OotP: Wandless magic?

[isabella_080]

No: HPFGUIDX 62154

Did anyone else notice this passage? (sorry if this has been brought 
up, but I looked through as much of the posts as I possibly could!)

(Chapter 1, during the dementor-attacking-Dudley scene):

"'...Wand!' Harry muttered frantically, his hands flying over the 
ground like spiders. 'Where's -- wand -- come on -- Lumos!'  He said 
the spell automatically, desperate for light to help him in his 
search -- and to his disbelieving relief, light flared inches from 
his right hand -- the wand tip had ignited.  Harry snatched it up..." 
(page 17, US)

So, it sounds to me like the wand lit up before he "snatched it 
up"...that would mean wandless magic, wouldn't it? This just seems 
significant to me.  Is it just a small hint as to Harry's growing 
powers, or are we (& Harry) going to learn that wandless magic is 
very rare, but he can do it (of course).  I know wandless magic has 
been discussed before on the list...but isn't this the first time 
Harry's done it not including before his Hogwarts days?  I saw all 
those incidents before Hogwarts as *losing* control of powers w/o a 
wand, while this scene seems like is *gaining* control over magic 
without a wand.  Or are we just being prepped for a very powerful 
Harry?  I could be making much out of nothing, but I think this 
probably points to wandless magic being important later in the 
books.  Perhaps because it would be difficult for Harry to fight LV 
because of the Priori Incantatem effect...he will have to use 
wandless magic?

Isabella