Diagon Alley
August 24th, 1971
James’ tried to go into Quality Quidditch multiple times, although he was quickly noticed by his parents each time. They compromised and said he could go afterward, and with his excitement about getting all of his Hogwarts things, Quality Quidditch was quickly forgotten.
They spent much longer than they should’ve at the Apothecary, as his father got overly excited at all the various ingredients and had a lengthy discussion with the witch behind the register after she realized he was the inventor of Sleekeasy’s. She asked for advice on a potion she’d been working on. James and his Mother had pulled away, but not before he promised to write to her about it.
The only thing left to do was to purchase his wand, which James was most excited about. His parents said he used to try and steal their wands when he was a toddler, resulting in many instances of the furniture levitating. To James’, it felt like he was moving up in the world, finally being able to do magic on his own.
They arrived at Olivanders, and James took a look around the shop. The walls were not visible at all. They were covered from floor to ceiling with boxes of what James’ presumed were wands. Mr. Olivander came out from a back room.
“Ah, Fleamont and Euphemia Potter!” He exclaimed. “I must say, you are the first in a long time who have come in here to whom my father sold wands too!”
“Yes, it’s been quite a while since we’ve been in this shop.” His Mother said, smiling. “Now we’ve come to get James a wand. He’ll be starting Hogwarts this year!”
Mr. Olivander looked at James. “Ah, I expected I would see you soon, Mr. Potter! Now step right up here, we’ll find a wand that likes you! Now you must be patient; it may take some time……”
Olivander studied the walls of the wand very closely, nose up against the boxes. A minute had passed, and he pulled out a dark brown box. He opened it and took out the wand. “11’ and pliable. Made of mahogany with a phoenix feather core. Very good for transfiguration.”
Olivander handed James the wand, and the tip immediately emitted a golden glow.
“That fast?” His father exclaimed. “Took me nearly half an hour to find my wand!”
“Ah, every wand and wizard is different,” Olivander said. “Though this is a peculiar case. Phoenix feather wands are the pickiest when it comes to owners. Paired with mahogany, even more so. I’ve found the most resilient wizards are chosen by mahogany wands. Now, Mr. Potter, do you, by any chance, play Quidditch?” Olivander asked him.
“All the time!” James explained, eyes wide beneath his glasses.
“He’s obsessed.” His Mother said, exasperated.
“Ah,” Olivander said, smiling. “Many Professional Quidditch players use a mahogany wand. Sparky, the mascot of the Moutohora Macaws, donated the feather in your wand.”
“See, Mum?” James said, grinning madly. “Quidditch is my destiny!”
They paid 7 Galleons and headed to Quality Quidditch Supplies. James’ parents said they would be back in 25 minutes, His father wanted to talk more to the Apothecary witch, and his Mother went with him so he didn’t spend hours there, leaving James alone.
James’ browsed the shop, vaguely paying attention to the various brooms. His Nimbus 1500 was still very new, and James quite liked it, so he did not pay much attention to the brooms. However, the Abbots had come over for tea the other day, and a particularly nasty game of Quidditch had James needing new Quidditch robes and gloves. He settled with the bright-red robes as always and got the classic brown gloves.
The Wimbourne Wasps, James’ favorite team, had released a poster with each player’s autograph and jerseys for each player. James picked up one of the posters and took careful care to not crease or bend it. He looked through the rack of Wasps jerseys for one of his favorite chasers and players, Alexander Hopkins. He found one after only a little searching, which was a stroke of luck, as very few Wasps jerseys were left. He came around the rack and collided with someone, a broomstick, or both.
“Watch where you’re going!” A girl exclaimed, scowling at him. She was carrying a Cleansweap Six, had long blonde hair, and a haughty look. “Ugh, you can’t go anywhere these days.” She muttered and was followed by two boys who looked very much like twins.
“Sorry about her.” The taller one said. They both had long black hair and the same haughty look.
“It’s alright; Cleansweaps aren’t very good anyways,” James replied.
The boy laughed. “Yeah, she’s a right bit-”
“Sirius!” The smaller one exclaimed.
“Oh, Reg.” The tall one rolled his eyes. “Like you’ve never called Aunt Druella behind her back?” The blonde girl called for them, and they hurried off to catch up with her.
James paid for his new things just as his parents arrived back. They headed to Florean Fortescue's as a treat before heading home, and James ate his sundae, the incident in Quality Quidditch forgotten.