[HPforGrownups] Silent/Wandless Magic?

[John Hatch]

No: HPFGUIDX 101661

Jason writes:

The way I see it is sort of like learning math. At first you have to
concentrate on what you're doing. You have to learn to add, first by
counting on your fingers, then adding bigger numbers with pencil and
paper. You learn more complicated math as your education continues.
By the time you reach the end of your education, you no longer need
pencils and paper for easier math problems. You know that one plus
one is two and 5 times 5 is 25, that the square root of 144 is 12.
You simply need to look at problems like 7x = 23 + 5 and know that X
= 4.

I believe magic would work in sort of the same way. For simpler
spells all that is needed is a little focus and voila, you get the
smae results as using a wand. For more complicated spells, Harry
would of course still need to "work the problem out" to get his
desired results and thus need a wand.

The two most powerful wizards in ther world, DD and Voldy, likely
would be like those people who can see a complex problem on a
blackboard and know the answer before the rest of us could pull out
our calculators. They can accomplish far more complex magic without
a wand.

As for more complex things like blowing up Marge with no wand, I
liken that to seeing a math problem and knowing the answer, but not
how to do the work. Does that make sense?

John writes:

I like this explanation a lot. There seems to be different levels of magical
ability as one progresses in magical learning:

1. Emotion-Driven Magic - Harry up on the kitchen roof at school, setting
the boa on Dudley, and so on.

2. Early Wand Magic - Magic that most students do at Hogwarts includes a
proper wand, waving it correctly, and giving the correct spell or
incantation. It seems to take such practice and concentration that when not
done properly, it can go quite wrong (leaving a tail on a mouse being turned
into a teapot, or something). Older wizards may need to do this for things
they don't do as often, such as Bagman magically magnifying his voice at the
world cup?

3. Advanced Wand Magic - This might include magic that wizards and witches
have gotten so good at they no longer need to use the incantation or even
wave the wand properly. Older wizards are seen doing this all the time -
conjuring items, moving things around, etc. DD seems to rarely use an
incantation - even when conjuring a Patronus.

4. Wandless Magic - We know this is probably more advanced than most wand
magic, but perhaps not always. It differs from emotional driven magic
because this is controlled and deliberate - such as Dumbledore making
himself invisible (although we aren't expressly told he didn't use a wand,
I'm assuming he didn't). Other examples seem to include apparating and
becoming animagi. (Neither Sirius nor Pettigrew had wands as they
transformed, so it's a given that no wand is needed for animagi.)

5. Invented Magic - Here's where we get into a bit foggier area. I think
canon implies quite clearly that advanced wizards (pretty much DD and
Voldemort) can create their own spells and magic. DD's way cool trick in his
office as he escapes Fudge and Umbridge sounds like he created the necessary
spell at the time - one that would stun everyone by zooming around the room,
but then lead them to believe they'd only been out a few minutes. Granted, I
don't think we're ever expressly told that DD or Voldemort are capable of
creating their own spells as they need them, but I think it's implied -
rather than they are so familiar with every wizarding spell they just know
everything. The old wizard who tested DD on his O.W.L.'s said he "did things
with a wand I'd never seen before."

6. Old Magic - This is not necessarily more advanced to perform, but is more
advanced to understand and appreciate. DD appreciates the old magic of love
and sacrifice, while Voldemort didn't regard it or think about it before he
attacked Harry. We seem to know the least about this kind of magic, but know
that it is Harry's greatest strength, because it can only be practiced
sincerely - it cannot be misused or manipulated, it seems.

John