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

[Catlady (Rita Prince Winston)]

No: HPFGUIDX 182948

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "Carol" <justcarol67 at ...> wrote:
> 
> To get back to McGonagall, I agree with Potioncat and anyone else
> who thinks that her Patronus (snip) should be an owl--the usual form
> of messenger in the WW but much faster--because of the association
> between owls and the goddess Minerva. Then, again, Minerva was the
> Roman goddess of wisdom and owls themselves are associated with 
> wisdom ("wise old owl"), and McGonagall's behavior in DH struck me
> as anything but wise. 

It is said that owls, the symbol of wisdom in Western cultures, are
the symbol of stupidity in Arab cultures. However, Minerva's behavior
in DH might have something to do with her Animagus form, expression of
her inner being as it is, but not with her Patronus, expression of
what makes her feel safe or strong or happy. While the thought of
wisdom might make her feel safe or strong or happy, I vote for giving
McGonagall a Patronus resembling her lover. As I am convinced that her
lover is Madam Hooch, that would be a hawk.

> (I don't see any catlike traits that would make a cat a suitable
> *Animagus* form for her--maybe in her youth, she was graceful, 
> independent, and curious?)

Sure she does! She puts on this big act in public of being prissy and
oh-so-dignified, and a pretence of being unsentimental and
unaffectionate about her students that a blind cavefish could see
through -- just like a cat, always pretending to be dignified and to
look down on the human, while really chasing its tail like a baby
kitten and absolutely loving, even worrying about, the human.

Giving me confidence that she privately has the traits cats have
privately (maybe except growling and hitting each other over food),
such as a strong inclination to sensual pleasures, such as lying down
on a soft cushion, and baths (tub baths for a human rather than tongue
baths), and cuddling.