Your Wolf Patronus?

August 23, 2013

Dear Professor Lupin,

I was wondering what your Patronus is, considering you taught Harry how to conjure his own. I’ve heard rumors that it’s a simple wolf, but I don’t believe that’s true, considering seeing a wolf would bring about unhappy thoughts and possibly weaken your Patronus.

Sincerely,

An Inquisitive Inquisitor

Dear Inquisitor,

In this forum I am obliged to tell the truth, so I must admit that my Patronus, when fully formed, is in fact a wolf. I will never forget the first time I saw it. It was, for me, just another reminder of my “condition” that I tried so desperately to hide from the outside world. In my youth, and for most of my life, the wolf and I were locked in a constant battle. I decided I would not allow its appearance to give me away so easily.

Through much practice and determination I learned to produce Patronuses which, while powerful, did not take animal form as others typically do. Although I could nearly always see its eyes, watching me from the orb of light within which it was contained, its true nature and full appearance was well-hidden from others at all times.

Although the result was cause for stress, one of my most powerful and happy memories, which never fails to conjure a Patronus, is that of my father, Lyall, something of an expert in the field in his time, who spent many an evening after work teaching me how to produce them.

Sincerely
Remus Lupin