[[Image:Patronus.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Harry performing the Patronus Charm, from the movie version of ''[[Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban]]'']]
'''Patronus''' has a dual meaning in the world of the ''[[Harry Potter]]'' series of [[fantasy]] [[novels]] by [[J. K. Rowling]].
It can be
#An advanced [[spell]] ('''The Patronus Charm''') which is the only known means of defence against [[Dementors]] and certain other dark creatures.
#The [[totem|animal form]] protector created by the spell (a '''Patronus''' - plural '''Patroni''' - see [[etymological]] discussion of the term below). E.g. [[Harry Potter (character)|Harry]]'s Patronus is in the image of a stag, the same animal his father could transform into as an [[Animagus]].
For a discussions of spells in general, within the ''[[Harry Potter]]'' universe, see [[Spells and spell-like magic in the world of Harry Potter]].
For discussions of other specific spells in the ''[[Harry Potter]]'' universe, see the following articles.:
:* [[Canonical Spells in the world of Harry Potter]]
:* [[Non-canonical Spells in the world of Harry Potter]]
:* [[The Unforgivable Curses in the world of Harry Potter]].
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==The Patronus==
The Patronus Charm conjures an [[incarnation]] of the caster's innermost positive feelings, such as joy, hope, or the desire to survive. This [[incarnation]] is known as a Patronus. A Patronus can be viewed as the exact ''opposite'' of a [[Dementor]]. Even though it embodies all the positive emotions that a [[Dementor]] feeds on, a Patronus is focused by the will of the caster to act as a protector, which renders it a weapon against [[Dementors]] rather than a feast for them. Patroni shield their conjurors from [[Dementors]], and even drive them away.
When conjured, a Patronus appears silvery, ethereal, and semi-transparent. Improperly formed Patroni summoned by less capable Witches or Wizards (or those who are under duress) can be anything from momentary formless bursts of silvery mist, to poorly-defined forms which are easily defeated or quickly dissipate on their own. A properly formed (or ''[[wiktionary:corporeal|corporeal]]'') Patronus takes on a solid (if somewhat ethereal) fixed [[totem|animal form]] that is appropriate and unique to the Witch or Wizard casting the charm; no two Witches or Wizards will conjure identical Patroni. Patroni summoned by a particular Witch or Wizard always take the same form, although life-changing events - such as personal tragedy, or falling in love - can alter the form that one's conjured Patroni will take from then on. This is seen to happen to [[Nymphadora Tonks]] when she falls in love with [[Remus Lupin]].
The conjured Patronus protects the Witch or Wizard that summoned them, obeys his or her commands, and fades away shortly after they are no longer required.
==Known Patroni==
{| border="0" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" width="100%" align="center"
|- style="background:#ddd;" valign="top"
| width="20%" valign="top" | '''Witch/Wizard'''
| width="20%" valign="top" | '''Patronal Form'''
| valign="top" | '''Notes'''
|- style="background:#eee;" valign="top"
| [[Harry Potter]]
| [[deer|Stag]]
| Harry's Patronus is in the shape of his father's [[Animagus]] form.
|- style="background:#ddd;" valign="top"
| [[Hermione Granger]]
| [[Otter]]
| Hermione's favorite animal.
|- style="background:#eee;" valign="top"
| [[Ron Weasley]]
| [[Jack Russell Terrier]]
| -
|- style="background:#ddd;" valign="top"
| [[Cho Chang]]
| [[Swan]]
| -
|- style="background:#eee;" valign="top"
| [[Albus Dumbledore]]
| [[Phoenix]]
| Albus Dumbledore has learned to adapt the Patronus Charm so that his Patronus can carry messages. This offers great advantages in security, as Patroni uniquely identify the caster and are Dark-proof. This modified Patronus charm is exclusively used by members of the [[Order of the Phoenix]].
|- style="background:#ddd;" valign="top"
| [[Nymphadora Tonks]]
| [[Werewolf]]
| The form of Nymphadora's Patronus changed in [[Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince]] to its current form. This is believed to be due to her developing a romantic attachement to the [[Werewolf]] [[Remus Lupin]]. It is unknown what her Patronus was prior to this.
|- style="background:#eee;" valign="top"
| [[Dean Thomas]]
| Something hairy
| He cannot yet produced a fully formed Patronus in [[Dumbledore's Army]]
|}
==The Patronus Charm==
The Patronus Charm is a challenging [[spell]] which is simple in theory, but hard to perform properly. The spell requires the use of a [[wand]] and the incantation "Expecto Patronum" (spelling may vary by book or edition; see [[#The etymology of "Patronus"|below]]). Presumably specific physical gestures with the wand are also required but they are not mentioned specifically in the text of the novels.
It is known to be very difficult to use the Patronus Charm. The casting Witch or Wizard must assume a ''very specific'' type of emotional state. He or she must tap into, and draw out the "postive emotions" (such as hope or hapiness) that will make up the Patronus, ''regardless'' of the situation they find themselves in. As the charm is used as a defensive spell at times of extreme duress and fear, this can be challenging.
For example, the Patronus Charm is used to repel [[Dementors]]. Since the caster must focus very strongly on his or her positive emotions, and since [[Dementor]]s evoke a person's ''negative'' emotions, it takes a strong will to effectively use the Patronus Charm as a defense. The best way to evoke the correct emotional state is to concentrate on a very happy memory or thought. [[Harry Potter (character)|Harry Potter]] has used both happy memories (such as the moment he learned of his magical heritage and that he would be attending [[Hogwarts]]), and pleasant wishes (such as visions of [[Dolores Umbridge]] being fired) to evoke the required emotions, and successfully use the Patronus Charm.
Because of the charm's advanced reputation, Harry impressed his [[Ordinary Wizarding Level|OWL]] examiners by demonstrating mastery of the spell, which was unusual for someone his age.
According to ''[[Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them]]'', as well as being the only defense known against [[Dementors]], the Patronus Charm is also the only known spell defense against [[Minor Harry Potter Beasts#Lethifold|Lethifold]]s: shroud-like creatures that silently slip into houses to suffocate and digest victims. Presumably there are also other [[Dark Art#Dark Creatures|"dark creatures"]] against which the Patronus Charm is an uniquely effective defense.
==The etymology of "Patronus"==
It is wise to keep in mind the limits etymological speculation in the [[Harry Potter]] universe. Ms. Rowling is not a linguist, and her aim is primarily to tell a good story, not to create a consistent linguistic system. Thus, one should not expect the use of "magical" language in the books to be entirely consistent. One can speculate about the possible origins of various spell incantations or terms; but one should not necessarily expect the results to be consistent in themselves or with the histories of other languages. For this reason, there is often no ''real'' Latin derivation of spell incantations, or any other "magical terms". This is not meant to take away from the fun of speculating about it, but to caution the reader to remember that the world of Harry Potter is primarily the world of a good story.
With that in mind, remember that the [[Latin (language)|Latin]] word ''patronus'' means "protector" or "guardian" (see [[Patronus]]). The plural of ''patronus'' is ''patroni''. The incantation for the charm is ''expecto patronum'' — although the printed spelling varies somewhat throughout the text, including ''exxpecto'', making the use of spelling to establish exact meaning less reliable. The Latin word ''exspecto'', or ''expecto'', means "I watch for," "I await", or (more rarely) "I require". Since Dog Latin can often use the more abstruse meanings of a Latin word, it would not be inappropriate to use this phrase as a translation. The meaning of the incantation thus becomes, "I summon my protector."
It is also interesting to note that the phrase ''expecto patronum'' can be used even by [[Muggle]]s as a sort of [[mantra]] to restore tranquility and peace of mind in moments of agitation and depression.
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[[Category:Harry Potter magical spells]]
[[Category:Harry Potter magic]]
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