[HPforGrownups] Animagi vs transfigeration

[Snuffles MacGoo]

No: HPFGUIDX 11120

Marvin said:
Here's a question; what happens when a really complicated person
becomes an animagus?  Might they turn into a magical hybrid beast
such as a hippogriff?  Maybe an aloof, highly intellectual sort of
person would end up transforming himself into something like a
centaur, unable to fully rid himself of his or her hyperanalytical,
human-all-to-human side...

Oh I love this idea! I want to be a phoenix (there's hubris for you!) Hmmmm, 
McGonagall turns into a cat - she's pretty in her head kind of person it seems 
to me, cats are not renowned as in their head kind of creatures (sorry Susan, 
Rita, there was an animal special on the other day - they said cats are dumb. 
My Rosa and Sammuela don't believe it of course).

I don't know, test it out with a few others, Rita Skitter, Snuffles himself ... 
and let me know what you think.

Btw, what house do you think Rita Skitter was in?

drpam said:
A very interesting point.  I need some time to chew this one over.  But 
immediately what comes to mind is Krum in the Second Task in GoF.   Remember, 
when his
tranforms?/transfigures?  himself into a half-man/half-shark.  Does this 
qualify as a transfiguration charm?  A poor attempt at becoming an animagi? 
  I'm flashing back to PoA when Lupin says that nasty accidents can occur 
during animagical transformations--who put Krum back to rights?  Did he do it 
himself?  Did Karakoff help?  Was it a job for Madam Pomfrey?    And if it is, 
as you say (and I believe as well, now) an expression of your inner self, what 
does it mean that Krum became a shark?   I don't think it bodes well for him
as a character, though I was rather hoping he would turn out to be a rather 
nice guy.

Jo actually says that Krum attempts a transformation charm. So I think that 
rules out a Animagus. I think the spell would have worn off, it's a easier 
thing, maybe it undoes itself. I think (again, no great evidence) that Animagus 
is a more complex spell and longer lasting (perhaps until specifically thrown 
off). If you don't have the 'what ever you need' to make the spell work, I 
don't think you are going to find 'what ever you need' to throw it off. Can't 
think of a good sporting (or music) metaphor here sadly.

drpam
whose husband is out with the girls and the in-laws and whose baby is asleep, 
leaving her gloriously alone for an hour or two...
Sounds good <g>


storm

-----Original Message-----
From:	Pam Hugonnet [SMTP:pbarhug at tidalwave.net]
Sent:	Monday, January 29, 2001 6:46 AM
To:	HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com
Subject:	Re: [HPforGrownups] Animagi vs transfigeration



Snuffles MacGoo wrote:

> WARNING  I have no cannonical evidence for the following, I just *thunk* it
>
> Ok, I think there is a difference, I think it has to do with skill level and
> probably indicates different level of attributes while in non-human form
>
> I think that transfiguration is easier and can change anything to anything
> (porcupine to pin cushion, desk to pig for example, with the phonetically
> allied words appearing easier. You might change yourself as part of this 
spell,
> storm to dog, or cat, or Siamese fighting fish for example.
>
> animagus would appear to be a *true* expression of your self. (to me), akin 
to
> the 'true name' concept (as I understand it) in that you can only have one 
and
> you don't get to choose it. I think it's a more 'natural' transformation
> because its an expression of yourself, requiring less energy to maintain
> (though more skill to execute).
>
> You know how some people are just skilled in some things. Think about 
watching
> a child who is 'naturally' talented on the hockey field, or playing the 
violin
> or what ever and place a 'normally gifted' child next to them. With practice
> the second child might get really good but they will never have that 
'natural'
> grace of the first child.





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