Wands and wandless magic

[catherine at cator-manor.demon.co.uk]

No: HPFGUIDX 24845

--- In HPforGrownups at y..., cynthiaanncoe at h... wrote:
> I haven't reviewed all of the discussions about whether Animagi 
take 
> their wands with them, and I don't recall much in the books about 
it 
> either way.  We don't know if McGonnagle has a wand when she 
> transforms from a cat early in Book 1.  Sirius doesn't have a wand 
> because he's been in Azkaban, and he doesn't have one in Book 4 
> because he can't just go to Diagon Alley and buy one.  Maybe a wand 
> is a magical item that can't transform with the animagi.


I think it highly unlikely that animagi transform without their 
wands.  I get the feeling from Harry, that when in the magical world, 
and even when stranded in the Muggle world, the wand is essential, 
and that most witches and wizards would feel naked without it.  I 
would go as far as to say that a wand is almost an extension of self, 
thus making a witch or wizard without it feel very insecure at best, 
or as though some part of themselves were missing, at worst.

Therefore, it makes absolutely no sense to me that a witch/wizard 
can't keep their wands with them when they transform.  It is also not 
practical.  We know that they keep their clothes - it stands to 
reason that they keep everything on their person.  Look at 
travelling, for instance.  We know a lot of people do not like 
apparating.  What if they wanted to travel somewhere in their animal 
form, which may be very convenient if they happen to be an animal 
which can fly, for instance.  They can't exactly do this and leave 
the wand behind, can they?

All in all, it seems very impractical, and IMO, nonsensical, for them 
not to have their wands with them, which is why I am not discounting 
my own theories on the absence of Pettigrew's wand just yet.

Catherine.

BTW:  Another subject which has been done to death, but is a natural 
extension of this discussion.  What happened to Voldemort's wand?  
Did it disappear with him, only to become tangible again when 
Pettigrew helped him take on some semblence of human form.  Or was it 
retrieved for him?