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Patronus Charm
[[Image:Patronus.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Harry performing the Patronus, in the Prisoner of Azkaban movie]]
The '''Patronus Charm''' is a very difficult [[spell]] featured in the ''[[Harry Potter]]'' series of [[fantasy]] [[novels]] by [[J. K. Rowling]]. It is the only known means of defence against the horrid [[Dementors]].

The Charm creates an [[avatar]] of the caster's most positive feelings, like happiness, hope and the desire to survive, known as the Patronus. In essence, a Patronus is the exact opposite of a Dementor. Even though it embodies all the good emotions a Dementor feeds on, a Patronus lacks despair by definition, which renders it immune and a weapon rather than a feast. It can shield its caster from Dementors and even drive them away.

When cast, a Patronus appears silvery, insubstantial and semi-transparent. Less advanced ones are momentary formless bursts, like [[mist]] or [[water]] vapour. A fully-fledged (or ''corporeal'') Patronus takes a fixed [[animal]] shape that depends on the person. Harry Potter's Patronus is a [[deer|stag]], his father's [[Animagus]] form. [[Hermione Granger|Hermione Granger's]] is an [[otter]], her favourite animal, [[Ron Weasley|Ron Weasley's]] a [[Jack Russell terrier]], [[Cho Chang]]'s a [[swan]], [[Albus Dumbledore]]'s a [[Phoenix]]. [[Nymphadora Tonks]]'s Patronus is a [[werewolf]], signifying her deep feelings for [[Remus J. Lupin]].  The form the Patronus takes can change, as Tonks's does in Harry Potter and The Half-Blood Prince.  The animal obeys the conjurer and fades away shortly after its use ends.

In the Harry Potter movies, the Patronus is not an animal, but rather a shield of bright light.

(contracted; show full)

==Communications==
According to the author, the extremely accomplished wizard [[Albus Dumbledore]] has devised a method  of using Patronuses to deliver messages. This offers great advantages in security, as patronuses uniquely identify the caster and are Dark-proof, and is in exclusive use of the [[Order of the Phoenix]].
[[Category:Harry Potter magic]]

[[pl:Patronus]]