LOVE YOUR WAND

INTRODUCTION
(Calindra V. Riddle)

A wizard’s wand is not just a piece a wood wrapped around a magical element. It is the extension of that wizard's mind, arm, what allows a wizard to control and direct their powers. Unfortunately, many a wizard, young and old, neglect their wands and administer poor wand care, if any at all! In the following book, fellow wizards will discuss wand care. Here you will find various tips, and especially informative dos and don'ts that will help keep your wand as powerful and effective as the day you brought it home from Ollivander's. Throughout this book, remember my words," A wand is individual to each wizard, from magical core, to wood, to the filthy prints around it. The first is essential, the second is esthetic, the third is disgraceful." Your wand reflects you, now lets see if we can help you project the right image...
 
 

CHAPTER 1: POLISH POLISH POLISH !
(Calindra V. Riddle)

Now, the first thing that anyone will notice about your wand is its wood exterior: oak, maple, cedar, etc... are all common woods used in the art of wand making. Because your wand spends most of its time in your pockets (business wizards), your kitchen counter (stay at home wizards), rolling around your desks (students), and in your hands, it is no wonder that your wand will become the victim of multiple scratches, abrasions, not to mention loads of nasty finger prints. Your wand will require polishing! Now, the ‘quick-fix' many wizards (especially students) like to use is to grab a handful of their robes and wipe their wand clean. Although this may seem effective in getting rid of finger prints, it is but a temporary solution, and does nothing for scratches and abrasions. That is why we recommend the use of a wand polish. Now it is very important to use WAND polish, cooking oil, pomade, SHOE polish, and NAIL polish are no substitutes! These will lead to cracks that will eventually cause irreparable damage to your wand's magical core and in essence ruin what was otherwise a perfectly functional wand. You may get wand polish at Ollivander's or any other fine wand shop.

Now we are often asked what is the best way to apply wand polish. Although this is an easy process, we must admit that by applying a small amount to a SILK cloth and gently stroking the wand in the direction of the wood leads to maximum absorption and protection. The scratches and abrasions will disappear in seconds and your wand will resist finger prints for up to 8 days. Much more effective than a handful of your robes don't you think?

We recommend using a quality wand polish and applying polish once every 2-3 weeks.
 
 
 

CHAPTER 2: WAND STORAGE
(Calindra V. Riddle)

It's late... do you KNOW where your wand is? In the pockets of your robes? Tsk, tsk,...Just as you need rest at the end of a long day, so does your wand. Your wand core was once a part of a living, breathing, magical creature: never forget that. Too many wizards leave their wands lying around which can not only be dangerous in the case where young children may be around but it is in the long term BAD for your wand. Your wand should retire EVERY night to a cool, dry place. Say, for instance, the actual BOX you purchased your wand in! That box wasn't just for transportation home, it is meant to serve as a simple and easy way of wand storage. Although most powerful wizards purchase special cases in which to store their wands, for the everyday wizard or student, this extra wand luxury is not necessary. Just hold on to that old box.

Why the big fuss you say? Well it is believed that a wand's magical element loses its powers at a regular rate as it is exposed to air. Many house witches who have a tendency of leaving their wands in their apron pockets or out on the kitchen counter notice that after a few years, they need to pronounce their incantations louder and louder or articulate their words greatly as their wands' cores are becoming useless. We recommend that you save yourself this hassle by throwing your wand back into its box at the end of the day.
 
 
 

CHAPTER 3: WHAT TO DO WHEN THE UNTHINKABLE HAPPENS: BREAKS, STAINS, SCORCHES AND OTHER ACCIDENTS TO RUIN YOUR WANDS SPLENDOR
(Eriste le Fay)

No matter how well you may take care of your wand, or how many days you polish, accidents do and will happen! Now, your first instinct may be to follow other's advice: "Get some spello-tape". Spello-tape is only a TEMPORARY fix! And it will assure your wand will never again match the glory of your inner skills!

So...should the unthinkable happen, take your wand to where you originally purchased it. It *can* be repaired in most cases. Sometimes, you may wish to even use this erm...unfortunate turn of events to your advantage, and ask your local wand-maker to add on a little "extras". Be ready to slip a few extras into his galleon purse as well, mind you. However, normal repairs shouldn't be too much.

...if all goes wrong, you may very well end up buying a whole new wand. Losing a wand is like losing a loved one who had devotedly stood by your side through all your hardships of life. Yet, sometimes a wand must be laid to rest, and a new one chosen. However, should you follow the instructions of previous and further chapters, hopefully with temporary spello-tape repairs, and wand-check ups you and your wand will be long time companions!
 
 

CHAPTER 4: WHAT TO DO WHEN CORES MEET
(Ilara Dumbledore)

Yes, it's almost impossible, strange, odd and nearly unlikely, but what do you do when you're about to duel a really evil dark wizard, and your wand begins to act strange? What do you do when you and your opponent send spells at each other at the same time, and the spells connect your two wands? This is the result of a shared core by you and your opponent, and has only happened twice in history. Once, in 1457, when Heric Malfoy challenged his half brother, Kenneth Snape to a duel. This duel resulted in the loss of conscience in both parties due to a bad Consci spell. Instead of knocking them both out of consciousness, the caster of the spell (Mira Haywood cast it after seeing the two go at it) pronounced it wrongly and this resulted in generation after generation of Malfoys and Snapes that were very mean. The second happened between the Dark Lord and Harry Potter. What do when this happens: Don't panic, simply do what the ghosts out of your opponents wand tell you to do. If the ghosts are coming out of your wand, prepare to die, because you're the bad guy.
 
 

CHAPTER 5: WAND CHECK UPS
(Calindra V. Riddle)

Just as you go to the doctor once a year or so, so is it as important that your wand be checked yearly. Only a professional, like someone at a wand shop, can determine if your wand is functioning completely. This is very important. Maybe not as important to your everyday wizard, but you better believe that an auror, a ministry hit-wizard, or a student competing in the tri-wizard championships of old, cannot afford for their wand to backfire on them. Their life may lie in the balance. That's why for these wizards and yourself, regular wand examination is imperative. Simply stopping by the wand shop in Diagon alley once a year or every two years (depending on how important your wand is to your life) should do the trick. A professional such as Mr. Ollivander at Ollivander's famous wand shop in Diagon alley, London will examine your wand to make sure that it is strait, free of dangerous abrasions or cracks, and performs spells correctly without hesitation. A few moments inspection is all it takes before one knows whether or not one can trust their life or family's lives to their wand.
 
 
 

CHAPTER 6: KEEP THE WAND LIMBER
(Fran Scorpio)

Like many other kinds of equipment, a wand left idle can become stiff and unwieldy. The magical energy that flows from the will of the wizard or witch through the wand can become clogged and stale. The wand is like an extension of the owner's will. It should feel as natural to use the wand as it is to use one's arm. The best way to assure that the desired relationship between the wizard and the wand will continue to grow as a living entity is to use the wand REGULARLY.

A wizard develops a special sensitivity to the wand over a period of time. It will get so that the smallest change will be felt or sensed while the wizard is using the wand. The first sign that anything is amiss with the wand should be the occasion of a troubleshooting session. Here is a FAQ of some of the more common symptoms and what they may mean:

1. The wand develops a hum or vibration. This can become so severe that the wand becomes difficult to hold. The wand may have come into conflict with another wand made with a similar substance inside. An example would be Harry Potter's duel with Lord Voldemort. Sometimes, after this kind of confrontation, a wand may continue to hum or vibrate. The best solution when this happens is to take the wand to an expert and have it's energy cleared out.

2. The wand seems to lose power. The wizard can perform spells but it takes more effort than it should. It could be that the wizard has become lackadaisical and prefunctory in his performance of magic. If the will isn't single-minded in it's concentration, it is not likely to evoke a powerful response in the wand. Another possible cause of this problem could be that another wizard has been handling the wand and diluting it's power. It can even be a case of sabotage by another wizard. A "priori incantatem" spell would be useful in ascertaining if this has happened.

3. The wand backfires on the wizard and the spell is directed to him instead of towards the person it was supposed to be directed to. That happened to Ron Weasley when he broke his wand and tried to repair it with spellotape. The wand became unreliable and more of a hazard than a help. Make sure your wand is in top physical condition. Protect the wood against harm and make sure there are no holes in it which expose it's inner substance.

Besides keeping the wand in top functioning condition and in alignment with the wizard's will, daily use will alert the wizard to any early signs of malfunctioning so the problem can be addressed before it reaches crisis proportion.
 
 
 

CHAPTER 7: WAND THEFT
(Bryn Malkin)

Wand theft or use of another's wand without their permission is a very serious offence and holds the penalty of 3 years in Azkaban. Remember a wand is only as good as it's user, and each wand is specially designed for that one person only. Some of the greatest disasters on earth - such as earth quakes, great fires, and flloods - have been caused by many a thief's inability to control the power of their purloined wand.

Despite the dangers and consequences that Wand Theft poses, a black market for wands has developed in the past century. There is great money to be made in selling wands to Squibs or other magical creatures who are curious about the power of witches and wizards. In the following passage you will learn what to do in case of the theft or loss of your own wand.

Three Things to Do In Case of Theft or Loss of Wand:

1. Contact the Ministry of Magic immediately and report the missing wand along with it's characteristics (length, wood type, magical elements) and where you had it last.
2. Don't Panic and go out and buy a new wand right away. If you are in dire need of magic, it is better to go out and use a temporary rental wand for at least a week before buying a new one. Sure it won't be as good as you own wand, but in 2 out of 3 cases the missing wand is found and the thief apprehended. Give the Ministry time to do it's job.
3. Keep all other members of your family on wand lockdown. The person who stole your wand might be after theirs too.

Prevention of Wand Theft is easy. Don't leave your wand unattended and don't wave it about, flaunting it to any waiting thief to snatch up. You might want to invest in a wand guard, a spell that prevents others, excluding yourself from using your wand. It is a little pricey, but in the long run, worth it. Also, available at a cheaper fare are a few wand ‘booby traps’ which sound alarms such as howls or sparks when a wand is touched by another person.

All in all, Wand Theft it a crime which doesn't have to happen. Just remember to be safe and smart with your wand, and there will be no danger of theft.
 
 

CHAPTER 8: PROPER HANDLING OF YOUR WAND
(Severusa Serpensortia)

It is most important that you always handle your wand in the proper way, or it will, no doubt, loose magical life, become broken, or worse. You shall understand what I mean by 'worse' in a moment.

You should ALWAYS hold your wand at the right end. Accidents will occur should you become careless with which end you grab your wand, and you might end up turning yourself into a kangaroo.. or worse. See next line for an explanation of 'worse'.

'Worse' would be hitting yourself in the face with a nasty hex or curse. I do not think I need to elaborate.

Your wand is a very important part of your magic. Without a wand you can do very little, if any, ‘hocus pocus‘. I like to consider my wand a living powerful creature, and I hold the highest respect for it. You would do well to take a leaf out of my book, and do the same.

Your wand will always protect you. It will never fail you as long as you handle it properly. Here are just some of the things you should NEVER do with your wand....

Have sword fights.
Draw little hearts in the sand.
Pick or scratch your feet, or other parts of your body.
Use it to beat off bludgers.
Kill ants or spiders.
Toast marshmellows on the end of it.

Remember, you're wand is a PART of you.. respect it as you would yourself. Handle and treat it in a proper fashion, and you will always be able to count on it to execute perfect magical spells... provided you are NOT a squib. Treat it improperly, and be prepared to find yourself, sooner or later, looking like a real idiot, or worse.
Please re read the entire chapter if you still do not have a complete understanding of worse.