Chapter 47
Chapter 47
“Extraordinary.”
Ollivander circled the “unicorn” Suer had created several times.
“Layered Transfiguration. A technique particular to Dumbledore.”
“Your wand, please, Mr. Bones.”
After accepting it, Ollivander ran his fingers carefully over every inch. He held the handle and gave it a light flick.
The tip produced a quiet crackle.
“Oh. I can feel it rejecting me,” he said.
“Mr. Bones, have you ever studied–truly understood–the distinctive nature of sycamore wood?”
Ollivander’s bright eyes blinked.
Suer accepted the returned wand and hesitated.
“I read about it after going home, sir. Sycamore is a genus containing roughly seven species of tree.”
“Correct, Mr. Bones.” Ollivander nodded. “Ordinarily, a sycamore wand possesses the spirit of exploration. It hungers for new experiences.”
“Its ideal owner is a curious, energetic adventurer. You will have heard of one such owner: the famous Newt Scamander.”
Suer nodded and listened intently. Hermione still sat dazed against the wall.
“You said that roughly seven species are called sycamores. But note carefully, Mr. Bones: that classification appeared only in recent years.” Light shone in Ollivander’s eyes. “Your wand was one of my father’s early creations. In his day, many extraordinary trees had not yet vanished from human sight.”
“The wood in your wand came from a sacred mountain in ancient Egypt. My father obtained it through trade when he was young.”
“There, it had another name: the Tree of Life. In ancient myth, it grew at the boundary between life and death and symbolised the beginning of creation.”
Suer’s heart began pounding.
He suddenly remembered the place he entered when he first came to this world, and again on his first night at school.
The Misty Dreamscape.
“My father tried every method he knew to make it into a wand,” Ollivander said with a sigh. “Unfortunately, the wood was singular and independent. It would not accept any of the popular wand cores of that period. Then my father unexpectedly obtained a Thestral tail feather and made one final attempt.”
“Against expectation, it succeeded.”
“Life and death are opposites, yet inseparably connected.”
“Offering this wand to you was itself an experiment. I had never encountered a customer more demanding.”
“Thank you, Mr. Ollivander,” Suer said immediately.
Ollivander waved the gratitude away.
“I tell every witch and wizard who enters my shop the same thing. Here, the wand chooses the wizard. It chose you, and so I sold it to you.”
“Finding an owner for every wand is the purpose for which the Ollivander family chose this craft.”
“Explore it. Feel it. The ancients did not call that wood the Tree of Life merely as a symbol.”
“I will, sir.” Suer nodded solemnly.
“Good. It is growing late. Put away your gift.” Ollivander smiled.
“Thank you again for your help, Mr. Ollivander.”
Suer placed the “unicorn” inside the pouch Hagrid had given him, put his wand away, and bowed once more.
When he returned to the street holding the confused Hermione’s hand, the festive atmosphere had intensified.
“Didn’t you want to buy presents, Hermione?”
“Hermione?”
“Ah… oh…”
Hermione fumbled in her pocket, produced a note, and handed it to Suer with a vacant smile.
A question mark nearly appeared over his head.
Very well.
Looking at Hermione smiling foolishly, Suer rubbed his forehead.
Never again would he allow her even a drop of alcohol.
Though Hermione like this was admittedly adorable.
Perhaps–
No!
Suer shook the improper thought from his head and unfolded the list.
Most of it consisted of sweets, chocolates, and books.
There were also presents for Little Gray and Crookshanks.
Girls truly were attentive.
After buying the final Christmas hamper of dried rat meat for the two pets, Suer led Hermione out of Eeylops Owl Emporium.
The reindeer-antlered witch who had sold the mulled wine was no longer at her stall.
“Did you hear? Aurors took a witch away just now.”
“My brother’s wife’s brother is an Auror. He mentioned that she had been adding illegally brewed hallucinogens and love potions to her products for several days.”
“What? That’ll earn her a trip to Azkaban.”
“Shh! Are you mad? Don’t say Azkaban here.”
As Suer led Hermione past the bar in the Leaky Cauldron, he caught fragments of two wizards’ conversation.
“Are you going home?”
Hannah passed carrying an empty tray and noticed them. Her gaze dropped to their joined hands, and her smile became suggestive.
“What’s wrong with Hermione?”
“Nothing serious. She couldn’t resist trying some mulled wine, and this happened. I’m holding her hand so she doesn’t get lost.”
“Hi, Hannah!”
Hermione suddenly flung up one hand and shouted a greeting.
Suer jumped and helplessly spread his free hand.
“As you can see.”
“Hee, hee.”
Hannah found it wonderfully amusing and doubled over laughing.
“We should go. Merry Christmas, Hannah,” Suer said.
“Merry Christmas to both of you. See you at school.” Hannah nodded cheerfully.
“See you.”
…
For the return journey, Suer did not raise his wand to summon the Knight Bus. He chose a taxi.
Hermione yawned as soon as she entered, rested her head on Suer’s shoulder, and fell asleep.
The driver handled the car smoothly. Suer watched the buildings fly past outside and gradually fell asleep as well.
Mrs. Granger woke him at the end of the journey.
She was smiling with unmistakable meaning.
What?
When had Suer and Hermione ended up holding each other?
“Heh… heh, heh.”
Suer laughed dryly and released Hermione. His movement woke her too.
“Mm…”
She rubbed her eyes, still confused.
Then she collapsed into Suer’s arms again.
Mrs. Granger’s gaze became even more meaningful.
“Er…”
Suer went rigid and carefully patted Hermione.
“We’re home, Hermione.”
“Your mum is waiting outside.”
…
A short while later, Suer carefully placed Hermione’s purchases in the Grangers’ sitting room and fled.
He did not relax until he crossed his own threshold.
“Hello, Suer.”
An elegant woman in a long coat sat in the sitting room, her hair swept high upon her head and a smile on her lips.
“This is our first meeting. My name is Amelia. Amelia Bones.”
“Your father was my brother. You may call me–”
“Aunt.”