Snape's Patronus

[ibchawz]

No: HPFGUIDX 160817

Janelle wrote:
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....

ibchawz responds:
Casting the Patronus Charm when you are safe and secure appears to 
be much easier than when you are facing dementors.  Perhaps Snape 
could use a messenger patronus, but not produce a sufficiently 
powerful patronus when facing the dementors.

I have wondered why JKR did not explain Snape's approach to fighting 
dementors. Either this must somehow link to book 7 or is not 
important to the plot other than to, once again, show that Harry and 
Snape do not see eye to eye.  Since the dementors seem to feed off 
memories, perhaps a "superb" occlumens could prevent the dementors 
from feeding on his memories.  If Snape could completely close his 
mind, maybe the dementors could not even sense that he was present.

ibchawz