[Note: Read up to Chapter - 74 on P patron at: p-atreon.com/Knockturn_Alley]
.
.
.
.
Ollivander stared sharply at Aris, then suddenly snatched the wand from his hand.
"No," he muttered, almost to himself. "This one's a decent fit, but it's clearly restraining your true potential!"
He paused, tapping his chin thoughtfully. "Let me think… what could possibly match your ridiculously powerful magic…"
Without waiting for a reply, he darted over to a narrow shelf tucked beneath the stairs and carefully retrieved a dust-covered box.
"Perhaps this one," he said, eyes glinting with anticipation. "Willow wood, phoenix feather core, thirteen-point-seven inches."
"Willow is brimming with life, perfect for enhancing raw potential. And a phoenix feather core — very rare, and extremely choosy about its wielder. But I've no doubt you could master it."
Aris took the wand Ollivander handed him and, once again, gripped it firmly.
That strange feeling returned — but this time, it was completely different.
A sudden wave of loneliness and desolation flooded through him, prickling the back of his neck. His magic surged again, and the shop was swallowed in an eerie stillness.
Only this time, it wasn't life blossoming — it was death that whispered through the air.
A pale grey aura spread like mist across the shelves. The grass and vines that had sprouted moments before now withered into dust, crumbling away in seconds. Charred remains drifted to the floor like ash.
Everyone in the room stared, stunned.
"What in Merlin's name…?" Ollivander looked like he was on the verge of losing it. Clutching his head, he began pacing frantically. "This… this is the energy of death — but not wild or dark… it's controlled."
Xeno's jaw dropped as he watched in disbelief. "Blimey… this child really isn't normal…"
"How can the forces of life and death exist in one person?" Ollivander muttered, his eyes darting as if chasing invisible thoughts. "And willow — it symbolises vitality, doesn't it? Why would it—?"
His voice trailed off, lost in a whirlwind of confusion.
"Aris, put the wand down!" came Luna's soft, dreamy voice — though this time, there was a strange firmness to it.
Her words snapped Aris out of his daze. He jolted slightly, then quickly lowered the wand.
Only then did he notice it — the aura of death he'd unleashed had already begun creeping beyond the wand shop's walls. It was seeping out, silent and unrelenting.
The force of death he'd summoned was undeniably stronger than the vitality he had channelled before. The effect was clearer now, more immediate. And more… ominous.
"I see it now!" Ollivander suddenly cried out, halting in place and turning on his heel with a start. "It's the phoenix feather!"
"Of course — phoenix feather cores are notoriously powerful, unpredictable even. But their true nature lies in rebirth...!"
"The end of death is rebirth… and through rebirth, everything decays and starts anew again. That's the true essence of a phoenix's cycle. Most can't harness that — but you…"
He pointed a trembling finger at Aris, eyes wide with a mix of awe and fear.
"You've drawn out that full potential without even trying. It's… it's astonishing!"
Ollivander stared at Aris like he wasn't entirely human.
Brows furrowed, he seemed locked in a silent battle with his thoughts.
"So…" Xeno finally spoke, glancing between the boy and the rattled wandmaker, "what exactly does all this mean?"
After a long pause, Ollivander let out a weary sigh.
"I'm sorry, but this young man's talent is… well, it's simply off the charts. As much as I hate to admit it—" he swept his eyes slowly around the shop "—I don't believe there's a single wand here that can do him justice."
"You're havin' a laugh," Xeno said, gobsmacked. "There's hundreds of wands in here, and not one's a match?"
Ollivander gave a slow, solemn nod. "I'm afraid not. And it's not just what's on these shelves. Even a custom wand… the materials needed might be nigh on impossible to get."
"This child doesn't just wield power —although it's very strange how he does it, he seems to have a strange connection to both life and death. That's a rare gift. A wand for someone like him would need two things: a wood brimming with vitality, and a core with the essence of death itself."
He paused, his expression grave.
"And more importantly, those components would have to be strong — rare enough to withstand and channel his magic without holding it back."
"And I take it stuff like that doesn't come cheap," Xeno muttered, rubbing the back of his neck.
Aris frowned deeply.
He hadn't expected that having such overwhelming magical potential — especially after merging with Merlin's talent — would turn into a bit of a headache. Here he was, possibly the most gifted young wizard in centuries, and he couldn't even get a proper wand.
Wasn't there anyone he could complain to about this?
Just then, a familiar voice came from the doorway.
"Mr Ollivander, I see you've already met our young master."
Aris turned and saw Henry walking in, calm and composed as ever, with a confident smile on his face.
Behind him, three porters huffed and puffed as they carefully carried in an enormous crate, struggling to squeeze through the narrow entrance of the wand shop.
"Young Master," Henry said, bowing respectfully to Aris, "I've completed the task."
He turned and gestured to the box. "I hope the materials I've brought will be enough to craft a wand worthy of you."
"Henry, you've brought wand materials!"
Ollivander's eyes lit up the moment he spotted Henry approaching with the massive crate.
"Indeed," Henry replied, then chuckled and shook his head.
"Well, he is the young master of the Shafiq family. There's no way he'd be short on rare wand components."
"I'll admit, Henry, your young master's been full of surprises today!"
"You should've expected it," Henry said proudly, shooting a glance at Aris. "No descendant of the Shafiq line could ever be ordinary."
"Right then, let's have a look at what you've brought."
Ollivander, clearly trying to remain composed, couldn't hide the eagerness in his step as he strode over to the crate.
Aris followed, just as intrigued, with Luna and Xeno close behind.
"Phoenix feather—brilliant stuff, but a bit of a clash for what we need..."
"Cherry... Holly... even Elder—rare and powerful, no doubt. All top-tier materials for wand crafting."
He sighed, examining each piece with practised care before gently setting them aside.
"But still... not quite right."
"Don't worry—there's more," Henry said, pointing to a separate corner of the crate.
Several boxes sat there, each one glowing faintly under protective enchantments, clearly holding something precious.
He picked out two of the boxes and turned to Ollivander.
"On the way here, I overheard that the young master needs something that embodies both life and death. I reckon these might fit the bill."
"Go on, then," Ollivander said with growing curiosity.
Henry drew his wand and cast a soft unlocking charm.
With a gentle flick, he opened both boxes—revealing the contents within.
The moment Ollivander laid eyes on what was inside, his expression changed.
"Merlin's beard…" he whispered, eyes glinting.
A rare light danced in them—the unmistakable look of a craftsman who had just found a masterpiece waiting to be made.
.
.
.
.
[Note: Read up to Chapter - 74 on P patron at: p-atreon.com/Knockturn_Alley]