you know that your left lung is slightly smaller than your right? Did ya? Nope. Why? To make room for your heart? Awwww, so sweet.”
“Ok, let's try this one on for size.” Coming down from a ladder with a long box, Bernie handed the wand over to the student. It was rare to find a match with the first box, but it could be done. “Go on then,” she said, waving her hands about. “Give it a flick.”
Sycamore Wood, Displacer Beast Tentacle Core, 12in, Whippy
Sycamore:
The sycamore makes a questing wand, eager for new experience and losing brilliance if engaged in mundane activities. It is a quirk of these handsome wands that they may combust if allowed to become ‘bored,’ and many witches and wizards, settling down into middle age, are disconcerted to find their trusty wand bursting into flame in their hand as they ask it, one more time, to fetch their slippers. As may be deduced, the sycamore’s ideal owner is curious, vital and adventurous, and when paired with such an owner, it demonstrates a capacity to learn and adapt that earns it a rightful place among the world's most highly-prized wand woods.
Displacer Beast:
These wands choose owners who are intelligent and independent, and believe whole heartedly that the thrill is in the chase more than the capture. Not fond of direct conflict they have a knack for trickery and misdirection and use it in almost every area of their life, whether to win a game or sport, get a leg up in life or for something as meaningless as cutting in line. Though this often helps them win at things, they may also damn themselves and lose by drawing a contest or game out to “play with their food,” whether to toy with their opponents out of some childish sadism or because they just don’t want to be done playing.
Whippy < easiest to learn and cast, least powerful
If you love this combo, great! If you like one piece of your wand (core, wood, flexibility, etc.) Put that at the bottom of your next post in an OOC message. I will keep that the same for the next option. Or, I can come up with an entirely new wand. UP TO YOU!
Elias blinked rapidly as the witch—Bernie? Miss Hawthorn? Witchy McWitchface?—suddenly appeared and began measuring him with bewildering efficiency.
"I—what—" he squeaked as she lifted his arms, measured his fingers, then dropped to measure his feet. "Quarter of the bones in my—ow!"
She was staring directly into his eyes now, uncomfortably close. He tried to step back but she was already popping up again, chattering about lungs and hearts while scurrying around the shop like a particularly energetic squirrel.
Elias glanced around nervously. Where was this eye-poking bowtruckle exactly?
"Um, yes miss, I need a—" But she was already climbing a ladder, still talking.
When she thrust the wand into his hands, Elias took it with trembling fingers. The sycamore felt warm against his palm, almost humming with potential.
His eyes went wide. He bounced once on his toes, a grin spreading across his face as he raised the wand.
He gave it what he hoped was a proper flick.
A few pathetic sparks sputtered and died.
Elias stared at the wand. His grip tightened. Loosened. Tightened again.
"It's broken," he whispered.
He stepped back, bumping into a stack of wand boxes. His free hand pressed against his pocket where the letter crinkled. He raised the wand again, gave it another desperate flick.
Nothing.
His shoulders hunched forward. The sycamore trembled in his white-knuckled fist.
OOC: Love the sycamore wood! Could we try a different core?
“Oh for the love of cherry blossoms! I thought that would work!” Snatching it out of their hand, Bernie packaged the wand up gingerly, folding the gauze ribbon over the wand as if it were a sleeping baby. The box was carefully placed on the back counter under a sign that read “NOPE!” Those would be cleaned and checked for damage before returning to the shelf.
"NO! The wand isn't broken, just not correct. We'll get there. I do believe the wood is correct, the core however... Hmmmm..."
“Ok, let me think, let me think. Hmm..” Turning abruptly, Bernie went to stare at the poor young soul in her shop. Arms crossed, fingers tapping thoughtfully on her chin. After a couple rotations around the student, she stopped and closed one eye… Then the other. “Did you know there are no muscles in your fingers? No? Shocking! Well… you do now. Ok, I think I have an option.” Skipping up a ladder and over a short walkway Bernie grabbed without even looking and popped down the ladder, coming to stop behind the counter.
“Ok, let's see if this one causes less destruction! One can only hope.”
Sycamore wood, Horned Serpent horn core, 12 3/4, Swishy
Sycamore:
The sycamore makes a questing wand, eager for new experience and losing brilliance if engaged in mundane activities. It is a quirk of these handsome wands that they may combust if allowed to become ‘bored,’ and many witches and wizards, settling down into middle age, are disconcerted to find their trusty wand bursting into flame in their hand as they ask it, one more time, to fetch their slippers. As may be deduced, the sycamore’s ideal owner is curious, vital and adventurous, and when paired with such an owner, it demonstrates a capacity to learn and adapt that earns it a rightful place among the world's most highly-prized wand woods.
Horned Serpent Horn (Salt Water):
Horned serpent wands prefer owners who are intelligent and quick-witted. However, their preferred owners are not bookish scholars who stay shut in a library all day, but rather creative and innovative individuals who enjoy exercising their mind and putting things they learn into practice. Absorbing information like a sponge, these wizards are brilliant in subjects they find interesting and above average in those they don’t. They are constantly thinking. wizards chosen by these wands are absolutely brilliant and fiercely independent.
The type of horned serpent has some bearing over what they look for in an owner as well. Horned Serpent horn wands from a salt-water horned serpent are playful in nature, and look for owners who share that lighthearted playfulness, these are extremely imaginative, spirited and outspoken wizards.
Swishy < slightly harder to learn and cast, just slightly more powerful
Again, if you want this one great, or a portion or a fully new one. YOUR CHOICE! One more option available!
Elias watched in bewildered fascination as Bernie snatched away the failed wand, wrapping it like something precious before banishing it to the "NOPE!" shelf.
"No muscles in my—" He wiggled his fingers, mildly concerned, then jumped as Bernie began circling him like a hawk studying prey. He tried to turn and keep her in sight, but she was moving too fast, arms crossed, making thoughtful humming noises.
"Miss, what are you—"
She closed one eye, then the other, and Elias found himself frozen under her scrutiny. Was this normal? Did all wandmakers do this sort of thing?
When Bernie disappeared up the ladder with alarming agility, Elias shifted his weight from foot to foot. The wood from the first wand had felt right. If she was keeping the same... but what if this one failed too?
Bernie appeared behind the counter as if by magic, brandishing a new box.
Elias stared at it. His throat felt tight again. What if—
He reached for the wand with trembling fingers. The moment they wrapped around it, warmth spread up his arm. It was not at all like the first wand. This one felt somehow sharper, more alive.
Maybe...?
He raised it slowly, hardly daring to breathe, and flicked. The wand felt firmer this time. Steadier. More controlled than the first one that had bent much too easily.
Golden light exploded from the tip, spiraling around the small shop before cascading down like falling stars. The light seemed to dance for a moment before fading, leaving the air shimmering.
Elias stared at the wand, then up at Bernie, his mouth hanging open.
"Oh," he breathed, the wonder evident on his face, "Oh, that's... that's brilliant."
“OH GOOD FUN! We have a winner!” Bernie sings, dancing a jig behind the counter. “That is fantastic! And you didn't even destroy my shop. Thanks for that, I appreciate the restraint.”
Flitting around behind the counter, mumbling to herself while pulling a few things out here and there. “Ok, ARE YOU LISTENING?!” Green eyes wide, red hair fluffed out with her excursion. “I hope you are…” She said slowly, looking at the student carefully. “Here are the things you will need. FIRST!” She said with a flourish, “is your wand holster. You may strap it to your leg, or arm, sew it into clothing or use a pocket on the inside of your robes. DO NOT EVER! Put it in your back pocket. No No No. That's how little Tommy blew off a butt cheek. Yes he did. Big tadoo.” She trailed off, shaking her head at the poor unfortunate state of little Tommy.
“NEXT! Here is a jar of polish and a rag. Keep. Your. Wand. CLEAN! Do not make me say it again. It is important. And don’t even get me started on using it to pick your nose or itch your ear.” Wide green eyes met those of the student, her hands went up over her head, miming an explosion, “Boom!”
“AND THIRD! Wait… What's the third thing… umm, OH YES! Silly me. Have fun dear. Be good at Hogwarts, eat your veggies and stay away from the East Wing, I hear it’s haunted.” She gave them a knowing smile and walked away. As her back turned to the student, a small green leggy creature could be seen hanging on to her hat. Little Clyde, watching over his favorite human.
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