Animagus Transformation / Snape's Animagus (was DD as Animagus)

[Mike Crudele]

No: HPFGUIDX 182845

> http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HPforGrownups/message/182833
> > Mike wrote previously: 
> >
> > I seriously doubt they would have put forth all that effort
> > ---<emphasis added> 
> > if they had no way of **knowing "-or-" controlling** the 
> > form they would take.
> > <emphasis off>---
> > IOW, I believe that there is some portion of control as to
> > what kind of animal one would become.
> 
> Potioncat:
> Disregarding JKR's interviews, using only canon 
> interpretation, I disagree.
> 
> In the first place, the Marauders and Rita all display the 
> attributes of their individual [Animagi].

Mike:
Yes, I agree, and I said the same thing in another part of my
post you quoted from, PC. My several respondants seem to think I
was postulating complete control, I wasn't. In the quote above,
please note I said *knowing* *or* *controlling*. Either/or would
satisfy me as far as making the transformation a worthwhile
venture for prospective Animagi. 

I frankly have no idea how someone would control the
transformation, but in any case, I doubt the control is any
great extent. Sirius may only have the choice of what size dog
he becomes, or maybe the breed. James may be stuck as a ruminant
mammal and chose his form within those confines. Peter was going
to be a rodent come hell or high water so rat was the best he
could do. (Actually, I can see Peter unable to change his form
in any way, while James and Sirius, being more powerful wizards,
had a small degree of control.)

I wasn't suggesting that one could have free rein to choose any
form available, only "some portion" of control. If, OTOH, the
only thing available was a way to see in advance what form one
would take, well, that would satisfy me as a precurser to
attempting the process. It's the just going in blindly on a hope
and a prayer that your form *will* make it worthwhile that has
me doubting the value of the process.


http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HPforGrownups/message/182835

> Carol:
> I think it does more than "play out to a degree in canon." I
> think that it's the determining factor. In contrast to the
> Patronus, which is a protective spirit and often seems to
> reflect someone other than the caster, I think the Animagus
> form reflects the essence of the Animagus's personality.

Mike:
Well, I didn't quantify *what* degree. ;-) And I agree with your
premise, as I said above and in my previous post. I even listed
the known Animagi and acknowledged how their animal form matched
their human personality. I just think there is something more at
play here than *only* personality. Maybe it's force of will, or
degree of magical prowess that allows some witches or wizards to
have the slightest bit of control over their animal form. 



http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HPforGrownups/message/182833
> Potioncat:
> But that's the animals "we" would assign to them. Not what 
> they expected to be.

Mike:
I really wasn't thinking about what "we" would assign them. I
was thinking about what they might *expect* to become versus
what they might be *forced* to become. If it was all *forced*
with no piece of *expectation*, I can't see James and Sirius
spending the better part of three years figuring out how to do
it. I think they would have found another way to spend time with
their werewolf buddy.

I understand what you're saying about those wizards with the
"self esteem", and I can't argue with that logic as to who might
go forward with the Animagi project. Maybe we're saying the same
thing in different forms. Maybe your "self esteem" and my "will
power" translate into that small bit of controll I'm looking
for. Maybe that's all that's needed to make the transformation
attempt a viable option for some wizards.


http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HPforGrownups/message/182840

>>> Mike:
an octopus

Potioncat:
a Hebridean Black dragon

Alla:
a cockroach

Magpie:
a big black spider

Kemper:
Just your average fiery, flying serpent called a seraph.<<<

Mike again:
I like your idea Kemper. The thing is, I don't think an Animagus
can become another magical being. That's why I also ruled out
Potioncat's dragon choice. I think it would be too much to ask
of the transformation to not only become another animal while
retaining your own self awareness, but to also acquire a new or
different magical skill/ability as part of the process. JMO and
YMMV


In http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HPforGrownups/message/182834
Magpie quoted:

"James:
> It seems that ones personality does take a part in the 
> transformed animal form. Sirius seems to have ..."

Mike:
Though Sirius is my favorite character, James isn't too far
behind. So I'd be honored if James quoted me. ;))



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