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

[sistermagpie]

No: HPFGUIDX 182957

> > Magpie wrote:
> > > > <snip>
> > > > The Patronus doesn't reflect the person, but something that 
> makes
> > the person happy. We know Umbridge likes cats given all the 
kittens 
> on
> > plates in her office, so it just reflects her love of cats. 
> 
> 
> Potioncat:
> The Patronus doesn't reflect something that makes the person happy, 
> but you do need a happy thought to cast one. At least once, Harry's 
> happy thought is about Ron and Hermione, but his stag Patronus 
> doesn't change to something that reflects them.
> 
> I think---that while it symbolizes a protector or a source of 
stength-
> -it isn't always reflecting a specific person, or even any human.

Magpie:
There's always been that rumor that JKR said James was a nose-biting 
teacup for a while because he was so happy to have finally made one.

But no, the Patronus doesn't have to represent a *person* but it 
represents some over-arching idea or something that brings comfort 
and protection. So it's still, as I understand it, the thing that 
makes you happy on the grander scale. For instance, Harry's stag is 
his father, which relates to his real family and being a wizard. 
That's still the thing that makes him feel safe and happy even if at 
a particular moment he's thinking of Ron and Hermione who make him 
happier in a shorter-term. Likewise, your Patronus turns into a 
symbol of your true love because no matter what you might think of at 
that moment, they are your happiest memory. Harry reached for Harry 
and Hermione because they were closer presences in his life, but they 
hadn't replaced his father as representing his greatest source of 
happiness and what gave him security.

With Umbridge, for instance, we know kittens seem to make her happy 
and make her feel secure. She's not necessarily casting the spell by 
thinking about kittens, but they make a good representation of 
whatever her greatest source of security is. Maybe a person she 
associates with cats or whatever cats symbolise to her.

-m