The two kids looked on in amazement as Amos Diggory opened the hidden entrance to Diagon Alley. Granted, magic was nothing new to Cedric but it was another thing to know about it or to actually see a brick wall moving aside to create a doorway into a completely different world. His friend Joey was completely blown away by all the shops selling magical supplies. Amos had not been thrilled when Cedric had asked permission to take his friend along when he was getting his school supplies, but in the end he couldn't deny his son's pleading. As soon as Joey had convinced her parents that she needed to keep an owl as a pet, Cedric thought it was just fair that she should pick out her own.

This was Joana's first glimpse into the magical world and she was probably more excited than Cedric and wished she didn't have to wait two more years to finally go to school. Consequently she tried to soak in the sights. There was Gringott’s bank, a Cauldron Shop and Apothecary, Florish and Blotts with all the magical books – where they almost lost Joey, as she had picked up a book and retreated in a quiet corner and started reading - Madam Malkin’s Robes and Ollivander’s Wands. They visited them all one after the other and saved Ecylops Owl Emporium for last. The name of the shop was misleading as they were offering many more familiars than just owls. In the muggle world Joana despised buying pets from a store but this seemed different. It was a store, yes, but Cedric had explained to her that all the animals here had been rescued and nursed back to health and were now given a new chance at a good life. The money they would be spending in here would go right back to help more animals. Joey liked that.

As communication was the issue Cedric and Joey only had eyes for the owls. Joey tried to tune in to every bird she approached, in order to find a connection. Finally she decided on a silver Sooty Owl with large black eyes and a beautiful black marking around his face that looked like a disc and named him Clyde. Cedric took a similar approach, sticking his finger into every cage and picking the one who protested the most to this intrusion. When Joey gave him a quizzical look he said “What? I like the spirited ones! Owls are magnificent birds and they shouldn’t cower down to our will. I’m sure Miss Bonnie here will warm up to me eventually.” Joey chuckled "Bonnie? Are you serious? You’re going to name your owl Bonnie? Bonnie & Clyde?” Cedric grinned mischievously “Oh… I hadn’t even noticed!” And he picked up his large brown Eagle Forest Owl and turned to leave.

Back at home Cedric excitedly shared his experiences in Diagon Alley with his mother and showed her his new wand. "Ah, Ash! I should have known!" Cedric looked surprised. "I read up on old Druid Magic when I was in school, always interested me. After graduation I did an internship at Ollivander’s. Did Mr. Ollivander not tell you more about your wand?" Cedric shook his head "He was very busy but he knew who I was and told me to make sure to tell you it was Ash, pleasantly springy, 12 1/4 inches long. Oh and he said it has a unicorn tale hair." Justina raised an eyebrow "Yeah, he said it's from a particularly fine male unicorn." He glanced at his mother "So, Mom - what else is there to know about my wand?" Justina gave him a warm look and smiled at him. "Are you really interested or do you just want to indulge your old mother?" With an exasperated sigh, Cedric answered "Mo-hom" drawing out the word into two syllables. "You're not that old yet. And yes, I really do want to know. Maybe it can help me with my magic."  Justina nodded "Indeed, it could, Honey! That’s a very smart observation.

Well - the ash tree is one of the sacred trees of Wicca and witchcraft. Ancient Druids and in fact most other ancient mythologies consider it the father of all trees, the tree of life from which all the worlds spring. It unites the past, present and future and represents the continual cycle of birth and rebirth. It is a symbol of strength, purpose and wisdom. Folklore says a dragon lives in the root of the ash and the mighty eagle in its branches. Furthermore the ash tree also symbolizes the astral dimension and its many doorways, therefore linking the inner and the outer worlds. This has given the ash tree the reputation that it forms a pathway or a bridge by which the wizard may travel among the worlds. You could also conclude, that maybe you'll have a knack for divination, as the astral dimension is, of course, associated with divination, prophecy and inspiration."

Cedric wrinkled his nose "Divination? Really? That never struck me as all that interesting...." Justina shrugged her shoulders. "Didn't you tell me that Joana supposedly has inherited that gift from her great-great grandmother?" Cedric nodded. "Maybe you can give her some pointers after you take a class or two." Cedric seemed to ponder that fact. "At the very least it's something you'll have to talk about." His face lightened up a little. "I suppose ...." Justina laughed. "Ok then, now for the spells. Wands made of ash wood are supposedly good for spells that require focus and strength and strength of purpose. They are often used for healing and are excellent in the use of protection spells. As the Ash is associated with the element of water it was believed that carrying a branch of ash along on a boat ride would shield the bearer from drowning." Cedric protested again "But I can swim!" Joana nodded "I know that! You’re like a fish in the water. And that may very well be one of the reasons why this wand chose you, since you already have a big connection to the water."

Cedric now looked at his Mom in astonishment. "Wow, that's really a lot of stuff your wand considers before it picks you, isn't it?" Again, Justina nodded. "Your wand is your most important tool from now on. It can help you and it will protect you. It's your best ally, like an extension of yourself, really! That's why it is so important that you are paired with the right wand. The more compatible you are, the stronger it will make you as a wizard, the more powerful your magic will be." Cedric nodded his understanding "Is there anything else?" Justina reached for his wand "Let me see...  Sometimes the decorations of your wand are not unimportant. You have spiral sun symbols, which emphasize Ash's link to the sun. Then you have these eight-spoke wheels, which is really interesting." - "It is?" - Justina nodded "Yes, you see the Greek Goddess Nemesis carried an ash wand as a symbol of divine justice. She is also seen in iconology with an eight-spoke wheel that symbolizes the solar year. Furthermore the wheel symbolizes the fates who dispensed her justice under the ash tree, metering out happiness or misery. Actually, I remember now that the ash was also said to be enabling harmony with your surroundings. You see how that is all connected?" Cedric nodded pondering his mother's accounts.

"Any questions, Baby?" Cedric flinched and rolled his eyes "Mo-hom! I'm not a baby anymore!" Justina grinned "Oh, sorry, of course not!" - "Mom, what significance does the wand core have - or does it have any at all?" - Oh yes, I almost forgot. Unicorns are, of course, magical creatures that are considered, fierce yet good, selfless yet solitary but always mysteriously beautiful. It is pure of heart and his horn therefore has the power to neutralize poison. A unicorn can be captured by unfair means only." She looked at her son again, very fondly "In other words, they are very special creatures - just like you" Cedric frowned.

Justina laughed "Before you Mo-hom - me again, here is another little trivia fact about ash wood that you with your dislike of snakes will probably appreciate." Cedric shot her a quizzical look? "What's that, Mom?" - "For some reason snakes have an innate fear of the ash tree and will not crawl over its wood." That's good to know, thought Cedric shuddering.