DIAGON ALLEY WAS CROWDED. Harper held onto Dorcas and Remus' sleeves as the three of them made their way towards Ollivanders to buy her first wand. To say Harper was excited would be an understatement.

"Now remember, the wand chooses the witch," Dorcas told her, as they entered the small shop. "Don't be sad when the first wand you try isn't the one."

"It took me five different wands before the wand finally found me," Remus added.

Harper nodded absently as she looked around the shop. The display consisted of a solitary wand lying on a faded purple cushion in the dusty window. The shop was tiny, empty except for a single, spindly chair in the corner. Thousands of narrow boxes containing wands were piled right up to the ceiling of the tiny shop, and the whole place had a tiny layer of dust about it.

"Here are some Galleons," Dorcas said, handing her a small bag. "Remus and I will get your books while Mr Ollivander will help you look for your wand."

"I'm sure we'll manage," Harper said, as her hazel eyes trailed over the boxes.

The two adults left and Harper was left alone in the shop. She was about to move closer to the boxes to observe them more closely, when a man appeared from the back.

"Ah Miss Potter, I was wondering when we would finally meet," the man said, smiling down at her. "It seems like yesterday that both of your parents walked in and received their wands."

Harper eyed him curiously. Apart from Dorcas and Remus, no one really talked about her parents.

"My parents, sir?" she asked eagerly.

"Ah yes, Lily Potter, then Lily Evans, ten and a quarter inches long, swishy, made of willow. Nice wand for charm work." He tilted his head, observing her carefully. "Apart from the hair, you don't really look like her. You're more like your father. Mahogany wand. Eleven inches. Pliable. A little more power and excellent for transfiguration."

Harper nodded, having heard that already before. "So they say."

"But today it's about you," the man said, smiling. "Let's see which wand chooses you, Miss Potter, because the wand chooses the witch. That much has always been clear to those of us who have studied wandlore . . . These connections are complex. An initial attraction, and then a mutual quest for experience, the wand learning from the witch, the witch from the wand."

Harper waited impatiently for him to finish. She was anxious to see which wand would choose her.

"Well, now — Miss Potter. Let me see." He pulled a long tape measure with silver markings out of his pocket. "Which is your wand arm?"

"I'm right-handed," Harper said, holding out her right arm.

Mr Ollivander measured her from shoulder to finger, then wrist to elbow, shoulder to floor, knee to armpit and round her head. As he measured, he said, "Every Ollivander wand has a core of a powerful magical substance, Miss Potter. We use unicorn hair, phoenix tail feathers and the heartstrings of dragons. No two Ollivander wands are the same, just as no two unicorns, dragons or phoenixes are quite the same. And of course, you will never get such good results with another wizard's wand."

Harper suddenly realized that the tape measure, which was measuring between her nostrils, was doing this on its own. Mr Ollivander was flitting around the shelves, taking down boxes.

"That will do," he said, and the tape measure crumpled into a heap on the floor. "Right then, Miss Potter. Try this one. Maple and phoenix feather. Seven inches. Quite whippy. Just take it and give it a wave."

Harper took the wand and waved it around a bit, but Mr Ollivander snatched it out of her hand almost at once.

"No, no—here, ebony and unicorn hair, eight and a half inches, springy. Go on, go on, try it out."

Harper tried—but she had hardly raised the wand when it, too, was snatched back by Mr Ollivander.

"No, try this one. Eleven inches, quite bendy flexibility, Cypress tree wood and a dragon heartstring."

Harper took the wand. She felt a sudden warmth in her fingers. She raised the wand above her head, brought it swishing down through the dusty air and a stream of red and gold sparks shot from the end like a firework, throwing dancing spots of light on to the walls.

"Oh, bravo!" Mr Ollivander said, smiling. "The wand has chosen the witch."

Harper beamed and looked at her wand in wonder. Then, she paid seven gold Galleons for her wand and left the shop.

Looking around to look for Remus and Dorcas, a grin broke out onto her lips when she noticed a family of red heads.

"Ron!" she called, running down the busy street to her best friend, who turned around just in time to catch her.

"Harp!" Ron exclaimed, hugging her back. "Bloody hell, is that your wand? It looks brilliant!"

"It is, isn't it?" Harper said, showing him her wand proudly. "Eleven inches, quite bendy flexibility, Cypress tree wood and a dragon heartstring," she added, quoting Mr Ollivander. "I just got it."

"Looks good," Ginny said, as she moved to stand next to her brother. She was looking at it in awe.

"Thanks, Gin," Harper said, smiling. "Had a good summer?"

"Yeah," Ginny said, nodding, though Harper could detect the sadness in in. She knew it would be hard for the girl to see her and Ron leaving for Hogwarts knowing she had to wait a year to join them.

"If it isn't our Squirt," Fred said, ruffling Harper's hair, as he and George appeared behind her. "How are you?"

"I'm great!" Harper said, not being able to contain her enthusiasm any longer. "I can't wait to go to Hogwarts!"

"Harper!" a voice called out, and the small group turned around to see Dorcas and Remus making their way towards them. Both of them wear carrying bags and Remus even carried a cage with a tawny owl inside.

"Who's this, Moony?" Harper questioned Remus as she softly stroke the owl who gently nipped at her fingers.

"This is Dale, your birthday present," Remus said, smiling down at her.

Harper looked up at them. "No way. Really?"

"Yes," Dorcas said, grinning.

"Thank you!" Harper exclaimed, hugging them both. She pulled back, took the cage from Remus, and while he and Dorcas moved away to talk to Molly and Arthur, Ron pulled Harper towards Quality Quidditch Supplies.

"You want to have a look at the new Nimbus Two Thousand?"

"Do you even know me a little bit?" Harper questioned him, grinning.

Ron rolled his eyes and the two of them made their way towards the Quidditch store.

"Blimey Harp, see how fast he is!" Ron exclaimed, pointing at the miniature Nimbus Two Thousand.

"I wish first years were allowed to play quidditch," Harper said sadly, recalling the note at the end of their letter.

Ron patted her shoulder. "I'm sure you'll make the team next year."

Harper smiled at him. "Thanks Ron."

"As long as I'm in Gryffindor, I'm happy," Ron continued, looking back at the miniature broom.

Harper smiled. "Don't worry about that. I'm sure you'll end up in Gryffindor just like the rest of your family. And if you don't, well, I'd still be your friend."

Ron smiled. "Thanks."

"You're welcome."

"Munchkin?" she heard a voice call.

"Coming Moony!" Harper replied. She looked back at Ron. "I have to go, but I'll see you in a week at Platform Nine and Three-Quarters, won't I?."

He smiled and nodded.

Harper turned away and headed back to Remus and Dorcas. Ron's doubts were making her question what house she'd be in. Of course, Harper knew Remus and Dorcas would love her just as much if she didn't get sorted into Gryffindor, but she was determined to get into it. If only to walk into her parents footsteps.

"Everything all right, munchkin?" Remus asked her, obviously noticing her nervousness.

"Yeah, it's just, how are you so sure that I'll be in Gryffindor?"

He smiled and put his arm around her. "Because you're too much like your parents not to be."

Harper smiled up at him. "Thanks Moony."

"Everything for you munchkin."

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October 21st 2021
Sorry for the long wait, pls don't come after me! :) next one update will be quicker!