[Chapter Size: 2000 Words.]
---------------------------------------
Although Mr. Ollivander spoke those words, his silvery-white pupils gleamed ever more brightly with enthusiasm. Clearly, his interest had been piqued.
For the first time, Amanda felt the weight of the identity she carried.
"Mr. Ollivander, you are the finest wandmaker in the world. I am certain you'll find the wand best suited for me."
"Well then… let me see first. Which hand do you usually use your wand with?"
Mr. Ollivander drew a silver measuring tape from his coat pocket.
"My left hand."
"Ah, yes, the Philosopher's Ring. It works alongside your wand to maximize spell effectiveness."
He measured Amanda carefully: from shoulder to fingertip, wrist to elbow, shoulder to floor, armpit to knee, and finally the circumference of her head.
"A phoenix feather, encased in albizia wood, twenty-eight centimeters, supple. Try this one…"
Amanda gave it a wave, and an explosion shook the counter, accompanied by the scent of something scorched.
"No… try this. Spruce wood, dragon heartstring, twenty-five centimeters, rigid and strong. Go on."
That was even worse. The moment Amanda touched it, countless wand boxes flew from the shelves.
Mr. Ollivander had to use his own wand to return them to their places.
"You are very particular… just as I expected. Let us try this one: ebony, unicorn hair, thirty centimeters, pliant and graceful…"
"There must be a perfect match for you here, Miss Merlin. Let me think…"
Amanda tried wand after wand until the stack of discarded boxes nearly reached her height.
But rather than discouraged, Ollivander seemed increasingly exhilarated.
"Ah! Why didn't I think of this before? The rarest of all, elder wood. Extremely difficult to master. Only truly remarkable witches or wizards are chosen by elder wands. Powerful enough to satisfy both the might and the exacting taste of the Merlin line. Here, try this one."
Amanda tested several elder wands. Once or twice, a few faint sparks emerged, and she looked at Ollivander uncertainly, but he only shook his head.
"Not quite. So close… something is still missing."
He paced the shop anxiously, then suddenly stopped, his head snapping upward.
"There is one more… When I crafted it, I never thought it would be sold. Yes… this must be the one."
This time, Ollivander did not search the shelves but went straight to the display window by the door.
Amanda looked over in confusion and saw a single wand resting there.
It appeared longer than any she had tried, its faded purple cushion proof of how long it had remained untouched.
Ollivander approached, holding it with reverence.
"Elder wood, dragon heartstring, thirty-six centimeters, flexible, a most unusual wand. It demands immense magical power and a commanding spirit to wield it. This must be yours, Miss Merlin."
Amanda took the wand, and instantly a warm current flowed from it into her fingertips.
She gave it the faintest wave, and light burst in every direction.
In the dusty, crowded shop, blinding flashes, crackles, and sparks filled the air, transforming it into a starry night. Wand-lights swirled like silver threads across a canvas, painting strange and intricate images.
Though handed to her from the cold display, the wand felt inexplicably warm and familiar, like a long-lost possession returned.
There was a strange sensation rising from her heart.
Perhaps it was the feeling of destiny.
Yes. That must be it.
"Miss Merlin, I am certain you are destined for greatness, an extraordinary path, and mighty deeds."
As she left Ollivander's shop, his words still echoed in her mind. His penetrating gaze seemed to pierce through her, as if glimpsing both her present and her future.
Amanda shook her head.
She could only deal with the present. The future remained a mystery—who could truly foresee it?
Well… perhaps Professor Trelawney.
After all, it was Professor Trelawney who prophesied that only one of two, He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named or the boy, would survive. That prophecy had driven Voldemort to strike at baby Harry.
The result was obvious: he failed, leaving Harry with a lightning-shaped scar.
Speaking of which, Amanda realized she had been testing wands for so long that Harry and Hagrid must be arriving at Diagon Alley soon.
Passing the Quidditch shop, her eyes were drawn to the gleaming brooms in the window.
One in particular caught her gaze: a golden-brown broom with an elegantly arched handle. Each twig was smooth and finely bound to a sharp, neat tip. Shafts of light from every angle made it gleam brilliantly.
The sign read: "The newest, fastest, and most advanced broom in the world, Nimbus 2000."
"Hey, Quidditch isn't for delicate little girls like you."
A drawling, arrogant voice sounded behind Amanda.
Who could be so irritating?
"I could knock out ten like you, judging people by appearances, with a single punch."
Amanda shot back instinctively.
When she turned, she saw platinum-blond hair slicked neatly, a sharp chin, and proud, pale gray eyes.
「...」
Who else but a Malfoy could deserve such a scolding?
"As the young master of the Malfoy family, no one dares speak to me that way… ahem!"
The blond boy faltered as the icy blue glare of the girl before him pierced him. For some reason, the words caught in his throat.
"I only meant… Quidditch can be dangerous. The Bludgers have no eyes, you know… er, yes."
He suddenly shifted tone, fumbling awkwardly.
"Um… I've never seen you before. Who are you?"
Amanda noticed the tips of his ears turning faintly red.
Striking while the iron was hot, she stepped down from the shopfront. "Well, pleased to meet you. I'm Amanda Merlin. And you are?"
"Merlin?" he blurted, quickly glancing around to see if anyone overheard his slip.
Relieved when no one seemed to notice, he extended his hand.
"Hello, Amanda. My name is Draco. Draco Malfoy."
Amanda clasped his hand; his knuckles were cold, matching the pallor of his skin.
…
"If I understood correctly, your surname is Merlin? Are you from the Merlin family? My father once told me... the Merlin family disappeared a long time ago. I thought they only existed in legends... Ah, why are you here alone? Where are your parents?"
Naturally, Amanda's identity stirred Draco's curiosity—exactly as she intended.
"I'm an orphan. Professor McGonagall came with me."
"I'm sorry..."
"This is the only thing they left me."
Amanda raised her arm and showed Draco the emerald bracelet on her wrist.
"What's that? ...Wait, I think I've seen it in a book before, Ancient Forgotten Magic and Spells? Or maybe somewhere else, never mind. Is this... the legendary Sage's Ring that once belonged to Merlin?"
Amanda nodded.
Draco's suspicions were confirmed, and his pale grey eyes widened.
"Merlin's beard... I must tell my father. He won't believe what I've just seen. This is more incredible than a slug dancing in front of me."
"Tell me something, young Draco."
A lazy voice came from behind them. Lucius Malfoy stood silently, his cold gaze sweeping over the pair.
When his eyes fell on Amanda's left wrist, still raised, his pale pupils suddenly contracted.
"'The Sage's Ring'?"
His eyes flickered with a mix of obsession and disbelief, though he quickly regained his composure.
The look he gave Amanda shifted into distant politeness, tinged with hesitation.
"Lucius Malfoy. Please accept my deepest apologies for Draco's disrespectful behavior."
Lucius extended his hand, shook Amanda's briefly, then turned to Draco with a stern tone.
"Draco, I trust you know the consequences of losing your composure before this young lady."
Draco's arrogance had vanished. He lowered his head and stared at the floor, obedient as though he were a different person.
"Yes, Father. When we get home... I'll copy the Rules of the Malfoy Household twenty times."
He muttered the last part reluctantly.
"Young lady, may I know your name?" Lucius asked with studied courtesy.
Amanda, who had been enjoying the little spectacle, quickly realized what was happening and introduced herself. "Amanda Merlin. You misunderstood, Draco and I get along quite well."
At the name "Merlin," Lucius nodded meaningfully, wearing his best counterfeit smile.
"The Merlin family... such a mysterious bloodline, lost for centuries. Miss Merlin, like Draco, you're also a first-year at Hogwarts?"
"Yes. I suppose Draco and I will be seeing each other there very soon."
Hearing this, a faint blush spread across Draco's pale face. Amanda noticed the tips of his ears redden again.
"Yes, I've heard Harry Potter is among this year's new students. You two will surely be the most influential at Hogwarts." Lucius shifted the subject smoothly. "It is an honor for Draco to meet Miss Merlin. As an apology, may I suggest Draco accompany you while shopping? The Malfoy estate will, of course, cover the expenses."
It was clear to any sharp eye that Lucius hoped to forge ties between Draco and Amanda, so that the Malfoys might bask in the prestige of the Merlin name and gain influence.
But this was precisely what Amanda wanted. Her original plan for today had been to seek out either Draco or Harry and find a way to follow them.
And now, the generous head of the Malfoy family had offered to cover her school supplies.
She smiled politely. "Thank you for your kindness. I'd be delighted to go shopping with Draco."
"Draco, remember—you are heir to the Malfoy family. Do not bring us shame."
With that warning, Lucius grasped his snake-headed cane and departed swiftly, as though urgent matters awaited him.
"Ahhh..."
Draco let out a relieved sigh, though loneliness shadowed his expression.
"My father is always so busy. Even when we meet, he never has much time for me..."
Amanda patted his shoulder with quiet sympathy.
"Now that I'm here, shall we go?"
"Oh... all right."
Draco jolted slightly, taking a few unconscious steps before his eyes caught on the Nimbus 2000 displayed in the window. He hesitated, reluctant to move on.
Amanda pressed her lips together and reminded him gently, "So, where are we heading now?"
"What have you bought so far?"
Draco glanced at Amanda and noticed her empty hands. His tone turned suspicious. "You haven't bought anything yet?"
"Well, almost nothing. I only got my wand."
She admitted it without hesitation.
"Fine," Draco muttered reluctantly. "Give me your admission letter and tell me what else you need."
"You didn't bring yours?" Amanda asked, surprised.
"Of course not. Do you think the noble Master Malfoy does his own shopping? Dobby will fetch the rest for me. Ah... but I suppose I'll need to buy a wand and have my school robes tailored," Draco said lazily.
Amanda knew well that Dobby, the Malfoys' house-elf, would handle such chores.
House-elves were a peculiar race, bound to serve old wizarding families, performing all manner of domestic tasks. They dreaded freedom, seeing dismissal as the greatest disgrace, even if it meant losing their livelihood.
But Dobby was different.
He longed for freedom, dreamed of being paid for his work. In the original tale, at the end of Harry's second year at Hogwarts, Lucius unwittingly handed Dobby a sock, granting him liberty.
But all that was yet to come.
Amanda was still uncertain what kind of butterfly effect her presence might create in the future.
She suggested, "Why don't we go get our robes together?"
Draco clearly had no objection.
Together, they entered Madam Malkin's robe shop.
"Oh, what darling young witches and wizards! Do come in!"
As the door opened, Madam Malkin, a smiling witch in a purple dress, greeted them warmly.
She led them past rows of robes in every shade and style, the faint scent of violets lingering in the air. The racks were crowded, yet they eventually reached the fitting area behind the main hall.
There, a few empty stools stood ready, enchanted measuring tapes floated lazily, and a full-length bronze-framed mirror leaned to the side.
"My dear, let's take your measurements. You must be here to order your Hogwarts uniforms, am I right? Come now, try these on."
Before Amanda could respond, Madam Malkin had already guessed their intentions, their age made it obvious enough.
Young witches and wizards of this age were destined for Hogwarts.
—————————
Author's Note:
If you're enjoying the story and wish to support me, you can visit my P-@-t-r-3-0-n, where you can read 20+ extra chapters ahead!
Thank you so much for your support. It means the world! 💙😊
P-@-T -r-3-0-n [.] com / DylanBriak