Patronus

[justcarol67]

No: HPFGUIDX 190444

AJM wrote:
> I'm not sure that a person's patronus and animagus form would actually always be the same thing.  As I see it, a person's patronus is either something close to them or something they love, whilst their animagus form is more what they actually are.  James' animagus was a stag, stags are always thought of big, bold and brave.  Wormtail was a rat, he was sneaky and cowardly (not that I fully agree with that, I actually like rats, they're very intelligent and make excellent pets!)  Sirius was a dog, in some ways Sirius was rather dog-like as a person.  I think, although in some cases a person's patronus and animagus form may be the same, it may not always be the case.  If, for instance, Sirius was close> to someone and in love with them, his patronus may not necessarily take the form of a dog, but may take the form of something the person he was in love with was close to.  It was also mentioned that a person's patronus can change (tonks's patronus changed).

Carol responds:

I agree with you. Unfortunately, the only Animagus whose Patronus we see is McGonagall, and hers happen to be the same, but I don't think we can conclude from that one example that they're always the same. Surely, for example, if Tonks had an Animagus form, it wouldn't be a werewolf (though it might or might not be whatever her Patronus was before), and, surely, if Snape had an Animagus form, it wouldn't be a doe! Aberforth, on the other hand, probably would be a goat like his Patronus, and I wouldn't be surprised if Sirius's Patronus was a dog. DD's is a Phoenix like Fawkes; Harry's is a stag like his father's Animagus. Hermione's and Ron's Patronuses seem to represent each other.

In short, based on limited evidence, I would say that your Animagus form represents your true self and your Patronus (or protective spirit) represents something close to you that you love or honor or revere. In the case of people with no lover or beloved, that Patronus will be their favorite animal. If Voldemort could cast a Patronus (and he probably can't if it requires a truly happy memory), his would probably be a snake, most likely his "dear Nagini."

Carol, not sure that JKR herself distinguishes clearly in her mind between Patronuses and Animagi