Chapter 21

"Here, give this a wave!" Ollivander eagerly handed Tony a long wand with a slight curve at the handle.  Without hesitation, Tony swung it, causing the vase on the table to shatter into countless small pieces. Tony's face flushed with embarrassment as he awkwardly placed the wand back on the table. "Oops, my bad," he muttered sheepishly.

Ollivander sighed, realizing that this particular wand wasn't the right fit. He took it back from Tony and skillfully repaired the broken vase with a wave of the wand. "I guess we'll have to try another one," he said, his voice tinged with disappointment. He then resumed his search for another wand.

Meanwhile, Jamie sat comfortably in a chair near the door, casually flipping through the latest edition of the Daily Prophet. Glancing up from her reading, she chimed in, "Just a reminder, he's an inventor."

Ollivander paused his search, turning his attention towards Jamie. A knowing smile played on his lips as he replied, "Ah, I'm well aware of that. Ever since he stepped into my humble shop, his eyes always had that spark of curiosity. It's a rare sight to behold, someone with such a creative mind seeking a wand. Inventors, you see, have a unique relationship with magic."

Tony, still feeling a bit embarrassed by his earlier mishap, looked up from the table, his curiosity piqued. "What do you mean? How does being an inventor affect my relationship with magic?"

Ollivander walked over to Tony with a new box in hand. "Inventors, my dear boy, possess a remarkable ability to see the world differently. They have a knack for bending the rules, pushing boundaries, and discovering new possibilities. Magic, in its essence, is all about the exploration of the unknown and the mastery of the unseen. Now, why don't you give this one a try instead?"

Then, with an unexpected CRASH, another vase met its demise, leaving Tony with nothing but an embarrassed smile.

Almost half an hour had elapsed, yet Tony's wand remained elusive. The shop was in disarray, with Tony nearly demolishing half of it in his search. Ollivander, observing him with a mix of frustration and admiration, remarked, "In all my years, I've encountered many customers, but none quite as picky, stubborn, and arrogant as you, Mr. Stark. You're not making this easy for me."

Growing increasingly frustrated himself, Tony retorted, "I had no idea that choosing a wand would be such a daunting task. Can't you simply give me one that works?"

A soft chuckle escaped Ollivander's lips. "Oh, if only it were that simple, Mr. Stark."

Tony surveyed the chaos he had unintentionally caused in the shop, coughed nervously, and offered, "I apologize for the damages. I'll gladly compensate for them."

Waving his hand dismissively, Ollivander replied, "No need for that. I believe a custom-made wand might be the solution for you. The ones I have in stock may not be suitable for your unique needs."

Tony's expression shifted to a frown as he contemplated the situation. "How long does it take to have a custom-made wand?"

Jamie, who had been watching the exchange, couldn't help but roll her eyes at Tony's impatience. While Ollivander disappeared into the back room, she leaned closer to Tony, her voice barely audible amidst the shop's atmosphere.

"Tony, there are still many wands here that you haven't tried. What if the right one for you is among those? Let me teach you a trick: stand in the middle, yes, right there by the counter. Do you remember how to tap into your magic? Ollivander always says wands choose wizards. Perhaps one might choose you."

Tony, known for his rebellious nature, hesitated for a moment, skeptical of Jamie's advice. However, the allure of having his own wand and the childhood dreams of wielding magic and shooting fireballs overpowered his reservations.

Seeing Tony going along with her suggestion brought a mischievous smirk to Jamie's face. Swiftly slipping out of the shop, she positioned herself outside and pressed her eager face against the window, anticipating the spectacle about to unfold.

Engrossed in channeling his magic, Tony remained oblivious to Jamie's absence. With his hands raised, he stood before the counter as his clothes and hair began to sway without the presence of any wind. The wands within the shop vibrated and emitted peculiar sounds.

The noise coming from his shop caught Ollivander's attention, prompting him to hastily emerge from the back, his eyes widening at the sight before him. "Fore Merlin's sake, stop! Are you trying to bring this whole place down?!"

However, he was a step too slow. Tony's magic had already unleashed its havoc, causing every wand to liberate itself from its case. Shelves careened over, delicate vases shattered into countless fragments, and the once-ordered shop now lay in ruins akin to the aftermath of a devastating explosion.

As the frenzy gradually subsided, a lone wand hurtled toward Tony, propelled by unseen forces. Just before it reached its intended destination, Ollivander caught the wand in mid-air.

Ollivander gazed at the wreckage that lay before him, once a cherished and orderly shop, now reduced to chaos. He couldn't help but release a heavy sigh, his disappointment evident. "Well, Mr. Stark, it appears that you have indeed found your wand," he remarked, his voice laced with a mixture of awe and exasperation.

Tony, taken aback by the magnitude of the destruction he had inadvertently caused, met Ollivander's gaze with no small amount of guilt. "I... I never intended for any of this to happen."

Shaking his head, Ollivander offered a small smile. "Magic has a way of revealing itself in unexpected ways, Mr. Stark. Your connection to it is undeniably strong, even if it does come with a bit of chaos."

Jamie, who had been quietly observing everything from outside, burst into laughter as soon as she went back in. "Well, Tony, looks like you've finally got your wand. And you've managed to leave your mark on Ollivander's shop in the process."

Ollivander's irritation was palpable as he responded to Jamie. "Miss Black! I must inform Mr. Potter of what you've done," he exclaimed, a hint of irritation in his voice.

Jamie playfully stuck out her tongue. "Oh, come on! It was just a harmless prank. Besides, I brought you a few gifts."

Confidently, she strode towards the glass counter and arranged a collection of small boxes on its surface. "These are specialty items I've personally procured from the US. I went to great lengths to find them."

Maintaining an outward appearance of calm, Ollivander walked over to inspect the contents inside the boxes.

Upon opening them, he discovered an assortment of tree branches, each possessing its own distinctive qualities. Among them were oak, cherry wood, and walnut wood, all native to North America. Their unique characteristics made them ideal for crafting exquisite wands. As if that weren't enough, the boxes also contained rare tail feathers obtained from a Thunderbird and a Hippogriff, further enhancing their value and desirability.

"Jamie, these are indeed remarkable finds," Ollivander said, a hint of excitement in his voice. "Oak, cherry wood, and walnut wood, all renowned for their magical properties. And the tail feathers from a Thunderbird and a Hippogriff, extremely rare and powerful cores for wands."

He carefully picked up one of the branches, studying its texture and weight. "These materials have the potential to create extraordinary wands, Jamie. You've truly outdone yourself this time."

Ollivander's stern facade began to crack, revealing a genuine smile. He couldn't help but appreciate Jamie's enthusiasm and dedication to her craft. "I must admit, your 'harmless' prank may have been worth it after all. These gifts will be treasured additions to my collection."

Jamie beamed with pride, relieved to see Ollivander's positive reaction. "I knew you'd appreciate them, Ollivander. I hope they inspire you to create some incredible wands."

Ollivander nodded, his mind already racing with the possibilities. "Indeed, they shall. Thank you, Jamie." After packing away all the materials, his attention was then drawn to the wand that had chosen Tony—Thirteen inches long, cedar, with a phoenix feather core.

"Curious," Ollivander murmured, his fingers gently caressing the wand as he examined it with a keen eye. "Wands fashioned from cedar often gravitate towards individuals who possess a high sense of responsibility, and the phoenix feather core is known for its discerning nature in selecting its rightful owner. Their loyalty is hard-earned. Treat it with utmost care," Ollivander concluded, placing the wand in Tony's awaiting hand.

Tony's fingers trembled with anticipation as he gingerly accepted the wand, marveling at its sleek and polished exterior. With a gentle flourish, he waved it through the air, and a soft breeze whispered by, carrying with it the faint echo of a phoenix's cry.

A smile of joy spread across Tony's face. He twirled the wand in his hand, feeling its power resonate within him. "This wand is truly remarkable. How much does it cost? And about the damage caused to your shop, please allow me to compensate for it as well," he asked, turning his attention back to the old wandmaker.

Ollivander waved his hand dismissively, his eyes twinkling with kindness. "Forget it, my dear boy. It is but a minor inconvenience, easily fixed with a simple spell. As for the wand, let us stick to the standard price for Hogwarts first-years, a fair sum of seven galleons."

Stepping forward, Jamie deftly retrieved seven galleons from her space-expanded pouch and placed them on the counter top. Her voice carried a polite yet firm tone as she addressed Mr. Ollivander, "Thank you, Mr. Ollivander, for your exceptional service. And please, keep this meeting confidential, if you would."

With a graceful stride, Jamie exited the quaint shop, her footsteps echoing lightly on the cobblestones. Tony followed suit, bidding Ollivander a farewell filled with genuine gratitude, their expressions reflecting appreciation for his expertise. Together, they emerged onto the enchanting streets of Diagon Alley, where the air crackled with magical energy.

Observing the disarray within his shop, Ollivander sighed, his gaze sweeping over the cluttered shelves and scattered wand boxes. "I believe a visit to the Leaky Cauldron is in order," he muttered, contemplating a well-deserved drink to fortify himself before tackling the mess.

As Jamie and Tony made their way beyond the shop's threshold, Jamie instinctively pulled up her hood, shielding herself from prying eyes. She turned to Tony, her voice barely above a whisper, "We've acquired everything we need. Let's make our way back now."

Tony seemed surprised by the suggestion. "Already? You seem rather eager to leave. Is there someone you're worried about running into?"

Jamie came to an abrupt halt, her gaze locking with Tony's. "There are certain matters I'd rather not discuss," she stated firmly, her tone leaving no room for further inquiry. Without wasting another moment, she resumed her stride, her pace quickening with each step.

It wasn't until they had both safely boarded Stark's private plane that Jamie finally allowed herself a moment to unwind. Leaning back in her seat, she let out a sigh of relief.