I Has A Wand!
This took me about half an hour or so this morning to make. I started with a length of 1/2" diameter dowel, and got out my electric drill and the sanding disc attachment. Using a coarse disc, I started by estimating where I wanted the handle, and used the edge of the disc to mark out a groove there. Then I started tapering the main length down; that took the longest time! The handle has a very rough - deliberately so - spiral groove running down it, and a sort of knob/button at the end; the main part of the wand has a broken, intermittent and vague spiral groove all the way up. I've kept it intentionally slightly irregular all over. After the main work was done - all with the sanding disc! - I used sandpaper - actually rubbery sanding sheets - to smooth it off better by hand.
It's had its stain - light oak, of course! - and, so far, two light coats of Danish Oil. It can have another one either tonight or tomorrow (or possibly both), and I'll polish it well after that.
And I suppose I ought to tailor myself a wand pocket into my cloak, oughtn't I?