In this world, there are many tools one may use to direct magic. One of the most well-known of these is the wand. Of course, it is a common saying that "The wand chooses the wizard," with all wands having a degree of awareness with which they select...
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Sambucus nigra is a species complex of flowering plants in the family Adoxaceae native to most of Europe and North America. Common names include elder, elderberry, black elder, European elder, European elderberry, and European black elderberry. It grows in a variety of conditions, including both wet and dry fertile soils, primarily in sunny locations. Elder is cited as a poisonous plant for mammals and as a weed in specific habitats. Fascinatingly, the botanical traits of the elder plant intertwine with its magical attributes. The fact that elder thrives in sunlit areas and adaptable soil translates to its wand's ability to perform spells with enhanced resilience and adaptability across different magical environments. Its poisonous nature reflects the wand's potential for powerful, but perilous, spells when in the hands of an unfit wizard. The elder's reputation in botany for being both nurturing and potentially dangerous inspires its portrayal in wizarding lore. Historically, famous wandmakers like Garrick Ollivander have acknowledged the elder wood's unpredictable yet potent magical potential, often associating its use with powerful wizards destined for great things. This dual nature mirrors the magical qualities of the Elder Wand, which offers great power and peril to its wielders in the wizarding world.
"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. The old superstition, 'wand of elder, never prosper,' has its basis in this fear of the wand, but in fact, the superstition is baseless. Those foolish wandmakers who refuse to work with elder do so more because they doubt they will be able to sell their products than from fear of working with this wood. The truth is that only a highly unusual person will find their perfect match in elder, and on the rare occasion when such a pairing occurs, I take it as certain that the witch or wizard in question is marked out for an extraordinary destiny. An additional fact I have unearthed over the years is that the owners of elder wands almost always feel a powerful affinity for those chosen by rowan. Rowan is renowned for providing protection and clarity, qualities that complement the Elder Wand's complex nature. In wizarding folklore, rowan is known to repel dark magic and shield against enchantments, mirroring the qualities that balance the elder wand's potent and sometimes volatile magic. This affinity might hint at why those who wield an elder wand often feel drawn to the unique strength and purity offered by a rowan wand, creating a symbiotic bond between two of the most enigmatic wand types in existence."
- Garrick Ollivander
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