P.S: In retrospect there’s exactly one important canon character in this story whose gender I could freely choose, and I did happen to make her female, but that’s not going to be apparent until later.
Clearly, this line is the only important part of this comment. Let the games begin!
(Tonks would be the obvious guess, since there’s long been speculation about gender-bending metamorphamagi. But she’s presented as female in canon, and Eliezer would probably object to the notion that the mere ability to change body shape would count as changing sex.)
Hmm, he didn’t say “she’s not going to appear until later”, he said “that’s not going to be apparent until later”. This suggests that the character has already appeared, doesn’t it?
(I might have guessed that the androgynous Voldemort could have been a female character in this fic, but I believe Eliezer has already flat-out stated that he’s sticking to Quirrell = Voldemort.)
Hmm, he didn’t say “she’s not going to appear until later”, he said “that’s not going to be apparent until later”. This suggests that the character has already appeared, doesn’t it?
I’m going with Penelope Clearwater. The competent, sober, older-Ravenclaw-prefect role could have been just about anyone (thus fulfilling the “important character who’s gender I could choose” requirement), but Penelope was chosen (thus the “make her female” requirement). She hasn’t done anything outstanding yet, thus the “apparent until later”.
I’ve had strong suspicions for a while that both Penelope and Goyle will have awesome roles to play in the future.
Eliezer would probably object to the notion that the mere ability to change body shape would count as changing sex
I have no idea what Eliezer would think on the subject.
My feeling is that if a metamorphamagus is changing the body, then this means changing the hormones—they’re a member of the sex they appear to be in every way with the possible exception of childhood memories. (I don’t remember at what age the ability to metamorphize kicks in.)
I could argue that that they’re “really” a gender we don’t have a word for.
My feeling is that if a metamorphamagus is changing the body, then this means changing the hormones—they’re a member of the sex they appear to be in every way with the possible exception of childhood memories. (I don’t remember at what age the ability to metamorphize kicks in.)
Well, that depends on how said hormones are affecting brain development during childhood and in the womb—and I don’t recall hearing tales of transsexuals taking such hormones having, say, their sexual orientation affected. (I haven’t researched this.)
On the other hand, there’s mention in canon of a baby changing their hair color, which would indicate that it doesn’t “kick in” at a specific point in time. I’m not sure what this means for the gender-changing-Tonks hypothesis; is there any research into children with irregular levels of sex hormones, or who started taking hormones in childhood?
I could argue that that they’re “really” a gender we don’t have a word for.
Androgynous? Hermaphrodite? Genderqueer? Those are words, and while their meanings are … fluid … they could all probably be applied to such an individual.
Ultimately, we can never be entirely certain one way or the other without Word of God; magic can cover a multitude of sins. Unless his opinions have changed since he wrote that article, however, I’m guessing the most she could achieve would be an inferior “penis-shaped vagina”, perhaps with looks based on a specific individual for realism. If her powers actually bother dealing with hormone levels and such, it’s presumably dealt with automatically, so it could simply refuse to mess with sex hormones beyond certain limits. She carried a baby to term in canon, and there was certainly no mention of having to avoid certain transformations. Not that there would be, necessarily.
Clearly, this line is the only important part of this comment. Let the games begin!
(Tonks would be the obvious guess, since there’s long been speculation about gender-bending metamorphamagi. But she’s presented as female in canon, and Eliezer would probably object to the notion that the mere ability to change body shape would count as changing sex.)
Hmm, he didn’t say “she’s not going to appear until later”, he said “that’s not going to be apparent until later”. This suggests that the character has already appeared, doesn’t it?
(I might have guessed that the androgynous Voldemort could have been a female character in this fic, but I believe Eliezer has already flat-out stated that he’s sticking to Quirrell = Voldemort.)
Ooh, well caught.
Hmm, Tonks has already appeared...
I’m going with Penelope Clearwater. The competent, sober, older-Ravenclaw-prefect role could have been just about anyone (thus fulfilling the “important character who’s gender I could choose” requirement), but Penelope was chosen (thus the “make her female” requirement). She hasn’t done anything outstanding yet, thus the “apparent until later”.
I’ve had strong suspicions for a while that both Penelope and Goyle will have awesome roles to play in the future.
Isn’t Penelope the only older Ravenclaw we’re shown in canon?
Is that why you chose her specifically to be voiced by Zoe Chace?
Hm… not consciously. I just felt like she’d be a good match, and wouldn’t take too much time.
I have no idea what Eliezer would think on the subject.
My feeling is that if a metamorphamagus is changing the body, then this means changing the hormones—they’re a member of the sex they appear to be in every way with the possible exception of childhood memories. (I don’t remember at what age the ability to metamorphize kicks in.)
I could argue that that they’re “really” a gender we don’t have a word for.
Allow me to enlighten you.
Well, that depends on how said hormones are affecting brain development during childhood and in the womb—and I don’t recall hearing tales of transsexuals taking such hormones having, say, their sexual orientation affected. (I haven’t researched this.)
On the other hand, there’s mention in canon of a baby changing their hair color, which would indicate that it doesn’t “kick in” at a specific point in time. I’m not sure what this means for the gender-changing-Tonks hypothesis; is there any research into children with irregular levels of sex hormones, or who started taking hormones in childhood?
Androgynous? Hermaphrodite? Genderqueer? Those are words, and while their meanings are … fluid … they could all probably be applied to such an individual.
Ultimately, we can never be entirely certain one way or the other without Word of God; magic can cover a multitude of sins. Unless his opinions have changed since he wrote that article, however, I’m guessing the most she could achieve would be an inferior “penis-shaped vagina”, perhaps with looks based on a specific individual for realism. If her powers actually bother dealing with hormone levels and such, it’s presumably dealt with automatically, so it could simply refuse to mess with sex hormones beyond certain limits. She carried a baby to term in canon, and there was certainly no mention of having to avoid certain transformations. Not that there would be, necessarily.