Wandless Magic

[Jim Ferer]

No: HPFGUIDX 148728

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, Maria Holub <sopraniste at ...> wrote:
>
> > I apologize if this has been brought up earlier. 
> > The first wandless magic I
> > can recall is in the Sorcerer's Stone, Chap. 17, The
> > Man With Two Faces. 
> > Quirrell both ties Harry up with ropes that spring
> > out of thin air with a
> > snap of his fingers and releases Harry from  the
> > ropes with a clap of his
> > hands.
> 
> How about in PS/SS Chap. TWO, The Vanishing Glass,
> when Harry dumps his cousin in a snake tank without
> even realizing it?

The zoo incident wouldn't be the first if you counted incidents at
Harry's school that we heard of "second hand."  

We have to figure out what a wand does before we figure out what
wandless magic does.  I always thought a wand focuses and directs
magic, like a lens, or a nozzle on a hose. Without the wand, the magic
is unfocused and sort of dribbles out all over. 

Wandless magic might be more likely to succeed if:

The caster is in contact with the item

is more intensely focused, like Harry angry at Dudley at the zoo or at
having his hair crudely cut off

The caster is experienced and powerful.