Diagon Alley Pt.3

Hyacinth POV

We walked into the wand shop to see a middle aged witch behind the counter who welcomed us with a warm smile as she said, "Welcome to our shop how may we be of service today?" Dad smiled at her and said, "We need custom wands mine was broken due to circumstances and while a family wand has served me well I am more than ready to have a wand of my own back. I also need a custom wand for my daughter since her magic has changed after the cleansing and blood adoption." The woman nodded in understanding as she said, "We would be more than willing to help you both just let me call my husband and we can see what materials would work best for you." Dad and I both nodded at her. It wasn't long before she came back out with a man following behind her, he smiled and said, "How can I help you today Mr..." He trailed off as Dad said, "Black, Lord Sirius Black and this is my daughter Lady Hyacinth Potter-Black." The man looked stunned for a second but held out his hand and said, "It's a pleasure Lord Black my name is Rodrick Sayer and this is my wife Camilla. My wife tells me you are looking for a custom wand for yourself and your daughter." Dad smiled and said, "Yes , that is correct Cinthy still has the one from Ollivanders but she has said it felt different after she went through the goblins cleansing ritual. As far as I am concerned my wand was snapped after my illegal capture so I am using a family wand and need one of my own again."

Mr. Sayer nodded his head in understanding then walks over to a workstation tucked into the far corner of the shop and motions us over. Mr. Sayer pulled out a tray full of different wood samples and sets them out on the counter and said, "Have you ever gotten a custom wand before Lord Black?" Dad just shook his head no to which Mr. Sayer nodded and then said, "Alright then, what I need you to do is to push your magic out towards the different samples and feel which ones you are drawn to." Dad nodded and said, "I will go first so that Cinthy can watch and see how it's done." Dad then winked at me before he closed his eyes to concentrate on the wood samples. It wasn't long before two sample started to float in the air in an attempt to make their way to Dad's open hand, Mr. Sayer caught them before they could get to far though. He looked at the wood in his hand and said, "You can stop now Lord Black you have chosen a very unique combination." Dad's eyes snapped open and said, "What did I choose for myself?" 

Mr. Sayer looked at the samples and said, "Blackthorn and Dogwood Lord Black not a bad combination but certainly unique." I was puzzled I may have the full repository in my head but that doesn't include the magical worlds knowledge so I asked "What does the different wood types mean Mr. Sayer?" He smiled at me and said, "Do we have a budding wand maker in our midst?" a chuckle in his tone showed his amusement with my question but he answered me "Well Lady Potter-Black Blackthorn wood is a very unusual wand wood, it has the reputation of being best suited to a warrior. A curious feature of the blackthorn bush, which sports wicked thorns, is that it produces its sweetest berries after the hardest frosts, and the wands made from this wood appear to need to pass through danger or hardship with their owners to become truly bonded. Given this condition, the blackthorn wand will become as loyal and faithful a servant as one could wish.

As for Dogwood well, Dogwood is one of my own personal favorites, and I have found that matching a dogwood wand with its ideal owner is always entertaining. Dogwood wands are quirky and mischievous; they have playful natures and insist upon partners who can provide them with scope for excitement and fun. It would be quite wrong, however, to deduce from this that dogwood wands are not capable of serious magic when called upon to do so; they have been known to perform outstanding spells under difficult conditions, and when paired with a suitably clever and ingenious witch or wizard, can produce dazzling enchantments. An interesting foible of many dogwood wands is that they refuse to perform non-verbal spells and they are often rather noisy." (Wand wood descriptions taken from Pottermore) 

I kind of chuckled at the description of Dogwood because it matches Dad perfectly. It was my turn now so Dad stepped aside and I did as he instructed when I opened my eyes Mr. Sayer was holding two different types of wood than Dad's which I was a little sad about because I kind of wanted to match him. I looked at them and said, "So what did I get and what do they mean?" Mr. Sayer and Dad both chuckled at me but just like before Mr. Sayer answered me. "Well my Lady you have chosen Cedar and Ebony wood. Whenever I meet one who carries a cedar wand, I find strength of character and unusual loyalty. There is a saying 'you will never fool the cedar carrier,' and I agree: the cedar wand finds its perfect home where there is perspicacity and perception. I would go further in saying that I have never yet met the owner of a cedar wand whom I would care to cross, especially if harm is done to those of whom they are fond. The witch or wizard who is well-matched with cedar carries the potential to be a frightening adversary, which often comes as a shock to those who have thoughtlessly challenged them.

Ebony wand wood has an impressive appearance and reputation, being highly suited to all manner of combative magic, and to Transfiguration. Ebony is happiest in the hand of those with the courage to be themselves. Frequently non-conformist, highly individual or comfortable with the status of outsider. In my experience the ebony wand's perfect match is one who will hold fast to his or her beliefs, no matter what the external pressure, and will not be swayed lightly from their purpose." (Wand wood descriptions taken from Pottermore) 

I just nodded my head because I had no idea to respond to that. Mr. Sayer seemed to understand and moved on he looked back at my Dad and said, "What was the core in your previous wand as well as the one in the family wand you are currently using Lord Black?" Dad then pulled out his family wand and said this one is special it's core is an unusual material. It has since be banned by the ministry as you know the Black specialize in disguise and mind magic so the core to this wand is the optical nerve of a Wampus cat my Great Aunt Cassiopeia had it made when she was in America. My wand had a dragon heartstring core though." Mr. Sayer nodded and pulled out another tray with various materials I assume can be used as a core for our new wands. Mr. Sayer motioned for Dad to chose a core with his magic after he was done he opened his eyes to see what he got and said, "Dragons heartstring not really surprising but glad to know Ollivander wasn't completely wrong with my first wand." 

What amused me was that I didn't even have to ask before Mr. Sayer said, "As a rule, dragon heartstrings produce wands with the most power, and which are capable of the most flamboyant spells. Dragon wands tend to learn more quickly than other types. While they can change allegiance if won from their original master, they always bond strongly with the current owner. The dragon wand tends to be easiest to turn to the Dark Arts, though it will not incline that way of its own accord. It is also the most prone of the three cores to accidents, being somewhat temperamental." (Wand core descriptions taken from Pottermore) 

Dad just nodded along with Mr. Sayer and then said, "It was a tough wand core to master but worth it, I was very upset when it was snapped." He switched gears quickly though and said, "Now it's your turn sweetheart." with a wink he stepped aside so that I could choose my own core. Again I allowed my magic to reach for the items on the tray a few were calling to me but there was one that was almost glowing so I pulled that one to me as I opened my eyes I saw the most beautiful bright glowing feather that looked like it was on fire. Mr. Sayer nodded and said, "A Phoenix tail feather good choice Lady Potter-Black. I got this feather from Fawkes just last week he popped in almost as if he knew I would need it, which I am starting to think he did. Anyway, he left it for me on my counter and then was gone as quick as he came. As far as I know Fawkes has only ever given two feathers before this one." I nodded because I knew this much I pulled out my wand from Ollivanders and said, "This is the wand I got from Ollivanders it has a Phoenix feather core and it's brother was given to Moldy-Voldy according to Ollivander himself, he told me when he handed me my wand."

Mr. Sayer looked at my wand and then said, "It is a powerful wand Lady Potter-Black but I can see why it no longer suits you from what I can tell the feather in here isn't a tail feather its a feather from the crown of Fawkes' head it's brother wand is probably similar, the feather that you just chose is a tail feather. A phoenix tail feather is the rarest core type. Phoenix feathers are capable of the greatest range of magic, though they may take longer than either unicorn or dragon cores to reveal this. They show the most initiative, sometimes acting of their own accord, a quality that many witches and wizards dislike. Phoenix feather wands are always the pickiest when it comes to potential owners, for the creature from which they are taken is one of the most independent and detached in the world. These wands are the hardest to tame and to personalize, and their allegiance is usually hard won." (Wand core descriptions taken from Pottermore) 

Again I just nod because what else am I supposed to do, Mr. Sayer gets my silent plea and looks to Dad before he says "I should have your wands done by the end of the week for you to pick them up." Dad nods and we leave the shop to head home.