Chapter 22 — Dumbledore's Anticipation
It was hard to say exactly what Professor McGonagall was thinking at the moment—even she couldn't quite put it into words.
But half an hour later, Siron left her office successfully carrying five full strands of McGonagall's hair.
Soon after, McGonagall herself left and walked down two corridors, arriving at the door of the Headmaster's office, also on the eighth floor.
The events of today had been too incredible. She needed someone to help her make sense of it all, and Dumbledore was the best choice.
The Headmaster's office was blocked by an unsightly gargoyle with a dripping mouth.
"Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans," McGonagall said.
The gargoyle stepped aside, revealing the spiral staircase behind it.
McGonagall stepped onto it and was quickly carried to the very top, stopping in front of an oak door.
She raised her hand and knocked. A moment later, Dumbledore's voice called from inside.
"Come in, Minerva."
McGonagall pushed open the door. Dumbledore was standing by a bookshelf, wearing pink pajamas decorated with strawberries, and a matching pointed hat—also pink.
"Why have you come to see me?" he asked.
Perhaps he had seen enough unusual things to remain unbothered, because McGonagall was not surprised by his dessert-like attire. She got straight to the point and recounted what had happened half an hour ago.
"If a wizard's wand core is made from their own hair, they would be the most in-sync partners imaginable—completely harmonious, unstoppable…" Dumbledore pushed up his glasses, intrigued.
"Did he really say that?"
"Yes," McGonagall nodded. "But Albus, is it even possible? Using a wizard's hair as a wand core?"
"Have you not already seen another impossibility with your own eyes?" Dumbledore countered. "Three spells simultaneously? Unheard of."
"If I hadn't seen it myself, I would never have believed it," McGonagall sighed.
In truth, even seeing it firsthand hadn't fully convinced her—otherwise, she wouldn't have rushed to the Headmaster's office.
"Ollivander's skill is remarkable, but why have I never seen such a wand before?"
"No, Minerva, I think that has little to do with Ollivander—or Garrick Ollivander, for that matter," Dumbledore said. He walked to a table filled with various silver items and fell into a brief reverie.
"I suddenly remembered something rather interesting."
"Interesting?"
"Yes. About a year ago, I was looking for a suitable Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher for the school."
"Excuse me, Headmaster," McGonagall interrupted, "by 'suitable,' do you mean a wizard wanted by the Ministry?"
"Minerva, you wound me," Dumbledore said without changing his expression. "Nowadays, it's already difficult enough to find a wizard willing to teach… I must say, it was fortunate that Quirinus volunteered for the course this year, otherwise I would have had to continue searching for two more months."
"I just wish you would take things more seriously sometimes…" McGonagall said. "Alright, let's continue."
"Where was I?"
"A year ago."
"Oh, yes," Dumbledore said. "A year ago, I was visiting an old friend's house and happened to meet Garrick Ollivander there.
"My friend told me that Garrick was searching for a suitable wand core for his grandson and mentioned that he was rather unorthodox—a prodigious wandmaker capable of using all sorts of unusual materials for cores."
"Unusual materials?" McGonagall blinked.
"That's the interesting part," Dumbledore smiled. "I suppose you've already noticed the most crucial detail—the core of that circular wand was a Brain of a Five-Legged Creature."
McGonagall raised her head, her eyes flickering with surprise before turning into confusion.
"Looks like you've already guessed," Dumbledore said, smiling. "In our usual understanding and experience, when we think of a wand core, don't we always picture something slender, like a feather, that can easily be fitted inside the wand?"
"Exactly," McGonagall nodded reflexively.
"That's precisely what makes it so fascinating," Dumbledore walked to the window. "I studied wandlore for a while—not enough to be considered an expert, but enough to reach an apprentice level.
"In my view, a single neural strand alone isn't enough to produce a truly extraordinary effect in a wand. It would most likely behave like a normal wand… But a whole brain? That's a different matter entirely. It involves alchemical theories regarding the integrity and complexity of magical conduits.
"Then again, maybe it wasn't a full brain—after all, a Five-Legged Creature should be able to wield five types of magic simultaneously, yet you only saw three.
"Oh, I understand now. Its core probably came from Knockturn Alley, where most of the items are incomplete."
"Wait a moment, Albus," seeing Dumbledore getting increasingly animated, his eyes lighting up, McGonagall quickly interrupted. "But how… how did Siron do it?"
"Minerva, I don't know everything," Dumbledore shook his head. "Wandlore is a deep and mysterious knowledge, as ancient as magic itself. Perhaps only Siron himself can answer that question."
McGonagall didn't speak.
Of course, she couldn't simply go ask a student such a thing.
A few more minutes passed before McGonagall prepared to leave.
Although many questions remained unresolved, she had gained something.
Dumbledore seemed to know Siron—that was enough.
"Wait, Minerva," Dumbledore suddenly called after her. "May I ask you a favor?"
"Of course," McGonagall replied without hesitation, turning to ask, "What is it?"
"Well…" Dumbledore hesitated slightly, "if Siron really does create a wand from your hair, could you let me know?"
"Hmm?" McGonagall looked at him.
"I'm curious," Dumbledore mused, stroking his beard. "Perhaps I could ask him to make one for me as well."
"With all due respect, Albus…" McGonagall fixed him with a stare. "I don't think you really need a wand that perfectly obeys your every command."
"Thank you for the compliment, Minerva," Dumbledore's face reddened slightly. "I'm just curious. And, well… my wand sometimes has a mind of its own."
McGonagall studied him for a moment longer, trying to determine if he was joking.
In her memory, it had been a long time since she'd seen Dumbledore actually wield a wand. She even wondered if he truly needed one at all.
After a pause, she nodded, agreeing.
"Very well. If such a day comes, I will."
She didn't make her answer too definitive; she still harbored doubts about the idea of using hair as a wand core.
(End of Chapter)