[HPforGrownups] Re: Minerva & DD-Transfiguration Professors-have they been playing other Charactors?

[Taryn Kimel]

No: HPFGUIDX 88442

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "tlpbupu" <tlpbupu at h...> wrote:
> vmont wrote> 
>   *snip*> 
> > I also have a question: Can a wizard transfigure into a cat (for 
> > example) and not necessarily be an anamagi?  

Marianne:
Well, Krum tried to transfigure himself into a shark for the second 
task in the Tri-Wizard Tournament. As Bagman described it, "Krum used 
an incomplete form of Transfiguration, which was nevertheless 
effective..."  

So it seems to be implied that wizards can transfigure themselves 
into another life form.  Which then begs the question, what's the big 
deal with Animagi, if a wizard can transform himself into whatever 
other animal he chooses?  Unless what the Krum transformation shows 
is that wizards can transform others into animals, ie, Fake!Malfoy 
turning Draco into a ferret, but can only partially transform 
themselves into other animals.  
 
Taryn:
IMO, this is answered, but I suppose it's debateable. I'll give the following quote from Quidditch through the Ages:

"No spell yet devised enables wizards to fly unaided in human form. Those few Animagi who transform into winged creatures may enjoy flight, but they are a rarity. The witch of wizard who finds him- or herself transfigured into a bat may take to the air, but, having a bat's brain, they are sure to forget where they want to go the moment they take flight." (American hardback, pg. 1)

So it seems answered that when a person is TRANSFIGURED into an animal, they also retain the animal's brain, which is certainly detrimental. This is opposed to Animagi, who seem to retain their mind. For the most part, anyway, as we must remember Sirius talking about how his emotions were simpler when in dog form, so he could slip past the Dementors. But it seems a very dramatic difference between the two.

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Taryn : http://taryn.shirataki.net

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