@dirt:
http://www.pottermore.com/en/book1/chapter5/moment4
On the side under the chest.
Thanks :) slaps self
Many have already said the qualities of having a Unicorn hair for a core. My wand's wood is Sycamore.
"The sycamore makes a questing wand, eager for new experience and losing brilliance if engaged in mundane activities. It is a quirk of these handsome wands that they may combust if allowed to become ‘bored,’ and many witches and wizards, settling down into middle age, are disconcerted to find their trusty wand bursting into flame in their hand as they ask it, one more time, to fetch their slippers. As may be deduced, the sycamore’s ideal owner is curious, vital and adventurous, and when paired with such an owner, it demonstrates a capacity to learn and adapt that earns it a rightful place among the world's most highly-prized wand woods. "
There is part in the wand lenght I find interesting and makes me think of Hagrid (unually long, thik it was 15 1/2 " long) and Umbridge (very short, called 'stubby'). SInce others have post entire quote of the lenght, I'll just quote the part=
"Most wands will be in the range of between nine and fourteen inches. While I have sold extremely short wands (eight inches and under) and very long wands (over fifteen inches), these are exceptionally rare. In the latter case, a physical peculiarity demanded the excessive wand length.(1) However, abnormally short wands usually select those in whose character something is lacking(2), rather than because they are physically undersized (many small witches and wizards are chosen by longer wands).
1- Hagird's half-giant size fits the "physical peculiarity"
2- Well Umbrige really was lacking something in charater all right.
While talking about canon charaters wands, I found a interesting tidbit about Harry's phoenix wand core=
PhoenixThis is the rarest core type. Phoenix feathers are capable of the greatest range of magic, though they may take longer than either unicorn or dragon cores to reveal this. They show the most initiative, sometimes acting of their own accord, a quality that many witches and wizards dislike.
Phoenix feather wands are always the pickiest when it comes to potential owners, for the creature from which they are taken is one of the most independent and detached in the world. These wands are the hardest to tame and to personalise, and their allegiance is usually hard won.
I thought of book 5 when Harry was reaching for his wand and couldn't find it, he said lumos and the wand lighted up …without him touching it. Many take this as accidental magic ... but with what Rowlign says here maybe Harry had won his wand's allegiance and it acted of its own accord then giving exactly what Harry wanted - light.
Edit= reading through the wand woods, I've noticed that there are mentions of Ollivander's family .... and they all ahve first names starting with "G". lol when I more awake I want to go through and write down thse family members. So far its mention his father, grandfather and an ancestor.