The Splintered Dreams

"Cordell," Khaat said gently, "I know its a huge change for you. Feels a lot like starting over, I'm sure. Be patient. People like us have a hard time with that, and we also have a hard time with our feelings. It'll be okay. I'll make sure you get a new wand. And I'm positive it will be better than you've ever had. As I said, nobody makes a better wand anywhere in the wizarding world than Ollivanders." She went over to him and laid her hand on his shoulder, and felt his headache the instant she touched him. "Tension," she said to him gently. She laid a hand on the side of his head and drew off the headache quickly. "That should feel better. Maybe you're pushing a bit too hard. We'll go into Ollivander's tomorrow, or on the way home tonight. I know how unarmed you'll feel without a wand."

"Certainly. Daddy knows the importance of a good wand as well as anyone else...."

"I know what?" Robert laughed, comiing in with his coat and khaat's heavier black cloak over his arm. "What's this I'm supposed to know about. He'd gotten it from her office.

"I'm going with you? I had planned on staying and working," Khaat said.

"Oh I know very well what you had planned," Robert said glaring at her. "Put this on. That one isn't heavy enough for the colder weather we're getting tonight. You need to come home and get a good dinner. Your mother is cooking a pot roast. And that's also one of your favorites. You need to come home and get a meal. And, I know its a novel idea, but maybe even some sleep in your own bed."

"Daddy," she sighed.

"Khaat," he reprimanded. Khaat knew better than to press him beyond a certain point. She put the heavier cloak on.

"I guess we're leaving, Cordell. Daddy, we need just to stop at Ollivander's. Cordell really needs a wand."

"Fine. Then we need to go before Ollivander's closes for the day," Robert said, leading the way out of St. Mungos and apparating them out and right in front of Ollivanders quickly and easily.

"They will fit you for a wand. The one that is truly meant for you," Khaat explained. "It should only take a moment or two. They really are artists at what they do. Nothing will replace your father's wand. I know how that feels, but you really should have your own wand too. You may get your father's wand back. Its too soon to tell. Unless it has vast powers or is a famous wand, most of the time, those get left behind, like useless muggle artillery. We don't know what happened to it. Ranger Walker, I am surprised at how quicklly you give up. You're a warrior. You really do know better." She cast him a glare that was meant to bring him back up in his boots to where he belonged and not getting into the mindset of a quitter.

Khaat went back outside. "I can't choose your wand for you, Walker, and until you get your dad's wand back, you really do need another. It is okay to have more than one. Sort of like having more than one gun. Look, I can't guarantee we'll be there to defend you if you get into trouble without a wand. Heck, sometimes I can't protect myself. Now, if for no other reason that to trust me just a little, get back in there and get yourself a wand."
She knew how much that wand meant to him, maybe more than he would ever know. But now he was just being stubborn, and she was going to challenge him if that was what it took to get him moving again in the right direction.

"Thank you, Mr. Ollivander," Khaat smiled. "You always make the perfect match." He smiled, " It's always good to see you, Khaat. So how is that father of yours? I hvaen't seen him in a long time?" "Same as ever," Khaat laughed. "He's here. He went across the street while we came in here."

At that moment, Robert came in with a couple of wizarding newspapers under his arm. Ollivander and Robert had a wonderful reunion, clearly old mates meeting up again after a long absence. "Are you fixing him up, Ollie?" Robert asked. "Of course" Ollivander smiled at Robert, "Dont I always?" "You certainly do," Robert laughed. "Well, go ahead, Lad, try it out," Robert said to Cordell. "We can't get this finished until you try it, no matter how pretty that stick might be. Unless its the right one for you, its still just a pretty stick."