Patronus Charm

The **Patronus Charm** is a powerful defensive charm first introduced in *Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban*.

The spell is a form of protection against dark creatures such as Dementors or Lethifolds. A non-corporeal Patronus has a shield which is easier to cast and appears as an indistinct silvery shadow. A corporeal Patronus takes the form of an animal unique to the caster and is able to combat and drive away its target. A corporeal Patronus is also used to carry messages.

## About

The Patronus Charm is a highly advanced spell which even skilled witches and wizards find difficult. It is a positive energy born of hope and happiness. The spell is produced with concentration on a powerful, happy memory. A non-corporeal Patronus is a silver light, but a powerful Patronus is corporeal and takes the shape of a blinding, dazzling silver animal. They are the embodiment of happiness.

It takes the form of an animal that the witch or wizard shares an affinity with. No two Patronuses are completely the same. The spell is very effective against Dementors because it has a happy nature. Dementors feed on hope and happiness but the spell itself cannot feel despair. It acts like a shield in front of a Dementor.

Teaching the Patronus Charm isn't given at Hogwarts because it is very beyond the skill set of the Ordinary Wizarding Level.

## History

At the start of his third year, Harry Potter was saved when Remus Lupin fended a Dementor away on the way to Hogwarts with a Patronus. Harry saw the spell's silver light for the first time. Professor Dumbledore used it when Dementors invaded a Quidditch game at Hogwarts.

Lupin agreed to teach Harry anti-Dementor lessons and he learned about the Patronus Charm. He fought a Boggart which took the shape of a Dementor to use the spell for the first time. He first thought about the time he won the House Championship, but the happy thought wasn't powerful enough to produce anything better than a white fog. The second time, he thought about the moment he found out he was a wizard and produced a non-corporeal shadow.

Four lessons in, Harry could produce an indistinct Patronus which Lupin thought was a good achievement for a young wizard. In February, he was playing an Inter-House Quidditch game when four Slytherin students pretended to be Dementors. Thinking they were real, Harry used a very powerful Patronus Charm but he didn't get chance to look at what shape it had taken. Lupin was very proud. The students were knocked to the ground.

In June, Harry's Patronus was getting stronger but he failed to produce anything better than a white fog when he and Sirius Black were being attacked by Dementors. Before he passed out, Harry saw a figure standing nearby conjure a very powerful Patronus and fend hundreds of Dementors off. He was confused about who they were at first and thought it had to be his father. He and Hermione later used a time-turner to go back in time, and he wanted to go back and watch it happen to find out who it was. He realised he had to have done it, and knowing he wiukd be successful, he found the confidence to conjure a very powerful and distinct stag Patronus.

Before his fifth year at Hogwarts, Harry was walking home to 4 Privet Drive with Dudley Dursley. They were attacked and Harry successfully used the Patronus Charm to produce an enormous silver stag to drive one away. Its silver antlers struck it where the heart is. He ran to Dudley who was about to receive the Kiss, telling his Patronus to get it. It galloped over and used its antlers to throw it before it fled. It then "dissolved into silver mist".

## Notes and sources

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 *Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban*, Chapter 12
2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 *Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban*, Chapter 21
3. ↑ *Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban*, Chapter 5
4. ↑ *Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban*, Chapter 9
5. ↑ *Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban*, Chapter 13
6. ↑ *Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban*, Chapter 20
7. ↑ *Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix*, Chapter 1