Show pageOld revisionsBacklinksBack to top This page is read only. You can view the source, but not change it. Ask your administrator if you think this is wrong. ======The Weighing of the Wands Ceremony====== =====Ceremony Information===== * **Type:** Official [[Ministry of Magic]] Ceremony; Tournament Procedure * **Participants:** [[Triwizard Tournament]] [[Champions]], tournament judges, a designated [[wandmaker]] expert, and members of the press. * **Maker:** The ceremony is an established tradition for formal magical competitions, most notably the [[Triwizard Tournament]]. Its exact origin is unknown. =====Description and Procedure===== The Weighing of the Wands is a formal ceremony held prior to the commencement of a major wizarding tournament. Its primary purpose is to have an impartial and expert [[wandmaker]] examine the [[wands]] of the competing [[champions]] to ensure they are in proper working order and are safe for the dangerous tasks ahead. The ceremony is a public event, often attended by the press. During the 1994 [[Triwizard Tournament]], it was held in a small classroom at [[Hogwarts Castle]]. The [[champions]]—[[Harry Potter]], [[Cedric Diggory]], [[Fleur Delacour]], and [[Viktor Krum]]—were called forward one by one to present their [[wands]] to the expert, [[Garrick Ollivander]]. [[Ollivander]] would state the [[wand]]'s specifications (wood, core, and length) and then perform a simple spell to test its function before declaring it fit for the competition. =====Magical Properties and Usage===== The "magic" of the ceremony lies not in a single spell, but in the expert magical assessment of the wands, which are the most crucial tools for a wizard. The inspection is a diagnostic process to confirm the [[wand]]'s health and capabilities. A faulty or damaged [[wand]] would put a [[champion]] at a severe, potentially fatal, disadvantage. During the 1994 ceremony, [[Ollivander]]'s examination revealed the following: * **[[Fleur Delacour]]'s Wand:** Nine and a half inches, inflexible, made of [[rosewood]] with a core of [[Veela]] hair from her grandmother. [[Ollivander]] noted that such wands are temperamental. He made it produce a bouquet of flowers. * **[[Cedric Diggory]]'s Wand:** Twelve and a quarter inches, pleasantly springy, made of [[ash]] with a core of a single hair from a male [[Unicorn]]. [[Ollivander]] noted it was a fine [[wand]] from a fine beast. He made it produce a series of silver smoke rings. * **[[Viktor Krum]]'s Wand:** Ten and a quarter inches, made of [[hornbeam]] with a [[Dragon heartstring]] core. [[Ollivander]] commented it was thicker than usual and quite rigid. It was one of the last wands made by [[Mykew Gregorovitch]]. [[Ollivander]] used it to conjure a flock of small birds. * **[[Harry Potter]]'s Wand:** Eleven inches, nice and supple, made of [[holly]] with a [[Phoenix feather]] core. [[Ollivander]] noted it was an unusual combination and confirmed its excellent condition. Most significantly, he commented on the fact that the [[phoenix]] who gave the feather for Harry's [[wand]] gave only one other: the one that resided in [[Lord Voldemort]]'s [[wand]]. He made it produce a fountain of wine. =====History===== The only detailed account of a Weighing of the Wands ceremony in the novels occurs in [[October]] 1994, prior to the start of the restored [[Triwizard Tournament]] at [[Hogwarts]]. The event was presided over by the tournament judges, including [[Albus Dumbledore]] and [[Ludo Bagman]], with [[Garrick Ollivander]] serving as the expert wand adjudicator. The event was also used as a photo opportunity and press event for the [[Daily Prophet]], led by the infamous journalist [[Rita Skeeter]]. She used the occasion to corner [[Harry Potter]] for a sensationalized and largely fictitious interview, which was later published under the headline "Harry Potter's Secret Heartache." =====Role in the Story===== The Weighing of the Wands ceremony serves several key narrative functions in //Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire//. * **Exposition:** It provides the reader with the specific details of each [[champion]]'s [[wand]], offering insight into their magical tools and, by extension, their characters. * **Foreshadowing:** The most critical function of the scene is [[Ollivander]]'s revelation about the "twin cores" of Harry's and [[Voldemort]]'s [[wands]]. This piece of information becomes fundamentally important during the duel in the [[Little Hangleton]] graveyard, as it explains the rare magical phenomenon of [[Priori Incantatem]] that saves Harry's life. * **Character Development:** The ceremony places Harry under the uncomfortable glare of the public spotlight, highlighting the pressure he faces as the unexpected fourth [[champion]]. It also establishes the antagonistic role of [[Rita Skeeter]] and the intrusive nature of the wizarding press. =====Behind the Scenes===== * In the film adaptation of //Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire//, the Weighing of the Wands ceremony is depicted, but it is significantly altered and shortened. [[Garrick Ollivander]] is not present. Instead, [[Barty Crouch, Sr.]] performs a brief, non-magical inspection of the wands. This change removes the scene's crucial foreshadowing of the [[Priori Incantatem]] effect. (film)
