Magical Theory, by Adalbert Waffling

Be sure to read the introduction first; it's short, I promise.

Section 1: Categories of Magic

Chapter 1: Casted Magic

Everyday observation of magic leads us to separate it in to categories. Even those unfamiliar with basic theory refer to spells by their minor categories: charms, curses, jinxes, etc… These earlier categories are all part of the larger category of casted magic. Casted magic is an active, or kinetic form of magic. It is performed by a caster on a castee. The caster actively uses a magic power on someone or something else. With wizards and witches, their own power is channeled through a wand, or some other magical object suited for the purpose. Other common channels include talismans, weapons, and enchanted rings.

Most any object can be turned into a channel, but a complex enchantment process is required in order to create a clean and efficient channel. Which is why wands are so valuable and difficult to manufacture. As any wand maker will tell you, different materials make for different kinds of channels. The more powerful the magic within the substance, the more efficient, but the more difficult to control, the channel. Each material also has a different characteristic specialty. Using a wand core of dragon heartstring gives a very powerful and difficult to control wand with a specialty in violent and less subtle magicks. Such a wand must be commanded in order to be used to its maximum power. A wand of unicorn hair, on the other hand, can not be successfully commanded, but must be persuaded to work properly. Equally powerful, this wand would hold a penchant for careful and elusive magicks such as charms and illusionary enchantments. Wand cores are particularly ineffective when placed up against their originators and other members of the species. Thus, despite the specialty of dragon heartstring wands to magick which is particularly effective against dragons, it is not advisable that those working with dragons use such a wand.

The following is a list of a few common cores, their power levels, their control difficulties, and their primary specialties.
Dragon heartstring; rather difficult; dangerously potent; power and fire magicks
Unicorn hair; needs convincing; elusively and moderately powerful; charms and illusory magicks
Phoenix feather; easily controlled by its master; pyrically powerful; transfiguration, living magicks
Veela hair; incredibly moody; deceptively powerful; charms and illusory magicks

Given the difficulty of control created by the wand's core, it is usually unadvisable to use a magical substance for the container. The containers provide a modicum of control over the channeling capabilities of the core. Just as the cores provide different manners of channeling, different types of containers provide different manners of control. It is impossible to list all of the types of trees used in wand-making, as there are an infinite number of possibilities from region to region, even more so than the cores. It is important to remember that the container shares the properties of the tree from which the wood comes. Softer pine woods allow for much more flexible control over the core, and more play in the particularities of a spell. On the other hand, the wielder must be incredibly careful, as powerful and complex spells are known to get out of control with soft wooded wands. A wand with a hardwood container, such as oak, will have a much more rigid and simple control style: its spells will be of a textbook variety in most cases. There are some specialty wand makers who dabble in the use of magical materials for the purpose of container. It is common to see a novelty joke wand made from scattered branches of a whomping willow (since none in their right mind would collect such items while they were still attached) wreaking havoc as it beats upon its unsuspecting wielder.

Core and container are not the only variables in wand formation. Length is a factor, determining to a certain degree potency, though it mostly provides aim for those with less than favorable aiming capabilities. Thickness is also a factor; the more container there is around the core, or more core inside the container, the more control and power it provides, respectively. Of course, thickness is usually only present to make up for bad wand-making; if the channel is not clean, thickness partially makes up for it. The finish of the wand also has an effect, though less documented and potent, as they rarely vary from a standard set of finishes. On certain occasions, magical liquids have been known to be used, giving the wand special but unpredictable properties. One well-known medi-witch soaked and re-finished her wand in phoenix tears, giving it extra healing capabilities, but often left her patients crying for several hours afterward.

Casted magic can also be performed by other creatures. In ninety percent of cases, the casting beings are sapient. The most well-known non-human users of casted magic are house-elves. On occasion, powerful magical beings without the ability to speak are able to cast magic. This casted magic is not to be confused with the potential magic associated with magical abilities. Take the powers of a phoenix for example. The phoenix's tears have healing powers. This is a potential power, essentially the same as a potion. The phoenix also has the ability to carry gigantic loads. If the bird can grip the item in its talons, it can carry it. Those who have been carried by a phoenix are aware that the items in its grasp are made feather light, with an effect similar to, but stronger than, 'wingardium leviosa.' This is a form of casted magic.

It is possible, though rare, for a witch or wizard to be able to use their own power without a channel. Without a channel, standard spells are vastly ineffective, however. It takes a great deal of power to force through, and untrained, most wizards and witches lose the power behind the spell in the casting, so that it is weak by the time it reaches the target. With training, there are a few wizards able to use wandless magic. It is a much more raw form of magic, and heavily dependent upon the individual's abilities and signature.