Chapter 567: Wand Maintenance

"The core of my wand is the same as my sister's, it's Grandma's hair," Gabrielle said in a sad tone, "Grandma was a very beautiful and kind person. She told us a lot of interesting stories and cooked a lot of delicious dishes. Five years ago, after my grandfather died, she also left to go back to nature, leaving these two hairs as a souvenir before she left. Since then, I haven't seen her again."

"She left and went back to nature?!" Hermione couldn't help but ask, "Why didn't you go looking for her then?"

"We don't know where she is. She's hiding and refuses to see us." Gabrielle said, her eyes a little red.

"I'm sorry."

"It's okay. I'm used to it by now. Every year she sends us a message. As long as we know Grandma is living well, my sister and I are satisfied." said Gabrielle, a charming smile on her face. "As long as she's still alive, we'll always have a chance to get together, won't we?".

She looked at Fleur's wand in Mr. Ollivander's hands and remembered her grandmother.

Fleur and Gabrielle's grandmother did not die. Veela are very strong magical creatures, who live a long time.

They grow into beautiful young women and marry humans, form a family, settle down and have children. When the human's life ends, they return to nature and never see their children again.

They live in the forest, lakes, mountains and mist, and even if their descendants seek them out, they will not come out easily.

Veela hair is a rare material for the core of the wand, but it is undeniable that it has strong magic and strong characteristics in Transfiguration, healing magic, rejuvenation and flame spells.

"Yes," said Mr. Ollivander, "yes, I've never used veela hair myself, of course. I find it makes for rather temperamental wands... however, to each his own, and if this suits him..."

Mr. Ollivander ran his fingers over the wand, apparently checking for scratches or bumps; then he muttered, "Orchid!" and a bouquet of flowers sprang from the tip of the wand.

"Very good, it's in perfect working order!" said Mr. Ollivander, picking up the flowers and handing them to Fleur with his wand. "Mr. Diggory, you're next."

Cedric's wand was made by Ollivander. The product, twelve and a quarter inches, was made of ash. The wand was pleasantly springy and the core of the wand was a single hair from the tail of a fine male unicorn.

"Yes, I remember it well," said Mr. Ollivander. He had plucked the hair from the tail of a particularly fine male unicorn. It was about five feet long. He almost gored it with his horn. The magic of this wand was very strong, and only a good wizard could control it.

Mr. Ollivander was full of praise for Cedric's wand and nodded in satisfaction. He gently waved the wand and sent a stream of silver smoke rings around the room.

After Cedric, it was Viktor Krum's turn.

His body didn't seem to have recovered, and the last attack caused him great damage. He stood up and hunched, shoulders rounded and feet stiff, toward Mr. Ollivander. He drew his wand and stood frowning, hands in his robe pockets.

"Hmm," said Mr. Ollivander, "this is a Gregorovitch creation, unless I'm very much mistaken."

Krum nodded and Hermione hurried to write it on parchment.

"When the four of you were gone, I had finished the interview with Krum." whispered Hermione, waving the dense parchment in her hand, filled with information related to Krum.

"It seems difficult to get in contact with him!" said Colin worriedly.

"I thought so too, but I end up cooperating," said Hermione.

Ivan looked at Krum carefully. If he was guessing right, this guy seemed to like Hermione; just like in the books!

"Gregorovitch is a fine craftsman wand maker, though the style is never what I would recommend... however..." Mr. Ollivander did not continue. Gregorovitch was one of the two greatest European wand makers, right up there with Ollivander.

"Good!" He held up the wand and examined it minutely, twirling it again and again before his eyes.

"Carpe and dragonheart fiber?" He asked Krum, who nodded his head. Mr. Ollivander continued, "It's quite a bit thicker than one usually sees .... Quite stiff... ten and a quarter inches..... Avis!"

The hornbeam's wand let out a pistol-like blast, and a number of small twittering birds flew out the end and flew through the open window into the watery sunlight.

"Very well!" said Mr. Ollivander, handing the wand back to Krum. "Which leaves us...Mr. Weasley."

Ron stood up hurriedly, nervously, looking awkward. He walked past Krum towards Mr. Ollivander to hand him his wand.

"This is my product again!" said Mr. Ollivander, frowning slightly at the wand in his hand, "fourteen inches long, willow wood, unicorn tail hair. Yes, I remember, it was a female unicorn, running very fast, only the purest of women could touch it, although the length and magic of this tail hair is a little less than Mr. Diggory's, it has strong positive characteristics. Only a good-hearted wizard can use this wand, and using it to release dark magic and other negative effects will produce a natural resistance, which is one of its qualities."

Mr. Ollivander didn't wait for Ron to respond. He waved his wand directly.

"I have to say that you should look after it regularly and use it with care," Mr. Ollivander said, looking at the scar on the wand. "Remember that it is the wand that chooses the wizard, Mr. Weasley. If it's still like this, you may need a new wand. Of course, it's still in good condition, but you have to use it carefully."

He poured a fountain of wine out of the wand and handed it back to Ron.

"Now that I'm talking about it, I have to mention that, as the wizard's most important companion, the importance of the wand is beyond question! Wand maintenance is a very practical subject. I suggest that such a course be offered at the school," said Mr. Ollivander, his pale eyes looking at Dumbledore, Professor Karkaroff and Madame Maxime. "It's something young wizards need to learn."

"Thank you for your advice, Garrick. The students really need professional advice in this regard," Dumbledore said, suddenly turning his head and looking at Ivan. "Mr. Mason, Miss Granger, Mr. Creevey, Miss Delacour, this is a rare opportunity, I suggest that Garrick take a look at your four wands and check how well maintained they are."