Snape's Patronus

[jelly92784]

No: HPFGUIDX 160810

Dorothy:
I suspect that Snape is not capable of casting a Patronus - can you 
imagine
that man having a happy memory? Is there an example of him successfully
casting one?

Magpie:
I think every competent adult Wizard can cast a Patronus. Since the 
Order
uses Patronuses to communicate with each other, I think it's safe to 
assume
Snape can do one. Also JKR, iirc, said she couldn't reveal what Snape's
Patronus was because it would give too much away, implying he has one.


Janelle: 
Just wanted to clarify something here: I don't have the books with me 
so sorry if I'm wrong, but I think that Lupin said something along the 
lines of "this is very advanced magic, there are grown wizards who 
cannot do this spell" to Harry when teaching him the patronus.

That said, considering JKR's comments about Snape's patronus I think 
it is likely that he can do it, unless of course she was just using 
the maddening 'if he could do it this is what it would be' thing!

Something interesting that caught my eye though is the idea of Snape 
being unable to think of happy memories.  I wonder if this has 
anything to do with his opinion differing from Harry's on the best way 
to attack dementors.  Maybe Snape is unable to think of a happy memory 
when influenced by the dementors because he does not have the strength 
of mind that Harry has, and so he sees another method as the best way 
to go....

Just some thoughts

Janelle