Horcrux hunting

[juli17ptf]

No: HPFGUIDX 153173

Carol wrote:
> So far as we know, Patronuses can be used to carry messages and drive
> off Dementors, but I don't think they could kill a large and powerful
> snake, especially a magical one (Nagini's venom has the power to
> sustain Baby!mort's life). Harry killed the Basilisk using the Sword
> of Gryffindor. I think that's how he'll kill Nagini as well, perhaps
> at Snape's suggestion. (That would be a good way to get him back to
> Hogwarts if he hasn't been there already.)

Julie:
I didn't mean to imply that Snape's *patronus* would kill Nagini. I 
don't think patronuses will have anything to do with destroying 
horcruxes. If Snape's patronus does show up in Book 7, I'm sure it will 
be there to reveal something about Snape, either his allegiance 
(Dumbledore, if it's a phoenix, for example) or some intent/desire 
(such as to destroy snakes--Nagini and snakelike Voldemort--if it's a 
mongoose). We have no evidence that patronuses can take physical action 
against corporeal objects, so if any horcruxes are destroyed, it will 
be by Snape himself. 

I also didn't mean to imply that Snape's personality/character 
resembles a mongoose, and certainly not the fictional character Rikki 
Tiki Tavi. The patronuses we've seen so far don't appear to represent 
the wizard's characteristics, rather they represent someone/something 
important to the wizard (Tonks' wolf/Lupin patronus) or something the 
wizard values (Hermione's play-loving otter?). Given that patronuses 
defend against dementors, I also wonder if they have a 
protector/guardian aspect to them. Harry's patronus represents his 
father, Dumbledore's represents Fawkes, Tonks's represents Lupin, and 
if Snape's represents a mongoose, what better symbolic protector 
against that snakelike creature who has so dominated Snape's life? 

I'm not really wedded to Snape's mongoose patronus theory. I think it's 
just as likely, perhaps even more likely, that Snape's patronus in Book 
7 will be a changed patronus, one that can send messages to the Order 
without being identified (or by being identified as unquestionably 
loyal to Dumbledore). I just couldn't resist the poetic fit of a 
mongoose patronus for Snape, especially when it also fit so well with 
JKR's reluctance to reveal his patronus without even a change being 
required in Book 7.

> Carol, who thinks that Snape won't die simply because that's what
> readers expect to happen and JKR loves to pull the rug out from under 
us

I hope you're right! Maybe it's time to start speculating what Snape 
will do with his life if he survives the wrath of Voldemort (and 
Harry!).

Julie