Animagi: can they chose what they will become?/How did Rita Skeeters become an Animaga?

[marinafrants]

No: HPFGUIDX 35502

--- In HPforGrownups at y..., "Yoris" <msn.tsf at h...> wrote:

> This is a part of a JKR interview and it suggests you can't chose
what you'l
> become, but Peter Pettigrew did become a rat so he could push the
'button' on
> the willow, so how did they know one of them was going to be a small
animal
> capable of pushing the button without getting beaten? 

I don't think they knew, I think they just got lucky it turned out
that way.  If Peter had become a large animal, they would've just had
to work around it.  One of the Marauders would've had to approach the
Willow in human form and push the button with a stick before
transforming (we know it can be done, since Snape and Pomfrey both did
it).

When you think about it, there are all sorts of risks associated with
becoming an animagus?  What if you turn into fish?  Better keep a tub
full of water handy when you're practicing.  Or you could become an
elephant and crash through the floor.  No wonder the MoM regulates it.

The Marauders got lucky that all of them turned into animals that are
normally found in England, so it was not too weird if someone saw
them.  It would've been awkward if one of them turned out to be a
kangaroo or a polar bear.



Can't they chose what
> they become but will they know in advance? if they can't chose what
they
> will become, how did Rita know she would become an insect? (because
any big
> animal she could turn in would be completely useless)

I suppose, like the Marauders, she just crossed her fingers and hoped
for the best, and got lucky.


> So how did Rita Skeeter, in my opinion a witch with
> below average magic capability;s manage to become an animaga without
help?

I don't remember the book giving any indication of Rita's magical
ability.  Just because someone is obnoxious and unethical doesn't mean
she can't be a powerful witch.  Or maybe she just has a freakish
talent in one field (transformation), but is no good at other forms of
magic?

Marina
rusalka at ix.netcom.com