data/chapter/15.html-steel. It cannot do the reverse, nor can it transform a desk into a
data/chapter/15.html-pig. The most general form of Transfiguration - free
data/chapter/15.html-Transfiguration, which you will be learning here - is capable of
data/chapter/15.html-transforming any subject into any target, at least so far as
data/chapter/15.html-physical form is concerned. For this reason, free Transfiguration
data/chapter/15.html-must be done wordlessly. Using Charms would require different words
data/chapter/15.html-for every different transformation between subject and target."</p>
data/chapter/15.html-<p>Professor McGonagall gave her students a sharp look.
data/chapter/15.html-"<em>Some</em> teachers begin with Transfiguration Charms and move
data/chapter/15.html-on to free Transfiguration afterwards. Yes, that would be much
data/chapter/15.html-easier in the beginning. But it can set you in a poor mold which
data/chapter/15.html-impairs your abilities later. Here you will learn free
data/chapter/15.html-Transfiguration from the <em>very start</em>, which requires that
data/chapter/15.html-you cast the spell wordlessly, by holding the subject form, the
data/chapter/15.html-target form, and the transformation within your own mind."</p>
data/chapter/15.html-<p>"And to answer Mr. Potter's question," Professor McGonagall went
data/chapter/15.html-on, "it is <em>free</em> Transfiguration which you must never do to
data/chapter/15.html-any living subject. There are Charms and potions which can safely,
data/chapter/15.html-reversibly transform living subjects in <em>limited</em> ways. An
data/chapter/15.html-Animagus with a missing limb will still be missing that limb after
data/chapter/15.html:transforming, for example. Free Transfiguration is <em>not</em>
data/chapter/15.html-safe. Your body will change while it is Transfigured - breathing,
data/chapter/15.html-for example, results in a constant loss of the body's stuff to the
data/chapter/15.html-surrounding air. When the Transfiguration wears off and your body
data/chapter/15.html-tries to revert to its <em>original</em> form, it will not quite be
data/chapter/15.html-able to do so. If you press your wand to your body and imagine
data/chapter/15.html-yourself with golden hair, afterwards your hair will fall out. If
data/chapter/15.html-you visualise yourself as someone with clearer skin, you will be
data/chapter/15.html-taking a long stay at St. Mungo's. And if you Transfigure yourself
data/chapter/15.html-into an adult bodily form, then, when the Transfiguration wears
data/chapter/15.html-off, you will die."</p>
data/chapter/15.html-<p>That explained why he had seen such things as fat boys, or girls
data/chapter/15.html-less than perfectly pretty. Or old people, for that matter. That
data/chapter/15.html-wouldn't happen if you could just Transfigure yourself every
data/chapter/15.html-morning... Harry raised his hand and tried to signal Professor
data/chapter/15.html-McGonagall with his eyes.</p>
data/chapter/15.html-<p>"<em>Yes</em>, Mr. Potter?"</p>
data/chapter/15.html-<p>"Is it possible to Transfigure a living subject into a target
data/chapter/15.html-that is static, such as a coin - no, excuse me, I'm terribly sorry,
data/chapter/15.html-let's just say a steel ball."</p>
data/chapter/15.html-<p>Professor McGonagall shook her head. "Mr. Potter, even inanimate