Animagi

[Laura]

No: HPFGUIDX 55733

Tammy wrote:
> > >
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.  <snip great explanation> Then, too, the narrative 
states, "He appeared to have transfigured himself -- but badly."  
Transfigured, not transformed.
> > >

"A spell obviously taught at higher grades."  Or, actually, as 4th 
years.  How convenient that I was reading GoF today and ran across 2 
relevant passages?  =)

(all citations are from U.S. paperback)
Ch 15: Beauxbatons and Durmstrang, p. 236-237
"Longbottom, kindly do *not* reveal that you can't even perform a 
simple Switching Spell in front of anyone from Durmstrang!" Professor 
McGonagall barked at the end of one particularly difficult lesson, 
during which Neville had accidentally transplanted his own ears onto 
a cactus.

Ch. 22:  The Unexpected Task p.385
It was at the end of the lesson; they had finished their work; the 
guinea fowl they had been changing into guinea pigs had been shut 
away in a large crate on Professor McGonagall's desk (Neville's still 
had feathers); they had copied down their homework ("Describe, with 
examples, the ways in which Transforming Spells must be adapted when 
performing Cross-Species Switches").

Quotation 1 being from just before Halloween and Quotation 2 being 
from early-mid December, I think we can safely assume that at least 
half of Transfiguration lessons as 4th years are dedicated to 
transforming between species and switching "parts" of species back 
and forth, which seems to be at least the basis of Krum's attempt at 
The Second Task. 

Interestingly enough, Neville's incompetance is mentioned in *both* 
passages.  Hmmm.

-Larua (who can't *wait* to find out the deal with Neville, and 
dearly hopes its addressed, at least somewhat, in OOP)