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At least some content in this article is derived from information featured in Harry Potter: Wizards Unite and Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery. |
- Firenze: "Harry Potter, do you know what unicorn blood is used for?"
- Harry Potter: "No. We've only used the horn and tail hair in Potions."
- — A very serious question[src]
Unicorn hair was a powerful magical substance with a variety of uses, originating on the body of a unicorn. It was frequently shed from the creature.
Wandlore
A strand of Unicorn hair
Unicorn hair could be used in wand-making, as wand cores. Wands with these cores produced the most consistent magic, were least subject to fluctuations and blockages, were most difficult to turn to the Dark Arts, and were the most faithful of wands.[1] However, they do not make the most powerful of wands (unless the wand wood compensates) and are prone to melancholy if mishandled.[1] The Wandmaker Garrick Ollivander made wands with unicorn hairs.
Known uses
- Unicorn tail hairs were also used in potions, though their exact uses and properties are unknown,[2] although the Beautification Potion was known to contain them.[3] This was commented on by Harry Potter during conversation with Firenze.[2]
- Rubeus Hagrid found that unicorn hairs could be used to bind bandages.[4]
Wands with unicorn hair cores
Add a photo to this galleryBehind the scenes
- Unicorn hair is worth ten Galleons for each hair, according to Horace Slughorn. However, this may be inaccurate as he was drunk at the time, and a wand (which may contain such a hair) only costs seven. Although, as this seven Galleon price for a wand was established in Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone and unicorn hairs being ten Galleons was mentioned during Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, it is possible that there was an inflation in the price of unicorn hair during the intervening years. It is also possible the price difference between selling unicorn hair as raw material in comparison to an altered material as wand cores.
See also
Appearances
- Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (Mentioned only)
- Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (First appearance)
- Pottermore (Mentioned only)
- Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery
- Harry Potter: The Wand Collection (Mentioned only)
- Harry Potter: Wizards Unite
Notes and references
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Writing by J.K. Rowling: "Wand Cores" at Wizarding World
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, Chapter 15 (The Forbidden Forest)
- ↑ Wonderbook: Book of Potions
- ↑ Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Chapter 22 (After the Burial)
