Pottermore Patronus Appreciation

If you know anything about the weasel family, you won’t doubt how anything of the sort could protect you. They’re terrifyingly ferocious little things in a fight. As for what it means, that post will be made in time.

That said, the size of the patronus isn’t as big of a deal as many people make out. Sure, a bigger animal can block more space effectively just by sitting there, but the power and skill of the patronus and its wielder are the most important parts. (It helps that the dementors can’t deal with even being near the things, so no drop-kicking would occur.) There’s a reason that only powerful, skilled people that are pure of heart can summon them, and why they have to be thinking and feeling something strong and good. The stronger those are, the more powerful the patronus regardless of form.

In the HP canon, there was an orphan boy named Illyius that saved his village by fighting off an entire swarm of dementors with his patronus, fighting on and on for ages even when other wizards with powerful patronuses all fell from exhaustion. He was hailed as a hero and his patronus was seen from that day on as the most wonderful and esteemed in the land. What was the boy's patronus? It was a little mouse.

As far as I can tell, no, you can’t be a part of two houses. You can be chosen by multiple house guardians in the North American school, but you still have to pick one of them in the end.

That said, house sorting only goes by notable traits in a person and anyone can easily have those valued by any house they’re not in. Ambition, cleverness, being hard-working, and being courageous are not mutually exclusive, and any person can exhibit any of those traits together and more. Personal inclination also has a big effect; don’t forget that the Sorting Hat originally thought very hard about sticking Harry in Slytherin until he rejected the idea. Hermione probably would have fit in very nicely in Ravenclaw, but she still ended up in Gryffindor.

Chow dogs, like most dogs, tend to be kind and loyal but the chow comes with a bit of a twist to the usual friendly demeanor associated with the dog: The loyalty tends to only extend to those they have chosen to bond with, and they are fiercely protective of these individuals. They don't usually bond too well with just anyone and tend to be aloof around those they do not yet know well. Chows may also chafe under authority if those in charge do not suit their taste or if they think the person in charge doesn't seem to be a good leader. As such, they can be very stubborn and strong-willed in the face of anything from a small argument to some great danger. When at rest, they're generally easy-going people, but an occasional temper in those with a chow patronus definitely isn't unheard of. The chow is a guardian, and having a sort of "charge" in their lives that they value/protect above all others isn't too unusal.

Chow-chows are one of the oldest recognizable breeds of dog, originating from mainland eastern Asia (and possibly Siberia). They are extremely powerful in both frame and presence, with a leonine appearance and a signature blue-black tongue. They are very protective dogs but are wary of strangers, and some people compare their personalities to that of cats rather than other dogs. That said, they need a strong hand and may disobey or rebel against a human that hasn't managed to earn the dog's respect. As they are so genetically close to their wolf ancestors, they have very strong hunting instincts, and are generally not companions for the meek or soft-willed. The chow-chow was likely one of the breeds used to model for the Foo dog in China, and have been used for everything from status companionship to hunting and pulling sleds.

The cat is the watchful guardian of the patronus world, and embodies the dichotomy of things, often managing to be two opposing things at once. Fickle but somehow also loyal, they tend to be quite clever and alert individuals who know when to move and when to take it easy, and as such have excellent patience when it suits them. They may seem laid back, but do not forget that the cat is a hunter. Calicos are hailed as extremely observant, lucky cats, and those with a calico may have an uncanny ability to make things happen or to affect outcomes to make them more favorable. Whether or not they actually move to do so depends on the person. Calicos can be quite rare as far as cats go, but tend to be affectionate, "sweet"-natured people who bond well with others but still manage to maintain their independence.

The calico coat color is special in that, due to its weird genetic combination, it can't really be bred for. Black and orange are the cat's two base colors, and white is a color mutation. As this is tied to the X chromosome, nearly all calico (and tortoiseshell) cats are female. Male calicos exist, but are extremely rare and tend to be sterile or suffer from health problems as nature's rules say they are not really supposed to exist. Tri-colored cats have been a popular fur type and a symbol of good luck since time immemorial, particularly in places like Japan, and are associated with good fortune, protection, and purity. They've found their way into paintings worldwide, and even their own works of fiction writing.

Like most snakes, black mambas can be associated with great wisdom and a sharp mind. Snakes are powerful symbols, and those whose patronus takes the form of a serpent tend to also be powerful people in kind. The black mamba is unique in that it only forms for those who show a special kind of mind. Though gentle friends and purveyors of entertainments of the mental sort, black mambas are cunning, patient individuals that can hold onto grudges for a very long time if wronged. While they tend to be quiet, sometimes even shy, and not be wont to impose, it doesn't meant that they can't get things done. When applied correctly, a black mamba has the potential to a master planner, calculating and observant, willing to stay close to even their rivals if it means achieving what they're trying to do.

Black mambas are an asp snake found scattered across parts of Africa. They are named not for the color of their scales, which tend to be brown or grey, but for the color of the inside of their mouths. They are diurnal reptiles that hunt a variety of small animals by ambush, such as bats and the hyrax. Mambas are well-known for having one of the nastier venoms out there, being neurotoxic, with bites sometimes being called "the kiss of death" on its home continent. Despite this, human bites are rare and black mambas are not aggressive animals, shying away from danger and keeping to themselves. They will sometimes willingly share territory with other snakes whether or not they are the same species, and are on the whole an agreeable sort of snake that just wants to be left alone.

The bear is indicative of someone with a great reserve of patience and inner strength. Bears do often well in leadership roles, though are more than content alone, happily spending their time in reflection and contemplation. They are confident, stable people that others may gravitate to in trying times for stability and healing. Though their quiet nature and tendency to spend time away from the crowd can lead to others thinking they are stern or anti-social, bears are often friendly and curious, and can surprise even those that know them best with something they didn't think of. Brown bears are known to be the "warriors" of the bear archetype, standing their ground and facing danger to protect others or do what they believe is right, not backing down no matter the danger.

"Brown bear" refers to a number of different bears ranging across North America and Eurasia, including (but not limited to) the Kodiak and the Grizzly, with the former being a close second only to the polar bear in size. It's worth noting that brown bears have the largest relative brain size of their type and have been seen using simple tools from time to time. They are largely solitary and crepuscular, as well as having the same omnivorous tendencies as most other bears, just taken to a larger extreme. Brown bears can and will eat just about anything. They are known, in particular, for their habit of fishing up meals from rivers/streams, and catching salmon during their breeding season runs.

Few possess just the right strength of character for their patronus to take the form of a buffalo. Those that do are dedicated individuals who are fiercely protective of those close to them, and not in a general way, either. Anyone foolish enough to attempt to harm another under a buffalo's care is unlikely to come out unscathed. They are fighters, and it's not uncommon for a buffalo to have their own personal code or way of acting to which normal morality simply doesn't apply, which can be dangerous even for the buffalo. When all is well, they are placid but often outgoing, with strong personalities and who like having fun with those they bond to. However, going too long without contact with friends or family can lead to a buffalo feeling anxious or sad, and they will usually be at their best when sharing time with others. They are steadfast friends that enjoy being helpful and lending a hand to complete a task, or just making someone feel better.

The powerful water buffalo is found across Asia and parts of the Middle East, while the African buffalo can be found across central and south Africa. Water buffalo have been the mainstay of many farmers in wet places for ages, and provide everything from meat and milk, to a powerful pull for moving heavy loads. Their African counterparts are known to be quite aggressive, and though people think of lions as being one of the more deadly animals on the savannah, it's actually the buffalo killing or chasing off the cats more often than not. All varieties enjoy grazing tasty greens and wallowing in cool water. They are loving animals to those they trust, and will frequently band together to protect one another.

That those who take the form of dogs tend to be friendly and loyal is no secret. The borzoi dog usually marks someone who is also easy-going, often quiet, and possessed of a good sense of humor. They have active, intelligent minds and are experts at amusing themselves, being content alone or with others. Rare is the borzoi that can manage to keep themselves bored for long. The tendency to find humor in almost anything is also common in borzois, from the mundane to the macabre. Though, naturally, the range depends on the individual. The humor comes with a helping of class and, when applied properly, they are quite eloquent people that can navigate difficulties in life with easy grace.

The Borzoi, or Russian wolfhound, is a sighthound bred for hunting everything from small rabbits to big wolves. Despite their lithe builds, they are quite strong and are extremely fast. Nothing pleases Borzoi more than running and chasing. As companions, they are gentle, considerate, and seem to find everything entertaining. They bond well with their loved ones but are known to be nervous when strangers invade their spaces, making them good watchdogs. Like most sighthounds, they have a lanky build and are graceful in almost everything they do. Setting them apart is their long, wavy coat suited for both insulating against the more chilly climes and just generally looking majestic. Borzoi have found admirers amongst everyone from hunters to Russian nobility, with whom they were extremely popular once upon a time.

Those with the bloodhound patronus tend to be gentle, easy-going people with a talent for finding what they want and getting things done. It is difficult to dissuade a bloodhound from doing something they want to do, and they generally dislike leaving things unfinished. Bloodhounds tend to be quite patient and tenacious, and are often willing to work for a long time at something to achieve what they want. It's not uncommon to see a bloodhound person slowly chipping away at some project or problem with a calm satisfaction where other, more impatient people would have long given up in frustration. Though a side effect is that the person may need a reminder to stop to eat or do other things now and then. Like all dogs, they are kind, friendly, and loyal to those they love, sticking with their chosen people through thick and thin.

Bloodhounds are large dogs from Europe bred to track scents of larger animals on hunting trips, and have one of the best noses around. They are extremely determined when it comes to finding the source of a smell and have excellent endurance and stamina, continuing on for as long as it takes to find what they're looking for. The dogs themselves are friendly, gentle, and enjoy the company of humans and other dogs... but need a LOT of exercise. They're known for occasional stubbornness and, like the Basset Hound, are sometimes prone to dropping and ignoring everying when they happen upon a new, interesting smell to investigate. They're also quite curious and may sometimes wander off if they catch a whiff of something exciting.

Those with a swan are likely very loyal people, sticking to those important in their life through thick and thin, and protecting them in any way they can. Black swans sometimes have negative connotations, but it doesn't have to be thus. They are very loving people but can take a while to open up, meaning not everyone gets to see this side of their personality which can lead to false impressions. They tend to have a cool passion about them, leading them to pursue their goals and interests with a sort of natural furor, compared to the more calm pursuits of their white counterparts. It's not uncommon for someone with a black swan to be "blunt", giving and taking criticism with honesty and grace, but not afraid to tell things like they are. On the whole, they are quite deep, steadfast people with a desire to improve at the things they love.

Black swans are middle-sized bird with a long, graceful neck and striking look that hails primarily from Australia, where they enjoy many appearances in Australian heraldry. Like most anatidae, the bulk of their diet is plant-based and they are mostly monogamous, though it's not uncommon for two males to raise a nest together after a female lays the eggs in order to better protect the territory and the resulting cygnets. Depending on where in the world you look, black swans have a number of different things attributed to them by people, some viewing it as a noble bird of protection and independence, and others seeing it as a sign of corruption and bad omens. Biologically, there seems to be little difference between a "black" swan and a "white" swan, other than the mute swan having a slightly more notorious temper.