For the average wizard, the Five Exceptions are simple and obvious. Yet the majority of wizarding kind lacks any form of comprehension in this matter, taking for granted the existence of basic laws that have laid the foundation for society.

Despite the abhorrent methodology utilized in explaining these five exceptions, there are several brilliant intellects in our day and age that have illuminated the potential outputs observed within the realm of Transfiguration. These great minds are far more capable of discerning adequate means of conveying the crucial nature of the Five Exceptions, leaving it to my humble quill to ascribe a fitting monograph.

In brief, the Five Exceptions are often wrongly attributed to Magess Hesper Gamp, the renowned Transfiguration prodigy. Rather, her lesser-known uncle, Aristotle Gamp derived the Five Exceptions through years of observation and study. To date, the Law of Elemental Transfiguration bears his name, and the Gamp name would be considered for a Wizangamot seat within this century. The line's extinction during the Bad Times has sadly terminated that hope. Lest all should believe this an utter defeat, it should be known that a revival of the line may be possible, should the affected parties (unnamed to maintain the integrity of this publication) allow their distaff members to re-establish the defunct lines.

The Law of Elemental Transfiguration is a simple, yet beautiful observation on the innate nature of magic. Before, one needed a deep understanding of the Roman Mutationes in humoribus reformabit by the unknown Paterdomus of the Temple of Pluto. To truly master the subject, a student of Transfiguration would have needed to understand the deft contributions of the Hispanian Philosophers as well. But after this discovery, comprehension of Transfiguration changed from an esoteric science requiring Masters into a household skill and the hands of the meanest practitioner.

Hereby, in the original language, is Gamp's Law as inscribed in Theorien über die subtile Kunst der Verklärung, in the Moderne Entdeckungen periodical.

"Die Eigenschaften jedes Elements, das man in der natürlichen Welt findet, können in die chemischen Eigenschaften eines anderen Elements umgewandelt werden, die Veredlung um Faktor Zehn zunehmend und mit demselben den meanness abnehmend."

Translated: "The properties of every element found in the Natural World may be changed into the properties of another element, the magic required for such a change increasing by a factor of exponential proportion with the nobility of the element, and decreasing with its meanness by the same."

Thanks must be given to the contributors in this work.

Madame Professor Griselda Marchbanks, CDMG, APMO, fdBB

Headmaster Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore, MTF, CDMG, GPoW, TPE, Order of Merlin First Class, and current placeholder of the Most Popular Famous Witches and Wizards Card (insert by insistence)

Alchemists Nicholas and Perenelle Flamel

Dr. Hermione Granger, BS, BA, MD, D.M.S., CDMG, LGmA, PAR and MoS.

My most humble gratitude for these magnificent contributions furthering the mastery of this art. I remain,

Charles Levinhand, Chief Researcher of Thaumological and Arcane Magics