Testrals, Patroni, and Animagi

[chewbacca98407]

No: HPFGUIDX 146669


> La Gatta wrote: 
> <snip> Sent the following to a friend off-list, then decided 
> it would add to the general confusion if I posted it as well:
> 
> Then there is the rather gnarly issue of Patroni vs Animagi. 
> I think everyone assumes, on the basis of James' Animagus form 
> and Harry's Patronus, that if a wizard is an Animagus, his 
> Animagus form and his Patronus are the same animal. But I'm not
> sure this is so.


Chewie now:  
Not sure if this helps in your discussion, but JK said in an 
interview that James Potters patronus was a nose biting teacup.  
I am trying to find the quote, and I think it was on the World 
Book Day chat interview.  I know it is in the Quick Quotes Quill 
website somewhere....this thought led me to believe that James 
Potter possibly worked for or made products for Zonko's as his 
occupation.

And one more point--can a patronus only appear to the intended 
recipient?  I seem to remember that in the beginning of HBP 
Tonks sent a patronus to announce to Hagrid that she had Harry, 
and it was Snape that intercepted this msg.  She stated herself 
that she intended the message to reach Hagrid.  We know that 
squibs can see a patronus because Mrs. Figg stated that she saw 
"silver stuff" come out of Harry's wand as he attempted to fight 
off the dementors in book 5.  

But I totally agree with you about the younger Nott.  I believe 
that while anyone that has experienced death can see the 
thestrals, like JK states, only advanced wizards usually can 
accomplish a patronus.  The trial in book 5 was telling in that 
Madame Bones was quite astonished that Harry was able to pull off 
magic like this at his age and experience level.  It must have 
been a topic of gossip at the ministry or the Owl examinor would 
not have mentioned it to him, nor given him the opportunity to 
prove it for bonus points.

And I believe that it has been specifically stated by JK that 
wizards have no control over what animal they transform into.  
This was in one of the newest interviews...I will check on the 
exact quote.  I am almost positive it is in the interview with 
Jim Dale. There is something similar it seems with the patronus.  
It seems to me that Tonks did not have control over what shape 
her patronus took, and that the change was a result of what her 
heart was dwelling on.  Harry's turns into a stag....he does not 
dwell on memories of his father at all...hmmmm...I think there 
is a connection between love/emmotion and patronus form as well.  
Could a wizard without love cast one?  Could be an indicator of 
Snape's true colors.