4 Aug 2009

Teddy Remus Lupin

Teddy was almost dragged into 'Ollivander's Wand Shop: Makers of Fine Wands Since 382BC' by his grandmother, Andromeda.

'Just this last shop, and then we'll be done!' she promised.

Teddy harrumphed and his hair changed to a brilliant shade of bright sky blue. Andromeda took a deep breath and marched Teddy through the doors of the dark, dingy little shop. Once they were in, they were greeted by Mr Ollivander.

'Ah – you must be Mr Teddy Lupin. I was wondering when I might see you in here. And Andromeda! My father must have sold you your first wand, am I right?'

The old woman nodded and replied, 'Yes. Hazel, eight and three quarter inches, unicorn hair. I still have it now.' She held up an abnormally short wand, as if for proof.

Mr Ollivander began flitting around, picking out boxes whilst Teddy stood awkwardly, watching the tape measure (which was flitting about of its own accord, measuring different lengths of him) with crossed eyes. After a few moments, he was presented with a wand.

'Try this, sycamore, unicorn core,'

Tentatively, Teddy picked up the wand with both hands. How was he meant to hold it?

'Oh, which is your wand arm?' asked Ollivander.

'My right arm,' replied Teddy, with a strange sort of purpose.

But as soon as he lifted the wand (in his right hand), Mr Ollivander grabbed it from his clenched fist.

'No, no,' he muttered, before handing Teddy a burnished, straight grained wand. But according to Mr Ollivander, that didn't quite 'make the cut' either. Four wands later, the wandmaker paused, before climbing to the top of his stepladder and reaching high. Clambering down, he said to Teddy,

'Thirteen inches of laurel with a phoenix feather core, nice and springy. Try this, Mr Lupin … oh yes, well done!'

He and Andromeda clapped delightedly as the wand emitted puffs of multicoloured smoke. Teddy's hair followed suit, changing through all the colours of the rainbow. The wand felt good in his hand – he liked it a lot.

'I see – another metamorphagus, just like your mother,' chuckled Mr Ollivander, 'I remember when young Nymphadora came to buy her first wand – ten and a half inches, blackthorn … Mr Lupin, if you don't mind me asking, where is Nymphadora's wand?'

'They buried it with her,' said Teddy quietly.

'Oh, I understand,' replied the wandmaker. Then in an effort to lighten the mood, he added, 'Did you know, it is said that a laurel wand cannot perform a dishonourable act – and a phoenix feather core, most uncommon … I will look forward to hearing stories about you, Teddy Lupin.'

Ollivander's effort to lighten the mood didn't really work as well as he had hoped it would. Teddy missed his parents, even if he had never met them … No. He wouldn't think like that. In an effort to pull himself together, he reminded himself that his godfather Harry didn't have any parents and he didn't feel sad. No, Teddy had lots of family – he was very lucky . . .

And with that, Andromeda paid Mr Ollivander, and the pair left, Teddy lost in thoughts of parents he had never known.