SWNOVELXO Chapter 12: Chapter 3: The Wand Chooses the Wizard
Diagon Alley buzzed with life as Aurelius and Professor Snape approached Ollivanders, the legendary wand shop. The faint hum of magic seemed to emanate from the aged building, its weathered facade and golden sign promising wonders within.
"Let's make this quick," Snape said, his tone clipped as always. "I don't have all day to waste on trivialities."
Aurelius followed silently, stepping into the dimly lit shop. Shelves lined with countless wands stretched to the ceiling, each one exuding a quiet power. The atmosphere felt alive, as if the wands themselves were waiting for their owners.
"Ah, customers!" A voice rang out from the shadows, and an elderly man with silvery hair and a slightly eccentric air emerged from between the shelves. "Welcome to Ollivanders. I am Garrick Ollivander, and you, young man, must be here for your first wand."
"Yes, sir," Aurelius said politely, his golden eyes scanning the room.
Ollivander's gaze lingered on Aurelius, a flicker of curiosity crossing his face. "Interesting… very interesting. Let's see what we can find for you."
Before he could begin, the doorbell jingled behind them. Aurelius turned to see Harry Potter and Hagrid entering the shop.
"Ah, Mr. Potter," Ollivander said, his expression brightening. "I've been expecting you."
Harry smiled shyly, stepping aside to let Ollivander continue with Aurelius.
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Ollivander began handing wands to Aurelius, each one rejected by the subtle, invisible force that defined the wand's selection process. Minutes turned to half an hour as wand after wand failed to connect with him.
Snape crossed his arms, his patience thinning. "How long is this going to take?"
"Patience, Professor," Ollivander said, his eyes sparkling. "The wand chooses the wizard, after all."
Finally, Ollivander's expression changed. "Wait here," he said, disappearing into the back of the shop.
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**The System's Intervention**
Unbeknownst to everyone, the system within Aurelius subtly activated. In the vast network of magical potential it oversaw, it detected a gap—a lack of a wand capable of unlocking his true potential. Without disrupting the flow of time or magic, the system placed a wand of unparalleled power among Ollivander's stock.
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Moments later, Ollivander returned, cradling a box as if it were a treasure. "I don't recall making this one, but…" He opened the box to reveal a wand of exceptional craftsmanship.
The wand was striking, its wood a deep, shimmering gold with veins of silvery-white running through it. The handle was carved with intricate runes that seemed to glow faintly, and the entire wand pulsed with raw energy.
"This… this is my proudest creation," Ollivander said, his voice filled with awe.
He handed it to Aurelius, who took it in his hand. The moment his fingers curled around the wand, a surge of energy coursed through him. A golden aura enveloped both Aurelius and the wand, the air vibrating with a resonance that seemed to echo through the very fabric of magic itself.
"Fascinating," Ollivander murmured, his eyes wide. "Such harmony... I have never seen anything like it."
Aurelius felt the wand hum in his hand, as though it was alive and acknowledging him. "It feels… right," he said softly, his voice tinged with awe.
"That wand," Ollivander explained, still staring at it in wonder, "is made of starwood, a wood I've only ever read about, and its core… the core is phoenix feather combined with something… unidentifiable. It is a wand like no other."
Snape, observing the display with narrowed eyes, muttered under his breath, "What is he, truly?"
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**The Encounter with Harry**
As Aurelius admired his new wand, Harry stepped forward, holding his own wand, freshly acquired. "That was… incredible," Harry said.
Aurelius turned to him with a faint smile. "Thank you, Harry. It seems we both found something special today."
Harry nodded, a flicker of curiosity in his green eyes. "Do you think wands reflect who we are?"
"Perhaps," Aurelius replied, glancing at his wand. "Or maybe they show us who we're meant to become."
Their exchange was interrupted by Ollivander, who clapped his hands. "Well, Mr. Solen, Mr. Potter, I dare say you're both destined for great things. But remember, it's not just the wand—it's the wizard who wields it that truly matters."
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**The First Task**
As they exited the shop, Aurelius felt a sudden shift within his mind. The system activated again, and a translucent interface appeared before his eyes, visible only to him.
**[System Alert: Task Assigned]**
**Task Name:** Build the First Arcane Circle
**Objective:** Successfully cast your first spell with your new wand before the start of term.
**Reward:** The First Arcane Circle (Heart Ring) – Unlocks Elemental Manipulation, boosts overall growth.
**Failure:** None
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System Explanation (Unseen to Others)
The system explained briefly to Aurelius:
The Arcane Circle System builds powerful circles around the heart using cosmic energy, each one enhancing overall abilities. A total of 10 circles can be built, one per year, to ensure gradual growth. The first ring grants Elemental Manipulation as a foundational ability for greater challenges ahead.
Aurelius's golden eyes flickered briefly, his expression unreadable.
"Is something wrong?" Snape asked sharply, noticing the slight change in Aurelius's demeanor.
"No, Professor," Aurelius replied smoothly, his calm voice betraying nothing. "Everything is fine."
As they made their way back to Hogwarts, Aurelius's thoughts were already turning to the task at hand. The system's influence was subtle yet undeniable, and he knew it was just the beginning of his journey to unlock his full potential.
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The wand had chosen him, the task was clear, and the road ahead was full of challenges. With every step, Aurelius felt the weight of destiny pressing upon him. But for now, he resolved to focus on the present—to master the small things before tackling the grand mysteries that awaited him.