Patronus

[nikkalmati]

No: HPFGUIDX 190413



--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, Shelley Gardner <k12listmomma at ...> wrote:
>
> 

> 
> I think it's a wrong assumption to link Patronus with the Order- as 
> mentioned above, the examiner who asked Harry to perform one is an 
> example of this common knowledge. Moreover, practically the whole world 
> knew at that point that Harry could produce a Patronus, so common 
> wizards weren't asking "what's a Patronus?" like it was some big secret. 
> It's a common spell, even if most ordinary wizards haven't learned it 
> for themselves how to do one. It's something recognized of "talented" 
> wizards.
> 
> I do agree the Order had the Messenger ones- their Patronuses could do 
> tricks, but then again, I am not sure that's limited to ONLY the Order. 
> Note that Aberforth sends his Goat Patronus out romping so that that the 
> Death Eaters people could chase it- thinking it was Harry's Patronus, in 
> order to let the kids escape from Hogsmeade. (I'll grant Aberforth was a 
> member of the original Order, but we are not certain that tricks or 
> messages sent are limited to the Order.) We are not sure the Death 
> Eaters can produce their own Patronuses, but I think they would since 
> they are a defense against the Dementors. (Protection from a Dementor 
> would be reason enough to learn the spell, IMHO!!!) But we can be 
> absolutely certain that they know what a Patronus is, and that they 
> actively chased Aberforth's Patronus as it led them away from the kids, 
> so I doubt very highly by their (Death Eater's) reactions that it was 
> only limited to a select group of people.
> 
> Shelley
>

Nikkalmati

I checked the link given by likesblackcats.  The only actual character (as opposed to legendary or fictional characters) who can make a Patronus are members of the DA and the Order or former Order.  It quotes JKR as saying that no Death Eater other than SS could make a Patronus.  I suppose that means only someone good can make one.  But, wherre does that leave Doris?  She is certainly without a good bone in her body.

Maybe the Patronus spell was well-known, but I doubt it.  Certainly Harry's Patronus became famous within a certain circle of knowledgable wizards, but commmon knowledge is a different thing.  Making a Patronus requires not just skill and practice, but character.  The form reflects something essential about the person.  That is why I question why Umbridge could make one and why it has the same form as MacGonnagal's Patronus.  Why was Snape's a doe and why was Lily's a doe and Harry's a stag, and why was Tonks' a werewolf, unless it reflects a deep seated quality in the caster.

nikkalmati