Dealing with Dementors: Harry v Snape, Love v Happy

[vmonte]

No: HPFGUIDX 139978

zgirnius wrote:
If there are indeed other known defenses to be found in books on DADA
with which Lupin is familiar, presumably those defenses have been
tried and found to be usable by other wizards. Even if Snape lacks
personal experience with Dementors, it is entirely reasonable, even
desirable, for him to teach these other approaches.

Giving Harry a poor grade on his essay would be entirely justified if
Harry failed to make a reasonable argument explaining why his
preferred method is superior. (Something more than just saying,
Expecto Patronum works for me. Indicating he knows some of the pros
and cons of the different possible approaches. Since the point of
writing a theory essay is of course to demonstrate that one has
learned and can understand, the theory.) Of course, Harry may have
done this and still expects a bad grade.

Since we are now way into the subject of Snape and Patronuses...I seem
to recall reading about an interview in which JKR was asked what
Snape's Patronus is, and that she answered it would give too much away
for her to say. I wonder...any connection to our thoughts here? (And,
did I just imagine this?)

vmonte:
Hi zgirnius. There is just no way to know if Snape and Harry are
clashing on which spell to use or whether they are talking about the
same patronus spell but have different theories/ideas on the
application.

The animosity works both ways IMO. I don't think that Snape would
consider anything Harry said if it was different than what he
believed. Remember, this is a talent that Harry has that he hasn't
gotten from Voldemort or stolen from HBP. Isn't it possible that
Harry knows more about this spell than they do?

If there are different ways to go after Dementors I'm sure they will
be explored in the last Harry Potter book.

Ernie: I wonder if you can let us know what form will Professor
Snape's Boggart and Patronus take? I am very curious.
JK Rowling replies -> Well, I'm not going to tell you Ernie, but
that's because it would give so much away. I wonder whether Ernie is
your real name? (It was my grandfather's).
http://www.quick-quote-quill.org/articles/2004/0304-wbd.htm

Emma: What one spell would you like to bring to life and why?
JK: Ooh, there are so many, aren't there? So many. Erm, I think for
me there ... the outstanding spell is 'Expecto Patronum', and you
know what that does don't you? It creates the Patronus, it creates a
kind of spirit guardian in a way. And that's partly because of what
it does. It's the protector, and you could protect yourself and other
people that you cared about with a Patronus, but it's also because
it's such a beautiful spell. you know, the image of the silver
Patronus emerging from a wand. I really like that.
http://www.quick-quote-quill.org/articles/2005/0705-itv-coad.htm

Vivian