Metamorphmagus
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In J. K. Rowling's fantasy series, Harry Potter, a metamorphmagus is a wizard born with the ability to change their shape at will. Only one such character has been introduced, so details about the power are limited. It is known that the ability is extremely rare and comes only to those who are born with it, unlike that of the animagi that is gained by years of hard work.
Nymphadora Tonks, a secondary character, is the one metamorphmagus currently in the series. She can make small changes, such as altering the length and colour of her hair, with only a moment's concentration. She is perfectly capable of more drastic ones, such as making herself appear decades older or giving herself a near-pig snout reminiscent of Dudley Dursley's nose. Metamorphmagi presumably cannot take on nonhuman form (though she could presumably make herself look like another humanoid species such as a veela, only without any of the associated abilities), but it has yet to be seen if they can copy the appearance of a specific person. The issue of emulating the opposite gender is an open question and likely to remain that way.
There is a great deal of fan speculation that metamorphmagi are going to play a greater role in the final book. Proponents offer as a pattern the major roles played by the powers of the animagi, the legilimens, and the occlumens. It's also worth noting that the alternative would mean that J. K. Rowling introduced a powerful new ability and didn't use it for anything more significant than nose-changing as dinner entertainment. Speculation that Harry Potter is a metamorphmagus, fuelled by spontaneous magical regrowth of his hair in the Philosopher's Stone, has been refuted by the author.[1]
[edit] Etymology
From the Greek originating prefix "meta" meaning a change or transformation. "Morph" (also of Greek origin) means form, structure, shape or external apperence. "Magus" is a man with supernatural or magical powers, especially in ancient times.
