Patronus-Animagus / JKR's 2 questions (theory) / Snape

[absolutfrux]

No: HPFGUIDX 120774



JKR said once (can't remember exactly where she said it, but) that you
can't choose your Animagus, that it comes out as a projection of what
your personality is most affiliated with. A naturalistic manifestation
of your life essence, then. As far as I can see, one's Patronus seems
to work out pretty much the same way. The thing is, we never get to
see both the Patronus AND Animagus of any one character. JKR has said
that Dumbledore's Patronus is a phoenix, and I can very well imagine
that his Animagus would be a similar symbol of life, regeneration and
mythic power. Harry's stag, Hermione's otter, Cho's swan, etc, all
seem good projections of their character, and it would seem to follow
that their respective Animagi would be similar creatures. The only
character we see in animal form who also casts a Patronus is Lupin,
and not only do we never get to see clearly what his Patronus is
(IIRC), but we also have to keep in mind that his werewolf form is NOT
his Animagus. So really, my question is: do one's Animagus and
Patronus take the same form? That said, it would be interesting if
one's personality best reflected a fish. Being all excited when on the
brink of finally achieving one's Animagus and then POOF you're a fish
and in five seconds you're dead. Also I'd love to witness the
effectiveness of Peter Pettigrew's Patronus.

Also I'd like to bring up for discussion a theory I've come up with
regarding JKR's 2 questions, the ones she said we ought to be thinking
about more. Why didn't Voldemort die? And why didn't Dumbledore try to
kill him in the MOM? Obviously it's stated in the books that Voldemort
 took measures to ensure that he never experienced mortal death; I'm
not going to speculate on what those measures might be. I want to
explore a possible intention of his. What if one of his measures
involved sending his spirit/essence into the one who defeated/killed
him? This would operate on several levels to his advantage.

1) If his current body was weak enough to be defeated by another
power, what better way to recover than to "possess" his conqueror? At
this point his conqueror would be physically and mentally tired by
battle, open to psychic attack, and his guard would be down, leaving
him vulnerable. As Mr Burns in the Simpsons might say: "Eeeexcellent".
By the very fact of Voldemort's defeat, it would follow that the body
to be possessed would be stronger than his own, therefore: quick and
easy way to overcome defeat and turn it into an even greater coup for
Voldemort!

2) If the one who defeated him was working on the side of good (ie
fighting against him instead of trying to usurp him), what better way
to infiltrate the opposition than to control its strongest warrior? If
it was an inside job, quick and effective way to quash any little
uprising: mentally and spiritually cannabalise its leader.

3) It would ensure that he would never lack a corporeal body in which
to wreak havoc. 

As we all know, however, this third point backfired massively. When he
attacked Harry in his cot, he never imagined that this baby would
defeat him, due to Lily's brand of "old magic" protection. His curse
rebounded and he WOULD have died, if not for the aforementioned
measures he took. I'm trying to fit my theory in here. His essence
attempted to possess the "conqueror" (ie Harry), which explains why he
left an imprint on the boy, Parseltongue, similar wand affinity,
ability to access each others' minds etc. However, Voldemort was
counting all along that if he was defeated, it would be at the hands
of some big and powerful wizard. How could he send his essence into a
baby boy? It would be impossible; the vessel could not WHOLLY contain
him, so to speak. Therefore the (very large) remainder of him was left
in spirit form and had to be quietly spirited (HA HA!) away. There IS
a bit of Voldemort in Harry, but not enough to control him. This would
neatly explain Dumbledore's cryptic "but in essence divided" comment
just after Nagini took a mouthful out of Arthur Weasley. Dumbledore is
starting to understand in greater depth just how exactly Harry is
getting visions of Voldemort.

Also it would explain Quirrell. I don't entirely expect that when
Quirrell encountered the ghostly Voldemort in some deep dark forest,
he merely sat down and said O Dark Master I am entirely yours, please
take me as your slave and feel free to pop out of the back of my head
whenever you fancy it. I think he put up a struggle, and him being a
full wizard, and DADA teacher as well, and Voldemort being less than
Peeves, would have lost. AHA! Then the measures kicked in happily and
enthusiastically and Voldemort entered Quirrell. The extent to which
he wished to exercise this possession (ie face in back of head vs
voices in mind) was regulated then by Quirrell's performance, I expect.

I don't think Dumbledore knows precisely what's going on, but he isn't
taking any chances, I should think. This understandably frustrates
Voldemort a great deal, which is possibly why he maliciously taunts
Dumbledore about not wanting to kill him. He WANTS Dumbledore to try.
I've also been trying to fit in an explanation for Dumbledore's
imfamous "gleam of triumph", but I'll probably need some more
information to sort that out. Hope my theory satisfactorily fulfills
both of JKR's questions to some extent, though. In any case I've
probably babbled on for long enough, and if anyone'd like to respond
to this, I hereby leave the floor open. Please do; I'd love to know
what you all think.

One last teeny thought on Snape. I would pay dearly to find out what
JKR's got in store for Snape. After Snape threatened Quirrell in PS
and his interaction with Crouching Moody Hidden Barty in GF, it's hard
to see how Voldemort could accept Snape again. Maybe he's a double
agent. Or a triple agent. If Snape is indeed a superb Occlumens, do we
need to doubt that he's a master at concealing physical manifestations
of his inner feelings as well? I wouldn't read too much into his
actions, if he can control his mind, he can control his body and
words. And maybe there's more than meets the eye to those interactions
with Quirrell and fakeMoody than we thought. Maybe that's why JKR
feels dismay when hearing about Snape fans, because she knows there's
betrayal in the offing.

Oh Well, That's All!
Suzy, UK.