January Hawkins Guide to Wandlore

[janushawkins]

So, I'm aware that I currently have next to no followers and my blog is quite young, but given the universe it deals with I feel I should throw out some sort of... disclaimer? (Please please please let this not sound like virtue signaling)

I love Harry Potter. It was a huge part of my life growing up, it fanned my creativity, I enjoy the culture of the fandom, and most importantly, Hogwarts was my safe haven when I was young and confused in a rather complicated and repressive home life.

I have and will continue to dabble in the universe created by JK Rowling, and will continue to take part in the fandom. I have no intention to stop loving Harry Potter and making up wands, and I remain a proud ravenclaw and thunderbird.

However, I am not blind to the flaws of the series or its author. I do not condone, support or agree with JK Rowling's statements and views in regards to trans people. Trans women are women, trans men are men, non-binary and genderqueer identities are valid, and these identities are a threat to NO ONE.

What Rowling has said has hurt many people and driven them to hate something they once loved. She has displayed a level of hate and ignorance that even her own damn characters would be disgusted by, and still doesn't listen when told how much harm she has done. There is no excusing her behavior.

Ps. Terf's not welcome here btw.

[janushawkins]

Wand Core: Displacer Beast Tentacle (fanon)

Coming from a creature so rare and well hidden that even most if the magical world considers them mere myths, Displacer Beast tentacle wands are quite rare, but nonetheless fairly powerful and quite loyal.

Wands with this core are of somewhat above average power with decent range, and perform exceptionally in magic to do with misdirection , illusions and the senses.

Like Displacer beasts, these wands can throw their appearance--making it look like they are somewhere nearby rather than their actual location rather as a sort of "visual ventriloquism"--usually to deter thievery.

These wands choose owners who are intelligent and independent, and believe whole heartedly that the thrill is in the chase more than the capture. Not fond of direct conflict they have a knack for trickery and misdirection and use it in almost every area of their life, whether to win a game or sport, get a leg up in life or for something as meaningless as cutting in line. Though this often helps them win at things, they may also damn themselves and lose by drawing a contest or game out to "play with their food," whether to toy with their opponents out of some childish sadism or because they just don't want to be done playing.

"Wait, so... was Gary Gygax a wizard?" - January Hawkins, Resident NERD, Ilvermorny School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

Image from Forgotten Realms wiki

Information on displacer beasts in d&d lore here https://forgottenrealms.fandom.com/wiki/Displacer_beast

Displacer Beasts in HP Lore

This is a d&d monster. They're basically huge six-legged cat monsters with tentacles that can throw their appearance. In d&d lore they were bred as hunting beasts by the unseelie court, but were so intelligent and vicious that they escaped and went to live in the feywild. Obviously the Harry Potter books never mention the unseelie court or feywild, but @themonsterblogofmonsters harry potter fan lore (much of which I consider part of my head canon) includes their own fae courts, one of which (the unseelie one) may have bred creatures like wampus cats, nundu and cat sith to make these monsters, which have since escaped and now roam the wilderness around fae gates, killing unsuspecting travellers for food or fun.

[janushawkins]

Wand Core: Occamy Feathers (fanon)

Somewhat rare due to the risk involved in collecting the feathers, and sometimes quite temperamental, Occamy feathers nevertheless make a fine and admirable wand.

Of average power for a wand, Occamy Feather cores are most prized for their great flexibility, while they excel at magic to do with flying and size, they are not really particular to any one field of magic and take easily and quickly to any new magic their owner may attempt. Thus the full magical range of the wand depends almost entirely on that of the wix wielding it.

Occamy Feather wands are a bit jumpy, and may "spook" easily, sometimes firing off a jinx wildly when surprised. Many Occamy wands are able to shrink or expand to fit the available space, much like Occamy themselves, thus they can be as small as a toothpick or as big as a staff.

The ideal owner of an Occamy feather wand is, like the Occamy, uniquely aggressive. Though they are not overly combative and do not go looking for conflict, they react quickly and viciously to any threat-perceived or otherwise-and can go overboard in their attempts to defend themselves or those people and things they care about. This is not due to an inherently antagonistic or hostile nature, but, because, like the Occamy, they had to learn to defend themselves early in life. For whatever reason, an aggressive approach to their surroundings and quick reactions were essential to their survival.

They are also often quick thinking and adaptable, and very opportunistic. With excellent survival instincts and intuition. There is also a tend to suffer from anxiety disorder, and can be overloaded by too much audible stimuli, leading to panic attacks.

"I bet other wand makers are jealous that I can get these bad boys so easy. Pays to be bff's with a magizoologist, just saying." -January Hawkins, Resident Smug Prick, Ilvermorny School of Witchcraft and Wizardry

(I got the idea for the size-changing thing from @cloverywands)

Image from harry potter wiki

[janushawkins]

Wand Core: Demiguise Hair (canon)

Once very common, these wands have fallen out of popularity in favor of the much more powerful cores used today. If this core is used nowadays it is most likely as a secondary core to something much more powerful and well rounded.

    Demiguise hair wands, though rather weak, are very good for magics to do with concealment, precognition, the senses (particularly sight), and care of magical creatures. They are subpar at more flashy spells and combat magics, and entirely hopeless for curses.

    If their owner is feeling stressed or unhappy, the wand may try to help them by emitting soothing sounds or music or using magic to settle their stressed mind. There are stories of these wands shaking violently in response to great danger to their owner.

    Wands with demiguise hair prefer owners who are peaceful and compassionate, often shrinking violets. These people prefer to stay away from the limelight. Nurturing and selfless, they are very caring and have a love of or even need to look after and help others, whether human or creature. They will have a few close friends with whom they come out of their shells and behave more animated, even playful, revealing a hidden witty side.

"Some of the nicest people you'll ever meet will have this core. They make the most caring and amazing friends you'll ever have. Plus they usually have snacks on them so that's awesome" - January Hawkins, resident Wandmaker, Ilvermorny School of Witchcraft and Wizardry

Image from harry potter wiki

[janushawkins]

Wand Core: Kneazle Whisker (canon)

Though it is no trouble at all to procure the components for this core, and crafting it into a wand is perfectly safe, Kneazle Whisker cores are quite rare. This is because they are so very underpowered and outclassed by most other wands. Like other such cores, Kneazle Whiskers are best used alongside another, more powerful core.

    Though not very strong in any forms of magic, Kneazle wands do their best (though still somewhat subpar) in charms, care of magical beasts and defense against the dark arts. The only area where the wand performs exceptionally well in is spells used to see through trickery and past disguises. Owners may have a talent towards legilimency. 

    Kneazle wands prefer owners who are very intelligent and vigilant. They are most likely introverts and have trouble trusting people, but can be excellent judges of character. They may judge others too quickly, and behave quite aggressively towards anyone they have chosen to dislike-taking this aggression out on them with their sharp wit or subtle manipulation rather than violence. These wixes are driven, persistent and independant. Their social graces may be lacking, making them somewhat blunt.

They are also often very graceful with quick, catlike reflexes. Acrobatics and physical exercise are excellent stress relievers for them.

There are stories of some Kneazle wands being able to sense if someone is being dishonest with their owner, and purring slightly to alert them to this fact. But these stories have yet to be proven and may be nonsense.

"I fail to see the appeal of a wand whose performance is just slightly above that of a wand that has been snapped in half and taped back together. Seriously, why have other wand makers made wands with JUST this core and shipped them in like I'm gonna give some poor kid the jar jar binks of wands?" - January Hawkins, Wandmaker yadah yadah. What on earth is a jar jar binks?

Image from harry potter wiki

[janushawkins]

Wand core: Fairy Wing (Canon)

A decently powerful but fickle core, fairy wing cores make for a light and airy wand that is not exceptionally rare but are still not the most popular.

    Wands with this core do quite well with charms, transfiguration and divination, but are only average in defense against the dark arts. There is sometimes a talent for the ethereal. They are also quite poor for hexes and curses. Fairy wing cores have been used as a dual core with a unicorn hair to great effect.

    Fairy wing cores hate iron, as touching it may damage the wand. If something made of iron gets too close to the wand, it may become irate, burning hot or freezing cold, shaking violently, or even firing off random spells without the owner's command.

    Wands with this core  prefer owners who have some connection to the mystic; as such they most often choose individuals who possess the Sight. These people are wise souls, but can seem quite dim and flakey as their heads are so often high up in the clouds. They’re social skills are lacking, and they are often quite terribly organized, their minds always somewhere far away. Those who get to know these wixes find that they can have extraordinary insights, and a wonderful sense of humor. They enjoy their solitude, where they can focus both inward and outward and exercise and experiment with their gift. If allowed to flourish, they may one day become very wise and respected seers.

"You always walk away from a conversation with owners of fairy wing wands a little confused. Sometimes because they're speaking nonsense, sometimes because they seem to possess all the secrets of the universe" -January Hawkins, Resident Wandmaker, Ilvermorny School of Witchcraft and Wizardry

Image from Harry Potter wiki

[janushawkins]

Wand core: Basilisk Horn (Canon)

As basilisks are so rare, and actually slaying one even more rare, basilisk wands are very, very rare. It is unlikely to ever find new wands in a shop, and most that currently exist are heirlooms passed down in prominent pureblood slytherin families. When a new basilisk horn wand is made, it will certainly choose a parselmouth.

    Unbelievably powerful and incredibly forceful, basilisk horn wands excel in all forms of magic, especially those magics that petrify, jinx, hex and curse. These wands are strongly bent towards dark magic and truly lethal with it.

    The ideal owner of a basilisk wand is never dim or a shrinking violet. They are ambitious, cunning, brilliant and often exude charisma and power. These wixes make incredible leaders and planners. Entirely self sufficient and pragmatic, they know what they want and they are ruthless in their determination to get it. They often want to be remembered for their great deeds and prodigious skills, and so constantly work to be the best at everything they do. 

    Wielders of Basilisk horn wands often have a natural resistance to poisons.

    It is best that a parselmouth be the owner of a basilisk wand, as this core is highly intelligent and may try to take charge in spellcasting, or even fire off curses without the owner's consent. Those gifted with parseltongue have a natural rapport with basilisk wands and are able to better control them.

"I really, really, really want to make a wand with this core. The school refuses to let me dig up the one buried in the grounds." - January Hawkins, resident wandmaker, Ilvermorny school of witchcraft and wizardry

(Image from Harry Potter wiki)

[janushawkins]

Wand Core: Fwooper Feather (Canon)

Rather a weak core when compared to the majority, and suffering as the subject of a (false) superstition, fwooper feathers are rarely used as the sole core for a wand, but rather added as a secondary core to wands containing a different feather core.

Under powered and outclassed though it is, Fwooper feather wands do perform admirably with charms work and spells having to do with sound. They are, however, quite incapable of casting the silencing charm.

If part of a particularly loyal combination, fwooper feather wands will sabotage anyone but their owner from using it. In such situations the will emit a cacophonous bird cry that only the person trying to use the wind can hear that dulls their senses, slows their reactions and can cause them to question their reality.

There is a superstition that fwooper feather cores cause their owners to go insane. This is, of course, entirely false. The truth is, fwooper feather cores choose owners who are eccentric, go to their own beat and have a very unique view of the world that will cause some to see them as odd or not entirely sane. The wand will nurture their owners' beautiful weirdness and give them confidence, until they are willing to be more open about their mindset, being their authentic self. It is neither the owner nor wands fault that closed minded individuals will see them as insane or dim. This wand may also indicate a talent for singing.

“My wand contains a fwooper feather as a secondary core, and as you can see I am quite sane... Why are you laughing?” - January Hawkins, Resident Wandmaker, Ilvermorny School of Witchcraft and Wizardry

Image from Harry Potter Wiki

[janushawkins]

Wand Core: Augury Feather (Canon)

Somewhat underrated, and relatively rare outside Ireland, Augury feathers may not be as powerful as their phoenix and thunderbird cousins, but they are reasonably strong and have very personal bonds with their owners.

Auguries were once thought to appear as omens of death, leading many to believe that this core is bent towards dark magic, however Auguries are not omens of death, but rather sing at the approach of rain, likewise these wands are neither light nor dark in nature. 

Augury feather wands are very good for magics to do with weather, prophesy and emotions. They excel in both transfiguration and divination.

Augury feather wands are very sensitive to their owners emotional state, and will try to comfort their owners if they are in distress, magically calming them by reminding them of things that make them feel happy, causing them to smell petrichor or fresh baked cookies, or emitting the sound of a song them remember fondly from their childhood.

Like Auguries, these wands are able to predict oncoming storms, emitting a low moaning cry. Being surrounded by storms, especially rainstorms, increases these wands overall power as well as their potency with weather-based magics.

During winter, wands with augury feathers are more melancholic and prone to moaning. This seasonal depression is often a trait found in their ideal owner as well.

Augury feather wands seek owners who are melancholy and timid, often suffering from depression disorder. Chosen wixes feel emotions very deeply, and may be rather empathetic, to the point where they take on other peoples sorrows and pain. These wixes have a hidden strength, however, and are able to brush off obstacles and like water off the back of an augury or duck. (Internal struggles are another issue entirely).

These people are also mostly introverts, preferring solitude or intimate groups with friends to large crowds. They are often very creative and express themselves best through art, crafts and writing. They are almost always misunderstood.

Wixes chosen by augury wands love rain, the sound of it on their roof and window, the smell it leaves in its wake and the deep rumble of thunder. They would rather be drenched by the rain than use an umbrella, perhaps feeling that the downpour washes away the pain and sadness they so often struggle with.

“My own wand contains an augury feather, and it has served me admirably since it chose me when I was only 11 years old, acting as a constant companion and grounding influence. Plus having an early warning for oncoming storms is great. I mean I’ve never used an umbrella in my life but it’s still nice to know.” - January Hawkins, Resident Wandmaker, Ilvermorny School of Witchcraft and Wizardry

Image from Harry potter wiki

[janushawkins]

Wand Core: Boomslang Venom (Canon)

Though boomslang venom is quite common, the process of placing it into a wand is very dangerous to the wandmaker. Thus most wandmakers don’t bother to try, believing that the risk outweighs the benefit.

Rather lackluster when compared to most other wands, Boomslang cores are more often used as a dual core to provide a boost to hexes and jinxes. Boomslang wands do perform above average in transfiguration.

Not among the more sentient cores, boomslang venom wands have very broad preferences when it comes to owners. Generally, these people are quite sharp and quick-witted, being able to react quickly to danger. They are also often quite standoffish and introverted, preferring to be left to their own devices rather than part of the crowd.

These wands gravitate heavily to parselmouths, and may perform better for such wixes.

“I made a wand with Boomslang venom once. Almost died. Probably gonna do it again though.” - January Hawkins, Resident Wandmaker, Ilvermorny School of Witchcraft and Wizardry (HOW DID HE GET THIS JOB???)

Image from Harry Potter Wikia

[janushawkins]

Wand Core: Doxy Wings (Canon)

Rather rare in today's world, doxy wing wands can be unmanageable in inexperienced hands. They are, however, quite gifted in dark magic, and can be found in the hands of individuals who fancy themselves dark wixes, but haven’t the connections to get the much better (yet exceptionally rare) Basilisk skin wands.

Doxy wing wands are decent all around, and above average when casting  the most nasty of jinxes and hexes. They have a natural bent towards dark magic and can be surprisingly lethal in the hands of  a sufficiently evil wix.

These wands exult in cruelty and may vibrate or hum when being used for especially dark spells, there are stories of them letting out a high-pitched maniacal laugh during such sadistic spells as the cruciatus curse.

Doxy wands do not pair well with wood of a lighter or upstanding nature, performing very poorly or not at all in such matches. Dogwood, with it’s good natured and loyal disposition is an especially poor wood for this core, the combination cracking the wood and destroying the wand beyond repair.

Doxy wing wands are very temperamental and mean-spirited, requiring an owner with either a very steady hand or a similarly nasty temperament. Cruel and sadistic wixes though they are, these individuals are usually rather cowardly, and will likely run from a real fight. (It’s kinda pathetic, really.) It is quite unheard of for a good wix to have a wand with this core.

“Though I usually insist there are no truly evil wands, only evil  owners, Doxy wings are one of a few cores with which I make an exception. Even in the most noble hands, these wands will be cruel, malicious and dark... I knew someone with a doxy wing wand once. F@ck that guy.” - January Hawkins, Resident Wandmaker, Ilvermorny School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

(Image from Harry Potter wikia)

[janushawkins]

American Wand Cores: The Big Four (Canon)

While in Britain the “big three” are nearly the only wand cores seen, the american “big four” are more accurately the most powerful and often held in highest regard, but they are not even remotely the only cores used.

Horned Serpent Horn

An exceptionally powerful core, horned serpent wands are quite rare, and unheard of outside the american continents. Horned Serpents themselves are quite diverse, but may usually be grouped into either saltwater or freshwater serpents.

Horned serpent wands of any variety are very powerful in all areas of magic, they have a knack for magics to do with water and perform especially well in transfiguration and divination. 

Horned serpent wands are capable of warning their owners of danger by emitting a low musical tone. They are also unique in the behavior between twin cores, if two wands of horned serpent horns from the same serpent work together for a singular goal (often in combat) their power is increased exponentially.

Rather like the Ilvermorny house named after the creature, horned serpent wands prefer owners who are intelligent and quick-witted. However, their preferred owners are not bookish scholars who stay shut in a library all day, but rather creative and innovative individuals who enjoy exercising their mind and putting things they learn into practice. Absorbing information like a sponge, these wixes brilliant in subjects they find interesting and above average in those they don’t. They are constantly thinking. Wixes chosen by these wands are absolutely brilliant and fiercely independent.

The type of horned serpent has some bearing over what they look for in an owner as well. Horned Serpent horn wands from a salt-water horned serpent are playful in nature, and look for owners who share that lighthearted playfulness, these are extremely imaginative, spirited and outspoken wixes.

Fresh-water horns, on the other hand, seek owners who are pragmatic, secretive and a bit slow to trust. These wixes are often very cunning and patient.

Horned serpent wands are sensitive to Parseltongue and vibrate when it is being spoken. It is possible they favor owners capable of speaking in parseltongue.

“I like to keep a special eye on students who are chosen by these wands. I keep track, in a notepad in my desk drawer--right next to my paints and emergency bertie botts--of what individuals have wands from the same horned serpent, and watch patiently for the day when they discover the peculiar connection of their twin wands. Interestingly, if they do not already know each other, it seems they always naturally gravitate towards one another, becoming incredibly close and often becoming the best of friends or incredibly close partners.” - January Hawkins, Resident Wandmaker, Ilvermorny School of Witchcraft and Wizardry

Thunderbird Tail Feather

One of the most powerful cores available, Thunderbird feather’s are somewhat rare, and make for mighty wands with power and range rivaling that of the british Phoenix feather wands.

Thunderbird feather core wands are incredibly powerful in most if not all areas of magic, and are especially good for transfiguration magics and any magic to do with weather, air and travel. Owners may have an exceptional talent for flying.

As powerful as these wands can be, Thunderbird feather wands are uniquely difficult to master, perhaps retaining the original creatures independent nature. However, once mastered they bond with their owner for life, and their allegiance is almost certain to never change.

Like  Thunderbirds themselves, these wands can sense danger and may preemptively cast curses to protect themselves and their owner, acting independently.

It is very rare to be chosen by a thunderbird wand, even most of those that match up to the cores preferences aren’t chosen, these wands wait for someone truly extraordinary, with the potential for greatness. Thunderbird feather wands seek owners with an adventurous spirit, as extraordinarily free and independent as the creature they came from. These wixes are natural travelers and loath having to stay put, always aching to explore the next horizon. Daring, adventurous and curious, they refuse to hold still or conform to any stifling rulesets. With the soul of a wanderer and the skills to seek the unknown, these individuals were born to run.

“When I say they’re picky, I mean it. I’ve gone 3 years in a row without a single thunderbird feather wand choosing a student, I’ve still got over half my original stalk! But when a student is chosen by one of these wands, I know they are destined for truly great things, those kids will see the world over and make a huge impact on it. I also know their restlessness is going to give the teachers hell.” - January Hawkins, Resident Wandmaker, Ilvermorny School of Witchcraft and Wizardry

Wampus Cat Hair

Though a very powerful core, wampus hair wands are rather uncommon due to the incredible difficulty and danger of procuring the hairs. 

Wampus wands are quite powerful. They are renowned for their flexibility, becoming very strong in any forms of magic their owner favors. This core is also very good with magics to do with the mind, especially legilimency, and it can produce mind altering effects both dazzling and horrifying. 

Enchantments and charms created by wands with this core are known to be very long-lasting.

Wixese chosen by this core are often bold and always enigmatic. Possessing a somewhat nebulous view of good and evil, these individuals reject simple dichotomies of light and dark. However, this does not mean that they are evil or without conscience. Rather, they prefer a more complex morality that bases right and wrong on cause and effect rather than convention and idealism. Because of this they are more willing than others to use dark magic. They are also often fiercely protective of those they have accepted on their own, using any means necessary to defend what they hold dear.

Dripping charisma, these wixes have an intense presence, able to grip the attention of any room they enter. They have an air of unpredictability, as they fluctuate between decisions and emotions based on feedback from their environment. Constantly adapting to the current situation.

Wixes chosen by Wampus hair wands also tend to be incredibly resilient, able to survive more than most.  There is a trend of some level of magic-resistance in these wixes, It is unknown whether this is a pre-existing trait or one gained by bonding with a wand with this core.

“Just how a student chosen by a wampus hair wand will turn out is, ironically, black or white. While it is true that their complex and adaptable morality does not necessarily lead them down a dark path, I have seen many wixes chosen by a wampus hair wand become truly evil individuals. There are, however, a great many who have become heroes and healers, genuinely good people. One thing is absolutely certain, Owners of wands with a wampus hair core will always, ALWAYS go on to do great things, whether good or bad they will always be extraordinarily powerful, very likely passing into legend.” - January Hawkins, Resident Wandmaker, Ilvermorny School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

Snallygaster Heartstring

A somewhat fickle wand core whose tendency towards change can make it difficult to master, Snallygaster Heartstrings are nonetheless the most powerful of the four major wand cores in North America, and have been highly prized in the american wizarding community. 

However, Snallygasters are not as plentiful a species as dragons, and the fact that taking this wand core requires killing one is causing a decline in their numbers, and as consequence a decline in snallygaster wands. There have been petitions to have this core banned in order to protect the species and many young wixes have taken a disliking to it.

Similar to Europe's dragon heartstring wands, wands with this core create some of the most dazzling and powerful spells. They can be considered a jack of all trades, as they perform admirably in every area of magic. It also excels at combat magics, and offensive spells often pack quite a punch. This wand does seem to be easier to turn to the dark arts.

For some reason, the visuals of spells cast with wands with this core are heightened. Light’s are brighter, colors are more intense and flashes are more erratic. These wands are also often incredibly sturdy for the wood they use, and almost impossible to break, no matter their flexibility.

Owners of wands with this core should have a firm hand to temper the wands fickle nature. This wand’s preferred owners are driven, ambitious and often focused on uncovering hidden truths. With unbreakable resolve and a deep curiosity, these wixes are natural born investigators, almost unstoppable in their pursuit of truth. 

This core suffers no fools, and refuses to work for individuals it sees as dim, lazy or lacking in sufficient drive. Wixes it chooses are often wise and animated, but if something doesn’t effectively capture their attention they will grow bored quickly and become restless, wishing to be anywhere else but where they are. 

These wixes are superb spellcasters who take very little time to master new magics, but this gift is more often attributed to being a natural with magic than an excellent study. It can seem that they were born with a wand in their hands.

“Even I’m growing uncomfortable with this core, I’ve been considering refusing shipments of it, or even snallygaster wands donated by other wandmakers… maybe the feather? It wouldn’t be as power-... but… we wouldn’t need to kill any… Um… So this is the last one we’re talking about today? I can just go now? Great, I’m gonna go find some… uh… I’m gonna try something-- bye!” - January Hawkins (he just started rambling about feathers and disaperated, wtf is with this guy?)