Brewing an activation potion was a vital step in the art of wandmaking. Only with a truly refined activation potion could magical wood be awakened, enhancing its resonance with the chosen core.
Unlike most modern potions, the activation brews used for wandmaking often called for far older, more arcane magical ingredients.
To help Wyzett lay the proper foundation, Ollivander had recommended several ancient tomes—guides to the properties and uses of these rare ingredients. It was, in its way, a mark of trust: Ollivander believed this sharp-minded Ravenclaw might just be worthy of the old secrets.
As the start of term drew ever closer, most new students had already found their perfect wands. The shop's busiest days had passed, and with a rare window of calm, Ollivander resumed his private lessons in wandcraft.
He held up two small, round fruits. "Mistletoe berries come in both white and red. The white are easier to come by and are used in most standard activation potions."
"But if you've already selected your wand components—say, dragon heartstring or phoenix feather—and want to push for true excellence, you might consider using the red berries…"
He paused, lips pressed together, waiting for Wyzett's insight.
This was a teaching style reserved just for Wyzett: guiding him to reason out answers, deepening his understanding through dialogue.
Wyzett opened his Oculus Magicae, the Eye of Magic, and studied the two berries. Their magical circuits were nearly identical, but the red berry's patterns glimmered with a sharper, more vibrant clarity—a sign of superior potency, the very essence of "pursuing perfection."
After a moment, he spoke. "Before wands, mistletoe was a common conduit for magic. Its properties are healing and protection—it was one of the earliest ingredients in restorative potions. So, in an activation potion, it likely restores the vitality of magical wood and protects both wizard and wand. Would you say that's correct, Mr. Ollivander?"
"Excellent. Exactly right!" Ollivander nodded, setting the white berries aside. "We'll use these as our practice batch in a moment."
He lifted a vial of golden liquid, its contents swirling like molten stardust. "Oak sap," Wyzett said immediately. "It stands for strength and resilience—extends a wand's lifespan and purifies the base wood."
"Very good! And this—" Ollivander produced a bottle of vivid green. "Clover essence. It helps the activation potion blend more evenly."
"Clover's unique properties also promote harmony between wizard and wand," he added, arranging the three ingredients together. "These form the foundation of any activation potion."
"From there, you'll tailor the recipe—adding other magical ingredients to suit different woods and cores. The key is to avoid overwhelming the wand's nature, while still achieving perfect balance…"
Wyzett considered, then asked, "Mr. Ollivander, if I'm using unicorn tail hair as the core, could I add vervain? Its qualities are purification, protection, and healing."
"Spot on!" Ollivander beamed. "Heather, sage, rowan—they're all suitable as well."
"Harmony is the eternal pursuit in wandmaking. That's what makes your Eye of Magic so special. You can observe the wand directly, guiding it toward true balance."
"This time, I'm planning a wand of willow and unicorn tail hair. Let's use that as our example—and see if we can finish before term starts!"
At first, Ollivander had assumed Wyzett's knowledge came from spare moments spent learning to identify and prepare herbs under Professor Snape's tutelage. But as he supervised the brewing process, he realized Wyzett possessed a rare knack for potion-making as well.
Brewing potions is no easy feat. It demands patience, focus, and a tolerance for monotony. With activation potions, the challenge is even greater—maintaining absolute precision to preserve every ounce of potency.
Ollivander had prepared over a dozen sets of ingredients, expecting some to be wasted. In his experience, if Wyzett could manage one successful batch out of ten, it would already mark him as unusually gifted.
But when Wyzett picked up his tools and began his work, Ollivander quickly realized this would be no ordinary lesson.
Wyzett's hands moved with quiet confidence. Each motion was controlled and economical; his tools barely kissed the cutting board. He cut every ingredient to uniform size, sorted them meticulously, and kept his workspace immaculate. Watching him was almost soothing—a display of skill that spoke of countless hours of practice.
Ollivander glanced at the clock. Ten minutes per set, and each was processed flawlessly.
"Mr. Ollivander, shall I continue with the rest of these ingredients?" Wyzett asked, pausing only briefly.
"Yes, go on! We'll need all of them."
"Understood." Wyzett replied crisply, never missing a beat.
Ollivander watched, growing ever more impressed. Even after so much repetition, Wyzett maintained perfect technique, ensuring consistent yields from every batch.
When all the ingredients were ready, Wyzett gave a small flick of his wand, clearing the sweat from his brow. Almost automatically, he asked, "Sna—Mr. Ollivander, is there anything I could improve?"
For a moment, it was as if he'd been transported back to Hogwarts, seeking feedback after a private lesson with Snape.
It was a habit: after every session, he'd ask for critique—what could be refined, which steps needed more care, how his technique might be sharpened.
"I… honestly, everything was excellent. Both your technique and your efficiency—remarkable!" Ollivander murmured.
"Wyzett, you mentioned Snape just now… At Hogwarts, did he always offer suggestions after you finished preparing ingredients?"
"At first, Professor Snape would correct my mistakes directly," Wyzett nodded. "Later, he spoke less, so I got into the habit of asking for feedback after each session, and improving based on his advice."
Ollivander looked genuinely surprised. "He taught you that way?"
"Yes, sir," Wyzett replied.
"A hawthorn wand… that would be a tricky one…" Ollivander muttered, almost to himself. "No wonder… with talent like this…"
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