CHAPTER FIVE
wand has a core of a powerful magical substance, Mr. Potter. We
use unicorn hairs, 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.”
Harry suddenly realized that the tape measure, which was mea-
suring between his nostrils, was doing this on its own. Mr. Olli-
vander 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, Mr. Potter. Try this one. Beech-
wood and dragon heartstring. Nine inches. Nice and flexible. Just
take it and give it a wave.”
Harry took the wand and (feeling foolish) waved it around a bit,
but Mr. Ollivander snatched it out of his hand almost at once.
“Maple and phoenix feather. Seven inches. Quite whippy.
Try —”
Harry tried — but he had hardly raised the wand when it, too,
was snatched back by Mr. Ollivander.
“No, no — here, ebony and unicorn hair, eight and a half
inches, springy. Go on, go on, try it out.”
Harry tried. And tried. He had no idea what Mr. Ollivander was
waiting for. The pile of tried wands was mounting higher and
higher on the spindly chair, but the more wands Mr. Ollivander
pulled from the shelves, the happier he seemed to become.
“Tricky customer, eh? Not to worry, we’ll find the perfect match
here somewhere — I wonder, now — yes, why not — unusual
combination — holly and phoenix feather, eleven inches, nice and
supple.”
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