=========Diagon Alley============
THUD
As we stepped into Diagon Alley, I couldn't help but feel a sense of awe and wonder wash over me.
The bustling streets were filled with strangely dressed individuals, their hats pointing in every direction imaginable.
Shop signs advertised a variety of goods, from potions to spell books, and everything in between. It was like stepping into a whole new world, hidden in the heart of London.
"You got to kidding me. Is all this in London?", My dad voiced his disbelief at the existence of such a hidden district within the city, and I couldn't blame him.
The concept of a magical alley hidden from the sight of ordinary people was indeed hard to grasp. But there we were, among the chaos of Diagon Alley.
As we made our way through the crowded streets, I couldn't help but be drawn to the sights and sounds around me. My eyes widened in amazement as I spotted a towering chocolate fountain, far grander than anything I had ever seen in the muggle world. And then there was the rainbow rising from a toilet, a sight that left me utterly baffled.
PROF
And it is giving some awful farts.
POOF
POOF
"Keep going. Any more time in here will have me abandoning you to buy your supplies. Professor McGonagall urged us to keep moving, reminding us we had supplies to buy. I tore my gaze away from the board of Honeydukes, changing to Zonkos and followed her lead.
BOOM
POOF
CLANG
BOOM
Everywhere I looked, there was magic in the air. Spells were being cast, enchanted objects were on display, and I felt like a kid in a candy store, literally sometimes.
RING
RING
As we stepped into Madam Malkin's shop, I couldn't help but be impressed by the array of robes on display.
Madam Malkin's was the premier destination for wizards and witches in the wizarding society.
Literally, it was written in bold, living words in the air. As luck would have it, my family's wealth meant that I wouldn't have to settle for anything less than the best.
As the witch and her assistants showed us the various options for the cloth used for uniforms, my parents wasted no time in voicing their opinions.
My mother carefully examined each robe, while my father, to the surprise of Professor McGonagall, enthusiastically joined in, his eyes gleaming with excitement.
"This one is rough. Rejected," my father declared, dismissing a robe with a wave of his hand.
My mother nodded in agreement before pointing to another robe. "This one looks nice," she said, her eyes lighting up as she admired the glossy look.
But my father wasn't convinced. He pulled out an image of a similar attire, his keen eye for detail picking up on the subtle differences. "It is average at best. Look at this," he insisted, showing us the image. And upon closer inspection, I could see that he was right; the robe in the image did indeed look sleeker and more refined.
My mother nodded in understanding.
"Hmm, you're right. Please make ones with this design, and include multiple sweaters and formal shirts and pants with this material- Acromantula silk"
The witch's eyes lit up with enthusiasm as Acromantula silk was brought up, a material that held a reputation for being both rare and extravagant, even within the magical community.
Ignorant of the expense involved, my mother delighted Madam Malkin by placing an additional order for both everyday wear and evening dresses.
As the bill was tallied up at the end of our visit, my father couldn't help but comment on the expense. "If I hadn't worked all my life, I wouldn't be able to afford such extravagance. Remember, Arjun, only through hard work can you provide the same for your children in the future."
He has a knack for giving this advice, reminding me of the sacrifices he had made to provide for our family at the right moments.
From working as a newspaper boy at a young age to supporting his grandparents and brother, he had always put family first.
And now, as we left Madam Malkin's shop, I couldn't help but feel Daddy's words were making sense to me, especially since my rebirth.
Maybe such words of wisdom can only be understood after a certain level of mental maturity is attained.
====== Ollivanders: ======
Ollivanders was the sole wand shop in Diagon Alley, peeling golden letters over the door read "Ollivanders: makers of fine wands since 383 B.C.".
"It is managed by Garrick Ollivanders, the current owner of this illustrious shop and Britain's best wand maker, his creations being reputed for their exceptional quality all over the world."
It was a small, empty construct of the medieval style. Thousands of narrow boxes containing wands were piled right up to the ceiling of the tiny shop, and the whole place had a thin layer of dust about it.
CLANG
CLANG
As the doors opened, Ollivander leapt before me. If I am honest, he surprised me while my mother and Minerva directly scolded him for his antics by muttering, "Idiot."
"Welcome to Ollivanders!
Makers of fine wands since times immemorial,"
"Hello, mister Ollivanders.", I greeted him cordially; my excitement had seeped a little into my voice at finally getting my wand. It is the iconic moment in the Harry Potter world.
Mr. Ollivander was dressed in formal wizarding clothes, which reminded me of items from the Victorian era. His silvery eyes, wide open, contrasted with the gloom of the shop, shining with almost fanatical interest. Though his pale, weary face and white hair betrayed his age, he compensated for it with the sort of professional fervour I could not help but admire.
Let me tell you, it was irritating when the wand maker started measuring everything from full height, the size of my hands, head and even the length of my nose. Mumbling incoherently the whole time before eventually rushing to the back of his shop.
He came back with a narrow wand box, which he quickly opened, presenting it to me.
I was expecting to pull a Harry, but I do not have a soul on my forehead to mess with a wand matching.
"Black Walnut, twelve and a half inches, Phoenix feather, Rigid," informed the wand maker, Mr. Ollivander, as he presented the wand to me.
With trembling fingers, I reached out and grasped the wand.
ZOOM
WHOOOSHHH
CRACKLE
Instantly, I felt a connection, a resonance between my magic and the wand. It was as if they were together.
BUZZZZZZZ
With a flick of my wrist, I cast Lumos Solem, and to my amazement, the tip of the wand brightened like the sun, illuminating the dim interior of Ollivanders' shop. It was a moment of pure magic, a confirmation that this wand was indeed meant for me.
But my thoughts quickly turned practical.
Wands were tools that enhanced and focused magical ability. Curious about the efficiency of this new tool, I turned to my AI for analysis.
[AI,] how many units are consumed for Lumos Solem?
[Calculating.....
Current attempt of Lumos Solem:
Consumed Reserves: 3 units can be trained to 2 units.
Nature of light: Like the sun
Mastery: 55/100 (increase in 3)
Current reserves: 24 units
Consumption: Lumos Solem: 3 units, Wand bond formation: 3 units]
The AI's report was enlightening.
This wand not only amplified my magic , but also reduced the magical reserves required for spells.
Based on this, I realized the significance of wands in the wizarding world. They weren't just accessories; they were catalysts for mastering magic. With this wand in hand, I felt a newfound confidence. No longer constrained by wasted reserves, I could cast spells with greater efficiency and precision.
Perhaps calling them 'Partner to my magic' is better.
"Can you talk about it?"
Even as I was questioning Ollivander, I could not remove my gaze from my wand. It is like an extra limb. My magical limb.
"Black Walnut," he started, his voice carrying a weight of wand wisdom accumulated over centuries. "Less common than the standard walnut wand, that of black walnut seeks a wielder of good instincts and powerful insight. It is a handsome wood, but not the easiest to master. However, in the hands of a sincere, self-aware owner, it becomes one of the most loyal and impressive wands of all, with a particular flair in all kinds of charm work."
I understood the reason easily. I am Self-aware of all my flaws because I introspect. Perhaps, an effect because of my father's constant lectures based on his wisdom. But the reason I can listen to him is that he follows that wisdom with extreme dedication, a true role model he was.
Another point of self-awareness, I seem to admire my father a lot.
"Pheonix feather is rare , but the greatest range of magic, with no prejudice. It requires exceptional wizards for bonding."
It must be my trained intent from the wandless magic. While it was primitive, it can also be said to be natural. With a developed intent comes the ease of connecting with one's magic.
I couldn't help but draw parallels between myself with the other phoenix feather users, Harry Potter and Tom Riddle, who possessed an intense need [intent] for magic.
The years of trying for wandless magic seem to have given me a neutral magic core. Another thing to research.
"The wand length is essentially the most comfortable length according to your body, calculated with arithmancy based on your measurements."
"Rigid-Basically, it means you and your wand are unwilling to change because of outside circumstances."
Ok. Wand flexibility is about my personality. I dislike to be told to do anything- I am rigid.
"Reminds me of myself," I acknowledged openly, reflecting on experiences. "When forced to study by my parents, I cannot even read a single page. But I completed the entire chapter when I wanted to study by my will. Too much difference in efficiency."
I inquired about the price, and the elder wizard answered solemnly.
" Seven galleons, my boy. The price of each wand in this store." Said the old man, happy to have matched yet another tricky pair.
I paid him and walked out of the store to my waiting family and professor.
CLANG
CLANG
Now I understand when McGonagall said it was a private moment and rigidly barred the rest of my family.
It was much more intimate than anything I ever knew of.
=======================================================
AI Note: Hypothesis 42
Wands:
Wands are more than just tools or crutches for wizards, despite what fanfiction and popular beliefs might say. They help make magic happen, but they aren't the only way to cast spells.
Wandless magic is a different way to use magic. It's not about being lazy; using a wand is just a smarter way to do magic compared to the harder work of wandless magic.
Advantages of Wandless Magic:
Wandless magic helps improve focus and connection to magic, which is important for learning various magical skills like charms, transfiguration, and potions.
It might also lead to slightly faster magical growth because the body adapts better at using magic directly.
Challenges with Wandless Magic:
Wandless magic can make it harder to learn spells and add complex details to them.
Best Approach:
It's best to learn how to cast spells with a wand first and then practice wandless magic. This way, you build a stronger connection to magic. Powerful wizards often use both methods, like in the famous Battle of the Department of Mysteries between Voldemort and Dumbledore.