Wands Around The World by Stephanie Hardy

wands around the world garrett ollivander

contents

introduction

4-5

europe

6-17

africa

17-25

asia

26-35

south america

36-41

north america

42-53

wands around the world

introduction

I'd like to explain a little about what this book is all about. My name is Garrett Ollivander, great grandson of the very famous Garrick Ollivander. I am 18 years of age and have recently graduated Hogwarts. Garrick Ollivander handed his shop down to my father and one day it will be handed down to me. Although I have learned a great deal from listening to my great grandfather and father talk about wandlore, I would like to set off on my own advernture to explore this world in the hope to expand my foundation of knowledge further and learn how wandmakers all over the world create wands. I don't doubt that my great grandfather is a marvelous wandmaker and knows exactly what he's doing but I just want to take this opportunity to find out for myself how other wandmakers do things. I would like to develop a vast wealth of knowledge so when the time comes for me to take over the Ollivander business, I am well equipped to run it as well as my great grandfather ever did and I want to make him proud. Maybe I'll find new and exciting ways to create wands. On my travels, I visit the major wizarding schools, talking to students and drawing their wands and also asking them about their wands. I do meet a few non-student wizards and witches who are just as willing to help me on my quest for wandlore knowledge.

europe I started my journey in Europe. Having just graduated from Hogwarts and living in England I make my way from the UK to France. Europe is the home to two other magical schools, as well as Hogwarts, the Beauxbatons Academy of Magic and the Durmstrang Institute. Visiting Beauxbatons Academy of Magic first I met many talented young students. I discovered that their wands are very decorative and ornate made from materials such as Veela hair, Merpeople hair and Unicorn hair as cores and using beautiful delicate wood such as laurel and aspen. I travelled quite a bit through Europe, meeting many interesting witches and wizards along the way. Eastern European magical folk have thicker, more robust wands than the delicate French and Spanish wands I have seen. I spoke to people who knew Mykew Gregorovitch, a famous wandmaker that my great grandfather, Mr. Ollivander, respected. They were very different wandmakers but both great in their own ways. As I travelled I found that a lot of people put much stock in Gregorovitch's wands and even though Mr. Ollivander's

reputation was world reknowned and witches and wizards often travelled to the UK to buy his wands, Eastern European witches and wizards preferred Gregorovitch's wands. Maybe it was a stylistic choice or whether they thought his wands were a lot more powerful. One thing I can be certain of, they both were experts in wandlore and have dedicated their whole life to the craft. I then visited Durmstrang Institute. A huge contrast against Beauxbaton Academy but impressive all the same. I was pleased to find out that the Dark arts reputation is slowly slipping away from the school and is regaining a more friendlier one. The students seem to have either organic chunky wands of sturdy proportions or robust carved detailed wands. Both are charming in their own different ways. I travelled further down south and discovered that mediterranean witches and wizards use chimera scales and griffin feathers as cores in their wands. This was most exciting. They however, looked just the same as all the other European wands have seen.

wands around the world

Beauxbaton Academy of Magic I was pleased to be invited to visit one of the great European schools - Beauxbaton Academy of Magic. Beauxbaton is the French wizarding school, located in the Pyrenees in southern France. The school takes at least a plurality of its students from France, but also takes them in large numbers from Belgium, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal, and Spain. It's unknown if students from other countries are allowed. The school coat of arms is two golden wands crossed over one another, each shooting three stars history

Founded sometime before the mid-1300s, Beauxbatons has had many noteworthy students over the years. Most prominent are Nicolas Flamel, the alchemist famed for discovering the Philosopher's Stone, and his wife Perenelle. The Palace of Beauxbatons is a beautiful chateau surrounded by majestic gardens and fountains magically created out of the surrounding mountains, and has stood for over seven hundred years. In the Dining Chamber, Wood Nymphs serenade the students while they eat, and at Christmas, the hall is adorned with great, glittering, non-melting ice sculptures

europe

tradition

Students and staff are transported by use of the Beauxbatons carriages. The carriages are a lightblue, pulled by a dozen winged horses. The students at Beauxbatons Academy have been taught to stand to attention from when their Headmistress enters the room until she seats herself, showing great respect for her. uniform

The students wear pale blue robes made of fine silk. reputation

Education at Beauxbatons Academy was of a similar calibre of the education at Hogwarts. Beauxbatons students take their equivalent of Ordinary Wizarding Levels in their sixth year, rather than their fifth like their Hogwarts counterparts. Students who are of age were shown to be able to cast the Avis Charm wandlessly and nonverbally.

wands around the world

europe

Patrice Boulais Laurel Veela Hair 113/4 inches, surprisingly swishy

This is such a beautiful wand. It is crafted from laurel and Veela hair. From what I have learned from my great grandfather, Veela hair makes for temperamental wands but is great for charm work. Laurel wands are extraordinary in the way that they are unable to tolerate laziness. Owners of laurel wands have to be fairly disciplined and ambitious people otherwise it will not perform any magic for the user. Furthermore, it is said that laurel wands cannot perform a dishonourable act. This is most fascinating and therefore requires a pure heart to own it. This wand has elegant detailing in the form of carved wooden flowers as though they are sprouting from the wand itself. Perfect for a part-Veela such as Patrice.

Sylvianne Groulx Aspen Unicorn Hair 121/2 inches, supple

This wand is a lustrious long aspen wand with unicorn hair core. Aspen resembles ivory because of its pale, almost white appearance. This wand is silky smooth and feels so exquisite to hold. To add to the beauty, the carved ivy vines have been painted with a delicate gold paint which really contrasts well with the ivory wood. Aspen wands are good for charmwork but also owners are often accomplished duellers. A supple wand like this often are loyal to their owner. Owners of wands like this are usually gentle, warm, humble and kind-hearted people. I would agree just from meeting Sylvianne. She is most kind and seems to be very popular at Beauxbaton Academy.

wands around the world

Durmstrang Institute I was thankful to get the opportunity to visit the other great European school Durmstrang. Durmstrang Institute is the Scandinavian wizarding school. It is located in the northernmost regions of either Norway or Sweden, and is willing to accept international students as far afield as Bulgaria. Durmstrang is the only school I know of that does not admit Muggle-borns, but it has been known to show that certain students may not necessarily share this prejudice. Alumni Viktor Krum being a particular student that is not prejudice against muggle-borns and has spoken publicly about these issues. Durmstrang, like Hogwarts, is in a castle, though their castle is not quite as big as Hogwarts. The castle is only four stories tall and fires are only lit for magical purposes. It has very extensive grounds and is surrounded by lakes and mountains. In addition, the school is Unplottable; Durmstrang, like other schools, likes to conceal its whereabouts so the other schools cannot steal their secrets. history

Durmstrang was founded sometime during the Middle Ages by the great medieval Bulgarian witch Nerida Vulchanova who served as the first head of the school, followed after her

europe

mysterious demise by Professor Harfang Munter

who

established

Durmstrang's

reputation for emphasising martial magic as an impressive part of its curriculum. Around 1894, Gellert Grindelwald was accepted into Durmstrang Institute. Although the school was oriented towards the Dark Arts, Grindelwald's experiments in dark magic were considered too dangerous for the students. After a certain amount of time, even Durmstrang could

longer

ignore

Grindelwald's

dangerous studies, and expelled him. Before he was expelled, he carved the calling card of his obsession, the mark of the Deathly Hallows, on a wall of the school; that mark stayed there long after his defeat. reputation

Durmstrang is notorious for its acceptance of the Dark Arts, and was known to have educated Gellert Grindelwald before his ascension as a Dark Wizard. uniform

The students at the school wear fur cloaks, fur hats, and blood-red robes.

wands around the world

Tobias Gustafsson Cypress Dragon Heartstring 101/4 inches, solid

A charming organic wand, quite thick and sturdy but is satisfying to hold. Crafted from dark cypress with a Dragon heartstring core measuring at 101/4 inches, this wand suits a noble, brave and bold owner. Dragon heartstring wands produce wands with the most power and are capable of the most flamboyant spells. Fairly quick at learning compared to other cores I know of. Caution must be taken with a Dragon wand as they tend to be the easiest to turn to the Dark Arts. It won't incline that way of its own accord so no need to worry if you have no intentions to lean towards the Dark Arts.

Aleksander Balazs Sycamore Dragon Heartstring 10 inches, rigid

This wand is another representation of Eastern European wizards' preferences for wands. Still a thick and sturdy wand but decoratively carved. A masculine design and is very handsome crafted from sycamore and Dragon heartstring. It is 10 inches long and rather rigid, making for a very loyal wand indeed. Owners of this kind of wand are usually cautious and have difficulty trusting others, however, they are not usually unkind, just wary. Sycamore wands are questing wands and are usually very sleek and handsome. Owners are usually eager for new experiences and from meeting Aleksander, he tells me he has been inspired by my quest for knowledge and hopes to travel the world to find some purpose in his life after he finishes school. This is certainly great to hear that I have inspired at least one other person to follow their dreams.

europe

wands around the world

europe

Viktor Krum Hornbeam Dragon Heartstring 101/4 inches, very rigid

Viktor Krum is a famous Quidditch player, a world class seeker. He grew up in Bulgaria and attended the Durmstrang Institute, one of the European schools. When he was 18 years old, and still at school, he was selected to play for Bulgaria in the 1994 Quidditch World Cup. He was an extraordinary player and was considered such a fascinating and exciting player to watch. Later that year he competed in the Triwizard Tournament. Krum had a great professional career in Quidditch but after a very close match between Bulgaria and Egypt in the finals of the 2002 Quidditch World Cup, he announced his retirement at the age of 26. Viktor decided to come out of retirement to compete in the 2014 Quidditch World Cup with the desire “to win the World Cup before I die”. Bulgaria won the cup against Brazil, fulfilling his dream. Viktor purchased his wand from the famous European wandmaker Mykew Gregorovitch. His expert skills rivalled those of my grandfather. Both excellent craftsmen but differed in opinion and styling. Sadly, Krum tells me Gregorovitch died twenty years ago so I was not able to meet Gregorovitch himself but he had been in retirement for years before because Viktor Krum was one of the last people to ever purchase their wands from Gregorovitch. Krum’s wand is crafted from hornbeam and dragon heartstring. It measures at 101/4 inches and is rather thicker than the usual wand, making it a very sturdy and very rigid wand. It is a beautifully organic looking wand, light in colour and seems to be all one piece rather than a separate handle, another of Gregorovitches differences from my father’s styling but I think it works. A roughly carved face that resembles a bird at the handle end is an interesting and almost subtle addition. He has taken good care of his wand as it is still in excellent condition. My great grandfather always said that hornbeam wands generally lean towards wizards with a lifelong obsession. It has been said that Krum is and always was obsessed with Quidditch and I think I must agree just from interviewing him, I found that he was truly passionate about the sport.

africa After Europe, I travelled to Africa. My first stop was Egypt as it is the first place that magic was ever recorded. It has a great history to it and I wanted to explore it for myself, it truly was a fascinating place! I met a very interesting witch, Rakia Aly, who works for Gringotts as a Curse Breaker. She works on the ancient tombs trying to break the curses that were put on them many years ago by Egyptian wizards to protect their belongings from theives. She disclosed quite a lot of information about wandlore here in Egypt. For example, the wand is a relatively new prospect in Africa in general and has only been adopted in the last century or so. Egypt, however, has used the wand a little longer due to a branch of Gringotts residing in Cairo and having European wizards working abroad there, Egyptian wizards have seen European wizards using wands and have adopted them as a useful tool.

African wizards are perfectly capable of performing spells without a wand, and only really use wands as a handy instrument or as an ornate accessory. Many African witches and wizards I have met have short, organic wands and consider them as more of a disposable item that they replace quite frequently. Whether this is because they are not built to last, or the materials used are not as powerful as European wands, or maybe it's because they don't actually need them and are not considered important so aesthetics are irrelevant. I wasn't able to meet any wandmakers in Africa because in their culture, wand crafting isn't considered as an expert profession and they believe that anyone can do it. I was fortunate to visit Uagadou, the huge African school that is carved out of a mountainside. It was a truly impressive and historic school. It takes students from all over Africa.

wands around the world

Rakia Aly Maple Sphinx Hair 121/4 inches, quite flexible

A beautiful maple and Sphinx hair wand with an integrated handle shaped into a cobra head. The carving detail is impressive and even though it is entirely made out of wood, it looks very ornate. Being crafted from maple, it naturally shines and burnishes itself. It is a beautiful and desirable wood and wands made from maple seem to favour travellers and explorers and those who have great ambition in life. Having a sphinx hair core will most probably suit intelligent and mysterious owners. I'm not certain about this assumption as I have never come across a Sphinx hair wand before but often the beast's abilities and traits are shared in the core too. Powerful magical beasts make for good cores. My great grandfather believed that the Phoenix, Dragon and Unicorn create the best wands due to their power and natural abilities. A fairly long wand at 121/4 inches and being quite flexible makes for a wand that is particularly good for Transfiguration.

africa

wands around the world

Uagadou I was so grateful to be invited to visit Uagadou. Uagadou is the Ugandan wizarding school, located in the Mountains of the Moon in western Uganda. It is apparentlly the largest of the eleven wizarding schools, accepting students from all over Africa. It's stunning edifice carved out of the mountainside and shrouded in mist, so that it sometimes appears simply to float in mid-air. history

Uagadou was founded at least a thousand years ago, making it roughly the same age as Hogwarts (possibly even older). Although a number of smaller wizarding schools can be found throughout Africa, only Uagadou has stood the test of time and achieved an enviable international reputation. reputation

Uagadou students are famously skilled in Astronomy, Alchemy and Self-Transfiguration.

africa

Wands are primarily a European invention, and although African wizards have adopted them as useful tools, Uagadou students prefer and are able to cast spells simply by pointing their fingers or through other types of hand gestures. This technique gives them a sturdy line of defence when accused of breaking the International Statute of Secrecy (they could say they were simply making a random gesture and not intending to do magic). recruitment

Students receive notice of their acceptance to Uagadou through Dream Messengers, sent by the headmaster or headmistress of the day. The Dream Messenger appears to the child as they sleep and will leave a token, usually an inscribed stone, to be found in the child's hand upon waking. Uagadou is the only school that employs this method of student selection.

wands around the world

Zwana Okoro Blackthorn Tebo Tusk 71/2 inches, sturdy

A very organic wand crafted from blackthorn and Tebo tusk has hardly any sculpting or carving done to it. This wand is extremely short for a wand. Blackthorn wands favour natural warriors. The shape is indicitave of the tusk core because it is wider than usual wands. I do not know of the magical properties that Tebo tusks possess within a wand, all I know that the beast is warthog-like and is very dangerous. It can make itself invisible making it nearly impossible to capture or evade.

Nimeesha Demoz Acacia Phoenix Tail Feather 97/8 inches, pliant

This is an acacia and Phoenix tail feather wand, 97/8 inches, a standard sized wand, adopting a more European styling. This is a simple looking wand, carved and smoothed for most of the length apart from a few beads of bark remaining giving a subtle detail. The naturally orangetinted wood gives this wand an attractive quality. Acacia wands usually favour the most gifted and considering African witches and wizards don't actually need a wand to control their magic, I would say this is very apt and Nimeesha seems like a very talented young lady.

Dwe Toure Ebony Sphinx Hair 101/8 inches, swishy

This is a very handsome wand crafted from ebony and Sphinx hair, with gold detailing. The stark contrast between the almost black wood and gold bands is very striking. This is the opposite to most African wands I have seen. Dwe explains that because wands aren't necessary in African culture, they're more of a useful tool, you either choose a plain wand or a decorative wand. Decorative wands are more of an accessory for an African witch or wizard and often show off wealth and fortune.

africa

asia Travelling through Asia was fascinating. Western Asia witches and wizards do not use the broomstick as a form of transportation. They prefer the Flying carpet. The Flying carpet was invented in Bangladesh, and is also widely used in India, Pakistan, Iran and Mongolia. I saw the gravity-resistant trees that are mentioned in Goshawk's Guide to Herbology. They are grown by a small wizarding family in Nepal. I was also told that there are many magical governing bodies within Asia. Bangladesh, India, Iran, Japan, Mongolia and Pakistan all have their own Ministry of Magic. I met a few witches and wizards who were happy for me to interview them about themselves and their wands. The materials that are used in wandcraft over here is incredible!

then

visited

the

Japanese

school,

Mahoutokoro. It was a beautiful palace and had such a great atmosphere about the school. Quidditch is a huge sport in East Asia, despite the broomstick not being used in the western side of Asia. The Toyohashi Tengu Quidditch team are one of the few teams that have gained a lot of popularity in the last century.

wands around the world

Mahoutokoro Visitin

Mahoutokoro

was

spectacular.

Mahoutokoro is the Japanese wizarding school, located on the topmost point of the Volcanic island of Minami Iwo Jima. It has the smallest student body of the eleven wizarding schools. The school is an ornate and exquisite palace, it resembles a pagoda or a shiro made of Nephrite, or "mutton-fat jade", a translucent white stone. Both island and palace are thought to be uninhabited by Muggles. history

Mahoutokoro is possibly one of the oldest wizarding schools, as it is described as "ancient". Quidditch was introduced to Japan and to Mahoutokoro centuries ago by a band of foolhardy Hogwarts students who were blown off course during an attempt to circumnavigate the globe on wholly inadequate broomsticks. Rescued by a party of wizarding staff from Mahoutokoro, who had been observing the movements of the planets, they remained as guests long enough to teach their Japanese counterparts the rudiments of the game, a move they lived to regret. reputation

Mahoutokoro has the reputation to have an impressive academic prowess. Every member of the Japanese Quidditch team and the current Champion's League winners

asia

(the Toyohashi Tengu) attributes their prowess to the gruelling training they were given at Mahoutokoro, where they practise over a sometimes turbulent sea in stormy conditions, forced to keep an eye out not only for the Bludgers but also for planes from the Muggle airbase on a neighbouring island. Students of this school prized wands made out of cherry wood, and those who owned them were held in a place of high honour.recruitment The school took students from the age of seven, although they did not board until they were eleven. While day students, wizarding children were flown back and forth to their homes every day on the backs of a flock of giant storm petrels. uniform

When students start off at the school they are given robes that grow as they grow and change colour as the wearer gains experience, with pink as the begining color. If the wearer receives top grades all the school subjects, their robes will turn gold. Any student who betrays the Japanese wizard's code or practice Dark Arts would result in their uniform turning white, which is a huge disgrace and the student in question will be immediately expelled.

wands around the world

Hirotaka Eda Beech Hoo-hoo Tail Feather 131/4 inches, springy

This wand is crafted from beech and Hoo-hoo tail feather. It has a charming roughly carved fox head at the handle base and is smooth to the tip. Hirotaka explains to me that foxes are deemed as magical yet tricksy creatures in Japanese folklore. The fox is imbued with powers of shape shifting, possession and illusion. Regardless of the folklore, I think it is a pleasant little addition to the wand as a detail. The beech wood makes subtle wands and has an artistry quality. Owners of beech wand are often wise beyond their years and have a rich understanding of people and are rather empathetic. Hoo-hoo birds are related to the Phoenix and are native to Japan. They are often called the Fire Bird. As they are related to the Phoenix, I am assuming that wands with Hoo-hoo feathers are similar to Phoenix wands and are capable of the greatest range of magic.

Mariko Kakutama Cherry Dragon Heartstring 13 inches, sturdy

This wand is a cherry and Dragon heartstring wand measuring 13 inches, and is rather sturdy. In my understanding, cherry wands are highly regarded at Mahoutokoro. They are most prestigious and is a high honour to own one. In Japanese culture, the cherry blossom tree is said to bring luck and prosperity therefore this is the reason I assume why it is such a highly regarded wand. This particular one is decorated with a fine carving of cherry blossom. This is a delicate little detail and suits the deep red wand nicely. In my experience, I know that Dragon heartstring and cherry wood pairs tremendously together, creating an extremely powerful wand. For that reason, the owner must demonstrate exceptional selfcontrol and strength of mind to truly master this wand.

asia

wands around the world

Pi Tsai-Chin Rowan Dragon Heartstring 111/2 inches, quite flexible

This wand is crafted from rowan and Dragon heartstring. It is 111/2 inches long and quite flexible making it a suitable wand for a diplomatic witch who is usually able to see all sides of a situation is very level-headed. Rowan wood create wands that are suitable for protective, defensive charms and are best for clear-headed and pure-hearted people. This simple design is perfect for Pi, she seems to be a very open and honest person who has nothing to hide. The grip of the handle is pragmatic and stylistically makes it a pleasant looking wand.

Shen Xian Redwood Phoenix Tail Feather 103/4 inches, rigid

This beautiful wand is crafted from redwood and Phoenix feather. The handle is shaped into a roughly carved Occamy head, a gorgeous creature that is native to Asia. Though not all that practical of a shape, it sure is delightful to behold. Redwood wands are known to bring good fortune to its owner which is a satisfying thought for Shen. Being a rigid wand proves to be loyal to its owner and will definitely give him good fortune as it will be difficult to win from him and will serve him well should he ever find himself in combat.

asia

wands around the world

Ravi Chakrabarti Ebony Occamy Feathers 111/4 inches, pliant

This is a stunning wand. Crafted from ebony and Occamy feathers and measures at 111/4 inches long. What is most beautiful about this wand, in my opinion is its handle. The handle is made up of shards of Occamy eggs. The smooth and shiny silver handle is absolutley dazzling. The contrast of the silver and almost black wood is beautiful. I am led to believe that this wand is rather protective. Ravi tells me it can produce shield charms easily without verbal command. This is probably due to the fact that Occamys are extremely protective of their eggs and themselves. Ebony wands are most adept at combative magic an transfiguration so the wand core seem to pair well together. Owners of ebony wands are often true to their beliefs and to themselves.

asia

South America After Asia, I travelled further East and arrived in South America. South America seems to have a vast population of witches and wizards. I have been told that Brazil's wizarding population is comparable to the UK's. The Patagonian Desert in Argentina played host to the 427th Quidditch World Cup in 2014 due to its vast uninhabited land mass. I was invited to visit Castelobruxo, one of the eleven wizarding schools, which was a great experience. I met so many bright students there who welcomed me with open arms. I assume they are used to international witches and wizards visiting them on the student exchange programme.

South America have a legendary reputation when it comes to Quidditch too. The Peruvian National Quidditch team is considered to be the best team from South America. Also the Tarapoto Tree-Skimmers are the most famous Peruvian Quidditch team. The Brazilain National Quidditch team have won the World cup five times and runner-up twice. The Argentinian National Quidditch team has reached the quarter-finals of the Quidditch World Cup at least once in the 20th century.

wands around the world

Castelobruxo Visiting Castelobruxo was a very exciting advernture. Castelobruxo is the Brazilian wizarding school. It is located in the Amazon rainforest of northern Brazil, it accepts students from all over South America. Castelobruxo is a fabulous castle, the building is an imposing square edifice of golden rock, very much like a temple. Being hidden in the rainforest helps to prevent muggle attention, but the school itself is bewitched to appear as a ruin to Muggles, and both building and grounds are guarded by Caipora for extra protection. history

Castelobruxo is possibly as old as Hogwarts â&#x20AC;&#x201D; both are enchanted so they appear as a ruin to Muggles, and it is debated which school first came up with the idea.

south america

reputation

Castelobruxo students are especially advanced in Herbology and Magizoology, and the school offers very popular exchange programmes for students from European wizarding schools. uniform

Students at Castelobruxo wear bright green robes. I was grateful to able to talk to some students about themselves and their wands and all I spoke to were happy to oblige when I asked if it were ok to sketch their wands for this book.

wands around the world

Flรกvio Ribeiro Brazilian Mahogany Peruvian Salamander Scales 111/4 inches, supple

Crafted from Brazilian mahogany, 111/4 inches long with a Peruvian Salamander scale core, this wand is excellent for transfiguration. It's reddish brown tint is most admirable plus with its small golden bands and carved patterned detailing makes for a very handsome wand. What is most delightful about this wand is that it is warm to touch. It is a fascinating feeling to hold it in your hand and what's more, as you hold it, it glows ever so slightly a purple hue at the handle. I can only put this down to the Peruvian Salamander scale core because Peruvian Salamanders are purple rather than red.

Maria Gonzales Luenga Vine Hippogriff Tail Hair 107/8 inches, swishy

This beautiful wand is crafted from vine wood and Hippogriff tail hair. This wand suits someone who is proud and is a great visionary. It's elegant design is one to envy - long and sleek up to the handle where the wood twists and holds an emerald orb, perfect for a young lady such as Maria. This wand is great for charmwork.

Alberto Fontana Bezerra Brazilian Rosewood Peruvian Salamander Scales 11 inches, solid

This wand is crafted from Brazilian rosewood and Peruvian Salamander scales. Darker than the first in colour but due to it's core, when held warms up your hand and forearm and emits a subtle purple glow. This wand also has a delicate beaded detail on the handle, very fine black beads. This solid wand proves to be a loyal tool for Alberto and has never let him down yet.

south america

north america

As I neared the end of my travels, I visited North America. I heard there were four famous wandmakers working in the 20th century and so I sought out to find their legacy. I also visited the American school Ilvernmorny, a beautiful granite castle that sits upon Mount Greylock in Massachusetts. Not as historic as Hogwarts but still very impressive and insightful. I met many gifted young witches and wizards who were pleased to speak to me about themselves and their wands. I was pleased to find that two of the wandmakers' legacies had been continued by their family and was grateful that I was able to meet them, as I am destined to take over the Ollivander business it was a great opportunity to get some insight on what it is like to take over the family heritage. I found that they both wanted to keep with tradition as their parents were well reknowned for their signature wands.

The other two wandmakers unfortunately had passed away without handing down their legacy. This has even led to a certain type of core never to be used in wands again. I was fortunate enough, however, to be able to examine a wand from each of these wandmakers. Like Europe, it is not uncommon for wands to be handed down through the family in North America and amongst the thousands of students at Ilvermorny, two students had their wands handed down to them by their parent's who owned a wand of these two deseased wandmakers.

wands around the world

Ilvermorny School of Witchcraft and Wizardry I was honoured to be accepted to visit this great school. Ilvermorny School of Witchcraft and Wizardry is located on Mount Greylock in Massachusetts and accepts students from all over North America. I was told the castle was once a granite stone house constructed by the founders of Ilvermorny, Isolt Sayre and James Steward, to be their home. When it eventually became a school, the cottage kept expanding until it became a castle. The frontdoors are adorned with marble statues of Sayre and Steward on either side. It is concealed by several enchantments which sometimes makes the school like a wreath of misty cloud. reputation

As might be expected of a school part-founded by a muggle, (or No-Maj as American witches and wizards apparently call them) Ilvermorny has the reputation of being one of the most democratic, least elitist of all the great wizarding schools. Students are also well versed in the use of a wand. However, they must keep their wands at school at all times until they graduate when they become of age. This is to help prevent the International Statute of Secrecy from being broken when they are home from school in the holidays. This differs from Hogwarts policy but I can understand their reasoning.

north america

uniform

The robes of Ilvermorny are blue and cranberry. The colours honour Isolt and James: blue because it was Isolt's favourite colour and because she had wished to be in Ravenclaw house as a child; cranberry in honour of James's love of cranberry pie. All Ilvermony students' robes are fastened by a gold Gordian Knot, in memory of the brooch Isolt found in the ruins of the original Ilvermorny cottage. Sorting

There are four houses at Ilvermorny Horned

Serpent,

Wampus,

Thunderbird

and Pukwudgie. When a student starts their education at Ilvermorny, they step onto a Gordian Knot on the floor in the centre of the entrance hall with large wooden statues of the mascots for the four houses facing them. The carved statues react if they want the student in their house. The older students watch in silence from a circular balcony on a floor above them as the new students are sorted. The carvings react by: Horned Serpent - The crystal in the carving's forehead glows. Wampus - The carving roars. Thunderbird - The carving beats its wings. Pukwudgie - The carving raises its arrow.

wands around the world

Johannes Jonker Johannes Jonker was a well reknowned wandmaker during the 20th century. His wands were in great demand and are easily identified for his signature mother-of-pearl inlay and beautiful sleek design. He was born to muggle parents and his father was a skilled cabinet maker which I assume gave him a good background and early experience with wood-working. I learned while I was travelling that he passed away many years ago but his business was handed down to his son, Thomas, whom I had the fortune to speak with about his father and how he keeps the business running. Johannes crafted a lot of wands in his lifetime, leaving many to Thomas, and although he has created many of his own, he still sells his father's wands as well. Dark wood is preferred by both wandmakers, it is a beautiful contrast between the deep wood and the light mother-of-pearl shine. They both favour the Wampus Cat hair. Thomas explains that they felt that it balances out the characteristics from the woods they use.

Thiago Quintana Thiago Quintana was a an unusual wandmaker. His wands were sleek and unusually long in design and produced spells of "force and elegance". His preferred core was a spine of the White River Monster, native to Arkansas. However, he kept it a fiercely guarded secret up until his death. He apparently was expertly deft at luring the White River Monster and was possibly the only person who knew how. In my travels, I have never met any other wandmaker who uses this core. I was fortunate enough to meet an Ilvermorny student who owned a Quintana wand and also knew a lot about him as his family knew Thiago very well. This student confirms that Quintana had no family and so his business was never passed along and this is most likely the reason why Thiago's legacy was never kept alive and why White River Monster cores are extremely rare. This core is almost certainly the reason for why his wands were unusually long and sleek, to be able to contain the long spine of the beast, and also the result of such force and elegant magic these wands so famously produced.

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Violetta Beauvais Violetta Beauvais was also a well reknowned wandmaker during the 20th century. Every single one of her wands were made from swamp mayhaw wood. Her preferred core is Rougarou hair but was a well kept secret for many years. She passed her legacy onto her daughter, Vanessa, who still uses swamp mayhaw and Rougarou hair because she is afraid to deviate from what her mother taught her. However, she is quite happy to produce wands similar to Violetta's as she doesn't want her mother's legacy to die. Vanessa tells me that her mother's wands have been accused of having a natural affinity to Dark magic but this is just hearsay as one of her mother's wands belonged to Seraphina Picquery, a President of the Magical Congress of the United States of America between 1920 and 1928. In my opinion, from what I have learned from my great grandfather, wood and core combinations matter. Some woods do not pair well with certain cores and this may be a reason why Violetta's wands may have been controversial. I have met some students at Ilvermorny who do like the Beauvais wands and they seem to work well for them.

Shikoba Wolfe Shikoba Wolfe, an extraordinary wandmaker who worked in the 20th century, created such beautiful, finely carved wands. Shikoba was a descendant of Chocktaw, and this heavily influenced her wandmaking. Her wands were like delicate totem poles and apparently certain animals would be carved into them depending on the person whom the wand was for. She would carve their spirit animal into their wands as a form of protection or ward. Some had a mixture of animal and human faces, and some just human faces portraying different emotions. I was lucky to behold one of Wolfe's beautiful wands. They truly are a thing of beauty. Her preferred wand core was the tail feather from a Thunderbird. This is most apt for her wands, who believed in totems of protection, as Thunderbirds can sense danger and it has also been said that wands created with Thunderbird feather have been known to cast spells preemptively, due to the Thunderbird's sensitivity to danger.

wands around the world

Grace Gilley Rosewood Wampus Cat hair 101/4 inches, fairly inflexible

A beautiful wand crafted from rosewood and Wampus Cat hair with a thin ribbon of mother-of-pearl inlay running from base to tip and gold detail at the handle base holding a single pearl. Delicate and sleek in design and is fairly inflexible. A standard size at 101/4 inches. Most likely good for charm work, due to the delicate structure and rosewood, which has a strong sweet smell, it does lend itself nicely to charms and rosewood often favours a female owner. Grace seems to take good care of her wand and was very proud to show it to me.

Joseph Norton Black Walnut Wampus Cat hair 101/2 inches, firm

This elegant wand is crafted from black walnut and Wampus Cat hair with seven bands of mother-of-pearl inlay. It measures at 101/2 inches and is a nice firm wand. This is a handsome wand and is also good for charmwork due to the black walnut structure. My great grandfather told me that owners of black walnut wands have good instincts and a powerful insight.

Daniella Piper Rosewood Wampus Cat hair 10 inches, solid

Another great rosewood and Wampus Cat hair wand. It has a nice weight to it and measures at 10 inches exactly. This wand has a squared handle with diamond shaped mother-of-pearl inlay on one side of the wand. It's in great condition too. These Jonker wands seem to lend themselves quite nicely to charmwork.

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wands around the world

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Owen Culver Larch White River Monster Spine 151/4 inches, Strong

This wand was crafted by Thiago Quintana, and was orginally made for Owen's father. Owen inherited it after his father's passing and is possibly one of the few remaining Quintana wands. Crafted from larch, it is strong and durable, warm in colour and is an attractive wand. It is sleek in design, unusually long and may look plain, but simple wands are sometimes the most elegant. Larch wands tend to be very powerful and often are owned by courageous and confident people. This wand was handed down to him, but Owen does seem to be rather confident, possibly has inherited his father's personality traits too.

Morgan Reece Vine Thunderbird Tail feather 123/4 inches, Slightly yielding

This wand was crafted by Shikoba Wolfe. A beautiful and intricately carved vine wood wand with the core of a Thunderbird tail feather. It is a fairly long wand at 123/4 inches but not unusual, it is short compared to a Quintana wand, however. Shikoba's wands are very rare as she died many years ago and this wand was passed down to Morgan and has been in the family for almost 80 years. Morgan tells me that Wolfe wands have a reputation for being extremely powerful but hard to master and requires perseverance to be a true master. Her wands are also said to be good for transfiguration. The carvings on this wand are extraordinary and have such fine detail, it's no wonder it has been so looked after and handed down through the Reece family, the craftsmanship is impeccible.

wands around the world

Marcia Estrada Swamp Mayhaw Rougarou hair 117/8 inches, slightly springy

A slightly organic feeling wand crafted from swamp mayhaw wood with the core of Rougarou hair. A good lengthy wand at 117/8 inches with a slight spring to it. Swamp mayhaw is a member of the hawthorn family, and therefore are quite contradictory. Hawthorn wands are adept at both healing and cursing magic. Paired with the core of a dangerous beast such as the Rougarou, it is no wonder why Beauvais wands get a bad reputation. If put in the right hands, they will most likely be powerful and great healing wands. Marcia was chosen by the Pukwudgie house - the house of healers so I am sure we have nothing to worry about with Marcia and I am sure she will grow into a talented and caring witch.

Hayden Bernstein Swamp Mayhaw Rougarou hair 121/4 inches, fairly bendy

A simple yet handsome wand crafted from swamp mayhaw and Rougarou hair. This is a fairly recent crafted wand as the wood is slightly lighter than a few of the swamp mayhaw wands I have seen. This was crafted by Vanessa Beauvais, Violetta's daughter. She has chosen an all wooden design with an integrated handle. A spherical detail at the handle base with a basic ornamentally carved detail. The grain is clear to see which gives it a certain quality that is quite likeable. A long and fairly bendy wand suggests loyalty to its original owner, making it fairly hard to be won over. A fairly well-rounded wand and due to its contradictory wood may just perform average for Hayden if he doesn't have a passion for something.

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wands around the world

I have been entirely humbled by this adventure. It has truly overwhelmed me to have had the privillege to study wandlore in this way and meet so many exciting and insightful individuals. Every single wand I have encountered has developed my knowledge and broadened my mind and imagination. Each wand and owner has its own special story and will go on writing it together. Wandlore is very complex and in my experience of meeting wandmakers, some (if not most) don't fully understand wandlore and we probably never will but I am grateful to have had this experience to try to broaden my knowledge. A recurring comment I have heard from this journey is how each person would never have wanted any other wand. Its not always clear why but we as wizards seem to have a natural affinity with our own wand. As my great grandfather always said - "The wand chooses the wizard."