The method of communication (Harry's patronus)

[jlv230]

No: HPFGUIDX 122644


Neri:
2. When DD sends his silver bird in GoF, Harry had already seen 
Fawkes, who is a large and quite a distinct bird. If DD were using 
his Patronus, Harry would have identified it as a phoenix, not 
merely as a bird.
JLV:
<snip>I can but point out that Harry hasn't always recognised things 
for what they really are first time before.<snip>
Becky:
I've been following this for a while now (it makes interesting 
reading!), and I'm inclined to agree that this thing which comes out 
of DD wand is the way they communicate. However, I see no reason why 
it should be something we already know about, such as a Patronus. If 
this were the case, then its appearance would depend entirely on the 
person who sent it. I think it's more likely that it's always a 
phoenix. I also think that it will be only something an order member 
can do. My main thinking point for this is the dark mark. It takes 
the same form whichever DE conjures it, but only DE know how to do 
it. Seems to follow that the order would have something the same but 
opposite. (Hmm...... did that make sense?) JMO
Becky
JLV:
Let's make this clear. You agree that even if it was a Phoenix-
shaped thing, Harry may not have recognised it. Excellent. But you 
think that it needn't be a Patronus even if it was Phoenix-like. If 
that is the case, then I can't argue, Becky. As I said before, the 
*only* reason I have to think it is a Patronus is the Edinburgh Book 
Day quote:
"What form does Dumbledore's Patronus take?
Good question. Can anyone guess? You have had a clue. There was a 
little whisper there. It is a phoenix, which is very representative 
of Dumbledore for reasons that I am sure you can guess."

It is the "You have had a clue." bit that I picked up on and 
believed to mean that there was a specific clue in the books which 
we may have overlooked. It is indeed a very tenuous connection, but 
this is the only time I can find where Dumbledore ever shoots 
anything which could possibly be his Phoenix Patronus out of his 
wand. Hence I came to this conclusion.

As for the appearance depending entirely on the sender, I can only 
think it is an advantage, security-wise. Like a fingerprint, 
everyone's messenger will be different and is very difficult to fake.

As for `the same but opposite' – it does make sense! It would be a 
good reason to call a group the Order of the Phoenix, for one. I 
like your idea lots. I also, however, like the idea that Patroni 
have loads of uses other than the ones JKR has told us about. I 
refer you to message 122513 for my mad idea there.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HPforGrownups/message/122513

All the best,
JLV xx