Chapter 19

Snape took Sarah first to the apothecary to collect his potion ingredients before making their way back up the High Street. She was fascinated by Dervish & Banges and absolutely captured by Honeyduke's. He'd bought her a massive box of assorted fudge and chocolate, to which she offered him a blushing peck on the cheek, and he once again revelled in feeling chivalrous.

Severus explained that their meeting with Ollivander was at four in Diagon Alley in London, and that it wouldn't do to keep the old man waiting. They Apparated from just outside the Post Office in Hogsmeade High Street, in to Diagon Alley, just in front of Gringotts Bank, at quarter-to four.

"Gringotts is the primary wizarding bank," he explained as Sarah gazed at the impressive marble building ahead. "It's controlled by Goblins and is naturally closed on Sundays. It offers a Muggle-Wizarding currency exchange facility. However, you need to have proof of your wizarding ability in order to enter Gringotts. This is another reason why we need to ensure you have a wand, so we will be able to set you up with a Gringotts Bank account. You'll need it as proof of your wizarding identity."

They walked onwards, Sarah craning her neck to peer at the shops as they went.

"Do not worry, we will have plenty of time to explore Diagon Alley when we return to set up your bank account and collect your schooling equipment," he told her, sensing her inextinguishable inquisitiveness. "There is only one place we need to go to today."

They made their way left, and on the corner they saw a shop with narrow and shabby-looking exterior with a sign that read: Ollivander's: Makers of Fine Wands since 382 BC.

Snape tried the door, and it opened with a tinkle. This time, he passed through before holding the door open for Sarah to follow him. Her eyes adjusted to the dim light. There was a small counter at the back of the shop, and the rest of the place was sparse, apart from stacks and stacks of dusty boxes, with a delicate-looking spindly chair in the middle of the room. Sarah thought the shop was empty at first, before an old, soft, reedy voice called through from the back.

"Professor Snape? Is that you?"

"Yes, Mr. Ollivander. It appears we are a little early."

"One moment please," he called back.

They waited for a minute or so, until finally Mr. Ollivander crept up a hidden staircase behind the counter, his elderly form emerging slowly. He carefully closed the trapdoor before making his way over.

"Professor Snape," the old man croaked, shaking his hand. Severus noted the texture of his skin was like papyrus. "And this must be the mysterious Miss Shaw." Sarah also took his hand and watched Ollivander's silvery-grey eyes glitter with a hint of suspicion as well as curiosity.

"Pleased to meet you," she said politely, suddenly feeling very nervous.

"Likewise," he said officiously, suddenly brandishing what looked to be a measuring tape. "If Miss would be so kind, please step forwards with your arms out. I need to take some rudimentary measurements. Are you left- or right- handed?"

"Right-handed," replied Sarah as she raised her arms out to the sides whilst Ollivander measured her height, her right hand span, her right arm span, her fingertip to fingertip span, and the circumference of her head, whilst a little note book and quill hovered in front of him, noting down the figures as he muttered the measurements. He squinted at her for a moment and then promptly measured the distance between each of her eyes. Seemingly satisfied, he began to rifle through the stack of boxes until he found one he was happy with. Sarah looked at Severus, who tried to give her a reassuring smile.

"Holly, nine inches, firm, phoenix feather," he said, passing it to her. She took it from him, holding it uncertainly.

"Go on, then. Give it a wave!" he encouraged. She glanced quickly from the old man to Snape, who solemnly nodded his encouragement.

She waved it around. Nothing happened. She blinked helplessly at Ollivander.

"No matter, just as I thought," he said efficiently, taking the wand from her and then burying himself back into the massive pile of boxes.

After some minutes, he returned brandishing another wand. "Birch, eight inches, slightly springy, unicorn hair," he puffed, handing the wand over to her.

Again, she waved the wand, and again, nothing happened. Ollivander gave her a curious expression. "I'd had you down as unicorn," he muttered. "Let's see, then..."

Once more Ollivander plundered the stack of boxes and made her try wands of varying woods, lengths and cores. A birch wand with dragon heartstring had glowed faintly when she waved it, which came to a relief to Sarah, but Ollivander was not satisfied, taking it from her hastily and muttering to himself.

"I wonder..." he wheezed, making his way to the back of the shop.

Sarah gazed anxiously at Severus. "What if he can't find one for me?" she whispered urgently.

"An impossibility. Ollivander has made wands for every British wizard and witch alive," he hissed back.

After some time, the old man returned, carrying a box almost reverently. "This wand was an experiment of mine some years ago. With the help of Hagrid I managed to track down the unusual core material. No-one, however, has yet been drawn to this particular wand." He held the wand out to her to take.

It was made from a very pale wood, with what looked to be crescent moons carved back to back at the top and bottom of the handle. Sarah thought it immensely beautiful.

"Hazel, ten inches, firm, centaur hair," he breathed as she took it from him.

As soon as she grabbed the handle, she felt surge of power shoot down her arm. The wand felt like it absolutely belonged in her hand; it was the right weight, and length, and did indeed feel like an extension of her arm. She drew the wand diagonally in front of her swiftly until she was holding it aloft, and tens of tiny white stars erupted from the tip, filling the gloom with white light.

Ollivander clapped his hands with delight and roared with approval as her mouth opened in awe; she was reminded once more of her dream.

"Most extraordinary! I never thought I'd live to see the day," he continued, taking the wand from her and replacing it in the box, making his way over to the counter. "You'll be wanting to take this now, Miss Shaw?"

She glanced at Severus. I have no wizarding money, she thought sadly.

Severus strode over to Ollivander and placed a handful of fat Galleons on the counter. His silvery eyes widened. "But this is too much," he protested, pushing the pile back towards Severus.

"For your trouble," he replied in a tone which stated there was to be no argument.

"You're welcome, Professor Snape, Miss Shaw," he croaked, handing Snape a bag containing the perfectly wrapped wand box and pocketing the Galleons.

As they left the shop, Sarah turned to Severus. "I cannot let you pay for my wand. As soon as I get my own account I will reimburse you."

"You will do no such thing," Severus replied coolly. "I was the one that instigated your powers, therefore it is fitting that I am the one that provides you with the tool you need to harness it."

"You've already been so generous to me today, Severus, paying for lunch and buying me chocolates. You really do not have to do this too." He looked into her eyes and saw how grateful she was. It was clear that she wasn't used to such generosity from a man, and she seemed somehow uncomfortable with it.

He took a deep breath, placing a hand on her face. "Sarah, wizards have a peculiar view of life-debts. If someone saves someone's life, they are in debt to that person. Similarly, I feel I am in debt to you as I was the one who disrupted your Muggle life by transferring wizarding powers to you. It would be an honour if you let me do this for you."

Her eyes shone up at him. "Bestowing me with these powers was the greatest gift of all," she whispered, before reaching up and kissing him gently on the lips. "Thank you."

He smiled down at her. "It was as much a gift for me as it was for you," he replied, stroking her hair.

She snuggled into him then, and they remained in an embrace outside Ollivander's. Severus thought idly that if any student or acquaintance spotted them there was sure to be scandal. His second thought was that he didn't actually care, and squeezed her back.

"Would you like to come back to mine for a glass of wine?" she asked brightly. "It's not quite Diavolo Rioja, but I have an acceptable Cabernet Sauvignon if you would care to join me?"

Severus smirked. "I'd love to." And with that, they Apparated back to the woods at Spinner's End.

*****

Author's note: I chose hazel for Sarah's wand as wands made of this wood symbolize white magic and healing. Forked sticks made from hazel are used to find water or buried treasure. Magically, hazel wood is used to gain knowledge, wisdom and poetic inspiration, and this wood is frequently used in Wiccan wand making.

I chose centaur hair for the core as centaurs are blessed with the power of divination, which is a skill Sarah also has, as reflected by her dreams