What are the three sub branches of Transfiguration?

"I do hope they start right away, there's so much to learn, I'm particularly interested in Transfiguration, you know, turning something into something else, of course, it's supposed to be very difficult —"— Description of Transfiguration[src]

Transfiguration was a branch of magic that focused on the alteration of the form or appearance of an object, via the alteration of the object's molecular structure.[1] Transfiguration could be done to most (if not all) objects and, as with most forms of magic, it included — but was hardly limited to — Transfiguration spells.

Transfiguration was regarded as "very hard work" and "more scientific" than any other form of magic, i.e. the practising witch or wizard had to get it exactly right for the transfiguration to be successful.[2]

Nature

"Transfiguration you have to get it exactly right, Transfiguration is more scientific."— J. K. Rowling[src]

Transfiguration was a very systematic, exact magical discipline, working best for the scientifically-inclined mind and as such it was deemed "very hard work" (especially compared to Charms, which afforded a much larger margin for personal creativity).[3] Also "'when transfiguring, it is important to make firm and decisive wand movements. Do not wiggle or twirl your wand unnecessarily, or the Transfiguration will certainly be unsuccessful" as stated by Emeric Switch in A Beginner's Guide to Transfiguration.

Horace Slughorn disguised by the use of human Transfiguration

There were a number of factors a wizard had to take into account when carrying out Transfiguration spells. The intended transformation (t) was directly influenced by body weight (a), viciousness (v), wand power (w), concentration (c) and a fifth unknown variable (Z), as described by the following mathematical formula (as taught to first-years at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry).[4]

Limitations

Whilst Transfiguration was an exceedingly useful branch of magic, it naturally had its own set of limitations.

Usually, a wizard or witch attempting to perform a Transfiguration spell would often find it easier to transfigure one thing into something else provided that the state it was originally in had something in common to what it would be coverted into (i.e. a statue of a dragon turning into an actual dragon, albeit the same size as it was when it was a statue). The overall mass and size of the object or entity to be transfigured into something else must also be considered, since it was stated by Hermione Granger that it was extremely difficult to transfigure something as large as a dragon,[5] even by a skilled transfiguration expert like McGonagall.

Furthermore, Transformation was limited by the fact that the dead could not be revived via magic and hence one could not "transfigure" the dead back to life, no matter how recently the death occurred.

Conjuration was principally limited by the Five Principal Exceptions to Gamp's Law of Elemental Transfiguration. The first (and only known) of these was the restriction that one could not conjure food (though, pre-existing food could be charmed in certain ways — such as by summoning and multiplication — and transfigured by the other branches).[6] Similarly, Wizarding law set legal limitations on what one was and wasn't allowed to conjure.[7] Finally, even if it was both possible and legal to conjure something, it would ultimately never last.[7]

Strangely, whilst there were a variety of limits placed on Conjuration, the branch referred to as Vanishment seemed to be completely unrestricted (this also appears true of Untransfiguration).

The branch of Transfiguration known as transformation magic had the largest number of restrictions placed upon it (both natural and legal). Firstly, even before one became an Animagus (both a Trans-species transformation and Human transfiguration) one was monitored closely, as attempting to become such a thing was highly dangerous, and even if one succeeded, one had to register oneself at the Ministry of Magic (or face trial), due to the many potential uses of this kind of transfiguration in criminal activity. An Animagus was also limited by the fact that they could only transfigure into one kind of animal this way.

Conversely, general Human Transfiguration was more varied in that it allowed one to transform another into a plethora of different animals but, on the other hand, the object of transfiguration would then possess the intelligence of the creature they became (unlike Animagi, who retained all their mental faculties in animal form).[8] If this was an animal of lower intelligence (which was more likely than not) then one would, by extension, be entirely dependent on the caster to untransfigure them, which could potentially cause someone to be stuck in that form forever (which is why it was not recommended to cast this type of transfiguration on oneself).

Dangers

"Transfiguration is some of the most complex and dangerous magic you will learn at Hogwarts. Anyone messing around in my class will leave and not come back. You have been warned."— Minerva McGonagall lecturing first-years[src]

A poorly performed Transfiguration spell, in which the object is half-transformed

Due to the applied, precise nature of Transfiguration magic, there was a large potential for it to go disastrously wrong, even for the experts. This was especially true if the practitioner wasn't taking things seriously and/or punching above their weight (with respect to the magic they are attempting to perform).

If it was done improperly, the Transfigured object could become half-Transfigured or permanently stuck in one state (whether fully or partially Transfigured). For example, Viktor Krum once half-Transfigured himself into a shark in the Second Task of The Triwizard Tournament in 1994, although he wasn't stuck in that form,[9] so it may have been intentional in his case.

Classification

Transfiguration was divided into four branches (though — whilst based on canonical information — the typology is conjectural). In these main four branches there were also sub-branches, such as human Transfiguration and Switching, which would be in the branch of Transformation. They were, in ascending order of difficulty: Transformation, Untransfiguration, Vanishment, and Conjuration. They are described below.

Transformation

This referred to any Transfiguration that deformed or altered the target in some way.

It should be noted that whilst this branch of transfiguration was the first covered in the Hogwarts curriculum, containing simple transfigurations such as Match to needle,[10] it also pertained to the most complex and dangerous forms of transfiguration too.

Transformation was divided into three sub-types, each with their own divisions and all of which overlapped with one another to some degree:

Human Transfiguration

Draco Malfoy is transfigured into a ferret

Human Transfiguration was a sub-branch of Transfiguration and a form of transformation in which one transfigured human body parts or an entire human being into another form. This branch was more difficult than any other and is only taught at N.E.W.T.-level. One of the spells learned in sixth year at Hogwarts was the transfiguration of the colour of one's eyebrows.[11]

Many general human Transfiguration spells existed, this category housed the following type of Transformation magic as well: Animagus (a wizard that elected to turn into an animal), Metamorphmagus (the rare ability to change physical appearance at will), and werewolves (they however had no choice).

Untransfiguration

Sirius Black and Remus Lupin untransfigures Peter Pettigrew

Untransfiguration was the art of reversing a previous transfiguration, being therefore considered both a transfiguration and a counter-spell. It was a mysterious branch of transfiguration. It was known that untransfiguration for failed transformations was taught early.

Reparifarge was a general spell used to counter the effects of a Transformation spell that was poorly performed and only partially transfigured the object in question. This spell was covered in A Beginner's Guide to Transfiguration.[12]

Switching

Hermione Granger performing the Switching Spell

Switching was another sub-type of transformation magic. During switching, a physical feature from one of the two targets was switched with that of another, hence the name. It differed from a straight transformation in two ways: firstly, switching targets affected two objects simultaneously; secondly, the change in one of the pair was dependent on a change in the other.

It is difficult to gauge the relative difficulty of switches exactly compared to other types of transfiguration because the exact year in which they were learned isn't known. However, Professor McGonagall was impressed when Hermione knew about switches as a first year student,[10] but was disappointed in Neville for not being able to perform even simple switches by fourth year.[13] Therefore, students must have started learning switches in second, third, or (early) fourth year (most likely third), earlier than almost all the other branches of transfiguration apart from transformation.

Trans-Species Transformation

Trans-Species Transformation was a sub-branch of transformation magic in which one organism was transformed into something of a different species. This is a term which referred to transformation magic that (partially or completely) changed the target organism into a new species. It included Cross-species Switches and hence had some overlap with switching magic. The only noted sub-branch to be more difficult was Human Transfiguration.

Vanishment

Severus Snape vanishes a snake

Vanishment was the art of causing things to Vanish; to "make things go into non-being". The difficulty of the Vanishment to be performed positively correlated with the complexity of the organism to be Vanished (for example, snails, as invertebrates, were easier to Vanish than mice, which are mammals).[14] Vanishment was moderately difficult — learned in fifth year — and was considered one of the hardest transfigurations to be tested on in one's O.W.L.[15]

Strangely, only one incantation was needed to Vanish any object - Evanesco , Latin for "disappear" (with the intent of the caster alone directing it), unlike conjurations (which could require a variety of complicated incantations)

Conjuration

Hagrid conjures fire

Conjuration was the art of conjuring things ("bringing things into being") and hence was the opposite of Vanishment. It was harder than its counterpart, being a N.E.W.T.-level feat, and was taught to sixth and seventh years at Hogwarts.[16][17] It was also considered to be very advanced magic, though some conjurations were considered simpler then others.[18]

There were numerous restrictions (both in Law and Nature) placed on the art of Conjuration, unlike Vanishment which appeared to be unrestricted. For example, something that was conjured would not last (or, "remain in being"), but it is unknown whether or not something that was vanished could forever remain in non-being if left to its own devices.

Known Transfigurations

Human Transfiguration

"They had just embarked upon the immensely difficult topic of human Transfiguration; working in front of mirrors, they were supposed to be changing the colour of their own eyebrows."— Harry Potter regarding the difficulty of Human Transfiguration[src]

Prior to 1991

Caster(s)	Date	Notes
Unknown	1473	During the Quidditch World Cup of 1473, all 700 fouls were committed, including one of the players transfiguring one of the Chasers on the opposite team into a polecat.
Thaddeus Thurkell	1600s	During the 1600s, Thaddeus Thurkell had seven sons, all of whom were Squibs. Thurkell was so angry he transfigured them all into hedgehogs.[19]
Mirabella Plunkett	1800s	During the 1800s, it is possible that Mirabella Plunkett transfigured herself into a haddock in order to live with her merman lover, although it may be possible that she was an Animagus.[19]
Gellert Grindelwald	1926	Using entirely the power of Human Transfiguration, Gellert Grindelwald disguised himself as MACUSA auror Percival Graves.[20]
Circe	?	Circe, a witch who lived in ancient times, was famous for turning sailors into pigs.[19]
McCliverts	According to legend, after Quintius MacBoon, head of the MacBoon clan, killed the head of a the rival McClivert clan, Dugald McClivert, in a drunken duel, the MacBoons were attacked by the McCliverts and the entire family was transfigured into Quintapeds.[21]
D.J. Prod	D.J. Prod stated that he was able to turn his wife into a yak after he took a Kwikspell course.[22]
Harry Potter	31 October, 1981	After travelling back in time Harry and Hermione used a transfiguration spell to disguise Harry as Lord Voldemort.[23]
Hermione Granger
Merula Snyde	1989–1990	Attempted to transfigure herself into a Thunderbird to impress the Sphinx Club and establish her reputation as the most powerful witch at Hogwarts. The spell went wrong and transformed her into a flobberworm instead.[24]
Jacob's sibling	1989–1990	Attempted to return Merula to human form after her flobberworm transformation, succeeded only in transforming her into a puffskein.[24]

1991 to 1998

"Harry turned and saw something monstrous cutting through the water toward them: a human body in swimming trunks with the head of a shark.... It was Krum. He appeared to have transfigured himself — but badly."— Description of Viktor Krum's use of human Transfiguration [src]

Caster(s)	Date	Notes
Rubeus Hagrid	1991	Rubeus Hagrid gave Dudley Dursley a pig's tail in response to his father insulting Albus Dumbledore. Hargid later told Harry Potter that he was attempting to turn Dudley fully into a pig but was unsuccessful. This may have been a joke.[25]
Unidentified boy	1992	A Hogwarts student accidentally changed his classmate into a badger.[26]
Fred Weasley	1994	Fred and George Weasley invented the Canary Cream, a prank item which, when eaten, automatically transfigures the eater into a large canary, which they used on Neville Longbottom.[27]
George Weasley
Bartemius Crouch Junior	Bartemius Crouch Junior transfigured Draco Malfoy into a ferret,[28] and in 1995, transfigured his father into a bone.[29]
Gwenog Jones	?	Gwenog Jones, captain of the Holyhead Harpies, was particularly skilled at transfiguring anyone who disagreed with her into wood lice.
Viktor Krum	1995	While competing in the second task of the Triwizard Tournament, Viktor Krum attempted to transfigure himself fully or partially into a shark; ultimately, only his head was transfigured, the shark's teeth were misplaced.[9]
Horace Slughorn	1996	Horace Slughorn transfigured himself into an over-stuffed armchair in order to avoid detection by Death Eaters. Was discovered by Albus Dumbledore and Harry Potter.[30]
Ron Weasley	During a Transfiguration lesson in 1996, Ron accidentally transfigured a moustache on to his face.[11]
Harry Potter	In a Transfiguration lesson Harry Potter transfigured his eyebrow bright yellow.[11]
Hermione Granger	1998	Hermione Granger used human Transfiguration to disguise Ron Weasley as "Dragomir Despard" before breaking in to the Lestrange Vault at Gringotts Wizarding Bank.[31]
Percy Weasley	During the Battle of Hogwarts, Percy Weasley shot a jinx at Pius Thicknesse, transfiguring him into some sort of sea urchin.[32]

Transformation

Wizard(s)	Date	Notes
Squibbert	?	Transformed a teapot into a ferret.
White rabbit	1993	Fat white rabbit changing into a top silk hat and back in the Magical Menagerie.[33]
Fred Weasley	Change Percy's badge to read 'Bighead Boy'.
George Weasley
Cornelius Fudge	1996	Transfigured a teacup into a gerbil, while trying to prove to the British Prime Minister that he was a wizard.[34]
Hermione Granger	1997	Trying to transfigure the mould off bread when at 12 Grimmauld Place.[35]
Minerva McGonagall	1990	Transfigured the chessmen guarding the Philosopher's Stone to giant size.[36]
1998	Turned Snape's black snake to smoke and then transformed the smoke to daggers.[37]
Albus Dumbledore	1992	May have transfigured the Slytherin banners in the Great Hall to become Gryffindor banners when he awarded Gryffindor last minute points.[38]
Cedric Diggory	1994	Transfigured a rock into a Labrador retriever to distract the Swedish Short-Snout.[39]
Severus Snape	1998	Transfigures McGonagall's fire into a black serpent.[37]

Vanishment

"At least he managed to Vanish the whole of his iguana, whereas poor Hannah Abbott lost her head completely at the next table and somehow managed to multiply her ferret into a flock of flamingos, causing the examination to be halted for ten minutes; while the birds were captured and carried out of the Hall."— O.W.L practical exam for Transfiguration[src]

Wizard(s)	Date	Notes
Harry Potter	1991	Accidentally vanished glass at a Muggle zoo.[40]
1996	Vanished the whole of his iguana during his O.W.L. exam.[15]
1997	Vanishment to rid himself of a snake that had crossed this path during his Hunt for Horcruxes.[41]
Severus Snape	1992	Vanished a snake summoned by Draco Malfoy at the Duelling Club.[26]
1995	Vanishment as a means to get rid of Harry Potter's failed Draught of Peace potion.[42]
Minerva McGonagall	Introduced Vanishment to her class in her very first Transfiguration class with fifth year students.[42]
Hermione Granger	The only student that could vanish objects by the end of the lesson.[42]
Albus Dumbledore	1996	Vanishment to counter Voldemort's fiery snake during their duel.[43]

Conjuration

Before 1991

Wizard(s)	Date	Notes
The Three Brothers	Unknown	In The Tales of Beedle the Bard, the three brothers conjured a bridge to get across a river.
Appleby Arrows supporters	pre 1894	Appleby Arrows supporters used to fire arrows onto the Quidditch pitch to support their team by use of the Arrow-shooting spell, however, the spell was banned in 1894 when referee Nugent Potts was pierced through the nose with a stray arrow.

1991–1992 school year

Wizard(s)	Date	Notes
Rubeus Hagrid	31 July, 1991	Nonverbally conjured a fire in the grate in the Hut in which the Dursleys and Harry Potter were staying to avoid the barrage of Harry's Hogwarts letters.
Hermione Granger	1991–1992	Hermione conjured Bluebell Flames to keep herself, Ron Weasley and Harry Potter warm during the winter months, as well as setting Severus Snape's robes on fire and to fend off the Devil's Snare which was attacking them.
Filius Flitwick	December, 1991	Nonverbally conjured gold bubbles for Christmas decorations.
Quirinus Quirrell	4 June 1992	Nonverbally and wandlessly conjured ropes to bind and gag Harry Potter by use of the Incarcerous Spell.

1992–1993 school year

Wizard(s)	Date	Notes
Draco Malfoy	17 December, 1992	Conjured a snake by use of the Snake Summons Spell, while dueling with Harry Potter during the Duelling Club.
Minerva McGonagall	1 September, 1992
Nonverbally conjured a fire in the grate in Severus Snape's office by use of the Fire-Making Spell Spell.
18 December, 1992	Nonverbally conjured a fan after the attack of Nearly Headless Nick and instructed Ernie Macmillan to "waft" him up to the Hospital Wing.

1993–1994 school year

Wizard(s)	Date	Notes
Albus Dumbledore	1993	Dumbledore may have conjured a stretcher and then 'magicked' Harry onto it when he fell from his broom.
Nonverbally conjured hundreds of purple sleeping bags for students who were taking refuge in the Great Hall after Sirius Black's break-in to Hogwarts
Nonverbally conjured a chair for Sybill Trelawney to sit in at the Christmas feast in the Great Hall.
Cornelius Fudge	July, 1993	Nonverbally conjured two large glasses of amber liquid, one for himself, one for the Prime Minister.
Remus Lupin	6 June 1994	Conjured a wooden rod and bandages to help support Ron Weasley's broken leg by use of the Bandaging Charm.
Nonverbally conjured ropes to bind and gag Peter Pettigrew in the Shrieking Shack, by use of the Incarcerous Spell
Severus Snape	Nonverbally conjured ropes to bind and gag Remus Lupin in the Shrieking Shack, by use of the Incarcerous Spell
Nonverbally conjured ropes to bind and gag Sirius Black when he found him unconscious next to Hermione Granger and Harry Potter under the influence of Dementor.
Nonverbally conjured stretchers to lift Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, Hermione Granger and Sirius Black.
Sirius Black	Nonverbally conjured manacles to bind Peter Pettigrew to Remus Lupin and Ron Weasley.

1994–1995 school year

Wizard(s)	Date	Notes
Arthur Weasley	August 1994	Conjured a fire in the Dursley's fireplace by use of the Fire-Making Spell.
Nonverbally conjured candles to light the darkening garden in the The Burrow.
Bill Weasley	Nonverbally conjured tablecloths for the tables to prepare for dinner.
Garrick Ollivander	November 1994	During the Wand weighing ceremony, Mr Ollivander conjured wine to test Harry Potter's wand by use of the Fountain of wine Spell.
During the Wand Weighing ceremony in, Mr Ollivander conjured a flock of birds to test Viktor Krum's wand by use of the Bird-Conjuring Charm.
Also during the Wand Weighing ceremony, Mr Ollivander also conjured flowers to test Fleur Delacour's wand by use of the Orchideous Spell.
Fleur Delacour	24 November, 1994	Conjured water during the First Task of the Triwizard Tournament, by use of the Water-Making Spell.
Albus Dumbledore	January 1995	Nonverbally conjured a tea tray at Hagrid's cabin.
24 June, 1995	Nonverbally conjured ropes to bind and gag Bartemius Crouch Junior after Polyjuice Potion with Alastor Moody's hair stopped working and he revealed by Veritaserum that he escaped from Azkaban and helped Lord Voldemort to capture Harry Potter.
Peter Pettigrew	24 June, 1995	Nonverbally conjured a fire under Voldemort's cauldron in the Little Hangleton graveyard.
Nonverbally conjured ropes to bind and gag Harry Potter to Tom Riddle Snr's gravestone by use of the Incarcerous Spell.
Lord Voldemort	24 June, 1995	Nonverbally conjured a silver hand for Peter Pettigrew to replace the one he sacrificed for his rebirth.

1995–1996 school year

Wizard(s)	Date	Notes
Albus Dumbledore	12 August, 1995	Nonverbally conjured two armchairs, for himself and Arabella Figg, during the disciplinary hearing of Harry Potter.
17 June, 1996	During the Duel in the Ministry Atrium,Dumbledore conjured a fiery rope which he sent at Lord Voldemort by use of the Flagrate Spell.
Arthur Weasley	January 1996	Nonverbally conjured a number of chairs for his family and friends while they were visiting him in St Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries.
Minerva McGonagall	December 1995	Nonverbally conjured three draws up straight-backed, wooden chairs, for herself, Harry Potter and Ron Weasley
Dolores Umbridge	17 June, 1996	Conjured ropes which bound Magorian the Centaur, after she insulted them in the Forbidden Forest, by use of the Incarcerous Spell.
Lord Voldemort	During the duel in the Ministry Atrium, Lord Voldemort conjured a silver shield to block one of Albus Dumbledore's spells.

1996–1997 school year

Wizard(s)	Date	Notes
Cornelius Fudge	July, 1996	Nonverbally conjured two large glasses of amber liquid, one for himself, one for the Prime Minister.
Hermione Granger	December 1996	Conjured a flock of canaries to keep herself company, by use of the Bird-Conjuring Charm.
Albus Dumbledore	July 1996	Nonverbally conjured a dusty bottle of oak-matured mead and five glasses.
30 June, 1997	Nonverbally conjured a goblet to drink the Emerald Green Potion in the Horcrux cave.
Harry Potter	Conjured water to give Albus Dumbledore in the Horcrux Cave by use of the Death Eaters, however, the water disappeared due to a protective curse.
Conjured ropes which bound an Inferius in the Horcrux Cave, by use of the Incarcerous Spell.
Conjured ropes in a failed attempt to stop Severus Snape fleeing from Hogwarts during the Battle of the Astronomy Tower
Conjured water by use of the the Water-Making Spell to douse the fire which Thorfinn Rowle had created.
Rubeus Hagrid
Thorfinn Rowle	Conjured flames to set Rubeus Hagrid's cabin on fire by use of the Fire-Making Spell during the Battle of the Astronomy Tower.
Poppy Pomfrey	Nonverbally conjured a chair for Minerva McGonagall in the Hospital Wing.

1997–1998 school year

Wizard(s)	Date	Notes
Antonin Dolohov	1 August, 1997	Nonverbally conjured ropes to bind and gag Ron Weasley during the Luchino Caffe Duel by use of the Incarcerous Spell.
Hermione Granger	31 July, 1997	Nonverbally conjured purple and gold streamers to decorate Harry Potter's seventeenth birthday party.
4 August, 1997	Nonverbally conjured a fire in the grate in 12 Grimmauld Place by use of the Fire-Making Spell.
While interrogating Mundungus, Harry Potter accidentally set his eyebrows on fire. Hermione Granger conjured water to put the fire out by use of the Water-Making Spell.
October, 1997	Conjured blindfold over the eyes of the Portrait of Phineas Nigellus Black to prevent him from seeing her, Ron Weasley's and Harry Potter's hiding place by use of 'Obscuro.
1997-1998	Conjured Bluebell Flames in order to keep warm and to cook with.
24 December 1997	Non-verbally conjured a wreath of Christmas roses to place on the graves of Lily and James Potter at the Godric's Hollow graveyard.
2 May, 1998	Conjured a crystal flask to hold Severus Snape's memory.
Minerva McGonagall	1998	Conjured a silver rope and a net to restrain the Carrows. Conjured a fiery whirlwind similar to a fire rope in her duel with Severus nape.
Harry Potter	During the Battle of Hogwarts, Harry tried to douse Vincent Crabbe's Fiendfyre curse with the Water-Making Spell, to ill effect.

Other

Wizard(s)	Notes
Healers	Healing requires at least an 'Exceeds Expectations' on a student's Transfiguration O.W.L.
Gargoyle	statues outside Dumbledore's office 'coming to life' when password is spoken.
Harry Potter	Considered using Switching Spells to change a dragon's teeth into wine-gums.
Wished to become an Animagus in order to breathe underwater as a goldfish or as a frog.studying for Transfiguration O.W.L.[44]

Transfiguration spells

Unknown incantation

Animagus reversal spell: Forced an Animagus to return to their human form
Arrow-Shooting spell: Shot arrows from the wand tip
Badgering: Turned target human into a badger
Beetle Buttons: Turned beetles into buttons
Bluebell Flames: Conjured blue flames
Book transfiguring spell: Transfigured a book into another book
Bridge-conjuring spell: Conjured a bridge
Bubble Spell: Conjured bubbles from wand
Butterfly-conjuring spell: Conjured butterflies
Candle to purple rabbit spell: Transformed candles into purple rabbits
Cat into tea cosy: Transformed cats, and possibly Kneazle, into tea cozies
Cauldron to Guitar Spell: Turned cauldrons into guitars
Cauldron to Sieve: Turned cauldrons to sieves
Chair-conjuring spell: Conjured chairs out of thin air for seating.
Desk Into Pig: Turned a desk into a pig
Dinner plate to mushroom: Transformed a dinner plate into a mushroom
Ears to kumquats spell: Transformed a person's ears into kumquats
Endless Sandwiches: A large plate of sandwiches that kept refilling itself appeared
Fire to snake: Transfigured a fiery rope into a snake made of flames under the caster's control
Fish to flower: Transformed fish into flowers
Fountain of wine: Conjured wine
Glass to sand: Transfigured glass back to sand within a certain radius
Guinea fowl to guinea pig: Turned a guinea fowl into a guinea pig
Hedgehog to pincushion: Transformed a hedgehog into a pincushion
Human to armchair: Transformed a human into a armchair
Human to bat: Transformed a human into a bat
Human to bone: Transformed a human into a bone
Human to ferrett: Transformed a human into a ferret
Human to pig: Transformed a human into a pig
Human to shark: Transformed a human into a shark
Human to yak: Transformed a human into a yak
Inanimatus Conjurus Spell: Unknown, but believed to be an extremely complicated spell to conjure anything to the wizards liking
Litter-box to wildebeest: Transformed litter-boxes to wildebeest
Match to needle: Turned a match into a needle
Meddling Man to Monkey: Transfigureed a meddling man into a monkey
Mice to Snuffboxes: Turned mice into snuffboxes
Owl to Opera Glasses: Transformed owls into opera glasses
Rabbit Slippers: Turned rabbits into slippers
Raven to Writing Desk: Transfigured ravens into writing desks
Rock to dog: Turned a rock into a dog
Silver shield spell: Conjured forth a silver shield before the caster for protection
Smoke into daggers: Coalesced a horde of daggers from smoke
Snail to Teapot: Transfigured a snail into a teapot
Switching Spell: Switched two targets simultaneously
Table Trouble: Acidified table surfaces
Take Root: Lignified the target beast
Teapot to tortoise: Transformed a teapot into a tortoise
Teddy bear to spider: Transfigured a teddy bear into a giant spider
Transfiguration Spell: Transformed something
Unidentified buffalo spell: Conjured a buffalo
Whistle into watch: Changed whistles into watches

Known incantation

Avifors Spell (Avifors): Transformed small objects or statues into birds
Bird-Conjuring Charm (Avis): Conjured birds from the wand tip
Caught!: Restrained the foe
Crinus Muto: Changed the colour and style of the caster's hair
Draconifors Spell (Draconifors): Turned statues or small objects into fire-breathing dragons
Ducklifors: Turned an opponent into a duck
Ebublio Jinx (Ebublio): Trapped opponent in large conjured bubble
Epoximise: Bonded two objects
Eye of rabbit, harp string hum, turn this water into rum: Turned water into rum
Bandaging Charm (Ferula): Conjured a wooden rod and bandages
Flintifors: Transformed things into matchboxes
Fire-Making Spell (Incendio): Conjured a jet of flame
Hardening Charm (Duro): Transformed things into stone
Herbifors: Produced flowers from head
Lapifors Spell: (Lapifors): Used to turn a small object or creature into a rabbit
Incarcerous Spell (Incarcerous): Conjured ropes or chains at your opponent
Incarcifors: Used to transfigure an object to capture an opponent
Melofors Jinx (Melofors): Used to turn an opponent's head into a pumpkin
Multicorfors Spell (Multicorfors): Changed the colour and style of a person's outfit
Orchideous: Conjureed flowers
Piscifors: Transfigured the target into a fish (most likely)
Pullus: Transformed a human into a chicken
Reparifarge: Reversed unsuccessful transfigurations
Scribblifors: Used to turn objects into quills
Snake Summons Spell (Serpensortia): Conjured a snake
Snufflifors Spell (Snufflifors): Turned books into mice
Steelclaw: Used to make an animal's claws bigger and made of steel
Sunshine, daisies, butter mellow, turn this stupid, fat rat yellow: Turned a rat yellow; didn't work
Tentaclifors: Used to turn a person's head into a tentacle
Vanishing Spell (Evanesco): Vanished things
Vera Verto: Used to turn an animal into a water goblet
Snake-Vanishing Spell (Vipera Evanesca): Vanished snakes
Water-Making Spell (Augamenti): Conjured water

Notable practitioners

Wizard(s)	Notes
Albus Dumbledore	Celebrated Headmaster of Hogwarts. Former Head of the school¨s Transfiguration department.
Minerva McGonagall	Celebrated Headmistress of Hogwarts. Former Head of the school¨s Transfiguration department. She was also a registered Animagus.
Horace Slughorn	Successful at human transfiguration. Could take the form of an armchair.
James Potter	Successfully became an Animagus (unregistered). James became a stag, Sirius a large black dog, and Pettigrew a rat.
Peter Pettigrew
Sirius Black
Remus Lupin	As a victim of lycanthropy was successful at Trans-species Transfiguration.
Hermione Granger	A capable student who could perform Professor McGonagall's tasks successfully on the first or with few attempts. She later became the Minister for Magic.
Harry Potter	Took the subject at N.E.W.T. level. Later became an Auror and head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement.
Ron Weasley	Also took the subject at N.E.W.T. level. Later became an Auror, until he retired to work in a joke shop.
Rita Skeeter	Successfully became an Animagus (unregistered). Took the form of a beetle.[45]
Nymphadora Tonks	A natural Metamorphmagus
Teddy Lupin
Lily Evans	Successfully transfigured a lily petal to become a fish when Slughorn found it.[46]
Viktor Krum	Partially transfigured himself into a shark.[9]
Lord Voldemort	Transfigured Dumbledore's rope of fire into a serpent[43] and created a silver hand for Peter Pettigrew.[47]
Bartemius Crouch Junior	Transfigured Draco Malfoy into a ferret.[28]
Gellert Grindelwald	Transfigured himself into Percival Graves for an extended period of time[48], transfigured himself into Abernathy during his daring escape, transfigured the reins that carried his carriage into living snakes, and Conjured a tongue for Abernathy.[49]

Transfiguration books

Theories of Transubstantial Transfiguration

Appearances

Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (First appearance)
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (film)
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (video game)
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (film)
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (video game)
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (film)
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (video game)
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (film)
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (video game)
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (film)
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (video game)
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (film)
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (video game)
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 (video game)
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 (video game)
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child (play)
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them: The Original Screenplay
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (film)
Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald - The Original Screenplay
Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald
Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (Mentioned only)
The Tales of Beedle the Bard
Quidditch Through the Ages (Mentioned only)
LEGO Harry Potter
LEGO Harry Potter: Years 1-4
LEGO Harry Potter: Years 5-7
LEGO Dimensions
LEGO Harry Potter
Harry Potter: The Character Vault (Mentioned only)
Daily Prophet Newsletters (Mentioned only)
Wonderbook: Book of Spells
Wonderbook: Book of Potions
Harry Potter: Spells
Fantastic Beasts: Cases from the Wizarding World
Harry Potter for Kinect
Pottermore
Wizarding World
Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery
Harry Potter: Wizards Unite
Harry Potter: Puzzles & Spells
Harry Potter: Magic Awakened
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter

Notes and references

↑ JKR on the difference between Transfigurations & Charms, accessed 28/7/2011
↑ J.K. Rowling at the Royal Albert Hall, 26 June 2003
↑ J.K. Rowling on the nature of Transfiguration, accessed 28/7/2011
↑ Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (film)
↑ Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (video game)
↑ Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Chapter 15 (The Goblin's Revenge)
↑ 7.0 7.1 JK on the limitations of Conjuration, accessed 28/7/2011
↑ Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Chapter 6 (Talons and Tea Leaves)
↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Chapter 26 (The Second Task)
↑ 10.0 10.1 Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, Chapter 8 (The Potions Master)
↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Chapter 15 (The Unbreakable Vow)
↑ Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery
↑ Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Chapter 15 (Beauxbatons and Durmstrang)
↑ Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Chapter 15 (The Hogwarts High Inquisitor)
↑ 15.0 15.1 Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Chapter 31 (O.W.L.s)
↑ Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Chapter 13 (Detention with Dolores)
↑ Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Chapter 14 (Felix Felicis)
↑ Wonderbook: Book of Spells
↑ 19.0 19.1 19.2 Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (video game)
↑ JK Rowling FAQs - 5. Why did ‘revelio’ undo the effects of Polyjuice Potion?
↑ Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them
↑ Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Chapter 8 (The Deathday Party)
↑ Harry Potter and the Cursed Child
↑ 24.0 24.1 Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery, Year 6, Side Quest "WELCOME TO THE SPHINX CLUB"
↑ Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, Chapter 4 (The Keeper of the Keys)
↑ 26.0 26.1 Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Chapter 11 (The Duelling Club)
↑ Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Chapter 21 (The House-Elf Liberation Front)
↑ 28.0 28.1 Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Chapter 13 (Mad-Eye Moody)
↑ Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Chapter 35 (Veritaserum)
↑ Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Chapter 4 (Horace Slughorn)
↑ Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Chapter 26 (Gringotts)
↑ Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Chapter 31 (The Battle of Hogwarts)
↑ Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Chapter 4 (The Leaky Cauldron)
↑ Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Chapter 1 (The Other Minister)
↑ Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Chapter 11 (The Bribe)
↑ Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, Chapter 16 (Through the Trapdoor)
↑ 37.0 37.1 Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Chapter 30 (The Sacking of Severus Snape)
↑ Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, Chapter 17 (The Man with Two Faces)
↑ Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Chapter 20 (The First Task)
↑ Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, Chapter 2 (The Vanishing Glass)
↑ Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 (video game)
↑ 42.0 42.1 42.2 Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Chapter 12 (Professor Umbridge)
↑ 43.0 43.1 Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Chapter 36 (The Only One He Ever Feared)
↑ Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Chapter 28 (Snape's Worst Memory)
↑ Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Chapter 37 (The Beginning)
↑ Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (film)
↑ Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Chapter 33 (The Death Eaters)
↑ Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them: The Original Screenplay
↑ Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald - The Original Screenplay

Which sub branch is transfiguration?

Human Transfiguration was a sub-branch of Transfiguration and a form of transformation in which one transfigured human body parts or an entire human being into another form.

When were the Transfiguration branches defined?

These are the four branches of transfiguration. They were defined in 1651 by a German transfigurist, though we're unsure of the name of this person.

What is the hardest branch of Transfiguration?

There are currently four, listed from easiest branch of Transfiguration to the hardest: Transformation, Vanishment, Conjuration and Untransfiguration.

What are the different components of the Transfiguration formula?

Curriculum.

The Transfiguration alphabet..

The transformation formula, which is that the intended transformation is directly influenced by bodyweight (a), viciousness (v), wand power (w), concentration (c), and a fifth unknown variable (Z)..

Desk Into Pig (not practically).