Animagi revisited was: Sirius revisited

[arrowsmithbt]

No: HPFGUIDX 104174

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "Mandy" <ExSlytherin at a...> wrote:
> So why are there not more of them?  We know of many brilliant wizards 
> in the canon, yet only seven animagi currently alive?  It seems odd.
> 
> Perhaps it has less to do with talent, and more to do with how 
> animagi are perceived by the WW.  Perhaps they are looked down upon 
> and prejudiced against in some way. Considered untrust worthy.  
> And why is it not taught at Hogwarts?  If only at NEWT level?  
> 
> Perhaps the WW are extremely suspicious of animagi wizards, to the 
> point of discriminating against them.  It's the only reason I can 
> think of why everyone wouldn't at least want to attempt to become one.
> 
> There seems to be something very suspicious about the whole Animagus 
> ability.

Well, it's a bit limiting. You don't get to choose your animal form.
It'd be a bit of a frost if you could only turn into a skunk or a 
hippopotamus. Great fun for teenagers on a spree but not very useful
in other situations.

Spying? In the Shrieking Shack Lupin and Sirius use a spell to force
Pettigrew back into human form, so any animal wandering around
Voldy's squat would no doubt get the treatment. No chance of
James disguising himself as a hat-rack, for instance.

Interestingly JKR doesn't seem to like unregistered Animagi much.
Just look at what happens to them - James dead, Sirius dead, Rita
humbled, Peter now an amputee Igor to Voldy. Not friendly at all.
Do you think she's trying to tell us something?

Kneasy