Believers in Giving Chances -- Late Summer 1971

I smirked, glad that Dad understood what I wanted to do anyways.  I went up to an associate and handed them my list to see if they could help me.  Within ten minutes, it seemed, I had all of my books and we went to the register to check out.  "How many wands did you go through before you got the right one?" I asked, worried.

I had to think about that one.  I stroked my chin slightly before answering.  "Well, I think I had about three before I found the perfect one," I replied to remus honestly.  "I know there are some kids who get it on their first try... while others go through almost hte whole store."

I nodded, glad that it took Dad a few times.  "Okay," I said to him, getting more and more nervous the closest that we got to Ollivander's.  "Hopefully I won't go through the entire shoppe..."

I chuckled and put a hand on Remus's shoulder as we wlaked.  "I doubt it would come to that," I said to him simply.  We stood outside the shoppe and I looked at my son.  "Ready for the adventure?" I asked, smiling at him.

I took a deep breath to ease my excitement and anticipation that was mixed with nerves.  I grinned -- I could not help it.  I was going to be able to do something normal.  "Definitely," I said to my dad as he opened the door for me to step through.  It was dank and kind of musty smelling.  My smile started to falter as I turned my head to see my dad's expression.  He was still cheerful, so I guessed this had to be normal.  Suddenly a man with very white hair came through an aisle filled to the ceiling with boxes on a sliding ladder.  "Er, hello," I said to him politely.  I did not like his piercing blue gaze.  It made me feel like he could see right through me and like he knew what I was.

I was happy to see that Ollivander was still the same man.  I grinned at him and said, "This here is Remus... I know you know what he's here to do."  

Ollivander nodded, still peering at my son. I kept my hand on Remus's shoulder to let him know that things were alright.  "Of course," Ollivander said, looking around at the boxes in front of him.  "Let's see.... ah, let's try this one."  I took a step back as the wizard offered a wand for Remus to test.

I waved the wand and it nearly zapped Mr. Ollivander with a bolt of something.  I quickly set the wand down.  "I-I'm sorry,' I said quickly to him.  He waved me off and was looking through the boxes easily.  

"Here we go... ten and a half inches, phoenix feather and willow," he said to me.  "Give it a wave... in that direction."  He adjusted where I pointed the wand and I gave it a wave.  This time nothing happened at all and he took it away.  This was going to be a long day, I thought.

I just kept my chuckles to myself as Remus got himself a nice pile of wands in front of him.  And then Ollivander had a spark in his eye and went to the far back.  I wondered if he knew the exact combination.  I put a hand on Remus's shoulder.  "You're doing fine," I assured my son who looked downtrodden.

I was getting kind of upset.  Was it possible that a wand would not want to choose a werewolf?  Mr. Ollivander gave me a wand and smiled at me. " I have never been unsuccessful, my boy," he said to me.

I took that wand adn it immediately felt different.  My fingertips warmed and I felt a rush of power run through me.  I could feel the werewolf perk up at it, too.  I waved the wand and beautiful sparks flew out of it; nowhere near the horrible-ness that had been happening with the pile of wands in front of me.  I looked at Mr. Ollivander and then my dad.  "What's in it?" I questioned.

"Cypress and unicorn hair... ten and a quarter inches... fairly pliable and rather good with transfiguration," Mr. Ollivander answered.

I clapped for Remus and put a hand on his shoulder.  "See, my boy, you did well," I said to him.  I looked at Mr. Ollivander.  "I think we havea  very happy boy on our hands."

I grinned at the both of them.  "Very happy indeed, sir," I assured Mr. Ollivander.  I looked at the wand maker.  "Is there any more you can tell me about my wand?  I know it chooses the wizard, but what about the core?  Does it say anything about the character of the person or anything like that?"  

No, I was not overly interested in wandlore by any means.  I just loved learning.  Learning was beautiful.  And I wanted to try to learn as much about myself as possible in hopes of figuring out how to better manage the beast within.

I could not help but laugh at my son.  I shook my head.  "He can't go anywhere without asking for more information about something," I explained to Mr. Ollivander, though the wandmaker looked pleased.

"Not many young wizards are curious about their wands," he said, looking at my boy.  He took the wand from Remus and put it back into the box.  "Cypress and unicorn hair... well, in my ancestry, cypress wands are a bit rare.  I am rather honored, Mr. Lupin, in having paired one with you.  Most owners are... very brave souls, bold, and often times self-sacrificing.  They are a good match for those who are unafraid to confront the shadows in their own and others' natures."

I started to get a bit uncomfortable while Ollivander spoke; Remus, however, was enthralled.  I knew that he understood what was being said for my son was quite intelligent.  I was going to speak up again, when Ollivander started speaking again.

"The unicorn hair that was used in your wand is known for consistent magic and loyalty," he explained.  "Though unicorn hair is not the most powerful core that I use, if it is paired with a good wood, it can create marvelous magic.  And you, Mr. Lupin, I believe will be the light that will be needed in these darkening times around us."

I listened intensely to Mr. Ollivander speak about my wand.  If only he really knew that I had to be brave every single month or the dark shadows that I faced during that time as well.  I took a deep breath and smiled the best I could.  I was a bit nervous about the way he spoke about my wand and what he thought would become of me with it, but I realized that it was a perfect match for me already.

"Thank you, Mr. Ollivander," I said to him.  "I think those are too high of words to be spoken of my potential, but I do appreciate you telling me the history of my wand."

I was so proud of Remus for keeping composure and being so polite.  We paid for his wand and left the shoppe.  We were both quiet on our way back to the Leaky Cauldron to return home in our beat up truck.  I looked down at my son.  "Remus," I said, "are you alright?"  His excitement seemed to be lacking.

I nodded.  "Yeah," I said to him quietly.  "It's just... what if my wand is wrong about me?"