"Amphisbaena, we must hurry," Madame Black urged, standing impatiently by the fireplace on the first floor.
"I'm coming, Mother," Amphisbaena replied, setting aside the book titled "Basic Charm" and quickly adjusting his appearance in the mirror. "I must say, with my long jet black hair, crimson red eyes, and pale white skin, I do look quite dashing and enigmatic."
Amphisbaena descended the stairs and joined Mrs. Black, who sighed, "Your father is working late, so he won't be able to accompany us to Diagon Alley."
Amphisbaena's father worked in the Department of Fantastic Beasts Management and Control, often taking on additional responsibilities that kept him occupied for long hours. Managing fantastic beasts throughout England required dedicated individuals.
Mrs. Black grabbed a handful of Floo powder and tossed it into the fireplace, exclaiming, "Diagon Alley!"
A vibrant green flame erupted from the fireplace, and Mrs. Black led Amphisbaena into it.
As they arrived in Diagon Alley, Amphisbaena experienced a disorienting sensation, emphasizing his need to learn Apparition as soon as possible.
The streets of Diagon Alley buzzed with activity as figures dressed in wizard cloaks traversed the area. Among the crowd, young witches chirped excitedly and observed their surroundings.
The week before Hogwarts school started marked the peak season in Diagon Alley, and every shop welcomed these young magic enthusiasts with open arms.
Mrs. Black consulted her list while muttering to herself, "Three sets of plain work robes, one pair of protective gloves, one winter cloak..."
"And, of course, textbooks," she continued, "Standard Spells, Elementary, Magic Theory..."
Reviewing the list of textbooks, Mrs. Black exclaimed happily, "Excellent! We have all the required books, so we won't need to visit Lihen Bookstore today."
Upon hearing this, Amphisbaena expressed his disappointment. "But Mother, you promised to buy me five magic books as gifts."
Mrs. Black felt a mix of delight and apprehension at the mention of magic books. "Darling, with your passion for books, I'm certain you'll be sorted into Ravenclaw."
Mrs. Black had grown accustomed to her son's intellectual pursuits. Unlike other children who were drawn to the magic candy shops, Amphisbaena found solace in the often overlooked Lihen Bookstore.
While textbooks were reasonably priced, other magic books came with hefty price tags. Despite Mr. Black's substantial income, a significant portion was allocated each year to fulfill Amphisbaena's bookish desires.
"Alright, alright, five magic books it is," Madame Black conceded, leading Amphisbaena through the bustling crowd. "But first, we need to get your school uniform and wand, or else we might lose track of time at Lihen Bookstore again."
After having Amphisbaena's measurements taken at the clothing store, they proceeded to the renowned Ollivander Wand Shop. The bell above the door chimed as they entered.
Amphisbaena surveyed the small, dusty shop. Amphisbaena had once attempted to craft his own wand using materials obtained through Mr. Black's work in the Department of Fantastic Beast Management. However, after reading "My Family and My Wand" by Ollivander, Amphisbaena quickly abandoned the idea.
Though wands appeared simple in their material form, their craftsmanship was intricate and precise. An inferior wand could spell disaster for the wizard who wielded it.
Lost in thought, Amphisbaena observed as Ollivander descended cautiously from a step ladder, turning to greet them with a warm smile. "Welcome, Mrs. Black."
"Hello, Mr. Ollivander," Amphisbaena and his mother replied in unison.
"And who is this young wizard?" Ollivander inquired kindly, looking at Amphisbaena.
"I'm Amphisbaena Black, sir," Amphisbaena quickly introduced himself.
"Hello, young Mr. Black. Congratulations on your acceptance to Hogwarts," Ollivander greeted. "Now, tell me, do you typically use your left hand or your right hand?"
"My left hand," Amphisbaena replied.
After carefully assessing four wands, Amphisbaena selected one made of phoenix tail hair. As he held it, the wand emitted a burst of silver sparks.
Ollivander was taken aback. "Made of Pine wood symbolizing Immortality, sixteen and one-quarter inches long, with a phoenix tail hair core plucked from an exceptionally beautiful male phoenix symbolizing Rebirth. It possesses extraordinary magic."
Leaving Ollivander's Wand Shop, Amphisbaena also purchased additional learning materials such as crucibles before eagerly leading Mrs. Black to Lihen Bookstore.
"Welcome," greeted Mr. Angogon, the bookstore manager, with a warm smile.
"Hello, Mr. Angogon," Amphisbaena greeted him cheerfully. "Any new arrivals in the second-hand book section?"
"Certainly, dear Amphisbaena. I managed to find the 'Basic Alchemy' book published in 1673 that you inquired about last time. It was quite a task," Mr. Angogon replied.
"That's fantastic!" Amphisbaena exclaimed. In the wizarding world, second-hand books were not necessarily inexpensive. On the contrary, many rare and out-of-print books could only be found in second-hand bookstores like Lihen Bookstore. The book "Basic Alchemy" was a rarity, coveted by collectors and enthusiasts alike.
Heading to the second-hand book section, Amphisbaena quickly located "Basic Alchemy." The figure on the book's cover depicted a skilled alchemist working at a laboratory stand. As Amphisbaena picked up the book, the figure seemed to come to life and warned, "Beware! Alchemy is a perilous pursuit."
Although aware that the figure wasn't real, Amphisbaena whispered, "I understand, Master Nicolas Flamel."
Upon hearing Amphisbaena's response, the figure smiled and remarked, "It seems you possess some talent in alchemy or, at the very least, caution."
With those words, the book's pages opened on their own—an experience that had become familiar to Amphisbaena.
"Amphisbaena, you can read it at home. Today, we must return to see what pet your father has brought for you," Mrs. Black reminded him.
Reluctantly tearing his gaze away, Amphisbaena selected four more alchemy books from the shelf and left Lihen Bookstore, with Madame Black wearing a pained expression. That evening, Mr. Black returned home, looking weary but carrying a cage. Restless movement could be seen from within.
"Welcome back, Dad," Amphisbaena greeted him cheerfully, his eyes fixed on the cage with anticipation.
"Here, this is your enrollment gift," Mr. Black said, handing the cage to Amphisbaena.
Filled with curiosity, Amphisbaena opened the cage to reveal a magical creature with a crimson red eye, resembling a miniature version of his own eyes.
It was an Unknown Snake, an XXX-level magical animal known for its cunning, loyalty, and intelligence. This creature possessed a unique magical organ in its stomach, similar to a space bag, allowing it to store and retrieve items.
Observing the snake, small enough to fit in a teenager's palm, Amphisbaena quickly formed a bond. He handed his wand to the snake, which he named Obsidian. The snake promptly devoured the wand, storing it safely in its stomach. Taking the opportunity, Amphisbaena gently scratched the snake's head.
To his delight, Obsidian didn't resist but emitted a contented gurgle. Amphisbaena had formed a "friendship" with Obsidian, enabling him to store and retrieve items from Obsidian's stomach at will. It was a fascinating and practical ability that added to the charm of his new pet.
Amphisbaena's excitement grew as he envisioned the adventures and discoveries that awaited him at Hogwarts. With his new wand, books, and a loyal companion like Obsidian, he was ready to embark on his magical journey.