Animagus

An **Animagus** (pl. *Animagi*) was a magical, usually a Wixen, who could transform themselves into an animal and back again at will. It was a learned skill, unlike the hereditary skill of a Metamorphmagus. An Animagus Registry existed to keep track of those that had learned to transform in this way.

## Description

An Animagus could only transform into one particular species of animal, furthermore they could not choose what kind of animal they gained the ability to transform into. Rather, one became the animal which suited them best.

Each Animagus bore an identifying mark on their animal form that was caused by some visible trait on their human body. This could be physical, like their dental structure, or acquired, like glasses. Both Minerva McGonagall and Rita Skeeter had markings on their Animagus forms caused by their spectacles. If an Animagus underwent a major physical change, such as the loss of a limb, their animal form would reflect that, as in the case of Peter Pettigrew missing a finger, and his rat form missing a toe.

An Animagus who chose to remain in animal form for a long amount of time was not subjected to the usual lifespan and ageing rate of the animal they were. Peter Pettigrew lived as a rat for at least twelve years, despite rodents normally only living a few years at most.

A wizard's Animagus form may reflect their corporeal Patronus; Minerva McGonagall was one such case, both being a known cat Animagus and having a cat Patronus. Apparently, the form one's Patronus took may have been determined by the same inner-traits as the Animagus form, as shown with Minerva McGonagall.

### Nature

The difference between the Animagus transformation ability and the Transfiguration of a person into an animal was that an Animagus could change into an animal whenever they want, without a wand or an incantation. Being an Animagus was an ability, and Transfiguring required a spell. Furthermore, a human who was Transfigured into an animal would take on the mental state of that animal, an Animagus in animal form on the other hand would still think as they normally did in their human form, seeing as Rita Skeeter was able to eavesdrop on others' conversations when she was in the form of a beetle. However, an Animagus' feelings were not as complex when they were in their animal form; to beings with the ability to sense emotions, they might even mistake an Animagus in animal form as an individual with "waning sanity". A Dementor's influence on an Animagus in their animal form was weaker than if they were in human form

There was a reversal spell which created a blue and white flash that would force an Animagus out of its animal form temporarily. Remus Lupin and Sirius Black once used it to force Peter Pettigrew out of his rat form. This spell could possibly be the Homorphus Charm that Gilderoy Lockhart claimed he used on the Wagga Wagga Werewolf to force him into his human form.

It was also important to note that werewolves were fundamentally different from Animagi, despite the spell to force each species to take human form likely being the same. Lycanthropy was a condition caused by a blood infection transmitted through being bitten by another werewolf, whereas the Animagus transformation was a skill that could learned, and while a werewolf could only transform into a wolf-like beast, an Animagus could transform into one of any creature in the animal kingdom. Additionally, werewolves could not keep their minds while they were transformed (unless they took the Wolfsbane Potion), nor could they control themselves when they transformed, while Animagi could easily do both. Furthermore, an Animagus could transform between human and beast forms whenever they wanted, whereas werewolves would only and always transform during the full moon.

### Uses

Apart from the ability to disguise oneself, Animagi could use their animal forms in multiple ways, depending on the kind of animal they could turn into; for example, one who took on the form of an insect could use their small size for spying. One who took on the form of a venomous or predatory beast might be more capable in combat. One who took on the form of a bird could enjoy the sensation of flight without the need of broomsticks, flying carpets, or riding on flying animals.

Animagi also had the ability to communicate with normal animals. There seemed to be a clear understanding of want and need in this ability, but the full extent and quality is unknown. Sirius Black's Animagus form, a black dog named Padfoot or Snuffles, was able to communicate on a rudimentary level with Crookshanks, Hermione Granger's part-kneazle cat. As well, Peter Pettigrew's Animagus form, a grey rat named Wormtail or Scabbers, was able to communicate on the same level with passing rats that gave him hints and directions as he travelled around Albania in search of Voldemort. The precise form of communication is yet unknown, though it was probably not telepathy since Sirius did not know Crookshanks' name until Hermione told him.

Interestingly, it should be noted that werewolves were only aggressive toward humans; Animagi, while in their animal forms, were safe to be in the company of werewolves. They could actually help calm them down and make the transformations easier, as demonstrated with the Marauders: three of them transformed to help the fourth, who was inflicted with such a curse.

## Acquiring the Skill

Any witch or wizard who wished to become an Animagus had to undergo a ritual-like process in order to achieve the ability. The process of becoming an Animagus was long and difficult and it had to be done in a very specific way, it required skill, practice, and patience.

The first step for becoming an Animagus was that the witch or wizard in question had to keep a single Mandrake leaf in their mouth for a month (from full moon to full moon). If the leaf was removed or swallowed, the witch or wizard would have to start over again.

At the next visible full moon (if the night happened to be cloudy, one would have to start over) the wizard had to spit the leaf into a phial within range of the moon's pure rays. To the moon-struck phial, the wizard or witch must add one of their own hairs, a silver teaspoon of dew that had not seen sunlight or been touched by human feet for seven days, and the chrysalis of a Death's-head Hawk Moth. The resulting mixture then had to be put in a quiet, dark place, and could not be disturbed in any way.

The next thing that had to happen was for the wizard to wait for an electrical storm, whenever that might be. During this waiting period the wizard would have to, at sunrise and sundown everyday without fail, chant the incantation *Amato Animo Animato Animagus* with the tip of their wand placed over the heart. When, at last, there was a lightning storm, the wizard had to move immediately to a large and secure place, recite the incantation one final time, and then drink the Animagus potion.

Once the process was completed, the witch or wizard would be an Animagus and for the rest of their life would have the ability to change between their human and animal forms at will, with or without the use of a wand. Furthermore, upon completion of the process, the Animagus experienced a vision revealing their new animal form. However, if any part of this process was done incorrectly, it had the potential to backfire and cause the transformation to go horribly wrong (such as causing permanent half-human, half-animal mutations).

Because to process was so difficult and dangerous, and because many witches and wizards simply felt that their time might be better spent in other ways, not many people chose to try becoming an Animagus. Besides that, the skill was of limited practical use anyway, unless one had a great need of disguise or concealment.

### Teaching

At Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, the theory of Animagus transfiguration was taught about in third year. When Minerva McGonagall, an Animagus herself, was the teacher, it also included a practical demonstration. Talented and determined students could acquire the skill during their school years if they wished to. Minerva had become an Animagus by the age of seventeen, being taught by Professor Dumbledore, who made a note within *The Tales of Beedle the Bard* to explain for her that, while Animagi were usually people who sought to avoid punishment when they broke the law, she merely became one to further her studies in Transfiguration.

A teacher who taught the skill did not need to be an Animagus themselves, as shown when Professor Dumbledore, who was not an Animagus, taught Minerva McGonagall how to successfully become one.

### Hereditary Animagi

While Animagi is a learned skill and Metamorphmagus was hereditary, there've been extremely rare cases of an Animagus naturally gaining the ability much like Metamorphagi, thus being an inherent ability. The exact reasoning behind this remains largely unknown, but it's known that hereditary Animagi has multiple forms based around one's familiar and spirit animal.

## Magical Law

Every Animagus was required to register with the Ministry of Magic at the Animagus Registry. This registration included revealing one's animal form and one's distinguishing markings. The register was available to the public. The primary reason for registration was to ensure the Animagi did not abuse their abilities, as the Ministry would be able to keep track of them. A prime example was that Rita Skeeter was able to get into Hogwarts undetected (despite being banned from Hogwarts grounds by Dumbledore) by transforming into a beetle.

Sirius Black was able to escape from Azkaban and infiltrate Hogwarts Castle in his Animagus form, as the Ministry did not take this into account when imprisoning him. Peter Pettigrew managed to fake his death and hide from the rest of the world in his Animagus form, as the Ministry did not take this into account either since it would help them consider the possibility that he was alive; Pettigrew regarded this advantage as an effective disguise for the Dark Lord.

The penalty for failing to register as an Animagus was a sentence in Azkaban, although the length of time is unknown. Rita Skeeter gave up an entire year of writing articles, her main means of livelihood, so that Hermione Granger would not turn her in as unregistered, and consented to writing an article about Harry's account of the night Lord Voldemort was resurrected, free of charge at Hermione's request. That suggests a rather lengthy sentence, even though being sent to Azkaban for any length of time was a considerably bad punishment to begin with.

### Animagus Registry

Due to the complexity of the magic involved, the time it took, and the limited use (for those who were registered) of the ability, Animagi eventually became very rare. There was a total of seven known registered Animagi in the twentieth century, among who there was Hogwarts' Transfiguration Professor Minerva McGonagall. According to Remus Lupin, it was also partially because of this complexity that Animagi were required to register themselves.

## Known Animagi

* Arion - multiple forms
* Perseus Lykaios - multiple forms
* The Morrigan - raven
* Morgana le Fay - bird
* Cliodhna - seabird
* Sirius Black - black dog
* Minerva McGonagall - silver tabby cat
* Peter Pettigrew - grey rat
* Rita Skeeter - blue beetle

## Etymology

*Animagus* is a combination of the word "animal" and the Latin word *magus*, meaning "magician"; thus, the term meant "animal wizard".

## See Also

* Metamorphmagus
* Shapeshifting