[HPforGrownups] Re: Animagi (was: Animagus vs. Transfigured)

[Heather Glude]

No: HPFGUIDX 30492


On Friday, November 30, 2001, at 03:06 PM, Cindy C. wrote:
> things.  Choice must play a role (contrary to what I said last week
> <vbg>) because Krum apparently chooses shark (not crab or guppie),

Note, however, that the books refer to Krum as having 'transfigured' 
into a half-shark. I am of the school of thought that animal 
transfiguration is different from becoming an animagus. If they were the 
same, then not being able to choose the animal you become just doesn't 
make sense. It shouldn't have anything to do with your personality. 
Personality doesn't play a role in any other kind of transfiguring. 
Moody chose to turn Malfoy into a ferret. Even if Malfoy is rather 
weasel-y, I don't think that had anything to do with that 
transformation. When one transfigures into an animal, significant mental 
faculty is lost. Even as an animagus, there's indication that the mind 
becomes simpler. Sirius says he's simpler as a dog. Perhaps personal 
transfiguration isn't popular because one has difficulty actually doing 
anything once achieving it, and in reversing it. Being an animagus, 
however, allows them to act more-or-less human. That would explain why 
only animagi have to register. This would be why Krum could choose an 
animal, and an animagus cannot.

Heather