Voldemort vs. Voldemort?

[Q.Araignee]

Careful there, Godric- if you're going to quote facts at least make sure they're accurate. In POA, it actually states that "Sirius and James transformed into such large animals..." [1] and that "They could each turn into a different animal at will." [2] They can transform, at will, but it is not stated whether they chose their forms.

However, in the definition of an animagus as given on the Harry Potter Wiki, it clearly states that:

An Animagus (pl. Animagi) is a witch or wizard who can turn into an animal at will. Learning how to become an Animagus is difficult; it took James Potter, Sirius Black, and Peter Pettigrew the better part of two years to figure out how to do it. The form one takes on as an Animagus reflects their personality. Animagi are required to register with the Ministry of Magic, to ensure they do not cause too much mischief while in their animal form. [3]

[1] Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, U.K. Edition: page 260
[2] Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, U.K. Edition: page 259
[3] Harry Potter Wiki: http://harrypotter.wikia.com/wiki/Animagus

[Phoenix in the Ashes]

Wow, HP has a big Wiki dedicated to it!

Mm... you're right - but obviously you know that! So... using the word of JKR as law in this you can't choose your animagus form.

Well what it says is, that they take on an animagus form that reflects their personality.

I'm sorry, but if you could choose a form, would that decision not be a reflection of your personality?

You can't but... it's a point, anyway .

[GodrictheGriffon]

But you can choose your personality.

[Mistress Siana]

Since when? You can control your actions, whether they fit your personality or not, but you certainly can't choose your personality.

I think it's meant to reflect the true self, with both positive and negative qualities, regardless of the image one would like to present in public. Just imagine, you think of yourself as a brave but lonesome fighter, and if you could choose, you'd turn into a lion. Then you finally manage the tranformation and *swoosh* you turn into a hedgehog. Same qualities, but maybe you're not as big as you think.

(also, we should try and keep the original topic in mind, okay?)

[GodrictheGriffon]

One more of these posts:Your personality is effected by your environment, and if you place yourself amongst different things when you are young, but old enough to choose where, then you can see how the position in which you place yourself and the people whom you place yourself among, can change your personality. Think of an iceberg:Personality is what's seen, character is what lies beneath.:All that you can see of an iceberg is the very tip to the naked eye. Yet so much more of the iceburg is hidden by the ocean. The sea of personal expiriences if you will. And the biggest part, the piece of upmost importance, is hidden.

[Mistress Siana]

Think of an iceberg:Personality is what's seen, character is what lies beneath.:All that you can see of an iceberg is the very tip to the naked eye.

Okay, if you define it that way... I'm pretty sure though that this was not what JKR meant when she said your animagus form is based on your personality. Her words pretty much suggested that she was referring to the whole of the iceberg. I don't remember her exact words, but they're somewhere on her website if you're interested.

[GodrictheGriffon]

The whole of the iceberg. The majority of the iceberg is your character.