Is Harry a Metamorphmagus?

[justcarol67]

No: HPFGUIDX 117182


Kim wrote:
> > 
> > First, Vivamus, where did you find out that JKR said that the 3
kids  wouldn't become animagi?  I believe it -- just wondered where
you heard or read it.
> 
Vivamus answered:
> I'm afraid I can't pin it down, exactly, as it was too long ago, but
I'm quite sure I read it, and I'm fairly sure it was a direct quote. 
<snip>

Carol:
As you probably know, I'm behind on posting, so maybe someone else has
posted the quote, but I haven't seen it farther down the thread, so
here goes. It's in a Sugarquill interview dated 20 October 1999
(mysteriously filed under 2000 at the Leaky Cauldron):

http://www.quick-quote-quill.org/articles/1999/1099-pressclubtransc.html

"SB: We're going to take a few more questions, and um, the next one is
will Harry ever turn into a shape-changer like his father?

"JKR: Animagus. No, Harry's not in training to be an animagus, and if
you've read book three, you won't know-–um, that's a wizard that's
very, very difficult to do. They learn to turn themselves into
animals. No, Harry is not, Harry is going to be concentrated
elsewhere, he's not going to have time to do that. He's got quite a
full agenda coming up, poor boy."

So clearly Harry is not going to become an animagus (no indication
whether that applies to Ron or Hermione, but they haven't shown any
inclination in that direction). Thw wording of the question ("Will
Harry ever turn into a shape-changer," suggests that he won't become a
metamorphmagus, either, but JKR's quick correction of the terminology
casts a smidgen of doubt on that reading.

However, as others have argued, Harry's accidental magic has only
altered his appearance once, and it didn't alter his apparent
identity; it only restored his normal appearance. So I don't think
Harry has any inborn skill as a metamorphmagus and the argument that
the doesn't have time to become an animagus applies to becoming a
maetmorphmagus using spells or potions as well.

I think we'll see more of Tonks in this role, but something altogether
different and unexpected from Harry.

Carol, hoping she's not duplicating anyone and noting that it's quite
easy to find interview quotes at the Leaky Cauldron