======The Elder Wand======
=====Object Information=====
  * **Type:** [[Deathly Hallow]], [[Wand]]
  * **Owners:** [[Antioch Peverell]], Emeric the Evil, Egbert the Egregious, Godelot, Hereward, Barnabas Deverill, Loxias, Arcus or Livius, [[Mykew Gregorovitch]], [[Gellert Grindelwald]], [[Albus Dumbledore]], [[Draco Malfoy]], [[Lord Voldemort]] (possessor only), [[Harry Potter]]
  * **Maker:** Legend states it was created by [[Death]] himself. However, [[Albus Dumbledore]] theorized it was most likely crafted by the exceptionally gifted wizard [[Antioch Peverell]].
=====Description and Appearance=====
The Elder Wand is described as being fifteen inches long and made from the wood of an [[Elder]] tree. Its core is a [[Thestral]] tail hair, a substance that only wizards who have accepted death can master. (Pottermore) In the storybook illustrations within //[[The Tales of Beedle the Bard]]//, it is depicted as a simple, straight stick. [[Ollivander]] identifies it by sight when examined, noting its wood type and remarking on its powerful and ancient magic. The wand is visibly distinct from others, though its specific markings are not described in detail beyond its wood type and length in the novels.
=====Magical Properties and Usage=====
The Elder Wand is the most powerful [[wand]] in existence, fabled to make its wielder unbeatable in any duel. Its power is so immense that it can perform feats of [[magic]] previously thought impossible, such as perfectly repairing another broken wand, a task that [[Ollivander]] claimed could not be done.
The most crucial property of the Elder Wand is its allegiance. Contrary to the bloody legend that surrounds it, the wand's allegiance is not transferred through the murder of its previous owner. Instead, it switches its loyalty to any wizard who **defeats** its current master, whether by disarming, stunning, or otherwise besting them. This distinction is the central secret to mastering the wand, a secret [[Lord Voldemort]] never understood.
The wand possesses a form of sentience and will not perform to its full potential for a wizard who is not its true master. When [[Voldemort]] possessed it, he could use it to perform powerful magic, but he could not command its full, unbeatable power because its allegiance lay with [[Harry Potter]].
=====History=====
The wand's origin is famously recounted in //[[The Tale of the Three Brothers]]//. [[Antioch Peverell]], the eldest brother, asked [[Death]] for a wand more powerful than any other. [[Death]] fashioned one from a nearby [[Elder]] tree, creating the Elder Wand. After boasting of his unbeatable wand, Antioch was murdered in his sleep by a rival who stole it, beginning its long and bloody history of owners seeking power.
Known as the Deathstick or the Wand of Destiny throughout history, it passed from one power-hungry wizard to another. Its trail of ownership includes notable dark wizards like Emeric the Evil and Egbert the Egregious. The wizard Godelot, who wrote about its dark properties in his book //[[Magick Moste Evile]]//, died after being locked in his own cellar by his son, Hereward, who took the wand. Other known masters include Barnabas Deverill and Loxias.
In the early 20th century, the celebrated wandmaker [[Mykew Gregorovitch]] came into possession of the wand. He attempted to study and duplicate its properties but was unsuccessful. A young [[Gellert Grindelwald]] stole the wand from Gregorovitch by stunning him, thus becoming its new master. Grindelwald used the wand during his rise to power, which ended in 1945 when he was defeated in a legendary duel by his former friend, [[Albus Dumbledore]].
Dumbledore became the master of the Elder Wand and held it for nearly fifty years. He intended to be its final master, planning to die undefeated to break its power. However, he was disarmed by [[Draco Malfoy]] atop the [[Astronomy Tower]] just before his pre-arranged death at the hands of [[Severus Snape]]. This unknowingly made [[Draco]] the wand's true master.
=====Role in the Story=====
The Elder Wand is one of the three [[Deathly Hallows]]. Its existence becomes central to the plot when [[Lord Voldemort]] begins a desperate search for it, believing it will overcome the twin-core connection he shares with [[Harry Potter]]'s wand. Voldemort traces its history, murdering [[Gregorovitch]] and [[Grindelwald]] in his quest. He ultimately desecrates [[Dumbledore]]'s tomb in the [[White Tomb]] to seize the wand for himself.
Voldemort mistakenly believes that killing the previous owner secures mastery. He murders [[Severus Snape]], believing Snape became the master by killing [[Dumbledore]]. However, the wand's true master was [[Draco Malfoy]]. Weeks before Voldemort killed Snape, [[Harry Potter]] physically wrestled Draco's own wand from him at [[Malfoy Manor]]. This act of defeat transferred the Elder Wand's allegiance from Draco to Harry, all without Harry's knowledge.
In the final battle, Harry reveals this truth to Voldemort. The Elder Wand, now in Voldemort's hand, recognizes Harry as its true master and refuses to kill him. When Voldemort casts the [[Avada Kedavra]] curse, it rebounds and strikes him, ending his life. After the battle, Harry uses the Elder Wand to repair his own broken [[Holly]] and [[Phoenix]] feather wand. Choosing not to keep the unbeatable wand, he returns it to [[Dumbledore]]'s tomb, intending for its power to be broken upon his own natural death.
=====Behind the Scenes=====
  * In the film adaptation, //Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2//, Harry's final act with the wand differs significantly. Instead of returning it to [[Dumbledore]]'s tomb, he snaps it in two and throws the pieces from the [[Hogwarts]] viaduct bridge. (film)
  * The wand's core of [[Thestral]] tail hair was not mentioned in the novels and was revealed by J.K. Rowling on the Pottermore website. She explained it is "a tricky substance that only wizards who can face death can master." (Pottermore)