Patronus

[David & Laura]

No: HPFGUIDX 138809

Cat, in parts:
> > what thought could Snape have that would allow him to make
> > a patronius.  
  
> > Since it's white as opposed to dark magic, I don't think the
> > thoughts of gleefully torturing students, muggles etc would do
> > it. Do DE's have patronius;


David:

Interesting. Where does it say a patronus is 'white'? Is the 
phrase 'white magic' ever used in the books? My recollection of 
JKR's world is that there's 'dark magic' and then everything else. A 
patronus is simply a defensive spell similar to protego (I think it 
was) for a shield spell.

All we know of the mental gymnastics required to cast the patronus 
spell is that the caster's mind has to be in a happy place. 
Unfortunately, what make some people happy would disgust the rest of 
us. For all we know, Snape's happiest thought is when his major 
protaganist James Potter is killed.

Thinking about it now, the happiest I remember Snape was in POA when 
Sirius has been captured. Fudge is telling Snape he will be honored 
with an Order of Merit award or something. Snape is almost giddy 
with the thought of the recognition. When Sirius escaped, Snape was 
most angry.

>From this, my guess is Snape's happy thought has something to do 
with him being the big cheese in some fashion (Hogwarts head, MOM 
official, WW leader after replacing V'mort???).
 
David