I stared at Ollivander's gaping expression.
"This is a Horned Serpent horn…?" I asked, slowly placing it back down on the counter, doing my best not to damage it in any way. "They went extinct! Why do you have one?!"
I was getting upset at how such an amazing and beautiful creature had been driven to extinction due to over-hunting for things just like this.
Ollivander held his hands up in surrender, glancing around the shop. It was then that I noticed certain objects shaking—most likely because of me. My family's lineage was powerful, but our emotions could cause that power to fluctuate dangerously.
I took a breath to calm myself and waited for Ollivander to explain.
"I gained this a very long time ago from a friend of mine. I never bought it, nor did I support hunting creatures to extinction," he said with a solemn look.
I sighed, then nodded at the old man.
"I apologize for my outburst."
Ollivander chuckled and shook his head.
"Think nothing of it. I am pleased to be making such a wand for a good purpose."
He then moved the other objects aside, leaving only the ones I felt a connection to.
"Now… let's see."
With that, he got to work creating a wand for me. I watched with curiosity, fascinated by his process, but I hardly understood any of what he was doing. The enchantments on everything and the intricate instruments used to carve the wood were mesmerizing. It was a sight to behold, but also one I would likely never fully comprehend.
Ollivander continued humming as he meticulously measured the ingredients, gauged their weight, and flicked the wand a few times as he neared completion.
By the time he was finished, he looked tired but fulfilled. With a weak chuckle, he presented me with my wand.
After all the anticipation and painstaking work I had witnessed, I gulped, feeling a flicker of fear. I could sense the power emanating from it. Almost in a trance, I reached out and grasped the wand.
A rush of power coursed through me and the wand. I gave it a closer inspection, running my fingers along the multi-colored wood.
It was a swirling blend of dark brown, light brown, and stark white. The colors almost seemed to move in response to each other, like a living river of magic. I was entranced by its beauty until Ollivander's cheerful voice broke me from my reverie.
"Well done! This is one of my greatest works!"
Then, his expression turned serious, his tone lowering in a way that almost worried me.
"This is a first, in all my years…" he murmured. "I'm very curious to see how things will change in the coming years… I expect great things from you…"
Before I could question him, he quickly returned to his usual bubbly nature and guided me out of the shop. I found myself back on the busy street before I knew it.
I took one last glance at my wand, feeling a deep connection to the magical artifact in my hand. I knew what was inside it—and I knew I had to keep it a secret.
Ollivander caught my eye, and without a word, I saw that he understood the message clearly.
'This must be hidden,' I thought, tightening my grip on my new partner.
The Horned Serpent was extinct. Its parts would be highly valued—even worth stealing. I wasn't going to let that happen.
I nodded to myself and carefully placed the wand away, then lugged the rest of my items toward the pet shop. Many hours had passed, and the sun was beginning to lower, signaling that I would need to return home soon.
'Good thing there's only one item left… too bad I won't have much time to enjoy it.'
I sighed inwardly and quickened my pace.
Upon entering the pet shop, I was immediately enthralled by the variety of magical creatures on display.
I ran around, inspecting every single one with awe and excitement. This was my true passion. I had first discovered my love for magical creatures from my father's suitcase, which he used to transport a Glowbug—a magical insect that emitted a bright, mesmerizing light. It had amazed me as a child, sparking a lifelong fascination with magical creatures.
I would spend hours wandering our estate in search of new creatures, or poring over books in the library when I was inside.
'Until my parents found out…' I thought bitterly, the memory darkening my mood.
Suddenly, I heard a constant ringing sound. At first, I was confused, glancing around the store to locate the source. Then, I realized with surprise that the sound was coming from my wand.
I glanced at the shop owner, but she seemed preoccupied with another customer, both unaware of the noise.
I grabbed hold of my wand, trying to figure out the issue, but froze when I heard a distinct chirping noise from the other end of the store.
Somehow, I could hear it clearly, despite the cacophony of barking, hissing, and cawing creatures around me.
Curious, I let my wand guide me. I wandered through the shop, weaving between the cages until I found the source of the sound.
Beneath a table that held the more popular pets—owls, cats, and the like—I spotted a small, foot-long black snake. It slithered around its cage, chirping and ringing in time with my wand.
Though the shop was dimly lit, I noticed a glimmer of vibrant, deep blue in its eyes—so piercing that it seemed to stare straight into my soul.
Amazed, I crouched down and placed my hand near the glass.
"Hey, buddy…" I whispered gently, my voice softening with a rare tenderness.
The snake's eyes locked onto mine, and to my shock, it spoke in a high-pitched, almost childlike voice.
"Can I have water? I'm thirsty!"
I stumbled back, nearly knocking over a few cages in my surprise. My heart pounded in my chest.
'Did he just… talk?'
I took a few deep breaths to steady myself, then slowly turned back toward the snake, ready to test whether I had truly understood it.
"Did you say you wanted water?" I asked carefully, unsure if I was imagining things.
The black snake slithered excitedly inside its cage, responding with clear enthusiasm.
"Yeah!! Can you help me?"
I blinked, then chuckled softly in disbelief.
'I can understand him… I can actually understand him!'
My entire being screamed at me to take him as my pet. I needed him—needed to understand more about magical creatures and this strange gift I had just discovered.
"Excuse me!" I called out to the shop clerk, who was now free. I waved her over urgently.
She approached, slightly annoyed by my beckoning rather than my coming to her.
"Can I help you?" she asked curtly.
I pointed at the snake's cage.
"I want this snake," I declared firmly, leaving no room for argument.
She glanced down at the cage, then flipped through a small book she pulled from her robes.
"Common black snake," she said, confirming its identity. "Anything else you need to take care of it? We have—"
Before she could launch into her sales pitch, I cut her off.
"I need a cage like the one he's in, a fang cleaner, and some food."
She clicked her tongue, clearly disappointed that she couldn't upsell me. Nonetheless, she complied.
I grabbed the snake's cage and followed her to the counter. She retrieved the necessary supplies: a fang cleaner and some snake food—pre-packaged pellets containing all the nutrients he would need.
'I'll make my own food for him when I have the chance,' I thought. 'Creatures like good food. The better it is, the more they'll like me.'
As I placed the items on the counter, I heard the snake call out weakly.
"Can I please have some water? I'm dying…"
Panic shot through me.
'I haven't paid for him yet. If she finds out he can talk, she might keep him!'
To my relief, the woman seemed oblivious. She simply rang me up, gave me the total, and handed me the bill.
I quickly paid, grabbed the cage, and left the store before she could change her mind.
Unbeknownst to me, I hadn't yet realized the significance of what had just happened—I was speaking Parseltongue.