Patronuses/Patroni/Patronums (semi-spoiler)

[Judy]

(Yes, I know "Patronums" makes no sense as the plural.) 

Potioncat said:
...> As for Molly, aren't I 
> correct that Arthur means Bear? Of course I think it's significant 
> that Hermione's is an otter, a member of the Weasley...erm, 
> weasel...family

Since you just said "erm", that reminds me -- is "Hermione" related
 to the word "ermine"? (Which is spelled "hermine" in French.)  I 
realize that Hermione may be related to the name "Hermes" but 
perhaps the word ermine is also related to Hermes?  

-- Judy, thinking that wolverines are also related to weasels, and 
wondering if any of the Weasleys have a University of Michigan 
football player as their Patronus


Spoiler about JKR's website follows.....
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OK, so JKR says Dunbledore's patronus is a Phoenix. I've long assumed 
that Fawkes originally belonged to Godric Gryffindor.  Hmmm, I wonder 
if that could still work -- maybe Fawkes was given to Dumbledore at a 
young age?  (Dumbledore's age, that is, not Fawkes'.)