Wands and Animagi

[Sam Brown]

No: HPFGUIDX 2211

The difference between an animal transfiguration and being a true 
animagus has got something to do with will... Sirius in PoA says 
something to the effect of 'I could transform into a dog at will', 
which implies that Animagi can transform without a wand just by 
willing themselves to do it. Personally I don't really see the 
difference between Animagi who are 'true' and animagi who use a wand, 
and I agree with what Simon said:

> I get the impression that it is possible for an animagus to keep
> their wand on them when they have transformed. Their physical      
> features and glasses are transformed in some way (c.f. Skeeter and 
> McGonagall) and in the process the size of these objects is        
> reduced. I think the same can therefore happen for the wands.

If wands are transformed along with your clothes, glasses, etc, 
anyway, then there's really not that great a difference 
between 'true' animagi and 'wand' animagi. Perhaps 'wand' animagi are 
at a greater risk of stuffing things up, eg, Krum's shark 
transformation for the second task went all wrong. Are animagi who 
use a wand not animagi? are they just ordinary wizards doing an 
animal transfiguration? the complexities of the Animagi issue have me 
all the muddle!