Harry Potter Wiki
Register
Advertisement
Harry Potter Wiki
Metamorphmagus

A Metamorphmagus

"I'm a Metamorphmagus. It means I can change my appearance at will. I was born one."
Nymphadora Tonks regarding her Metamorphic abilities[src]

A Metamorphmagus (pl. Metamorphmagi) was a witch or wizard with the rare magical ability to change their physical appearance. While most of the wizarding population required Polyjuice Potion, Fluxweed Syrup, or a Human Transfiguration spell, a Metamorphmagus could alter their form through sheer will alone.[1]

Difference from Animagi[]

Harry Potter: "Can you learn how to be a Metamorphmagus?"
Nymphadora Tonks: "Bet you wouldn't mind hiding that scar sometimes, eh?"
Harry Potter: "No, I wouldn't mind."
Nymphadora Tonks: "Well, you'll have to learn the hard way, I'm afraid. Metamorphmagi are really rare, they're born, not made. Most wizards need to use a wand or potions to change their appearance...."
— Nymphadora Tonks explaining Metamorphmagi to Harry Potter[src]

While both had the ability to transform at will, Animagi could only transform into one particular type of animal, which was predetermined by their inner traits.[2] By contrast, Metamorphmagi could take a wide variety of forms, changing gender and age, potentially looking like anyone at all, or even just changing a part of their appearance, such as the colour of their hair or shape of their noses.[1]

Also, anyone could learn to become an Animagus. It was a long and difficult process that had to be done in a specific way, but anyone could learn it all the same as long as they had the skill and patience for it. A Metamorphmagus on the other hand was born, not made; it was not a magical skill that could be learned.[1] There also seemed to be a degree of heritability, as both Nymphadora Tonks and her son, Teddy Lupin, were Metamorphmagi, although both of Tonks's parents, Andromeda and Ted, were not.

It is unknown if Metamorphmagi had to register with the Ministry of Magic like Animagi had to, as Metamorphmagi did not choose to become what they were, while Animagi did. Although, while Animagi possessed distinct markings on their animal forms which carried over from their true forms, Metamorphmagi did not. Therefore, it would be far more difficult to keep track of them for any signs of ability abuse.

Metamorphic usage[]

"I got top marks in Concealment and Disguise during Auror training without any study at all, it was great."
— Tonks regarding her Metamorphmagus abilities[src]
Metamorphmagi

Nymphadora Tonks changing her facial features at will and with ease

Metamorphmagi could use their abilities to make themselves look exactly like another person. During her school years at Hogwarts School, Tonks often got detentions for turning into teachers.[3] This also included ghosts.[4][5] While all witches and wizards had the potential to learn such magic (albeit at a highly advanced level), Metamorphmagi did not need their wands or any potions to utilise their transformation abilities as other witches and wizards did.[1]

Like many other types of magic, a Metamorphmagus' abilities were affected by their emotional state. The person's appearance at any moment would often reflect the emotion the person is feeling at the time. Strong emotions, such as shock or sadness, could affect their abilities to the point of having trouble using them at all. For example, Nymphadora Tonks had difficulty using her abilities following Sirius Black's death, and when she was depressed over her feelings for Remus Lupin.[6]

Metamorphic abilities could be very helpful when it came to disguises. For example, Nymphadora Tonks was able to put her abilities to use in performing espionage for the Order of the Phoenix. She also got full marks in Concealment and Disguise of her Auror training, implying that this ability could be used for official examinations and competitions.[1]

It is unknown whether Metamorphmagi received any training in developing their innate skill, or if they learnt through trial and error. Given their rarity, it was unlikely that much training was available. Nymphadora Tonks showed that she only needed to concentrate a little to change her appearance, so it may simply be a matter of the Metamorphmagus wanting to change.[1] Furthermore, the ability might present very early in life, as Teddy Lupin's hair changed colour when he was a newborn infant, as did his mother's.[7]

Albus Dumbledore wrote an article in a 1926 issue of Transfiguration Today examining whether it was possible for Metamorphmagi to use their transformational abilities to disappear without a trace.[8]

Known Metamorphmagi[]

"Opposite Harry, Tonks was entertaining Hermione and Ginny by transforming her nose between mouthfuls. Screwing up her eyes each time with the same pained expression she had worn back in Harry’s bedroom, her nose swelled to a beaklike protuberance like Snape's, shrank to something resembling a button mushroom, and then sprouted a great deal of hair from each nostril. Apparently this was a regular mealtime entertainment, because after a while Hermione and Ginny started requesting their favourite noses."
— Metamorphmagus Tonks changing her appearance at will[src]

Etymology[]

In Greek, "meta" means "change", "morph" means "shape", and "magus" (in Latin) means "magic or wizard". Hence, a wizard that can change shape, and the term "Metamorphosis" is the term to describe an animal changing into another animal such as how a caterpillar changes into a butterfly.

Behind the scenes[]

  • In Latin, the female form of Magus is Maga. However, female Metamorphmagi are never referred to as "Metamorphmaga" or "Metamorphmagae", which would be the female plural, in canon.
  • In Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery, Jacob's sibling will jokingly suggest that they may be a Metamorphmagus to distract Nymphadora Tonks when playing Gobstones with her. During the game, however, the character uses Polyjuice Potion and may become an Animagus, indicating that this is not the case. This is an apparent tongue-in-cheek reference to the player being able to adjust their character's appearance at any time.
  • Also in Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery, in History of Magic class segments, Tonks will sometimes mockingly imitate Professor Binns, even becoming transparent. Its unclear if Metamorphmagi can somehow make themselves appear spectral, or if this is just a game mechanic.
    • During one side quest, Barnaby Lee momentarily mistakes a hedgehog for Tonks, suggesting that Metamorphmagi may be able to change their shape just like an Animagus, however this could also be a mistake on Barnaby's part.

Appearances[]

Notes and references[]

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Chapter 3 (The Advance Guard)
  2. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Chapter 18 (Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot and Prongs)
  3. Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery, Year 3, Chapter 1 (Year Three Begins) - Flying Lesson "Rolling"
  4. Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery, Year 5, Chapter 5 (Penny, Portraits, Peace, and Pressure) - History of Magic Lesson "Giant Wars"
  5. Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery, Year 6, Chapter 5 (Wherefore Art Thou, Weasleys?) - History of Magic Lesson "Uprising of Elfric the Eager"
  6. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Chapter 5 (An Excess of Phlegm)
  7. 7.0 7.1 Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Chapter 25 (Shell Cottage)
  8. Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (film) (see this image)
  9. Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery, Year 6, Chapter 45 (The Messenger)
  10. Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery, Year 7, Chapter 27 (Now That's What I Call a Cursed CD)
  11. Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery, Year 7, Chapter 7 (A New Curse)
Advertisement