foreshadowing

[Kathy]

[snip]

This "shape-shifter" comment intrigued me, because I don't recall 
them being mentioned in canon, unless you count Animagi  as shape-
shifters.  So this bit was new -- does it mean someone we know and
love might become an Animagi of a werewolf to keep a certain 
professor he cares about company as his dad did in days gone by???  
The mind boggles!   ;->

Lynda

[from Valerie]
...and if so, why didn't the trio of friends learn to become werewolf
animagi, so that they could REALLY relate to their buddy Moony?
Though, I guess if given a choice, a stag, rat and dog would be less
volatile and dangerous than having 4 werewolves running around 
Hogwarts!

[snip] 
 
Hi... I'm just delurking temporarily... I think that the comment 
about the shape-shifters was just exposition, not foreshadowing. If 
it was a clue to anything, it was to remind the students, 
specifically Harry, that there are Animagi out there. 

Also, I always thought that what type of animal a witch or wizard 
could turn in to, as with patronuses, are special to the individual. 
Although if they do have the choice of what animal to become, I have 
to agree with you that they'd be smart enough not to become 
werewolvces. But I have to wonder, would being a werewolf because you 
were bitten be different from being a werewolf as an Animagus? Like 
would you be able to keep your mind intact if you were an Animagus? 
Other Animagi seemed able to keep their human minds intact when they 
transformed.

Anyway... that's just my 2 cents.
~Kathy