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[[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]].

(contracted; show full)rm. [[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 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.
 Harry impressed the examiners during the O.W.L.S.y his mastery of the spell, unusual for one so young.

The Patronus Charm is simple in theory, but hard in practice. The technical requirements are the incantation ''Expecto patronum'' (presumed [[Dog Latin|dog latin]] for ''I call/summon the protector'') and a [[wand]]. Notice that ''patronus'' in the nominative form becomes ''patronum'' in the accusative.  Unfortunately, the caster must focus very strongly on his or her positive emotions in order to draw from them. This is not easy at the best of times, let alone when actually in the presence of happiness-sucking Dementors. The best way is to concentrate on a very happy thought; usually golden memories. Harry has used both memories (such as the moment he learnt of his heritage and [[Hogwarts]]) and wishes (such as [[Dolores Umbridge]] being sacked).

According to ''[[Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them]]'', the Patronus Charm is also the only known spell that can deal with shroud-like [[Lethifold]]s, creatures not found in the books' setting that silently slip into houses to suffocate and digest their victims.

The word "patronus" is Latin for "protector", but it is also derived from "pater", which means "father." This is appropriate, since Harry's patronus took his father's form. 

The words "expecto patronum" can be used even by [[Muggles]] as a sort of [[mantra]] to restore tranquility and peace of mind in moments of agitation and depression.⏎
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==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]]