Chapter 9: Varitology

While running through the crowd, I kept the mask and the tunic, who would have thought that having this briefcase would be much better than what I had planned, going to that place was definitely very profitable, I got most of the materials, although I was almost out of money the help of old Rakan helped me find what I needed at extremely cheap prices, although some tried to scam me my trading skills helped me out of those predicaments, although I did not get materials in large quantities if necessary to get by in what I get a bag to store various things. 

Shit... Now where can I find Alphonse, I don't have the map... and there are so many people around me that I can't see anything, the change from one place to another is impressive, it's a bit overwhelming. 

I need to concentrate; it must be somewhere... for a moment, I hesitated to go back to where we had separated, but the cat that was still perched on my head jumps from my head to the floor when it turns to look at me, its eyes shine again almost as if it was telling me "follow me," moments later it runs away through the people. 

Without hesitation, I chase the cat through the crowd to a school magic bookstore.

As he entered, he saw Alphonse paying for some books and putting them in a hand cart where there are also a couple of school robes, cauldrons, spoons, and other implements that are on the school list. 

Apparently, Alphonse didn't realize I wasn't in Diagon Alle; maybe he just scared me more than necessary. 

"My lord, how nice to see you again, you seem to have found some interesting things"- says Alphonse as soon as he sets his gaze on me, detailing me from head to toe.

"Ehh, it's a nice briefcase with a nice design, it's also very comfortable to carry it, and it will be useful to carry materials for magic classes." 

"Interesting, you found something quite useful... and apparently you also found a new friend"- Alphonse rests his gaze on the back of my feet where the cat was hiding. 

"Ah yes, I met him by chance, apparently he likes me a lot because he hasn't left my side since we met."

"I see... now I understand why it took you so long, putting things like this, right now only one thing is needed my lord, your magic wand, an important decision for every wizard"- Alphonse says as we leave the magic book store-" by the way my lord, you lost this right?"- Alphonse takes out from his coat the map he had left in the unknown boy's backpack. 

"I... I'm really sorry, I got lost without realizing it, I got too entertained, that's why it also took me quite a while to realize that I had lost him and it was too late to go back for him." 

Shit, I hope that works to convince him that it was just a little mistake by a kid who got carried away by the incredible magnitude of Diagon Alley.

"You have nothing to worry about my lord, just be more careful with your things, I won't always be there to protect you and retrieve the things you lose"- Alphonse says while stroking my head.

Those words make an immense void in my chest as I remember the time I lost with him because of the war that developed after the great calamity. 

"Yes Alphonse, I'll be more careful."

"I know you will, my lord, now, on your way to get your first wand,"- says Alphonse as he walks in front of me-"oh, and one more thing, what's your new friend's name?" 

I hadn't thought about that either, I pick up the cat and looking into his eyes I realize that thanks to him today everything went better than expected, he has saved me and helped me more than one would think an animal is capable of, you are definitely a very interesting creature.....

"What do you think...iolita?"

"What a beautiful name, I would never have thought of it, iolite is a purple gemstone that varies its hue. the "stone of vision", associated with foresight, acceptance, and unity between body and soul, great name and great meaning"- explains Alphonse. 

Sometimes it surprises me how much Alphonse knows about everything in general, his information is always concrete and easy to understand. 

"Then you will be called iolita from now on, you are now part of my adventure." 

Alphonse looks at me with a smile on his face, while iolite rests on my head again. 

After walking for a few minutes we arrived at the well-known Ollivander's store. 

"The great Manufacturer of fine wands since 382 B.C."- Alphonse points to the top of the door of the establishment, where rested a sign on which was written his motto, the same one Alphonse has just mentioned. 

After briefly appreciating the entrance, we decided to enter the store. Looking at Alphonse's face, I could tell that it reflected a bit of nostalgia and joy. 

"Ohh but if it isn't one of my favorite customers, how long little Alphonse"- says a man who cheerfully approaches Alphonse to give him a hug. 

"Hahaha I'm not a little Mr. Ollivander anymore"- says Alphonse with a chuckle. 

Garrick Ollivander is a wizard of mixed blood, he is widely regarded as the best wand maker in the world, and many wizards buy their wands from his store.

"You haven't changed much, my boy," said Mr. Ollivander, "what brings you here, you came personally to fix your wand, you haven't damaged it for a long time". 

"I'm all grown up now, just now I came for this little guy"- Alphonse says as he puts his hand on my head. 

"Ohh I see, give me a moment and I will help you, first I will attend to some customers that are ahead, if you want to take a tour of the store you are welcome, if you find something of your interest let me know"- says Mr. Ollivander as he heads towards the other customers waiting for his attention. 

The store's display consisted of a lone wand lying on a faded purple cushion in the dusty window, noting that its appearance itself was not what the place was known for, but the quality of its wands. Mind you, the store was small, and empty in terms of showy counters, except for a single, thin chair in the corner that looked like it was going to fall over at any moment on its own. 

Thousands of narrow boxes containing wands were stacked on the walls of the store, the boxes reached up to the ceiling of the small store, and the whole place had a thin layer of dust.

"you know that the original Ollivander came to Britain with the Romans, he started his wand-making business in 382 B.C. That's where his motto comes from, but the Roman conquest of Britain only effectively started in 43 A.D., under Emperor Claudius, which from then on helped in his growth in terms of wand sales"- explains Alphonse. 

"Is there anything you know Alphonse?"

"Hahaha, as I told you, this place was my safe place as a kid, I know stories about this place that the different store owners have told me, and Ollivanders was no exception, he told me the history of the place and how much it has grown, he also explained to me the almost 50 types of wood that exist along with the almost 18 most known types for wand making."- says Alphonse excitedly. 

"So you have knowledge of varitology?" 

"It's not that I'm a great connoisseur either, as I told you, the little I know is thanks to Mr. Ollivander"- Alphonse points out-"There are all kinds of woods and cores, some with more affinity than others, for example my wand is made of Yew and Dragon Heart Fiber..."- he explains as he takes out his wand. 

The Alphonse wand is dark at its woody base but lightens in hue until it reaches the tip, at its base or grip area it comes somewhat twisted, surely to make it easier to grip. Although I don't know much about varitology, I know the basics in that each wand has its own varieties in terms of attack, dark arts, defense, or healing, all based on its wielder. 

There are also wands that are quite loyal to their owners as there are also some that yield to the person who defeats their owner, some wands are even difficult to control for some users of the same, varitology encompasses many things to tell the truth some a little disturbing.

"So explaining to the boy the qualities of your wand eh Alphonse?"- Ollivander's voice is heard again approaching towards us. 

"Something like that, I don't remember very well the characteristics of each one but I do remember some notes I got to read from you Mr. Ollivander"- says Alphonse with a smile. 

author's note: remember to visit my website if you want to support my work. there you will find advanced chapters. patreon.com/SlipperyRaccoon