Patroni (speculation) WAS: (Re: CHAPDISC: Ch. 19: The Silver Doe)

[Carol]

No: HPFGUIDX 182924

zanooda wrote:
<snip>
> zanooda, failing to find an explanation for Ron's Jack Russel 
terrier, except that maybe JKR loves this breed ...
Carol responds:

Forgive me for responding only to your sig line, but I think that the
Patronus is a protective spirit, often but not always associated with
another person (or pet if we go with goats and phoenixes--someone or
something that the caster has an affinity for/with rather than
representing the Witch's or wizard's own personality, as an animagus
form does.

Of course, Mr. Weasley's weasel could be an exception, and I have no
idea what Kingsley's lynx or Luna's hare represents--unless the hare
is her father, with his hare-brained schemes.

But, to get to the point, I've thought since I first read about them
that Hermione's playful otter (a member of the weasel family)
represents Ron and Ron's Jack Russell terrier somehow represents
Hermione. Granted, part of the reason for Hermione's Patronus is, as
you seem to be suggesting, that JKR gives the characters she likes
Patronuses that she likes. Umbridge, in contrast, gets a cat Patronus
to go with the "foul" kittens that decorate her walls because JKR
loathes Umbridge and hates cats. (McGonagall is an exception to the
rule, of course. I think that JKR hadn't thought about Patronuses yet
when she made McGonagall a cat Animagus--she was merely associating
cats and witches as in folklore. And since McG was already associated
with cats, JKR gave her a cat Patronus as well.)

But, aside from giving Ron a Patronus that she likes--her favorite
breed of dog, in fact--I think that Hermione must have certain traits
in common with a Jack Russell terrier. I'm not a dog lover (anything
but!), but I did look up Jack Russells to see how they might be
associated in JKR's mind with Hermione. I think we can rule out
shedding and a love for digging in the dirt, but how about some of
these traits?

According to the website--and it's my only authority, so if it's
wrong, I'm wrong--Jack Russells Jack Russells are intelligent
(Hermione) and can be aggressive and have a natural hunting instinct
(Hermione when she's bent on revenge). Jack Russells of the same sex
don't get along, and they don't get along well with other breeds,
either. Hermione doesn't associate with anyone outside her House
(other "breeds," so to speak) and has no close friends of her own sex.
(The closest is Ginny who's in a different year and they don't spend a
lot of time together.) She does, however, get along well (most of the
time) with two Gryffindor boys in her year.

Jack Russells, according to another page of the site, are very
possessive. Hermione is possessive of Ron. She's the jealous type
(but, then, so is he). And "they have been known to train their owners
more often than not." Counting Ron as Hermione's "owner" (and her as
his--don't get me wrong!), I think it's pretty clear who trains whom
(though that book the Twins gave Ron on dealing with women seems to
hav taught him a few tricks as well, such as agreeing with her when he
wants to calm her down). And they're unwilling to put up with even
unintended abuse.

http://www.therealjackrussell.com/breed/index.php

http://www.therealjackrussell.com/breed/whatis.php

Feisty? Intelligent? Courageous? Loyal to the point of possessiveness?

Just some thoughts on why JKR might think that Hermione resembles a
Jack Russell terrier in some respects and, if I'm right, why Ron has
that Patronus.

Carol, admitting that Hermione's fondness for Crookshanks is very
un-Jack Russell-like!