- "For it is evident that a human confronted with inhuman evil, such as the Dementor, must draw upon resources he or she may never have needed, and the Patronus is the awakened secret self that lies dormant until needed, but which must now be brought to light."
- — Catullus Spangle, Charms of Defence and Deterrence.[src]
Professor Catullus Spangle (fl. 1700s) was a wizard who is highly regarded as a great researcher of Charms, having written a masterwork titled Charms of Defence and Deterrence.[1]
In his book, Professor Spangle set forth certain principles on the Patronus Charm that are, even today, widely accepted as true. He proposed that the Patronus was a hidden, but inherent part of one's personality, that only comes to light when the able caster needs it, such as when facing something as inhumanly evil as a Dementor (this, according to Spangle, allows us to explain why Patronuses appear in forms that their casters may not expect, or for which they have never felt a particular affinity).[1]
He also suggested that witches and wizards whose Patronus took the form of their favourite animal were obsessive or eccentric, as they were wizards who could not hide their essential self in common life, in effect parading tendencies that others would prefer to conceal.[1]
Etymology
- Gaius Valerius Catullus (ca. 84–54 BC) was a Latin poet of the late Roman Republic who wrote in the neoteric style of poetry, and whose surviving poems are still widely read.
- "Spangle" is a word used to refer to a sparkling metallic object or, as a verb, meaning "to adorn with small, brilliant bodies".
Appearances
- Pottermore (Mentioned only)