Animagus Research

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"What have you done to him? The poor boy has lost his entire arm, and now he has to grow it back," Madam Pomfrey complained to Ethan, who had brought Harry over, after examining Harry's arm. Ron and Hermione, standing around the bed, looked at their distressed friend. Despite Gryffindor winning the game, no one could find joy in seeing Harry's condition.

"It's all Lockhart's fault. How did he become a professor?" Ron gritted his teeth in frustration. Hermione nodded, the events of the day revealing Lockhart's true colors.

"The medical wing needs to be quiet, children," Madam Pomfrey said, taking out a large white bottle labeled Skele-Gro.

"You should let him rest; this night must be very difficult. Growing back bones is a very uncomfortable process."

Madam Pomfrey unscrewed the cap of the skeleton-shaped bottle, poured a steaming mug, and handed it to Harry. With pain on his face, Harry swallowed the Skele-Gro, coughing repeatedly and spitting saliva. The concoction burned all the way down from his mouth. Growing back bones proved to be a challenging and painful ordeal, with Harry feeling a stinging sensation in his arm.

Once Harry had somewhat recovered, Madam Pomfrey requested everyone to leave the medical wing, citing Harry's need for rest. Despite Ron and Hermione's pleas to stay with Harry, Madam Pomfrey firmly rejects their requests. Reluctantly, Ethan, Ron, and Hermione left the medical room as per Madam Pomfrey's instructions.

On the way back, Ron and Hermione were both downcast. The two young wizards weren't in the mood to discuss Harry's situation, and Ethan was preoccupied with the centaurs' invitation, resulting in a silent journey for the three of them.

That night, Ethan sat in his office, engrossed in studying Animagus Transfiguration. He resolved to complete the Animagus Transfiguration by the end of the semester.

An Animagus is a wizard or witch who can transform into an animal at will. In their animal form, they retain nearly the same ability to think, self-identity, and memory as in their human form. Even after spending a prolonged time in animal form, they maintain a normal human lifespan, though their emotions and feelings are simplified and replaced by the primal desires of their animal form.

Becoming an Animagus is a highly difficult, complex, and time-consuming process, fraught with the risk of going wrong. It is estimated that only one out of about a thousand wizards can successfully become an Animagus.

Animagi holds significant advantages in espionage and crime, prompting the Ministry of Magic to establish the Animagus Registry. All Animagi are required to register, providing detailed personal data and a precise description of their transformed appearance.

Often, obvious marks or defects on the human body are transferred to the Animagus's animal form. Unregistered Animagi, when discovered, face the likelihood of being sent to Azkaban prison.

Ethan alone harbored knowledge about several unregistered illegal Animagi, such as Peter Pettigrew's rat, Sirius Black's black dog, and Rita Skeeter's beetle. He also discovered that Animagi creatures, when transformed by wizards, are notably stronger than ordinary creatures of the same kind. For instance, Sirius's black dog could hold its own against Lupin in his werewolf form.

However, being an Animagus comes with its own set of dangers. Mistakes in the transformation process can lead to serious consequences. Losing patience or making errors can result in a disastrous outcome, transforming into a half-human, half-beast form with no known antidote. Wizards who make this mistake are left to perish in this pitiful state, neither fully human nor animal.

The Animagus transformation process is intricate. It involves holding a mandrake leaf in the mouth for an entire month, from one full moon to the next. The leaf must not be swallowed or spit out; if it leaves the mouth, the process restarts. On the second full moon, the leaf, soaked in saliva, is placed in a small transparent bottle, receiving pure moonlight. To this vial, one adds a hair, a silver teaspoon of dew (collected from a location without sunlight or human contact for seven days), and a hawkmoth pupa. The mixture is left in a quiet, dark place until the next storm.

During the wait for a storm, at each sunrise and sunset, the Animagus-to-be must point the tip of their wand at their heart and recite the incantation: "Amato Animo Animato Animagus" The wait for a storm can take weeks, months, or even years. Throughout this period, the transparent bottle must remain undisturbed and protected from sunlight, as sun exposure causes the worst mutations.

Simultaneously, resisting the temptation to examine the potion in the transparent bottle before the storm's lightning appears is crucial. Consistent recitation of the mantra at sunrise and sunset leads to a distinct heartbeat at the moment the wand touches the chest. This heartbeat, sometimes stronger or weaker than the original, signifies progress. All steps must be strictly followed, with no deviations: the right mantra at the right time, without mistakes or omissions.

When lightning graces the sky, rush to the location where the transparent medicine bottle is concealed. If all preceding steps are executed correctly, you will find a blood-red potion in the bottle, precisely the amount for a single gulp.

Immediately proceed to a spacious and secure location to ensure the transformation occurs without disturbance or danger. Point the wand at the heart, recite the spell "Amato Animo Animato Animagus" and consume the potion.

If all goes well, you'll experience a surge of intense pain and a distinct double heartbeat. The envisioned animal form should be clear in your mind. At this moment, fear should be absent, as changing your mind or attempting to flee the impending transformation is no longer an option.

The initial transformation tends to be uncomfortable and frightening. Clothing and accessories meld into the skin, transforming into fur, scales, or claws and spikes. Resistance and panic should be avoided to prevent succumbing to animal instincts and engaging in reckless behavior, like crashing through a window or colliding with a wall.

Once the transformation concludes, you should find yourself accustomed to the new body. To revert to human form, it usually suffices to vividly imagine your human self.

Even if immediate reversion doesn't occur, repeated practice enables easy switching between animal and human forms according to your desires. Seasoned Animagi, such as Professor McGonagall, don't require a wand for transformation.

Ethan's interest in Animagus Transfiguration grew. The book revealed that Animagus's transformation demands substantial magical power.

This is why adult wizards are permitted to practice Animagus transformation, always under the supervision of an experienced wizard. Ethan intends to seek the assistance of a seasoned professional like Professor McGonagall to guide him through the transformation process.