Sunny Finch tried every wand on the counter.
Just as Erwin had predicted, Ollivander kept repeating the same phrase: "A picky one, eh!"
Erwin held back a sigh. He couldn't let his composure slip.
"Mr. Ollivander," Erwin said, stepping forward, "why not try a willow or sallow wood wand for her? As for the core, I think dragon heartstring would be ideal!"
Ollivander stroked his chin. "Willow or sallow?"
Erwin nodded. "Yes. Willow represents flexibility and wisdom, while sallow represents clarity and determination. Both suit her temperament well!"
[Note: Original text had "Scutellaria baicalensis" (Chinese herb) awkwardly inserted. Removed for Western audience clarity while maintaining the meaning.]
Ollivander's eyebrows rose. "I see. I trust your judgment. However, those two woods paired with dragon heartstring are rare combinations. Wait here; I'll check the back."
Erwin nodded. "Please do. We have time."
Ollivander ignored the rejected wands on the table and hurried into the narrow aisles between the towering shelves.
Sunny Finch looked at Erwin curiously. "Erwin, what's this about choosing wands based on wood type? I've never heard of that before."
Erwin smiled. "It's my personal interpretation of wandlore. Some wizards are different from others in how they approach magic. Western children usually lack a defined magical identity before Hogwarts, so they rely heavily on Ollivander to find a match. But you're more introspective—you understand yourself. A wand should resonate with the wielder's spirit."
[Note: Removed "Young wizards are different from Western wizards" which created false East/West dichotomy. Reframed as individual differences.]
Sunny Finch nodded slowly. "I see. Based on what you said... I think I'd be best suited to a sallow wand. I hope I get one."
Erwin smiled. "I hope so too."
A short while later, Ollivander emerged from the back carrying two wooden boxes.
"Goodness! There really are two more, exactly as you described," Ollivander exclaimed. "The left one has a sallow shaft, nine and a half inches long, with dragon heartstring. A very unusual combination! The right one is willow, ten and a quarter inches, also with dragon heartstring!"
He placed them on the counter, his voice taking on a thoughtful tone. "These woods and cores represent interesting contrasts. Dragon heartstring signifies power and strength. Yet both willow and sallow are more yielding woods than oak or holly. This suggests an owner possessing both inner strength and gentle patience. I crafted these in my youth. Due to their unique attributes, they've remained unsold. If young Erwin's judgment is correct, I am delighted to have found them worthy owners."
Sunny Finch reached for the sallow wand first.
The moment her fingers closed around the wood, a faint mist seemed to dissipate from the tip.
Ollivander frowned. "Not that one. It is not the one."
Sunny Finch placed it down, a flicker of disappointment crossing her face. She could feel it too—this wand wasn't quite in tune with her.
She turned her gaze to the willow wand. Ollivander hesitated for a fraction of a second, his eyes flickering to Erwin with a complex expression, but Sunny Finch didn't notice. She picked up the willow wand.
The next moment, a soft, golden light pulsed from the wood. Sunny Finch's hair stirred as if caught in a static charge. A sense of harmony settled over the shop.
Ollivander whispered, "A perfect match. The last time I saw a resonance this harmonious was with Erwin's own wand. Though his has changed form, the memory of its first alignment still astonishes me."
Sunny Finch's eyes brightened. Looking at the wand in her hand, her heart swelled with joy. She turned to Erwin, beaming. "Erwin, look! I finally have my own wand!"
Erwin nodded. "Congratulations. Consider this my gift to you."
Sunny Finch didn't argue.
Erwin stepped to the counter and paid. Ollivander looked as though he wanted to say more, but remained silent.
Charlotte, seizing the moment, said brightly, "Sir, how about I take the girls to Florean Fortescue's for ice cream? It would be a shame to visit Diagon Alley without trying the local treats."
Sunny Finch and Fleur's eyes lit up at the suggestion. Sweets were a universal weakness.
As Charlotte led them away, Ollivander leaned toward Erwin. "I sold another willow wand, ten and a quarter inches with dragon heartstring. You know who owned it, don't you?"
Erwin nodded, his voice calm. "I do. But you know I don't put stock in such superstitions."
Ollivander sighed. "I know you don't. But I felt I should mention it. After all, Lily Potter wasn't the only witch to wield a willow wand."
Erwin offered a faint smile. "Good day, Mr. Ollivander."
Turning away, Erwin left the shop.
Technically, Ollivander was right. Lily Potter wasn't the only one to use willow.
But she was the only one to use a ten-and-a-quarter-inch willow wand with dragon heartstring.
Wand length wasn't random. Once the wood was selected, the fusion of the core dictated the final dimensions. Even Ollivander couldn't arbitrarily shorten a wand once the magic settled.
Ten and a quarter inches. A specific number. Paired with the yielding strength of willow.
Erwin shook his head slightly.
If he could have chosen for Sunny Finch, he would have preferred ash. It was a more practical, robust wood.
But ultimately, the choice belonged to the wand.
Outside, Sunny Finch and Fleur were walking toward him, each holding a soft-serve cone.
Both girls were smiling; the ice cream was evidently excellent. Sunny Finch held out a second cone to Erwin.
"Here," she said. "As a thank you for the wand."
Erwin took it. "I suppose I have earned it."
"Let's walk a bit more," he suggested. "We can head back for dinner later."
Sunny Finch and Fleur nodded, and the four of them continued their stroll through Diagon Alley.