(Hogsmeade) A new wand

[Prof Octavious Everritt]

Leigh appeared in Hogsmeade as Octavious, walking slowly with hands in his pockets. So far, he had successfully become his dead cousin, and only he and Professor Darrow knew of the truth. His cousin was dead, but believed to be alive and working in a far off place, but now he had become his cousin simply because his cousin is the only person who he could have become.

He was in Hogsmeade for a simple reason, doing what Darrow had asked of him. He was in need of a new wand and he knew that only Helia could give him one he needed, but he also knew that the wand he had she would recognise, he would have to risk that interaction.

He appeared before her shop, the place having grown quite popular recently, and he knew why. Students were gearing up for war, they knew something was on the horizen, not that far off either. He shook his head and opened up the door, his eyes gazing about the interior of the shop before he saw the empty counter. He sighed and stepped forward, opening his hand and letting his wand drift out from his pocket before settling it down on the bench.

'Is there anyone here?' He called, thinking it was odd to have the shop open but be missing.

[Helia Ollivander]

Something was awry. She could feel it. No, she couldn't be for sure what it was... but there was a misplaced wand in her shop and it was screaming for her attention.
She heard a muffled voice through the velvet curtain which seperated the front part of her shop from the back part and quickly made her way through it to see a vaguely familiar figure strolling around.
She couldn't tell what it was... something about this man reminded her of someone. Almost like a distant dream you can remember momentarily as you're just waking, but can't recall full details about it; this man seemed like someone she'd known for awhile and yet... he was a complete stranger to her! She had never seen his face before in her life! And yet... something seemed warm and friendly about his presence.

"Oh... er, Hello," she said, still befuddled by the mixed feelings she was getting from the stranger. "Um, sorry... er... about not being in here... I-I spend most of my time in the back," she stammered before nodding her head at the curtain, her face full of perplexed curiousity. Why did he seem so familiar?!
And then she saw it. The wand on the counter; the bright red bloodwood was unmistakable. She quickly grabbed it, holding it close to her heart for a moment as she murmured, "Phoenix tear, ten and a half inches." She closed her eyes, as if embracing an old friend. It must have been the wands aura that made her think she knew this man. But then... if this stranger was in possesion of Mr. Addis' wand... That must mean... "How did you get this?!" she demanded, eyes flying open as she stared at the man, fear clearly displayed in her features. Yes, she'd seen the Ex-professor after his unusual... ressurection, or so she'd heard was the case... but then what had happened now? Had he been killed again? Or had her amazing Defense teacher been beaten in a duel, and therefore had his wand taken from him? Then why wasn't Addis here to get another wand, as opposed to this... this... person? Which also led to the question, "And who are you?" she asked, her voice more inquisitive, and less harsh than it had been with her earlier question.

[Prof Octavious Everritt]

Leigh reacted like anyone else would have when a person explodes with sudden suspicion. He looked at her with a look that defined that he wasn't sure how to answer, except that it wasn't his face, it was Octavious', his cousins.

'I am Octavious Everritt, a newly appointed Professor of Wandless Magic at Hogwarts.' Leigh said, bowing formally and speaking with the voice he now possessed. He stood up and firmly crossed his arms and smiled. 'I am also this wands wielder, but due to circumstances out of my control I must have another, though I do not wish to relieve myself of such a grand wand that a friend once gave me, I must if I am to teach at Hogwarts... with the Ministry patrolling every class. Such a wand is banned by the Ministry if one wishes to teach.'

He bowed his head formally, speaking in a way that he had hoped that Helia would understand. He looked at her pleadingly, whilst trying to keep his demeanour intact. He opened his hand and felt the power of his wand still there, his eyes looking at it. He concentrated and breathed out slowly, feeling the sensation of his magic flow through him.

'Caninic Exdamentia.' Leigh whispered, as the wand let off the spell as a puppy bounded onto the floor, which soon ran around the counter and began to play with Helia's leg.

'If you would like, we could discuss more in length of what wand would be suitable for me, in private?' He said, continuing on.

[Helia Ollivander]

"There seem to be a lot of new teachers at Hogwarts lately," she said with a heavy sigh. The Ministry was making a mockery of their school! It was entirely ridiculous and she couldn't wait to start fighting back!
She gave a light, half-hearted chuckle at the mention of powerful wands being banned from the Professors use, "Don't they understand Wands choose the Wizards? Simply because they have meager Oak and Unicorn Hair wands, doesn't mean they have the right to prevent worthy people from teaching because their wands are more impressive," she shook her head and rolled her eyes. It was a typical Ministry move though; keep the able away from the action by making ridiculous and impossible rules to follow.

She tilted her head, "So you and Professo-I mean, You and Leigh are friends?" she asked with a smile, all her previous doubts about the man immedeatly vanishing. Any friend of a good Hogwarts professor, like Addis, was a friend of hers. True, she couldn't be sure this man was telling the truth, but he certainly acted like someone Leigh would get along with. "But then... what happened to him to make him give you his wand?"

She saw the wand on the counter glow, and out of its tip came a familiar looking puppy. She gaped, then looked between the dog--which was yipping at her feet--and the man in front of her.
She open and closed her mouth several times, trying to make sense of this. "I... uh... this, er... um..." she fumbled over words as she attempted to put together a sensible sentance. It was then that the man suggested they speak in private. "Yes, yes I think that would be quite suitable. Um, follow me please."

She walked back through the velvet drapery behind the counter and into the roomy apartment in back. For the tiny storefront one might never have known that these spacious living quarters housed themselves in the same establishment. There was a small, round, rowan wood table in the middle of the room with a pair of matching, high-backed, angular chairs on either side of it. Beyond that on the far wall was a large, cozy fireplace with a pale blue sofa right in front of it. On the east wall was a silvery door with no knobs or handles, and to the west a cozy kitchen was set up. This was where Helia headed.

"Please, make yourself at home, Mr. Everritt," she said, in a once again suspicious voice, though it was still not half as harsh as it had been earlier. "Can I get you comething to drink?" she offered, opening the door of a mini-fridge on the frosty-blue marble counter.

[Prof Octavious Everritt]

Leigh followed her into the back and saw her amazing place. His eyes widened in granduer at the size of the place and a content smile crossed his face. Suddenly aware of what he had to do, he swept his hand in a slight circular motion as he weaved the spell he needed, the spell that prevent eavesdropping. A mist had seemingly filled the air but all it was was a bubble that had created itself in the air and shimmered, blocking anyone from interfering in on a secret conversation.

'Now we can truly speak in private.' Leigh said. 'And yes, I would like something to drink, just plain water would do, my throat is parched.'

Leigh smiled, and looked away for a brief moment before looking at Helia in a new light. 'Since you're departure of the school, you have become increasingly efficient, Helia.' Leigh said, having to laugh though feeling drained from the effort he had to put into the spell. 'If you believe I am a friend of Leigh's, I am more, I am his cousin... Well, that's the story I have to play along with.' He had a hint of a smug smile coming across his face but soon lost it as he straightened up.

'I am Leigh.' He said suddenly, looking at Helia in the eye. 'I have only undergone a transfiguration spell to hide my identity, but to my dismay of revealing the truth to you fully, I alone cannot undo the spell. I require the assistance of Professor Darrow, Headmaster of Hogwarts and the man who I know I can trust with all my heart. Helia, you're one of the few people who I can trust with this information, you've already proven yourself in the past.'

Leigh smiled the way he did, his face lightening up with pride as he knew of what Helia had accomplished.

'I require a new wand for my disguise, Professor Darrow's suggestion, though his suggestion comes over as more of an order.' Leigh said, folding his arms and shrugging slightly. 'The Ministry know of what kind of wand I use, though I would rather keep my wand if that's alright with you?'

[Helia Ollivander]

She nodded at his request and produced two bottles of water from the refridgerator. She walked over and handed Octavius one of the bottles before opening her own and taking a swig.
A slender eyebrow arched as he began speaking of her school days, how would he know? She remained silent though, surely he would say something redeeming his oddness soon...

"Leigh?" she questioned in barely a whisper. As he continued speaking her jaw hung open. She knew that magic could do amazing things but... this! This was above and beyond anything she knew about! She tilted her head, as if looking for cracks or blemishes that might give away his identity truly. There was nothing that would ever have made her believe this was her ex-Professor had he not explained it so fully himself. She shook her head in disbelief, "Amazing..." was the only word she could manage to mutter.

She nodded fervently, "Yes, yes I understand completly..." she drifted off, eyes studying a spot on the floor for a moment as she thought. "Well... there are a few options we can try then..." she began slowly. "I could seperate your wand, making two new and different wands from its elements; they would still work for you since the original wand chose you, but they would also be different enough that the Ministry would have a hard time tracing them." She began twirling a lock of hair around her finger, eyes rolling towards the ceiling as she spoke once again, "Another option would be to try and obtain your cousins own wand, or make a nearly identical wand that would pass off as the same rather easily..." Her eyes managed to wind down from the ceiling to look at Leigh/Octavius again. "Any chance your cousin would loan you his wand?"

[Prof Octavious Everritt]

Leigh sighed fervently, looking away hurt. He felt his chest tighten as grief washed over him. He took the bottle of water kindly and held it in his hand firmly.

'My cousin died years ago, his wand lost then. I don't know where it went, maybe with his killer.' He said, having to choke the words out forcefully. 'I don't know much more than that. The diffusion would be the best option, I believe.' He felt like ripping apart his wand was a bad thing to do, but also knew that the new ands would be his and would react to him as they would have singularly, but would they have the same feeling of power?

[Helia Ollivander]

She looked thoughtful for a moment, biting her lower lip gently, "I see..." she didn't want to push the subject, but she also didn't want to have to take apart Addis's beautiful wand if she didn't have to. "Do you happen to have anything of his? Other than his face, that is?" she half hoped that her poor joke might lighten the mood a bit. There was one other option that she hadn't mentioned because she was unsure of Octavius's original wands status. Now that it was fairly certain that it would not pop up any time soon, she could venture this third option.

"Because if you do," she continued, "I can make a Sentimentality Wand from it." It would be a bit difficult, true. But Helia had always enjoyed a challenge; especially when it came to wand making!

[Prof Octavious Everritt]

'Anything of his?' Leigh said, thinking out loud. He went quiet and thought about his own possessions and slowly drew upon one solution. 'Markus...' He said in a barely audible whisper.

'My cousin Markus may have something that could work.' Leigh said, crossing his arms. 'I don't know what he brought with him to Hogwarts, he was privately tutored for a while... His robes!'

Leigh snapped his fingers and smiled ecstatically. 'His robes are Octavious'!' He said, the look of genuine cheerfulness filling his face. 'Will they do?'

[Helia Ollivander]

She smiled broadly, "They'll do perfectly!!" she said clapping her hands together. "Now then, let me see here..." she wandered over to a small cupboard beside the fireplace and took from it a thick, leather-bound book with silver filigree around the edges. She blew gently on the front cover, a thin layer of dust spiraling through the air as a result. A black velvet ribbon dangled off one end of the book as a place marker and she turned to the page on which it was placed. "Mhmm... yes here we go," she said nodding as she ran her finger down the yellowed page, murmuring the text quietly to herself.

She began walking around the room, book in one hand, eyes still focused on the page as if in a trance. With her free hand she searched shelves and bureaus and cabinets all around the room until there was a lovely little pile of items on the table in the center of the room. She closed the book and set it down beside the knick-knacks and tilted her head. She tilted her head slightly and tapped her foot, "Let's see what we've got then... Asphodel, lovage, daisy stems, an Opaleye's tooth, a Mackled Malaclaw's claw... and a flobberworm?" she poked the long brown creature with the tip of her wand and bit her lip thoughtfully. She walked back into the kitchen and rummaged around in the refrigerator before returning with a head of lettuce. "This ought to work..." she rolled all the items on the table, save the book and flobberworm, up in a large lettuce leaf and set it in front of the grotesque creature which promptly swallowed the thing whole. It took a few moments for any reaction to take place, but eventually it did.

The flobberworm shook and shuddered, glowed orange, then yellow, then red; expanded, shrunk and finally... exploded with a bright plume of silver and gold smoke. Helia coughed and waved her wand, clearing the air and making it easier to see what was left on the table; a simple cherry wood wand with a hole through center. She smiled, "Brilliant!" she picked up the wand and hefted it into the air a couple times, "Hm... odd" she murmured, "I didn't think it would have an aura..." She shrugged and handed the wand to Octavious, "Well here you go. When you get a hold of the robes take three threads and slip them into the hole. The wand will do the rest... be careful when you use it though. Somehow it seems almost too agreeable. Chameleonic if you will. It will do what you say, but it may go above and beyond what you intend."

[Prof Octavious Everritt]

The side of Leigh's mouth twitched slightly at the mention of an Opaleye's tooth. He felt sickened at the thought but knew it wasn't his partner, Shiela, who happened to be an Antipodean Opaleye. He had found her in a means of dark magic from Morziak, though at the time he didn't realise whom it was. Since she had hatched, she was his partner and the partnership yielded great effects for both individuals.

Leigh soon saw Helia retrieve a lettuce leaf for the flobberworm and the amazing transformation that ensued. His mouth hung open slightly as he saw the wand appear from the smoke and Helia's own magic whip the smoke away. However, the smoke only ended up near him. He coughed once before using his hand and swished it around, his fingers quickly pointing towards the door. The smoke swirled around him quickly and flew towards the door, it opened before the smoke left the room. A triumphant smile spread across his face, but his hand tingled strangely.

'That was strange..' Leigh said, taking the wand with his non tingling hand and feeling slightly strange. 'I doubt I'll use this wand much, I am the wandless magic professor afterall.' He said.

'How much do I owe you for it? And this time, please allow me to pay.' Leigh said, raising his hand in case Helia objected to him paying.

[Helia Ollivander]

She watched the professor shirk at her mention of the dragon tooth. Although she wasn't aware of the professors reptillian friend, she knew many people didn't like the idea of dragons being used simply for potion and wand ingredients. "Don't worry, I only accept claws and teeth and things from respectable Preserves that remove them only when entirely neccesary."

She laughed, "I suppose a Wandless Magic Professor going around using his wand all the time might lose some students faith."

A dramatic eye roll crossed her expression when he insisted on paying for his wand, "Well, I suppose if your money is burning such a hole in your pocket..." she whipped out her own wand and began calculating the cost in mid-air. "Mhmm... Eight galleons, twelve sickles," she said decisively before dispersing the scribbles.

[Prof Octavious Everritt]

'Good.' He said, smiling appreciatively at Helia. He respected a shopkeeper who took care from where they received their goods. He knew of a few good dealers when it came to dragon goods, usually only dragons that die young, teeth that fall out and blood collected from open wounds. He smiled again, knowing Shiela was at least safe for now.

'Yes, using a wand in class would look rather silly.' Leigh said, amused at the thought of teaching his new class with his wand, whilst they were learning to use magic without wands.

He saw her scribble in the air with her wand and knew he could match her for ability without his wand, but refused to demonstrate just yet. He looked at his hand and counted the amount of coins, barely enough. All he had was nine galleons, enough to pay for it but barely. He smiled as he handed over the coins.

'Please, keep the change.' He said, shaking his head. 'I don't have any need of it.' He picked up the wand and felt it slightly in his hand. It weighed almost nothing, but could it weave magic now? He daren't not try. His other wand, the bloodwood one, remained where it was and with a simple swish of his hand the wand shot to his free hand. He quickly pocketed both wands and stood, staring and smiling at Helia.

'I won't teach them too much, you do need your business every now and then.' He said, having a slight laugh afterwards.