In any place where an open market economy exists, establishing a monopoly within a region is quite challenging. Because any replicable business endeavor will inevitably lead to market competition. The innate human ability to learn and imitate plays a clear role in this aspect.
Even in the relatively small Diagon Alley, the same competitive rules apply. For instance, there are three clothing stores: "Toufan Tailors," "Madame Malkin's Robes for All Occasions," and a "Second-Hand Robes Shop." When wizards seek to buy magical creatures, potion ingredients, or various publications, they often have more than one option.
If we include the shops in the adjacent Knockturn Alley, this market competition becomes even more evident and intense.
However, there are two exceptions in this scenario.
One is the large global chain bank, "Gringotts," entirely controlled by goblins.
The other is the wand shop operated by the Ollivander family, which has been crafting wands since 382 BC.
The long lineage of familial craftsmanship and word-of-mouth reputation has placed the Ollivander family at a prestigious position in the wand-making realm.
Especially with this generation's heir, Garrick Ollivander, influenced by generations of wand-making artistry within the family, he demonstrated talent early on.
With ambitions to improve the current wand cores and woods and a fervent pursuit of the ideal wand since his youth, he quickly became one of the three best wand makers in Europe, hailed as the finest wand crafter in the world.
To the extent that many foreigners specifically come to London just to purchase a wand crafted by Ollivander, refusing to buy locally. Naturally, Ollivander's Wand Shop completely monopolized the wand business in the London area.
Having finally entered the wizarding world, Elena naturally held high expectations for her future wand. Her earlier reluctance was merely a show of defiance.
"Is this it, Ollivanders Wand Shop? The legendary best wand shop in the world?"
Elena eyed the small, dilapidated shop uncertainly. If not for the faded gold sign on the door clearly stating, "Ollivander: Crafting Wands Since 382 BC," she might have doubted if Dumbledore had led her to the right place.
"The value of a thing doesn't always match its outward grandeur. Ollivander is a pure wand crafter; for him, spending anything beyond a Galleon on anything other than wands is shameful."
Dumbledore chuckled gently, leading Elena into the tiny wand shop.
The shop was small, with nothing but a long bench, and thousands of wand boxes stacked almost to the ceiling.
"Dumbledore? Albus Dumbledore! Delighted to see you again, truly! Welcome, welcome, didn't expect you to visit."
Before Elena could fully survey the wand boxes around her, an old man suddenly stood before them. His pale silver eyes gleamed like two dim moons in the dimly lit shop.
Exhibiting clear delight at Dumbledore's sudden visit, Ollivander approached Dumbledore, rubbing his hands together with a slightly nervous and excited tone.
"Mr. Dumbledore, you must be carrying that wand with you, right? Can you let me study it? I can promise you anything you ask."
"Ollivander, we can discuss that matter separately."
Dumbledore raised his hand slightly, silencing Ollivander's further words with a glance, then reached out, pulling the silver-haired young girl standing behind him forward. "Today's focus is on her."
"Oh, of course, yes, yes." Ollivander alertly redirected the conversation, turning to examine Elena.
"Quite peculiar, exceptionally peculiar, I sense an extraordinarily strong and free-floating magical power."
Ollivander murmured softly, causing Elena's hair to stand on end. The old man's dry fingers lightly brushed Elena's silver hair hanging over her shoulder, a faintly suggestive and mysterious smile appearing on his face.
"Mr. Dumbledore, according to the 'Wand Regulations,' magical creatures aren't allowed to possess wands."
"Thank you for the reminder; I am well aware of the content of the 'Wand Regulations.' Miss Elena Kaslana is a bona fide human witch; she simply possesses some unique talents."
Dumbledore spoke solemnly, another reason he insisted on accompanying Elena to get her wand — as a part-human Veela, Elena's blood concentration was exceptionally high.
If it were an ordinary wizard, they might just perceive the young girl as having extraordinary magical potential. However, facing Ollivander, who had spent nearly a lifetime dealing with magical materials, Elena's truth was impossible to hide.
"I heard that Hogwarts is the only place in the UK that has successfully tamed Thestral..."
Ollivander suddenly interjected.
"On this matter, I don't think there should be any major issue," Dumbledore smiled slightly.
"Ah, an excellent young wizard."
Ollivander's tense expression relaxed slightly as he glanced at the silver-haired girl in front of him. Removing his finger from the girl's silver locks, he reached into his pocket and took out a long measuring tape with silver markings.
"Which arm are you used to using?"
Instead of answering directly, Elena frowned and asked, "Why do you need body measurements just to buy a wand?"
"Because every wand crafted by the Ollivander family is unique. To help you select the right wand, I need to measure your arm length, forearm length, height, head circumference, and other dimensions, then choose a wand based on these parameters."
Just as Ollivander had just secured Dumbledore's promise, he seemed to be in a good mood, patiently explaining to Elena.
"But I'm only ten now. Won't I grow? Do I need to change my wand every year?"
"Um..."
Ollivander's smile froze, his mouth twitching, unsure how to respond. For all these years, he had never considered this question.
"Following your theory, if a child who's one meter tall uses a twelve-inch wand, then when he becomes a two-meter adult, he won't still be using such a small wand, right? If we're proportionately increasing, shouldn't it become a thick stick by then, with the magical material inside also increasing?!"
Elena tilted her head, gesturing with her fingers. Elena had always harbored this doubt about wands, a type of tool that could be considered a weapon. As an amplifier of magical effects, an adult wizard's weapon should logically be larger, thicker, and more powerful — even if not something like a two-handed staff, at least it should resemble a rolling pin.
"A wizard's strength improves with age and knowledge, so why wouldn't the wand upgrade with the enhancement in strength?"
Boom!
Facing the innocent question from the young girl, Ollivander suddenly felt a previously closed door in his mind burst open, revealing an entirely new world of wand crafting before him.
Until this moment, he had been attempting to change the combination of wand materials and cores, believing that to be the future direction of wand business. Yet, he had never considered fundamentally altering the form of wands.
"...You make a valid point."
Ollivander struggled to articulate, his expression becoming notably serious, his voice dry as he responded.
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