Transfiguration

Transfiguration is a branch of magic that focuses on the alteration of the form or appearance of an object or entity, by changing its molecular structure. It is considered to be one of the most complex and dangerous fields of magic, requiring considerable skill, precision, and concentration. At Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Transfiguration is a core curriculum subject taught from the first year through to the N.E.W.T. level. It is often described as more scientific and exact than other magical disciplines like Charms, relying on specific wand movements and incantations.

The practice of Transfiguration is governed by a set of magical laws, most notably Gamp's Law of Elemental Transfiguration. This law establishes the limits of what can be created or changed. The most well-known of its Five Principal Exceptions is that food cannot be created from nothing. While existing food can be multiplied or transformed, it cannot be conjured out of thin air. Successful Transfiguration depends heavily on the caster's intent, concentration, and the power of their wand. Any lack of focus can lead to disastrous or incomplete results, such as an object only being partially transformed. The difficulty of a transfiguration is generally determined by the complexity of the desired change and whether the target is living or non-living.

Transfiguration is a broad field encompassing several distinct categories of spells.

• Transformation: This is the most common form of Transfiguration, where one object or entity is changed into another. This ranges from simple inanimate-to-inanimate changes (e.g., turning a match into a needle) to complex animate-to-inanimate transformations (e.g., turning a rat into a water goblet).
• Vanishing: A more advanced form of Transfiguration where an object is caused to cease existing. The corresponding spell, Evanesco, is taught to students at the O.W.L. level. The difficulty of a Vanishing Spell increases with the complexity of the organism being vanished, with invertebrates being easier than vertebrates.
• Conjuration: The opposite of Vanishing, Conjuration is the art of bringing objects into existence from nothing. This branch is subject to the limitations of Gamp's Law of Elemental Transfiguration. Examples of conjuration include spells like Aguamenti to create water, Serpensortia to conjure a snake, and the general conjuring of items like chairs and ropes.
• Switching: A type of Transfiguration where two objects exchange some of their physical properties. An example is a Switching Spell that causes a pair of students to swap eyebrows.
• Untransfiguration: This is the branch of magic dedicated to reversing Transfigurations. It includes general counter-spells that can force a transformed object back into its original state. The spell Reparifarge is often used to correct mistakes in elementary Transfiguration.
• Human Transfiguration: The most difficult and dangerous branch, which involves altering the human body. This can range from changing one's hair colour to partial transformations (e.g., Viktor Krum's partial shark transformation) or complete, self-transfiguration into an animal, a skill perfected by an Animagus.

Transfiguration is taught from the first day of class at Hogwarts. The curriculum begins with simple transformations and gradually increases in difficulty.

1. First Year: Students start by attempting to change a match into a needle.
2. Second Year: Students learn to turn animals into inanimate objects, such as a beetle into a button.
3. Third Year: The curriculum includes turning a teapot into a tortoise.
4. Fourth Year: Students practice turning a guinea fowl into a guinea pig.
5. Fifth Year (O.W.L. Level): Students are expected to have mastered Vanishing Spells (Evanesco) and Conjuring Spells.
6. Sixth Year (N.E.W.T. Level): Students begin to learn Human Transfiguration and non-verbal Transfiguration spells.

Due to its precise nature, mistakes are common and can be hazardous. Incomplete transformations can result in hybrid creatures, such as a rat that is still partially a goblet (with fur and a tail) or students accidentally growing whiskers. These mistakes typically require intervention from the Transfiguration professor to be safely reversed.

• Albus Dumbledore: Regarded as one of the most powerful wizards of his time, Dumbledore was the Transfiguration professor at Hogwarts before becoming Headmaster. His mastery was exceptional.
• Minerva McGonagall: The Head of Gryffindor and Transfiguration professor for Harry Potter's generation. She is a registered Animagus, able to turn into a tabby cat at will.
• Lord Voldemort: A wizard of immense power, Voldemort demonstrated skill in Transfiguration, including Human Transfiguration and the conjuration of powerful magical effects like the fiery snake he used against Dumbledore in the Ministry of Magic.
• Bartemius Crouch Jr.: Used an extremely complex and dark Transfiguration spell to turn his father's body into a single bone to hide the evidence of his murder.

The word “Transfiguration” is derived from Latin. The prefix trans- means “across, beyond, through,” and the root word figura means “form, shape, figure.” Combined, the term literally means “to change form,” accurately describing its magical purpose.

• J.K. Rowling has stated that Transfiguration is a form of “deep magic” that works by changing things at a molecular level, which is why it requires such discipline and a scientific mind (J.K. Rowling interview).
• On Pottermore, it was confirmed that Gamp's Law of Elemental Transfiguration has five Principal Exceptions, but only the first (concerning food) is explicitly identified in the seven-book canon (Pottermore).
• In the film adaptations, Transfigurations are often shown as fluid, morphing animations where the target object visibly shifts and reshapes itself into the new form, providing a clear visual representation of the magical process.