White Scars

Ollivander's

"Now dear, this might be the moment you've been waiting for the longest. Saving the best for last and all that." Oh, does that mean what I think it does?

"Are we perhaps getting a wand now?"

"Indeed we are. And what a perfect time to, I see Ron is just about to get his. We'll meet with the rest of the family before we buy them." As she said that Mrs. Weasley walked towards the ensemble cast that was the Weasley family meandering towards a shop labeled Ollivander's. Master wand craftsmen since 382 BC. That's a long lineage, I wonder how they even record from that far back. A magic version of carbon dating? I suppose with magic its easier to preserve information compared to the stunted advancement of non-magicals throughout time. But this raises interesting questions...

Is magic only possible with a wand? In that case are wizards just conduits for the magic within the wand or are both necessary? No, that shouldn't be the case. If so, muggles could cast magic so long as a wand were within their grasp. The little magic I've seen performed during my stay has been produced with the implement in hand, so I have little idea as to whether wandless magic is even a possibility.

But in that case what are wands made from? And how are they made at all? Assuming magic is needed to forge the wand then how would the first wand be created? A chicken and the egg situation.

If I were to speculate the construction of a wand it would basically be a fancy piece of wood. Likely some sort of magical tree or even common wood with some magical core contained inside; such as materials from magical creatures. That's what typical fantasy would dictate.

"Hey Taka, having fun being dragged around by Mum?"

"I couldn't ask for better company." Navigating Diagon Alley with Mrs. Weasley was a treat compared to the trouble that would no doubt arise when travelling with the twins.

"It's a shame we couldn't come with, needed to get the goods for that squirt." George pointed over his shoulder to Ron, who was quietly clutching his belonging as well as a trunk as he moved towards us.

"Well, he isn't the only one. Did you guys not need any new stuff?"

"Nah, we'll just use Percy's old books. Other than that just new robes, ours are getting a little small." Both the twins were rather tall and lean, probably due to the lifestyle they lead at the Burrow on the farmstead. As they were indeed a head or so taller than average for their age.

"Won't that mean you have to share the entire year?" 

"Yeah, but we have all the same classes anyway. Not worth spending the coin." Is the economic situation of the family worse than I had anticipated? For them to make concession on the books. I mean they were somewhat expensive, however they are magic tomes so I can't really tell whether they were overpriced.

Hmm... Are wands expensive? If so, I wonder how Ron intends to get one? Maybe the family pooled together by saving on expenses like the books to buy one for him. If they went to such lengths then I imagine that wand and wizard compatibility must have a profound effect on magic performance. Can a wizard or witch perform magic with any wand in hand? Or does it have to be accustomed/specific to the wizard?