"We'll be accompanied by Godric Gryffindor and the Muggle Viking, Vogg," Ollivander said. "Godric tells me he's laid traps for dragons before, and history proves his affinity with Phoenixes, so I'm very hopeful. I'd much rather not lower my wand making standards by having to use inferior cores."
Chuckling at Dennis' stick figure comment, Ollivander said, "Don't worry. Not many people have that experience. But I can teach you. We'll start on non-magical wood. I have a few pieces in the back room we may practice upon. The special thing about wands, as my father used to tell me, is that they are not simply sticks. Each wand is to be crafted as a reflection of both the mood of the wood and the meditation of the wandmaker. A piece of magical wood will let you know the shape it wants to take, and the wandmaker needs to be receptive to what the wood is trying to tell you. It's not a loud voice, ringing in your ear, but a feeling in the heart. You may approach a piece of magical wood with a conception, but you may have to completely change your idea as you begin working and discovering complications and setbacks. This is the wood letting you know what it wants. Every wood, you'll find has a personality, depending on the type of tree its from. Some pieces from the same tree will be rigid, others supple. You'll learn all these things in time and with practice. Don't expect perfection overnight."