[HPforGrownups] Re: Animagi

[Tammy Rizzo]

No: HPFGUIDX 55693

On 19 Apr 2003 at 23:27, jazmyn wrote:

> I do not believe that one has a set pre-determined form that is 'their
> form'. I believe that the wizard CHOOSES the form and practices that
> one form for a long time till they perfect it.  Like Krum chose a
> shark due to the Tri Wizard Tournament, but didn't practice long
> enough to get the whole form.  It would be too great a coincidence to
> think that his 'form' would just happen to be aquatic.  Personally, I
> would have tried for an otter, since sharks are saltwater fish and the
> lake might have caused problems for a shark.  Small-claw otters are
> also very clever with their paws, fast and agile swimmers and have
> nice sharp teeth.

While you are, of course, always entitled to your opinion, I believe that the wizard 
does NOT choose his shape.  JKR has stated in more than one interview (anyone 
have the links?) that, if she were to become an Animagus, she would hope to 
become an otter, and wouldn't it be dreadful if she became a slug?  She's also 
stated that the Animagus form a wizard achieves has a direct correlation to the 
wizard's personality.  Therefore, that means, to my mind, that an Animagus does 
not choose his form, but rather like the wands do, the form chooses him, based on 
what is deep within him.

As for Krum at the TriWizard Tournament, I believe his part shark form was not an 
attempt at an Animagus, but was rather a 'simple' cross-species transformation, a 
spell obviously taught at the higher grades.  I have a few reasons for believing this:  
one, he has only a shark's head.  Therefore, he could breathe underwater, but he 
would still have his hands (and feet, for all the good they do underwater).  Two, he 
still has his hands (and feet), so that he could wield his wand afterwards and reverse 
the transformation.  Three, while there are a few happy coincidences and 
convenient happenings throughout the books, the thought that Krum was already a 
shark animagus before the Tournament, and the second task just happened to be 
one in which an aquatic animagus form would be helpful, giving an extreme 
advantage to Krum, is stretching the bounds of credulity.  Especially since it's been 
stated by those who would know (Padfoot and Moony) that becomong an Animagus 
takes years of study, so it's just not possible that Krum had begun studying to be an 
Animagus after solving the egg riddle and was already able to make that much of a 
change in himself.  Then, too, the narrative states, "He appeared to have 
transfigured himself -- but badly."  Transfigured, not transformed.  

> I believe the Marauders chose their forms. James and Sirius picking
> forms that were common enough that they could study the real animals
> first and fast enough to keep up with a werewolf. Peter likely was not
> brave enough to want to run with a werewolf and picked a form that
> allowed him to sneak into places easier. Again, it being too much a
> coincidence that they have such 'useful' forms for them to not have
> picked their own.  Otherwise they might have been 3 totally useless
> animals for the purpose they were using the forms for.. say.. a sloth,
> a goldfish and a white rabbit?

Again, all I can say is that JKR has stated that the wizard does not choose his form, 
but that it is a reflection of his personality.  In other words, Sirius was a protector in 
personality, and therefore became a large guard-type dog.  James was a leader in 
personality, and therefore became a stag, leader of the herd, a creature long 
associated with nobility.  Peter was a rat, pure and simple.

> I do not buy the idea that ones animagus form is 'pre-set' and any
> hints the kids gave to this nature was ignorance about how one becomes
> an animagus on their part.  They are after all, still students and
> even Hermione doesn't know everything...
> 
> Jazmyn

No, not even Hermione knows everything, that's quite true.  But Sirius knows what 
goes into becoming an animagus, and from what he tells us, it's not something that 
can be learned quickly, or easily, or that the wizard has much control over his form.

Tammy