With practiced and fluid motions, Gervaise took the necessary measurements before explaining that he would be back with some options in a few moments. When he emerged from the shelves, it was with half a dozen wand boxes—four containing his own crafting, one a wand by his apprentice, and the last a creation of his late father’s. He selected one of his own first, holding the wand out for the boy to see.

“This one is made of dogwood, which is well suited to those of a jovial disposition,” the wandmaker explained. With this lad, he suspected more information was better, if only to save all involved parties some time! “At its core is a strand of kelpie mane. At twelve and a half inches, it’s rather on the long side—particularly for your current size—but you would grow into it.”

He handed it to the boy.

“Give it a wave.”