Best (quality) example of Harry's having a different Patronus is Bungle in the Jungle.

 

Plus most innovative Dementor-killing patronus.

 

Huh. I thought that Harry had a stag as his Patronus because it was a representation of Prongs, his father (you know, "patron") which he subconsciously thought of as his protector against darkness.

Remember when Dumbledore said of his Patronus? "Prongs rode again last night." (paraphrased from PoA).

So, yeah, that's my two knuts.

 

Him having a stag patronus actually makes more sense if James is alive; how is he supposed to know that a stag represented his father? Is magic sentient?

Blah.

 

Because the first time he performs the Patronus corporeally is after he thought he saw his father do it and his father's was a stag, then he realizes it was himself, and so he imitates what he's already seen subconciously. Also there's no canon reason I can think of for why a Patronus takes on the form it does; so far as I knwo it's all fanon.

I can't believe this actually works logically, fucking time travel.

 

Except he forms a corporeal patronus during the Quidditch game when he's ambushed by fake dementors.

 

IIRC in canon it's symbolism with no reason given. In-world explanation is "magic!", out-of-world explanation is authorial fiat.

 

Maybe Harry's patronus was a stag because that's what his father was but that could have been any animal. I think that JKR chose the stag for the symbolism. Particularly considering the way all the other anigmus forms seem to fit the person, such as Pettigrew being a rat.

 

I know what you're saying, but the Pettigrew/Rat is a bad example.
McGonagall/Cat would've been a better one.

 

Are you trying to say McGonagall is a cougar, or just catty?

I always felt that Harry's patronus was two fold, Harry naturally associates his parents with his protection and the stag is a noble animal, but one that is ultimately killed for another purpose.

 

Harry's Patronus is a stag so that the Death Eaters can be convinced they saW Aberforth's goat Patronus in DH - that's the kind of forethought JKR put in, and we're only now realizing it.

EDIT @ knight504: Way to miss the joke, dude.

 

Another point for the "Harry's Patronus is a symbol for his father" argument: Snape's Patronus, a doe, is a symbol for Lily, Harry's mother.

 

Or Aberforth's is a goat so it would look similar to a stag.

 

Or because he wishes to bottom for James.
Where's that from, I'm sure I've seen it?

 

God damnit, now you're gonna have to make me go bleach out my brain! Fucker! :facepalm

 

It looks like you're right. Damn.

 

Eyebleach, your welcome

 

Wow. New favourite website.

 

I hate it how every other story has different names for Hermione's parent.

 

Y'know, I actually had that in my post before I decided to edit it out.
So, good job sir. (Go to eye-bleach site now)

That's preferable to, say, Daniel and Emma (Or Danielle and Emert-whats-it) Granger.