Magic Without Wands?

[Liz]

No: HPFGUIDX 76395

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "Tamara" <buffyeton at y...> 
wrote:
> Can wizards and witches do magic without their wands or a potion?
> 
> Tamara

Clearly wizards and witches can do magic without wands.  Before they 
get wands -- in childhood -- they seem to spontaneously exhibit 
magical "reactions" to situations that are stressful or emotional.  
Hence the lifesaving magic, etc. that we have read about.  I had 
originally considered wands to be a tool that allows the witch or 
wizard to "fine tune" or focus his or her magic.  That would mean 
that a wizard is capable of less precise, or less directed, or less 
powerful magic without the wand.  That would imply, however, that 
intent and a certain amount of concentration would be necessary to 
cast spells.

However, there are a couple things that seem to blow my theory.  In 
OoTP we at least hear Moody refer to the possibility of accidentally 
blowing ones buttocks off.  I can't imagine intent and concentration 
on magic if you've got your wand in your back pocket.  Secondly, 
back in first year (Chapter 10 of SS/PS) Flitwick says, "And saying 
the magic words is properly is very important, too -- never forget 
Wizard Baruffio, who said 's' instead of 'f' and found himself on 
the floor with a buffalo on his chest."

So, all that leaves me wondering what exactly is magic -- it appears 
to be a power or energy the witch or wizard can summon and direct at 
will, but it's a bit more tricky than that.  If you've got to get 
the wand movements -- "swish and flick" -- just right and you've got 
to get the words just right -- "Wing-gar-dium Levi-o-sa, make 
the 'gar' nice and long." -- then how do wizards invent/discover new 
spells?  Do you just say nonsense words and wave your wand around an 
hope something happens?  Is that what happened to Luna's mom?

I guess my question is:  "What is the nature of magic?"

Liz