[HPforGrownups] Transfiguration Question

[yellows at aol.com]

No: HPFGUIDX 58918

In a message dated 5/28/2003 9:24:11 PM Eastern Standard Time, freddie_mac1 at yahoo.com writes:

> When I think about transfiguration, I have a sense that the
> outer form is changed, but not necessarily the
> inner/intrinsic aspects.  If you change a ferret into a
> human-shaped ferret, does the ferret gain human senses,
> reasoning, soul (for lack of a better term), or is the
> ferret simply reshaped into a human-like shape?

That's interesting. I have no specific canon lines to cite, but I've always felt that transfiguration only changes the outer appearance. Of course, changing Malfoy into a ferret, though you never get a word from Malfoy about the thoughts that went through his mind as a ferret, you do get the impression that he's still Draco inside that body, and he's not an animal at all. 

Also, when McGonagall is a cat the very first time we ever meet her, we see her eyeing Privet Drive, waiting for Dumbledore to appear. She doesn't behave like a normal cat; she's much more attentive and focused on her task of waiting for news of Harry Potter instead of chasing random bugs on the ground or rolling around in the grass. (not to imply that I think cats aren't intelligent -- I love cats)  :)

Therefore, I believe that humans who are tranfigured to animals will have to follow the physical rules and limitations of the animal -- they can't talk, etc. -- but will still be the same thinking, functioning human beings inside.

Also, it follows that an animal transfigured to a human would still be an animal inside. He or she would have the ability to speak, but not necessarily the understanding of human languages, etc.

Brief Chronicles