"A Guide to Transfiguration" - Fastidious Granger

[Lost.In.Yonkers]

I. Introduction

Transfiguration is the art of using magic to change one thing into another. Transfiguration is very complicated magic and as such it can be very dangerous.Because of this it is of the utmost importance that you read this book all the way through before attempting even the simplest of transfigurations.

Transfiguration has existed since witches and wizards first discovered their magical abilities back in the early days of the human race. You can imagine how interesting transfiguration appeared to the muggles in times before wizards knew to hide their magical abilities.

In fact it was such a great spectacle that it was interwoven with the mythological histories of many countries. One of the best examples of this is the Gorgons in Greek Mythology: Stheno, Euryale, and Medusa, who turned people to stone by simply looking at them.

Because transfiguration is such a spectacular and complex magic it is important there are several spells, four to be exact, each spell for a separate function to transfiguration. Because of this it is important for the caster to choose the right spell to for the transfiguration he or she has in mind.



II. Choosing the right Spell

There are several different types of Transfiguration spells and the choice of which spell to use holds a great deal of weight in whither or not the Transfiguration charm works properly.

When choosing a spell for Transfiguration one need only take into account the properties of the target being transfigured and what kind of transfiguration is being performed. What that target will be turning into is of no importance to the choice of spell.

Though there are many different transfiguration spells, in many different languages, it is only necessary to know only four Transfiguration spells.

The Switching Spell, which is for altering the target by changing one element of it, Human Transfiguration Spell and the Standard Transfiguration spells.

Standard Transfiguration spells are spells which neither switch single elements of a target nor transfigure humans. There are two standard transfiguration spells, the spell for transfiguring animate targets and the spell for inanimate targets.



III. Standard Transfiguration Spells

As I have stated there are many different transfiguration spells, in many different languages, but for the purposes of this book it is only necessary to learn those in Latin as Latin is the root of most spells used in English.

Having said that it�s important to point out a few interesting facts which will affect your transfigurations, for instance it is usually easier to change the target object into something of the same relative size so I would recommend that to begin with you keep to similar sized targets and results. Having said this once you have mastered the dynamics of this spell you will quickly be able to move on to larger more complicated changes.

Something else which might affect your transfigurations is your energy level. It can be quite draining to perform great feats of magic. So you may want to avoid trying to large transfiguration projects when you are overly tired and if you must stress yourself magically you should try to rest your magical powers for several days. This is why exams are given at the end of the year.

Another factor which might affect your transfiguration, or any magic, is emotion. Emotional problems not only affect you mentally but spiritually and magically. If you have been emotionally stressed lately try to briefly meditate before performing magic so as not to have any accidents.
Inanimate Transfiguration

Inanimate transfiguration is used to change an inanimate object into some other inanimate object or to change it into a living creature.

This is the form of transfiguration which most people find easiest and as such is usually the first type taught in schools. This however does not mean that inanimate transfiguration is easy, in fact all forms of transfiguration are quiet difficult and require both skill and concentration. You should not however allow this fact to discourage you from transfiguration most witches and wizards, almost 100%, become quite accomplished at inanimate transfiguration.

Res Rei Verto*
Spell that transforms an object



Animate Transfiguration

This form of transfiguration is used to change animate objects into inanimate objects or into other animate creatures.

While most people find this slightly more difficult then inanimate transfiguration this does not mean you should be discouraged if someone next to you masters it on the first try and you do not. Transfiguration, and indeed magic, is a very personal talent each person will have areas they find more difficult and areas in which they excel. If you happen to excel try not to gloat too much.

Fera Verto
Spell that transforms a beast




IV. Human Transfiguration

This spell is the only spell needed for human transfiguration, because while you can make a human into an animal or some inanimate object you can not make an animal or a chair for instance into a human. Humans are to complex of genetic and mind to be made by transfiguration.

Most people find human transfiguration very difficult, there are occasionally some people who are born with a talent for this form of transfiguration. These people are not Metamorphmagus* but are simply gifted with a fluidity of magic and body which allows them to change their form more easily then others.


Hominis Verto*
This spell transforms a human. (But it can not be held for long periods of time like an Animagus form.)


*A Metamorphmagus is someone who can change their appearance in part or whole to another human appearance. They must still use human transfiguration to become animals and inanimate objects. Sometime they do have an easier time with transfiguration in general.




V. The Switching Spell

The Switching Spell is a spell which replaces one element of the target with some other element, like switching porcupine quills with feathers or fur. This spell can be used for many purposes; such as giving an angry dog about to bite you a pair of fur teeth, or to change the color of your eyes or hair.

Suppono Res Rei*
This spell substitutes one thing for another.
This spell works for human transfiguration as well-but only for switching skin for fur or for changing hair, eye, or skin color.




VI. The Importance of Concentration

Though these spells are important to proper transfigurations the key element to transfiguration work is concentration! This is true because transfiguration spells lack of specification. Without the further specification of concentration any thing could happen, and more often then not that anything is noting like what you wanted to happen.

Concentration is used in transfiguration to specify what the change will be and in the case of Switching Spells the element to be changed as well. This is accomplished by picturing the change in ones head-the better able you are to picture the change the better your transfiguration spell will work.

For instance if you are transfiguring a pillow with paisley fabric into a turtle and but cannot get the image of the paisley fabric out of your mind you might end up with a turtle with a paisley printed shell. Similarly if your are emotionally attached to the animal you are turning into a tea cup you might end up with a tea cup that has a face, something which can be very disconcerting should you need to drink with that cup.

Now that we have covered the need for concentration when performing transfiguration spells we can move on to the process of casting those spells.




VII. The Process of Transfiguration

Step One: The first step in the process of performing a transfiguration spell is to clear the mind. (Those who cannot clear their mind will find their transfigurations to be generally poor.)
Step Two: Once you have cleared your mind you must clearly picture the end result. If you are performing a Switching Spell you should picture both the original element of the target you wish to change and what you wish to change it to.
Step Three: Now cast the appropriate spell with a swish and flick motion of your wand.
Note that if you chose the wrong spell nothing will happen.
Step Four: If all as gone according to plan Step Four is to rejoice for you have succeeded. If not don't hesitate to try again only with practice will you truly become a great witch or wizard.