[HPforGrownups] Re: wonder who would win in a duel between Professor Umbridge and Professor McGonagall?

[Shelley]

No: HPFGUIDX 192284

On 12/15/2012 1:31 PM, nikkalmati wrote:
> Nikkalmati
>
> There is a difference between a Patronus and Transfiguration. McGonagall "became" a cat.  Umbridge projected a cat.  Remember all the kittens in her decorations?  Since DD taught the Order members how to make a Patronus - I wonder how Umbridge learned it?

Shelley:
You are right that Patronus and Transfiguration spells were different. I 
may be wrong in this assessment, but I think many Wizards could produce 
a Patronus, but very few would be able to fully Transfigure.

But, in your 2nd part, you assume that only Order members knew how to 
make a Patronus, and that is an incorrect assumption on your part. 
Remember, when Harry sat for exams and produced a full Patronus, his 
examiner was impressed that he could do so "at a young age". So she knew 
about them.  And, when Harry was being chased in the Diagon Alley, he 
sent out a Patronus which then Dumbledore's Brother claimed was his goat 
Patronus- and those seeking Harry believed him- meaning they, too, knew 
about the Patronus spell.

  It was a common spell in the Wizarding World, at least as far that it 
was useful for sending messages and warding off Dementors. It was so 
easy that Harry was able to teach it to other students in the DADA 
group, so I get that the assumption of the adults is that it took a lot 
of skill to learn it, but in reality, it just took a good teacher to 
pass along correct instructions. Any bright and willing student could 
pick it up.

Shelley