Oak Wand

There was a room in the Brynmoor School of Magic that every new student visited at least once. The students' purposes differed, of course: some students wanted to see if it was merely myth; others wanted to simply observe it; a few wanted to go a little further...

The room was Arnuld's Sanctum. In the centre of the circular room was a single pedestal with an oak wand. From a distance, it looked like it floated, but step closer and it would be clear that it was supported with a stand of glass. There were no inscriptions on the pedestal, no decorations on the walls. The room lacked any detailing, outside of a single sprig of holly, etched onto the lower-half of the wand.

No one had been able to grasp the oak wand to take it. Any fool who tried would be overcome by the sensation that they were on fire. They would drop to the floor, contorting in an effort to remove flames that were not there. Only the stupid and self-worthy would attempt it, and there was always a crowd of third- and fourth-years to watch and laugh at them.

When the School of Magic fell to fire (which had nothing to do with the wand), no one had the presence of mind to visit the Sanctum. Fire surged up the pedestal, and the wand's magical protection dropped. Embracing the fire, the wand was consumed, as if it were finally with its own kind. Then the pedestal dropped and something opened.