Whenever someone was picking a wand, Ollivander's wand shop was rarely peaceful.
Sure enough, before long, a string of crackling noises like firecrackers came from outside, startling Claudia, who was leaning against Leonard.
The little Unicorn was on guard in this unfamiliar environment, and even the slightest disturbance was enough to make her jump.
Fortunately, choosing a wand did not take long. Mr. Ollivander was highly experienced, and before long he had sent the customer on his way and walked into the storeroom where he kept his materials.
"You frightened that child," Ollivander said helplessly. "His hands were shaking the whole time he was choosing his wand."
"Hmph. I was just teaching him a lesson. Don't go around taking random pictures. That kind of thing can get you into trouble very easily," Leonard said.
"How dangerous can taking pictures really be?" Ollivander shook his head. "Never mind him. Let's talk about why you're here."
He glanced at Claudia.
"And this little girl is...?"
"I picked her up," Leonard said seriously.
"Heh. I'd like to pick up a pretty little girl like this too. All right, tell me, what do you want from me this time?" Ollivander complained as he spoke. "You little brat, not even a Christmas present for me, and yet the moment you need something, you come running to this old man. That's a bit much, isn't it?"
"Uh... a Christmas present?" Leonard froze for a moment, then smacked his forehead.
He really had forgotten all about Ollivander.
"But you didn't send me a gift either, did you?" Leonard shot back. "How can you be embarrassed asking a kid like me for presents?"
"Ahem... I was too busy. I forgot." Ollivander coughed awkwardly. "Anyway, if you came to see me, there must be a reason, right? Or did you really come all this way just to visit this old man?"
"Listen to you. Can't I come see you if I don't need anything? I just took some time to come visit," Leonard said quickly.
"Visit me? You didn't even bring a gift, and you scared my customer. Is that your idea of visiting?" Ollivander glared, puffing out his beard and staring.
"Uh... even if I didn't bring a gift, at least the thought counts, right?"
"All right then. You've seen this old man, and I've accepted your good intentions. You can leave now." Ollivander gave an arrogant little snort and pointed at the door, clearly about to throw him out.
"Come on, Mr. Ollivander..." Leonard gave an awkward smile. "Actually, I really do have a favor to ask."
"There, that's better. If you need something, just say it. No need for all that empty talk." Ollivander shook his head. "Go on. What do you need my help with?"
"It's nothing major. I just want to study wandmaking here with you," Leonard said.
Ollivander looked at Leonard in surprise.
"What did you say last year? That your ambitions weren't in this direction, that learning a little bit was enough, and you didn't want to keep studying. So why do you want to learn again now?"
"Ahem. My friend here doesn't have a wand yet, so I want to make one for her myself," Leonard said with a dry cough.
"That's rather romantic," Ollivander muttered. Then he looked at Claudia and frowned.
"Where did you trick this little girl away from?" Ollivander demanded. "I'm telling you right now, this is a crime. Don't let her pretty face make you lose your head. This is a very serious matter."
"Listen to yourself. Do I look like that kind of person?" Leonard argued.
"You don't look like a good person to me, brat. This girl's looks and bearing are extraordinary. Her family must treasure her a great deal. Don't ruin yourself," Ollivander warned.
"Please, don't worry. Claudia's background is a little special. Her family entrusted her to me. If you don't believe me, you can ask her yourself." Leonard looked both amused and exasperated. Since Ollivander clearly did not believe him, the only thing left was to let him ask Claudia directly.
"Forget it. I'll believe you for now. The fact that you want to make a wand for her yourself at least shows some sincerity." Muttering to himself, Ollivander turned around and brought over a set of wandmaking tools.
"First, refresh your memory on what each tool does and how to use it," Ollivander said. "Then choose the wood and the core."
Having a wand custom made was different from buying a ready-made one. The wandmaker had to carefully observe the future owner and directly choose suitable materials and the right wand length.
"What kind of core do you think suits Claudia?" Leonard tossed the question right back to Ollivander.
He already had a good idea in mind, but he still wanted to hear a professional opinion.
Ollivander studied Claudia for a moment, thoughtful.
"This little girl has a pure nature and a great deal of spirit. She's highly compatible with Unicorn hair," Ollivander said. "As for the wood..."
He looked at Claudia again, then said with certainty, "Apple wood."
"You're that sure?" Leonard had always been somewhat hesitant about what material to choose for Claudia's wand, so he had not expected Mr. Ollivander to give such a firm answer so quickly.
"Of course." Mr. Ollivander sounded proud. "That is the experience of age. Many wandmakers focus only on the magical properties of materials and overlook their temperament and essence. Apart from not being suited for dark magic, apple wood tends to choose owners who are very well liked."
"Well liked?" Leonard asked in surprise. "You're not joking, are you?"
"Of course not. That well liked quality is part of my own private research. I've never told anyone else before. You're the first."
Mr. Ollivander made the decision on the spot.
"That settles it. Apple wood, Unicorn tail hair. As for the length..."
He thought for a moment.
"Ten and a half inches should be appropriate."
Then he looked at Leonard.
"Have you prepared the materials?"
"As for the materials, I already have Unicorn hair. I'm just short on the wood," Leonard said.
"I have the wood here. Take your time practicing the basics. Let me see... today is August tenth..." Mr. Ollivander pointed to a pile of wood in the storeroom. "With your intelligence, ten days should be enough for you to learn it."
There had to be an Undetectable Extension Charm in here. The length of the wood Leonard saw was clearly far greater than what the actual floor space of Ollivander's wand shop should have been able to hold.
But that was not important. Aurors were not going to bother Ollivander for no reason.
"So, same as before?" Leonard asked.
Same as before meant Leonard would come by every afternoon. Previously he had been helping repair wands. Now he would be learning wandmaking.
"That's fine." Ollivander nodded.
"Then I'll come back tomorrow. I still have a few things to do today, and afterward I need to take Claudia back." Leonard very naturally picked up the tool case Ollivander had handed him, clearly intending to take it with him.
"Put that tool case down first, you brat." Mr. Ollivander glared at Leonard. "Don't worry, I'll give it to you, just not now. You'll be coming here every day to learn anyway, so leave it with me for now. Once you've learned properly, you can take it with you."
"Got it." Leonard happily put the tool case back down. "Then I'll be off first, Mr. Ollivander. See you tomorrow."
"See you tomorrow."
Ollivander watched Leonard run off, pulling Claudia along with him. He smiled, then went back to sit behind the counter and wait for the next customer.