Animagus

> It took them the best part of three years to work out how to do it. Your father and Sirius here were the cleverest students in the school, and lucky they were, because the Animagus transformation can go horribly wrong — one reason the Ministry keeps a close watch on those attempting to do it. Peter needed all the help he could get from James and Sirius. Finally, in our fifth year, they managed it. They could each turn into a different animal at will.
>
> Remus Lupin explaining how the Marauders became Animagi, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

    An **Animagus** (pl. *Animagi*) was a witch or wizard who could transform themselves into an animal and back again at will. It was a learned skill, unlike the hereditary skill of a Metamorphmagus. Information on Animagi was taught to Hogwarts students during their third-year Transfiguration class. An Animagus Registry existed to keep track of those that had learned to transform in this way.

## 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.

 File:Padfoot.png  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 an entire 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. 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 TBB 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.

At Uagadou School of Magic, a school known for its focus on self-transfiguration, students could become Animagi by the age of fourteen.

## Details

**Albus Dumbledore**: "*Fancy seeing you here, Professor McGonagall!*"
**Minerva McGonagall**: "*() Good evening, Professor Dumbledore*"
**Albus Dumbledore**: "*My dear Professor, I've never seen a cat sit so stiffly.*"
**Minerva McGonagall**: "*You'd be stiff if you'd been sitting on a brick wall all day.*"
— Minerva McGonagall in her Animagus form at Privet Drive[src]
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. It was debated (but generally believed to be possible) whether one's Animagus form could be a magical creature, and also debated (but generally believed to be impossible) if one's Animagus form could be a Dementor.

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 could consciously choose if they also wanted to transfigure their jewellery and clothing with them.[*citation needed*]

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.

### 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.

During the 1994-1995 Triwizard Tournament, when Harry Potter was searching for methods of breathing underwater in preparation for the second task, he wished that he could become an Animagus so he could transform into a fish and survive in the Great Lake for an hour, not realising that his form was predetermined.

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.

## Nature

 File:Animagus transformation.gif  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, an a human who was Transfigured into an animal would take on the mental state of that animal, an Animagus on the other hand would still think as they normally did in animal form as the 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.

 File:Animagus reversal spell GIF.gif  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 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***.

## Wizarding law

> You know that I can disguise myself most effectively.
>
> Peter Pettigrew speaking about his advantage of being unregistered, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

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' ***Transiguration*** ***Professor*** Minerva McGonagall. According to Remus Lupin, it was also partially because of this complexity that Animagi were required to register themselves.

### Unregistered Animagi

The 2579th edition of *Transfiguration Today* contained a guide to identifying unregistered Animagi.
During the 1980s, Talbott Winger, an unregistered Eagle Animagus, attended Hogwarts. He refused to register out of fear for his personal safety as his parents fought against Lord Voldemort and were killed by Death Eaters in retaliation. They were identified at least partly due to his mother, a Swan Animagus, being registered. Professor McGonagall was aware of Talbott's status and respected his decision.
Jacob's sibling had the option of becoming an Animagus during their time as Hogwarts. If they succeeded, they were unregistered, at least temporarily, during the school year. However, they had the option of registering with the Ministry during their free time.
During the 1990–1991 school year, the British Ministry of Magic arrested Olivier Kikkert, an unregistered frog Animagus.
On the night of 6 June, 1994, Remus Lupin stated that the Ministry "*never knew that there used to be three unregistered Animagi running around Hogwarts*", the three being his schoolmates Sirius Black, Peter Pettigrew and the late James Potter; Black's, Pettigrew's and Potter's Animagi nature was revealed by Remus Lupin to Harry Potter, Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley in the Shrieking Shack, and by Sirius Black himself to Albus Dumbledore in Professor Flitwick's office on the same night. The existence of a fourth unregistered Animagus, Rita Skeeter, was spotted by Hermione Granger about a year later, and revealed to Harry Potter and Ron Weasley in June 1995 (on the Hogwarts Express returning to London) and, indirectly, to Luna Lovegood on February 14th, 1996 (at the Three Broomsticks Inn). Albus Dumbledore indirectly stated that the Marauders never revealed to anyone, the Order of the Phoenix included, that three of them became Animagi until mid-1994, when Sirius Black told the entire story to him. It is unknown if Lily Evans knew it, but as she married James Potter, she supposedly did.

## Known and speculated Animagi

### Pre-registration system

Falco Aesalon1.jpgFalco Aesalon - FalconCliodne.jpgCliodna - SeabirdMorrigan.jpgMorrigan - CrowMorgan le Fay Chocolate Frog Card HM.PNGMorgan le Fay - BirdPottermore Sorting.pngLisette de Lapin - White rabbit (possibly)
### Post-registration system

Minerva McGonagall -
Silver Tabby Cat (registered)James Potter -
Stag (unregistered)Sirius Black -
Black dog (unregistered)Peter Pettigrew -
Grey Rat (unregistered)
* Unidentified five Animagi

### Miscellaneous

Babitty.jpgBabbitty Rabbitty - Rabbit
(fictional character)Native American Wizard 2.jpgUnidentified Native American wizard - Bald EagleNatsai Onai's mother HL.pngMudiwa Onai - African fish eaglePottermore Sorting.pngNatsai Onai's father - GiraffeNatsai Onai.pngNatsai Onai - GazellePottermore Sorting.pngUnidentified 1920s Animagus - Duck (possibly)
* Uagadou School Team - elephants and cheetahs

## Etymology

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

## Behind the scenes

* According to W.O.M.B.A.T., an Animagus transformation is two of the following: a kind of Self-Transfiguration, a kind of Self-Charm, or a kind of magic that is neither Transfiguration nor Charm. You are asked to pick the statement that is incorrect. This would mean Animagus transformation is either a kind of Self-Transfiguration but not actually a Transfiguration or Charm, a kind of Self-Charm but not actually a Transfiguration or Charm, or a kind of Self-Transfiguration and Charms.
	+ Logically, it would be possible for the Animagus transformation to be both a Self-Charm and a Self-Transfiguration because if either the Self-Transfiguration or the Self-Charm statements were wrong, you would have been left with two conflicting statements, one that affirms the status of this and one that specifically denies the affirmation.
	+ It is worth noting that James Potter saved Severus Snape from Remus Lupin *without* transforming himself, because Snape told to Dumbledore about Lupin being a werewolf, but never mentioned Potter being an Animagus, as can be deduced by the fact that Dumbledore, as stated above, didn't know it.
* It is not known if the registration system is used worldwide, or just by some countries.
	+ Interestingly, the first four known Animagi prior to the registration system all took the form of birds (Falco Aesalon, Morrigan, Morgan le Fay and Cliodna). The two known registered Animagi both become cats (Minerva McGonagall and an unknown witch).
* Given an Animagus form is determined by the wizard's personality, it's unknown if the culture the wizard lives in has any influence. Some animals are attributed with different traits in various cultures. For example, Mongolian culture has historically revered wolves, attributing them as the ultimate hunters who can only die by human hand if the wolf consents to death as wolves are considered to be inherently superior to mankind. In other cultures, wolves are vilified and treated as cowardly, blood thirsty, and loathsome beasts.
* In Latin, the female form of Magus is Maga. However, in canon, female Animagi are never referred to as "Animaga" or "Animagae", which would be the female plural.
* J. K. Rowling has stated that she would fancy an otter — her favourite animal — as her Animagus form, though if she actually transformed, she suspects she might be "a guinea pig or something, which would be quite embarrassing."
* J. K. Rowling once joked that Godric Gryffindor was actually the Giant Squid in the Hogwarts lake, however this is not considered canon.[*citation needed*]
* In *Harry Potter and the Prisoner Of Azkaban* (film):
	+ Peter Pettigrew is fully clothed when he transforms to his human form in the Shrieking Shack, but later, when he transforms to a rat, he leaves his clothes behind, demonstrating that a wizard is able to consciously choose to transform what they are wearing along with them.
	+ Sirius's Animagus form is a large, mangy and tough looking dog but in *Harry Potter and the Order Of The Phoenix* (film), he looks more like a kind harmless dog. It could be that he fixed his appearances in his human form, as well as the fact that he was potentially recovering from being mentally and emotionally broken due to the loss of James and Lily, the betrayal of Pettigrew, his framing, and his years of imprisonment in Azkaban.

## See also

* Extraordinary Animagus Potion
* Known Animagus Spell
* Metamorphmagus

## Appearances

* *Harry-Potter and-the Sorcerer's S Stone* (film) (First Physical Appearance)
* *Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets* (film)
* *Harry Potter and the Prisoner Of Azkaban* (film) (First Physical Identified as Animagus)
* *Harry Potter and the Goblet Of Fire* (film)
* *Harry Potter and the Order Of The Phoenix* (film)
* *Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince* (film)
* *Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 1*
* *Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2*

## Notes and references

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 *Pottermore Presents*: *Short Stories from Hogwarts of Heroism, Hardship and Dangerous Hobbies*
2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Cite error: Invalid `<ref>` tag; no text was provided for refs named `pottermore-uagadou`
3. ↑ 2004 World Book Day Chat
4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 *Harry-Potter and-the Sorcerer's S Stone* (film), Chapter 1
5. ↑ Everything you didn't know about Animagi
7. ↑ *Harry Potter and the Order Of The Phoenix* (film) - Hermione Granger instructed ***Rita Skeeter*** to interview Harry Potter truthfully and free of charge, commenting, "Otherwise, as you very well know, I will inform the authorities that you are an unregistered Animagus. Of course, the *Prophet* might give you rather a lot for an insider's account of life in Azkaban."
8. ↑  Harry Potter and the Prisoner Of Azkaban (film)
9. ↑ *Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets* (film)
10. ↑ Famous Witches and Wizards Cards
11. ↑ Cite error: Invalid `<ref>` tag; no text was provided for refs named `POA6`
12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 Cite error: Invalid `<ref>` tag; no text was provided for refs named `POA18`
13. ↑ Edinburgh "cub reporter" Press Conference, available via Accio Quote!