can a patronus be a person?

[armadillof]

No: HPFGUIDX 107098

Is the patronus capable of being a person or inanimate object?  We 
have only seen three examples....but if they are the things that 
protect you and or save you, and the patronus makes you feel safe 
and at peace....wouldn't it make sense if Snape's was a person.  I 
was thinking wouldn't it be a riot if we discovered that Snape's 
patronus was either someone like Lily, James, Dumbledore or even 
Harry?  (Based on what we know of Snape's character I don't know if 
I'd wish the last one on him after all he goes through...) I mean, 
that WOULD reveal a lot....and I can't quite see that bats reveal 
that much about Snape since he is not a vampire.  Maybe a bat would 
be his animagus...and muggle/wizard would be a patronus? That might 
explain why we were not told....

AF :)