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{{Quote|Harry looked down at the hawthorn wand that had once belonged to Draco Malfoy. He had been surprised, but pleased, to discover that it worked for him at least as well as Hermione's had done.|[[Harry Potter]] won the allegiance of Draco Malfoy's wand|Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows}}
 
{{Quote|Harry looked down at the hawthorn wand that had once belonged to Draco Malfoy. He had been surprised, but pleased, to discover that it worked for him at least as well as Hermione's had done.|[[Harry Potter]] won the allegiance of Draco Malfoy's wand|Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows}}
   
[[File:Tumblr mqmdbxW40G1qag66no6 250.gif|left|frame|Harry Potter disarms [[Draco Malfoy]] and wins his wand]]
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[[File:Harry disarming Draco GIF.gif|left|frame|Harry Potter disarms [[Draco Malfoy]] and wins his wand]]
   
 
Wands can take new masters. When a wand's master is disarmed, stunned, or killed the wand may accept the old master's attacker as its new master. It sways its allegiance over to the wizard who won it from its preceding owner. This phenomena is mostly observed in the [[Elder Wand]], which, according to [[Albus Dumbledore]], only respects power. The Elder Wand will transfer its allegiance even if its defeated master is not in possession of it at the time. No other wand is known to share this trait.<ref name="DH" />
 
Wands can take new masters. When a wand's master is disarmed, stunned, or killed the wand may accept the old master's attacker as its new master. It sways its allegiance over to the wizard who won it from its preceding owner. This phenomena is mostly observed in the [[Elder Wand]], which, according to [[Albus Dumbledore]], only respects power. The Elder Wand will transfer its allegiance even if its defeated master is not in possession of it at the time. No other wand is known to share this trait.<ref name="DH" />
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|
 
[[Draco Malfoy]]
 
[[Draco Malfoy]]
[[File:DracoMalfoyWandNN8409.jpg|120px|thumb|left]]
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[[File:Draco Malfoy Wand.jpg|120px|thumb|left]]
 
|[[Hawthorn]]
 
|[[Hawthorn]]
 
|10"
 
|10"
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|
 
|
 
[[Peter Pettigrew]]
 
[[Peter Pettigrew]]
[[File:Pettigrews_wand_-_Noble_Collection.jpg.png|thumb]]
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[[File:Pettigrews_wand_-_Noble_Collection.jpg.png|thumb|left]]
 
|[[Chestnut (tree)|Chestnut]]
 
|[[Chestnut (tree)|Chestnut]]
 
|9¼"
 
|9¼"
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|
 
|
 
Ron Weasley ([[Peter Pettigrew's wand|wand #3]])
 
Ron Weasley ([[Peter Pettigrew's wand|wand #3]])
[[File:Peter_pettigrew_wand.jpg|120px|thumb|left]]
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[[File:Pettigrews_wand_-_Noble_Collection.jpg.png|thumb|left]]
 
|[[Chestnut (tree)|Chestnut]]
 
|[[Chestnut (tree)|Chestnut]]
 
|9¼"
 
|9¼"
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|
 
|
 
[[Tom Riddle]]
 
[[Tom Riddle]]
[[File:LordVoldemortWandNN8403.jpg|120px|thumb|left]]
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[[File:Lord Voldemort's wand.jpg|120px|thumb|left]]
 
|[[Yew]]
 
|[[Yew]]
 
|13½"
 
|13½"
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|
 
|
 
[[Ginevra Weasley|Ginny Weasley]]
 
[[Ginevra Weasley|Ginny Weasley]]
[[File:Ginny's wand.JPG|120px|thumb|left]]
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[[File:Ginny's wand.jpg|120px|thumb|left]]
 
|[[Yew]]
 
|[[Yew]]
 
| colspan="3" rowspan="1" |Unknown
 
| colspan="3" rowspan="1" |Unknown
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|Snapped in half when Jacob was expelled from Hogwarts.
 
|Snapped in half when Jacob was expelled from Hogwarts.
 
|-
 
|-
| rowspan="4" |[[Jacob's sibling]]
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| rowspan="4" |[[Jacob's sibling]] ([[ First wand of Jacob's sibling |wand #1]])
 
|[[Maple]]
 
|[[Maple]]
 
|14"
 
|14"
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|[[Unicorn hair]]
 
|[[Unicorn hair]]
 
|Slightly springy and flexible
 
|Slightly springy and flexible
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|-
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| rowspan="3" |[[Jacob's sibling]] ([[ Second wand of Jacob's sibling |wand #2]])
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|[[Ebony]]
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|11¼<sup>"</sup>
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|[[Dragon Heartstring|Dragon heartstring]]
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|
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| rowspan="3" |One of these three wands was bought by Jacob's younger sibling in 1989 after their wand was destroyed by [[Patricia Rakepick]].
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|-
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|[[Redwood]]
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|11"
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|[[Unicorn hair]]
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|
  +
|-
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|[[Laurel]]
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|12"
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|[[Phoenix feather]]
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|
 
|-
 
|-
 
|[[:en:Chadwick_Boot|Chadwick Boot]]
 
|[[:en:Chadwick_Boot|Chadwick Boot]]
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Fred weasley wand.jpg|[[Fred Weasley's wand]]
 
Fred weasley wand.jpg|[[Fred Weasley's wand]]
 
George weasley wand.jpg|[[George Weasley's wand]]
 
George weasley wand.jpg|[[George Weasley's wand]]
MadamPomfreyWandNN8278.jpg|[[Poppy Pomfrey's wand|Madam Pomfrey's wand]]
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Poppy Pomfrey's Wand.jpg|[[Poppy Pomfrey's wand|Madam Pomfrey's wand]]
 
YaxleyWandNN8238.jpg|[[Corban Yaxley's wand]]
 
YaxleyWandNN8238.jpg|[[Corban Yaxley's wand]]
 
PiusThicknesseWandNN8248.jpg|[[Pius Thicknesse's wand]]
 
PiusThicknesseWandNN8248.jpg|[[Pius Thicknesse's wand]]
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*{{DH|ME}}
 
*{{DH|ME}}
 
*{{PM}}
 
*{{PM}}
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*{{WW}}
 
*{{TCG}}
 
*{{TCG}}
 
*{{FBC}}
 
*{{FBC}}

Revision as of 16:33, 25 June 2020

"A wand is the object through which a witch or wizard channels his or her magic. It is made from wood and has a magical substance at its core. Wands made by Ollivander have cores of phoenix feather, unicorn hair or dragon heartstring, and are of varying woods, lengths, and flexibilities."
— Description of a wand[src]

A wand is a quasi-sentient magical instrument through which a witch or wizard channels her or his magical powers to centralise the effects for more complex results. Most spells are cast with the aid of wands, but spells can be cast without the use of wands. Wandless magic is, however, very difficult and requires much concentration and incredible skill; advanced wizards and some magical creatures such as house elves are known to perform such magic.[1]

Wands are manufactured and sold by wandmakers, the most famous of these in Great Britain being Ollivander, and in Eastern Europe Gregorovitch. Each wand consists of a specific type of wood that surrounds a core of magical substance. Although the wand cores may come from the same creature, or the wood may come from the same tree, no two existing wands are exactly alike. The study of the history and the magical properties of wands is called wandlore.

History

Wands were developed in Europe[2][3] at an unknown point, though it is known that it was in the B.C. era. The Ollivander family started manufacturing wands in 382 B.C.[4] Over time, they earned a worldwide reputation.[5] In the 13th century, the Elder Wand, which would become known as the most powerful wand in existence, was created.

The first wandmaker in North America was Irish witch Isolt Sayre[6], who came to North America and started making wands for her adoptive sons and the students of her school Ilvermorny. With the passage of Rappaport's Law, no child was allowed a wand until they arrived at Ilvermorny and they had to leave them there during the holidays until they reached the age of seventeen.[7] By the 1920s, the use of wands had become common in North America although every witch and wizard, including tourists, needed a Wand permit.[3]

At an unknown point in history, wands were introduced to Asia. Cherry wand masters received special prestige at Mahoutokoro school in Japan.[8]

In the 20th century, wands were introduced to Africa, where they were less commonly used compared to other parts of the world.[2]

Magic and wands

Magic with a wand is usually performed with an incantation, but more experienced wizards can cast nonverbal spells, which conceal the spell until cast and may thereby prevent an opponent from adequately protecting him- or herself in time. Wands are referred to as "quasi-sentient" because their being imbued with a great deal of magic makes them as animate as an inanimate object can be.[9]

Every single wand is unique and will depend for its character on the particular tree and magical creature from which it derives its materials. Moreover, each wand, from the moment it finds its ideal owner, will begin to learn from and teach its human partner. 

Wands and wandlore

"The wand chooses the wizard... it's not always clear why."
— Ollivander discussing wandlore with Harry Potter[src]

Wandlore is a specific class of magic that refers to the history and magical properties of wands. Mr Ollivander claims that it is a "complex and mysterious branch of magic."[10] The idea that a wand chooses the wizard and can switch allegiance is a part of wandlore.

The Celtic Tree Calendar has assigned trees to different parts of the year and it sometimes plays a part in wandlore. This calendar shows each month and the wood that goes with it. Some wands and their owners align with the calendar such as: Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, Ron Weasley (his first wand), and Draco Malfoy.[11] Their wands are made of the wood that is linked to their date of birth. Harry was born between July 8–August 4, his wand wood is Holly. Hermione was born between September 2–September 29, her wand wood is Vine. Ron was born between February 18–March 17, his first wand was made of Ash. Draco was born between May 13–June 9, his wand wood is Hawthorn.[12]

Wand woods

Most wands are long, thin rods of wood with a magical substance embedded into their core. Among the woods used are:

Wood Genus; binomial name Garrick Ollivander's notes[13]
Acacia Acacia A very unusual wand wood, which I have found creates tricky wands that often refuse to produce magic for any but their owner, and also withhold their best effects from all but those most gifted.
Alder Alnus Alder is an unyielding wood, yet I have discovered that its ideal owner is not stubborn or obstinate, but often helpful, considerate and most likeable.
Apple Malus domestica Applewood wands are not made in great numbers. They are powerful and best suited to an owner of high aims and ideals, as this wood mixes poorly with Dark magic.
Ash Fraxinus The ash wand cleaves to its one true master and ought not to be passed on or gifted from the original owner, because it will lose power and skill. This tendency is extreme if the core is of unicorn.
Aspen Populus Wand-quality aspen wood is white and fine-grained, and highly prized by all wand-makers for its stylish resemblance to ivory and its usually outstanding charmwork.
Beech Fagus The true match for a beech wand will be, if young, wise beyond his or her years, and if full-grown, rich in understanding and experience. Beech wands perform very weakly for the narrow-minded and intolerant.
Blackthorn Prunus spinosa Blackthorn, which is a very unusual wand wood, has the reputation, in my view well-merited, of being best suited to a warrior.
Black Walnut Juglans nigra Less common than the standard walnut wand, that of black walnut seeks a master of good instincts and powerful insight. Black walnut is a very handsome wood, but not the easiest to master.
Cedar Cedrus Whenever I meet one who carries a cedar wand, I find strength of character and unusual loyalty. My father, Gervaise Ollivander, used always to say, ‘you will never fool the cedar carrier,’ and I agree: the cedar wand finds its perfect home where there is perspicacity and perception.
Cherry Prunus This very rare wand wood creates a wand of strange power, most highly prized by the wizarding students of the school of Mahoutokoro in Japan, where those who own cherry wands have special prestige.
Chestnut Castanea This is a most curious, multi-faceted wood, which varies greatly in its character depending on the wand core, and takes a great deal of colour from the personality that possesses it.
Cypress Cupressaceae Cypress wands are associated with nobility. The great medieval wandmaker, Geraint Ollivander, wrote that he was always honoured to match a cypress wand, for he knew he was meeting a witch or wizard who would die a heroic death.
Dogwood Cornus I have found that matching a dogwood wand with its ideal owner is always entertaining. Dogwood wands are quirky and mischievous; they have playful natures and insist upon partners who can provide them with scope for excitement and fun.
Ebony Diospyros This jet-black wand wood has an impressive appearance and reputation, being highly suited to all manner of combative magic, and to Transfiguration.
English oak Quercus robur A wand for good times and bad, this is a friend as loyal as the wizard who deserves it. Wands of English oak demand partners of strength, courage and fidelity.
Elder Sambucus The rarest wand wood of all, and reputed to be deeply unlucky, the elder wand is trickier to master than any other. It contains powerful magic, but scorns to remain with any owner who is not the superior of his or her company; it takes a remarkable wizard to keep the elder wand for any length of time.
Elm Ulmus The unfounded belief that only pure-bloods can produce magic from elm wands was undoubtedly started by some elm wand owner seeking to prove his own blood credentials, for I have known perfect matches of elm wands who are Muggle-borns.
Fir Abies My august grandfather, Gerbold Octavius Ollivander, always called wands of this wood ‘the survivor’s wand,’ because he had sold it to three wizards who subsequently passed through mortal peril unscathed.
Hawthorn Crataegus The wandmaker Gregorovitch wrote that hawthorn ‘makes a strange, contradictory wand, as full of paradoxes as the tree that gave it birth, whose leaves and blossoms heal, and yet whose cut branches smell of death.’
Hazel Corylus A sensitive wand, hazel often reflects its owner’s emotional state and works best for a master who understands and can manage their own feelings.
Holly Ilex Holly is one of the rarer kinds of wand woods; traditionally considered protective, it works most happily for those who may need help overcoming a tendency to anger and impetuosity.
Hornbeam Carpinus Hornbeam selects for its life mate the talented witch or wizard with a single, pure passion, which some might call obsession (though I prefer the term ‘vision’), which will almost always be realised.
Larch Larix Strong, durable and warm in colour, larch has long been valued as an attractive and powerful wand wood. Its reputation for instilling courage and confidence in the user has ensured that demand has always outstripped supply.
Laurel Laurus It is said that a laurel wand cannot perform a dishonourable act, although in the quest for glory (a not uncommon goal for those best suited to these wands), I have known laurel wands perform powerful and sometimes lethal magic.
Maple Acer I have often found that those chosen by maple wands are by nature travellers and explorers; they are not stay-at-home wands, and prefer ambition in their witch or wizard, otherwise their magic grows heavy and lacklustre.
Pear Pyrus This golden-toned wood produces wands of splendid magical powers, which give of their best in the hands of the warm-hearted, the generous and the wise. Possessors of pear wands are, in my experience, usually popular and well-respected.
Pine Pinus The straight-grained pine wand always chooses an independent, individual master who may be perceived as a loner, intriguing and perhaps mysterious. Pine wands enjoy being used creatively, and unlike some others, will adapt unprotestingly to new methods and spells.
Poplar Populus "If you seek integrity, search first among the poplars". Here is a wand to rely upon, of consistency, strength and uniform power, always happiest when working with a witch or wizard of clear moral vision.
Red Oak Quercus rubra You will often hear the ignorant say that red oak is an infallible sign of its owner’s hot temper. In fact, the true match for a red oak wand is possessed of unusually fast reactions, making it a perfect duelling wand.
Redwood Sequoioideae Wand-quality redwood is in short supply, yet constant demand, due to its reputation for bringing good fortune to its owner.
Reed Poales Reed wands are best suited to those who are bold and are eloquent speakers, and prove to be very protective friends.[14]
Rosewood Dalbergia nigra
Rowan Sorbus Rowan wood has always been much-favoured for wands, because it is reputed to be more protective than any other, and in my experience renders all manner of defensive charms especially strong and difficult to break.
Silver lime Tilia tomentosa This unusual and highly attractive wand wood was greatly in vogue in the nineteenth century. Demand outstripped supply, and unscrupulous wandmakers dyed substandard woods in an effort to fool purchasers into believing that they had purchased silver lime.
Spruce Picea Unskilled wandmakers call spruce a difficult wood, but in doing so they reveal their own ineptitude. It is quite true that it requires particular deftness to work with spruce, which produces wands that are ill-matched with cautious or nervous natures, and become positively dangerous in fumbling fingers.
Snakewood Brosimum guianense
Sugar Maple Acer saccharum
Sycamore Acer pseudoplatanus The sycamore makes a questing wand, eager for new experience and losing brilliance if engaged in mundane activities. It is a quirk of these handsome wands that they may combust if allowed to become ‘bored'.
Tamarack Larix laricina
Vine Vitis Vine wands are among the less common types, and I have been intrigued to notice that their owners are nearly always those witches or wizards who seek a greater purpose, who have a vision beyond the ordinary and who frequently astound those who think they know them best.
Walnut Juglans regia Highly intelligent witches and wizards ought to be offered a walnut wand for trial first, because in nine cases out of ten, the two will find in each other their ideal mate.
Willow Salix Willow is an uncommon wand wood with healing power, and I have noted that the ideal owner for a willow wand often has some (usually unwarranted) insecurity, however well they may try and hide it.
Yew Taxus Yew wands are among the rarer kinds, and their ideal matches are likewise unusual, and occasionally notorious. The wand of yew is reputed to endow its possessor with the power of life and death.

Note: The wand woods Mahogany, Rosewood, Sugar Maple and Tamarack possess unknown properties and magical affinities,

Wand cores

Most wands made by Garrick Ollivander contain one of the three supreme core types, but there are others.[15] Among the substances used are:

Core Notes
Unicorn hair
Unicorn-hair
Unicorn hair generally produces the most consistent magic, and is least subject to fluctuations and blockages. Wands with unicorn cores are generally the most difficult to turn to the Dark Arts. They are the most faithful of all wands, and usually remain strongly attached to their first owner, irrespective of whether he or she was an accomplished witch or wizard. Minor disadvantages of unicorn hair are that they do not make the most powerful wands (although the wand wood may compensate) and that they are prone to melancholy if seriously mishandled, meaning that the hair may 'die' and need replacing.
Dragon heartstring As a rule, dragon heartstrings produce wands with the most power, and which are capable of the most flamboyant spells. Dragon wands tend to learn more quickly than other types. While they can change allegiance if won from their original master, they always bond strongly with the current owner. The dragon wand tends to be easiest to turn to the Dark Arts, though it will not incline that way of its own accord. It is also the most prone of the three cores to accidents, being somewhat temperamental.
Phoenix feather
Phoenix feather HP2 Jim Kay
This is the rarest core type. Phoenix feathers are capable of the greatest range of magic, though they may take longer than either unicorn or dragon cores to reveal this. They show the most initiative, sometimes acting of their own accord, a quality that many witches and wizards dislike. Phoenix feather wands are always the pickiest when it comes to potential owners, for the creature from which they are taken is one of the most independent and detached in the world. These wands are the hardest to tame and to personalise, and their allegiance is usually hard won.
Veela hair The wandmaker Garrick Ollivander mentioned that he did not use Veela hair because it made for "temperamental" wands.
Thestral tail hair This core type is regarded as an unstable, if not difficult substance to use in wand making.
Troll whisker Troll whiskers is considered an inferior substance to Garrick Ollivander's three Supreme Cores.
Kelpie hair

[16]

Early in my career, as I watched my wandmaker father wrestling with substandard wand core materials such as kelpie hair...[17]
Thunderbird tail feather

[18]

The tail feather of the Thunderbird was used as a wand core by the American wandmaker Shikoba Wolfe. Wolfe's wands were powerful but difficult to master, and were good for transfiguration work.[18]
Wampus cat hair

[18]

The hair of the Wampus cat was used as a wand core by the American wandmaker Johannes Jonker. Jonker experimented with many other cores before settling on the hair of this creature as his preferred kind. The core was also used by Isolt Sayre and James Steward when they begun making their own wands in the 17th century.[18]
White River Monster spine

[18]

This wand core was used by Thiago Quintana. White River Monster spines produce spells of force and elegance.[19]
Rougarou hair

[18]

The hair of the rougarou was used as a wand core by the American wandmaker Violetta Beauvais. Rougarou hair was rumoured to have an affinity for Dark magic, like vampires to blood.[20]
Kneazle whiskers This is a rarely used wand core and is most likely considered a substandard core type.
Horned Serpent horn This wand core was used by Ilvermorny School of Witchcraft and Wizardry founders Isolt Sayre. The wands made from this core were exceptionally powerful. They were also sensitive to Parseltongue and warn its owner of danger by emitting a low musical tone.[7]
Snallygaster heartstring The core was used by Isolt Sayre and James Steward when they began making their own wands in the 17th century.[7]
Jackalope antler The core was used by Isolt Sayre and James Steward when they began making their own wands in the 17th century.[7]
Basilisk horn Only one wand is known to have used this core. It was made by Salazar Slytherin for a wand of his own making.[7]

General wand properties

"Wands are only as powerful as the wizards who use them..."
— Hermione Granger explaining to Harry Potter wand properties[src]
Wand shopping

Harry Potter trying a wand that conflicts with his personality

In almost all documented cases, the wand chooses the wizard who matches its character because the wizard may have difficulty or be unable to perform magic if his or her wand's characters conflict, or the magic may be sub-par to magic performed with a matching wand.[21] Although Ollivander says that wizardkind can channel their powers through almost anything, optimum results can only be achieved with those they have a natural affinity for. When trying out different wands, a wand that is not suited to its wielder will usually not do anything at all. However, a warm feeling is an indication of having chosen the right wand, and the wand sometimes emits a few sparks or does some similar, small sign of magic.[22]

Wands are quasi-sentient: although they cannot think or communicate like a human, they can perform certain actions through their own will. This ability may be how they choose their wizard or witch and also explains Harry's wand's autonomously acting against Voldemort.[21]

Wand Lengths and Flexibility

"Many wandmakers simply match the wand length to the size of the witch or wizard who will use it, but this is a crude measure, and fails to take into account many other, important considerations. In my experience, longer wands might suit taller wizards, but they tend to be drawn to bigger personalities, and those of a more spacious and dramatic style of magic. Neater wands favour more elegant and refined spell-casting. However, no single aspect of wand composition should be considered in isolation of all the others, and the type of wood, the core and the flexibility may either counterbalance or enhance the attributes of the wand’s length."
Garrick Ollivander regarding wand length and flexibility[src]
Wands WB F4 DeathEatersWands V1 Illust 100615 Port

Three Death Eaters wands of different magical properties

Many wandmakers simply match the wand length to the size of the witch or wizard who will use it, but this is a crude measure, and fails to take into account many other, important considerations. Longer wands might suit taller wizards, but they tend to be drawn to bigger personalities, and those of a more spacious and dramatic style of magic. Neater wands favour more elegant and refined spell-casting. However, no single aspect of wand composition should be considered in isolation of all the others, and the type of wood, the core and the flexibility may either counterbalance or enhance the attributes of the wand’s length.[23]

Most wands will be in the range of between nine and fourteen inches. While extremely short wands (eight inches and under) and very long wands (over fifteen inches) exist, these are exceptionally rare. In the latter case, a physical peculiarity demanded the excessive wand length. However, abnormally short wands usually select those in whose character something is lacking, rather than because they are physically undersized (many small witches and wizards are chosen by longer wands).[23]

Wand flexibility or rigidity denotes the degree of adaptability and willingness to change possessed by the wand-and-owner pair — although, again, this factor ought not to be considered separately from the wand wood, core and length, nor of the owner’s life experience and style of magic, all of which will combine to make the wand in question unique.[23]

New masters

"Harry looked down at the hawthorn wand that had once belonged to Draco Malfoy. He had been surprised, but pleased, to discover that it worked for him at least as well as Hermione's had done."
Harry Potter won the allegiance of Draco Malfoy's wand[src]
Harry disarming Draco GIF

Harry Potter disarms Draco Malfoy and wins his wand

Wands can take new masters. When a wand's master is disarmed, stunned, or killed the wand may accept the old master's attacker as its new master. It sways its allegiance over to the wizard who won it from its preceding owner. This phenomena is mostly observed in the Elder Wand, which, according to Albus Dumbledore, only respects power. The Elder Wand will transfer its allegiance even if its defeated master is not in possession of it at the time. No other wand is known to share this trait.[21]

Most wands are attached to their masters and will not easily discontinue their allegiance with the previous master, if at all. Indeed the original bond seems unlikely to be severed; if it were, then a defeated witch or wizard would be better served to acquire a new wand rather than continue using it because it would no longer perform at its peak for them — yet they don't. Furthermore, wands forcibly taken in circumstances of purely competitive or friendly nature or stolen without attacking the previous master will not change allegiance.[24]

Reverse Spell

Priori Incantatem Pottermore

A famous instance of the Reverse Spell effect occurred during Harry Potter's and Lord Voldemort's duel in Little Hangleton

A record of all the spells a wand has used can be checked using the Reverse Spell. This is a prime reason why criminals who wish to act discreetly would not use their own wands to perform illegal spells, fearing this record would betray them; instead, they could borrow someone else's wand to act with impunity, letting the other owner take the fall.[25][1] The record seems to be rather intricate, as Peter Pettigrew took Voldemort's wand in fear it might reveal his treason, suggesting the wand has such records (such as branding the Dark Mark onto Pettigrew himself).[26]

Damage and underwater use

Obliviate backfire

Lockhart using a broken wand to cast a Memory Charm, which backfired onto himself

Spells and physical damage can irreparably damage wands, destroying or greatly diminishing their magical abilities. Attempts to repair the wand will not be effective, and the wand may break again while performing magic, or even backfire, as is the case with Spellotaped wands.[27]

The only known way to fully repair a broken wand is through mastery of the Elder Wand, although this ability may be lost if the current master dies undefeated because most of the wand's power would disappear with him.[21]

In addition, wands seem to possess the capability to function underwater, although the appearance of spells may change, as was demonstrated when Harry Potter attempted to use a Revulsion Jinx to free himself from the grip of several Grindylows. Harry noted that instead of "sending sparks at the Grindylows" it "pelted them with what seemed to be a jet of boiling water".[25]

Acquiring a wand

Harry gets his wand

Harry Potter acquiring his wand at Ollivanders

Most witches and wizards buy their first wand when they are eleven — just before starting their magical education. Most English wizards and witches buy their wands at Ollivanders Wand Shop in Diagon Alley, where they may try out multiple wands until they find the one that suits them, or rather, the wand finds the wizard that suits it. Some witches and wizards, especially those from poorer backgrounds, are left to use wands that did not choose them but chose a member of their family: Ron Weasley, for example, uses his brother Charlie's old wand when he begins his first year at Hogwarts.

In the United States of America, upon purchasing a wand, the buyer is given a Wand Registration Number, which is required for applications for wand permits. MACUSA has a Central Wand Archive.[28]

Rights of usage

"The right to carry a wand has long been contested between wizards and goblins."
— Griphook a goblin over the right to carry a wand[src]

Such non-human beings as goblins and house-elves are prohibited from owning or using wands. For goblins in particular, this prohibition has been a point of contention with the wizarding community and caused some outbreaks of violence. No known formal prohibition exists against Muggles possessing a wand; they would be unable to use them anyway since Muggles don't possess magic, but a Muggle's possession of a wand could be considered a breach of the International Statute of Wizarding Secrecy.

Any underage wizards or witches who are expelled from school are forbidden from practising magic any further, and their wands have been confiscated and destroyed. Rubeus Hagrid's wand suffered such a fate, though it was somewhat repaired and kept inside his umbrella, and he is allowed to use that much. However, if the student in question is expelled after taking the Ordinary Wizarding Level, they are deemed to be full-fledged wizards and may retain their wands, as Newton Scamander did when he was expelled a few decades earlier. Gellert Grindelwald was expelled from Durmstrang, but he managed to maintain his wand (or procure another one) suggesting the wand confiscation only applies to Hogwarts students. Of course, any criminals arrested and imprisoned lose their wands as well: Barty Crouch Jr claimed that he was not allowed a wand since Azkaban; though their wands seem not destroyed but simply stored away because Bellatrix Lestrange managed to retrieve her old wand after escaping prison.

Years ago, due to Rappaport's Law, no underaged North American witch or wizard was allowed a wand until they arrived at Ilvermorny School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Moreover, wands had to be left at Ilvermorny during vacations and only upon attaining seventeen years of age was the witch or wizard legally allowed to carry a wand outside school. However, this law has since been repealed (in 1965).

During the last year of the Second Wizarding War, the British Ministry of Magic was overthrown by the Death Eaters, and new laws were put into effect. Muggle-born witches and wizards were regarded as having "stolen" their magic from "real" witches and wizards, and their wands (which were also considered stolen) were confiscated. Those who were not imprisoned were usually left destitute.

Makers

Main article: Wandmaker
Garrick Ollivander

Garrick Ollivander

Gregorovitch Deathly Hallows promotional image

Mykew Gregorovitch

The wand was originally a European invention, and although many makers of wands exist, but Ollivander is the best known and most experienced in Britain. The wandmaking establishment has been making wands since 382 BC and is in Diagon Alley, London. Mr Ollivander went missing in the summer of 1996[1] until discovered by Harry, Ron and Hermione and rescued by the house-elf Dobby in 1998: he had been kidnapped by Death Eaters on Voldemort's orders. Ollivander thereafter tells Harry about the Elder Wand and how a wand passes ownership.

More British wandmakers exist, for example, Jimmy Kiddell, but their wands were stated to be not as good as Ollivander's.

Another notable wand maker was Mykew Gregorovitch, who had made the wand of Viktor Krum and once wielded the Elder Wand. In 1997 he was tracked down and questioned by Voldemort in Voldemort's quest to find the Elder Wand. Once Voldemort finished questioning Gregorovitch, he murdered him.[21]

Historical wandmakers in North America include Isolt Sayre, Violetta Beauvais, Johannes Jonker, Thiago Quintana, and Shikoba Wolfe, each of whom specialised in a single type of wand core.

According to legend, Death created the Elder Wand, the most powerful wand in existence, from the branch of an elder tree. Albus Dumbledore, however, believed that Antioch Peverell was more the likely creator.

Known wands

Owner Wood Length Core Flexibility Notes

Albus Dumbledore

The Elder Wand
Elder 15" Thestral tail hair Unknown The Elder Wand, one of the Deathly Hallows. Also known as the Deathstick and the Wand of Destiny.

Bellatrix Lestrange

Bellatrix lestrange wand
Walnut 12¾" Dragon heartstring Unyielding This wand is described as "unyielding;" passed into the possession of Hermione Granger after the Skirmish at Malfoy Manor in 1998.

Sir Cadogan

Troll-whiskerWand
Blackthorn (according to legend) 9" (according to legend) Troll whisker (according to legend) Combustible (according to legend) This wand was broken during Sir Cadogan's encounter with the Wyvern of Wye. However, Cadogan still tried to combat the beast even with a broken wand, which led to his victory when the wand pierced the Wyvern's tongue and ignited its stomach fumes.

Cedric Diggory

Cedricdiggorywandnn8202
Ash 12¼" Unicorn hair Unknown This wand was "pleasantly springy"; hair from particularly fine male unicorn (seventeen hands high), which nearly gored Mr Ollivander with its horn after he plucked its tail hair.
Celestina Warbeck Larch 10½" Phoenix feather Flexible Celestina Warbeck's wand is mentioned in the lyrics of the title track of her best-selling album, You Stole My Cauldron but You Can't Have my Heart.[29]

Dolores Umbridge

Dolores umbridge wand
Birch 8" Dragon heartstring Unknown This wand is described as "unusually short;" broken by a centaur's hoof in June 1996 in the Forbidden Forest.

Draco Malfoy

Draco Malfoy Wand
Hawthorn 10" Unicorn hair Reasonably springy This wand passed into the possession of Harry Potter after the Skirmish at Malfoy Manor in 1998 until Harry came into possession of the Elder Wand and mended his first wand.

Fleur Delacour

FleurDelacourWandNN8246
Rosewood 9½" Veela hair Inflexible In this wand the core is a hair from Fleur's grandmother, who was a Veela.

Garrick Ollivander

Hornbeam 12¾" Dragon heartstring Slightly bendy

Gilderoy Lockhart

Gilderoy Lockhart
Cherry 9" The wand was described as expensive.

Harry Potter (wand #1)

HarryPotterWandNN8415
Holly 11" Phoenix feather Nice and supple

"Brother" to Voldemort's wand — the core tail feathers are both from Fawkes; broken in December 1997 while fleeing from Godric's Hollow; repaired with the Elder Wand in May 1998.

Harry Potter (wand #2)

Blackthornwand
Blackthorn 10" Unknown Unknown This wand was taken from a Snatcher by Ron Weasley in 1997, and used by Harry until 1998, when he took Draco Malfoy's wand.

Hermione Granger

HermioneGrangerWandNN8411
Vine 10¾" Dragon heartstring This wand was confiscated when the trio was captured by Snatchers in 1998.

Horace Slughorn

ProfHoraceSlughornWandNN8294
Cedar 10¼" Fairly flexible

James Potter

JamesPotterWand NN8206

James Potter's wand

Mahogany 11" Unknown Pliable This wand was "excellent for transfiguration."
Lily Evans Willow 10¼" Swishy This wand was "nice for Charm work."

Lucius Malfoy

Lucius Malfoy first wand
Elm 18" Dragon heartstring Unknown This wand was kept in a snake-headed walking stick that Lucius carried; "borrowed" by Lord Voldemort and destroyed by Harry Potter's wand during the Battle of the Seven Potters in 1997.
Mary Cattermole Cherry 8¾" Unicorn hair Unknown This wand was confiscated by the Muggle-Born Registration Commission in 1997.
Merlin Believed to have been English oak Unknown

Minerva McGonagall

ProfMinervaMcGonagallwandNN8290
Fir 9½" Dragon heartstring Stiff This wand was most likely purchased from Ollivanders in 1947 when she was eleven almost twelve.

Neville Longbottom

Neville's wand
Cherry Unknown Unicorn hair Unknown This wand may have been one of the last wands Mr Ollivander sold before he disappeared in 1996.

Peter Pettigrew

Pettigrews wand - Noble Collection
Chestnut 9¼" Dragon heartstring Brittle This wand was owned by Pettigrew only since Ollivander had been kidnapped of 1996; passed into the possession of Ron Weasley after the Skirmish at Malfoy Manor in 1998.
Quirinus Quirrell Alder 9"

Unicorn hair

Bendy

Remus Lupin

Remus wand
Cypress 10¼" Pliable Cypress wands are said to be well-matched to wizards who are self-sacrificing and willing to die a heroic death. Lupin spent the majority of his life alone to save others from having to deal with the consequences of his affliction, and died defending Hogwarts castle in the Battle of Hogwarts.

Ron Weasley (wand #1)

Ron weasley first wand
Ash 12" Unknown Ron's brother Charlie's old wand; severely damaged in September 1992 after a run-in with the Whomping Willow.

Ron Weasley (wand #2)

RonWeasleyWandNN8413
Willow 14" Purchased with his father's winnings from a Daily Prophet draw. Taken from him by Snatchers and replaced with Peter Pettigrew's wand.

Ron Weasley (wand #3)

Pettigrews wand - Noble Collection
Chestnut 9¼" Dragon heartstring Brittle This was Peter Pettigrew's wand. During the Skirmish at Malfoy Manor, Ron took this wand from Pettigrew and used from then on, as his own wand was taken by Snatchers.
Rubeus Hagrid Oak 16" Unknown Rather bendy This wand was snapped in half when Hagrid was expelled from Hogwarts during his third year — the pieces are certainly hidden in Hagrid's pink umbrella.
Silvanus Kettleburn Chestnut 11½" Phoenix feather Whippy

Tom Riddle

Lord Voldemort's wand
Yew 13½" Unknown This wand is "brother" to Harry Potter's wand — the core tail feathers are both from Fawkes.

Viktor Krum

ViktorKrumWand
Hornbeam 10¼" Dragon heartstring Quite rigid This wand is thicker than usual, and made by Gregorovitch.

Ginny Weasley

Ginny's wand
Yew Unknown A yew wand is suited for a person who is a fierce protector of others.[30] Protectiveness is an espect of Ginny's personality. She has frequently defended Harry Potter against others.[27][31][32]

Sybill Trelawney

ProfSybilTrelawneyWandNN8254
Hazel 9½" Unicorn hair Very flexible This wand bears a resemblance to Sirius Black's wand, though there are slight differences. They both have a square-like handle and have magical runes depicted on the wand, but Trelawney's wand has a darker colour and has a swirly shape from the handle to the tip.
Dylan Marwood Applewood Unknown
The Silver Spears Aspen The Silver Spears was a notorious and secretive duelling club in the 18th century that allegedly only allowed wizards and witches who possessed wands made from aspen wood to join.[33]
Eldritch Diggory Poplar Unknown Fine The existence of this wand and its owners was cited as evidence against a myth that poplar wands never chose politicians.[34]
Evangeline Orpington
Wands produced by Garrick Ollivander Beechwood 9" Dragon heartstring Nice and flexible These wands were tried out by Harry Potter in 1991.
Maple 7" Phoenix feather Quite whippy
Ebony 8½" Unicorn hair Springy
Apple 9" Dragon heartstring Rigid A wand tried out by Jacob's younger sibling in 1984.
Jacob Maple 10" Dragon heartstring Fine Snapped in half when Jacob was expelled from Hogwarts.
Jacob's sibling (wand #1) Maple 14" Unicorn hair Reasonably springy One of these four wands was bought by Jacob's younger sibling in 1984.
Acacia 12" Unicorn hair Pliable
Hornbeam 11" Dragon heartstring Inflexible
Blackthorn 11¼" Unicorn hair Slightly springy and flexible
Jacob's sibling (wand #2) Ebony 11¼" Dragon heartstring One of these three wands was bought by Jacob's younger sibling in 1989 after their wand was destroyed by Patricia Rakepick.
Redwood 11" Unicorn hair
Laurel 12" Phoenix feather
Chadwick Boot Prickly Ash Unknown Horned Serpent Horn Unknown This wand was made by Isolt Sayre and James Steward; said to be "a wand of exceptional power."
Webster Boot Unknown Unknown Horned Serpent Horn Unknown This wand was made by Isolt Sayre and James Steward.

Behind the scenes

Wand 1

Wands drawn on the covers of the American version of the books by Mary GrandPré are shown as extremely long and thin

  • In the films, the wands are shown a couple of inches longer than they are shown in the books. The films seem to include more gestures when using a wand, not just waving it and pointing it. The different styles were shown properly in the film version of the Battle of the Department of Mysteries. It may be explained that gestures and wand movements translate to incantations, even without words. This may allow one to speak the incantation without having to perform a specific gesture or wand movement.
  • It is theorised that the wand's length is proportional to the wizard's height: the longer the wand, the taller the wizard, and the shorter the wand, the shorter the wizard. Although this pattern is generally supported (eg, Dolores Umbridge's short wand, Rubeus Hagrid's long wand) this may not always be the case. For example, Draco Malfoy, despite being tall, had a relatively short wand. However, J.K. Rowling stated that wands are generally shorter when witches or wizards are lacking in personality, rather than size.
  • J. K. Rowling used a Celtic calendar to assign certain types of woods to Ron Weasley, Hermione Granger, and Harry Potter based on their birthdates.[35]
  • Wands are Warwick Davis' favourite prop on the series.
Pottermore wands

A variety of wands from Pottermore

  • In the first and second films, wands look quite plain. The appearance of wands drastically change in the film adaptation of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, in which the wands are given distinctive shapes and carvings, reflecting the owner's personality.
  • Devon Murray, who plays Seamus Finnigan in the Harry Potter films, has the record for breaking the most prop wands. He broke eighty of them.[36] Dan Radcliffe himself broke and damaged almost as many due to his habit of drumming with them.
  • J.K. Rowling has said that Muggles cannot use a magic wand, yet residual power stored in a wand may discharge at odd moments, having potentially disastrous effects for a non-wizard.[37] One example of this happening was when, in 1790, Muggle Bartholomew Barebone stole Dorcus Twelvetrees's wand and showed it to many reporters. The wand was said to have "a kick like a mule" when waved. Another example of such behaviour occurred when a Muggle by the name of James Stewart attempted to wave a wand, causing it to "rebel" and send him flying into a tree, knocking him out. This result was described as what "invariably happens when a No-Maj waves a wand".
  • Wands are often buried or burned when the owner dies.[38]
  • The right to carry a wand at all times was established by the International Confederation of Wizards in 1692, when Muggle persecution was at its height and the wizards were planning their retreat into hiding.[39]
  • Although Harry's wand is known to be made of holly (an almost white wood), his prop wand is significantly darker, suggesting a different wood. However, other wands appear to be varnished or coloured, so this isn't necessarily a break in continuity. Wood is a matte material so most if not all wands in the movies have some kind of colour treatment.
  • There was at least one known business that specialised in tuning wands to improve their performance. Repair services were also available.
  • Wands have been used a total of 763 times in the books, according to Pottermore.[40]
  • Wands were invented in Europe, and they are less commonly used in Africa. Students of Uagadou learn to perform many of their spells wandlessly.
    • Interestingly, wandless magic is considered more difficult and less precise than magic with a wand. Conversely, Transfiguration, which is a prevalent form of magic in African magical communities, requires great precision and is among the most advanced magic. Therefore it is reasonable to conclude that being able to perform Transfiguration wandlessly makes African wizards some of the most skilled in the world.
  • Wands don't need a handle to be used, as seen when Voldemort took off the wand handle of Lucius Malfoy's wand and used it to try to kill Harry Potter.
  • In Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald, it is shown that wands can be transfigured into staffs or walking sticks as demonstrated by the wizard Skender.

Appearances

Wiki
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LEGOHPWand

A LEGO wand

Notes and references

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
  2. 2.0 2.1 Writing by J. K. Rowling: "Uagadou" at Wizarding World
  3. 3.0 3.1 Writing by J. K. Rowling: "1920s Wizarding America" at Wizarding World
  4. Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, Chapter 5 (Diagon Alley) - "The last shop was narrow and shabby. Peeling gold letters over the door read Ollivanders: Makers of Fine Wands since 382 B.C.
  5. Writing by J. K. Rowling: "Mr Ollivander" at Wizarding World
  6. Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (2017 edition)
  7. 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 Writing by J. K. Rowling: "Ilvermorny School of Witchcraft and Wizardry" at Wizarding World
  8. Writing by J. K. Rowling: "Mahoutokoro" at Wizarding World
  9. 24 December 2007 PotterCast Interviews with J.K. Rowling
  10. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Chapter 24 (The Wandmaker)
  11. Pottermore
  12. Pottermore
  13. Writing by J. K. Rowling: "Wand Woods" at Wizarding World
  14. Wizarding World of Harry Potter - The Wand Chose ME! courtesy of YouTube (7:14)
  15. Writing by J. K. Rowling: "Wand Cores" at Wizarding World
  16. Pottermore
  17. Pottermore
  18. 18.0 18.1 18.2 18.3 18.4 18.5 Pottermore - History of America in North America
  19. Pottermore
  20. Pottermore
  21. 21.0 21.1 21.2 21.3 21.4 Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Chapter 4 (The Seven Potters)
  22. Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone
  23. 23.0 23.1 23.2 Writing by J. K. Rowling: "Wand Lengths and Flexibility" at Wizarding World
  24. Pottercast 131
  25. 25.0 25.1 Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
  26. Rumours! section of J. K. Rowling's official site
  27. 27.0 27.1 Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
  28. See this image
  29. Inside the Magic: "Singing Sorceress: Celestina Warbeck and the Banshees in Diagon Alley at Universal Orlando" on Youtube
  30. Pottermore
  31. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
  32. Pottermore
  33. Pottermore
  34. Pottermore
  35. Extra Stuff at J. K. Rowling's official site
  36. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2:Behind the Magic
  37. The Tales of Beedle the Bard, pg 83
  38. The Tales of Beedle the Bard, pg 104
  39. Quidditch Through the Ages, pg 28
  40. The Great Wand-o-Graphic from Pottermore
  41. https://www.pottermore.com/news/watch-the-new-trailer-for-new-mobile-game-harry-potter-hogwarts-mystery