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
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3,869
Animal Transfigurations
Chapter 11
In it’s simplest form, an Animal Transfiguration is the forced art of shifting the human form into an animal-like entity. Vastly different from animagi, it enables the caster to take on any animal form, with the exception of mythical creatures.. Many may approach this saying that an Animal Transfiguration would appear to be of greater use than an animagus because you can always change the form and alter it as you please, but that is where the main crisis arises.
The problem with animal transfiguration is how it affects the mind of the caster. If a given witch or wizard was to transfigure themselves into a ferret, for example, then unlike with animagi, they would take on the characteristics of said ferret in every way, shape and form. To this extent, it affects the mind of the caster since their mind is taken over by the animalistic instincts, rendering them helpless. The duration of the magic however, is not permanent. There are three primary ways of countering the spell:
1. The first way is to simply allow the magic to run it’s course. For the stock-standard wizard, the spell would not outlast a week, after which time, the magic would fade and they would revert back to themselves. In extremely rare cases, where spells have been cast by powerful wizards, the effects are somewhat more permanent, lasting anywhere from a few months to a few years.
2. The second way is to have another witch or wizard revert the spell with their own magic. A simple counter or restorative spell would be sufficient enough to restore the affected individual back to normal. For animal transfigurations that have endured a substantial amount of time, it may require multiple layers of magic to restore the person back to their human form.
3. The final, and most difficult way, is for the affected individual to force themselves back. Magical historians have noted that whilst in the animal form, the wizard or witch does in fact get their own mind restored to them in brief flashes as they struggle against the characteristic mindset of the animal. In an opportune time such as this, they may struggle against the spell and force it off, restoring them to their human form. Additionally, if they are an ambidextrous creature, such as a primate, they may grab their wand and restore their form; this is a very rare exception.
So from the above, the primary differences between an animal transfiguration and an animagus become evident.
Animagus
1. Retains own mind-set
2. Singular form
3. May change at will
Animal Transfiguration
1. Adapts to respective creature mind-set
2. Any known form, excluding mythical
3. Subject to power of spell
The problem with animal transfiguration is how it affects the mind of the caster. If a given witch or wizard was to transfigure themselves into a ferret, for example, then unlike with animagi, they would take on the characteristics of said ferret in every way, shape and form. To this extent, it affects the mind of the caster since their mind is taken over by the animalistic instincts, rendering them helpless. The duration of the magic however, is not permanent. There are three primary ways of countering the spell:
1. The first way is to simply allow the magic to run it’s course. For the stock-standard wizard, the spell would not outlast a week, after which time, the magic would fade and they would revert back to themselves. In extremely rare cases, where spells have been cast by powerful wizards, the effects are somewhat more permanent, lasting anywhere from a few months to a few years.
2. The second way is to have another witch or wizard revert the spell with their own magic. A simple counter or restorative spell would be sufficient enough to restore the affected individual back to normal. For animal transfigurations that have endured a substantial amount of time, it may require multiple layers of magic to restore the person back to their human form.
3. The final, and most difficult way, is for the affected individual to force themselves back. Magical historians have noted that whilst in the animal form, the wizard or witch does in fact get their own mind restored to them in brief flashes as they struggle against the characteristic mindset of the animal. In an opportune time such as this, they may struggle against the spell and force it off, restoring them to their human form. Additionally, if they are an ambidextrous creature, such as a primate, they may grab their wand and restore their form; this is a very rare exception.
So from the above, the primary differences between an animal transfiguration and an animagus become evident.
Animagus
1. Retains own mind-set
2. Singular form
3. May change at will
Animal Transfiguration
1. Adapts to respective creature mind-set
2. Any known form, excluding mythical
3. Subject to power of spell
