"Survival Handbook in Desperate Situations" - By Bell Grylls
Centered on the principle of "better safe than sorry," this book uses the author's firsthand knowledge and experience to show readers how to correctly respond to dangers encountered in the Magical World.
Sherlock was particularly interested in the wilderness survival guide within the book, as well as the author's personal experiences facing dangerous creatures like Trolls, Long-tailed Crocodiles, Vampires, and Volde-bats alone.
After a quick flip through, Sherlock decisively bought it.
At the end of the essential checklist, there was also a special reminder:
First-year students are not allowed to bring their own Broomsticks.
This special reminder had naturally already caught Sherlock's attention.
Sherlock was not a rule-follower.
He never minded breaking rules—if necessary.
Broomsticks and such… whether it was necessary to carry one was still uncertain, but he at least had to find out what this thing actually was.
At Quality Quidditch Supplies, also located on the north side of Diagon Alley, Sherlock finally saw it.
As the name suggests, Broomsticks are brooms that can fly in the sky.
In the Magical World, they are the most common mode of transportation for Wizards and are also widely used in various sports competitions.
Naturally curious about the unknown, Sherlock was immediately drawn to this novel item.
However, after observing them, he found their prices astonishingly high.
Entry-level Broomsticks started at one or two hundred Galleons—which already reached the annual currency exchange limit for non-Wizarding families.
High-quality Broomsticks, like the Nimbus 2000 and Shooting Star, two top-tier brands, cost over 1000 Galleons each.
According to the specialty store owner, for those going to a magic school, the biggest use of Broomsticks, besides flying, was to participate in Quidditch matches.
It was a sport similar to football.
The main difference from the latter was that the field moved from the ground to the air, in addition to some extra rules.
It could be said that in the Magical World, everyone loved Quidditch.
However, after various considerations, Sherlock ultimately declined the enthusiastic owner's offer—even though he claimed he could provide a way for first-year students to secretly bring Broomsticks into the school.
In addition, he once again convinced his mother to choose a pewter cauldron.
—Mrs. Holmes had originally wanted to buy a pure gold one.
Besides not being allowed to carry Broomsticks, the enrollment checklist also reminded new students that they could bring an Owl, a toad, or a cat.
According to the pet shop owner, toads were once very popular many years ago.
Although they themselves had no magical abilities, they were excellent subjects for practicing Charms and testing Potions.
Especially for apothecaries, their skin could attract liquids, which made testing oral Potions more convenient and faster.
Unfortunately, times had changed.
Toads were no longer popular.
Cats weren't good either; besides catching mice, they were prone to causing allergic reactions.
Therefore, Owls were the best choice.
However, in Sherlock's opinion, it was purely because an Owl cost 15 Galleons, which was much more expensive than pet cats, which averaged 10 Galleons, and toads, which cost single digits.
But Sherlock still chose an Owl.
Just from the ability to send letters and parcels, it was already worth the price.
This time, the Sherlock family of three rarely reached a consensus.
Next was the part of the trip that Sherlock was most interested in.
Buying a wand.
There was only one wand shop in all of Diagon Alley, located on the south side of Diagon Alley.
Compared to other shops in Diagon Alley, this shop appeared small and dilapidated.
A single wand rested on a faded purple cushion in the dusty window, and the gold lettering on the door, peeling, read: "Ollivanders: Makers of Fine Wands Since 382 B.C."
—Perhaps the lack of renovation was intentional, to emphasize the 382 B.C. date.
Sherlock immediately thought.
As he stepped into the shop, a series of tinkling Bells rang out.
Sherlock's gaze quickly swept over the shop.
The space here was not large, and there was no furniture except for a long bench in the corner.
Thousands of narrow boxes containing wands were piled from the floor all the way to the ceiling, covered in a thin layer of dust.
Just then, a soft voice spoke: "Welcome."
It was a small old man, his silvery eyes shining like two bright moons in the dim shop.
Clever, confident, lonely, compassionate, around 55 years old, just finished serving another customer.
The moment he saw Ollivander, Sherlock immediately drew this conclusion.
At the same time, Ollivander smiled and said to Sherlock and his parents:
"Looks like a young Wizard from a Muggle family!"
Sherlock raised an eyebrow at the words.
This was the second time he had heard the word "Muggle" today.
The first time was Tom, the owner of the Leaky Cauldron.
From the context, it should refer to ordinary people from non-Wizarding families, but…
"Which arm do you use to wield a wand?"
Ollivander's words interrupted Sherlock's thoughts.
"Right hand," Sherlock paused, then added, "Left hand also works—if necessary."
Ollivander looked at Sherlock with some surprise.
In all his years of running the shop, he had never heard such an answer.
After a moment of stunned, he still prioritized Sherlock's right arm, and began to measure him.
From shoulder to fingertip, from wrist to elbow, from knee to armpit, meticulously.
During this process, Sherlock was surprised to find that the tape measure was operating automatically.
However, considering this was the Magical World, he quickly felt relieved.
If it can't be explained, magic fills the gap.
This scene only surprised Sherlock, but for Mrs. Holmes, it was exciting.
This tool was simply amazing!
She definitely had to ask this gentleman later; it would be so much easier to make clothes for her husband and child with it.
After the measurements were taken, it was time to choose a wand.
Sherlock had originally thought this would be a simple matter.
He never expected that the time spent next would be longer than his mother's usual shopping trips.
"Nine inches, willow wood, swishes nicely, a good wand for casting—here, try giving it a wave."
Sherlock took the wand.
But before he could even wave it, Ollivander snatched it away.
Sherlock: (ಠ_ಠ)
What does this mean?
"Try this one, mahogany, ten and a quarter inches, more flexible."
Before Sherlock could ask, the other party had already handed him a new wand.
This time, Sherlock did try to wave it, but there was no reaction.
"Again, Unicorn hair, ebony core, good flexibility, nine and three-quarter inches."
Something flew off the shelf next door—clearly not suitable either.
"Ash wood, Phoenix feather, seven and a half inches."
"Black walnut and Dragon nerve, eight inches."
…
Time, in this way, slowly passed by unnoticed.