Transfiguration Essay

As we all know,transfiguration is the art of changing the form and appearance of an object and the vanishing of objects.Transfiguring can be done to most, if not all objects.Sometimes if it is done improperly the transfigured object can become half-transfigured or permanently stuck.Conjuration is also considered part of Transfiguration. It is very advanced, and is not taught until sixth year, in N.E.W.T. classes.Transfiguration is a required subject for all first year students, with the option of a N.E.W.T. course in the sixth and seventh years.Albus Dumbledore was the Transfiguration teacher of Hogwarts during Tom Riddle's time. When he was promoted to headmaster, his successor was Minerva McGonagall, who taught the course during the Marauders' time, up to Harry Potter's seven years. In 1998, she was promoted to headmistress, and her successor is unknown.There are also many branches of Transfiguration, including Cross-Species Transfiguration and Human Transfiguration. Minerva McGonagall was the Transfiguration Professor from 1956 until 1998, the year in which she became Headmistress of the school.McGonagall believes Transfiguration to be more elegant and superior to other types of magic.Like Charm work, Transfiguration is achieved through concentration, precise wand movements, and the proper pronunciation of an incantation. However it is generally more difficult than Charms and it requires great effort.
Branches of Transfiguration
Animagus - An Animagus (pl. Animagi) is a witch or wizard who can morph him or herself into a specific animal at will.
Animate to Inanimate Transfiguration - a branch of Transfiguration in which an animal is Transfigured into an object. It is one of the simpler branches of Transfiguration and taught to first years and above.
Cross-Species Transfiguration - a branch of Transfiguration in which one animal is Transfigured into another. A basic O.W.L. spell and is taught to fourth-years and above.
Conjuration - a branch of Transfiguration in which an object or an animal is Transfigured from 'thin air'. Although some conjuration spells are simpler and are taught to younger students, most spells are N.E.W.T.-level and are taught to Sixth years and above.
Inanimate to Animate Transfiguration - a branch of Transfiguration in which an inanimate object is changed into a live animal. It is one of the simpler branches of Transfiguration and is taught to Third years and above
Human Transfiguration - a branch of Transfiguration in which one Transfigures human body parts or an entire human being into another form. As it is more difficult that other forms of Transfiguration, including Cross-Species Transfiguration, it is a N.E.W.T. level spell, taught only to sixth-years and above.
Untransfiguration - exact opposite of Transfiguration. Untransfiguration consists in returning something to its proper form.
Transfiguration Spells
Avifors — Used to turn a small statue into a bird - This spell is learned in first and second-year Transfiguration class.
Draconifors — Used to turn a dragon statue into a real dragon that will breathe fire - A Draconifors Spellbook can be found in Professor Cuthbert Binns's History of Magic classroom
Ducklifors — Used to turn an opponent into a duck
Duro — Used to turn objects to stone
Incarcifors — Used to transfigure an object to capture an opponent
Lapifors — Used to turn a small object or creature into a rabbit - It appeared in the third year final Transfiguration exam.
Melofors — Used to turn an opponent's head into a pumpkin - The pumpkin can be shattered to free the victim, or can fall apart on its own after a short time.
Snufflifors — Used to turn books into mice
Fera Verto — Used to turn an animal into a water goblet - If done incorrectly or with a faulty wand the transformation will only be partially successful.
Scribblifors — Used to turn objects into quills
Steelclaw — Used to make an animal's claw's bigger and made of steel

This is very well written and very insightful.

25 points to gryffindor!

:/ I'm a bit late to thank, but anyway Thank you Proffesor!