The method of communication (Harry's patronus)

[bleckybecs]

No: HPFGUIDX 122679


> 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


Ok. Here goes! I do agree that Harry may not have noticed exactly 
what he saw. I've walked past friends in the street and looked right 
at them and not noticed who they were until they've said hello! (I 
feel the situation is different to that in the MoM when Harry 
*actively* looked for the DEs) Just to clear that up first.

Then my reasons as to why I think that it's not a patronus. My 
reason comes from the same place you read to mean it *is* a 
patronus, JKR's Edinbourgh interview. She said we'd been given a 
clue, rather than we had actually *seen* his patronus. It does 
depend on interpretation of course.

My other reasons are that, as has been discussed, the patronus 
charm / spell / whatever is is difficult. Also, it is described 
as 'a positive force, a projection of... hope, happiness, the desire 
to survive' (pg.176 in bloomsbury copy of PoA). It disappears too 
fast. That doesn't sound to me like something capable of giving a 
message, no matter how short. Therefore, I come to the conclusion 
that that is *not* what the OOTP use to communicate.

I think that JKR's comments that we have seen their means of 
communication used allows for something that we don't understand as 
yet. Just because we've seen something doesn't mean that we *do* 
understand it, so that's my reason for thinking it could well be 
something other than a patronus.

Also, as I have already pointed out (thank you for thinking my whole 
same but different thing made sense!!!), my main point of thinking 
was a sort of positive interpretation of the dark mark. Something 
*unique* (in the true sense of the word. I have a pet loathing of 
the misuse of that particular word!!) to OOTP members. As a result, 
the chances of it being sent by someone untrustworthy are very slim. 
I take on board the point about a fingerprint being useful, but I 
think a fingerprint of OOTP is possible enough...

Please feel free to expand and point out mistakes!

Becky - saying thanks to whoever pointed out that my post on methods 
of comm wasn't useless and thinking that I've babbled on long enough 
for nearly 3am! Must sleep!!!!