Why Newt Scamander KEPT HIS WAND after Being Expelled from Hogwarts - Harry Potter Theory

Welcome to Harry Potter Theory. In the wizarding world, the consequences of breaking magical laws or school rules can vary significantly, as seen in the divergent fates of expelled Hogwarts students Newt Scamander and Hagrid. While the expulsion of both individuals resulted in the loss of their right to carry a wand, the stark contrast in how their cases were handled raises intriguing questions. Why was Newt Scamander allowed to retain his wand despite being expelled, while Hagrid faced the harsh punishment of having his wand snapped in half?
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[@zimonzieclown1633]

Another thing to consider is that Phineas Nigellus Black was probably still Headmaster. If Newt was a pureblood, Black might have gone easier on him.

[@xandert72]

One theory that seems to get overlooked, especially with Newt's and Dumbledore's experience, is that you don't want to keep a young wizard from his/her magic. Trauma and lack of magic use can result in the student becoming an obscurial. Since Hagrid was only half human, that affliction may not apply to him. Getting expelled doesn't mean the student will stop learning, just not at Hogwarts.

[@carlrood4457]

I think there's a difference between not using it and actively suppressing it. Both Credence and Ariana were terribly abused.

[@crackey3852]

Hagrids wand pieces were given back to him, and were in his umbrella, perhaps fixed by elder wand since they could still perform magic

[@ColtonRMagby]

I think it's a combination of Armando Dippet's bias, new rules, age difference between Newt and Rubeus, and the word of a master manipulator in Rubeus' case.

[@baldrian22]

if the werwolf cubs etc was also true the hagrid was most likely already at quite thin ice and the charges, previous infractions, some bias and potential age difference all might have taken part of why it was broken.

[@ColtonRMagby]

@@baldrian22 Maybe, but maybe Armando Dippet didn't know about that.

[@AquaMarin-ww3qx]

One could argue that Fred and George got expelled too even if they left on their own terms and they kept their wands too so him being nearly 17 and of age might have helped. Also I have another theory to add there: there was no compulsory school attendance at the time as it was pointed out when Voldemort took over and implemented one and also explained by Dumbledore when talking about the trace, it is up to the parents to keep young wizzards from doing illegal magic at home. This could mean that if Newt would have parents that would take over the last months of his education and homeschool him till he got of age, there was no need to take his wand. Hagrid being a very young orphan without any magical family to educate and control him might have added to the fact, that his offense was more severe compared to Newts.

[@baldrian22]

they was not techicly expelled. their punishment was going to be whiped, i dont think beeing expelled was ever mentioned there.

[@johndeltuvia7892]

Which would make either theory 1, 4, or 5 fit the Fred and George situation as well.

[@HappyBuddhaBoyd]

School is different than the law. Where in the world did you get the idea that people lose their wands if they quit school?

[@johndeltuvia7892]

@@HappyBuddhaBoyd If you go through driver's training but don't take or pass the final test, you don't get your license. This is because you would presumptively be an unsafe driver. I would expect that there is some point at which someone would lose their wand for quitting magical academies as well, probably if they don't complete and pass exams for fourth year.

[@Ravenblack42]

The amount of genuine Harry Potter content you vigilantly issue forth on this channel is remarkable and after over a year of tuning in, I've yet to be disappointed. As far as how Newt managed to keep his wand, I think he was a master of concealment when he didn't wish for the presence of something to be known to the rest of the Wizarding World, in this case, the continued ownership of his original wand. Given the nature of his work as a Magizoologist, I think he's become a bit of an expert when it comes to matters such as traveling between different countries un-noticed despite being under travel bans and the wary eyes of the Ministry. Similarly, both concealing all the fantastic beasts he's rescued within his suitcase from the suspecting eyes of both Muggles,(with the exception of New York👀), as well as from his fellow witches and wizards if he didn't wish for them to be aware of the existence of a particular magical object or beast. Very much hope to see Newt return in another installment of the Fantastic Beasts Franchise as this video alone touches on just how much more there is to tell of Newt's character, what he accomplished on behalf of the Wizarding World, as well as the rest of the story that is yet to be told.

[@lukeybadookie4091]

I always wondered this! Thanks

[@JediJiveJourney]

Very interesting! Great video

[@defendingthestrawman7103]

3:26 The obvious answer is that Newt had already passed his OWLs, demonstrating the minimum competency to be employed. NEWT level classes are advanced magic and is not a requirement for many (or even most) jobs. While there are not other examples of expulsions, there are "plenty" of students who left - but all after obtaing at least one OWL.

[@josiatokirina1788]

I have a question. Why did Hagrid not just buy another wand when he got older? Do wizards need permission to buy a wand?

[@TylerKing-fp8fb]

"The wand chooses the wizard Harry"

[@PowerStar004]

I mean, I'd guess that if the ministry seizes and destroys your wand, it would also imply that you wouldn't be allowed to buy a new one. Still, once Hagrid was cleared in the second book, you'd think that restriction would be lifted.

[@TheSonofruss]

@@PowerStar004the problem with that is Wormtail lost his wand and Olivander was forced to make him another one when he was captured by the Death Eaters so I don’t know if one requires ministry approval or not.

[@HufflepuffBaseball42313]

@@TheSonofrussI think legally, it’s required. Plus, Ollivander knows Hagrid was expelled.

[@TheSonofruss]

@@HufflepuffBaseball42313 he also knows that Petigrew is supposed to be dead

[@leonielson7138]

My theory is that Newt had passed the OWLs before he was expelled, perhaps in the last week of his 5th year, whereas Hagrid was expelled in his 3rd year, before he was able to take his OWLs.

[@Tummyknuckle]

Newt had a better lawyer?

[@cyberclops22]

Yes

[@mecahhannah]

Awesome as always thanks ❤

[@SraimDoggy]

I would take the bet that Newt is from a more prestigious family, and thus had more lax treatment. His older brother was also in the ministry - specifically in the aurors - by the time this happened and most likely called in favours. We've seen the ministry accept bribes and favours before in the main series, so it wouldn't be too out of line for it to happen here.

[@MarikaLagervall]

I think it was because Newt had taken his OWLs exams. The rest of the education is not mandatory.

[@user-wl9bj3wg8v]

I think maybe because when Hagrid was at school Myrtle died. And when Newt was at school no one died I believe.

[@Castor586]

I wish to mention that this channel simulates an amazing comment section, filled with amazing speculation and insight!

[@jacobdrolet4262]

Amazing video.

[@himerosTheGod]

It's quite simple, really. Hagrid was half giant and thus subject to typical wizard prejudices.

[@adamlyon2423]

I think it's a combination of age, the severity of the cases and the time period. With Newt, aside from his beast experiments he was a good student and already so far into his magical education, plus his situation didn't result in anyone's death, only injuries. So that would've been easy for Dumbledore to convince the Headmaster/The Ministry that Newt could be a valuable resource in the Beasts department. If Phineas Nigellus Black was still headmaster he'd take the injuries seriously given how he cancelled quidditch in the 1890-1891 school year during the events of Hogwarts Legacy. If it was Armando Dippet that was headmaster he was very much all about keeping students safe as well. With Hagrid, given that he was half-giant and the prejudice around that was out there didn't help his situation. Hagrid was experimenting and fascinated with darker creatures/beasts too and given how he was blamed for Myrtle's death at a young age it would've proven very difficult for Dumbledore to argue against it. Dumbledore also didn't have much evidence to use against Tom Riddle to say he did it and Tom Riddle was seen by everyone as being the model student. So the Headmaster/Ministry would just settle the case as Hagrid being behind it. That would've left Dumbledore feeling lucky he got Hagrid hired as groundskeeper at Hogwarts. Also the wand destruction could've been a condition under allowing Hagrid to live and work at Hogwarts so he couldn't continue learning any magic from his peers until they all graduated

[@deserabailey8500]

Sadly, I believe the prejudiced theory. That tracks for Dippet too.

[@ghostsoap6681]

I think it's a mixture of the severity of the incidents, racism and age. Newt's incident didn't lead to someone dying and was pretty much an adult. While Hagrid didn't actually kill anyone was though to be the killer along with being a underage half giant was in way more trouble. While I don't think Dippet is as racist as some people believe probably actually got Hagrid off far better than people think. In the second book Hagrid was sent straight to azkban for being though of opening the chamber again. The first time resulted in the same things to happen plus a person dying to only get expelled and his wand snapped. Dippet and Dumbledore probably convinced the mle to only ban Hagrid of magic and expulsion instead of azkban where he should go if he actually did it..

[@patrickfurlong4276]

#6 - Newt came from a pureblood family who could have pushed for him to keep his wand. Hagrid was half-blood and half-giant and with the bad press about giants could have worked against him.

[@Castor586]

I have a few theories. The first is that Newt's headmaster also may have believed that Newt was Innocent, and was using the threat of expulsion to pressure a Hufflepuff into finding or exposing the real threat to students. However, a Hufflepuff is a Hufflepuff and Newt didn't give up any names, so the sentence was carried out as a lesson to other students. Newt was allowed to keep his wand as a form of leniency by the headmaster. My second theory aligns with a few that were mentioned in the video, in that the severity of the crime did not result in any deaths, so the alleged perpetrator was allowed a measure of mercy. My last theory is that restrictions were applied to "Unruly Witches or Wizards at Large" sometime within that 30 year span between Newt and Hagrid being expelled, in that the Ministry more closely regulated the purchase of new wands by those who were deemed "unsatisfactory." After all, we don't hear anything at all about why a person couldn't simply go buy another wand when the previous one is broken or stolen, so why hasn't Hagrid simply purchased another one on his own? The answer is simple: heightened regulations regarding wand ownership. I'll use gun ownership laws as an example. During Newt's time, the attitude for gun ownership and subsequent mishaps was simply "young ones getting carried away at times..." in the modern sense, or "boys will be boys" as it was called back then. When Hagrid was growing up, that very sentiment had changed and many European countries were starting to implement regulations for the ownership of dangerous items to keep said items out of the hands of dangerous individuals. That being said, the wand that we see Newt holding may not have been his original, and simply one that he purchased later after his first one was broken after being expelled. However, thanks to the laws of his era, nothing prohibited him from simply buying another right away.

[@RobertLydonReviews]

Genuine question here who else do we know was expelled from Hogwarts? Hagrid’s expulsion was due to being framed for opening the chamber of secrets and killing moaning Myrtle. If you’re expelled from a school you can still attend another institution (might be hard to get in put it’s possible) Hagrid’s wand snapping was probably due to the death of Myrtle and being a minor so they didn’t sentence him to Azkaban

[@whimsicallychrissy]

It was likely a combination of the severity of the situation and Hagrid not having his OWLs yet. Whether it was because of Hagrid being a half-giant or not is a bit too hit or miss for me (though I won't deny it could have easily played a part) but, by the sound of it, Hagrid had also had multiple infractions leading up to his expulsion, so there was definitely a different kind of bias present (though that likely played a bigger role in the knee-jerk expulsion itself rather then the wand snapping).

[@steventaylor4798]

half giant Hagrid theory fits as not only new Scamander different but harry potter got dementor attack and ministry letter saying (ministry will come to destroy your wand ) but Dumbledore stopped it and while harry was smeared by fudge all year . wand snapping and expulsion was delayed until hearing if harry was charged .

[@IdioticTrolling]

I really don’t think it is about getting kick out of school. I think it has more to do with why and how. Like others stated, the Weasley was allowed to keep their wands after getting expelled too. Also, schooling was not required to be able to practice magic as long as one followed the rules. I cannot imagine that there was children out of all the witches and wizards who might have refused to send their children to wizard school.

[@trixmania]

The snapping wand thing seems a bit off to me as a punishment. Especially after learning what happens when magic is compressed. It seems to be a bad idea

[@Princess_Celestia_]

The answer is simple, Newt had plotarmor and Hagrid did not.

[@Dragondan1987]

“Expelled when he was 16”, I always felt the last 2 years of Hogwarts was kind of a free pass since they completed the owls, so if they got expelled then, it didn’t matter too much cause they had the basic education needed to survive in the wizarding world.

[@LordRazer3]

Question...what stopping people from just buying another wand...or making one for that manner

[@Bluefoot65]

Armondo Dippet was a wizard of his time Tom Riddle took advantage of this flaw in character envision Hagrid defending giants from wizards Dippet fears realized? this was an easy way to disarm Hagrid and ensure wizard dominated giants or so I believe, Newt Scamander was not a threat to the wizarding world that Dippet thought Hagrid was with a wand

[@JCinLapel]

I think that Dumbledore helped Hagrid is a bit of alot of them. I think part is the speices issue, I think it is the age and lastly I think the umbrella is Dumbledore work and the elder wand repaired and changed his wand into the Umbrealla.

[@l33tninja1]

The argument for removing someone's right to have a weapon if they are a criminal would depend on the crime. If it was a violent crime than you gave up your right. None violent than no keep arms

[@carlrood4457]

Despite being framed for Myrtle's death, Hagrid probably did deserve expulsion. Aragog probably would have killed someone eventually. Of course, when you think about it, the fact it was an acromantula may have been what kept him out of Azkaban. Aragog would have eaten Myrtle. The body would have been mutilated at best. It's likely they had a creature and a scapegoat and didn't investigate or prosecute further.

[@mikkanlundgren2428]

Maybe she will answer it in season 2 off the new series :) More details WILL FOR SURE arise there ^^

[@willythemailboy2]

I think you forgot the most important aspect of plot armor.

[@HappyBuddhaBoyd]

Why would anyone assume your wand gets snapped for being expelled ? Nobody in the history of Hogwarts ever got their wand snapped for being expelled. Hagrid only got his snapped because the ministry convicted him with multiple murders. Dumbledore got his prison sentence reduced to only snapping his wand.

[@techywill]

So is every wandmaker doing background checks before selling wands? I don't remember Harry needing a paper or something to get his first wand. And can't you pass certain wands down to others? I am confused why Hagrid couldn't have gotten a new wand at one of the want shops if that was an issue.

[@richj120952]

As I recall from when Hagrid brought Harry to the wand store, and Harry's wand selected him, it was paid for by Harry's inheritance funds. That means the wand was his property, not the property of Hogwarts. I would be willing to say the same thing about Scamander. Therefore no one at Hogwarts had the right to break or take his wand.

[@Voxdalian]

I always thought Hagrid's wand was snapped because he was supposed to be sent to Azkaban, which Dumbledore stopped from happening, not that the wand snapping had anything to do with expulsion from Hogwarts. After all, a wand is a personal item, not something Hogwarts is allowed to control.

[@irystocrattakodachithatmooms]

It's possible he had grades impressive enough to get the attention of the Ministry.

[@chinolebron6233]

Ferrets are mustelids. Not rodents.

[@piotrdworowy183]

I would sat that number 3 is one of two the most important reasons here,the second beeing that in Newt's case there was no death.

[@RIBill]

There's no actual requirement to go to Hogwarts, so expulsion CAN'T be the reason for wand destruction. The ONLY possibility is that they (Wizzengamut) decided that, as a half-breed, he was more giant than wizard. As such, wand ownership was prohibited.

[@jamesaaronslayton2463]

I do wish we had a more definitive answer but I also feel a tad bit of common sense renders it mute. I do not find it debatable or much if a theory that people were dying and we did know that the Chamber was open. Now even tho we knew that it was never found and I think that is why he got by without going to Azkaban as a child. I also think it makes zero sense for him not to get the short of of the stick when discrimination is absolutely a factor. Hagrid would not be received as well or as an equal in wizard society. Especially since a lot of wizards do not have a ton of experience with his kind and might never have met let alone got to know anyone who is part giant. It is pretty much implied he is not common and we only see a handful if examples of people who are part giant. It is not something everyone is exposed to. Everyone has seen black people and yet racism still exist. So yes even good wizards and witches would be prone to be prejudice because it is a huge part of the society at large and not everyone has met people like Hagrid to have anything to compare the stigma to. Most of the people making decisions about what to do with him did not even know him. I mean the Hagrid thing had to involve the ministry. I do not see why the other incident with Newt needed the ministry. I mean it can be argued that what Hagrid was accused of is more akin to terrorism than anything else. We know he was only guilty of keeping a pet but also isn't the pet he had one that is illegal to own? I mean idk much about the beast Newt had but is it even labeled the same as what Hagrid had. If it is labeled the same should it be? I mean most species of acumantula are not friendly to peopl.le. Hagrid befriended him young and was an exception. Which is likely why it talks more. It talks to communicate with Hagrid. One in the wild would not have as much of a reas9n to communicate, it would just hunt or have its children hubt you. They spread and a ton of babies and are an evasive species arguably more dangerous on a broader scale than a basilisk. An out of control population of those could lead to a mass outbreak of deaths, possibly even a small genocide. I am not being dramatic either. It is a very real possibility and a lot of animals and beast died bc of those living in the forbidden forest when they were not intended to live there int he first place. It makes perfect sense to me and since the ghost could not define what killed her they assumed it was the spider. The only thing that makes no sense is it not being tracked down and relocated or killed. Of course I tell myself they were convinced it had likely died or something got to it. I imagine it lived die to Hagrid helping it and the. Somehow met up with another and began a family. But that many in those woods came from just 50 years or so of breeding by Hagrids friend. I bet most of their hunting was discrete because if mire knew of them there would be an extermination. It is impossible for those to exist in the world without people having to perform genocide on their kind for population control. Otherwise wizards and witches would be extinct or very low in numbers. They are too dangerous and can make a huge army in a short span of time.

[@PuncherOfAbs]

Some born were wolves can start off as wolves not human The dog man in North America Holly woods template is not always the template for everything

[@jamieredden554]

I think it could have been a combination of age, prejudice and being framed

[@VAMobMember]

The answer is written into the fifth Fantastic Beasts movie.

[@doubleupload5620]

Breaking someone’s wand when expelled seems harsh and unfair for criminals it makes sense and someone died so hadgrids is reasonable but with Newt why would they break his wand couldn’t he just go to another school

[@drsingingeagle]

@03:16 - _TWITTER_ dammit! 😠 And ferrets are NOT rodents!

[@brianreiner8855]

Wouldn't they run the risk of Hagrid becoming an Obscurus. They broke his wand and made it so e shouldn't be able to practice magic anymore. Isn't the suppression of magical abilities what creates an obscurious?

[@falknoether723]

Maybe it has somethings to do with Hagrid being hslf giant. Maybe his risk is lower, because not bring fully human.

[@jkrause365]

Ah, but WAS Hagrid's wand destroyed? What's that pink umbrella? I have the theory that Dumbledore, possessor of the elder wand, repaired Hagrid's wand and transfigured it into an umbrella. Don't buy it? Harry repaired his holly wand with the elder wand at the end of Deathly Hallows.

[@chiquitalove05]

Wasn't newt family very connected in the mistiry of magic?

[@iowaredneck9416]

I figured it was because of the death of a student, but then I wonder… why do prisoners of Azkaban get to keep their wands?

[@Business101HQ]

Bit weird that you're avoiding the authors name

[@anthonywarfield7348]

I've never understood how a broken wand is going to prevent an expelled student from ever using magic. Can they not get/steal/illegally buy a new wand? I know if it were me I'm getting another wand somehow someway.

[@Weffi76]

they probably can, considering, Voldermort even used wands that was not his own, how good it works is an other problem though, what was shown specialy with voldermort.

[@MCRmy02]

i believe it is obvious, its all 3!

[@bletz421]

He wasn’t Expelled . He almost was but dumbaldor fought so he would get expelled

[@trixmania]

Newt would just get himself another. Itvwould be pointless snapping it

[@VAMobMember]

Why wasHagrads wand get snapped? BIGOTRY He was half giant after all

[@relldog8]

Because hagrid was a half giant..duhh, n newt was a guy from a prestigious family with connections at the ministry. Hagrid was convicted with no proof n they never semt him to trial or Azkaban. He got railroaded big time based on his half blood status.

[@methias1987]

Um isn't it obvious? Hagrids expulsion had someone die. Newt's did not.

[@HappyBuddhaBoyd]

School is different than the law. Where in the world did you get the idea that people lose their wands if they quit school? Has the creator of this video even READ the HP books? Most of the wizarding world doesn't even go to school. Buying a wand at 11 years old does NOT require you to be enrolled in school.

[@melanievetter6211]

😊🎉🦁

[@Eloridas]

I think a little bit of racism along side the other reasons could be in play here. He is a half giant and the other examples arent.

[@eranshachar9954]

I go with theory #5. Make sense to me that Armando Dippet was racist and in favor of Tom.

[@grokeffer6226]

These theories seem feasible. 🌂🪄🔮 I'd not thought about it much, really.