Horcrux hunting

[justcarol67]

No: HPFGUIDX 153185

Julie wrote:
> 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. 

Carol responds:
Sorry I misunderstood you! I agree that Snape, as opposed to his
Patronus, may very well destroy at least one Horcrux, but I don't
think it will be Nagini. (I think that's Harry's battle, foreshadowed
by the battle with the Basilisk in CoS: Harry, in the graveyard, with
the Sword of Gryffindor.)

I also agree that Snape's Patronus, whether or not it changes, will
reflect something about him, which is why JKR is concealing it from
us. Regarding the idea, raised by another poster, that Snape might be
unable to cast a Patronus because he has no happy memories, I'd like
to point out that Tonks can still cast a Patronus when she's severely
depressed, and Snape must be able to cast one or he wouldn't be able
(pre-Tower scene) to communicate with other Order members. Dumbledore
tells Harry, in reference to Snape's communications with Sirius Black
before the Battle of the MoM, that Order members have more reliable
means of communication than the Floo network, and he's clearly
referring to Patronuses here. So I'd say it's almost a given that
Snape does have one. We just haven't seen it because it would give too
much away.

Julie: 
> I also didn't mean to imply that Snape's personality/character
resembles a mongoose, and certainly not the fictional character Rikki
Tiki Tavi. 

Carol:
No, I didn't think you did!

Julie:
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.

Carol:
Exactly. JKR refers to them on her website as "spirit guardians." Some
people see them as totems, which doesn't reflect a European tradition
that I know of (folklore experts please correct me it I'm wrong) but
does fit with the animal form of the Patronuses we've seen so far. At
any rate, "patronus" is an actual Latin word for "protector, defender,
patron" (derived from "pater," father) and was in medieval times
associated with patron saint. (I also think of guardian angels in this
context, but I'm not sure that I can justify that concept etymologically.)

Julie:
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? 

Carol:
Interesting concept, but I'm sure that Snape's spiritual protector is
Dumbledore. (Not that I can prove it, of course!) It would be funny if
his original patronus was a bumblebee (dumbledore = bumblebee), but
Snape is, erm, not exactly a comic figure (despite some humorous
moments involving him pre-HBP), I don't think that's the case. My vote
is a phoenix for his Book 7 patronus, whether or not it's changed.
(BTW, I'm curious about Snape's alternate method of fighting a
dementor, which I think will prove important when Ron and Hermione
find themselves unable to conjure a patronus outside the RoR.)
> 
Julie:
> 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). <snip>

Carol:
Yes. You can't fake a patronus, and that seems like the best way for
Snape to initiate communication with the Order. I keep hoping that
Lupin will ask Harry questions and realize that his interpretation of
the events doesn't quite fit with some of Snape's actions (or the
usual results of an AK) and may already be wondering whether Snape is
actually loyal to DD despite appearances. At any rate, it's all
speculation at this point.

> > 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
> 
Julie:
> 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!).

Carol:
Aha! A new just-for-fun thread! There's always the potions lab on a
tropical island suggested in a Leaky poll, but personally I prefer
having him use his brilliant mind and many talents for the good of the
WW as a researcher/healer for St. Mungo's.

Carol, who should probably give up posting and just do sig lines ;-)