"The Patronus is a kind of positive force, a projection of the very things that the Dementor feeds upon - hope, happiness, the desire to survive - but it cannot feel despair, as real humans can, so the Dementors can't hurt it."
- Prisoner of Azkaban, The Patronus
I've voiced my opinion on this subject in the past, and, after some encouragement, I thought I'd write about it in a bit more detail. Typically messy Ravenclaw here, but this should all make sense. Bear with...
(Spoilers, obvs)
I think Albus Severus Potter's Patronus would take the form of a stag, like his father's and grandfather's before him.
I think it's quite important to note that even at the age of 11, Albus desperately seeks reassurance from his dad. Even at this early stage, Albus already feels odd and different, a real misfit in his traditionally Gryffindor family. James teases Albus about it too, which no doubt further adds to Albus's complex.
'Do you think - what if I am - what if I'm put in Slytherin ...'
- Cursed Child, Act 1, Scene 2
Albus first asks Harry to confirm it, asking whether his father has had an inkling too. It's a blunt question, one which Albus quickly rephrases. Instead he asks simply for reassurance, because Harry's opinion matters to him. It's natural to look up to one's parents and seek approval from them, but Albus has the added pressure that his dad is the saviour of the wizarding world.
Albus of course knows the dark history of Slytherin house, and so is naturally afraid of potentially being labelled and condemned if he is placed there. He is aware of the stigma that being in Slytherin carries, just as every other child in the wizarding world is, however Albus's situation is rather unique.
Those who caused and defined the stigma, reputation and infamy of Slytherin, were all his father's enemies. They were some of the darkest wizards the world had known, and understandably Albus does not want to be seen to be on the same side as them. The thought terrifies him. In Deathly Hallows, the exchange plays out more intimately than it does in the Cursed Child:
Those who caused and defined the stigma, reputation and infamy of Slytherin, were all his father's enemies. They were some of the darkest wizards the world had known, and understandably Albus does not want to be seen to be on the same side as them. The thought terrifies him. In Deathly Hallows, the exchange plays out more intimately than it does in the Cursed Child:
"The whisper was for his father alone, and Harry knew that only the moment of departure could have forced Albus to reveal how great and sincere that fear was."
- Deathly Hallows, Nineteen Years Later
Delphi then proceeds to then trap herself, Albus and Scorpius in the past, in an effort to change history right from the beginning. Even then, Albus thinks only of his dad. When he and Scorpius brainstorm and decide they need to get a message to the future, Albus is shown to have remarkable confidence in his father's abilities. Despite their difficult relationship, Albus has every faith that his dad is a hero.
In his dying words, James Potter promised to hold Lord Voldemort off, and he did, sacrificing his life to allow his beloved wife and child time to escape. Therefore, when Harry is scared and afraid, and in desperate need of some light in the darkness, he summons his father, because he knows his dad will always protect him. Just as Albus does.
Albus's argument with his dad the night before he is due to start his fourth year at Hogwarts fuels the entire play, and much of the plot in Cursed Child is driven by Albus's desire to prove he is worthy - not only of the Potter name, but simply worthy of being his father's son. He acts honourably, but recklessly, desperate to live up to some silly precedent he believes Harry set before him. But it's a bit more than that.
Albus says himself:
'I thought Harry Potter wasn't afraid of anything.'
- Cursed Child, Act 3, Scene 11
He obviously holds Harry in high regard. I wouldn't go as far as to say that Albus hero-worships his dad, in the way that Scorpius arguably does, but it certainly comes close. It's different because Harry is his dad.
After Delphi forces them to go back in time to change the outcome of the Third Task, Albus and Scorpius come face to face with one Cedric 'Delicious' Diggory. They both know what must happen, and so send him on the path to Voldemort. As he goes, Albus calls Cedric back.
'Cedric - your dad loves you very much.'
- Cursed Child, Act 3, Scene 20
It's a simple way to honour the promise he made to Amos Diggory, but it's also so much more than that. Albus is finally being tested, as Scorpius was before. Delphi could kill him, or worse still for Albus, Delphi could kill his best friend. He has never faced a greater threat, but Albus knows the way time must go, and in that moment he gives a small bit of comfort to a young boy he knows must die.
It is then that Albus's true desire is revealed. He doesn't want his father's pride, though that would be nice, he just wants his love. He says to Cedric what he desperately hopes is true of himself.
Delphi then proceeds to then trap herself, Albus and Scorpius in the past, in an effort to change history right from the beginning. Even then, Albus thinks only of his dad. When he and Scorpius brainstorm and decide they need to get a message to the future, Albus is shown to have remarkable confidence in his father's abilities. Despite their difficult relationship, Albus has every faith that his dad is a hero.
'We get a message to Dad. He'll find a way to get back here. Even if he has to build a Time-Turner himself!'
- Cursed Child, Act 4, Scene 5
When Albus's plan succeeds, he and Scorpius are joined by Harry, Ginny, Ron, Hermione and Draco. They spring into action, swiftly coming up with a plan to resolve the imminent threat. Harry volunteers, offering himself up to be transformed into his archenemy, Lord Voldemort.
Draco Malfoy, of course, casts some doubts on the plan, but Albus has a quick, heartfelt response:
Draco Malfoy, of course, casts some doubts on the plan, but Albus has a quick, heartfelt response:
'Draco, trust my dad. He won't let us down.'
- Cursed Child, Act 4, Scene 10
In the final scene of the play, Harry confesses to Albus exactly what he is afraid of - the dark, small spaces and pigeons, amongst other things. Albus is shocked to hear that his dad is scared of such common, mostly irrational fears, but they only make Harry Potter more human, and that means everything to Albus.
If anything can be said about Albus Severus Potter it is that, when scared or afraid, he knows his dad will save him.
To get some proper perspective on Patronuses and the forms they take, I wanted to look back over at their introduction into the Harry Potter series in the Prisoner of Azkaban.
Harry is told by Remus Lupin that "each [Patronus] is unique to the wizard who conjures it." He's never explicitly told that a Patronus takes the form of an animal, but simply that it is a guardian who acts as a shield, effectively driving away the darkness.
The first time we are made aware of what form Harry's corporeal Patronus takes is at the end of Prisoner of Azkaban. He also conjured one during the Quidditch match against Ravenclaw earlier, but the form and shape went unnoticed. The first time we actually see the shape that Harry's Patronus takes is right towards the close of the book.
Sirius was weak from his scuffle with werewolf-Lupin, Hermione fainted as the wall of Dementors descended, and Harry was gripped by a Dementor eager to snatch away his soul. Then, through the drowning fog came a silvery light. The fog soon lifted, and the Dementors fled.
Before he fainted, Harry saw the Patronus, an unidentifiable animal, making its way back across the lake to the person who had conjured it - "someone who looked strangely familiar ... but it couldn't be ..."
After they go back in time, Harry confesses to Hermione that he believes his dad conjured the Patronus. The powerful wizard across the lake certainly looked like his dad, but at this point in the story, James Potter had been dead for 12 years - it couldn't possibly be him.
Harry and Hermione watch the past play out again, this time from across the lake. They watch as the Dementors swarm around the past versions of themselves, but still James Potter does not materialise in front of them. It is then that Harry realises and conjures the Patronus himself. It has long been established that Harry and James look extraordinarily alike.
"It wasn't a horse. It wasn't a unicorn, either. It was a stag.
...
Slowly it bowed its antlered head. And Harry realised ...
'Prongs,' he whispered."
- Prisoner of Azkaban, Hermione's Secret
It is rather important, I think, to mention that prior to this point Harry had no idea his dad could take the form of a stag. He had only his dad's school nickname to go by, and it was a sudden realisation at that very moment.
Dumbledore later makes an affirming speech to Harry, one which speaks volumes about Dumbledore's thoughts on love and loss, and on Patronuses too.
"'You think the dead we have loved ever truly leave us? You think that we don't recall them more clearly than ever in times of great trouble? Your father is alive in you, Harry, and shows himself most plainly when you have need of him. How else could you produce that particular Patronus? Prongs rode again last night.'"
- Prisoner of Azkaban, Owl Post Again
James Potter's association with his son's Patronus has always been known. Right from when Remus first teaches Harry the method required to summon a Patronus, James is present. Harry hears his dad's voice for the first time that night, in his final act of bravery. James took on Lord Voldemort alone, wandless, the last defence before he reached Lily and baby Harry.
For Harry, his dad is an archetype of Gryffindor house. He was brave and chivalrous, a true protector and guardian. And so Harry's Patronus takes the form of a stag, like his dad's after the animal he could transform himself into. It is as if Harry is reaching deep inside himself, calling and mustering up what he himself defines as bravery and strength and light and happiness, and that for him is his dad, and so, of course, his Patronus is James Potter.
For Harry, his dad is an archetype of Gryffindor house. He was brave and chivalrous, a true protector and guardian. And so Harry's Patronus takes the form of a stag, like his dad's after the animal he could transform himself into. It is as if Harry is reaching deep inside himself, calling and mustering up what he himself defines as bravery and strength and light and happiness, and that for him is his dad, and so, of course, his Patronus is James Potter.
In his dying words, James Potter promised to hold Lord Voldemort off, and he did, sacrificing his life to allow his beloved wife and child time to escape. Therefore, when Harry is scared and afraid, and in desperate need of some light in the darkness, he summons his father, because he knows his dad will always protect him. Just as Albus does.
And for that reason, I believe Albus Potter's Patronus is a stag too.
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