[HPforGrownups] Method- communication- Patronus vs Little Birdie

[chnc1024 at AOL.COM]

No: HPFGUIDX 122621

In a message dated 1/20/2005 11:59:18 PM Pacific Standard Time,  
bboyminn at yahoo.com writes:
 
bboyminn:
Well, I think the Patronus Charm is a logical assumption, but I  think
it is wrong.
 
The Patronus is suspected because when Dumbledore found Krum  stunned,
he cast a spell that sent something slivery and almost  bird-like
flying of to Hagrid's cabin.
 
<Snip>
 
So, what's my theory? 

Ever heard the expression, '...a little  birdie told me'?

I think we are seeing a very specific Message Charm that  I will dub
the 'little birdie charm'. <snip> I think the  'Birdie'
charm is limited to short and to the point messages. Anything  more
complicated must be delivered by some other  means.

<snip>

So, I do agree, the spell Dumbledore used to summon Hagrid is  the
spell that JKR is referring to, but I'm not convinced it's a  Patronus
Charm. <Snip>
If it was a true Patronus, then I think it operated in a  limited
context. It could be that if Dumbledore did indeed cast a Patronus  to
summon Hagrid, that the Patronus didn't actually deliver a  message.
It's conceivable that Dumbledore merely sent a symbol, a phoenix,  that
Hagrid would recognise as representing Dumbledore, and divined  the
location of the problem by nothing more than the direction from  which
the Patronus came. 

Just a thought.

Steve/bboyminn (was  bboy_mn)
 
**************************************************
Chancie:
 
Good idea Steve!  I like it!  But just so that this doesn't  end up as a "me 
too"
post (which we all know those House Elves love *waves to House
Elves*), I'll add a little.  Just for the record here is the quote  from the
book:
 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
    "Stunned," he said softly.  His half-moon  glasses glittered in the wand 
light
as he peered around at the surrounding trees.
 
    "Should I go get someone?" said Harry. "Madam  Pomfrey?"
 
    "No," said Dumbledore swiftly. "Stay here."
 
    He raised his wand into the air and pointed it in  the direction of 
Hagrid's 
cabin. Harry saw something silvery dart out of it and streak away through  the
trees like a ghostly bird.  Then Dumbledore bent over Krum again,  Pointed 
his wand at him, and muttered, "Ennervate"
 
<Sniping Dumbledore's conversation with Krum.>
 
    The sound of thunderous footfalls reached them, and  Hagrid came panting 
into sight with fang at his heals. He was carrying his crossbow.
 
    "Professor Dumbledore" he said, his eyes widening.  "Harry— what the—?"
 
 
          Page 560,  Chapter 28- The   of Mr. Crouch, Goblet of Fire, 
American 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 
OK, so obviously Hagrid didn't know what was going on, so I would venture  to
say that this wasn't a message but a signal for help or danger because 
Hagrid came out with his crossbow.  And also Neri pointed out  that 
Harry knows what a phoenix looks like and wouldn't describe it as a
"ghostly bird".  Despite that Hagrid was unaware of the situation,  perhaps
when more time is allowed the bird-like being could deliver a  message.
But now that I am typing, the thought occurs to me that a silvery  object
is still easily seen.  I think that for important messages they would  want 
something more discreet.
 
Thoughts anyone?
 






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