animagus

An animagus is a wizard or witch who can transform themselves into a specific animal at will, while retaining their human intelligence and magical abilities. The animal form is unique to the individual and remains their fixed shape; the person can switch between human and animal forms at will, and they maintain their memories and personality in both states.

To become an animagus, a practitioner must undergo lengthy training and registration with the Ministry of Magic’s Animagus Registry. The process is described as dangerous and requires discipline, secrecy, and extensive practice before the transformation can be reliably controlled. Registered animagi gain legal recognition, while unregistered ones are subject to penalties.

Canon examples include Minerva McGonagall (tabby cat), James Potter (stag), Sirius Black (large black dog), and Peter Pettigrew (rat). They used their forms for concealment, exploration, and companionship. The Marauders—including Potter, Black, and Pettigrew—became animagi to accompany Remus Lupin during his werewolf nights.

Animagi can be powerful tools of disguise and mobility, but the practice is rare and controversial within the wizarding world. The concept raises themes such as dual identity, control of power, and the ethics of magical transformation.