-Dueling Club, Wandlore

[trivalent.livejournal.com]

Activity: Wandlore
Points: 10 points.
Deadline: Sunday 25 July 2010 at 12PM EDT (7 PM UTC)

Choose the wand wood, core, length, firmness, etc for your wand and describe how it affects your strengths/weaknesses in a duel. 5+ sentences.

Submission Box
<b>Wand Wood</b>: <b>Core:</b> <b>Length</b>: <b>Firmness</b>: discussion -Name, House

Want to learn how to do more than a back corridor fight? Join the Dueling Club today. Fight with flair.

Comments

[cxrdevil.livejournal.com]

Wand Wood: Ash
Core: Dragon heartstring
Length: 11 1/4"
Firmness: Hard

Like its wielder, this wand hasn't much patience for side details. It's blunt and well suited to brute force - offensive spells or concussive spells, and curses. I'm not really a violent person by nature and would prefer non-confrontational interactions but when pushed it would definitely boost my confidence and raw strength, which I do have a lot of. On the other hand, it doesn't cover my greater weaknesses - I'm not much of "look before you leap" and the wand is not so conducive to utility spells or stealth. I'm also impatient and my wand is ready to charge in with me - but this way, it has a negative effect on my ability to expand and develop greater skills through practice and patience, which I've already got trouble with. So in a duel, this wand would certainly provide me with the strength to win, but would require more control and carefulness than I have to perform counters and clever defensive moves. It has as much to do with myself as the wand, but then, the wand chooses the wizard for a reason! Against a cunning and skilled opponent I do not think I would win, but against someone with less experience, like me, or someone I can quickly overpower, the duel is in my favor.

-Am, Gryffindor

[rideinthelimo.livejournal.com]

Wand Wood: Black Laurel
Core: Dragon Heartstring
Length: 7 inches
Firmness: Unyielding

Black laurel is a very strong wood, it is great for offensive spells, which obviously would assist me in attacking and finishing off my opponent- as a rather aggressive person it plays on my strengths very well. It also holds many protection properties which are essential for defending myself in a duel which assist my self preservation. The dragon heartstring represents wisdom as well as fierceness, which affects how I react in a duel- I'm a quick thinker and can react quickly but often doubt myself so that would help me quickly counter my opponent's spells and gain the upper hand when I'm not sure of myself. The core is unyielding, as is the hardness of my wand- I'm the kind of person who usually tries to avoid conflict but if I am in a duel I will not back down until I win and the qualities of the core and hardness reflect this.
I'm quite a sneaky person as well, I look all nice and sweet but am secretly a BAMF tbh, and I like having a small wand that looks all delicate and sweet and lull you into a false sense of security, then bam, you lose.

-Rachel, Ravenclaw

[classical-wolf.livejournal.com]

Wand Wood: Alder
Core: Unicorn tail
Length: 9 inches.
Firmness: Unyielding

Alder wood is known for protection charms and counter curses. I think it speaks to my personality that protection and not targeting someone is in my nature. I would have liked something that was also suited towards other types of charms and transfiguration, but I understand that not all woods are best for all elements of magic. Having the core of unicorn tail also provides me with various other things regarding charms as well as being central to my personality with purity. I would want my wand to be an extension of me, and would also bring out my strengths. In terms of the length, I think that none inches would be sort of "middle of the road" in terms of how length goes. I'm already self conscious about my height. Having a wand that was more on the smaller end would probably irritate me. In having a wand, I think the right wand can bring confidence and an extension of the skill, resulting in an extension of the person themselves.

Rebecca//Hufflepuff

[mmailliw.livejournal.com]

Wand Wood: Willow
Core: Dragon heartstring
Length: 11 1/2 inches
Firmness: Medium-hard (as firm as willow will allow)

The wood from the willow tree would naturally be good for charms. Although willow wood is usually whippy, I feel that whippy would not fit with my personality or dueling style so I want it a bit firmer. Further, this wood is great at healing spells, which could help me recover from what my opponents throw at me. Now, the dragon heartstring core is traditionally good with hexes, so that would help me out on the offensive end of a duel. Finally, the wand length that I chose seems appropriate for my size. Since a wand whose length is 1/6 of your adult height works best in terms of spellcasting, 11 1/2 inches would work for me!
-William, Slytherin

[katelynelaine.livejournal.com]

Wand Wood: Myrtlewood
Core: Ashwinder Ash
Length: 9 1/3"
Firmness: Springy

Myrtlewood is good for healing, transfiguartion, and love charms and the wand's core, Ashwinder Ash, works well with protection charms. The short length of the wand goes hand-in-hand with it's short owner, as does the springy firmness of the wand. The owner is jumpy, usually hyper person and that fits her.

Katey//Puff

[savaburry.livejournal.com]

Wand Wood: Oak
Core: Phoenix Tail Feather
Length: 11"
Firmness: Sturdy

Oak: i think that my wand would be made of oak because according to the description, its a very reliable wood. i find myself being a very reliable person and i can make it through tough situations. also, the wood is very useful in DADA and Transfiguration both of which i think would be among my best subjects.

Phoenix Tail Feather: this would be my wand core because its powerful and common among light wizards (and Gryffindors). its also really good with DADA and i think that would be my best subject

11": i think this would work well for me because im not tall and im not short so im right in between at about 5'7. wands that are short wouldnt generally "bond" with someone who grows to be tall so i just feel like 11 is right in between 7 and 15 yes?

Sturdy: shouldnt be ~too~ hard to learn spells nor should it be ~too~ easy. plus, its realiable

-Savannah, Gryffindor

[musikurt.livejournal.com]

Wand Wood: Willow
Core: Unicorn tail
Length: 10 inches
Firmness: Springy

Both the wood and core of this wand are particularly suited for protection spells, making it helpful in defending during a duel. While not necessarily seen as the first choice for offensive magic, the strong magic of the unicorn tail, should still ensure that anything offensive is strong enough for me to be able to hold my own. I am not an aggressive person, so having a wand that would serve to help me more in defending and protecting seems like the right choice. I would see myself focusing more on protecting and defending in a duel, and in a larger battle trying to look out for everyone else on my side of the fight. Outnumbered, I probably would be able to hold on for a short bit but would likely not win - but one-on-one, I'd be able to defend long enough to find my window to knock my opponent back and win.

-Curtis/Ravenclaw

[clzair.livejournal.com]

Wand Wood: Dogwood
Core: dragon heartstring
Length: 9 3/4 inches
Firmness: Rather supple

The dragon hearstring gives me a lot of power, which is good for strong jinxes/curses or protective spells. The suppleness of my wand ensures that I can quickly jump from one spell to another, or from one opponent to another if in a duel with more than one person. The length is rather medium - that way, I don't feel like my wand is going to be whipping around everywhere and it also won't feel like I have to grasp all of it to have a good grasp. Dogwood for me represents beauty and resilience. Resilience would help in a duel, as I would be fighting fiercely and not giving up. The beauty of the dogwood tree could also help me in casting charms and protective spells for my other friendly dueling partners.

Claire//Hufflepuff

[crusading-soul.livejournal.com]

Wand Wood: Rowan
Core: Phoenix Tail Feather
Length: 11.5"
Firmness: Springy

Since it is made out of rowan wood, this wand possesses an aptitude for Charms and Transfiguration, two subjects that I feel that I would rely on at Hogwarts. Both my wandwood and I share an adaptability and ability to be relied upon, further reinforcing our connection. The phoenix-feather core also shares this versatility, making it an excellent wand in a duel. The element of springy-ness would also be a nice balance of ease and difficulty in learning spells; it would also afford me a good level of power, without being too powerful for me to control. However, despite these benefits, this wand also reflects my own lack of ability in the realm of Divination, Care of Magical Creatures, and other similar areas - a limitation which might hinder my dueling ability in various locations. Additionally, I would likely be limited in the amount of power my wand could generate; it would take many years of practice to reach the level that a less-flexible wand could attain.

Mary//Ravenclaw

[los-york.livejournal.com]

Wand Wood: Ash
Core: Phoenix Tail feather
Length: 11”
Firmness: Sturdy

I feel that Ash would be a good fit because requires focus and strength of purpose; it’s good when you want a healing companion, excellent for absorbing illness and healing spells, and something that I definitely want in a wand, protection. And I thought the Phoenix Tail Feather would be a good choice because it will make my protection spells stronger. It’s good with DADA, and I think that would be my best subject in Hogwarts. I think 11” would be a good fit because it’s in between. I am 5’6”, so I am around that average height. I want it to be sturdy so it can be very reliable and it can do spells really well too.

Olivia//Gryffindor

[princessbloomy.livejournal.com]

Wand Wood: Hawthorn
Core: Dragon Heartstring
Length: 14 inches
Firmness: Springy

Hawthorn is one of the three sacred Irish trees (along with Oak and Ash) and its wands have what could be considered a dual personality. They produce strong spells for those to which they belong. Equally effective for Dark magic as it is for good, the possessor of this wand has the potential to wield great power, what suits me great, because I often switch between my dark, cruel side and good, kind. It lets me be the best at whatever I wish to, whether it's the dark arts or magic that is used for good. The duplicity of legend runs deep in the wood of the Hawthorn and therefore it is excellent for protective and defensive magic as well as Charms. Wands with Dragon Heartstring cores are excellent for hexes, or for dueling, not to mention fire magic.
Definitely an excellent wand for dueling through and through.

- Victoria, Slytherin

[hope-guides-me.livejournal.com]

Wand Wood: Hawthorn
Core: Unicorn
Length: 9"
Firmness: Reasonably springy

It is said that wands made of Hawthorn are "of great power" and the possessor of these wands "has the potential to wield great power. They are excellent for protective and defensive magic. According to the Celtic tree calendar, Hawthorn is my wood. I'm inclined to agree. I believe my wand would be used mostly for protective and defensive magic since I care for my loved ones a great deal and want to keep them safe. A unicorn's tail hair at the core is usually given to those that are pure of heart and care deeply for their loved ones, and as stated, my loved ones are my main concern. I would want my want to be a reflection of who I truly am. I would want it to be a part of me. I am on the shorter side of average, so I chose a wand of only 9" long. It's shorter than most, but it is powerful. I think that also represents me pretty well.

Crystal // Gryffindor

[cyyt.livejournal.com]

Wand Wood: Ivy
Core: Dragon heartstring
Length: 10'
Firmness: Reasonably springy

Well, the wand wood was chosen based on the Celtic calendar. Dragon heartstring is good for hexes, which are usually used as offensive spells rather than defensive. I definitely am more of an attacking-style person (in sports), so I think it suits me. Ten is a nice, round, balanced number. Not too long, not too short. I like some sort of stablity, hence this number. I'm a flexible person... rules are guidelines to me, so my wand won't be all hard and stuff, but able to adapt.

Candice//Gryffindor

[goddess-of-ice.livejournal.com]

Wand Wood: Willow
Core: Unicorn tail, from a newborn unicorn
Length: 10 1/2 inches
Firmness: springy

This wand is extremely tempermental due to its core. When mastered it is unusually powerful. The Willow and springiness makes the wand especially good for Charm work. Unfortunately, it is not so good with curses as the purity of the core does not easily allow for harsh spells. However, it is particularly good at the Protego charm for this same reason.

-Meghan, Gryffindor

[supremacy-born.livejournal.com]

Wand Wood: Mahogany
Core: Serpent Scale
Length: 13 1/2 inches.
Firmness: Unyielding

As I mentioned in the Charms Club discussion a little while ago, mahogany wood is something I've always been quite fond of and I think it suits my dueling style quite well since it is excellet for protection spells. The Serpent Scale core is a great addition to my wand, since in the core description this website (http://www.wizardwands.net/wand-core-guide.htm) states: "Dangerous and stealthy, the serpent was summoned to guard and defend ancient temples or places of power". Together, these two elements come together wonderfully and form a great defensive wand. I am by nature a defensive person, and I'd rather wait and see what my opponent does first before I make my move. This allows me to prepare for defensive action which would make sure that I'm covered, and then I can proceed to disabling my opponent. The length also suits me fine - it's not too long and not too short, so it should feel comfortable in my hand. The firmness of my wand speaks of my stubborn nature, which means that once I set my mind on a specific method of duelling, I will most likely see it through.

Eve//Slytherin

[klef.livejournal.com]

Wand Wood: Vine
Core: Hippogriff talon
Length: 10 1/2 inches
Firmness: springy

It is suggested that (grape) vine stimulated the prophecies of seers and reaches deep within. This helps me because I have a fiery temper. This will help me follow my intuition, but also to remember there is more than just casting a spell at hand. When I get fight I forget to play nice, so this wand would 'soften the blow' per se. Since vine winds around things and entwines them the wand is rather springy, which again goes to balance me. I tend to be MY WAY OR THE HIGHWAY unless you can prove to me why it should be otherwise. The hippogriff talon aids in to balance in consistancy. Once I/the wand are respected things become a little easier.

Kerri//Gryffindor

[destinyfroste.livejournal.com]

Wand Wood: Purple Heart
Core: Unicorn Hair
Length: 10 1/2 inches
Firmness: Springy

Being of a purple color, it is in attunement with the violet and ultraviolet frequencies of magic, which are those that are centered on control, particularly lending the bearer control over other magic. However, it is also a wood that is excellent for divination and healing, which would not be particularly useful during a duel. The unicorn hair further supports the healing properties of the wood, but are particularly intended for "good" uses, so as long as the bearer has honorable intent, the unicorn hair should lend strength in a duel. Overall, while healing and divination are more to the purpose of this wand, when in the hands of an honest person fighting for a just cause, it would lend considerable power during a duel.

Destiny*Gryffindor

[kimberry531.livejournal.com]

Wand Wood: Holly
Core: Mermaid Scale
Length: 9 1/2 inches
Firmness: Quite firm

I chose Holly as my wood because when taking random Which Wand Are You quizzes researching I found the following information - "Holly is associated with the death and rebirth symbolism of winter in both Pagan and Christian lore and is important to the Winter Solstice. It was used in spear shafts also. Holly may be used in spells having to do with sleep or rest, and to ease the passage of death."

1) It's a "Winter" thing, and I'm a December baby. I love winter, I love snow, and yeah. That's awesome.

2) It was used to make spears! I SPEAR PEOPLE! I'M A RHINO! (Sumatran Rhinoceros Animagus!)

3) It's good for sleeping spells. I LOVE TO SLEEP, IT'S MY FAVORITE. Awesome.

Then my coooooore is a Mermaid Scale because my LIFE takes place in water. I was on varsity swimming for six years and now I'm a lifeguard and Swim Instructor. Currently I'm in the water from about 9 am until 6 pm every day between swim lessons and lifeguarding. Chlorine owns my soul. But yeah, I would definitely be able to channel this energy and connect to the spirit~ of this bad-boy.

And I'd want it not too long because, I don't know, I'm small so I'd want it to match me. Also not too springy, because I don't want it to wiggle all over and make me miss.

- Kimberly\Gryffindor

[missedith17.livejournal.com]

Wand Wood: Vine
Core: Unicorn Hair
Length: 10 inches
Firmness: springy

I chose a Vine wood base for my wand because it corresponds with my birth date according to the Celtic Tree Calendar so it gives me extra strength. J.K. Rowling often went with the Celtic tree calendar when assigning the characters their wand. My wand is springy & flexible which will give me the advantage in a duel because we'll be able to change our plans quickly without needing a lengthy decision process. Overall my wand stays cool under pressure with me and has a "sixth" sense that helps us do what's necessary without needing to debate.

Amanda//Ravenclaw

[mrschucknoblet.livejournal.com]

Wand Wood:Rosewood
Core:
Length: 10 3/4"
Firmness: Very springy

According to several sources, "Rosewood is well known for its powers in matters of the heart as well as for its medicinal qualities. This makes it the perfect wand for love charms and healing. It is also well suited for use in divination." Matters of the heart seems right up my alley since I am very empathetic toward others and care deeply about other people's feeling. Also if I were working in the Wizarding world I was stamped as being a Healer, so the Rosewood wand would be appropriate. My core would be fairy wings, because they are supposed to be very good for charm work and divination which would go along with my personality.

Courtney Rose//Puff

[buriedgold.livejournal.com]

Wand Wood: Aspen
Core: Unicorn hair
Length: 11"
Firmness: Springy

Soft and yielding, but super strong. Their leaves wave and twinkle, twisting and bending to catch the sun, protect from serious winds and promote growth by speeding up air intake. Heads up for those stuck in the sand, I bend and change quite a bit. My thoughts twist and turn as if encouraged by a breeze and like a breeze, they're hard to follow and impossible to pin down. The trees themselves live for forty to one hundred and fifty years, but the roots, the roots are like the rolling stones. In other words, they persist. Up to eighty thousand years in fact. While I myself am not that old, I've an old nature, that, if you buy into that sort of thing, would probably herald an old soul. My advice is always stellar and my insight always make a note, make a note right now worthy. They can survive forest fires, thanks to their extensive safe below the soil root system and when danger is gone, up sprouts new life. While I am gentle and accommodating, I'm also resilient and hardy. I've weathered a lot. And each time the clouds have been turned inside out, I've popped up again, very much myself and very ready for the next. The wood of the aspen tree makes for a very defiant and talkative wand. Great for charms with a tendency to detract from healing. Which is why I've countered that with a unicorn tail hair core. Unicorn hair is super compatible with charms and is the best core by far for healing, taking on some of the qualities of unicorn blood which, as we all know, can bring you back from the brink. This balancing act, also speaks to the balancing act within me. I'm a world of contrapuntal. Skilled and yet without grace or refinement. Smart and yet obtuse and obstinate. Caring and considerate and totally unable to forgive or forget. I imagine these qualities would make for a highly cerebral wand, gentle and yet temperamental, likely to turn if I didn't show it respect or without my say so if someone forgot respect for me. It would take a little coaxing to master, but the relationship whether good or bad, would be set for life.

alyshia//ravenclaw

[buriedgold.livejournal.com]

Forgot my little tbc.

Lets make it a big TBC so it feels important.

In a duel, this wand would yield to my quick thinking mind and be very open to change. Its temperamental nature and strength would see hexes cast with vehemence amplified and those without conviction extinguished. It would be hard to win, and harder still for someone not so night and day to control.

[buriedgold.livejournal.com]

alyshia//ravenclaw

[silvertigerx.livejournal.com]

Wand Wood: Rowan
Core: Dragon Heartstring
Length: 10 inches
Firmness: Flexible

Dragon Heartstring has typically been cast as a "dark magic" type of wood, but really, it just implies a wand with a tendency towards offense. Thus, this wand would be good for offense over defense, such as throwing out powerful curses and spells. It may seem weird when coupled with its firmness - flexible - but the firmness has to do overall with how easy it is to learn new spells and how powerful those spells become. With flexibility, it wouldn't be too challenging to learn new spells while at the same time retianing strength and firmness at it's core. The length, I believe, doesn't play as big a role in determining so much the strengths/weaknesses of the wand as it does just correspond to things like height - a smaller wizard gets a shorter wand, because it's more wieldy. Lastly, the wood, Rowan, which if I recall correctly, corresponds more or less with the element of fire and casting powerful spells, meshes nicely with the wand core in providing strong offensive hexes and curses, while at the same time, I imagine it would be less than stellar at healing and some charms.

Silver//Gryff

[kissoffools.livejournal.com]

Wand Wood: Cherry wood
Core: Unicorn hair
Length: 11 1/2 inches
Firmness: Springy

Cherry wood and unicorn hair is a winning combination - it's almost mystical, thanks to the rareity of the core. This wand is excellent for charms work, and is a good wand for a teenaged witch - not too bulky or hard to wield, and it's a comfortable, medium-sized length for women who aren't as tall as their male counterparts. The wand is quick and flexible, which makes it an excellent defensive wand during a duel - it'll block almost anything should the owner be on her toes! Its one drawback is that it doesn't have the firmness that other wands do, and therefore might not be as good on the offense as another opponent's. But it's a great wand for those who don't expect to participate in many duels!

Janna/Hufflepuff

[plasticrocket.livejournal.com]

Wand Wood: Willow
Core: Veela Hair
Length: 10 1/2
Firmness: Firm for willow

The roots of my name are meant to bring about thoughts of the Ash tree, but truth be told the root of my soul is more willow than ash. Willow is known to be good for charms, which is what I think I would cast during dueling. Typically Willow is very malleable and that is like my personality but it's not how I see myself dueling, but that could be a strength. I would see myself as more of a defensive duelist, which is also useful because willow is good for healing. Veela hair core are temperamental by nature but with work I am sure the strength behind it would be worth the effort to master it. Overall I would see myself as a defensive duelist who when necessary would come on strong to over come my adversary, and for that I see my wand as an asset.

-Asher, Slytherin

[cupcakery.livejournal.com]

Wand Wood: Irish yew
Core: Dragon heartstring (Romanian Longhorn)
Length: 10"
Firmness: Flexible

Yew was preferred by the English to make their longbows out of during the Middle Ages, and has been used by humans for around 50 000 years. Yew is considered the associated tree of the Zodiac sign of Scorpio, ands one of the nine sacred trees of the Celts, yew is linked heavily with death and rebirth. Wands made of it are most potent in protective magic, demonstrated in duelling with the strength of shield charms that can be produced, and is used often by its owner to deflect offensive spells and hexes, as its owner is fond of tiring out her opponent first, and then attacking. Much like it's owner, this wand is flexible, and adapts to different situations, but is well-used in precise magic, rather than large-scale offensive work.

Difficult to work with as even the dust from yew is poisonous, wands hewed from this tree are usually a dark gold or, like this wand, deep red.

Antoinette, Ravenclaw

[pierhias.livejournal.com]

Wand Wood: Pine
Core: Phoenix Feather
Length: 10 inches
Firmness: hard

Wands made from pine wood are good for precise magical work, and they are well balanced between the four elements, an attribute that would probably work well with my own balanced nature. Pine can also be used to calm passions and clear the mind, which I'd see me benefitting from in any duel since I work best when I can shut out my passions and focus on what my head is telling me.
The phoenix feather core emphasises earth and fire, the two elements I feel drawn to the most. It is good for protection spells which definitely fits my dueling style, since I'm usually not the one to attack, but rather the one with an excellent defense.
The length fits my physical appearance and since I'm rather small and slim myself, it'd be an advantage in a duel to have a rather short wand that I can handle easily.

Iris//Ravenclaw

[rvillarrubia.livejournal.com]

Wand Wood: Walnut
Core: Serpent Scale
Length: 12"
Firmness: Unyielding

I relate to Walnut. Maybe because it is European, I am not sure, or maybe because all of its legends. I just like it! Cleansing and Protection; both words fit me! And the Serpent Scale goes better with Walnut and would help me to protect myself. I would wait to see what my opponent is doing and then attack myself.
A long wand would fit my hands too because they are pretty big for a girl and it would be easier for me to hold it and I would like it to be rigid just in case I have to attack my opponent with it. A rigid wand could pull out an eye, for example!

Ruth // Slytherin

[peyton07.livejournal.com]

Wand Wood: Hazel
Core: Dragon heartstring
Length: 8 1/2"
Firmness: pleasantly springy

On Beyond Hogwarts' Wand 101, August 12th aka my birthday's Celtic tree would be Hazel:

HAZELNUT TREE (the Extraordinary) - charming, undemanding, very understanding, knows how to make an impression, active fighter for social cause, popular, moody, and capricious lover, honest, and tolerant partner, precise sense of judgment.

I think that's a very good description of my personality, picking out the characteristics of a Leo that I identify with. Hazelnut is also a good all-purpose wood which I like because I want to be well-rounded. As for the core, it symbolizes wisdom which I hope to achieve throughout my life. Also, I don't know if I'm the only one who has seen Dragonheart but I always think of a touching scene from that movie when thinking of this core. The length is such to reflect the fact that I'm a shortypants. The firmness is because I like a bit of flexibility but I don't want it so loose as to result in a lose of power.

My core would be good for offensive or defensive spells and the wood would be good with either as well. I could perform extraordinary magic with my wand, in or out of a duel.

Peyton/Ravenclaw

[prongsy.livejournal.com]

Wand Wood: Hazel Celtic Tree Lore (http://pages.prodigy.net/groovyskye/11.html)
Core: Phoenix Feather
Length: 11 1/2"
Firmness: Pliable

Hazel: My wand would be made of Hazel wood as I was born in late August and that is my corresponding Celtic tree. I think, much like the trio's wands (who also have wood associated with their Celtic trees), the affinity between wand and wizard is greater when there is a fundamental connection, so it would be a more natural (and thus stronger) relationship. Hazel wands would be for smart, efficient spellwork, with possibly a bit of transfiguration skills thrown in (as those said to be born under this sign are wise, good communicators, and able to transform the opinions of others).

Phoenix Feather: The core would be most apt for protection spells, which befits my personality as I am more inclined to get riled up when someone I care about is in danger. I stand up for what I believe, but I'm rather non-confrontational about everything else. A phoenix is capable of rebirth and I am often shifting and changing as my life marches forward. On a random, side note, I think the general red/gold colouring of a phoenix is most apropos in a Gryffindor wand, lol!

11 1/2" Pliable: I'm pretty tall for a girl, so a long, slender wand would be easier for me to manipulate. And based on William's calculations, it's also about 1/6 of my height. The pliability reflects my ability to just roll with the punches and is good in transfiguration work. I also think this would allow me to be quick on the draw, as I react very quickly to things.

Overall: My wand would be best at transfiguration and defensive spells like a Patronus or a Protego charm. I think it wouldn't be nearly as good in slower, more precision based spells or hexes. I wouldn't be so much an offensive person as a defensive person in a duel, which is fitting as I'm more apt to calculate possible outcomes and responses to those outcomes as I am to the initial idea and thus my spell would be more pliable to what might come than hard and forceful in deciding the start of things. I'd have to let my opponent cast first and then run with it.

-Beth, Gryffindor

[x-----starlight.livejournal.com]

Wand Wood: Willow
Core: Dragon Heartstring
Length: 9 inches
Firmness: Firm

Willow: This is the wood that would be in my wand because it is for those with very strong morals and big hearts, which describes me quite well. It is an excellent wood for protective spells, so it would be better for me to be defensive rather than offensive in a duel.

Dragon Heartstring: This is the core for someone strong-willed and thickheaded, which also describes me. It is excellent for hexes, dueling, and fire magic, so it would make up for the more defensive nature of the willow, which would make a nice balance.

9 inches: This is a good length for me because I am very short, and wands usually mimic the height of their master. This would be helpful in allowing me to have a firm grip on it at all times, as opposed to a very long wand, which might be harder to control.

Firm: I am a very stubborn person, so my wand would need to be stubborn as well. This would be helpful for the same reason as the length: I'd rather it wasn't very springy, so that I can have more control over it.

-Adrienne, Gryffindor