Snape's Patronus

[potioncat]

No: HPFGUIDX 160833


> Steven1965aaa:
 What we do know is that Harry disagrees 
> with Snape about the best way to get rid of dementors, which tells 
us 
> 2 things: (1) there is more than one way (i.e. there is an 
alternative 
> to the patronus charm) and (2) Snape thinks that the other way is 
> better than the patronus charm.

Potioncat:
It really isn't too surprising that Lupin and Snape would have 
different opinions about how to tackle a Dementor. I wonder if Lupin 
knows both methods? I wonder if Snape discussed the pros and cons of 
the two methods with the class or if he simply taught the one method? 

I have no doubt that Snape can cast a Patronus. We don't really know 
why he teaches the other method. Maybe it's not the better of the two 
methods, but the easier for most students to learn well enough to 
really use? Or, it could be the other way around. It may be even 
harder to learn, but is better at repelling them. I would think that 
DDM!Snape would want his students to be able to resist Dementors in 
real life. 

Also, I would think Snape would have good reason to keep his 
Patronus's form a secret.


> Steven1965aaa:
> But what I think is interesting is this --- why is Harry so good at 
> casting a patronus?  Perhaps Snape's way is better for Snape, and 
> Harry's/Lupin's way (patronus) is better for Harry. 

Potioncat:
Harry seems to learn best when he is under stress. He had to learn to 
block Dementors, and he had a difficult time giving up "hearing his 
parents' voices" (just like he did with the dream in Occlumency) but 
he had to cast that charm to save Sirius. He had a difficult time 
with summoning charms--but he had to learn them for the 1st 
challenge. What he learns, he learns well.