What happens to a wizard's wand when he dies?

[Five]

I was reading the graveyard scene in GoF, and I started thinking about this. I noticed that Harry and Cedric both had their wands out, and then Wormtail killed Cedric. It didn't say what happened to his wand. Harry didn't pick it up, and I am sure that Cedric wasn't holding onto it after he died.

Now I have a theory. When a wizard dies, his wand goes with his spirit. This would also work in Voldemorts case, as he was sort-of a spirit. In CoS, he didn't have his own body, so he was still a spirit, and his wand wasn't there. But in GoF, Wormtail got Voldemort a body, even if it was small and almost useless, his wand was suddenly there.

Please give me your thoughts and theories about this. I looked for other topics on the same thing, but i didn't find any.

- 5

[MadMagic]

That is a really interesting idea. It would make sense becuase there is no account of the location of voldemorts wand ever made. That would give a really good explaination to it, although he didn't actually die.

Otherwise, I would imagine that the family got to keep their wands when they die. It might be a nice momento of the person. But then where are the wands of the Potters. I really like your theory!

There is aalso a thread called What happened to Cedric's wand? (http://www.cosforums.com/a/showthread.php?s=&threadid=7688) that might give further insight into this topic. I don't know that that point was made in it though. Also how did Voldemort get his wand back (http://www.cosforums.com/a/showthread.php?s=&threadid=5754) ,ight be able to contribute to this idea.

[Lestrange]

That would make sense, since the wizard and the wand always seem attached in a way. I tend to think to when Lupin easily gives back Harry, Hermione and Ron their wands in Prisoner of Azkaban....But, also, one could argue that Cedric's wand might have still been in his hand......? Oh well, I guess I'll stop before I confuse myself....really good theory, though. :)

[Silk E Smooth]

I started to think that whena person dies, his wand is stripped down and the parts are reused.

[Mad Macca]

Perhaps the wizard's wand is buried with them, if they get buried. And if they become a ghost, it is right next to them if they need it. But none of the Ghosts appear to have their wands with them, so yeah, maybe they get it framed and hung over the mantlepiece back home :D

[harp230]

Physically, i would imagine the wand would be retrieved and taken care of by the family or whomever gets ahold of it. I have a hunch and no more than a hunch that a wand seperated from its deceased owner can make some trouble.

[Five]

I have a thought. Maybe, when the person dies, the wand loses it's power, so it's just a stick.

[harp230]

I was wondering that too. But we have found cases where someone gives up their wand such as Charlie to Ron. Does the wand then follow the new owner even if the wand is niot destined/ fits the new owner?

[lorna]

Maybe the wand is "retired" similiar to the way teams "retire" a number worn by a particular player.
Perhaps there is even a Hall of Fame for wands.
Perhaps I'm loosing it just a little bit :D

[chow mein]

Honestly, I think it just gets put back into circulation. I know there's the whole thing about wands not working the same way for 2 different wizards, but I'm sure different wizards could have different strengths with the same wand...

[Filius Flitwick]

I always thought that a wand was a very important item to a wizard or witch...almost like an extension of themself. If that were the case then they would take it with them if they were buried or creamated or whatever. It's kind of like a knight being buried with his sword.

For some reason I just picture a wizard in a casket with his wand in his hand. That, or maybe families keep them in storage...like a crypt for wands or something. Of course, that would only work for old wizarding families.

[Jinxie Cat]

Well I think that either:
A) The wand goes to the family and they can keep it as a memory and reminder of the person who died
B) The wand is buried with the deceased Wizard
I'm going with B on this one....

[Michelle]

Maybe the wand is sold to a second-hand shop.

[AvidSkyRise]

that is a good theory...maybe they just ignored cedrics wand and wormtail just had voldemorts wand for some reason...maybe he was there when voldemort attacked the potters or went afterward and got voldemorts wand...
who knows...
It's a good theory though! Very interesting!

[tabby]

I think it's given to the family to decide what they want to do with it.

I wouldn't be surprised if the norm was for the wand to be buried with the deceased. It could just as easy be kept as a momento of the person much as a fav object or piece of jewellery sometimes is. Or it could be sold as the deceased TV would be.

[Shoujo Kitsune]

I think that it might be buried with him or her, like the Egyptians buried thier dead with remenants of the living, for the next life.

[Snowangel]

Good question. I hadn't really thought about it. Maybe it's up to the wizard or witch's family. It could be buried with the person in question, it could passed onto somebody else, or it could be donated to charity (free wands?) I dont' know.

Interesting discussion.

[DocHollidaywe]

I dont think so, I think that perhaps the family could keep it as a rembrence, or perhaps sell it. I mean, a wizard obviously can get more than 1 wand over their life time. Remember in Book 1, when Harry 1st met Ron on the train and it was describing how Ron had hand-me-down things ( Bills old robes, Bills old wand, and Percys old Rat) So its clear that a wizard can get another wand when his it gets worn out

[dorcasderr]

I think as many things can happen to a deceased wizard's wand as happens to the artifacts of the Muggle dead. It depends on his family, if any, or his friends and how they wish to remember or honor him (or her.)

[Bouncing_Ferret]

Remember at the end of PS/SS, when Dumbledore is speaking to Harry about what will happen to Nicolas Flamel now that the Philosopher's Stone will be destroyed, he describes death as the 'next great adventure' when viewed with an open mind. Or summat like that anyway.

Well, that really does tie in with what Shoujo Kitsune said about the Egyptians and the afterlife. I'd say that wizards are buried with their wands in preparation for the 'next great adventure'. :D

[Althea]

I like to think that it goes with the wizard when they finally buried him. About the wand going on with the deceased wizard's spirit, I don't know, because a wand is a thing if you know what I mean, id doesn't have any spirit so...

Uh, hell, there it goes.

:angel:

[onetruegryffindor]

nah i dont think the wand can go with the wizard i think if the wizard dies his wand drops to the floor untill a relative or someone picks it up which makes you wonder
+what happened to Voldemorts wand when he died
+what if a muggle picks up a wand
+ what do the relatives do with the wand i mean surely they dont just frame it do they...?

[too_wicked]

I think the wand loses it's magical element. It would be just an ordinary stick so if ever someone picks it up, wizard or Muggle, that person can't use it for any other reason.

[emikkime]

I think they get buried with the wizard/witch.

[Barbara Kennedy]

I'm afraid we may have the opportunity to find out the answer to the question in the future books.
Harry may attend a wizard funeral in the next book. He is supposed to be learning more about death and what it means and that is one way of doing it. I don't even want to guess whose funeral it may be.

[GryffindorSeekerHP]

Interesting. I've never thought about that. I agree with too_wicked. But, maybe, only when that certain withc/wizard is alive, the wand works. If they came back from the dead, maybe it will work. It's pretty complicated what I'm getting at, and hopefully you all understand. But, who knows? Any of us could be right. It's just a matter of time that we find out who.

[Barbara Kennedy]

I think that a wand is simply a tool and not an extention of the wizard. Unless the wand is damaged or destroyed by whatever kills the wizard, it should be available to be handed down, sold, stolen or whatever, just like any other tool.

[Goldie]

I would think that the wand, unless destroyed, would either be buried/cremated along with the deceased, or kept by the family as a treasured heirloom.

Or not, depending on how the family felt about the deceased.

[Moonstone]

A wand, like other property or values, probably passes along to the next of kin or the heirs when a wizard dies, to do with a they see fit.

I like the thought that the Weasleys, being frugal due to their financial status, might recycle family wands. Ron received his brother's old wand. Perhaps that same wand was a hand-me-down to Ron's brother as well, coming from the late Grandpa Weasley, or someone like that. And then Ron's brother bought himself a new one after finishing school and getting a job.

[miri]

Maybe wands tend to break when the wizard/ witch who owned them dies? But Voldemort's wand wasn't broken, which was how Dumbledore knew he'd come back? It could have been put in a Ministry vault, and Barty Crouch Jr could have made *daddy* go get it...

But didn't Pettigrew's mum get his wand when he died?

[Five]

Originally posted by miri (original post (http://www.cosforums.com/a/showthread.php?postid=324856#post324856))
But didn't Pettigrew's mum get his wand when he died?
Ah, but did Pettigrew really die? He didn't, and so maybe the person who gave his mother the wand forgot that the wand was supposed to disappear, so they didn't realize he was still alive.

[smartypants]

Originally posted by miri (original post (http://www.cosforums.com/a/showthread.php?postid=324856#post324856))
Maybe wands tend to break when the wizard/ witch who owned them dies?


Well, maybe, but we have no indication that this is the case. And we know wands be reselled. There is no 'one wand per one person' relationship. Wands seem to be just like any other object. There is nothing special about them, except of course, that they are magical. :D

[GryffindorSeekerHP]

Didn't Pettigrew's mom get his finger? I don't remember anything about her getting his wand...whatever. Well, I remember on a Harry Potter thing somewhere that there is a like a sort of "rental" wand shop in Diagon Alley. Maybe they go there? Who knows, JKR will probably explain it...::shrugs::

[Jackie Malfoy]

:angry: THey b:devil: burn it! or bural it along with the witch or wizard who had dead. or maybe it dispears once the wizard is dead! No idea but it will keep me thinking thanks! See you around! J.M :devil: :devil: :devil: :devil: :devil: :devil: :devil: :devil: BURN THE WAND!:devil:

[butitstoolate]

I think what Five said probably is what happens to a wand.... :)

[Zachary1993]

I was reading the graveyard scene in GoF, and I started thinking about this. I noticed that Harry and Cedric both had their wands out, and then Wormtail killed Cedric. It didn't say what happened to his wand. Harry didn't pick it up, and I am sure that Cedric wasn't holding onto it after he died.

Now I have a theory. When a wizard dies, his wand goes with his spirit. This would also work in Voldemorts case, as he was sort-of a spirit. In CoS, he didn't have his own body, so he was still a spirit, and his wand wasn't there. But in GoF, Wormtail got Voldemort a body, even if it was small and almost useless, his wand was suddenly there.

Please give me your thoughts and theories about this. I looked for other topics on the same thing, but i didn't find any.

- 5
Your spirit theory is good. Also maybe after the wizard is dead he is buried with it or it is destroyed so people can't steal it and use it for evil.

[koli]

hm... i never thought of that, maybe the wand just doesn't really work unless the witch or wizard liek specifies it can, b/c families liek the weasly's reuse everything. idk

[SnorkackCatcher]

I think that a wand is simply a tool and not an extention of the wizard. Unless the wand is damaged or destroyed by whatever kills the wizard, it should be available to be handed down, sold, stolen or whatever, just like any other tool.

I agree that's the most likely situation. I've been racking my brains trying to think of a counter-example from the books of someone using a wand previously held by someone now dead, but I can't remember one - can anyone come up with one?

[hesdead-dealwithit]

Oh yeah. Neville, of course.

[SnorkackCatcher]

Oh yeah. Neville, of course.

I did think about Neville, who had his dad's old wand until it got broken in the fight in OotP, but then remembered that his dad's still alive (though insane) so it doesn't actually answer the question one way or the other.

[hesdead-dealwithit]

True.

Are there any people whose wands we know are not used after their death? Aside from Harry, I don't think so - and Harry definitely had the money to get a completely new wand and not have to use his parent's. So sure, there's no one we know of using a wand of a dead person. But there's no example the other way, either, so there's nothing to go on.

[hermy_weasley2]

I think the wand either blows up when the witch or wizard dies or goes with them in some way. If the wands just stay after they died, wouldn't they have been looking for Peter Pettigrew's wand when they thought Sirius had killed him? Granted, they might have looked for it, because they did say they only found a finger. But that could mean that they were only looking for his body. Hmm...I don't know.

[Liselle]

I'd say that owing to the "personal" nature of the relationship between a wand and its owner that it just stops functioning. Of course this is all speculation as there is no proof. We haven't heard of anyone using a dead persons wand (Neville's is his insane/incapacitated fathers wand), Ron's first wand was a "hand me down" from one of his brothers. We haven't seen Lily or James wand either except in the pensive before they died.

[hesdead-dealwithit]

I think it will work just fine after a death. Sure, the wand and the wizard are related, but they're not connected. How is there any difference between passing a wand on from a living person to a living person (Percy to Ron) than from a dead person to a living person?

[firestone2489]

What happens to wands when people die? Where do the go and what is done with them?

[Emma]

I would think that they are with the body. Either buried with the owner, or burned with the owner. Which ever is perfered.

[Prof.Blink]

They could also be inherited by sons and daughters etc.

[Luz]

They can be inherited, no?

[Supreme Bum 01]

I would think they would get inherited. We've seen more then a few times a person sharing the same wand as their granparents (ie. Neville).

[RemusLupinFan]

I agree with what's been said already, ie that the wands of deceased wizards could either be inherited/passed down to another member of the family (as with Neville), or that they could be buried with the witch/wizard's body. However, I was also thinking that if there was no one else to inherit the wand, and it wasn't buried with the body, it could be sold back to Mr. Ollivander or wherever it was purchased from.

[toodles44]

Probs passed down like Nevilles...

[LizZz]

I agree with the tings that have been said.
But I have a few questions:
- When a wand breaks or got destroyed, can you fix it or do you thrown your wand away?
- And do you keep your wand the rest of your life? Because Ron had in the first two books the wand of Bill / Charlie (I don’t know which one anymore). Did Bill/ Charlie get a new one and why?

[Luz]

- And do you keep your wand the rest of your life? Because Ron had in the first two books the wand of Bill / Charlie (I don’t know which one anymore). Did Bill/ Charlie get a new one and why?

I think because if you become a better wizard, you'll need a better wand too, no?

[no1 potter fan]

I expext it would be up to the owner most wizards give them to there grandsons/daughters or maybe they might be buried with the owner.

[Danluver182]

I assume it would be up to the family. But Witches and Wizards can get new wands. There can be more than one wand to a person I would imagine. But when a whitch or wizard dies it would either be buried with them or kept by the family I would think.

[offca]

because wand choose the owner, when you change - with age, I guess you would need a new one. It is possible however, as we see, that you can use a wand of close family member - I guess because of similarity of characters.

when someone dies and there is no one else to pass - I guess they destroy it.

[Rapunzel]

Didn't someone say, "you never get good results with another wizard's wand" or words to that effect? In that case, you wouldn't want to use a hand-me-down wand, unless you have a LOT in common with the person who gave it to you. Maybe a wand would only be passed down to another person if they can't afford a new one? Maybe the wand is interred with the person who dies unless someone else needs it? What about the ghosts? What happened to their wands?

[eMMy_026]

i think that under rare circumstances the wand might be inherited....but otherwise i think that yes they are probably buried or burned with it. I really dont think that the passing down of the wand would be a very common thing at all.

[Nephel]

I think the wands are passed on to the next-of-kin. They don't have to use the wand, but it acts as a memorial to the family, just like someone's ashes.

[Aramina]

Hard to say what would happen really. I tend to agree that it would be passed to the next of kin, though. We know Ollivander has a wand sitting on a purple pillow in the front window of his store; maybe that's the wand of one of his ancestors. It didn't strike me as being his because it's more on display than anything else.

And about Ron getting Bill's/Charlie's wand: perhaps whichever one it was realized that Molly and Arthur couldn't really afford to buy Ron a brand new wand for when he started school, so they gave their old wand to Ron and got themselves a new one. That doesn't explain where Ginny got her wand, but I guess they used the money that they were expecting to have to use to buy Ginny all of Lockhart's books for DADA.

[Jessica6541]

hmmm.... good question.

[MagicMuggle]

We have proof from the books that wands are passed down, also no two wands will work the same. What if the wands were passed down and you didn't get good results...Instead of burying it, could you possible recycle it? Take out the magical core and use a different type of wood and make it a different length perhaps? Eventually you will run out of magical creatures, and have to start re-harvesting from them. Then you will have slight possibility of the priori incantatem (4th book-Harry and Lord Voldemort) if they are ever deulling or such. So wouldn't it be better to recycle them, or am I letting my imagination run away with me? hehe

Just a thought... :)

[SquibOnline]

Well when you die your wand would probably be taken by family members

[michaela]

Yes, I agree that the wand would probably be passed down, probably not so much to be used, but just to show appreciation.

[red_fairy]

Maybe they are held on to, but mostly for sentimental value, not use. We know Neville and Ron used passed down wands, but Ollivander said himself that you never get as good results with another wizards wand.

[aggiefan1206]

Thats a good question. I have no clue i guess some are handed down and others are mabe burried with the people. I guess that would be a good question for Jk if anyone ever gets a chance to ask her

[KIKKA]

I Think Your Wand Will Self-destroy Immediately After You Die...remember That The Wand Chooses The Wizard And Not The Contrary.. This Means In Y Opinion That It Follows You Forever!!
Best Regards From Italy To All The Hp Fans In The World!

[TheGreatest]

I agree with the tings that have been said.
But I have a few questions:
- When a wand breaks or got destroyed, can you fix it or do you thrown your wand away?
- And do you keep your wand the rest of your life? Because Ron had in the first two books the wand of Bill / Charlie (I don’t know which one anymore). Did Bill/ Charlie get a new one and why?

They might have gotten a new wand because they get a present if they become Head Boy or Prefect.

[twinkle260280]

There might be second hand wand shops for wizards without much money. You can buy second hand books & robes so maybe you can buy wands as well.

[Albusdaughter]

I don't think they can be handed down because when you stop to think about it all of the second hand wands we have seen have been from living people. Neville was using his dad's wand, his father is alive in St. Mungo's even if he is incapacitated. Ron used Charlie's old wand. Maybe Charlie's wand was damaged so he got a new one but it was still usable so poor Ron got it (Ron said when he took it out on the train in PS/SS that the unicorn hair was sticking out a bit).

Surely we would have seen at least one dead wizard's wand by now if they were handed down.

There might be second hand wand shops for wizards without much money. You can buy second hand books & robes so maybe you can buy wands as well.

Didn't that junk shop in CoS where Percy was reading 'Prefects who gained power' also contain wonky wands?

[filius]

Maybe if it is not inherited or buried or sold to a second hand wand store, i'm sure Ollivander would like his wands back.

[Albusdaughter]

Maybe if it is not inherited or buried or sold to a second hand wand store, i'm sure Ollivander would like his wands back.

Recycling - how environmentally friendly!

I wonder if the ways a wand is used affect it. Is Voldemort's wand evil at all? The feather in it came from Fawkes so is there a core of goodness in it?Or is it merely a tool?

[Kimmetje]

The wand could be past on like with Neville, he got his father's wand. I think Neville should get his own wand as he could do a lot of good magic than. His dad's wand is gone and I think that is good as now Neville can move on. If his dad heals (which he probably won't) he'll just need a new wand!

[filius]

I think it all depends on the choices Wizards make. Unless there is something about Fawkes that we all don't know.

[Albusdaughter]

I think it all depends on the choices Wizards make. Unless there is something about Fawkes that we all don't know.

Bound to be. He's Dumbledore's pet, he's a really magical creature, he was massively important in CoS, the Order is named after him and his feather is in both Harry's & Voldemort's wands. That sounds like one important bird!

Hi again filius, taking a break from riddles! ;)

[filius]

Bound to be. He's Dumbledore's pet, he's a really magical creature, he was massively important in CoS, the Order is named after him and his feather is in both Harry's & Voldemort's wands. That sounds like one important bird!

Hi again filius, taking a break from riddles! ;)

Hi! Made a riddle. Go try it :)

Anyway, I don't understand why it had to be Fawkes' feather...i'm sure there are other Phoenixes out there.

Back on topic: I'm pretty sure Ollivander would want his wands back (if they were bot buried/inherited/etc) because if you recall, he spoke to hagrid Coldly after discussing his snaped wand. And why would he take the time to remember who bought which wand? (maybe he has a rememberall)

[Ginevra Weasley]

Wands probably get buried with their owners in some kind of ceremonial burial rite, if the owners die,and the wand was found with them.At least,that's the way I've always thought it was-I wouldn't fancy having a dead person's (second-hand) wand if I was a witch.
I wonder what happened to James and Lily's wands,though? I just wish we had some idea what happened to their bodies..

[Lucca]

There seem to be many places a wand could go in the wizarding world.

I also think that it is likely that wands are buried with their owners, however there are a couple of other highly interesting possibilities that occured to me based on the story that you guys might find interesting.

Maybe the Ministry of Magic collects them after the person has died or been imprisoned for life?
'Course this would make getting their wands back hard for Voldemort and Sirius... Then again, both of them must have had means of regaining those wands, since Voldemort had his own wand again at the beginning of Goblet of Fire and Sirius had a wand during Order of the Phoenix.

Are they given to people who the wand's owner was close to or to museums as a way of remembering the people who owned them?
Sirius's wand and Voldemort's wand could very easily end up in either situation, as they are both really famous people.

So much evidence, yet so little for the many plots within the main one...

[HaRRy PoTTr]

A few questions....:

1: What happened to harrys parents wands?
2: Is it possible (like in star wars) that Harry is given his fathers/mothers wand.... Maybe that is what is behind the locked door in the DOM?

[Albusdaughter]

There seem to be many places a wand could go in the wizarding world.

I also think that it is likely that wands are buried with their owners, however there are a couple of other highly interesting possibilities that occured to me based on the story that you guys might find interesting.

Maybe the Ministry of Magic collects them after the person has died or been imprisoned for life?
'Course this would make getting their wands back hard for Voldemort and Sirius... Then again, both of them must have had means of regaining those wands, since Voldemort had his own wand again at the beginning of Goblet of Fire and Sirius had a wand during Order of the Phoenix.

Are they given to people who the wand's owner was close to or to museums as a way of remembering the people who owned them?
Sirius's wand and Voldemort's wand could very easily end up in either situation, as they are both really famous people.

So much evidence, yet so little for the many plots within the main one...

I'm sure there is a thread about Death Eaters wands going on somewhere. Maybe Sirius bought a new one when he got out of Azkaban. He did not seem to have one of his own at the end of PoA but had acquired one by OotP. I don't remember his using one in GoF but someone correct me if I am wrong.

Anyway, by the end of PoA Dumbledore knew Sirius was innocent. It seems possible that Mr Ollivander and Dumbledore are friends (remember Mr Ollivander wrote to Dumbledore the moment Harry bought his wand), or maybe Ollivander is like an arms dealer behind his legitimate business - selling wands to anyone who'll pay. Sirius and the Death Eaters who escaped Azkaban could have bought new wands.

Voldemort's is a bit different, since the wand he used in the graveyard was definately the same as the one he used to kill Lily and James and not new. I can only imagine that Wormtail took it out of the rubble of James & Lily's house and gave it to Voldemort when he regained a 'rudimentary body' before the start of GoF. Animagi must be able to keep their wands somehow when they transform as they keep their clothes. They just vanish whilst they are an animal and they reappear when they become human again.

[niffler12]

In Ron's case, Ithink that maybe it was given to him by Bill or Charlie because either one of them would have been old enough to move out and get jobs where they would make enough money to by their own and seeing as the Weasleys' are considerably poor, Ron being, one of the youngest, would recieve it as a handmedown. As for Neville, his gran thinks of Neville's father to have been a great and noble wizard and that by giving Nev the wand might rub off on him or that it is simply an honor to his father. Something to have from his father's brilliant past... when he still remembered Nev.

[Barbara Kennedy]

This thread already discusses the subject.
What happens to a wizard’s wand when he dies? (http://www.cosforums.com/showthread.php?t=8477)

[grrliz]

Er, isn't that the thread we're all reading?

I started to think that whena person dies, his wand is stripped down and the parts are reused. I like that idea, Wizard Recycling!

[smartypants]

I think that when a wizard dies, the wand is simpy inherited by the family. They decide what to do with it. Nothing strange.

For example, Rons wand is a handmedown, we know that. But it's also to old and worn to be just simply a 7 year old handmedown from Bill or Charlie. It has seen so much use that the unicorn hair are starting to stick out from the end. That's a lot of wear. I think its not only handmedown, but it was originally bought for the older brother in a second hand wand store!

Yes, yes, the wand chooses the wizard, yadayada. What that eans is that the "personality" of the wand must match the personality of the wizard. A powerful and extraordinary wizard requires an powerful and extraordinary wand, or the wizard will "overpower" the wand, so to speak. Which is why Harry is such a difficult customer. ;)
But it is also clear that the wand-wizard match is not a one-to-one relationship. There is not just "one perfect wand" out there, not for most wizards, anyway.

So: Poor families probably resell the wands of dead family members, or hand them down to other family members who is a match for the wand. Richer ones may keep them as memorabilia. But wands are clearly quite expensive. It's probably like buying apianist buying a grand piano. Not something you take lightly, and something you typically only do maybe onee or a couple of times per life.

[Saiorri]

yah, but where did Lily and James' wands go?? Is this something else that Dumbeldore is holding onto for Harry to pass on to his kids?? I doubt Petunia has Lily's wand (though we all think she's a squib like ms.figg, because she remembers a bit too much about the magical world for someone who swears she does not care for it) and well, as we know Harry's only Sirius' (GOD)son, we kinda know James' wand is not with his family. Ever since JK announced HBP, ive been wondering what happened to Harry's parents wands, maybe if i probe enough letters to JK's site, she'll answer my question. But i wanna thank Classical Wizar for ever so promptly directing me to this page. The theories listed here really have hepled me with my question. I guess i'll just hold out til after i read book 7 to see if JK ever mentions the wands wearabouts. THANX!!

[Libertine]

it probably wouldn't matter if a muggle picked it up, because muggles have no magic in their blood and wouldn't be able to perform magic with a wand..

but i don't think a wand's life is really tied to the witch/wizard who owns it.for instance,wands wear out before their owners die sometimes. so it stands to reason that a wand's powers would still "live" after its owner dies. a goodwill store for wands?

[Kelfa21]

I like the idea that a wand is buried with the wizard when they die...its such a personal item...that if I was a wizard I would want to have my wand buried with me.

Again, wands could be passed down for re-use, they could be kept by the relatives as a piece of remembrance...heck, they could be displayed in museums!
I would go to a museum to see a wand from a past great wizard!

[SpAzZz553]

I think you have a good point... But if they died it wouldnt really matter what happened to the wand would it... bcuz i though that the wand was made perectly for that one person and no one else could use it... maybe this is wrong but I thought thats why in the first book when harry was trying all those wand only the one worked...

[atherella]

I think you have a good point... But if they died it wouldnt really matter what happened to the wand would it... bcuz i though that the wand was made perectly for that one person and no one else could use it... maybe this is wrong but I thought thats why in the first book when harry was trying all those wand only the one worked...

True the wand does "pick the wizard", but that doesn't mean you can't use another person's wand, just that it won't work as well. Remember, Neville was using his father's old wand for the first 5 years at Hogwarts, until his father's got broken in half in the Dept. of Mysteries. Then, when it does break, he uses Hermione's when she is unconscious.

[smartypants]

yah, but where did Lily and James' wands go??
My guess: wherever most there belongings went. That may be up in smoke, or to an auction, or maybe to aunt Petunia.

We don't know, and there is no indication in the books that wands are not treated as any kind of belonging. In fact, Harry treats his broom more carefully than his wand. ;)

[LS fan aSoUE]

i think a wizard wand is treated like his/her clothes. buried with thm, passed down, or auctioned off

[Hedwiggie]

They go on to a better place *sighs*

[theatrefreak41]

i like the idea that the wand goes with the wizard. :tu: but i guess there's the question of what happened to voldermort's....i highly doubt that anyone wanted to touch his wand except for his followers. whoops, just answered my own quesion......

[percivalwulfric]

I think that when, a wizard dies, jis wand loses all magical power so nobady can insult the memory of the wizard by using bad spells if you or good, or vice versa.

[accioinsight7]

I also think that no one should be allowed to use that wizard/witch's wand...
But I do know that it can be used, so maybe in some cases, it is left in the final testament to a son/daughter/grandson/granddaughter...We know this because Neville used his dad's wand in OoTP, not that his father is dead, but the wand could be used, though it is not used by the original owner...same evidence when others hold one captive through another's wand (PoA confusion in the Shrieking Shack)
So I'm guessing the wand is either buried with the wizard, left to someone else, or in some cases, destroyed.

[maritoy]

Maybe the wand gets burried with the wizard, because its so important to them. I know that when some people die, very important objects are buried/cremated with them.

[WickedWitch21]

JK hasn't said anything about wands having to be handed in, or buried with the person to whom they belonged, or anything of the kind.
Besides, Neville's using his dad's wand, and I'm not sure about this, but I think Ron also got one of his brothers' wand.

[maritoy]

Right, but neither of the previous owner's died...It also might be that the deceased's wands can be used for anything. They could be buried with the wizard, or given to the family, or even recycled. I'm thinking its all up to the wizard or their family. It might even be stated in a will, if the wizards have them.

[Murph]

Moving on from what happens when a wizards dies, and what happens to a wand then, how does the magical part of the wand get in the center of the wand in the first place, i have pondered this thought for a while i always thought that a wands was a 1 piece unit, one contionous piece of wood, so how does the phoenix feather, or unicorn hair get in the center of it? Any Ideas

[atherella]

Moving on from what happens when a wizards dies, and what happens to a wand then, how does the magical part of the wand get in the center of the wand in the first place, i have pondered this thought for a while i always thought that a wands was a 1 piece unit, one contionous piece of wood, so how does the phoenix feather, or unicorn hair get in the center of it? Any Ideas

Well the wands have to be made. That's why Ollivanders: Makers of Fine Wands since 382 BC is called what it is.

[free_girl]

Maybe they buried it with whoever's dead or give it to they closes family member or friend.

[Yetisnowman]

Maybe this is what Dumbledore meant by death is the next great adventure. When the person dies the wand goes with them thus continuing there adventure in there life afterwards.

[Hedwiggie]

Yetisnowman - that's an interesting theory! Yes, so the wand would be buried with them, since Ancient Egyptians belived that the possessions their kings and queens were buried with them would find them in the afterlife.

[sysripperim]

I belive that the family decides what happens with the wand ... if it may be used by another person(Neville's case) or kept by them (Pettigrew's case -possibly) or buried with them .

[Buckbeak2004]

There could be a cemetary for wands. And no, I am not joking.

[SquibOnline]

A wand is their most important tool so it might well do

[hpfan_08]

I think that when they die there wand gets burried with them, but also people could steal these wands and sell them on a black market like thing to people who have had theirs snapped in half.

[wHotOOkmYtAcO]

it dies of a broken heart and sprouts wings and flies to that happy place in the clouds to be reunited with its owner... or at least thats what i would like to think. hehe.

[AsKPeeVes]

I belive that the family decides what happens with the wand ... if it may be used by another person(Neville's case) or kept by them (Pettigrew's case -possibly) or buried with them .
same here. :p

[starutena]

I guess the wand chooses what happens. The wand chooses the wizard, perhaps it can choose again once the owner dies. Unfortunately we don't have any examples of wands in use that once belonged to people who have died. Neville's father is still living, as is Charlie, whose old wand Ron used (before is broke of course). So those examples don't count. Pettigrew used Voldemort's wand, but Voldy did not technically die.

Perhaps it just looses its ability to perform magic and turns to dust.

[morgiana]

While a wand is tuned to you it is possible for someone else to use it. It's also possible to buy a new one as Ron did.

I'm thinking most people take their wands with them. No one's ever mentioned James or Lily's wands being anywhere. We know Sirius has his. Having it buried with you is probably what happens. Wands become very attuned to their owners. It wouldn't be practical to steal one. The energy could be bound to a person or family or close friend.

Neville's dad isn't dead.

[willi]

Remember in OOP when Neville's wand is destroyed?

he said it was his father's wand and his grandmother would be furious that he had let it be destroyed.

I know his father is not dead, but he is no longer capable of using it and it was passed on to his son.

[biara]

I believe the wands can be kept as a memory, passed on to a family member or sold in a Second-hand Wand Shop.
Why would they burn or bury st that can be useful to someone.
We know that 'the wand chooses the wizard', but both Ron and Neville got Second-hand wands from family members. None of them were dead, though.
An used wand might not work as well as 'the one', but it works...

[princess_renie]

Maybe this is what Dumbledore meant by death is the next great adventure. When the person dies the wand goes with them thus continuing there adventure in there life afterwards.

good theory :tu:

I also think it is possible that the family/friend recieves the wand, as Neville got his father's wand!

[Guardian Angel]

I've always thought the wands simply... stay behind. Just like every other object does when the owner dies. I don't know if something magical happens to wands - like self-destruction? - but I've never thought it did.