I’ve already posted this in the reviews as well as on TvTropes, but I figure it can’t hurt to share it here as well. (As well as pose it somewhat more formally.)
Harry’s freak-out in the beginning over the animagus transformation got me thinking. Between the two possiblities: a) the laws of physics Harry believes are wrong and b) the animagus transformation only appears to violate Conservation but doesn’t actually do so, it seems fallacious to skip to possibility-a without ruling out possibility-b.
After some thought, I was able to generate a hypothesis for how Variable-Mass Shapeshifting Between Multiple Fixed 3-Dimensional Structures might work without violating Conservation; I don’t know enough about physics to guess if it is plausible—One of the clues I’m basing this guess on was that Harry did not in any way remark upon the existence of containers that are bigger on the inside than on the outside, and the inference that magic can create space and that this does not violate any law of physics that Harry knows of.
The two or more 3-dimensional forms with differing mass all exist simultaneously in an unchanging 4-dimensional superstructure. The form that is perceivable in our 3-dimensional universe is whatever cross-section of the superstructure happens to intersect our 3-dimensional grid, and “changing form” involves only unidirectional motion along the inferred extrauniversal axis.
VMSFF = Variable-Mass Shapeshifter with Fixed Forms
Possible Evidence for:
VMSFFs rarely have more than one alternate form. (Magic has to create space for each alternate form on the 4th spacial dimension. No indication that additional space does not require additional energy to maintain.)
VMSFFs transform quickly. (Same reasoning as above: there is as little intermediate matter as possible.)
VMSFFs demonstrate similar cognition regardless of form. (Suggests both brains are present and active at all times.)
Possible Evidence against:
Dementor effect is less in animal form. (Suggests that either both brains are not equally present, or that Dementor Effect is constrained to 3-dimensional space.)
Animal urges change with the form. (Suggests that both brains are not equally active. Weak evidence, as bleed-over of urges between forms is observed.)
Injuries in one form translate to the other(s). (Suggest the two forms are not separate parts of a larger entity.)
Tests:
How is an animagus form destroyed? (Is it closer to Amputation or Obliviation?)
Does wearing heavy clothes vs. nudity affect the amount of energy necessary to transform? (Does the difference in energy match the inertia of the clothes?)
What does the change feel like to the animagus? (Is it sensationless as switching from one set of sensory imputs to another would suggest, or is it sensable as having sensory imputs within changing matter would suggest?)
In the case of the Wolves in Luminosity, is the mass of consumed food greater than the mass of the Wolf’s human body plus waste? (If so, does the cumulative difference match the mass of the Wolf upon first Floof? For animagi, does the magical energy expended to create the alternate form in the first place match that needed for the transfigured-creation of a similar mass?)
Is being an animagus a permanent drain on one’s power?
In any case, I’ve been thinking about it for a while and a 4-dimensional superstructure is the only way I can imagine it working. Alternate Hypotheses anyone?
Is being an animagus a permanent drain on one’s power?
Evidence for: the most powerful wizards we know of never have Animagus forms (Grindelwald, Dumbledore, Voldemort, the Founders of Hogwarts, Merlin) that are mentioned.
Evidence against: Harry’s parents & co. regarded Animagus as something so desirable that they were willing to break a strong government law and work hard to figure out how to turn themselves into Animagi. No such penalty seems to ever be mentioned.
Evidence for: the most powerful wizards we know of never have Animagus forms (Grindelwald, Dumbledore, Voldemort, the Founders of Hogwarts, Merlin) that are mentioned.
Voldemort is an unregistered animagus in MoR canon.
You mean Quirrel? Quirrel no longer seeks power directly through battle magic, and the more I think on him actually the more he seems like a wildcard blowing up all sorts of theories.
It could easily be a very small drain. Harry goes around with that transfigured rock on his finger which is implied to be a not-insignificant constant drain on his magic, yet does not seem to be a noticable detriment to his spellcasting.
Another Test: A persons magic is often likened to a muscle; it gets stronger with use. If the “muscle” could be measured directly would its average strength be higher among Animagi? (Actually testing that would be impossible; there simply aren’t enough animagi in the world to get meaningful statistics, but if there were...)
Edit for “Duh” moment. If destroying someone’s animagus form is non-invasive, does the former animagus suddenly have slightly more magical power than before their form’s destruction?
I’ve already posted this in the reviews as well as on TvTropes, but I figure it can’t hurt to share it here as well. (As well as pose it somewhat more formally.)
Harry’s freak-out in the beginning over the animagus transformation got me thinking. Between the two possiblities: a) the laws of physics Harry believes are wrong and b) the animagus transformation only appears to violate Conservation but doesn’t actually do so, it seems fallacious to skip to possibility-a without ruling out possibility-b.
After some thought, I was able to generate a hypothesis for how Variable-Mass Shapeshifting Between Multiple Fixed 3-Dimensional Structures might work without violating Conservation; I don’t know enough about physics to guess if it is plausible—One of the clues I’m basing this guess on was that Harry did not in any way remark upon the existence of containers that are bigger on the inside than on the outside, and the inference that magic can create space and that this does not violate any law of physics that Harry knows of.
The two or more 3-dimensional forms with differing mass all exist simultaneously in an unchanging 4-dimensional superstructure. The form that is perceivable in our 3-dimensional universe is whatever cross-section of the superstructure happens to intersect our 3-dimensional grid, and “changing form” involves only unidirectional motion along the inferred extrauniversal axis.
VMSFF = Variable-Mass Shapeshifter with Fixed Forms
Possible Evidence for:
VMSFFs rarely have more than one alternate form. (Magic has to create space for each alternate form on the 4th spacial dimension. No indication that additional space does not require additional energy to maintain.)
VMSFFs transform quickly. (Same reasoning as above: there is as little intermediate matter as possible.)
VMSFFs demonstrate similar cognition regardless of form. (Suggests both brains are present and active at all times.)
Possible Evidence against:
Dementor effect is less in animal form. (Suggests that either both brains are not equally present, or that Dementor Effect is constrained to 3-dimensional space.)
Animal urges change with the form. (Suggests that both brains are not equally active. Weak evidence, as bleed-over of urges between forms is observed.)
Injuries in one form translate to the other(s). (Suggest the two forms are not separate parts of a larger entity.)
Tests:
How is an animagus form destroyed? (Is it closer to Amputation or Obliviation?)
Does wearing heavy clothes vs. nudity affect the amount of energy necessary to transform? (Does the difference in energy match the inertia of the clothes?)
What does the change feel like to the animagus? (Is it sensationless as switching from one set of sensory imputs to another would suggest, or is it sensable as having sensory imputs within changing matter would suggest?)
In the case of the Wolves in Luminosity, is the mass of consumed food greater than the mass of the Wolf’s human body plus waste? (If so, does the cumulative difference match the mass of the Wolf upon first Floof? For animagi, does the magical energy expended to create the alternate form in the first place match that needed for the transfigured-creation of a similar mass?)
Is being an animagus a permanent drain on one’s power?
In any case, I’ve been thinking about it for a while and a 4-dimensional superstructure is the only way I can imagine it working. Alternate Hypotheses anyone?
Evidence for: the most powerful wizards we know of never have Animagus forms (Grindelwald, Dumbledore, Voldemort, the Founders of Hogwarts, Merlin) that are mentioned.
Evidence against: Harry’s parents & co. regarded Animagus as something so desirable that they were willing to break a strong government law and work hard to figure out how to turn themselves into Animagi. No such penalty seems to ever be mentioned.
Voldemort is an unregistered animagus in MoR canon.
You mean Quirrel? Quirrel no longer seeks power directly through battle magic, and the more I think on him actually the more he seems like a wildcard blowing up all sorts of theories.
Tom Riddle, who became Voldemort, is the one who added to his list of rules
It could easily be a very small drain. Harry goes around with that transfigured rock on his finger which is implied to be a not-insignificant constant drain on his magic, yet does not seem to be a noticable detriment to his spellcasting.
Another Test: A persons magic is often likened to a muscle; it gets stronger with use. If the “muscle” could be measured directly would its average strength be higher among Animagi? (Actually testing that would be impossible; there simply aren’t enough animagi in the world to get meaningful statistics, but if there were...)
Edit for “Duh” moment. If destroying someone’s animagus form is non-invasive, does the former animagus suddenly have slightly more magical power than before their form’s destruction?
Distinct Animagus form. Swap and teleoperate.