Wand

The book was intriguing. The spells, or charms as they were called, looked fascinating. All of them were useful in their own way, even something simple like the Colour Change Charm, which can be cast on oneself to blend in better with the surroundings.

The charms seemed to require specific phrases for them to be cast, and Atreus understood that. After all, Words had power in them. Or at least that's what Mimir used to say. For a time, he used to need to shout specific words to enchant his arrows before firing until he learned that they helped him focus on the intent. After that he started firing the arrows by just imagining their effect.

The previous owner of the book seemed to agree to that, judging by the notes next to each spell. According to him, with enough intent and willpower, one could cast the charms without saying the specific phrases.

However, that was not the only requirement. The charms were supposed to be cast with a wand by waving in specific motions. There were notes left about how one could reduce the wand movements to just pointing in the right direction, but nothing about how to cast the spells without a wand.

Atreus was perplexed at that. He clearly remembered Perenelle doing magic without a wand, and he even managed to copy her way of cutting vegetables. Atreus had to focus on his fingers, imagined them like a knife, and willed his magic to act like one. It had taken him a few tries, but he had succeeded in the end.

So then why was this book explaining magic as if one couldn't do it without a wand?

Well, Atreus planned to find out if that was actually true. Starting from the first charm, he tried doing them all without a wand. He failed multiple times, but in the end, he managed to successfully cast them... well, only a few of them.

Spells, like the Levitation Charm, he didn't have much of a problem with. He imagined his magic reaching out towards an object with the intent of lifting it and willed it to happen. After failing a few times, he cast the charm successfully.

However, spells like the Colour Change Charm were a different story. He just couldn't understand how magic was supposed to change the colour of an object. The book also wasn't of much help since it didn't explain how or why the spell worked. The description of the charm was: say the words, do the motions, ta-da magic.

Atreus didn't dwell on it too much and decided to ignore them for now. He could try to ask Perenelle later, and maybe she could explain it to him. The charms book was returned back on the shelf, and he picked a new one from the same row.

"Jinxes, A Spellbook For Beginners."

Atreus found this one very enjoyable, and for some reason, absolutely loved the spells. Jinxes were mostly harmless but mischievous in nature. They were like the prankster little brother of charms. Whoever created them was definitely a trickster. Jinxes seemed like a fun way to mess with your friends... if you had any. Atreus quickly returned the book after reading it and picked a new one.

"Curses, A Spellbook For Beginners."

Curses were the opposite of jinxes. They were like the bigger and evil brother of charms. They were designed to hurt and harm others. Like jinxes, he didn't get to practice them, not because he didn't have a target, but because he didn't want to damage anything in the room. Nevertheless, he read the entirety of the book, including all the notes left by the owner.

Atreus was on his way to return the book when there was a knock on his door. Perenelle opened the door and popped her head in.

"I heated up the soup for you. I don't know if you are hungry, but as I told you earlier, you would need to eat small meals several times a day until your system gets used to eating again."

Atreus wasn't that hungry, but he decided to listen to her. Plus, he could also use this chance to ask Perenelle a thing or two. He nodded to her and returned the book before turning to leave the room.

"I see you've been reading my old school books. Did you have any trouble understanding them? I know you've been speaking french as if you were born and raised in France, but..." I'm also sure that you aren't was left unsaid.

"I'm good with languages. I can learn one by just hearing or reading it," Atreus chuckled. "I once learned the language of a distant land by drinking some wine from there."

Perenelle paused in her steps. That was absurd! How can someone learn a different language just by drinking some wine?! Wait, wine? Who would give a boy his age wine? And the way Atreus said it, it sounded like it had happened a while ago. How old had he been?

"Perenelle?" Atreus' words snapped her out of her thoughts.

"I'm fine," Perenelle replied and shook her head.

"Did that used to be your room? You said those were your books," Atreus questioned on the way.

"No," Perenelle answered with an almost sad expression. Seeing that, Atreus figured that wasn't a topic she wished to discuss, so he tried with something else.

"Do you need a wand to do magic? There wasn't a single spell in the books that didn't require one."

"Most wizards, especially the young ones, aren't able to control their magic without a focus. Magic in its raw form is too volatile and unstable. Wizards need a conduit to channel it through and refine it into their desired effect. Most wizards generally can't do magic without a wand due to how long it takes them to learn it."

"Oh..." Atreus said, realizing his little display was something very unnatural. Perenelle smiled at him and continued.

"A wand is also not the only object that is used as a conduit. Staffs, beads, rings, bands, to name a few. I've also heard of weapons being used as a focus."

Atreus knew of a few such weapons. The Leviathan Axe of his father was the first that came to his mind. As far as he knew, that was one of the most powerful weapons in existence.

"So the answer to your question would be, no, you don't need a wand or any other conduit to do magic. However, having a focus gives you finesse and power to your magic that is nearly impossible to replicate without one."

That was good to know. Atreus didn't necessarily need a conduit to do magic, but it wouldn't hurt to have one. The question was, how can he get a wand? Perenelle would probably help him if he asked, but he didn't want to bother her with that right now. She had already done more than enough for him. Atreus ate his meal in silence before Perenelle accompanied him back to his room.

"If you need anything, you just need to ask," Perenelle said with the gentle smile he had gotten used to seeing on her face.

"I will," Atreus nodded and jumped back into reading.

Day by day passed. Atreus usually stayed in his room and devoured the books there. They were all so interesting to him, but his favourite ones were about Transfiguration. He loved the idea behind it, and it also reminded him of the time he found out he was a god... or at least part-god. He had asked his father if he would be able to transform into an animal, and Transfiguration would allow him to do just that with enough practice.

However, Atreus had a small problem as he couldn't effectively transform anything. He just couldn't understand how his magic was supposed to change one object into another. Nevertheless, he didn't lose hope and kept trying.

Magic also seemed to have nearly unlimited potential. One could do almost anything with it. That gave Atreus hope that maybe, just maybe, he will be able to locate his father with magic given enough time. It was a longshot, but it was something worth working for.

Atreus came out of the room only when Perenelle called him to eat, but as time passed, he started doing it on his own. He usually went to the living room, and Perenelle always seemed to be there before him. The room had a homey feeling with a lit fireplace and bookshelves everywhere he looked.

Talking with Perenelle was something Atreus enjoyed. The kind smile that never left her face made him feel comfortable around her. She also answered all his questions, and bit by bit, he learned about the world through her. He was starting to open up to Perenelle, but he still hadn't told her anything too personal, and so far, she hadn't pushed him and was patient with him.

Nicolas joined in on their conversations from time to time, and he tended to have a glass of brownish liquid he called firewhiskey. The man loved talking about any new idea or potion he came up with. Nicolas was a creator by heart, and in a way, reminded Atreus of Brok and Sindri. He was just not as crass as them.

Atreus hadn't realized when it happened, but after staying for about a month with Nicolas and Perenelle, he started thinking of the place as home. The Flamels were too kind to him, and he was beginning to feel a bit bad about not telling them about himself. He just didn't know how to open the conversation.

"Hey, I'm part-god, and my father and I were not entirely at fault, but we were also the ones that had a hand in destroying nine realms."

That didn't sound good to him, and Atreus also feared that Perenelle wouldn't look at him the same way. His situation somewhat reminded him of Freya, who was gentle and kind to him before she started hating him and his father. He did understand how it happened, but he didn't want a repeat of that.

Atreus made his way over to the living room and found Nicolas and Perenelle there. Both of them greeted him with a nod, and he walked over and sat on one of the comfy chairs. Nicolas was leisurely sipping from his drink while Perenelle watched him patiently as he fidgeted in his seat.

"Perenelle... how can I get a wand?" Atreus finally asked. He had been making good progress, but he hit a roadblock.

Atreus was able to will his magic to push, pull, and levitate objects. He can also use it to cut or bludgeon, but everything else eluded him. Atreus didn't know how his magic was supposed to change the color of an object. He figured that if he had a wand and did the spell with the motions and words, he could understand it better.

"A wizard usually receives his wand when he turns eleven," Perenelle explained.

"So I can't get one..." Atreus felt a bit down. A wand would've been helpful to make him understand how magic worked.

"I didn't say that," Perenelle smirked mischievously, and he looked at her with hope in his eyes.

"Wands do break from time to time and get replaced. However, there is a bit of an issue with your situation. You're not exactly normal..."

Atreus looked down and felt his heart tie itself into a knot. They knew or at least suspected his origin. He was already imagining the worst scenarios when Nicolas spoke up.

"Which isn't that much of a problem. We'll just need to visit an old goat that owes us a favour or two. He might have what we need."

Atreus' head snapped back, and he saw that both of them were still looking at him kindly. At that moment, he decided that maybe he should share with them a bit about himself. They... deserved that much.

"Well, then," Perenelle stood up. "If we will be leaving on a shopping trip, you might need to change your clothes."

"Is there something wrong with what I'm wearing?" Atreus asked and looked down at the white shirt and brown pants he had been wearing ever since he woke up a month ago. They weren't the clothes that he was used to, but they were comfortable enough.

"Wizards and witches have a peculiar sense of fashion," Perenelle said with a laugh as she led him out of the living room.

---

"No!" Atreus refused adamantly.

"No?" Perenelle asked with an amused smirk.

"The pants and the shirt are fine, but not the robes. I'm not wearing that."

The clothes were made out of dragon hide, which surprised Atreus. The Flamels must be very strong if they had killed one. He had participated in killing dragons, and he knew how dangerous those beasts were.

"That's okay then," Perenelle said with a laugh and left so he could change. Atreus put them on, and he was satisfied with his new attire. Especially since Perenelle had transfigured a part on the pants into a sheat for his knife. He would prefer not to be left unarmed even if he was going with them.

"Are you ready?" Perenelle asked when he returned to the living room, and he nodded to confirm. She then reached out her hand for him to grab.

Atreus looked at her questioningly, but he took her hand without hesitation. He trusted her too much by this point, but maybe he shouldn't have, as the next thing he knew, he felt being squeezed through a tight tube.

The feeling was unpleasant, but Atreus didn't complain. He was too busy marveling at the new place he found himself at. Buildings were everywhere he looked, people were walking around, and there were even large metallic vehicles moving at high speed.

"Those are cars, vehicles created by non-magical people to quickly move from one point to another," Perenelle explained.

"This way," Nicolas said, and Atreus followed after them as they entered a dark and shabby building. People were eating, drinking, or reading, but none paid attention to them. They reached the back of the building, where Nicolas tapped a few bricks, and the wall opened up, revealing a whole new world.

"Welcome to Diagon Alley. It's not the most beautiful place, but it serves its purpose," Nicolas explained. "I would've preferred to bring you to Place Cachée, but Baudelaire won't be able to help us. He is a good wandmaker, but we are going to need the best for your situation."

Nicolas took the lead as they walked on the cobblestone path while Perenelle pointed at each shop and explained them one by one.

There were so many, and each was different from the rest. There were shops selling robes, brooms, telescopes, ingredients, books, quills, potions, anything. Wizards and witches were moving about, and all of them wore the robes he refused to put on. Some of them even had pointy hats, making them look comical.

They finally reached their destination, a narrow and shabby shop with peeling gold letters over the door of the shop that read: Ollivanders: Makers of Fine Wands since 382 B.C.

Nicolas and Perenelle entered the shop, both keeping quiet as Atreus followed after them. A few steps in, and he sensed something was off. The hair on his back stood up in alarm. He felt like a predator was staring at him, and his instincts took over.

Both Nicolas and Perenelle watched in surprise as Atreus moved so fast they weren't even able to react. In one quick motion, he grabbed his knife in a reverse grip and spun around with the tip of the weapon stopping next to the old man's neck.

Ollivander took an audible gulp, "I suppose I deserve that."

"Atreus," Perenelle called out to him gently and placed a hand on his shoulder.

"Um, sorry, you surprised me," Atreus apologized and resheathed his knife. He just reacted on his instinct that had been ingrained on him by his father's training and his own experience.

"No worries, no worries," Ollivander said with one hand waving him off, but there was sweat dripping down his forehead. Maybe he should stop scaring his clients from now on. Yeah, that was a good idea since he didn't want a repeat of that.

"So, Nicolas, what brings you over to my shop?" Ollivander asked, trying to forget that he almost lost his life to a boy at that.

"Atreus here needs a wand," Nicolas explained simply.

"Yes, yes, of course. You are here for a wand. What else could you be here for?"

Ollivander looked at Atreus with his keen eye. He would not be doing his usual theatrics of checking the boy's measurements. Nope, nope, he wasn't getting close to him if he had a say in it.

"Previous wand?" Ollivander asked.

"He's here for his first wand," Nicolas informed.

"Interesting... interesting... very interesting. A bit older than my usual customers, but I think I can find him something," Ollivander picked a box at random and pulled out a wand.

"Ten inches and made of fir. A stiff wand, but with a unicorn hair core. Give it a few flicks," Ollivander handed the wand to Atreus, making sure to stay a distance away from the boy.

"So I just have to flick it?" Atreus asked as he carefully looked at the wand in his hands.

"Yes."

After receiving the confirmation, Atreus gave it a flick. He felt his magic power surge inside the wand, and -SNAP- it broke in two. Silence.

Ollivander stared in pure astonishment. How could a wand break like that? No, why did it break like that? It didn't make any sense. That was just absurd. He knew all of the wands in his store, and not a single one of them was faulty!

A fire burned in his eyes as Ollivander resolved to find one suitable for the boy. Different woods, different cores, he tried with more than a few. However, the result was always the same. The wand broke in two the moment his magic connected with it.

"I thought something like this might've happened," Nicolas muttered and shook his head. A pouch tied to his waist opened up, and golden coins flew out, landing right on the counter.

"I... I..." Ollivander just didn't know what to say. He felt heartbroken. This had never happened before, but for the first time in his long life, he couldn't find a wand for his customer.

"Sorry about the wands, Garrick. I will send you a thing or two so you can make new ones," Nicolas apologized as the three left the store. Ollivander just stayed there speechlessly staring at the boy. This just didn't make any sense!

"So, I can't use a wand," Atreus said, feeling quite disappointed. A wand would've been very helpful to him.

"Don't worry about it. Nick would think of something, right?" Perenelle looked at her husband.

"Ah, yes, of course," Nicolas said, already juggling a few ideas in his mind.

"Now, since we are already here, why don't we go for a quick shopping trip?" Perenelle asked, but there was only one correct answer to that.

They passed through the various shops, and the Flamels purchased a thing or two that caught their interest. The last place they visited was Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlour, and Atreus found the cold sugary sweetness quite enjoyable.

"So you use gold, silver, and bronze as currency?" Atreus asked while eating his ice cream.

"Essentially, yes. Gold coins are called Galleons. One Galleon is worth 17 silver coins called Sickles, and one Sickle is worth 29 bronze coins called Knuts," Nicolas explained.

"And how does one earn them?" Atreus asked. The Flamels were kind and seemed rich, but he didn't want them to waste their money on him.

"You don't have to worry about that," Perenelle said while Nicolas kept snickering to the side.

"Yeah, don't think about it. I don't think we will ever have money issues," Nicolas said with absolute confidence. Atreus decided to trust him, but figured he could find a way to pay them back in the future.

When they finished with their ice cream, they returned back to the house the same way they arrived at Diagon Alley.

"So..." Nicolas began as he sat down on a chair in the living room. "I have two ideas about your wand. One of them is to make it out of a strong and magical metal. That has never been done before, and I don't know what core would be suitable for it, but I do have goblin silver that I can try to work with."

"The second one involves your tree branch. The problem with that is that I don't think there is a core strong enough for it. It's going to need at least a few magical cores, and even then, I'm not sure if it would work."

Atreus thought for a moment before saying, "I'll be right back." Now that he knew a bit more about wands, he had an idea in mind.

The Flamels looked at each other, wondering what he had thought of. They received their answers when Atreus returned shortly carrying the World Tree branch and his Bag of Holding, which he placed on the table.

"So, I just need to know," Atreus said as he opened the bag wide, "What's a dragon heartstring?" It was on one of the words he heard Ollivander use when mentioning a core.

"It's a cord that can be harvested from the heart of a dragon," Nicolas explained, and Atreus nodded to him. He then started taking items out of his bag. The first was a giant blue feather, the second was a hide with thick orange fur, and the third was a large, black heart that seemed to be still faintly beating.

"I'm not sure if those are considered magical, but they were taken from the strongest monsters I've ever encountered," Atreus said, and the Flamels looked at the objects with wide eyes.

Since they knew Atreus had something to do with the Norse Pantheon, they had picked up a few mythology books. It didn't take them more than a few seconds to realize what the items he took out represented.