Transfiguration
I will waste no time showing you what transfiguration is all about. In the blink of an eye, I'll change into a pig. *PoOf!* I could easily have turned myself into a cat, or transformed one of you into a tortoise or a block of wood. Transfiguation�the magical changing of a person, animal, or object into the form of another�is a complex and dangerous subject requiring years of study. But novices must begin with much less challenging assignments, like turning buttons into beetles. No doubt many of us have imagined what it might be like to actually be another creature�to experience the power or grace of a leopard or see the world from an eagle's point of view. Sometimes it seems better to just be yourself, but it is my theory that transfiguration is very important in a wizard/witch's life. The most notorious shape-shifter here at Hogwarts, at least by repuation, is me. The best way for you to learn this complex and dangerous subject requires studying...
Homework
For your first assignment I am asking you to look for an article on transfiguration (either from a book, magazine, newspaper, encyclopedia, internet source, etc.). Please send a summary on the article you have found to [email protected] ~!~ Students who decide to do this assignment will earn their house 10 points each. And, next time a spellbinding walk-through on how to transfigure buttons into beetles! Good day!
-Professor Svenson
