OotP: Wandless magic?

[Grey Wolf]

No: HPFGUIDX 62163

Isabella wrote:
> 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

First thing, I have to point out that you're confusing two sorts of 
wandless magic here. It is not the same performing the lumos spell 
without the wand (what the lists generally calls "wandless magic", with 
another example being Snape summoning ropes to tie Lupin in the SS) and 
the instinctive magic Harry seems to be able to perform naturally 
(inflating aunts, breaking glasses, etc.).

That said, I believe that Harry's Lumos spell is indeed proof of his 
growing powers - so far, all wandless magic has been done by powerful 
wizards. But remember that lumos is an extremelly easy spell that Harry 
has used countless times, so it would be easier for him to do without a 
wand. I don't think he'd be able to cast the patronus without his wand, 
for example (nevermind the fact that Harry didn't expect it to work, 
since he is absolutely convinced he needs his wand to do spells - maybe 
he'll realise now he doesn't really need it).

Hope that helps,

Grey Wolf