Chapter 3: Illiterate?

Inside Ollivanders, a young girl was already there, seeking a wand that would choose her.

"Yes, we must always remember - the wand chooses the wizard, not the other way around," the silver-eyed old man muttered while selecting another potential match.

"No, no... Perhaps willow, dragon heartstring, flexible, but-" His words were cut short by a gust of wind conjured by the young witch. "No, then let's try this one."

After pushing Lys into the shop and seeing that the girl ahead would take some time, Senna instructed Lys to wait there for her wand, strictly ordering her not to step outside or speak to anyone! She would return later, then withdrew the recently acquired list to purchase her own materials.

Did Lys care about her mother's whereabouts? Of course she did.

But Mother had promised to return, and she trusted her. Right now, her mind buzzed with anticipation about when she'd get to try these magical wands herself.

After the fastidious young girl departed, Ollivander noticed the heavily shrouded child waiting quietly in the corner, wearing what appeared to be a boy's shirt.

"Another first-year, I presume? Well, let's see... Which is your wand hand? Ah, right-handed, excellent. Let's try this one."

A white wand was placed in Lys's right hand. "Give it a wave, child, just a wave."

A splash of cold water drenched them both. As Ollivander cast two drying charms, he retrieved another box.

"No, definitely not... Perhaps this oak, phoenix feather, eleven inches, surprisingly swishy."

A violent wind erupted, blasting open all doors and windows, jangling the bell, and reducing two chairs by the entrance to splinters.

The wand was swiftly reclaimed. "Let's try again... Powerful, but not quite right for you. Here: hawthorn, snake heartstring, twelve inches, very flexible, extraordinarily flexible."

When Lys grasped it, her right hand felt as if plunged into cool water on a summer's day. The sensation spread throughout her body, even easing the weather-induced ache in her left side.

As she waved it, a thin but brilliant silver light danced across the ceiling.

"Yes, this is the one. One of my father's creations... Child, might I ask your name?"

Lys kept her head down, silent. The black cloth that had seemed bearable during her excitement now felt suffocating as she clutched her wand.

She drew two deep breaths through the thick fabric and was about to give her name when the door chime distracted her-

Senna had returned.

She immediately snatched the tightly-held wand, examining it closely.

"Hah, hawthorn... you weak, worthless thing. Though you should be grateful - snake heartstring, at least you retain some pure-blood traits."

"Ollivander, how much? Quickly, I'm pressed for time!" Ollivander narrowed his eyes but overlooked the unseen woman's rudeness.

Since He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named had begun gathering followers, everyone seemed to be in a perpetual rush.

"Seven Galleons. And the young sir's surname? Ministry regulations require documentation for each wand."

"Shafiq, though they wouldn't acknowledge this child - very distant relation... Well, I expected eleven Galleons, so... Goodbye, Ollivander." Senna hustled Lys out of the shop.

Using Immobulus to bind all their purchases and levitating them alongside, she fingered the remaining gold coins in her pocket. Ignoring Lys's short legs struggling to keep pace, she quickly dragged her into a corner liquor shop.

"Haven't relaxed in ages... Next list... Yes, sufficient. One bottle of Firewhisky, your largest."

The plump, clearly inebriated wizard behind the counter winked. "Ah, a connoisseur! Bigger is better, more is magnificent! Wouldn't you agree?"

Lys disliked the pungent smell here, and the rapid walking made breathing even more difficult. She reached up to loosen the cloth around her mouth.

Having paid and received her bottle, Senna sharply smacked the back of her head, halting the attempt.

The moment they left the shop, Senna yanked out the cork and took a deep swig.

She thrust the school supply list in front of Lys. "Quick, check what's missing. I won't have time to bring you again."

"Mother," Lys licked her lips, tasting the strange fabric, "I can't read what it says."

Senna could hardly believe it. About to start school, and illiterate? What was the point of buying all those books?

"If you can't read, what use are you at school? Just a red-haired gorilla waving your little stick?"

She took another long drink from the bottle.

"I don't have time to teach you, and you can't appear before your father. So, a literacy spell book it is."

They returned to the second-hand shop to purchase a literacy book. Learning it was for a new student about to start school, the shopkeeper included a bonus - a magic slate with a broken frame, useful for writing and drawing, clearing with a simple command.

Back home, unusually, her father requested to see Lys, asking about her outing and the wand selection experience.

He looked disapprovingly at Senna upon learning no pet had been purchased.

Seeing Lys constantly tugging at the black cloth, Noah raised his wand to help remove it.

But his weakness prevented proper control of his magic. Lys's already messy hair, wet then dried, had become hopelessly tangled with the fabric.

Her hair and the black cloth had formed an impossible knot.

Senna joined in, wanting to expedite things so her husband could rest, but the entanglement was too severe. She had to resort to Diffindo.

Looking at the child with her now jagged hair, Noah's lips curved in a bitter smile.

That smile made Senna's heart clench anew. Her face flushed from drinking, she pushed Lys toward Coco by the shoulders.

Sitting in the kitchen, while listening to Mistress Senna's wails, Coco discussed with Lys that they would need to cut her hair short.

It tried its best to shield its young mistress from the crying, though Lys was already well accustomed to such scenes.