"This is an elder wand. Compared to other woods, elder is far more selective about its master. I suspect its proud nature may make it a little more restrained."
Ollivander drew it out, but instead of handing it to Leonard, he pointed to the hollow socket at the base.
"It hasn't been fitted with a core yet, so it's not truly complete. Once the core is set, I'll also add the grip, which will make it a little long—about fifteen inches."
"Can't you make it shorter?" Leonard asked curiously.
A fifteen-inch wand sounded cumbersome. With his skinny arms and legs, he doubted he'd be able to swing it comfortably.
"That won't do. Wand length is a very serious matter, tied to both stability and performance. For elder, fifteen inches is the most suitable and stable," Ollivander explained patiently.
He handed the half-finished wand to Leonard. "Hold it, and tell me what you feel."
"Can I even feel anything without a core?" Leonard asked.
"It's difficult, but I believe you can," Ollivander said.
Leonard accepted it with skepticism. The moment it touched his hand, he felt a difference.
Unlike the other wands that had fawned over him like eager puppies, this one carried the attitude of a haughty noblewoman. Even so, he could sense a faint thread of excitement from it.
"It does seem a little excited," Leonard said.
"Still a little excited?" Ollivander's eyes widened. "That's—"
"Not good?" Leonard interrupted.
"No, not that. How should I put it… for wandmaking as a craft, it's nothing unusual. But for me—for you—it's a tremendous blessing."
Ollivander looked positively thrilled. "We can use a more aggressive core to temper the elderwood's excitement. Something even dragon heartstring wouldn't suffice for. I recommend a Thestral tail hair."
"Is there some special meaning behind that combination?" Leonard asked, bewildered.
"Of course! It's the legendary pairing of the Elder Wand—the most powerful wand in the world!"
Leonard's face stiffened. He was beginning to question whether this old man was entirely sane.
Londo, however, looked shaken. Though a Squib, he had grown up in a wizarding household and had, of course, read The Tales of Beedle the Bard. He knew the story of the three brothers and Death.
Ollivander took a deep breath, steadying his excitement.
"The truth is, every wandmaker has tried that combination. But elder wood is too proud, and Thestral hair too unstable—the result is always a disaster. Aside from that one legendary wand, no elder-and-Thestral pairing has ever yielded a stable wand."
"Then why do you think it'll work this time?" Leonard asked.
"Because of your gift. Your very presence will let the elder wood align fully with you. It will help suppress the Thestral feather's instability—an advantage no one else has."
Ollivander sighed with conviction. "This will be an Elder Wand that belongs to you alone."
...
Ollivander's words were enough to make anyone's blood stir. By the time Londo left the wand shop, he still felt dazed.
Leonard, however, wasn't so impressed. Leaving Ollivander's shop empty-handed only left him feeling helpless. It meant that for the next several days, he'd still have to rely on tagging along with other wizards to enter Diagon Alley.
Ollivander had said it would take at least ten days to finish crafting this "Elder Wand meant only for Leonard." Until then, he wouldn't even have a wand to practice with.
But Leonard didn't feel bored. The time was perfect to study his system.
He bought all his textbooks at Flourish and Blotts, then ordered three black robes and a winter cloak at Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions.
Since Madam Malkin's regularly outfitted Hogwarts students, no special instructions were needed—just state he was a Hogwarts student, get measured, and wait for the robes to be ready.
Next came the required supplies: a cauldron, telescope, scales, dragonhide gloves, and of course, an owl.
Owls weren't strictly necessary—letters to Hogwarts could be sent from the Owl Post Office in Diagon Alley. Students could also bring cats, rats, or toads. Cats were pets, while the latter two doubled as handy test subjects for experiments.
Leonard wasn't exactly a hardcore Harry Potter fan, but buying an owl to experience the fun of having a magical pet felt worthwhile.
After finishing his shopping, his gaze turned toward Diagon Alley's herb shop. His first Beginner's Quest—to obtain a magical plant of his own—would most likely begin there.