AN – This chapter contains an extensive discussion about wand lore, I've tried to stay as cannon as possible with the wand lore but to a degree I've had to put my own interpretation on it. This is because something that is revealed in this chapter will become important later on.
Another observation of mine while reviewing this chapter before releasing it, I have come to think it might have benefited from a slight rewrite and being put earlier in the story, which is something I might do at a later date, but for now its is staying here.
Once again thanks to mdauben, Iwik and Guest for your reviews/comments and thanks to all my current followers for sticking with me. For those asking the story is getting very close to the present day.
Chapter 13 Wand Lore and an Unexpected Visitor
A few days after Charlie's confession and his apology, Ginny found Harry out in the makeshift quidditch pitch. He was stood with a wand in both hands, when Ginny arrived he had the Draco wand in his left hand and the Phoenix wand in his right hand. Standing back without announcing herself at first, she observed what Harry was doing. He was trying different spells, first with the Phoenix wand and then the Draco wand. He was clearly having more success with the Draco wand. The Phoenix wand was producing results but they were feeble when compared to the Draco wand, which was allowing Harry to perform spells the way he was expecting.
"It's still not working properly? asked Ginny
Harry jumped slightly at the sound of her voice having had no idea she was there.
"No" he said "I don't understand it"
"No ideas at all why it isn't working?"
"The only thing I can think of is the Elder wand wasn't actually able to repair it properly, but then that doesn't make sense, as when I repaired it in the headmaster's office I got the usual feeling of familiarity that you get from your own wand" said Harry
Turning away from Ginny Harry tried a series of different spells with the Phoenix wand, each as feeble as the one before it, with Harry clearly getting increasingly frustrated with the results he was getting. Suddenly without any warning he threw the Phoenix wand away from himself and quickly did the same with the Draco wand. The Phoenix wand hit the floor and rolled finishing up 3 feet from where Harry was stood, the Draco wand hit the floor by its handle and bounced once before landing near Ginny's feet. Without speaking Ginny bent down and picked up the Draco wand before looking over at Harry. He was stood still with his arms raised and his hands in his hair. She hadn't realised how much the Phoenix wand had been getting to him.
Walking over to Harry she put her hand on his shoulder and offered him the Draco wand "Harry I don't know why your wand isn't working for you and this one is, but I do know that throwing both wands away isn't going to achieve anything" she said with a small smile
Harry looked at her and returned the smile "Thank you, I know I shouldn't throw them away, I just want to use my own wand"
"That I can understand" replied Ginny "speaking of which…" Ginny stepped away from Harry and bent down to pick up the Phoenix wand. As she clasped her hand around the handle of the Phoenix wand an intense feeling of warmth and familiarity flooded through her. It was similar to the feeling she got from her own wand, yet different and more intense. The almost overwhelming senses coming from the wand caused her to freeze in shock.
"Gin… Gin what's wrong?" asked Harry with rising concern
Coming back to her senses Ginny stood up, but didn't immediately reply to Harry. The feelings she had felt from the Phoenix wand could only mean one thing. She was the master of Harry's Phoenix wand, but it made no sense, she had not defeated Harry. She was also worried about how Harry would react to this revelation.
"Err Harry" was all she could manage at first
"Gin, are you OK? What happened?" asked Harry
"I'm fine, but I err… when I picked up… err when I picked up your… wand…" said Ginny trailing off.
"Gin what happened?" asked Harry
"When I picked up your wand I got the familiar feeling you get from a wand you own"
Harry didn't respond at first and they stood there in silence for several minutes.
"That would mean you are the wands master and not me" said Harry looking confused "but that makes no sense as you have never defeated me"
"I know, I don't understand it" who was even more confused than Harry and was holding the Phoenix wand out to him.
"Try it" said Harry
"What?! No! It's your wand not mine"
"It's OK Ginny, we need to know what has happened for certain before we can attempt to figure out what to do next"
With a look of confusion and nervousness on her face Ginny turned from Harry. Taking a quick look around the family's quidditch pitch she saw a fallen branch near the centre of the pitch and decided to do a simple summoning charm.
"Accio Branch" said Ginny pointing the Phoenix wand at the Branch
The fallen branch flew towards them out of control tumbling through the air and travelling at a speed neither of them were expecting, causing both of them to have to dive to the floor as the branch flew over their heads. Standing up, Ginny forced the wand into Harry's hand and took several steps backwards away from Harry and the wand. Looking across at Ginny, Harry saw that what had happened had not only confused her but had scared her to some degree as well. Quickly putting both wands in his back pocket so they were out of sight he stepped over to Ginny and pulled her into a hug.
"Harry how has this happened" asked Ginny "how have I become the master of your wand and why is it so much more powerful? I have never defeated you so I can't have won it from you"
"I don't know Gin but I think it's a safe bet that it has something to do with me using the elder wand to repair it"
"I'm sorry Harry" said Ginny looking up at Harry
"What are you apologising for? This is not your fault. If I had accepted that my wand was broken and stuck with Draco's wand or bought myself a new wand we wouldn't be stood here right now" said Harry
"Harry, what about Ollivander? Surely he should have an understanding of wand lore that could help to explain this" said Ginny
"Hmm maybe, but having spoken to Ollivander on a couple of occasions I would rather use him as a last resort"
"What do you mean" asked Ginny
"My issue with Ollivander is although he isn't necessarily evil himself, he is clearly in awe of power and those who are able to wield it. He once described what Voldemort was capable of as "Great, Terrible but Great". My biggest concern is I have no idea what he would do if he knew I was the elder wands master" explained Harry
"Oh" said Ginny "I've only met him the once and he didn't come across like that at all"
"I suspect, I only got to see that side of him due to circumstances. The first time I met him was when I bought my wand and he explained about it being twinned with Voldemort's. That was when he said what Voldemort did was great. The second time was when we rescued him from Malfoy manor. Despite having been tortured it was clear he was still in awe of what Voldemort could do"
"Can you think of anyone else who might be able to help"
The only person I can think of who had the required knowledge and would be trustable is Dumbledore and he's dead" replied Harry
They were both silent for a few moments while they thought about the situation.
"Harry doesn't Dumbledore have a portrait in the Headmasters office now?" asked Ginny "Couldn't we try asking his portrait?"
"Oh, for Merlin's sake why didn't I think of that" said Harry
"Probably because you had become fixated with trying to force the wand to work rather think your way through the problem" replied Ginny with a smile "why don't we go home and write to McGonagall and ask if we can visit the headmaster's portrait"
Once home they wrote a letter to Professor McGonagall asking if they could speak to Dumbledore's portrait and sent the letter off with Ron's Owl Pig. As they were heading back downstairs the house was filled a noise that sounded like an air raid siren going off.
"What the hell is that" shouted Harry over the noise
"It's a Caterwauling charm" shouted Ginny in response while pulling out her wand "It means someone who doesn't have permission has tried to enter through the wards protecting the house"
Not needing any further encouragement Harry pulled out his Draco wand and followed Ginny downstairs and into the kitchen where they found Molly, Ron and Hermione. As they entered the Kitchen Molly finished a spell to stop the Caterwauling charm. Turning to Harry and Ginny she spoke to them "You two stay here Arthur and George are outside looking for the intruder, chances are it's a reporter looking to speak to Harry, so they will send them packing"
They were all surprised when a few minutes later when Arthur and George returned with a third person. Arthur had his wand drawn but had it pointed at the floor, George however was clearly seething with anger and had his wand trained firmly at their unexpected guest. One look at their guest caused Harry, Ron, Hermione and Ginny to jump up and raise their wands.
"What the hell is he doing here?" yelled Ron with anger
"I asked the same question" said George with a fierce calm
"Arthur! have you completely lost your senses?!" exclaimed Molly
"Calm down everyone" said Arthur calmly "He's here to deliver a message to Harry. If Harry doesn't want to listen then we throw him back out, He has given me these as a peace offering" Arthur reached into his pocket and pulled out two wands and offered them to Ron and Hermione.
Ginny turned to look at Harry "Harry you can't be seriously considering listening to this piece of filth, you can't trust him. He should be locked up in Azkaban. Just tell him to piss off so we can get back to our own lives"
"Language Ginny" Molly cried automatically, though it wasn't with her usual strength.
Whilst lowering his wand, Harry put his spare hand on Ginny's wrist and pushed it down, so she lowered her wand as well. "As he has returned Ron and Hermione's wands I'll hear him out. I don't have to actually act on what he says. Though you do have a point Ginny, He should be in Azkaban, I'm assuming Draco, that the family riches have managed to save you from being locked up?"
Draco Malfoy stood in the Burrows kitchen, surrounded by people who considered him an enemy. Despite this he still stood upright with his head held high, though his usual sneer was missing. Looking closely at Draco, Harry saw that his cheeks had slightly sunken appearance to them and his usual pristine appearance wasn't there as if he had worn his clothes more than he was accustomed to.
"Actually, no they didn't. All of the Family's accounts have been frozen until the ministry can decide how much of it was made illegally" replied Draco.
Harry noticed the usual confidence and cockiness was missing from his demeaner. "So how is it your still walking free and able to disturb our peaceful afternoon?" asked Harry
"Not entirely sure to be honest with you. I think it may have been my father's testimony that did it. He turned traitor on the death eaters and gave the ministry any information they asked for, last thing he said to me was he would tell the ministry I was forced to become a death eater at his wishes. Either way he got a life sentence in Azkaban, my mother is under house arrest thanks to your statement but refused visitors without prior permission from the minister of magic and I'm free to try and scrape a living by selling family heirlooms for whatever I can get for them as no one will give me a job"
"You expect us to feel sorry for you" snapped Hermione who had swapped to her own wand having been stuck with Belatrix's wand for so long.
"No" was all Draco said in response
There was a moment of tense silence which was broken by George,
"What. Was. Your. Message?" said George in short crisp tones, that were out of character for the usual fun loving person.
"I…" Draco faltered as he looked behind him, George still had his wand raised and aimed at Draco but it was shaking badly.
"George?!" said Harry cautiously
"Dumbledore is dead because of him! Hermione was tortured because of his family! You all nearly died in the room of requirement because of him and his cronies! If it wasn't for him and his family FRED might still be …."
At the cry of Fred, Harry lunged forward grabbing George's right wrist with his left hand and forced it down whilst grabbing George with his right hand and using his weight to force him backwards. Whatever spell George had cast ricocheted of a hastily set shield charm that Ginny had used causing it to hit the ceiling.
Thankfully Arthur was the first to respond, leaping forward he grabbed George, pinning both of his arms to his sides and dragged him out of the kitchen. For a few seconds the only sound was of a wooden stick settling on the hard floor. Breathing heavily Harry looked down and saw George's Wand on the floor which he picked up and handed to Molly.
As everyone was recovering their breath, Harry looked around the room and everyone had their wands pointed at Draco once again. Draco however had only moved in order to dodge the incoming spell from George. Though he was standing with his head raised again, it was clear to Harry that Draco was clearly shaken.
"Lower your wands" ordered Harry "I don't think they are needed"
Harry paused to make sure everyone had lowered their wands before continuing.
"Sorry about that, George took Fred's death very hard"
"No need to apologise, If I'm honest I never expected to get this far without being hexed, I don't blame him, his reaction is understandable" replied Draco
Harry stared at him with disbelief, he couldn't believe this was the same Draco Malfoy that he had gone to Hogwarts with.
"What is your message Draco? I think it might be best if we end your visit sooner rather than later"
"I would have to agree. I came to give you a warning. No respectable business wants to buy the family heirlooms I've been selling, as a result I've been forced to use Knockturn Alley to do most of my selling. Unfortunate for me, but fortunate for you, some of the people who trade in Knockturn Alley think this means I'm picking up where my Father left off and have been letting bits of information slip. There's a rumour going around Knockturn Alley that someone is planning a kidnapping that involves you and possibly your girlfriend" Draco finished by looking at Ginny.
"Is that all?" snapped Hermione "Not much use is it!"
"It's better than nothing" replied Harry "Is that all you have?"
"Yes, it's all I've been able to get so far" replied Draco
"Then why bother coming at all?" asked Ron "You could have passed this on through the ministry without insulting us with your presence"
"I have been for several weeks, but I wanted to know for certain that my warnings were being passed on and I'd say it's blatantly obvious that they didn't believe me"
"Why do you care so much about Harry?" asked Hermione
At this Draco faltered, what was left of his composure seemed to leave him, his shoulders sagged and his head dropped for the first time leaving him looking at the floor for the first time.
"Is it because you owe us all a life debt?" Asked Harry
"Partly" replied Draco
"What do you mean Partly?" asked Ginny hotly
"I'm not going to lie, I don't like being in anyone's debt" replied Draco "Life, Money or otherwise, if coming here and speaking to you can help erase that debt then I'm willing to do it"
"And what other reason do you have for warning Harry?" asked Ginny
"You probably won't believe me but because it is the right thing to do" replied Draco
"Your right I don't believe you" replied Ginny
"Anything else?" asked Harry
"I had been wondering if you would be willing to return me my wand, but as I see you are still using it I doubt that is going to happen" said Draco
"Draco even if I was inclined to give you your wand back it wouldn't do you any good" replied Harry
"What do you mean?"
"You know the expression the wand chooses the wizard?" asked Harry
Draco nodded his understanding.
"Well in this case your wand chose me. When I defeated you in Malfoy manor your wand changed its allegiance and made me its master" explained Harry
"Is that even possible?" asked Draco astounded
"Yes, it is. It happens more often than you might think"
Draco stood there at first looking confused, "Oh, in that case you might as well keep it. Mother isn't allowed to possess a wand at the moment so I might as well continue using hers for the time being. Am I OK seeing myself out or do you want to escort me?"
"Molly would you mind taking Draco to the edge of the wards please?" asked Harry
Nodding her assent Molly gestured towards the kitchen door and followed Draco outside. Before Harry had a chance to gather his thoughts he was hit with questions from Ron and Hermione.
"Why are you are still using his wand?" asked Hermione
"Where's your wand?" demanded Ron "I wouldn't be using that git's wand unless I absolutely had to"
"More importantly what did you mean by wands change allegiance more than you realise" asked Hermione getting to the point in her usual quick style.
Harry found himself looking towards Ginny for support. She stood back from Ron and Hermione and clearly shook her head. Harry understood why she said no, she didn't want to reveal she was the master of the Phoenix wand.
Harry took a moment to consider his options, he didn't want to lie to Ron and Hermione, but he didn't want to upset Ginny either.
"Gin I'm sorry but I can't outright lie to these two, after everything we went through together I can't lie to them. I know we haven't admitted anything to them so far, but I've gone as far as I can. I'm sorry, but please…"
Ginny looked at Harry with the beginnings of tears in her eyes and blinked slowly before nodding her head.
"Thank you" said Harry with his eyes locked firmly on Ginny, before finally turning to Ron and Hermione "I am using the git's wand because it is the only wand I am currently the master of. I am no longer the master of my wand. It has switched it allegiance to someone else"
"Who" asked Hermione
Harry looked up at Ginny before answering "Ginny"
"Ginny!" exclaimed Ron and Hermione together.
"How has that happened?" asked Hermione "I thought you had to defeat the previous owner?"
"So did I" replied Harry while moving over to Ginny who hadn't moved and putting his arm around her.
"You haven't had some sort of argument we don't know about?" asked Ron with an almost hopeful tone to his voice.
"No, we haven't!" snapped Ginny finally speaking "we are very happy thank you very much and why do you sound so hopeful?"
Raising his hands in a gesture of submission Ron replied to Ginny's question "Whoa calm down Ginny, I'm happy that you two are happy together. I was only hopeful because if you had had an argument it might give us a simple explanation as to why Harry's wand had switched its allegiance to you"
"Oh, sorry" said Ginny quietly
"What are you going to do about it?" asked Hermione
"We have written to Professor McGonagall and asked if we can consult Dumbledore's painting, in the hope he might be able to explain why this has happened. If that doesn't work I don't know what we will do"
A couple of days later the four of them found themselves stood in the headmaster's office. Or rather the headmistress's office Harry corrected himself.
"It is good to see you all again" said Professor McGonagall "Though when you wrote to me I was only expecting the two of you" she finished a tad reproachfully.
"I'm sorry about that professor, when I wrote to you only myself and Ginny were aware of a problem we have, since then Ron and Hermione have become aware and I thought they might as well come along as they may be able to help in some way" explained Harry
"Fair enough, now I understand you wish to speak to Professor Dumbledore's painting?"
"Yes, the professor is the only person we could think of who could possibly help with this current problem who I would trust with this problem"
"Implying there may be people who could help with your problem but you don't trust them, would you like me to step outside?" asked Professor McGonagall.
Before Harry could respond a voice spoke up from behind Professor McGonagall "I don't think that should be necessary Minerva, do you Harry?"
Looking up at the portrait behind the Headmistresses desk Harry saw the familiar face of Professor Dumbledore smiling down at him.
"Not at all Professor" replied Harry returning the smile
"It is good to see you all, now what can I do for you Harry, what is so important that it is taking your time away from Miss Weasley?"
Harry looked at Ginny and saw her blush at the Professor's words.
"I need your knowledge of wand lore professor, I'm hoping you can help explain something that has happened" Harry pulled out his Phoenix wand out of his pocket "My wand has switched it loyalties. I am no longer its master. It has chosen Ginny as its master and we can't explain why"
"Surely there must be a mistake?" asked Professor McGonagall
"There's no mistake Professor. I can use the wand but the spells don't have the effect they used to, but when Ginny uses it the spells are very powerful"
Professor Dumbledore stood still in his painting for a moment seemingly deep in thought "I take it I don't need to ask the more obvious question, the two of you are both happy together and have not had any fights or arguments?"
"No Professor we haven't had any fights or arguments and are very happy together" replied Harry
"Hmm you used the Elder wand to repair it…." Dumbledore said this seemingly to himself as he paced back and forth within his painting "…. Ginny snapped the elder wand …. puts its magic into Harry's wand…"
Harry stood holding hands with Ginny, watching the Professor pace back and forth, waiting for his answer, finally Dumbledore turned back to them.
"Now Harry just we are clear I do not claim to be an expert in wand lore and it is also possible that my intelligence has been diminished by being a painting"
"Understood Professor" replied Harry
"That said I do think I have an explanation as to why you wand is behaving the way it is and a possible explanation why it has switched loyalties to Miss Weasley" said Dumbledore "I think the most likely explanation for your wand behaving the way it is, is because you used the Elder wand to repair it. Your phoenix wand was so damaged I suspect the elder wand was forced to put some of its own magic into your wand to repair it. So when Miss Weasley snapped the Elder wand the Elder wand magic in your phoenix wand caused it to replace the elder wand"
"oh" said Harry quietly. He was beginning to have an horrific premonition about what Dumbledore was about to say.
"The best explanation I can come up with that explains why your wand switched loyalties is that having caused your phoenix wand to replace the elder wand, the elder wand magic caused it to perceive you as having being defeated when the elder wand was snapped in two"
Before Harry could gather his thoughts, Ginny spoke up.
"Professor how can a wand perceive anything? It is a wand not a person" asked Ginny
"Unfortunately Miss Weasley wand lore has never been fully investigated and we are left using human expressions to explain the behaviour of a seemingly unintelligent inanimate object, furthermore we are also left having to make logical assumptions while using the few known facts about wand lore as a base"
"Could you explain in more detail please" asked Ginny
"Of course, It is a known fact that "the wand chooses the wizard" a wizard can use any wand but will get the best results from a wand that has chosen them. It is also known that a wand can switch its loyalties and that it will typically switch loyalty when its owner has been defeated. However it isn't known why some wands will switch loyalties and some don't. Now speaking from personal experience, I can confirm the Elder wand was very susceptible to switching loyalties after defeat. A fact demonstrated by how Harry became the Elder wands master without ever possessing it. Now from this point we have to work with logic and assumptions. The behaviour of Harry's wand does not make sense unless you accept that it being repaired by the Elder wand changed it somehow, which is why I suggest that the elder wand put some of its own magic into the phoenix wand. If the Phoenix wand contains some of the elder wands magic then it is logical to assume that it would share the Elder wands susceptibility to switch masters after defeat"
"But I haven't defeated Harry!" exclaimed Ginny
"Not in the normal human definition of defeat you haven't, but don't forget we are talking about wand lore and furthermore a unique branch of wand lore. When you took the elder wand from Harry he allowed you to disarm him, disarming someone is an action that some wands have interpreted as defeat, in addition you snapped the Elder wand, with the phoenix wand containing some of the elder wand magic I believe it has also interpreted the snapping of the elder wand as a form of defeat"
"Oh" was all Ginny said in response
"But as I said this is mostly assumptions and logical guess work, so I could very well be proven wrong"
"But you don't believe you are in this case?" asked Ginny
"No I don't I'm afraid" answered Dumbledore
"What can we do to correct this" asked Ginny
Before Dumbledore could respond Harry stepped forward and answered himself.
"We don't do anything" said Harry firmly
Everyone except Dumbledore looked at Harry in shock and surprise.
"Harry what do you mean we do nothing, its your wand not mine, we need to get its loyalty switched back" said Ginny
"Gin, we are only stood here because I refused to accept that my wand was broken. I knew that the Elder wand was temperamental before I used it to repair the Phoenix wand. I should have realised something might go wrong. We are stood here because of something I've done"
"But we can't just give up, don't you want your wand!"
"I'd be lying if I said I wouldn't prefer it, but the only known way of causing a wand to switch loyalties is by defeating the owner. Which leaves us with a problem because somehow, I doubt it would work if you let me defeat you. So, the only way it could possibly work would be if I secretly kept a look out for a moment for when I could defeat you and I refuse to do that. You mean more than that to me, more than any wand. I wont put our relationship at risk. Its time I accept that my wand is gone"
"Well said Mr Potter" said Professor McGonagall "A very mature approach to this situation"
"I agree Minerva, now is there anything else I can help you with" asked Dumbledore
"No Professor and thank you. I think we will say hello to Hagrid and head home"
Stepping off the stairs and into the hallway Harry realised Ginny hadn't spoken for a while. Looking over at her Harry saw she had an odd look on her face.
"Gin, are you alright?" asked Harry
"I err why did you do that Harry? Why did you give up on your wand?" stammered Ginny
"Because he has realised what is more important Ginny" said Hermione speaking up "Harry has realised his relationship with you is more important to him than a wand"
"Come on sis weren't you listening upstairs?" added Ron "as much as he would like his wand back, Harry would rather protect his relationship with you, YOU are more important to him"
"They're right Gin, I meant what I said upstairs, you are more important to me than any wand"
Slowly, Ginny started to smile "But what do we do with your wand?" she asked quietly.
Taking the Phoenix wand out of his pocket, harry offered it to Ginny "As you are the wands master that is up to you. You could keep it and use it, keep it as a spare in case something happens to yours or snap it" replied Harry.
"SNAP IT" cried Ron, Hermione and Ginny in unison
Lowering his voice to ensure he wasn't overheard "If we accept that Dumbledore is correct and that the Elder wand put some of its magic into the Phoenix wand then keeping it will carry the same risks as keeping the Elder wand. Ginny snapped the Elder wand because of that risk, so it only makes sense to snap the Phoenix wand"
"Harry I won't snap your wand" said Ginny
"It's not my wand Ginny" said Harry "As I said, you are its master, it's your wand so it's your choice"
Ginny looked at Harry and at the Phoenix wand he was still offering her. Slowly reaching out she took the Phoenix wand from Harry and contemplated the wand in her hand. The sense of familiar power still scared her and her initial panic created an impulse within her to just snap the wand. But something stopped her from acting on that impulse, she couldn't bring herself to just snap the wand like she had the Elder wand. She knew she was being irrational, the Elder wand had been something impersonal that Harry had said he didn't want to keep, but this was Harry's wand, something he wanted, yet she didn't want to keep the Phoenix wand or allow it to be kept near Harry.
Turning to the most sensible person she knew she offered the wand to Hermione. "I know in many ways I'm being irrational and I should just snap it, but I can't do it. So, I want you to keep it for us"
"Gin?" said Harry looking confused
"Harry I recently let you protect me from myself by confiscating my wand, I intend to do the same for you, I know if was to be sensible I would just snap the wand, but right now I can't do it, so in the same way you protected me, I intend to protect you. You are willing to give up on this wand to protect our relationship so It wouldn't be right if I was keep it and use it, neither would it be right for me to keep it as a spare wand, because it would always be there as a constant reminder for you. So, by handing it to Hermione and asking her to keep it from either of us until a situation requires it seems the fairest option" Seeing Harry smile and nod his head in approval Ginny turned back to Hermione "Hide this somewhere only you know about, don't tell anyone where it is particularly me and Harry. If either of us ask for it, it will be up to you to decide if the situation warrant's it"