harry potter - What does it take to become a registered Animagus?

So, I've wondered for some time, if you need a permit to be an Animagus in the Harry Potter universe, how do you learn to do it beforehand? Is there some class, or something? And as there's only seven registered Animagi (as per "Order of the Phoenix"), who would teach the course, and certify the person for that matter?

Answer

First, general reference:

From http://harrypotter.wikia.com/wiki/Animagus:

Only very powerful and skilled wizards are able to become Animagi. The process of becoming an Animagus is long and arduous, and has the potential to backfire and cause the transformation to go horribly wrong. Once the initial training is over, an Animagus can change at will at any time, with or without a wand.

Animagus skill is a special type of transfiguration. It differs from general Transfiguration in 4 main ways:

1. First, and obvious, it transforms the body of a human into a body of an animal.


2. Second, it retains the mind of the wizard, as opposed to simple transfiguration of said bodies which leaves the brain capability of a target animal (e.g. no intelligence).


3. It does not require a wand or a verbal spell.


4. Target animal is always the same - like with Patronuses, you can ONLY Animagusate yourself into one specific form, determined by your personality as noted by JKR (it's never explicitly noted that it has to be the same animal as your Patronus, but there are no canon examples that break the 'Animagus form'=='Patronus form' pattern, and Patronuses are also determined by personality IIRC).

NOTE: Animagus transformation is definitely a very complicated skill:

1. 
   

   General Human transfiguration is taught only to 6th years, a NEWT level skill. And obviously transfiguring yourself so that your brain continues to function as a wizard (as opposed to being turned into a real non-intelligent animal) is MUCH harder.

   
   

   As an example, see the half-finished Shark transformation that Victor Krum did in Triwizard Tournament in HP4.

   
   


2. 
   

   Also, in general wandless/voiceless magic is the most advanced/difficult one. Animagus skill would fit the same pattern.

   
   


3. 
   
   

   In addition, most - if not all - mentioned Animagi seem like pretty powerful/skillful wizards - from Marauders to McGonagall to even Rita Skeeter to (according to Rowling's interview joke, so may it is not canon) Godric Gryffindor. There's also major fan speculation (not fully proven nor dis-proven) that Dumbledore was a likely Animagus as well.

   
   

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Now, for more detailed answers for mini-questions you raised:

"how do you learn to do it beforehand?" "who would teach the course?"

As noted above, Animagus skill is a special type of transfiguration.

So presumably the training would be "Very Advanced" Transfiguration study. When done "officially" it would likely be taught in the form of private lessons by a good Transfiguration teacher/practitioner.

As for unregistered Animagi, probably someone taught them (may be by example - e.g. the Marauders) and may be just self-study for someone extremely capable.

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"if you need a permit ... how do you learn to do it beforehand?" -

You don't require to be registered to participate in training. The primary reason for registration is to ensure the Animagi do not abuse their abilities, as the Ministry is able to keep track of them. Thus, until you actually obtain the ability and can practically complete the transformation, there is presumably no need to register.

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"And as there's only 7 registered Animagus (I forget the reference, probably book 3), ... who would ... certify the person for that matter?"

To answer the second part (actual question), the registration is done by a random Wizard bureaucrat at the Improper Use of Magic Office in Ministry of Magic. It's not a certification proving that you have the skill, but merely adding your specific info to Ministry list so they can keep tabs on you if needed. To use everyday analogy, it's more like registering a car (as opposed to getting a driver's license).

To answer the first part, the 7 registered Animagi part was only pertaining to this century. The quote from Hermione (in a scene when Lupin was trying to convince Harry and Hermione and Ron that Scabbers was Wormtail) was:

"... We did Animagi in class with Professor McGonagall. And I looked them up when I did my homework -- the Ministry of Magic keeps tabs on witches and wizards who can become animals; there's a register showing what animal they become, and their markings and things... and I went and looked Professor McGonagall up on the register, and there have been only seven Animagi this century."