Post by David Guillaume Blanc on Jan 9, 2011 0:36:16 GMT -5
Animagi transformation
An Animagus is a witch or wizard who can turn into a particular animal or magical creature at will. This ability is not innate: it must be acquired by magical means. All Animagi must register at a central authority; it is illegal to obtain this ability without registering, although out of the five Animagi described as such in the books (Minerva McGonagall, Rita Skeeter, James Potter, Sirius Black, and Peter Pettigrew), four either never registered before their death or are currently living and unregistered (McGonagall is the only mentioned registered Animagus).
Animagi transformation is one of the few forms of magic that can be performed deliberately wandlessly. One example of this is that, while both Sirius and Peter are left wandless for over 10 years, both retain the ability with supposedly no ill effects. When Animagi transform, the animal appears to be a normal animal. However, during Prisoner of Azkaban, it is noted that Ron's pet rat, Scabbers (later revealed as Peter Pettigrew's animagus form) has lived over twelve years when only expected to live three. Also, an animagus in animal form retains the ability to think like a human, which is the principal difference from being an animagus and being transfigurated into an animal. Also, while in their human forms, both Sirius Black and Peter Pettigrew were noted to look something like their animal forms.
Each Animagus has a specific animal form, and cannot transform into any other animal. The animal cannot be chosen: it is uniquely suited to that individual's personality, like the Patronus Charm, and in most cases the Animagus will change into the same animal used in the person's Patronus charm. (McGonagall's Patronus is a cat, like her Animagus form; James Potter's was a stag, which was also his Animagus form.) Similarly, when an Animagus transforms it is always into the same animal (i.e. same markings, same colours, etc.). When an Animagus registers, they must record all the defining physical traits of their animal form so that the Ministry can identify them.
Explicit emphasis is made in the books on the differences between Animagi and werewolves. Animagi have full control over their transformations and retain their minds, whereas werewolves' transformations are involuntary and include severe changes in personality. After the person has transformed into a werewolf, he no longer remembers who he is; he would kill his best friend if he got anywhere near him. A werewolf only responds to the call of his own kind. The only way that a werewolf can retain his sanity, intelligence and memory while transformed is using the Wolfsbane Potion.
Rowling also makes it clear in The Tales of Beedle the Bard that an animagus is not the same as a wizard simply transfiguring themselves into an animal. The former ability, as mentioned above, allows the witch or wizard to maintain their own mind and human powers of reasoning and memory. The latter however would cause the person to gain the brain of the animal they have transfigured into. This would lead to the obvious problem that they would forget that they were a wizard and be trapped, unknowing, in this form for the rest of that creature's lifespan unless transformed back by another wizard.
Metamorphmagi
A Metamorphmagus (a portmanteau of metamorph and magus) is a witch or wizard born with the innate ability to change some or all of their appearance at will. The talent cannot be acquired; a witch or wizard who has it must be born with it.
Nymphadora Tonks and her son, Teddy Lupin are currently the only known Metamorphmagi in the series; it is a very rare ability, possibly hereditary. Tonks is known to change her hair color and style according to her mood. Indeed, she even appears as an old woman on occasion. Her son, Teddy Lupin, also inherited this trait, as his hair is mentioned repeatedly changing colour.
The extent of these appearance-altering abilities and the limits thereof are not entirely clear. According to Rowling, a Metamorphmagus can alter his or her appearance completely, for instance, from black to white, young to old, handsome to plain and so on. In one example, Tonks changes her facial appearance by reshaping her nose into "a beaklike protuberance like Snape's", to "something resembling a button mushroom", and "one like a pig snout" which reminded Harry of his cousin Dudley's.
Parselmouths
Parseltongue is the language of snakes. It is, in the common mind, associated with Dark Magic (although Dumbledore has stated that it is not necessarily an evil quality), and those possessing the ability to speak it ("Parselmouths") are very rare. It appears to be a skill acquired through both learning or via a method of xenoglossia, such as through genetic inheritance (or by use of Dark or dangerous Magic). Harry was a Parselmouth: it was revealed in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets to be due to Voldemort's passing on some of his abilities to Harry the night he tried to kill him. In Deathly Hallows it is revealed that it is a part of Voldemort's soul within Harry that grants him this ability, which is later destroyed leaving Harry stripped of the ability.
Other known Parselmouths include: Herpo the Foul; Salazar Slytherin and his descendants, including the Gaunts and Voldemort. Dumbledore can also understand Parseltongue; however, he learned it and did not naturally possess the ability.[9] In Half-Blood Prince he repeats Morfin Gaunt's words "the big house over the way", which were spoken in Parseltongue.
Ginny Weasley is not a Parselmouth, although at points in Chamber of Secrets she appeared to speak in Parseltongue: she was at the time being possessed by the spirit of Tom Marvolo Riddle, who was himself Voldemort, a Parselmouth. Ron uses Parseltongue in the final book to reopen the Chamber of Secrets, but only through persistently trying to mimic the sounds that Harry made.
Rowling borrowed the term from "an old word for someone who has a problem with the mouth, like a hare lip."
Flying
Flight without aid of a broomstick or other object is a relatively rare ability. Voldemort can do this without the aid of a broom or carpet, as can Snape.
Objects are also known to be enchanted so they fly. Sirius had a flying motorbike that he lent to Hagrid to bring Harry to the Dursleys, and Arthur Weasley enchanted a Ford Anglia to fly. However, because of a loophole in the law (it is illegal to enchant certain Muggle Artifacts) that Mr. Weasley himself made, he was not technically in the wrong. The enchantments cast on these machines do not affect their normal functions and purposes, except the ability of flight.
Seers
A Seer is a witch or wizard with the clairvoyant ability to predict future events. The predictions given through this ability can sometimes be self-fulfilling prophecies, and Dumbledore states in Order of the Phoenix that not all of them come true, depending on the choices made by those mentioned. This would seem to indicate that a Seer predicts possible or likely events, at least in some cases. Sybil Trelawney is noted to never remember that she has made a prophecy when it is a true one. She speaks in a hoarse voice and only if a wizard is present will anyone know about it.
Each prophecy made by a Seer is recorded in a glass sphere and stored in the Hall of Prophecy of the Department of Mysteries within the Ministry of Magic. Only a person mentioned in a prophecy can safely retrieve it; anyone else who tries to do so will be driven insane.
According to McGonagall, true Seers are extremely rare. Sybill Trelawney is the only Seer shown in the books, although it is mentioned that Sybill's great-great-grandmother, Cassandra Trelawney, was a renowned Seer in her day.
Trelawney is considered an "old fraud" by her students, and is sacked by Dolores Umbridge in the fifth book for it. However, she has twice made true prophecies (not counting 'minor' predictions such as Neville's breaking a teacup, the death of Lavender Brown's rabbit Binky and Hermione's quitting Divination. It is unclear whether Trelawney's visions of the Grim 'following' Harry in his third year are Sirius Black in Animagus form or just Trelawney being melodramatic and predicting the death of a student as she has done every year).
Legilimency and Occlumency
Legilimency is the magical skill of extracting feelings and memories from another person's mind — a form of magical "telepathy" (although Snape, an able practitioner of the art, dismisses the colloquial term, "mind-reading", as a drastic oversimplification). It also allows one to convey visions or memories to another person, whether real or imaginary. A witch or wizard possessing this skill is called a Legilimens, and can, for example, detect lies and deceit in another person, witness memories in another person's past, or "plant" false visions in another's mind.
The counter-skill to Legilimency is Occlumency (and its user, known as an Occlumens), by which one can compartmentalise one's emotions, or prevent a Legilimens from discovering thoughts or memories which contradict one's spoken words or actions. An advanced form of Occlumency is planting false temporary memories inside an Occlumens´ own head while blocking all other true memories, so if a Legilimens, even a highly skilled one, were to attempt to read the mind he or she would find false memories only and believe everything was right. This is how Snape was able to lie to Voldemort for years.
Voldemort, Snape, and Dumbledore are all known to be skilled in Legilimency and Occlumency. Throughout the books, Snape is repeatedly said to be highly skilled in Occlumency. Voldemort is said to be the master of Legilimency by Snape, as he, in almost all cases, immediately knows during conversations if someone lies to him.
The skills are first mentioned in Order of the Phoenix, (though Harry gets the impression before that Snape can read minds) wherein Snape is instructed by Dumbledore to give Harry lessons in Occlumency. Whether as a result of negligence in Snape's instruction, or poor aptitude on Harry's part, Harry never made any progress in the skill, and as a result he was lured by Voldemort through a carefully calculated vision he falsely believed to be real. Only once has Harry managed to overcome Snape with the use of Occlumency, in Order of the Phoenix. It seems that not everyone is able to master Occlumency. Also, although it appears to be an advanced form of magic, a young wizard can learn to be an Occlumens (Draco Malfoy was able to block Snape's attempt to use Legilimency on him in his 6th year, after being taught Occlumency by Bellatrix Lestrange). Near the end of Order of the Phoenix, Harry learns from Dumbledore that his love for Sirius is what caused Voldemort to release his possession of Harry. Revolting from the love in Harry, Voldemort feared the further use of Legilimency on Harry, drawing away from their connection. This allows Harry to freely see/feel Voldemort's thoughts/emotions in the next two books. In Deathly Hallows, Harry finally does master Occlumency - shutting his mind to Voldemort - when Dobby dies. He realises that his grief - or what Dumbledore calls it, love - is what can block out the Dark Lord.
Bellatrix Lestrange, Draco Malfoy, Narcissa Malfoy and Barty Crouch Jr also have skill in Occlumency, since Bellatrix was clearly said to have taught Draco to shield his thoughts from Snape.[HP6] It was never clearly said that Narcissa was an Occlumens, but since she successfully managed to prevent Voldemort (the master of Legilimency) from detecting her lie about Harry's death, she is very likely to be one.
Legilimency and Occlumency are not part of the normal curriculum at Hogwarts, and most students would graduate without learning them. They seem to be considered a more advanced form of magic.
Apparition and Disapparition
Apparition is a magical form of teleportation, through which a witch or wizard can disappear ("Disapparate") from one location and reappear ("Apparate") in another. It is sometimes accompanied by a distinctive cracking or popping sound, though this is associated with ineptitude rather than success; the most skilled wizards can Apparate "so suddenly and silently" that they seem to have "popped out of the ground" (Dumbledore). The act is also accompanied by a very unpleasant squeezing sensation, as though being sent through a tight rubber tube, according to Harry.
The Ministry licenses apparition, and a witch or wizard must be 17 years old or older and have a licence to use Apparition in the same way real-world governments require individuals to have a licence to drive a motor vehicle. Students at Hogwarts may attend Ministry lessons in Apparition during their sixth year, and may take their examination once they turn seventeen.
The training is difficult, and students run the risk of splinching — being physically split between the origin and destination — which requires the assistance of the Ministry's Accidental Magic Reversal Squad to undo. Splinching is quite common during lessons, and can be uncomfortable (and at times rather gruesome) depending on the body parts splinched, but is ultimately harmless if properly reversed. Ron left behind half of an eyebrow during his first Apparition exam, causing him to fail, and splinched himself twice in The Deathly Hallows.
For reasons of security, the grounds of Hogwarts are protected by ancient Anti-Apparition and Anti-Disapparition spells, which prevent humans from using Apparition in the school grounds. This does not extend to magical creatures such as house-elves and phoenixes, who can still use their own form of Apparition. It is also possible to prevent individuals from using Apparition, as Dumbledore did with the Death Eaters in Order of the Phoenix, whom he held until Ministry officials could take them into custody.
It is considered rude to Apparate directly into a private area, such as a home. Dumbledore stated in the 6th book that it would be "quite as rude as kicking down the front door". For this reason, and for reasons of security, many homes also have Anti-Apparition spells protecting them from uninvited intrusions. The accepted way to travel to a home is to Apparate near the destination, and continue to the final destination on foot. Apparition is considered unreliable over long distances, and even experienced users of the technique sometimes prefer other means of transport, such as broomsticks.
A wizard or witch can use Side-Along Apparition to take others with them during Apparition. Dumbledore uses this on Harry several times, and notably, Harry uses Side-Along Apparition to take the weakened Dumbledore back from the seaside cave containing Voldemort's locket Horcrux. This was also Harry's first real Apparition outside of lessons and although unlicensed and never before having even tried Side-Along, he does it extremely successfully and later he, Hermione and Ron sometimes Side-Apparate each other as well. In addition, Dumbledore's phoenix, Fawkes, used Side-Along-Apparition to take Dumbledore with him when avoiding arrest from the Ministry. This suggests that phoenixes, like elves, can teleport anywhere, even in places with Anti-Apparition spells (this is also written in "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them"). However, this ability may require more skill than normal Apparition or more concentration at least, as Hermione splinched Ron when she Side-Along Apparated him and Harry in a desperate moment. Dumbledore, who was much older and much more experienced, could Side-Along Apparate people with no problems as shown when he took Harry in this method multiple times.
In the Order of the Phoenix film, Death Eaters and Order members Apparated and Disapparated in clouds of smoke. Death Eaters would appear and disappear in black smoke, Order members in white. In the movie, both sides also seemed to be able to "half-apparate" in which their bodies were made out of smoke, giving them the ability to fly. This is not canon to the books and probably just used for more cinematic, atmospheric purposes. Interestingly, both times Fred and George apparated and disapparated, they did it with a pop as in the books.
It is shown that it is possible to Apparate without a licence; it's just not usually done unless in lessons and is illegal. In this way it seems to be similar to having a licence to drive a car as well: one doesn't need a licence to have the skill, but does need it to use the skill legally. In Deathly Hallows, Harry did not possess a licence, while Hermione and probably Ron did, but he appeared more skilled at Apparating than Ron as he has never splinched himself or others and Ron has splinched himself at least a few times. In the books, it was indicated that while Ron could Apparate, he wasn't very good or skilled at it. He splinched himself at least twice (although both times it was extremely minor) and Harry and Hermione were able to Apparate before he could. When extra lessons were mentioned, Harry had been able to Apparate once in the previous lesson and Hermione had managed it twice and passed her test easily the first time. In contrast Hermione seemed to have no problems Apparating, except the one time when she tried Side-Along and splinched Ron, but she was in a very difficult circumstance then, and managed it perfectly on all the numerous other occasions that she used Side-Along. In Harry's first official Apparition (and the first one of the trio to do it in more than lessons or the test) he not only did not splinch himself, he managed to Side-Apparate Dumbledore and get them both over an unspecified distance on the first try with no problems.
In the books, the words "Apparate" and "Disapparate", like many other neologisms used by Rowling, are capitalised, whereas established English words such as "jinx" and "hex" are not. The words themselves are most likely derived from the French apparaître and disparaître meaning to appear and disappear, although before Charles Fort's invention of the term "teleportation" in the 1930s, it was known as "apportation". Another possible derivation is from the English word “Apparition” meaning to appear suddenly or dramatically, which comes from the Latin "apparitio" meaning attendance. "Disapparate" probably comes from the same word but with the prefix: “dis-” expressing negation or reversal.
Other teleportation
Some other forms of instantaneous movement occur in the books, such as a house elf's ability to teleport or Fawkes's ability to disappear in a burst of flame. (In Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, it is stated that all phoenixes have this ability.) In the novels, Harry refers to this as "Apparition" but this may be because of Harry's inexperience and not fact. This theory is further reinforced as neither Fawkes nor house-elves are restricted by anti-Apparition magic. Fawkes also vanishes silently and in a burst of flame, whereas a wizard Apparating is accompanied by a very loud "bang" (or a quiet "pop") with no visible effect.
Floo Powder is also used to teleport. The wizard/witch takes a small pinch of floo powder and throws it into a fire. The fire will turn an emerald green and the wizard/witch will shout where they wished to go. Harry used Floo powder before and shouted 'diagonally', instead of 'Diagon Alley' and ended up in Knockturn Alley.
Another method of teleportation is by portkey. With ministry permission, an object can be turned into a portkey. A portkey will teleport itself and anyone touching it at a specified time to a pre-chosen destination. Harry, the Weasleys, and Amos and Cedric Diggory take a portkey to the Quidditch World Cup in Goblet of Fire. The Triwizard cup was a portkey that took Harry and Cedric to the cemetery where Voldemort's father was buried. In book five, Dumbledore creates an illegal portkey to take Harry and the Weasley children to Number 12, Grimmauld Place after Mister Weasley is injured.
In addition, Vanishing Cabinets allow one to teleport, although the only one in the series (first seen in Chamber of Secrets) is initially broken. Only after Draco Malfoy repairs it in the Half Blood Prince can Death Eaters teleport into Hogwarts, bypassing the protections.
Veela charm
An ability attributed to Veela and those of Veela heritage, such as Fleur Delacour. It is used to charm males, much like the Sirens in The Odyssey.
Harry seems more resistant to this than Ron and most others, though the first time he was exposed to it his reaction was similar to Ron's. Men who are exposed to it over time become more resistant to it, although the Veela charm takes full effect if the Veela surprises the man, as noted by Ron in 'The Half-Blood Prince'. It is possible that Victoire Weasley has inherited this ability from Fleur. Veela men are almost extinct because the female veela prefer wizards these days.
They appear to be young, beautiful human women, and their appearance and especially their dance are magically seductive to almost all males. When Veela are angry, however, they transform into something more like Harpies — their faces turn into cruel-beaked bird heads and long scaly wings burst from their shoulders, and they can launch balls of fire from their hand.
As shown in Goblet of Fire, Veela hair can be used as cores to create wands. According to famed wandmaker Mr. Ollivander, these wands are a little "temperamental". Since Fleur's contains one of her grandmother's hairs, being a positive familial bond, no inherent problem is seen within this particular wand.
Magical resistance
This refers to a certain degree of immunity against hexes and spells found in powerful creatures such as trolls, dragons, and giants. Hagrid is resistant to certain spells, like the Stunning Spell, due to his giant blood. This type of resistance is not insurmountable; if enough Stunning Spells, for example, are fired at a creature with magical resistance at once, the creature may still be rendered unconscious. Also, wizards and witches can resist a spell with the power of their own sheer will, such as Harry did in book 4, when Mad-Eye Moody tried to control Harry with the Imperius curse and Harry resisted.
Werewolves
The werewolf is a creature that exists only for a brief period around the full moon. At any other time, a werewolf is a normal human. However, the term werewolf is used for both the wolf-like creature and the normal human. A werewolf can be distinguished from a true wolf physically by several small distinguishing characteristics, including the pupils, snout, and tufted tail. A person becomes a werewolf when bitten by a werewolf in wolf-form. Once this happens, the person must learn to manage the condition. The 'Wolfsbane Potion' controls some of the effects of the condition; by allowing the sufferer to maintain their human mind in wolf form, it prevents them from harming others. The potion tastes horrible and very few are skilled enougth to brew it. Nothing discovered in the wizarding world can completely cure a werewolf. Most werewolves live outside normal society and steal food to survive. They generally support Voldemort, whom they think will give them a better life. This is however not surprising, since they are shunned by the wizard comunity and are both feared and hated by the common witch and wizard. Remus Lupin is the only known exception to this. There are only three known werewolves in the Harry Potter series: Lupin, Fenrir Greyback and an unnamed character who was in the same ward as Arthur Weasley in St Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries. Bill Weasley who is attacked by Fenrir Greyback in The Battle of Hogwarts in the Half-Blood Prince, is not a werewolf. Although Bill suffered a number of side-effects from the attack, including a scarred face and a new love of very rare steak, he does not become a werewolf as Greyback was in human form at the time of the bite.
Rowling claimed that werewolves were supposed to represent real-world prejudice, especially against those with disabilities.
Vampires
Vampires are mythological or folkloric beings who subsist by feeding on the life essence (generally in the form of blood) of living creatures, regardless of whether they are undead or a living person. Although vampiric entities have been recorded in many cultures and in spite of speculation by literary historian Brian Frost that the "belief in vampires and bloodsucking demons is as old as man himself", and may go back to "prehistoric times", the term vampire was not popularized until the early 18th century, after an influx of vampire superstition into Western Europe from areas where vampire legends were frequent, such as the Balkans and Eastern Europe, although local variants were also known by different names, such as vrykolakas in Greece and strigoi in Romania. This increased level of vampire superstition in Europe led to mass hysteria and in some cases resulted in corpses actually being staked and people being accused of vampirism.
vampires are:
- Vampires are classified as 'beings' by the Ministry of Magic, and thus are subject to the same laws as Witches and Wizards. However, Vampires are completely different beings all together.
- They cannot reproduce as normal humans do, as they are the 'living dead', and thusly rendered barren upon being blooded. Vampires instead add to their ranks by 'blooding' witches and wizards, using venom or blood to transfer the genetic material that lives inside all vampires.
- Vampires are not permitted usage of wands (they can therefore not be a student or a teacher), while they are considered 'beings', they are still only part-humans, and thus, not wizards. However, they do have abilities that render them quite formidable. Firstly would be their numbers. Like wolves, Vampires live in close-knit groups, almost families. They have natural agility and are capable of moving at super human speeds, using their sharpened nails to strike with deadly precision.
- Vampires also have fangs, in which is stored two types of venom. The first, most commonly used, renders victims limp and disoriented, making them easier to drain. The second venom is one vampires use to turn others into their own kind. Antidotes are kept handy at St. Mungos, and if given promptly, one can be saved from such a fate.
- The second way vampires add to their ranks is through 'blooding'. This is a process done with more willing participants, involving a transfer of blood between the Vampire and the Wizard. Becoming a vampire results in eventual loss of the ability to control magic, as the body shifts and becomes more vampric in nature over the course of a few years.
- Vampires are identified by their pale skin and slim facial features. Commonly, vampires eyes are either brown or red, though more modern vampires prefer to use contacts and makeup to hide these facts. Vampires dislike the sunlight, as they are photosensitive, however, being in the sun would not kill a vampire, just burn them terribly.
- As far as feeding is concerned, Vampires usually only need go through two gallons of blood a month to remain healthy. A regular diet of meats and carbohydrates must be ingested as well to keep up physical form. Human blood is preferred, though some vampires [rare as they are] prefer the blood of animals, in a last ditch attempt to save their own humanity.
- Vampires must be registered with the Ministry of Magic.
Aura
In parapsychology and many forms of spiritual practice, an aura is a field of subtle, luminous radiation surrounding a person or object (like the halo or aureola in religious art). The depiction of such an aura often connotes a person of particular power or holiness. Sometimes, however, all people, or all living things, or all objects whatsoever are said to manifest such an aura. Often it is held to be perceptible, whether spontaneously or with practice: such perception is at times linked with the third eye of Indian spirituality. Various writers associate various personality traits with the colors of different layers of the aura. Some also say that they have distinctive smells, a different one for each person.
The Aura can be manipulated into seeing what kind of mood another person is in. And through touching you can possibly hear the thoughts of the other person. Very skilled Aura manipulators can also use their aura to channel the four elements and use them however they please. Without training an Aura seer can only see other peoples auras.
Patronus
The conjured Patronus protects the witch or wizard that summoned it, obeys his or her commands, and fades away shortly after it is no longer required. When conjured, a Patronus appears silvery, ethereal, and semi-transparent. Improperly formed Patronuses range from momentary formless bursts of silvery mist, to poorly-defined forms that are easily defeated or quickly dissipate on their own. A full-fledged (or corporeal) Patronus takes on a fixed animal form that is often significant to the witch or wizard casting the charm. Patronuses summoned by a particular person have been known to change. You have to be a 5'th years or above to be able to cast a patronus - everyone who casts this without having applied for it first will face warnings and even a ban!
((Infromation gotten from google, wikipedia and several harrypotter information sites))
An Animagus is a witch or wizard who can turn into a particular animal or magical creature at will. This ability is not innate: it must be acquired by magical means. All Animagi must register at a central authority; it is illegal to obtain this ability without registering, although out of the five Animagi described as such in the books (Minerva McGonagall, Rita Skeeter, James Potter, Sirius Black, and Peter Pettigrew), four either never registered before their death or are currently living and unregistered (McGonagall is the only mentioned registered Animagus).
Animagi transformation is one of the few forms of magic that can be performed deliberately wandlessly. One example of this is that, while both Sirius and Peter are left wandless for over 10 years, both retain the ability with supposedly no ill effects. When Animagi transform, the animal appears to be a normal animal. However, during Prisoner of Azkaban, it is noted that Ron's pet rat, Scabbers (later revealed as Peter Pettigrew's animagus form) has lived over twelve years when only expected to live three. Also, an animagus in animal form retains the ability to think like a human, which is the principal difference from being an animagus and being transfigurated into an animal. Also, while in their human forms, both Sirius Black and Peter Pettigrew were noted to look something like their animal forms.
Each Animagus has a specific animal form, and cannot transform into any other animal. The animal cannot be chosen: it is uniquely suited to that individual's personality, like the Patronus Charm, and in most cases the Animagus will change into the same animal used in the person's Patronus charm. (McGonagall's Patronus is a cat, like her Animagus form; James Potter's was a stag, which was also his Animagus form.) Similarly, when an Animagus transforms it is always into the same animal (i.e. same markings, same colours, etc.). When an Animagus registers, they must record all the defining physical traits of their animal form so that the Ministry can identify them.
Explicit emphasis is made in the books on the differences between Animagi and werewolves. Animagi have full control over their transformations and retain their minds, whereas werewolves' transformations are involuntary and include severe changes in personality. After the person has transformed into a werewolf, he no longer remembers who he is; he would kill his best friend if he got anywhere near him. A werewolf only responds to the call of his own kind. The only way that a werewolf can retain his sanity, intelligence and memory while transformed is using the Wolfsbane Potion.
Rowling also makes it clear in The Tales of Beedle the Bard that an animagus is not the same as a wizard simply transfiguring themselves into an animal. The former ability, as mentioned above, allows the witch or wizard to maintain their own mind and human powers of reasoning and memory. The latter however would cause the person to gain the brain of the animal they have transfigured into. This would lead to the obvious problem that they would forget that they were a wizard and be trapped, unknowing, in this form for the rest of that creature's lifespan unless transformed back by another wizard.
Metamorphmagi
A Metamorphmagus (a portmanteau of metamorph and magus) is a witch or wizard born with the innate ability to change some or all of their appearance at will. The talent cannot be acquired; a witch or wizard who has it must be born with it.
Nymphadora Tonks and her son, Teddy Lupin are currently the only known Metamorphmagi in the series; it is a very rare ability, possibly hereditary. Tonks is known to change her hair color and style according to her mood. Indeed, she even appears as an old woman on occasion. Her son, Teddy Lupin, also inherited this trait, as his hair is mentioned repeatedly changing colour.
The extent of these appearance-altering abilities and the limits thereof are not entirely clear. According to Rowling, a Metamorphmagus can alter his or her appearance completely, for instance, from black to white, young to old, handsome to plain and so on. In one example, Tonks changes her facial appearance by reshaping her nose into "a beaklike protuberance like Snape's", to "something resembling a button mushroom", and "one like a pig snout" which reminded Harry of his cousin Dudley's.
Parselmouths
Parseltongue is the language of snakes. It is, in the common mind, associated with Dark Magic (although Dumbledore has stated that it is not necessarily an evil quality), and those possessing the ability to speak it ("Parselmouths") are very rare. It appears to be a skill acquired through both learning or via a method of xenoglossia, such as through genetic inheritance (or by use of Dark or dangerous Magic). Harry was a Parselmouth: it was revealed in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets to be due to Voldemort's passing on some of his abilities to Harry the night he tried to kill him. In Deathly Hallows it is revealed that it is a part of Voldemort's soul within Harry that grants him this ability, which is later destroyed leaving Harry stripped of the ability.
Other known Parselmouths include: Herpo the Foul; Salazar Slytherin and his descendants, including the Gaunts and Voldemort. Dumbledore can also understand Parseltongue; however, he learned it and did not naturally possess the ability.[9] In Half-Blood Prince he repeats Morfin Gaunt's words "the big house over the way", which were spoken in Parseltongue.
Ginny Weasley is not a Parselmouth, although at points in Chamber of Secrets she appeared to speak in Parseltongue: she was at the time being possessed by the spirit of Tom Marvolo Riddle, who was himself Voldemort, a Parselmouth. Ron uses Parseltongue in the final book to reopen the Chamber of Secrets, but only through persistently trying to mimic the sounds that Harry made.
Rowling borrowed the term from "an old word for someone who has a problem with the mouth, like a hare lip."
Flying
Flight without aid of a broomstick or other object is a relatively rare ability. Voldemort can do this without the aid of a broom or carpet, as can Snape.
Objects are also known to be enchanted so they fly. Sirius had a flying motorbike that he lent to Hagrid to bring Harry to the Dursleys, and Arthur Weasley enchanted a Ford Anglia to fly. However, because of a loophole in the law (it is illegal to enchant certain Muggle Artifacts) that Mr. Weasley himself made, he was not technically in the wrong. The enchantments cast on these machines do not affect their normal functions and purposes, except the ability of flight.
Seers
A Seer is a witch or wizard with the clairvoyant ability to predict future events. The predictions given through this ability can sometimes be self-fulfilling prophecies, and Dumbledore states in Order of the Phoenix that not all of them come true, depending on the choices made by those mentioned. This would seem to indicate that a Seer predicts possible or likely events, at least in some cases. Sybil Trelawney is noted to never remember that she has made a prophecy when it is a true one. She speaks in a hoarse voice and only if a wizard is present will anyone know about it.
Each prophecy made by a Seer is recorded in a glass sphere and stored in the Hall of Prophecy of the Department of Mysteries within the Ministry of Magic. Only a person mentioned in a prophecy can safely retrieve it; anyone else who tries to do so will be driven insane.
According to McGonagall, true Seers are extremely rare. Sybill Trelawney is the only Seer shown in the books, although it is mentioned that Sybill's great-great-grandmother, Cassandra Trelawney, was a renowned Seer in her day.
Trelawney is considered an "old fraud" by her students, and is sacked by Dolores Umbridge in the fifth book for it. However, she has twice made true prophecies (not counting 'minor' predictions such as Neville's breaking a teacup, the death of Lavender Brown's rabbit Binky and Hermione's quitting Divination. It is unclear whether Trelawney's visions of the Grim 'following' Harry in his third year are Sirius Black in Animagus form or just Trelawney being melodramatic and predicting the death of a student as she has done every year).
Legilimency and Occlumency
Legilimency is the magical skill of extracting feelings and memories from another person's mind — a form of magical "telepathy" (although Snape, an able practitioner of the art, dismisses the colloquial term, "mind-reading", as a drastic oversimplification). It also allows one to convey visions or memories to another person, whether real or imaginary. A witch or wizard possessing this skill is called a Legilimens, and can, for example, detect lies and deceit in another person, witness memories in another person's past, or "plant" false visions in another's mind.
The counter-skill to Legilimency is Occlumency (and its user, known as an Occlumens), by which one can compartmentalise one's emotions, or prevent a Legilimens from discovering thoughts or memories which contradict one's spoken words or actions. An advanced form of Occlumency is planting false temporary memories inside an Occlumens´ own head while blocking all other true memories, so if a Legilimens, even a highly skilled one, were to attempt to read the mind he or she would find false memories only and believe everything was right. This is how Snape was able to lie to Voldemort for years.
Voldemort, Snape, and Dumbledore are all known to be skilled in Legilimency and Occlumency. Throughout the books, Snape is repeatedly said to be highly skilled in Occlumency. Voldemort is said to be the master of Legilimency by Snape, as he, in almost all cases, immediately knows during conversations if someone lies to him.
The skills are first mentioned in Order of the Phoenix, (though Harry gets the impression before that Snape can read minds) wherein Snape is instructed by Dumbledore to give Harry lessons in Occlumency. Whether as a result of negligence in Snape's instruction, or poor aptitude on Harry's part, Harry never made any progress in the skill, and as a result he was lured by Voldemort through a carefully calculated vision he falsely believed to be real. Only once has Harry managed to overcome Snape with the use of Occlumency, in Order of the Phoenix. It seems that not everyone is able to master Occlumency. Also, although it appears to be an advanced form of magic, a young wizard can learn to be an Occlumens (Draco Malfoy was able to block Snape's attempt to use Legilimency on him in his 6th year, after being taught Occlumency by Bellatrix Lestrange). Near the end of Order of the Phoenix, Harry learns from Dumbledore that his love for Sirius is what caused Voldemort to release his possession of Harry. Revolting from the love in Harry, Voldemort feared the further use of Legilimency on Harry, drawing away from their connection. This allows Harry to freely see/feel Voldemort's thoughts/emotions in the next two books. In Deathly Hallows, Harry finally does master Occlumency - shutting his mind to Voldemort - when Dobby dies. He realises that his grief - or what Dumbledore calls it, love - is what can block out the Dark Lord.
Bellatrix Lestrange, Draco Malfoy, Narcissa Malfoy and Barty Crouch Jr also have skill in Occlumency, since Bellatrix was clearly said to have taught Draco to shield his thoughts from Snape.[HP6] It was never clearly said that Narcissa was an Occlumens, but since she successfully managed to prevent Voldemort (the master of Legilimency) from detecting her lie about Harry's death, she is very likely to be one.
Legilimency and Occlumency are not part of the normal curriculum at Hogwarts, and most students would graduate without learning them. They seem to be considered a more advanced form of magic.
Apparition and Disapparition
Apparition is a magical form of teleportation, through which a witch or wizard can disappear ("Disapparate") from one location and reappear ("Apparate") in another. It is sometimes accompanied by a distinctive cracking or popping sound, though this is associated with ineptitude rather than success; the most skilled wizards can Apparate "so suddenly and silently" that they seem to have "popped out of the ground" (Dumbledore). The act is also accompanied by a very unpleasant squeezing sensation, as though being sent through a tight rubber tube, according to Harry.
The Ministry licenses apparition, and a witch or wizard must be 17 years old or older and have a licence to use Apparition in the same way real-world governments require individuals to have a licence to drive a motor vehicle. Students at Hogwarts may attend Ministry lessons in Apparition during their sixth year, and may take their examination once they turn seventeen.
The training is difficult, and students run the risk of splinching — being physically split between the origin and destination — which requires the assistance of the Ministry's Accidental Magic Reversal Squad to undo. Splinching is quite common during lessons, and can be uncomfortable (and at times rather gruesome) depending on the body parts splinched, but is ultimately harmless if properly reversed. Ron left behind half of an eyebrow during his first Apparition exam, causing him to fail, and splinched himself twice in The Deathly Hallows.
For reasons of security, the grounds of Hogwarts are protected by ancient Anti-Apparition and Anti-Disapparition spells, which prevent humans from using Apparition in the school grounds. This does not extend to magical creatures such as house-elves and phoenixes, who can still use their own form of Apparition. It is also possible to prevent individuals from using Apparition, as Dumbledore did with the Death Eaters in Order of the Phoenix, whom he held until Ministry officials could take them into custody.
It is considered rude to Apparate directly into a private area, such as a home. Dumbledore stated in the 6th book that it would be "quite as rude as kicking down the front door". For this reason, and for reasons of security, many homes also have Anti-Apparition spells protecting them from uninvited intrusions. The accepted way to travel to a home is to Apparate near the destination, and continue to the final destination on foot. Apparition is considered unreliable over long distances, and even experienced users of the technique sometimes prefer other means of transport, such as broomsticks.
A wizard or witch can use Side-Along Apparition to take others with them during Apparition. Dumbledore uses this on Harry several times, and notably, Harry uses Side-Along Apparition to take the weakened Dumbledore back from the seaside cave containing Voldemort's locket Horcrux. This was also Harry's first real Apparition outside of lessons and although unlicensed and never before having even tried Side-Along, he does it extremely successfully and later he, Hermione and Ron sometimes Side-Apparate each other as well. In addition, Dumbledore's phoenix, Fawkes, used Side-Along-Apparition to take Dumbledore with him when avoiding arrest from the Ministry. This suggests that phoenixes, like elves, can teleport anywhere, even in places with Anti-Apparition spells (this is also written in "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them"). However, this ability may require more skill than normal Apparition or more concentration at least, as Hermione splinched Ron when she Side-Along Apparated him and Harry in a desperate moment. Dumbledore, who was much older and much more experienced, could Side-Along Apparate people with no problems as shown when he took Harry in this method multiple times.
In the Order of the Phoenix film, Death Eaters and Order members Apparated and Disapparated in clouds of smoke. Death Eaters would appear and disappear in black smoke, Order members in white. In the movie, both sides also seemed to be able to "half-apparate" in which their bodies were made out of smoke, giving them the ability to fly. This is not canon to the books and probably just used for more cinematic, atmospheric purposes. Interestingly, both times Fred and George apparated and disapparated, they did it with a pop as in the books.
It is shown that it is possible to Apparate without a licence; it's just not usually done unless in lessons and is illegal. In this way it seems to be similar to having a licence to drive a car as well: one doesn't need a licence to have the skill, but does need it to use the skill legally. In Deathly Hallows, Harry did not possess a licence, while Hermione and probably Ron did, but he appeared more skilled at Apparating than Ron as he has never splinched himself or others and Ron has splinched himself at least a few times. In the books, it was indicated that while Ron could Apparate, he wasn't very good or skilled at it. He splinched himself at least twice (although both times it was extremely minor) and Harry and Hermione were able to Apparate before he could. When extra lessons were mentioned, Harry had been able to Apparate once in the previous lesson and Hermione had managed it twice and passed her test easily the first time. In contrast Hermione seemed to have no problems Apparating, except the one time when she tried Side-Along and splinched Ron, but she was in a very difficult circumstance then, and managed it perfectly on all the numerous other occasions that she used Side-Along. In Harry's first official Apparition (and the first one of the trio to do it in more than lessons or the test) he not only did not splinch himself, he managed to Side-Apparate Dumbledore and get them both over an unspecified distance on the first try with no problems.
In the books, the words "Apparate" and "Disapparate", like many other neologisms used by Rowling, are capitalised, whereas established English words such as "jinx" and "hex" are not. The words themselves are most likely derived from the French apparaître and disparaître meaning to appear and disappear, although before Charles Fort's invention of the term "teleportation" in the 1930s, it was known as "apportation". Another possible derivation is from the English word “Apparition” meaning to appear suddenly or dramatically, which comes from the Latin "apparitio" meaning attendance. "Disapparate" probably comes from the same word but with the prefix: “dis-” expressing negation or reversal.
Other teleportation
Some other forms of instantaneous movement occur in the books, such as a house elf's ability to teleport or Fawkes's ability to disappear in a burst of flame. (In Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, it is stated that all phoenixes have this ability.) In the novels, Harry refers to this as "Apparition" but this may be because of Harry's inexperience and not fact. This theory is further reinforced as neither Fawkes nor house-elves are restricted by anti-Apparition magic. Fawkes also vanishes silently and in a burst of flame, whereas a wizard Apparating is accompanied by a very loud "bang" (or a quiet "pop") with no visible effect.
Floo Powder is also used to teleport. The wizard/witch takes a small pinch of floo powder and throws it into a fire. The fire will turn an emerald green and the wizard/witch will shout where they wished to go. Harry used Floo powder before and shouted 'diagonally', instead of 'Diagon Alley' and ended up in Knockturn Alley.
Another method of teleportation is by portkey. With ministry permission, an object can be turned into a portkey. A portkey will teleport itself and anyone touching it at a specified time to a pre-chosen destination. Harry, the Weasleys, and Amos and Cedric Diggory take a portkey to the Quidditch World Cup in Goblet of Fire. The Triwizard cup was a portkey that took Harry and Cedric to the cemetery where Voldemort's father was buried. In book five, Dumbledore creates an illegal portkey to take Harry and the Weasley children to Number 12, Grimmauld Place after Mister Weasley is injured.
In addition, Vanishing Cabinets allow one to teleport, although the only one in the series (first seen in Chamber of Secrets) is initially broken. Only after Draco Malfoy repairs it in the Half Blood Prince can Death Eaters teleport into Hogwarts, bypassing the protections.
Veela charm
An ability attributed to Veela and those of Veela heritage, such as Fleur Delacour. It is used to charm males, much like the Sirens in The Odyssey.
Harry seems more resistant to this than Ron and most others, though the first time he was exposed to it his reaction was similar to Ron's. Men who are exposed to it over time become more resistant to it, although the Veela charm takes full effect if the Veela surprises the man, as noted by Ron in 'The Half-Blood Prince'. It is possible that Victoire Weasley has inherited this ability from Fleur. Veela men are almost extinct because the female veela prefer wizards these days.
They appear to be young, beautiful human women, and their appearance and especially their dance are magically seductive to almost all males. When Veela are angry, however, they transform into something more like Harpies — their faces turn into cruel-beaked bird heads and long scaly wings burst from their shoulders, and they can launch balls of fire from their hand.
As shown in Goblet of Fire, Veela hair can be used as cores to create wands. According to famed wandmaker Mr. Ollivander, these wands are a little "temperamental". Since Fleur's contains one of her grandmother's hairs, being a positive familial bond, no inherent problem is seen within this particular wand.
Magical resistance
This refers to a certain degree of immunity against hexes and spells found in powerful creatures such as trolls, dragons, and giants. Hagrid is resistant to certain spells, like the Stunning Spell, due to his giant blood. This type of resistance is not insurmountable; if enough Stunning Spells, for example, are fired at a creature with magical resistance at once, the creature may still be rendered unconscious. Also, wizards and witches can resist a spell with the power of their own sheer will, such as Harry did in book 4, when Mad-Eye Moody tried to control Harry with the Imperius curse and Harry resisted.
Werewolves
The werewolf is a creature that exists only for a brief period around the full moon. At any other time, a werewolf is a normal human. However, the term werewolf is used for both the wolf-like creature and the normal human. A werewolf can be distinguished from a true wolf physically by several small distinguishing characteristics, including the pupils, snout, and tufted tail. A person becomes a werewolf when bitten by a werewolf in wolf-form. Once this happens, the person must learn to manage the condition. The 'Wolfsbane Potion' controls some of the effects of the condition; by allowing the sufferer to maintain their human mind in wolf form, it prevents them from harming others. The potion tastes horrible and very few are skilled enougth to brew it. Nothing discovered in the wizarding world can completely cure a werewolf. Most werewolves live outside normal society and steal food to survive. They generally support Voldemort, whom they think will give them a better life. This is however not surprising, since they are shunned by the wizard comunity and are both feared and hated by the common witch and wizard. Remus Lupin is the only known exception to this. There are only three known werewolves in the Harry Potter series: Lupin, Fenrir Greyback and an unnamed character who was in the same ward as Arthur Weasley in St Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries. Bill Weasley who is attacked by Fenrir Greyback in The Battle of Hogwarts in the Half-Blood Prince, is not a werewolf. Although Bill suffered a number of side-effects from the attack, including a scarred face and a new love of very rare steak, he does not become a werewolf as Greyback was in human form at the time of the bite.
Rowling claimed that werewolves were supposed to represent real-world prejudice, especially against those with disabilities.
Vampires
Vampires are mythological or folkloric beings who subsist by feeding on the life essence (generally in the form of blood) of living creatures, regardless of whether they are undead or a living person. Although vampiric entities have been recorded in many cultures and in spite of speculation by literary historian Brian Frost that the "belief in vampires and bloodsucking demons is as old as man himself", and may go back to "prehistoric times", the term vampire was not popularized until the early 18th century, after an influx of vampire superstition into Western Europe from areas where vampire legends were frequent, such as the Balkans and Eastern Europe, although local variants were also known by different names, such as vrykolakas in Greece and strigoi in Romania. This increased level of vampire superstition in Europe led to mass hysteria and in some cases resulted in corpses actually being staked and people being accused of vampirism.
vampires are:
- Vampires are classified as 'beings' by the Ministry of Magic, and thus are subject to the same laws as Witches and Wizards. However, Vampires are completely different beings all together.
- They cannot reproduce as normal humans do, as they are the 'living dead', and thusly rendered barren upon being blooded. Vampires instead add to their ranks by 'blooding' witches and wizards, using venom or blood to transfer the genetic material that lives inside all vampires.
- Vampires are not permitted usage of wands (they can therefore not be a student or a teacher), while they are considered 'beings', they are still only part-humans, and thus, not wizards. However, they do have abilities that render them quite formidable. Firstly would be their numbers. Like wolves, Vampires live in close-knit groups, almost families. They have natural agility and are capable of moving at super human speeds, using their sharpened nails to strike with deadly precision.
- Vampires also have fangs, in which is stored two types of venom. The first, most commonly used, renders victims limp and disoriented, making them easier to drain. The second venom is one vampires use to turn others into their own kind. Antidotes are kept handy at St. Mungos, and if given promptly, one can be saved from such a fate.
- The second way vampires add to their ranks is through 'blooding'. This is a process done with more willing participants, involving a transfer of blood between the Vampire and the Wizard. Becoming a vampire results in eventual loss of the ability to control magic, as the body shifts and becomes more vampric in nature over the course of a few years.
- Vampires are identified by their pale skin and slim facial features. Commonly, vampires eyes are either brown or red, though more modern vampires prefer to use contacts and makeup to hide these facts. Vampires dislike the sunlight, as they are photosensitive, however, being in the sun would not kill a vampire, just burn them terribly.
- As far as feeding is concerned, Vampires usually only need go through two gallons of blood a month to remain healthy. A regular diet of meats and carbohydrates must be ingested as well to keep up physical form. Human blood is preferred, though some vampires [rare as they are] prefer the blood of animals, in a last ditch attempt to save their own humanity.
- Vampires must be registered with the Ministry of Magic.
Aura
In parapsychology and many forms of spiritual practice, an aura is a field of subtle, luminous radiation surrounding a person or object (like the halo or aureola in religious art). The depiction of such an aura often connotes a person of particular power or holiness. Sometimes, however, all people, or all living things, or all objects whatsoever are said to manifest such an aura. Often it is held to be perceptible, whether spontaneously or with practice: such perception is at times linked with the third eye of Indian spirituality. Various writers associate various personality traits with the colors of different layers of the aura. Some also say that they have distinctive smells, a different one for each person.
The Aura can be manipulated into seeing what kind of mood another person is in. And through touching you can possibly hear the thoughts of the other person. Very skilled Aura manipulators can also use their aura to channel the four elements and use them however they please. Without training an Aura seer can only see other peoples auras.
Patronus
The conjured Patronus protects the witch or wizard that summoned it, obeys his or her commands, and fades away shortly after it is no longer required. When conjured, a Patronus appears silvery, ethereal, and semi-transparent. Improperly formed Patronuses range from momentary formless bursts of silvery mist, to poorly-defined forms that are easily defeated or quickly dissipate on their own. A full-fledged (or corporeal) Patronus takes on a fixed animal form that is often significant to the witch or wizard casting the charm. Patronuses summoned by a particular person have been known to change. You have to be a 5'th years or above to be able to cast a patronus - everyone who casts this without having applied for it first will face warnings and even a ban!
((Infromation gotten from google, wikipedia and several harrypotter information sites))
