Hello everybody, I searched for any thread that may touch on this, but I did not find one.
Can transfiguration spells be blocked during a duel? Most transfigurations we have read about do not describe an actual projection like regular charmwork.
The only instance I remember off the top of my head that does was when Lupin and Sirius together forced Pettigrew back into a human state. Bright blue and white light was coming from the wands, they suspended Scabbers in midair, he started shaking madly, Wormtail thudded on the floor, a flash of light, and a lousy excuse of a man stood where the rat was.
Maybe that's why Dumbledore only used transfiguration during his duel with Voldemort, so his opponet couldn't prevent the spells from contacting. What do you think?

That would be pretty cool. When I started writing this, I thought transfiguration was really close range, maybe even contact necessary. But then I remembered the greatest moment in Ron's life: the Bouncing Ferret Malfoy. So that kind of goes, eh?

Anyways, I think it might be feasible that the spell cannot be blocked, though we just don't know. That is up for grabs, but I'm leaning towards they're blockable, otherwise people would just be transforming each other for the heck of it. There's got to be someway.

I'm assuming you're saying Dumbledore only used transfiguration spells because of the statutes and Voldemort's shield? That could very well be, but doesn't it say somewhere in the books, GoF I think, when Harry is learning all the spells for the Tri-Wizard third task, that Portego is for minor curses and hexes?

The spells Dumbledore was using was anything but.

Protego just couldn't get the job done. But a magic reinforced shield, well that's another story.

I agree QQS, I don't think the basic shield charm wouldn't rebound transfigurations.
The silver shield Voldemort conjured, it was strong to protect him from an oncoming spell. The magic Dumbledore uses on Voldemort during their duel what to subdue him. Any ideas on what the spell was?

In that line, DD was only trying stop and not kill or other thing. At the end LV ask why DD is not trying harder. For one thing I guess DD was only interesteed in repeling LV, saving HP and showing to the wizarding world that LV was back.

That my guess about that duel.

I wonder, why Dumbledore didn't use Avada Kedavra in his duel? Ye, it's forbidden, but I don't think, that he would be arrested. The only reason is that D. didn't want to kill Voldemort, but why?

Tuitus
And how could Pettigrew/Scrabbers do magic if he was a rat? I think, he couldn't blockade any spell at all. And a wizard can blockade spells and transfigurations.
IMHO

Really? But Voldemort had already had the horcruxes, when he came to kill the Potters. And what was the result?
V. had 7 horcruxes. Does their quantity remain unchanged when he dies or not?

When Voldemort went to kill the Potters, his own spell rebounded on him, no one performed Avada Kedavra on him And the result of this was not that he died, but that his body was destroyed. This left his soul damaged but earthbound and able to return because of the horcruxes. Obviously Dumbledore would not want Voldemort to be able to return again if his body was destroyed, so he wouldn't try to kill him until all the horcruxes had been destroyed first. I believe that the number of horcruxes does not change when Voldemort "dies," and this is what my opinion of Dumbledore's reasoning rests on, but that is for another thread!

Speaking of all these spells (i know its a littile bit off topic) but i thought it would be kinda funny if someone shot a memory charm at voldemort. haha.

ROFL! I love it! Highly unlikely to actually happen, but it would be fabulously hilarious if it did.

Unfortunatelly, Ron's got a good wand now.

MOD EDIT : Please check the rules - one-liners are not allowed in the forums.

Lol, intresting scenarios but I really think that Dumbledore wouldnt have used the Avada Kedavara Curse on Voldemort not because he who feel any remorese about Voldemort dieing but rather because Voldemort could probably block or avoid them as easy as Dumbledore could. Also dumbledore is supposed to be on the defensive here, and technically Harry is supposed to kill Voldemort according to the prophecy.

Dumbledore, I think didnt use the Avada Kadavra on Voldermort because it was dark magic and he isnt a dark wizard, and also because he knows of the Horcruxes and knows that Voldermort can just come back.

like Harry Potter Fan said

Dumbledore doesnt want to associate himself with any of the Unforgivable Curses or Dark Magic he just isnt that type of person

he would rather subdue them and send them for a Dementors Kiss/Azkaban (even thought Azkaban isnt really effective anymore due to the Dementors joining Voldemorts side)
I also have a feeling that Dumbledore didnt kill Voldemort because he knew as the prophecy said that Harry is the only one who will be able to rid the wizarding world of Voldemort forever (even though he always tells Harry not to set store by the prophecy )

Lol, ya i think it has to do something to with the Horcruxes. And good point One, about the prophecy. I just dont think that Dumbledore should let Harry kill Voldermort if he can help it. But i think he is going to now.

Ya I agree with the whole horcruxes thing and also the reason why Dumbledore didnt want to use the Killing Curse also because, I cant believe no one else saw this. He also said in the duel
"There are other ways of destroying a man Tom."
So I think that he ment that, he also said something about there are other things worse than death.
But I think cutting off all of his fingers and toes and cut off his well you know, thingy. And then let him bleed to death, but stop him when he has a little blood left. Then let him starve and die of thirst. Maybe that would be good.
Oh ya, also everyone he has hurt gets five free punches and or kicks anywhere. ( Harry, neville, Susan Bones, etc.)
Good topic titius even though I kind of went off topic.

well its obvious why Dumledore didnt want to kill Voldemort when they came face to face in the ministry of magic. I dont remember the exact words but after Dumbledore casts his spell on Voldemort, he says, "So u dont wish to kill me" and Dumbledore replied something like "there are things worse than death" or something like that. so basically Dumbledore didnt wish to kill Voldemort there and then because he knew that Voldemort was Invincible at the moment, he could come back not from death but that he wouldnt die because of his horcruxes.

And about transfiguration and defensive magic, I suppose that when you are using magic, its always good to use a mixture of it so the opponent will be always in the dark as to what to expect.

Remember that Dumbledore was the old Transfiguration teacher. Yes, he could probably teach any subject at Hogwarts, but he chose Transfiguration. It was likely his best subject (along with Charms and DADA). It makes sense that he would use his best magic against Voldemort.

The duel takes place before Harry hears the prophecy, so DD is the only one who knows it. If he feels that Harry is the chosen one then itis not his place to kill LV.

A side from the magic that Lily used to protect Harry, no one has survived the AK, I do not think that a simple shield charm will deflect it. The use of the statues from the fountain to block the curse were more effective. DD also had another reason to use them. He did not agree with what the fountain, it placed wizards above all other magical creatures and he sees that there needs to be a balance.

That's an interesting point. I think no branch of magic is infallable and therefore I think even transfiguration has its weak points. I just think it is harder to counter than curses and jinxes for example since there are so many counter curses and jinxes.