A Push in the Right Direction – Chapter 14 – emersli1!

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6 Minutes

Andorra didn’t have a wand shop like Ollivander’s.

Instead, you made an appointment with a Wandsmith.  Families tended to favor one craftsman over another, and different craftsmen favored different woods and cores.  In Quinn’s case, he had made an appointment (at his father’s insistence) with a Master Wandsmith with many years of experience in the craft.  Master Buckthorn was a Level 1 Master and mostly retired, maintaining a small workshop in Ordino.

That was where Corvus led his family next.

Walking into the shop felt like an adventure.  His old wand had died with Severus Snape.  Now he would have a wand to fit the new person he was becoming.

“Come in, come in.  Don’t let all the heat out.”  A small man, probably approaching his second century, Master Buckthorn came to greet them.  “So, which of you is Corvus Quinn?”

Corvus stepped forward and introduced himself to the old man, who then proceeded to interrogate him while his boys explored the shop under the watchful eyes of their avi.

“So, where have your greatest strengths been?  And what about weaknesses?  Anything you’ve felt drawn to or averse to without any reason?  What sorts of magic work best on you?”  Master Buckthorn was taking careful notes as Corvus answered.

“Potions, obviously.  I’m a Level 2, getting ready to begin my Level 1 study.  Defense has always come naturally as well.  I have always struggled with charms.  I can accomplish them, but the spells that work best for me in that line are ones I developed myself.  I managed to earn a NEWT in Arithmancy, but it was an uphill battle.  And if Astronomy didn’t affect Potions so much, I’d never touch it again.”  Corvus wasn’t sure what any of this had to do with his wand, but he was willing to answer the older man.

“Well, here.  Hold this for a moment please.”  Master Buckthorn handed him what looked like a crystal ball.  The associations were terrible, but Corvus took the object anyway, holding it until it chirped.

“Let me see… hmmm.  Yes, as I expected … now THAT is surprising … right, well then.”  The Master Wandsmith muttered to himself as he read the results from the orb.  “Your strongest elements are Water and Earth.  That lends itself very much to Potions.  Also, to Healing Arts.  Perhaps some Herbology, but only in a functional sense.  You’ll never make a Master Gardener.”

The man rubbed one hand over his head as he continued, “Runes would probably come fairly naturally.  They’re an Earth Art.  I’m honestly surprised you’ve managed to get through a NEWT in Charms … the Air Arts are very much not your forte.”

“Sir, I’m not familiar with the effect the different elements have on various fields of practice or study.  If it wouldn’t take too much of your time?”  Corvus hated to feel so ignorant of something that was apparently so fundamental to his magic and practice.

“Ah, well.  Britain has abandoned most of the Old Magicks, so I’m not surprised Elementology has fallen by the wayside.  Right, well.  We’ll start with Water, as that’s your strongest element.  Potions, and Healing Arts as I said.  Music, Thaumaturgy, Blood Magic.  Water Arts tend to be very Practical.  And understand, what I’m telling you is a VERY brief overview of a very deep subject, and each person is a unique combination of elements and expressions.”  Master Buckthorn gave the man sitting across from him a stern look.

“Earth is also inclined to the Practical.  Herbology, Runes, Ritual Magick.  Art and Transfiguration.  Sex Magic.  Air and Fire are inclined to Theurgy … the Divine rather than the Practical.  Air … Charms, Mind Magics, Divination, Languages.  Sympathetic Magic.  And then Fire … Defense, Arithromancy, Astronomy.  Physical Arts, Drama, Alchemy.”

The old man looked at the young one across from him.  “Sometimes we see a person who has grown up in … difficult circumstances … achieve skill in an aspect of another Element.   Your skill in Occlumency was born of necessity.  And your skill at Defense was no doubt born of a very real and fundamental understanding that your life was not safe, even as a small child.  You are highly intelligent, and so some of the arts like Arithromancy or Languages that rely more on mental acuity than pure Element have no doubt come fairly easily, but I doubt you’d ever pursue them for their own sake.”

“Finally, your spellcrafting is probably a result of your need to feel in control.  If you create the spell, you have more trust in its functionality … and belief is a vital ingredient in any magickal practice.”  The man got up and drew Corvus over to a wall of wood samples.  “Now my lad, I want you to close your eyes, find your core, and reach out to the wall.  Take your time.”

Corvus closed his eyes obediently and sank into his magical core.  Reaching out with his core, he seemed to be pulled in four or five directions but gradually, it came down to two.  And try as he might, Corvus couldn’t get clearer than that.  Stretching both hands towards the wall, he took hold of both woods calling to him.

“Well, well.  It’s been a long time since I’ve had someone choose two woods.  Let’s see what we have here … Walnut, not a surprise … Koa, interesting.  So, intelligence and integrity.  Strategy and balance.  Very interesting indeed.”  Master Buckthorn was pleased at the challenge this client was providing to his skill.

“Now, you’ll go into the blind room.  This is where you’ll pick your core (or cores) and any other elements your core might need.  Once you cross the threshold you won’t be able to see anything at all.  Don’t panic.  Nothing in there is dangerous.  Reach out with your magic, gather up what it leads you to.  When you’re done, call my name and I will come get you.”  Corvus wasn’t sure how he felt about not being able to see, but his sons were watching.  He would not let them associate getting their wands with fear.

Taking a deep breath and sinking back into his core, Quinn stepped forward.

For a moment it was like being surrounded by a hundred people speaking languages you couldn’t quite understand.  Then, gradually, most of the sound died away leaving just a few for him to follow.  Suddenly in the darkness, a familiar voice sounded. 

“Choose what other cores you may feel drawn to, but this shall be part of your wand.  My hounds come and go, as did you.  My lead hound, Cafall, has given this hair that he may always find you if you should call for him.  Carry it in good health and fortune, Corvus.”

Quinn felt a long, coarse hair in his hand, and nodded at the unseen presence.  “I thank you for the gift, My Lord Arawn.  I will bear it to good purpose.”  Feeling the presence drift away, Corvus heard the other voices come back, as though they had quieted in respect to the ancient King.  Reaching forward towards the sounds, he felt a long narrow feather, a stone with a very irregular shape, and something shaped like a tooth.  Hearing no other voices, he called out.

“Master Buckthorn, I am done.”

“Well, let’s see what you have then.”  Hands on his shoulders moved him around and suddenly his vision returned.  Blinking quickly to clear his eyes, Corvus handed the items in his hands to the Master Wandsmith.  “Hmmmm.  Snow Goose feather, Wolf tooth.  Yes, yes.  Loyalty and honesty.  Hard work and perseverance.   Now, petrified wood… didn’t expect that, but as a focus … yes.  Now THIS one,” Buckthorn looked at him sternly.  “This hair did not come from my stores.”

“No.”  When Corvus didn’t offer any further explanation, the old man sighed.

“Well, the gods do what they will, I suppose.  I appreciate the challenge to my talents and education, young Potions Master.  The crafting will take three days.  I will see you back here at that time.”  

The Master looked eager to get started, so the family took their leave, bidding him farewell as they moved on with their excursion.  Two little boys needed furniture, clothing, toys, and books.  And somewhere in there, the family needed to eat.

It was shaping up to be a full day, and the family was prepared to enjoy it together.  The first of many pleasant, adventurous, chaotic days together.

Corvus Quinn couldn’t wait.