Thank Merlin Uncle Orlando is here, Rex thought to himself, casting a grateful smile in his guardian’s direction. His nerves, the boy realized, were getting the better of him.

Gingerly, Abraxas reached out to accept the proffered wand. Though the young wizard knew the details the wandmaker was supplying were important, it was all Greek to him—and he had studied Latin instead. Almost timidly, he gave the wand a small wave.