[HPforGrownups] Re: Harry's Patronus

[Sheryl Garfio]

No: HPFGUIDX 44910

Richelle writes:
> Still, it could also take the form of
> someone or something you have been protected by in the past.  Which could
> perhaps mean that James had specifically taken the stag form to protect
> Harry at some time.

Geez, you people won't let me get *any* work done today, will you?  Of course,
the fact that I am deep in the throes of Short-Timers' Disease doesn't help... 
I had started an earlier post on this topic, but didn't think I had enough to
go on, and then got all caught up in Mrs Weasley.

I also thought about the possibility that a wizard's Patronus takes the form of
someone or something that had protected him in the past, particularly if that
person or thing is now absent from the wizard's reality.  Kind of like an
intercessory prayer, where someone from far away provides protection.  (BTW, I
personally put intercessory prayer in the same category with magic, so don't
worry that I'm about to go off on some religious tangent.  I do think that
there is *plenty* of religious symbolism in HP, though.)  It would seem strange
to me if a Patronus were to take the form of someone who is readily available,
like most of the students' fathers are.  Why would you summon a Patronus in the
form of your father if your father himself is available to protect you?  And
what if your father is a wuss?

As for Dumbledore's surprised reaction, what if it's more of an epiphany?  I
always assume that Dumbledore knows way more than he lets on.  I suspect that
he knows about James' ability to turn into a stag, or perhaps he merely
*suspects* this, and Harry's Patronus confirms it for him, explaining his
surprised expression.  My other thought is that Dumbledore was expecting Lily,
since she was the one who sacrificed herself for Harry.  We do know that she
protected Harry at the end of PS/SS without actually being there.  But would
she show up as herself, or as something else that represents her (surely a
flower wouldn't be much of a defense)?

Okay, I'm rambling now.  I go back to work.

Sherry


=====
"The one thing that unites all human beings, regardless of age, gender, religion, economic status or ethnic background, is that, deep down inside, we ALL believe that we are above-average drivers."

      -Dave Barry, "Things That It Took Me 50 Years to Learn"

__________________________________________________
Do you Yahoo!?
New DSL Internet Access from SBC & Yahoo!
http://sbc.yahoo.com