From Alterations to Altercations: The Transfigurative Guide
written by Katherine Lutz
Companion to a Beginners Guide to Transfiguration, for First, Second and Third Year Transfiguration Students.
Last Updated
05/31/21
Chapters
20
Reads
3,871
The Theory of a Backfired Basic
Chapter 10
A backfired basic is the occurrence of a disruption in the field of magic surrounding a Class-A Transfigurative Spell. As seen in above examples, backfiring is triggered almost always in the same way as if it were to be performed normally. Take the spell Slugulus Eructo;
§ When performed normally; a green light is exuded
§ When backfired; a green light is exuded
The only way to tell the difference is the behavioural response of the wand and the direction of the light.
The Theory of Backfiring Basics was a paper raised by Doctor Clove Zesprini in the late 14th Century. She analysed the specificity of a backfiring spell and how and why it occurred. Her conclusions were as follows;
“It is of my opinion that spells which backfire are generated from the magical energy of a wizard or witch who deems not themselves competent enough to create such a spell. My findings were that the rebounding magic in students between their first and third year in studying the art of Transfiguration were substantial but not noticeable due to their adhesive lack of skill at the time. For the more competent wizard who rates him or herself lower than reasonable, the magic has had time to generate and has a greater field to stem off; therefore the rebound is substantially more noticeable. In a spell such as Lapifors, I found the results to be detrimental as casters were left injured and dazed from improper use. Consistency also found every experimentation developed distinctive rabbit-like qualities. I believe that the backfiring is caused by a weak link within the caster’s mind. Their inability to attune their magic with their mind and expand it through their wand is what causes these violent, and needless to say dangerous, outbursts of magical energy”.
As analysed above, Dr. Zesprini identified the backfiring as being a result of a weak link in the caster’s mind coupled with a feeling of incompetence in the magical atmosphere of the spell. It is, therefore, important to note that by this logic, anyone who chooses to doubt themselves could potentially rebound any spell they attempt. However this was refuted in later years by Zesprini’s granddaughter who noted,
“The underlying rules outlined by my grandmother, though true, miss one notable fact. It is not by choice that a wizard is incompetent but a deeply set thought in their heart and mind. If they truly desire to change, then it requires a full body effort to change”
These rules are more or less true in the case of all spells. However, the Class-A Transfigurative Spells, owing to their close affiliation with the mind and the wand movements, are exempt. For a spell such as Avifors, even the most incompetent witch or wizard could perform the spell if they set their mind to it. They don’t have to believe they can, but simply have to perform all the necessities correctly in order to generate it. By succinctly following the wand movements, the appropriate timing and annunciation of the incantation and doing so clearly, the spell will work cohesively.
You may be asking yourself then, what is the point of feeling confident about it? Well the answer to that is simple. A spell such as Avifors tends to be quite personable and most witches and wizards are awestruck the first time they see the statue move. Typically without a decent amount of confidence, the statue stops halfway and reverts back to stone, crushing the confidence which had started building. Therefore, it is important to have confidence in order to enable duration of the spell. A spell cast by someone confident is far more powerful than someone who is not.
§ When performed normally; a green light is exuded
§ When backfired; a green light is exuded
The only way to tell the difference is the behavioural response of the wand and the direction of the light.
The Theory of Backfiring Basics was a paper raised by Doctor Clove Zesprini in the late 14th Century. She analysed the specificity of a backfiring spell and how and why it occurred. Her conclusions were as follows;
“It is of my opinion that spells which backfire are generated from the magical energy of a wizard or witch who deems not themselves competent enough to create such a spell. My findings were that the rebounding magic in students between their first and third year in studying the art of Transfiguration were substantial but not noticeable due to their adhesive lack of skill at the time. For the more competent wizard who rates him or herself lower than reasonable, the magic has had time to generate and has a greater field to stem off; therefore the rebound is substantially more noticeable. In a spell such as Lapifors, I found the results to be detrimental as casters were left injured and dazed from improper use. Consistency also found every experimentation developed distinctive rabbit-like qualities. I believe that the backfiring is caused by a weak link within the caster’s mind. Their inability to attune their magic with their mind and expand it through their wand is what causes these violent, and needless to say dangerous, outbursts of magical energy”.
As analysed above, Dr. Zesprini identified the backfiring as being a result of a weak link in the caster’s mind coupled with a feeling of incompetence in the magical atmosphere of the spell. It is, therefore, important to note that by this logic, anyone who chooses to doubt themselves could potentially rebound any spell they attempt. However this was refuted in later years by Zesprini’s granddaughter who noted,
“The underlying rules outlined by my grandmother, though true, miss one notable fact. It is not by choice that a wizard is incompetent but a deeply set thought in their heart and mind. If they truly desire to change, then it requires a full body effort to change”
These rules are more or less true in the case of all spells. However, the Class-A Transfigurative Spells, owing to their close affiliation with the mind and the wand movements, are exempt. For a spell such as Avifors, even the most incompetent witch or wizard could perform the spell if they set their mind to it. They don’t have to believe they can, but simply have to perform all the necessities correctly in order to generate it. By succinctly following the wand movements, the appropriate timing and annunciation of the incantation and doing so clearly, the spell will work cohesively.
You may be asking yourself then, what is the point of feeling confident about it? Well the answer to that is simple. A spell such as Avifors tends to be quite personable and most witches and wizards are awestruck the first time they see the statue move. Typically without a decent amount of confidence, the statue stops halfway and reverts back to stone, crushing the confidence which had started building. Therefore, it is important to have confidence in order to enable duration of the spell. A spell cast by someone confident is far more powerful than someone who is not.
