CHAPDISC: DH Ch 9, A Place to Hide

[Carol]

No: HPFGUIDX 179861

Potioncat wrote:
> <snip> I thought that she was a member of the Order. Her comments at
Privet Dr. made it seem that she had been active in planning sessions.
So I never thought twice about her knowing how to cast a speaking 
Patronus. 

Carol responds:
But wouldn't Ron also be a member of the Order since he's of age and
part of the Seven Potters team? But no one has taught him how to cast
a speaking Patronus. I thought that Hermione had practiced it on her
own. Probably she hasn't mastered the technique, though, since her
Patronus isn't as strong as Harry's when it comes to holding off
Dementors.
> 
Potioncat:
> But, the Patronus Charm hasn't stayed consistent. I'm not sure why
it couldn't have been used for communication with Order members. Seems
pretty useless all the way around. Also, Umbridge is able to cast a 
regular one and use it for prolonged periods, yet it was supposed to
be an anti-Dark charm. <snip>

Carol:
Evidently, it's detectable with the MoM watching the Burrow and Mr.
Weasley doesn't want HRH revealing their Patronus messengers. (???) At
any rate, only Hermione would be able to wend one. Or maybe, sending a
Patronus to and from wherever HRH were hiding would give away their
location if any DEs were in the area. (I think JKR just wanted them to
be isolated and virtually without adult help.) 

As for Umbridge casting a Patronus, all she needs is a memory that
makes *her* happy. (I don't know whether it would matter if the
thought itself is rather evil, for example, being happy that her
anti-werewolf legislation passed or that she'd been promoted to being
in charge of the Muggle-born Registration Commission.) Her Patronus
protects her (and Yaxley) from Dementors, which don't care whether a
person is good or evil, a student at Hogwarts or a DE in Azkaban. Look
at their effect on Barty Crouch Jr. at his sentencing. (I wonder, BTW,
whether the Dementor that sucked his soul some twelve years later
merely took advantage of an unconscious person or somehow knew who he
was even though Dementors can't see and Barty Jr. was thought to be dead.)

Carol, who was wrapping Christmas presents last night and suddenly
started thinking about Dumble Claus