By the time Reyes and the others walked out of Gringotts and reached Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions, Nymphadora looked as though she had been waiting there for quite some time.
She was sitting on a bench near the wall, flipping through a thick copy of A History of Magic with obvious boredom. When she noticed Andromeda and Reyes returning, she merely lifted a hand in greeting.
Closing the book, Tonks slipped it back into her small handbag—a bag that clearly had an Undetectable Extension Charm placed upon it—and began telling her mother what had happened while they were inside the bank.
"You're finally back," Tonks said. "Gringotts sure takes its time. Honestly, if you had come out just five minutes earlier, you might have run into Harry Potter right outside the entrance. The entire Leaky Cauldron was cheering his name just now."
At the mention of that familiar name, Reyes instinctively perked up.
Andromeda paused in surprise. "Oh? That poor child must already be old enough for Hogwarts. Who brought him? Dumbledore?"
"Hagrid did," Tonks replied with a slight grimace. "You know how much Dumbledore trusts him. But honestly, I've never thought that big lug was very reliable. The moment they walked into the Leaky Cauldron, he practically announced Harry Potter's identity to the entire room. Imagine what would happen if a Dark Wizard happened to be nearby."
Tonks received a light swat on the shoulder from her mother.
"Don't speak like that," Andromeda said gently. "Dumbledore must have his reasons. Hagrid's character is beyond doubt—he's just… straightforward. And perhaps a bit careless at times."
Tonks pursed her lips. "That's exactly what I meant."
Then she waved a dismissive hand.
"Alright, alright. Stop looking at me like that. Let's drop the subject and hurry up with the rest of our errands. If we keep delaying like this, we'll end up having lunch right here in Diagon Alley."
Andromeda glanced at the time. It was already past eleven in the morning.
She decided not to argue further.
Taking Reyes gently by the hand, she led both children into Madam Malkin's robe shop.
Reyes had originally assumed that they would simply purchase a few standard Hogwarts robes and be done with it.
However, Andromeda had other ideas.
Not only did she order the required school robes, she also insisted on having a custom-made robe prepared especially for him. This one would be far more refined, carefully tailored to fit him perfectly, and enchanted so that its color could change at will.
"That way," she explained warmly, "once you're Sorted, you can immediately change the robe to match your house colors."
Reyes had little choice but to obediently follow Madam Malkin's instructions.
The cheerful witch bustled around him with a measuring tape, muttering numbers under her breath while carefully taking measurements of his arms, shoulders, chest, and height.
The entire process took nearly half an hour.
Finally satisfied, Madam Malkin stepped back with a smile.
"And where should we send the custom robe once it's finished?"
Andromeda gave her their home address and thanked her politely.
With that done, they prepared to head toward their final destination of the day—the wand shop.
"I originally wanted to buy you an owl," Andromeda said as they stepped back onto the street. "But first-year students are only allowed to bring one pet to Hogwarts. If you intend to take Ailey with you, then bringing an owl won't be possible."
She smiled reassuringly.
"You can always borrow one of ours whenever you need to send letters."
Reyes nodded in appreciation.
But just as they stepped out of the shop's entrance, they nearly collided with another family entering the store with their young son.
Andromeda stopped immediately.
Her expression did not visibly change, but the name left her lips in a calm, measured tone.
"Narcissa?"
Reyes quickly examined the woman standing across from them.
The resemblance was unmistakable.
The elegant blonde woman looked strikingly similar to Andromeda—almost as if they shared the same facial structure—but her complexion was much paler, and there was a cold sharpness in her eyes.
Standing beside her was a tall, aristocratic-looking man with sleek blond hair and an expression of clear disdain.
Between them stood a boy roughly Reyes's age.
There was little doubt about their identities.
This was the Malfoy family.
The moment Andromeda spoke the woman's name, both adults on the other side visibly stiffened.
"Andromeda Tonks," Narcissa replied coldly, deliberately emphasizing the surname.
Her gaze then moved to Nymphadora and Reyes standing beside Andromeda.
When she looked at Tonks, her eyes briefly flashed with unmistakable contempt.
When her gaze shifted to Reyes, however, a flicker of surprise crossed her face before quickly turning into understanding.
"So," she said with a faint sneer, "that man's bastard. No wonder we'd find you here."
She leaned slightly toward her husband and whispered something quietly into his ear.
Lucius Malfoy cast a disdainful glance toward Andromeda's group.
"In that case," he said coolly to his wife, "you may remain here and discuss matters regarding this… bastard with her."
Tonks immediately bristled.
She looked ready to step forward and say something sharp in response to the family's arrogance.
But Andromeda stopped her with a raised hand.
"You take Reyes to buy his wand," she said calmly. "I have some matters to discuss with your aunt. I'll find you afterward."
Tonks snorted quietly.
She clearly had no intention of recognizing this woman as her aunt.
Still, she understood that the matter likely involved Reyes and the House of Black.
So she grabbed Reyes by the arm and began walking down the street toward Ollivanders.
As they walked, Tonks attempted to explain the situation to him in a relatively calm voice.
"Those people were the Malfoys," she said. "They're one of the most staunch pure-blood wizarding families in Britain."
She kicked a loose pebble along the street in irritation.
"Narcissa is actually my mother's younger sister. But ever since my mum married my dad, they've practically had no contact."
She glanced down at Reyes.
"They're also among the people who don't want you returning to the House of Black."
She shrugged.
"But don't worry about them. With us around, they can't do anything to you."
Reyes nodded calmly.
The Malfoys were known for being master opportunists—people who carefully watched which side was winning before deciding where to place their loyalties.
Such people were rarely the most dangerous.
Still, Reyes knew that he hadn't truly become a wizard yet.
Until he gained more strength, this sort of political struggle wasn't something he could afford to involve himself in.
He only wondered what Andromeda and Narcissa would ultimately discuss.
While Tonks continued muttering complaints about the Malfoys, they soon arrived at their destination.
Ollivanders Wand Shop.
The small store looked rather shabby compared to the surrounding shops.
Beside the faded sign above the door were the words:
Ollivander — Makers of Fine Wands Since 382 B.C.
A single wand rested on display inside the dusty shop window.
Tonks rummaged through her enchanted bag and finally pulled out the large, awkward stick Reyes had brought with him.
"Let's show him this first," she said. "Hopefully Ollivander can figure out what it's made of."
She glanced at Reyes.
"But honestly, you should probably buy a normal wand anyway. Carrying this thing around everywhere would be terribly inconvenient."
With that, she pushed open the door.
A small bell jingled as they entered.
From the depths of the shop, a calm voice spoke.
"Good afternoon."
An elderly man with bright, silvery eyes soon emerged from between the towering stacks of wand boxes.
"Ah… Miss Nymphadora Tonks," he said pleasantly. "It has been quite a long time."
He studied her closely.
"Mahogany. Fourteen inches. Quite suitable for a Metamorphmagus like yourself."
Tonks blinked in surprise.
"That's incredible," she said. "I look completely different from when I was a child, yet you still recognized me."
Ollivander gave a small smile.
"That is simply a basic requirement for a wandmaker."
His gaze drifted toward the enormous stick in Tonks's hands.
He clearly did not consider the possibility that it might be a wand.
Instead, he assumed it was some unusual alchemical artifact they had purchased elsewhere.
Then his eyes fell upon Reyes.
"Ah," he said thoughtfully. "You must be this year's new student… Reyes White Black."
He grew quiet for a moment.
"I remember your father."
Reyes looked at him with interest.
"It was many years ago," Ollivander continued slowly. "Not long after I first became the shop owner. The weather was lovely that day. Your grandfather brought your father here to buy his first wand."
He studied Reyes's face carefully.
"He looked almost exactly like you… though perhaps a bit stockier."
"He tried more than a dozen wands before we finally found the right one. Maple. Eleven inches."
Ollivander smiled faintly.
"Judging from his later life, it was quite a suitable match. Your father possessed a strong spirit of adventure."
The old wandmaker sighed softly.
"It's just a shame things turned out the way they did."
Reyes spoke calmly.
"I only learned about my father today. He was disowned by the House of Black. So you may simply call me Reyes… or White."
Ollivander nodded thoughtfully.
"Yes… for the Blacks, that sort of thing is hardly unusual."
He waved the matter away.
"But let us not dwell on such topics. Mr. White, let us see what kind of wand suits you."
He produced a measuring tape and stepped closer.
Before he could begin, Tonks quickly handed him the large stick.
"Actually, could you examine this first?" she said. "It belonged to Reyes's father. He can cast some rather unusual magic with it."
She hesitated slightly.
"So we were hoping you might tell us what exactly this… big wand is."
Ollivander looked puzzled.
"This is… a wand?"
He lifted the oversized stick and examined it carefully.
Several minutes passed.
"Hm," he murmured uncertainly.
"It resembles oak… but not English oak. I have never encountered such a peculiar variety before."
He frowned.
"And it appears to have no core whatsoever. The craftsmanship is extremely crude. Frankly, it hardly resembles a wand at all."
He waved it experimentally.
Nothing happened.
At last he handed the stick back to Reyes.
"Try waving it yourself."
Reyes lifted the stick and cast Arcane Comet once more.
The burst of magic streaked forward like a blazing meteor.
Ollivander's eyes widened in astonishment.
"Remarkable," he whispered. "Truly remarkable."
"For such a crude… 'wand' to unleash that level of power in your hands…"
He studied Reyes with great seriousness.
"The wand chooses the wizard."
"Though this object hardly resembles a wand in any conventional sense, there remain many mysteries between wands and wizards that we do not yet understand."
He nodded firmly.
"And clearly, only in your hands can it reveal its true power."
"You are its one and only master."
A glimmer of excitement shone in his silvery eyes.
"You know… when I see ancient, mysterious oak like this, it reminds me of someone."
"Legend says that Merlin himself wielded an oak wand."
"Though it may only be legend, many British wizards believe that those chosen by oak wands are destined to accomplish great things."
Ollivander smiled thoughtfully.
"And since you have earned the recognition of such a remarkable wand…"
He looked directly at Reyes.
"Perhaps you too will achieve astonishing feats in the future."