Throughout the Wizarding World, we are treated to multiple different kinds of wizards and witches. While the stories are often focused on the generic, many different wizards specialize in different fields either by natural talent or by outside circumstances. Here we will be looking at different wizards and witches that have been put into a unique class for their abilities or circumstances, such as a curse, or in how they were raised. We will explain how they fit into the wizarding world and how their powers can help or hinder their societal role.
Animagus/ Metamorphagus
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The Animagi are wizards that have proven exceptional in the art of transfiguration. Whereas normal transfiguration is the art of transforming an object into something entirely different from its original state, animagi are wizards that can transform themselves into an animal. Wizards affected by a curse of lycanthropy are not considered animagi as they are not in control of their transformations. Animagi can only transform into one animal, usually in tandem with their significant personality traits, such as when Peter Pettigrew could turn into a rat.
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Not to be confused, the Metamorphmagi are wizards who have been born with an inherent talent to change their physical traits in numerous ways. Nymphadora Tonks is the most prominent example of a metamorhpmagus whose hair often changes color depending on her mood. It can also be seen that the metamorphmagi can change their features to match those of an animal as well as to differing human traits. While the metamorphmagi are simply born with these abilities, the animagi are trained and can only change to one form, leading to the animagi being forced to register with the Ministry in case of any wrongdoing.
Legillimency & Occlumency
The Wizarding World is full of dark secrets that ones must keep for fear of great power falling into the wrong hands. But no secret is safe from a Legillimens. A Legillimens is a wizard capable of reading the mind of anyone they use their abilities on, capable of witnessing their deepest secrets and darkest fears. Severus Snape showed this ability when he reached into Harry Potter’s mind and bore witness to his memories. The Sorting Hat was also enchanted with the ability of Legillimency to be able to see into young students’ minds, and best sort them correctly.
The opposite of this mental power is Occlumency, where a witch and wizard that has shown exceptional skill with mental manipulation can shield their own mind from the effects of a Legillimens. While there aren’t many examples of this in practice, seeing as it is an ability that negates another, Severus Snape was entrusted to teach Harry how to become an Occlumens. This was primarily because Snape was considered one of the strongest Occlumens ever, as he was able to shield his true intentions from Lord Voldemort, a wizard who was an exceptional Legillimens in his own right.
Obscurials
An Obscurial is considered a very tragic figure in the wizarding world and a warning to be heeded by all young wizards. When young wizards or witches are forced to suppress their magical abilities, be it through physical abuse or psychological manipulation, they begin to develop an Obscurus. This virus-like presence would feed off the child’s magic power, often killing them by age 10.
It is stated that a child can be saved from and cured of their Obscurus, but only if caught in the early stages. In the case of Credence Barebone, they had lived to such a long extent that the trauma developed over time, made it so they were so alienated from their peers that there was seemingly no saving them from becoming an Obscurial and devastating their surroundings. While Credence did end up surviving his experience as an Obscurial, this is known to be a considerable outlier, likely owing to his immense magical power.
Maledictus
Where the Animagi and Metamorphmagi are capable of transforming due to immense talent or birthright, the Maledictus are witches who have been cursed to transform into an animal until such a point that they cannot turn back and forget their lives as a human. This curse only strikes the female line of a family.
The only maledictus shown throughout the franchise is Nagini, a young woman who had been indentured to life as a circus performer, as at this point in her life, she had more control over her transformations. When turning into a snake and wowing audiences with the spectacle, Nagini often maintained her grace between human and snake forms. While being a Maledictus doesn’t make one inherently evil, Nagini would face a sharp change in demeanor after a time jump. Seeing the young lady fully devolved into her snake form has left her as a pawn in Lord Voldemort’s army, albeit one of his most trusted.
