Wand cores and Brit moans

[eloiseherisson at aol.com]

No: HPFGUIDX 44381

Marina:
> This really makes me wonder about phoenix feather wands.  We've only
> met one phoenix so far, Fawkes, and we were told he's only ever given
> two feathers.  Where are all the other phoenixes who are donating
> their feathers to all the other wands?
> 
> 

Very good question in a very funny post!

Phoenixes seem a little more common in the Potterverse that in RL(!) 
mythology (ie there's more than one of them). But has anyone else noticed 
that in art, phoenixes seem to be represented with only two tail feathers 
anyway?

Perhaps they have an annual moult - I think birds, or some birds, do, don't 
they? Otherwise you could only get the feathers shortly before they were 
about to burst into flames. How long does a phoenix live, anyway? I mean, how 
long is each incarnation?

Of course, we've only seen two phoenix feather wands. Ollivander does say 
it's an unusual combination. Perhaps that's partly because phoenix feathers 
are so rare. Which in turn would make Harry and Voldemort having wands with 
cores from the *same* phoenix less of a coincidence.
.................

BTW, off-topic and nothing to do with Marina whatsoever, I have this evening 
for the second time recently seen the name of my country spelled incorrectly.
Please, folks, it's 'Britain' with only one 't' but *with* an 'i'. 

And another Brit point: Catlady kindly explained, in response to Ali's query, 
American usage of Lily Evans Potter. 
I am certain that Ali already understood as well as I did that this is an 
American custom. I think she was being a little subtle and rather English in 
her use of language. ;-) 

The point is that it is *not* normally a British custom. Sure, it happens 
sometimes, but more usually, Lily would either retain her own name, or adopt 
her husband's name. There *are* women who use both: I considered it myself, 
but it made an unfortunate alliteration.  In an old-fashioned society, such 
as the WW, I would suggest that she would almost certainly take her 
husband's. But 'Lily Evans Potter' just doesn't sound British. 

Eloise


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