Rufus was pretty damned smart. Jim glanced over at Lexi and grinned at her. Imagine.

"I think its first important to point out that not everyone wants to be animagi." Jim put his hand up. "And like all magic, intent is half the battle. And then maybe the other side of it is to look at the reasons that people DO wanna have that skill. I think if the reason behind it is for the greater good, more than a purely selfish reason, people are more likely to be truly motivated to put the hard work in."

Aurora (Kimalia) appeared devastated. People actually doubt that it would be possible to be an Animagus, she rose her hand. "I think, for someone to be an Animagus, it's more of a feeling that they can actually feel connected to themselves as something else as well. Not only that, but if someone really feels it necessary to become one that should at least be the first step." After all, wasn't there a rumor of students long ago becoming one just so they could comfort their werewolf friend? Kimalia was so caught up in having her word thrown in, she had forgotten to think about what Aurora would really think.

Kurumi was beginning to feel even more uncomfortable in her seat and she began swaying back and forth a bit – especially with the next question. There certainly was a lot to take in, that’s for sure. Her cat, Walnut, was pretty darn clever and many people mistook him for being part kneazle – which he wasn’t. The cat was purely 100% munchkin cat. He was a little too clever for his own good, but Kurumi was pretty sure that he wasn’t an animagus. At least, she sure hoped that he wasn’t because that would certainly make things awkward.

“Historically, we know of group of Hogwarts students who became animagi when they were 5th years. It took a lot of studying and practice, but they were able to accomplish it. As Jim stated, magic is half intent, so I think if anyone had the strong enough desire to become one, that they could do it.”

She tugged on her hair for a moment and looked down at the table.

Why was Jim smiling at her? Weirdo. She smiled back, but he was strange sometimes. Really. Heh.

Rolling her eyes slightly Lexi raised her hand and said, "Yes, intent, strong minded to accomplish, blah blah blah, but it still comes down to practice, study, and the like to gain the... wait for it... SKILL enough to do the transformation properly, wouldn't you say?"

It was times like this that she was SURE she spent entirely too much time with Neptune Bott. SURE. OF. IT.

Clever Gryffindor, when she wasn't glaring. Cade grinned at the girl. "In my experience, it is very difficult to develop the ability to be an animagus. There is a certain amount of natural ability required, on top of the hard work."

Quote:

Originally Posted by Samira Malfoy Potter

Could anyone become an animagus? No, probably not. Samira raised her hand up high. "I agree with Lexi," said Samira. "I don't think just anyone could become an animagi if they chose. It takes a lot of practice and skill...something not everyone has." She just basically rephrased what Lexi said, but....eh...it was her opinion, too. "Plus if anyone could become an animagus, it wouldn't necessarily be special anymore. People wouldn't see it as an amazing talent if anyone could do it." Which wasn't really an answer to the question, but was also her opinion.

"I imagine if you wanted it badly enough and you were willing to work toward it, you could master the skill," Caedwyn offered in all her hopeful Hufflepuff glory. "But generally, you're right. It's hard work."

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jason Potter Weasley

William raised hid hand. " I bet you some of my classmates could be an animagi" William told the professor. " They probably do not want to show themselves as an animagi "William said to the professor.

"I hope you're mistaken," she sounded a bit anxious, mostly at having to disagree with him. "If any of your classmates are, they face serious consequences, especially as they would have had to develop the skill without the help of a Transfiguration professor. Fines, prison... expulsion if you're still a student." It all made her very... anxious. Yes.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Samira Malfoy Potter

Samira stared at William for a moment. Was he implying that there could be an animagi in their midst at that very moment....?

O________O



Samira didn't think that was possible. For one, it takes years of experience that not even some adults have. And two...."Professor, don't you have to be a certain age before becoming an animagus?" she said clearly while raising her hand.

"Not specifically, no, but it is very rare to find a student less than a fifth year even able to grasp the intricate magic. I would be surprised if a rare student was even able to figure it out before graduating. It is very complicated."

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tegz

Rufus was pretty damned smart. Jim glanced over at Lexi and grinned at her. Imagine.

"I think its first important to point out that not everyone wants to be animagi." Jim put his hand up. "And like all magic, intent is half the battle. And then maybe the other side of it is to look at the reasons that people DO wanna have that skill. I think if the reason behind it is for the greater good, more than a purely selfish reason, people are more likely to be truly motivated to put the hard work in."

Hooray, clever Ravenclaw! "Sometimes selfish motivations are very powerful, but I agree with you in general. Intent... yes. I like that."

So it seemed the consensus was that being an animagus was too difficult an ability to master for just anyone to do it. As for the legalities...

"Did anyone have thoughts on the legal aspects? Do you believe anyone is or should be ruled out from being an animagus?"

Samira raised her hand immediately. "Yes, I think so," she said. "I think that proven criminals should not be able to become an animagus, because they have a criminal history, and who's to say they won't commit another crime or felony using their animagus form to help?" She paused for a moment and thought it over before adding, "But perhaps it would depend on the crime...if it was something little, I don't think they should be ruled out. But murderers and thief's shouldn't be able to."

Selina rose her hand and said, "Ma'am I think that classified criminals should not be allowed to become Animagi. Although you do run into the issue that the people who are criminals would go along the illegal route to become Animagi anyway. But I also do personally believe that students under the age of seventeen should not be allowed to become Animagi, just like apparation."

Vashti considered the question for a moment before raising her hand. "Students like us are ruled out, aren't we?" she asked. "I mean not forever, of course, just while we're still in school. You wouldn't expect any of us to be able to successfully become Animagi, and I'm sure if you knew a student was trying to become one, you probably wouldn't allow them to continue... at least not until they graduated."

After thinking about the legality of it, Emmaleigh raised her hand. "Well, it seems like you wouldn't want some one who has committed a crime to be an animagus. But if they have studied it, and are animagi, how would you stop them from changing?" she asked, confused about the situation.

Penny put her hand in the air..."Ma'am, I don't think criminals, who have been found guilty in a court of law, should be allowed to learn"

Ariella raised her hand. "Well, like everyone else is saying. It wouldn't be very good if a criminal was an animagus. Because then they could easily conceal themselves by changing." Come to think of it, she couldn't think of any more instances. "I guess that's all."

"Just the hardened criminals, I suppose." She mused, desk littered with cupcake and cookie wrappers in neat little piles. It was obvious where most of her attention was for this lesson, though she did find this particular subject a bit fascinating. "It wouldn't be fair to deny those who wish to be anumagus the right if they weren't already a proven criminal."

"It seems like that would be ideal, doesn't it? If you're known to be a criminal, then you can't make use of an ability that would make your nefarious doings more successful... Wishful thinking, maybe?" Caedwyn shrugged.

Quote:

Originally Posted by fanficfanatict

Selina rose her hand and said, "Ma'am I think that classified criminals should not be allowed to become Animagi. Although you do run into the issue that the people who are criminals would go along the illegal route to become Animagi anyway. But I also do personally believe that students under the age of seventeen should not be allowed to become Animagi, just like apparation."

And then another student piped up with the same opinion. "I imagine someone who wanted to use the ability to do wrong will work to develop the skill regardless, yes. As for the age limit... it isn't that we don't allow students to try, it's just that very few develop the skill before graduation."

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snape'sGirlThru&Thru

Vashti considered the question for a moment before raising her hand. "Students like us are ruled out, aren't we?" she asked. "I mean not forever, of course, just while we're still in school. You wouldn't expect any of us to be able to successfully become Animagi, and I'm sure if you knew a student was trying to become one, you probably wouldn't allow them to continue... at least not until they graduated."

"Actually, I believe the last few Transfiguration professors did have students learning to be an animagus under their tutelage. In fact,
as recently as two terms ago, you had a student master the ability and register with us." Because Transfiguration professors were responsible people, for the most part.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yourenodaisy

After thinking about the legality of it, Emmaleigh raised her hand. "Well, it seems like you wouldn't want some one who has committed a crime to be an animagus. But if they have studied it, and are animagi, how would you stop them from changing?" she asked, confused about the situation.

"That's the crux of it, I believe," Cade pointed at the girl. "Exactly so. Criminals and regular wizards will pursue the skill with or without our permission, which is why we don't monitor the study. But it is the reason the penalties are so harsh. We want to make it clear that the only reason not to register is because they're up to no good."

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trish

Penny put her hand in the air..."Ma'am, I don't think criminals, who have been found guilty in a court of law, should be allowed to learn"

"And I wish it was just that easy," Cade's tone was apologetic. "I agree with you, of course, but it would be impossible to monitor."

Hooray for debate and conversation! That had been a lovely exchange. "Anyone want a cookie? Grab one from the box. If not, we'll just move on again. Based on what we've discussed, and on your own knowledge, why do you suppose learning to become an animagus is considered to be such advanced magic? Feel free to respond to your classmates responses rather than just repeating what they've already said."

Lexi raised her hand and said, "Well... it's not REALLY transfiguration, is it? It's more of a transformation. One becomes an animal... One is not simply made to LOOK like one. That in and of itself would be a more difficult thing to master, I would assume.

Just off the top of her head she thought that one... not sure if it was right, but it beat glaring at the Ministry hag all class long. Heh.

Selina rose her hand, "Well isn't an animagus a magic that is derived from a deep part of the human mind. What you turn into reflects the kind of person you are. Case and point- Peter Pettigrew, a follower of Voldermort, was the man who betrayed James and Lily Potter and lead to their eventual death. But when he developed his animagus skill he turned into a rat. A rat was what he was underneath her entire person. So becoming an animal derives from a deep understanding of what kind of person you are. Most people at our age have no idea who we are. Attempting to become an animagus when we are all going through such significant changes would be a mute point. It wouldn't work because we are still working out in our heads what kind of Witch and Wizard we are going to be. You have to have a strong sense of self to go under this high level of transfiguration."

"Well it is advanced magic cause someone literally is trying to make it possible for themselves to turn into an animal at will. It is hard enough to turn part of your body into an animal part. It is considered advanced magic cause you must be a decent witch or wizard to become one", Chloe said with her hand raised high.

Marilyn rolled her eyes, glancing at those who'd already answered and raised her hand.

"I believe it's considered extremely advanced because it doesn't necessarily require a wand to preform...and much like Selina said, becoming an animal derives from a deep understanding of what kind of person you are. Most people at our age have no idea who we are, anyway. One usually has to study theory and prepare for years to perfect the art of transforming one's body into that of a true animagus. I believe the danger and risk involved also constitutes how truly advanced it is..."

Kurumi listened to Lexi and Selina’s responses and nodded her head slightly, although she wasn’t entirely sure that she agreed with what Selina said. “While I see your point, about young people like us not knowing who we are, Peter Pettigrew and the others became animagi when they were 5th years. I am not sure it is a fair statement to say that Pettigrew knew that he was conniving and would turn his supposed best friend over to Voldemort when he was a 5th year. I think, just like a patronus, that the form a person takes as an animagus taps into a part of ourselves that we don’t even know about. Isn’t it true that Harry Potter didn’t know his father’s animagus form, as well as his patronus, was a stag when he first performed the spell?” Well, there were timeturners involved there, so that was a rather complicated matter, but in theory it made a bit of sense. “I am not sure that fully understanding yourself really applies to the principles behind becoming an animagus.”

Kurumi paused for a moment and looked down at the table. This was certainly the case with her abilities. She hardly understood herself and she would make changes all the time.

“What I do think makes becomes an animagus so difficult is that you not only need to be able to cast nonverbals, you also need to be able to cast the spell in becoming one wandlessly.”

Marilyn gave the girl who'd just answered a look, listening to everything she'd said...

"You said he didn't know he would betray them...and you're right...but I believe his entire behavior could have predicted his loyalties would go to the highest bidder." She frowned. "He surrounded himself with those who could protect him...because he was quite cowardly and rat-like. While his comrades have stronger, more defined animagi...he was weak and timid. Peter Pettigrew's mind's eye knew his true heart. He was a rat and remained a rat for the entirety of life."

Kurumi looked over her right shoulder when she heard someone addressing her statement. The topic of whether or not knowing yourself was a rather complicated one to be sure. “I suppose you do have a point,” she nodded. She really didn’t know much about the history of Petter Pettigrew, other than she knew that his animagus form was a rat. “But, I don’t think that it is a conscious decision. I don’t think that you can go into the training of becoming an animagus and say to yourself that you are going to become a certain animal. Say that there is someone that just adores cats because they are adorable. I don’t believe that is a strong enough connection to become a cat in animagus form.” She felt like their conversation was swerving a bit off topic at the moment, but it all related if you squinted at it. Sort of. “From what you have said, and I do agree with this, ones animagus form is displaying your soul. Perhaps the fact that he had to rely on his friends to help him through the process of becoming one because he greatly lacked the skill and aptitude of doing it on his own, using them for his own personal gain, it was also contributed to his form. This could also explain why the other three took on more noble forms, because they possessed the proper skill, aptitude and dedication.”

Did that mean that all people who didn’t, those who people could claim were undeserving, would take on the forms of such creates as rats and bugs? There was that one woman who turned into a beetle. She was certainly not the most noblest of people.

"I wholeheartedly agree that he couldn't have possibly known what his inner creature would be...It all comes down to behaviors, true intention, and skill...And I don't believe the Patronus and Animagus form to be associated. While animagus is based on personality, as we've agreed upon, I believe a patronus is more so about what one might find comfort in...Which, thinking about it now might be slightly linked to what one's personality might find comforting..."

Marilyn sat back, sighing. There was nothing that pleased her more than a debate. "Also, professor, I believe we've touched upon something very important here. Personality decides most things in life for each individual...Whether it be house, animagus...Patronus. It all stems from the same place."

Hmm, that was interesting. Vashti didn't know some students had actually become Animagi with a professor's help, especially recently. Very interesting, that.

But back to the lesson at hand.

"I think," she began, raising her hand again, "it's also considered difficult because when you turn into an animal as an Animagus, you still retain your human mind and ability to reason, whereas if you just transfigure yourself or someone else into an animal, that's not necessarily the case, right? You or the transfigured person have the mind of an animal then, usually. So I figure being able to keep your mind while maintaining the form of an animal for an extended period of time takes a lot of practice and effort." Plus all the other stuff people had mentioned.

She then turned to the discussion about Peter Pettigrew. Quite interesting. Vashti considered joining in but couldn't think of much to contribute that Kurumi and the other girl hadn't already said, so she instead she continued to listen.

WEll, I guess the Animagus takes on the personality of the person" William told the class.
" So, therfore you could probably tell a criminal and if the animagus is registered in the Ministry, thefore they could not be criminals" William tried to explain to the class.

Cookie?

This was kind of... unexpected, since Helena didn't even notice the cookies earlier, even though they were right in front of her. That was very nice of her. But... maybe later.

Okay. Back to the animagi.

Why was it such an advanced magic? "It's way more than just a simple kind of transfiguration," Helena said, after she raised her hand. "Besides the fact that the animagus changes completely into an animal, he or she can still think as a human and..." and she really didn't know how to say. "... it's fascinating." Yup, that was the word.

Samira listened to the answers going on back and forth like a Quiddich match. It was quite interesting, really. This is why she liked this Ministry lady a lot more than Shaw, who just yelled and destroyed blackboards.

The Slytherin passed up another cookie and raised her hand. "I agree with what's been said so far. I believe that it's rather hard to accomplish because you're actually becoming an animal, not just making something else into one temporarily. Also, you're not using a wand, so it would be completely based on your will-power, determination, and talent." She listened to Kurumi and Marilyn's discussion before adding in: "I don't think you have any power in what animal you transform into. If your animagus is a rat, you can't change that, can you?" Or maybe she was wrong? Samira shrugged and continued. "Also, it's not the same thing as casting a patronus. True, they both reflect personality, but a patronus's form can always change, while I don't believe you can change your animagus form."