Transfiguration 3:4

Lesson Four: Lecture on Animate Transfiguration and Magical Creatures
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Leif was sat behind his desk for a change, working on grading some homework from his other classes while his students slowly started to make their way into his classroom. He waved his wand at the door when it was time to start, doing a quick headcount to make sure everyone was present.

"Alright guys, today is going to be a bit of a lecture so please get out your notes." He started, not too surprised when his words were followed by some disgruntled sounds. "I know, I know. But this is important information so we'll just have to power through it together, yeah?"

"Transfiguration is best known as the branch of magic that allows you to transform one object into another object. However, even this branch of magic has its limitations - much of which we covered during our lesson on Gamp's Law and its Principal Exceptions. What I've yet to cover is another limitation to our magic, a term referred to as "clashing magic"." Leif spoke, giving his students a second to finish writing down their sentences before he continued. "We as wizards have our own brand of magic that is specific to us. It's something we're born with - you can't create it, you can't take it away, you can't give it to someone else. It's ever present. Hags, trolls, house elves, they too all have their own particular brands of magic, though in the former two cases, its quite rudimentary. But, magic doesn't just stop at beings. Beasts too have magical capabilities, as I'm sure you're all aware by now. A phoenix can heal with its tears and is reborn when it dies. A Demiguise can render itself invisible and briefly glimpse the future. These are abilities only these creatures have. Wizards can imitate some of these attributes, but no wizard will ever be able to reach the full extent of their capabilities. Now, here's where transfiguration comes in. Have you ever heard of a unicorn animagus? What about someone transforming a lampshade into an occamy? Or changing a dragon into a kitten?"

Of course, no one had heard of any of these scenarios happening. Which was exactly why they were good examples. "We can't transfigure a muggle into a wizard. We can't transfigure a chicken into a phoenix - at best, you'd end up with a red bird that does nothing particularly special. We can't give something magic, ours or otherwise. On the other hand, we can't take magic away that doesn't belong to us. Magical creatures are resistant to transfigurations by wizards because their personal magic works as a shield against ours, the two counteract each other and the spell fails. The reason wizards can transfigure each other into objects or animals is that our magic is the same, it recognizes it as alike and allows it in. Then, in the case of non-magical creatures, they have no defenses against magic at all, and so our spells continue to work."

Leif stopped for a moment to ensure people understood, looking around to see if there were any questions, which he was always happy to answer. "This doesn't mean magical creatures are immune to our spells. Many charms, curses and the like will still work. Some creatures however, have defense mechanisms against all brands of magic. A dragon's hide is resistant to most hexes and jinxes, and it takes a large group of skilled wizards to subdue one. I know this was a lot but I hope you guys managed to keep up. If not, make sure to come to me and I'll help you complete your notes." He smiled, waving his wand to open the door again. "Have a good week!"

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Roleplay the lesson for full marks.

 

[Teddy Pirrip]

The term was going by quickly, and soon enough Teddy would have loads of exams to wade through. He'd done a pretty good job keeping on top of homework and concentrating in lessons, more than he did last year, but the increase in subjects had been intense. Transfigurations was one of the more difficult classes, and he took notes on the lecture. He thought it was interesting how magical beasts had protection against magic, kind of like they had coevolved along with magic. By the end of the lesson, Teddy had a pretty good understanding. He finished off his notes then packed up and left the class.

 

[Millie Walden-Cade]

Millie did not join in on the collective groan that was let out in response to Professor Odegard announcing they would be having a lecture. She took out a sheet of parchment and took notes as the professor began his lecture animate transfiguration and magical creatures and how the limitations of transfiguration effected those transformations. It made sense that magic was unique and couldn't be transfigured in to or out of someone, it would be strange to think a muggle could be transfigured into a wizard or vice versa. She followed along with the lecture and took notes until the end of the lesson, she then packed away her notes and left the classroom.

 

[Audrey Beauchamp]

Audrey was hoping to have more time to practice animate to animate transfigurations, but it was unfortunately time for a lecture. She supposed lectures were important, so she wasn't going to complain, just be a tiny bit disappointed. Her disappointment was soon allieviated however, because it was a rather interesting lecture. It carried on a bit from her thoughts on merpeople magic - perhaps they used their own unique brand of magic to tame grindylows, rather than their own communication. That was a little disappointing, but Audrey just instead found herself wondering if there was a way to combine unique magic. Like if a wand with dragon attributes could use some draconic types of magic. Audrey furrowed her brow, making notes on the lesson but also making some additional notes like 'invest in dragon hide chestpiece' and 'but could we develop magic further with this???'.

 

[Veronica Walden-Cade]

Veronica made her way into the classroom for another Transfiguration lesson and was expecting to learn a new spell or at least some kind of preparation for learning a spell, instead Professor Odegard informed them they would have a lecture on Animate Transfiguration and Magical Creatures. Veronica sighed and pulled out a sheet of parchment and began to take notes as the professor began his lecture. He told them about how magic was unique and couldn't be transfigured to or from someone, a muggle couldn't be transfigured into a wizard or vice versa and a non-magical animal, all information that she put down in her notes. When the lesson was finally over she packed up her notes and made her way out of the classroom once they had been dismissed.