Boggart/ Patronus Musings

[Geoff Bannister]

No: HPFGUIDX 104355

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "potioncat" <willsonkmom at m...> 
wrote:
 
> Potioncat:
> I think all the patronae (um?) we've seen have been animals.  Is 
> that correct?  I don't know if we've been told anything.  I'm 
> assuming a Patronus is like a Patron, and the animal symbolizes 
that 
> father-like/family-like relationship. IIRC, Hermione's is an otter 
> and I'm wondering if that reflects the Weasleys?  I'm also 
assuming, 
> having once conjured one, it stays constant.  I would assume a 
> Boggart would change as the individual changed.

Geoff:
With my pedantic hat on, if JKR has indeed used the correct Latin, we 
have Patroni, not Patronae, (Patronus = 2nd declension masculine 
noun). Its meaning is indeed "patron, protector, advocate" so I think 
it is stronger than an assumption. Since Harry seems to produce the 
same Patronus each time, I would agree with you that it stays 
constant. We have discussed in the past the suggestion that a person 
has "a" patronus and not a selection, as a reflection of that 
person's character.