Post by Paige on Jul 12, 2014 15:37:09 GMT -5
Animagi
Retaining one's human mental capacities while still taking on an animal's form is a highly advanced form of Transfiguration, and can go horribly wrong. Consequently, those who can master this Transfiguration are quite rare in the wizarding world; they are referred to as Animagi. More precisely, an Animagus is a witch or wizard who has the ability to Transfigure herself/himself into an animal at will while retaining her/his mental powers, such as the ability to think as a human.
It takes skill, practice, and patience for wizards and witches to become Animagi. The process of becoming an Animagus is long and arduous, and has the potential to backfire and cause the transformation to go horribly wrong. Many witches and wizards simply feel that their time might better be employed in other ways, as the skill is of limited practical use unless one has a great need of disguise or concealment. Once the initial training is over, an Animagus can change at will, with or without a wand.
It is possible for another witch or wizard who is sufficiently knowledgeable to force an Animagus to Transfigure from animal shape back into human shape; the incantation for the spell is resūme duco is accompanied by a flash of light around the target Animagus. If used on a true animal, the "resume natural shape" spell would have no effect.
Animagi can only take on the form of one specific animal. This animal form is not chosen by the wizard or witch, but determined by their personality and inner traits. Animagi retain his or her clothing, spectacles, and so on throughout the transformation, disappearing when the Animagus is in animal shape but reappearing when human shape is resumed. They also have some ability to communicate with true animals, though only when they are in animagus form.
The Improper Use of Magic Office maintains a register of all known Animagi. The register is a matter of public record and keeps a record of/for each known Animagus: the kind of animal that Animagus transforms into, distinguishing markings. There are penalties for being an Animagus and failing to register with the Improper Use of Magic Office. If a wizard is caught without being registered, he or she could face up to two years or jail time in Azkaban and revocation of their wand for a temporary period after their release. An auror will also be assigned to keep in check that they do not attempt to practice other wizarding arts that require registry without doing so.
It takes skill, practice, and patience for wizards and witches to become Animagi. The process of becoming an Animagus is long and arduous, and has the potential to backfire and cause the transformation to go horribly wrong. Many witches and wizards simply feel that their time might better be employed in other ways, as the skill is of limited practical use unless one has a great need of disguise or concealment. Once the initial training is over, an Animagus can change at will, with or without a wand.
It is possible for another witch or wizard who is sufficiently knowledgeable to force an Animagus to Transfigure from animal shape back into human shape; the incantation for the spell is resūme duco is accompanied by a flash of light around the target Animagus. If used on a true animal, the "resume natural shape" spell would have no effect.
Animagi can only take on the form of one specific animal. This animal form is not chosen by the wizard or witch, but determined by their personality and inner traits. Animagi retain his or her clothing, spectacles, and so on throughout the transformation, disappearing when the Animagus is in animal shape but reappearing when human shape is resumed. They also have some ability to communicate with true animals, though only when they are in animagus form.
The Improper Use of Magic Office maintains a register of all known Animagi. The register is a matter of public record and keeps a record of/for each known Animagus: the kind of animal that Animagus transforms into, distinguishing markings. There are penalties for being an Animagus and failing to register with the Improper Use of Magic Office. If a wizard is caught without being registered, he or she could face up to two years or jail time in Azkaban and revocation of their wand for a temporary period after their release. An auror will also be assigned to keep in check that they do not attempt to practice other wizarding arts that require registry without doing so.
