Harry Potter's wand was eleven inches long, made of Holly, and possessed a Phoenix feather core. Mr. Ollivander described the wand as being “nice and supple”. The Phoenix feather at its center was donated by Albus Dumbledore's Phoenix, Fawkes. Notably, Fawkes gave only one other feather, which resides in the core of Lord Voldemort's wand, making the two wands “brothers”. Mr. Ollivander noted that Holly is a rare type of wand wood, traditionally considered protective, and that it works most happily for those who may need help overcoming a tendency to anger and impetuosity.
As a result of its shared core with Lord Voldemort's wand, Harry's wand exhibited unique and powerful magical properties when in proximity to its brother.
The wand was crafted by Garrick Ollivander using a feather from Fawkes. On 31 July 1991, it “chose” Harry Potter at the Ollivanders shop in Diagon Alley for a price of seven Galleons. It served Harry faithfully throughout his years at Hogwarts, being instrumental in countless events, including his encounters with the Basilisk, his defense against Dementors, and his victory in the Triwizard Tournament. The wand's connection to Voldemort's was a recurring and critical element. After surviving the duel in Little Hangleton, the wand demonstrated its own will during the flight from Privet Drive. In December 1997, it was broken during an ambush by Nagini and Voldemort in Godric's Hollow. Following its breakage, Harry used Hermione Granger's wand for a time before winning the allegiance of Draco Malfoy's hawthorn wand at Malfoy Manor. After becoming the true master of the Elder Wand, Harry used its power to fully repair his beloved Holly wand, choosing its familiar loyalty over the Elder Wand's immense power. He then placed the Elder Wand back in Dumbledore's tomb.
Harry's wand is a fundamental symbol of his identity and connection to the Wizarding World. The shared core with Voldemort's wand establishes a deep, physical link between the hero and villain, serving as a crucial plot device that saves Harry's life and drives the narrative forward. The wand's breakage represents one of Harry's lowest points during his hunt for the Horcruxes, symbolizing a loss of hope and connection to his past. His ultimate decision to repair his original wand and relinquish the Elder Wand underscores the series' central theme of choosing what is right over what is easy, and valuing love and loyalty above absolute power.