[HPforGrownups] Animagus forms

[Amanda Lewanski]

No: HPFGUIDX 12938

Doreen wrote:

>   Does the animagi pick which form they take or is it already
> predetermined?  When James, Sirus and Peter would change shape to help
> Lupin, I can see why a dog, but a stag and a rat?
>   Just a thought.
>
>   In PoA-18 it says "They could each turn into a different animal at
> will."
>   "Peter, as the smallest, could slip beneath the Willow's attacking
> branches and touch the knot that freezes it."
>   "Sirius & James transformed into such large animals, they were able
> to keep a werewolf in check."
>
>   Doreen

It's not stated in the books anyplace, but from something JKR said in a
chat, I'm pretty sure that one's animagus form is determined by some
interaction of spell with personality. In other words, is your *self*
rather than conscious choice that determines your animal form. JKR had
said that if she was an animagus, she hoped she'd be an otter. "Hoped,"
not "would be." It's not up to her, at least not consciously.

Look in the archives--there was a bit of discussion on this a while
back.

--Amanda


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