Did someone said cookie?! Where?! Aiden who was keeping quiet throughout most of the lesson so far finally decided to speak up her mind. But cookie is the first priority now. She grabs a piece of cookie and returns back to her seat.

While munching her cookie, Aiden listens to Samira's answer and adds another essential fact. At least that is what she thinks. "Not to mention that the transformation is made non-verbally," she pauses, taking another bite of the cookie. "Wandless, non-verbal and fully transformed. That means animagi are very talented wizards and witches, right?"

Iris listened to all the discussion that was going on, while letting her mind wander a little. Some of the things the students were saying were a bit silly, really... But she didn't comment on any of it. When the lady (whose name Iris had missed) asked this question, Iris frowned. "Well it's considered advanced magic because of the effort, time and dedication that it takes. You can learn how to transfigure a cat into a teapot on a whim, with a bit of concentration and luck, regardless of your Transfiguration skills. You can't do that with Animagi studies, though. You've really got to study EVERYTHING about them. You have to understand all the magic behind making the transformation work before you could even think about actually learning how to become an animagus." She paused for a moment. "Now... I can't say this is true, as I've not studied to be an animagus, but what I've read about - which is quite a lot - it seems to me that learning to become an animagus would be very emotionally and physically draining, particularly by the end of the study period... Maybe that's partially why it's considered advanced magic, because a lot of people wouldn't be able to handle that as well as the actual studying."

Iris looked at Kurumi as she made her point.... Didn't Iris's own points kind of run into Kurumi's? Iris thought that it did. "I don't think that's why younger people are seen as incapable to learn how to become an animagus." And she was really worried that this would go down terribly... so she had to word her next sentence carefully. "It's like what I said just then... the emotional work that must go into the learning... it would be even harder on younger people because of how our minds work. We're a lot more emotional than adults, especially because of growing up - physically, all the school work, the pressure to find friends and be liked in school. Then there's the emotions and confusion that comes with realising that you like someone romantically. There's a lot that goes on in a teenager's mind... maybe too much for most teenagers to be able to handle the workload of Animagi study, too."

Penny reached for a cookie, and took a bite as she was thinking about her answer..."Well ma'am, I think the witch or wizard that would want to learn, would first of all need really good transfiguration skills... then the talent needed to do the actual study of transforming and finally putting into practice what was learned"...she took a breath before continuing...

"It takes years to learn how to become an animagus..So to answer your question ma'am, Yes I do believe it is advanced magic... for students to learn i think they would maybe need to be at least 5th years or above...anyone younger than that wouldn't have the proper skill set to pull it off".

Arya's shifted in her seat and leaned forward a bit as she listened to the conversation, agreeing with most of what was being said. And while she was a content with just listening, there seemed to be one liiiitle thing that no one one had directly mention. "I don't think that time and effort are the only key details that make become an animagus advanced magic." She paused to push aside a few wrappers and lean forward. " All spells, to a certain extent, require research, time and effort, everything else that's been said. But what makes becoming an animagus different is the dangers of not succeeding. The consequences of failing an animagus transformation are far greater than say, casting a patronus or transfiguring one object into another."

She inclined her head towards the head girl. "I agree with, Iris. Before you can even consider starting practicing, you've got to cover all your bases. You can't just do trial and error with this, and you have to have someone around who has a greater understanding of animagi than yourself." She wanted to tell the head girl that her cupcakes were awesome too, but she decided that was best saved for later. Heh.

Selina looked up at Kurumi and nodded, "I do see your point, but I disagree. I mean if we are going to use Peter Pettigrew as our focal point you have to take into account that we have no historical evidence of when he became a follower of Voldermort. Severus Snape joined the Death Eaters when he was still in Hogwarts. Who is to say that he, as in Pettigrew, didn't do the same. And if he did, and we are working completely on rhetoricals here, wouldn't that mean that he did know who he was. I mean most people who went to school with Pettigrew said he was a slimy little git way before he become the right hand man of the Darkest Wizard of all time. When you are not a good person you know that you aren't a good person. So I think knowing about yourself is an important part of this transfiguration. I mean honestly if we just say that it is hard magic that can be learned... why isn't everyone an Animagus?"

Still not looking so happy, Josh eyed the cookies some, again, when the woman mentioned them. Well...now he had neither the stomach nor the mood to take one. So, he only listened to the people talking about animagi and stuff staring down at his desk. He only looked up a few times just to shoot a glance at the woman with narrowed dark brown eyes.

Then he thought over it. Apparently Shaw was not coming no matter if he was angry or not. So, maybe it was not a good idea to be whining over it anymore. Being an animagus sounded interesting after all so actually it would have been useful to be one. Then, he needed info? Yes, he did.

And with how all people in the class made it sound like, Josh found the case more attractive. It sounded like a very difficult and hard to deal with progress. Just the kind Josh Carter liked. So, he really might try to be one. But this thought made some other questions appear in his mind.

Therefore standing up ''Miss Howard...'' he adressed the woman. Yes, he had not forgotten her name. ''...i have questions.'' And he would totally understand if she was not going to feel like answering them since he knew she might have found him annoying. He wanted to try his chance anyway. Right she was working at the same department with Ryan, but it did not really mean that she was a non-human being which was more annoying than anything that could be annoying on earth, just like Ryan.

''They are not related to the 'working to be an animagus' progress but they are related to animagi anyway.'' Had this made sense? Well, he hoped it had. ''I wonder, assuming one manage to deal with the hard to work, can he choose what animal he'd turn into? Or is it something you cannot choose like the Patronus Charm turning into what your personality or something reflects? And if it is like the Patronus, since one has only one personality would the animagus be the same as the person's Patronus form?''

Eino hesitantly said both. He didn't want to make it seem like he was desperate to turn into a dragon, but who wouldn't want to be an animagus? It sounded pretty amazing. Still, he wouldn't want to get into any trouble with the law. He had heard all about the Dementors and they were not fun creatures to be around.

He then turned his attention to Mr. Jimmy. He couldn't really understand why someone wouldn't want to be an animagi. It sounded so... convenient, but mostly fun. Although, they had just pointed out the reasons behind animagi registration so there was a some of danger attached to it. "What if I just want to become a dagron to talk to other dragons?" Eino asked innocently, neither knowing that it was impossible to turn into a dragon nor that he wouldn't be able to speak to dragons even if he could turn into one. He didn't want to do anything bad as a dragon, though, and he wouldn't even breathe fire! Well, maybe just a little, but only to light a candle or something like that.

Oh, ...great. The instructor was offering cookies. Sierra shot a glare in Kurumi Hollingberry's general direction. The Gryffindor was probably bubbling over in excitement at the very thought of cookies being offered in a class. Sierra eyed the box of cookies, wanting one, yet not wanting one, all at the same time. In the end, she let her eyes flicker away from the box and focus again on the woman teaching the class.

Wonder if Howard, or whatever her name was, knew Sierra's father? Likely, seeing as they worked together.

Anyway. With her hand now raised in the air, Sierra said, "I think it has a lot to do with what you have to put into it. It's not something simple like a basic spell, so it's not that easy to learn and master." She paused and lowered her hand. "It requires a lot more dedication and intent than say...disarming an opponent. That sort of thing." What else? Maybe... "Maybe the danger behind it, too? The danger of a transformation gone wrong? Mastering it is one thing, but transforming your entire body into something else entirely isn't really something to fool around with. I mean, what if you were still inexperienced and didn't know how to transform back?"

Err, ...right. Hopefully some part of that answer made her seem like she at least halfway knew what she was talking about.

Cookies? Savannah love cookies! Expecially chocolte chips. Savannah grabbed one from the box, then moved on the the question. "It's advanced magic because becoming another human is just changing the outside appearance of yourself. You've got the same body parts inside. But turning into an animal is different. The way that an animal is build is different from a humans. Turning into a mammal would be easier than turning into a reptile."

Not even bothering to go grab a cookie, Gwen continued thinking. Hmm… what to say, what to say? ‘Well… eh… if the wizard isn’t prepared enough… um…it might cause the transformation to go horribly wrong’ Was that even an answer… ? Probably not, but I really have no other idea. Ah! What I said was so stupid!, the young Ravenclaw finally decided.

‘As opposed to ordinary transfiguration, the process of animagi allows the magical being to be able to retain their human brain in the animal form and is therefore a highly advanced form of magic.’, she decided to try one more time. There… that’s all I could come up with.

"I think you make a good point, but there have been students who accomplish animagus transfiguration. Some know themselves thoroughly and completely at a young age, and some never will. I would caution, however, not to make a snap decision about a person based on their animagus form. Rats make excellent pets, even if we use the word in a pejorative context."

Quote:

Originally Posted by sweetpinkpixie

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.”

"Perhaps you don't need to know yourself perfectly, because who does, but it certainly helps. Your will has a lot to overcome if you are lying to yourself about who you truly are." And will accounted for a great deal, but it was often stymied by lies.

Quote:

Originally Posted by sweetpinkpixie

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.

Another clever thought from the Gryffindor with the cookies! "You're right... you have no control over your animagus form. It matches your patronus form, so we know it does tap into that deep part of yourself, but it goes beyond liking horses or thinking dolphins are interesting. But again I would caution against judging that a small scurrying animal is somehow less than being a bull moose. An Auror would tell you he'd choose small and scurrying 9 times out of 10."

Quote:

Originally Posted by Miss Marilyn

"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."

Oh, see? She hated this part. Poor thing... having to tell her she was mistaken. Sigh. "Actually, the patronus and animagus forms are closely linked. You'll only see a difference in someone who has gone through a life change resulting in a change of the patronus. The animagus form does not change."

Quote:

Originally Posted by Samira Malfoy Potter

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."

"You're right. You can't control that, and if you know your patronus form, you have a general idea of your animagus form. Perhaps not the identifying features, but you'll want to spend time focusing on those during transfiguration to correctly assume your animal form."

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lara_the_Firelady

Still not looking so happy, Josh eyed the cookies some, again, when the woman mentioned them. Well...now he had neither the stomach nor the mood to take one. So, he only listened to the people talking about animagi and stuff staring down at his desk. He only looked up a few times just to shoot a glance at the woman with narrowed dark brown eyes.

Then he thought over it. Apparently Shaw was not coming no matter if he was angry or not. So, maybe it was not a good idea to be whining over it anymore. Being an animagus sounded interesting after all so actually it would have been useful to be one. Then, he needed info? Yes, he did.

And with how all people in the class made it sound like, Josh found the case more attractive. It sounded like a very difficult and hard to deal with progress. Just the kind Josh Carter liked. So, he really might try to be one. But this thought made some other questions appear in his mind.

Therefore standing up ''Miss Howard...'' he adressed the woman. Yes, he had not forgotten her name. ''...i have questions.'' And he would totally understand if she was not going to feel like answering them since he knew she might have found him annoying. He wanted to try his chance anyway. Right she was working at the same department with Ryan, but it did not really mean that she was a non-human being which was more annoying than anything that could be annoying on earth, just like Ryan.

''They are not related to the 'working to be an animagus' progress but they are related to animagi anyway.'' Had this made sense? Well, he hoped it had. ''I wonder, assuming one manage to deal with the hard to work, can he choose what animal he'd turn into? Or is it something you cannot choose like the Patronus Charm turning into what your personality or something reflects? And if it is like the Patronus, since one has only one personality would the animagus be the same as the person's Patronus form?''

"Personal choice, unfortunately, has no influence on your animal form. And yes, it is the same as your patronus form." And that was much politer behavior than before, which earned the boy a grateful smile.

Quote:

Originally Posted by dragon_star

Cookies? Savannah love cookies! Expecially chocolte chips. Savannah grabbed one from the box, then moved on the the question. "It's advanced magic because becoming another human is just changing the outside appearance of yourself. You've got the same body parts inside. But turning into an animal is different. The way that an animal is build is different from a humans. Turning into a mammal would be easier than turning into a reptile."

"You know, that's an excellent point and not something I've made a study of myself. It does seem that more mammals are animagus forms than other animals. I'll certainly take that observation back to the Ministry with me." Hmmm.

"So our common threads would be... the spell is difficult because you perform wandless and complex magic upon yourself, because you are expected to change yourself physically inside and out, because the spell taps into the deepest part of who you are, because it is physically and emotionally taxing, and because it is difficult to maintain yourself the longer you spend in animal form."

"And you know... one important point only touched on generally, and I happen to think it is quite important, is this: one reason this spell is considered so difficult and dangerous is that if you mess it up and get stuck in your animal form, you have no real means to communicate who you are and what went wrong. In light of all those reasons we've listed, is it any wonder the Ministry wants a comprehensive list of who is an animagus and how to identify them? Or that we strongly recommend you study this under the tutelage of an accomplished Transfiguration professional?"

She glanced at her watch briefly. Eek. Running out of time! "Do we have any additional thoughts and questions?"

Wait? What the-? Alright. This is getting really complicated. Whatever happened to Shaw? Aiden prefers that madman Ministry guy better since he was more practical and fun to be around. At least that is what she thought...

"Did you mean that if you messed up while becoming an animagus, it is possible that you'll lose control of your own mind? Like a werewolf?"

"Shaw..come back - all is forgiven".. Penny thought, she didn't understand what this class was really all about..she was really confused now...

Yeah sure it was all about animagus and the transformation..which was cool and all.. but legalities ???

Kurumi nodded and wrote down a few more notes on her parchment as their substitute professor answered each student. She did find the notion of one's animagus form being unchanging while a patronus had the ability to do so. What all did that imply? Something about the deepest parts of ourselves being unchanging where as the part of us that creates the emotions of love and happiness could?

There certainly was a lot more to think about.

Kurumi's head turned to the left and back a bit when she heard someone speak. "I don't think Miss Howard means that exactly, at least not directly. One thing that seperates an animagus from a werewolf is that one is able to retain their human mind and way of thinking," Kurumi explained glancing over towards the Ministry representative for clarification. "I think what she means is that you will never be able to change back and will be stuck in your animal body. I suppose that if that were to happen you could lose control of your mind, but that would come from madness and not animal instincts like werewolves."

Tilting her head slightly to the right, Aiden listens carefully as the older Gryffindor explains to her. After Kurumi finishes her explanation, Aiden nods slowly showing that she understands what Kurumi talked about. "Thank you," a tiny smile spreads across Aiden's lips. Now she gets what the Ministry lady was talking about.

This animagus theory thing Aiden could uderstand. But legalities and registrations? How do first year students supposed to get that?

Yippee. She answered that...correctly!!

Savannah has to admit that this is actually really interesting, turning humans into animals. She feels bad for the people who were stuck being an animal because they didn't perform the spell right. Even her puppy Stallion could be a human stucked in a crup form!

But Savannah does have one question she needs to ask. "If a human can turn into an animal. Can animals do the same and turn into humans?"

"Thank you for clarifying," she nodded at the Gryffincookie girl. "Exactly so." As in... did they even really need her anymore? They could all just... teach each other.

Quote:

Originally Posted by dragon_star

Yippee. She answered that...correctly!!

Savannah has to admit that this is actually really interesting, turning humans into animals. She feels bad for the people who were stuck being an animal because they didn't perform the spell right. Even her puppy Stallion could be a human stucked in a crup form!

But Savannah does have one question she needs to ask. "If a human can turn into an animal. Can animals do the same and turn into humans?"

"I suspect there may be some advanced transfiguration that will make an animal look like a human, but it couldn't replicate human higher thinking. It would be worth asking a true Transfiguration professor."

If there were no more questions, then she should let them go. "I appreciate your attention. Feel free to grab a cookie, and you may head on to your next class or back to your common rooms."

Samira reluctantly stood and gathered her things. She really, really, really, really hoped Shaw wouldn't be back soon. "Thanks for the lesson, Professor," she said sincerely. "Will you be coming back again?" Please say yes.

Kurumi gathered her things and bowed towards Miss Howard and was just about to turn and walk out of the classroom when a few stray thoughts stuck in her mind. She could ever well ask her father about all this, but it was still an uncomfortable subject to discuss with him seeing as he had kept it hidden from her for so long.

Kurumi waited until the classroom had emptied out, pretending to be writing down notes on her parchment, and then threw her bag over her shoulder and walked up to the woman.

"M-Miss Howard," she said in a timid voice. "I understand that the punishment for being caught as an unregistered animagus is, um, very severe. W-What is the Ministry's policy on, um..." she paused for a moment and shuffled her feet uncomfortably. "...um...unregistered metamorphagi?"

That was short! This is why she wants Shaw to teach them. But then again, a lot of students will surely disagree. Theories bores her. Gathering up her things and shoves them into her bag, Aiden stood up and goes for the door. "Thanks for the lesson, ma'am," she says calmly and walks out the door.

Wait.. did she say we can go?...cool
"Thanks for the lesson ma'am, it was most illuminating", giving her a genuine smile..

Picking up her stuff and putting it in her bag, she made her way to the common room... to study for the theoretical section of her Flying lesson final....

Savannah gathered her things after they were dismissed. Well that was interesting. But they didn't get to do anything practical. No hats or cats.

"Good bye-" Professor? "Ma'am" said Savannah as she walked out the door.