Wand

A wand is a very important device through which a witch or wizard produces magic. The wand is created by talented wandmakers using wood and a core. These properties develop the traits of the wand. Even if two wands have the same wood and core from the same tree or creature, no two wands are precisely the same and each has its own unique character.

The manufacturer of the wand will put their own stamp on their products and use types of wood and cores that others do not, perfecting their own product. Known manufacturers include Garrick Ollivander. Wandless magic is possible but it is not easy and has to be produced with incredible skill and concentration. Creatures like house-elves have the ability perform their own magic without the need of a wand.

History

The wand as a tool was invented in Europe, with the earliest association being seemingly with the druids.

Wandlore

The character of a wand is created by a wand wood and core combination. Wand wood is an important component in developing a wand with certain wand woods and cores combining better than others. The wood can only be collected from trees with wand-quality wood. that are protected by wandmakers who tend to them with care. Bowtruckles often nest in them. Cutting them down will upset the Bowtruckles and cause the woodcutter to invoke the effect of the protective curses that the owners put on it.

Wandmakers have different ideas about what cores should be used, with Garrick Ollivander's research leading to him to only use unicorn hair, dragon heartstring or phoenix feather cores. Certain wood and cores can produce great power while others will create a dull wand. The wand itself chooses the witch and wizard when they hold it for the first time. If there is an affinity, they will perform a perfect spell.

Ollivander makes wands that range from at least nine to fourteen inches. The witch or wizard will be chosen by a wand based on their personality, skill and height. Whenever someone tries to buy a wand, the length of their arms is measured. This might also represent the style in which they will perform magic or a show of their power. The flexibility of the wand indicates how much the owner is open to the idea of change.

Properties

A wand will only work properly for the witch or wizard it has chosen. It is dangerous if others try wielding it. At the very least, the magic they perform will be sub-par compared to the magic they can create with a wand they have an affinity with. When the right wand is placed in their hand, it will generate a warm feeling and a small sign of magic like sparks. A wand does not think or communicate like a sentient being but they do have their own will and is capable of its own actions.

A wand will keep a record of every spell it has ever produced, with the spell Priori Incantatem being used to create echoes of what it has recently performed. If wands are broken or damaged, the magic it produces will be unpredictable and they can be broken beyond repair.

Wands can retain the character and magical skills of the beast that its wand core was created with. Those with the feathers of a Thunderbird have been known to pre-emptively fire when it senses danger, an ability of the bird itself.

Elder Wand

There is only one object that is able to repair every wand regardless of the level of damage. This is the Elder Wand, a fabled object first owned by Antioch Peverell. According to The Tales of Beedle the Bard, it was Death who crafted this wand and rewarded it to Antioch. The wand is incredibly unique and powerful. It is loyal to the witch or wizard that disarmed its previous owner, regardless of whether they are disarmed while holding the Elder Wand or a different wand. Reuniting it with the two other fabled Deathly Hallows is thought to make one invulnerable to death. It is thought that the Elder Wand makes its owner invincible when they are duelling but this is incorrect.

If the Elder Wand is wielded against its current owner by someone who has not disarmed them, it will not work properly. Harry Potter, the last known owner of the wand, believes the power of the wand will die with him if he dies undefeated.

Owning a wand

In the wizarding world, wands are first purchased at the age of eleven. The students of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry prefer to shop at Ollivanders. Garrick Ollivander measures the buyer and asks them if they are right or left handed. If a family can't afford a new wand, they pass down second-hand wands. If a student is expelled before completing their education, the wand will be broken.

In 1692, the International Confederation of Wizards gave witches and wizards the right to carry a wand at all times. This was during the peak of Muggle persecution while they were planning to retreat into hiding. Under this law, Quidditch players can take a wand on the pitch but they cannot put spells on the opposing side, the referee, the balls or the spectators. A ban on using wands against the opposing team had already been established in 1538.

Clause three of the Code of Wand Use law states that "no non-human creature is permitted to carry or use a wand".

Known wands

Garrick Ollivander wands

Wand	Owner	Notes
10 ¼', Willow	Lily Potter
11', Mahogany	James Potter
16', Oak	Rubeus Hagrid	Broken when Hagrid was expelled. The pieces are kept in an umbrella.
13 ½', Yew	Tom Riddle
9 ½', Beechwood, Dragon Heartstring	Unknown	Tried by Harry Potter
7', Maple, Phoenix Feather
8 ½', Ebony, Unicorn Hair
12', Holly, Phoenix Feather	Harry Potter
12', Ash, Unicorn Hair	Charlie Weasley and Ronald Weasley	Passed down from Charlie to Ron.
14', Willow, Unicorn Hair	Ronald Weasley	Had one unicorn hair.

Known wand-makers

• Antioch Peverell
• Ollivander family
  • Garrick Ollivander
• Mykew Gregorovitch

Trivia

• Chizpurfles, creatures that feed on magic, are known to gnaw into wands to reach their core.