The Order's means of communication...

[jlv230]

No: HPFGUIDX 122513


LisaMarie said:
JKR herself (long may she prosper) states, in the "Rumors" section 
of her website, that the Order's means of communication "requires 
nothing but a wand,"  and that we have seen it employed by an Order 
member, but before we knew the Order existed. 
(link: http://www.jkrowling.com/textonly/rumours_view.cfm?id=26) 

I am enclined to agree with Meng Yu, who stated upthread that the 
most likely means would be the Patronus (or something that looks 
very much like a Patronus), as we see it used in GoF when DD summons 
Hagrid to the edge of the Forest when Crouch Sr. appears and Krum is 
attacked.
Reason #1 It requires /only/ a wand.  
Reason #2 DD is an Order member.  (obviously)
Reason #3 We didn't know about the Order at this time, but we were 
about to find out about it.
<snip>
Reason #4 It is not vulnerable to interception or trickery 
(something else Jo mentions in the above link).

Relatedly, we have seen a Patronus do as it was told: in the 'Dudley 
Demented" chapter of OOTP, when Harry's Patronus drives away the 
first Dementor, he orders it to turn and drive off the other, too, 
and it does.  This is the only instance I know of where a Patronus 
does as it's told, but maybe we just haven't been fully educated on 
the functions of the Patronus yet.

So, what does the rest of the HPfGU world think of this theory?

JLV here:
I definitely agree that the Patronus is the most likely candidate 
for being the method of communication that the Order use.

I would like to add that the Patronus has a particular significance 
for Harry as his Patronus represents his father. Now, I believe one 
of the main themes of the books is parents (a subject close to JKRs 
heart as we know from interviews/her website) and I think that 
Harry's Patronus is highly symbolic of parental protection. (A bit 
like Lily's sacrifice, if you will.) I therefore thought it would be 
a shame if all these impressive pieces of magic can do is chase 
Dementors away (amazing as that may be). All this has led me to 
speculate on the role that Patroni (particularly Harry's) are likely 
to play in the final battle with Voldemort. I want Prongs to fight 
side by side with Harry - wouldn't that be a Kodak moment?

Your opinions/wild suggestions would be welcome!
JLV