On the twelfth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me... Title: Twelve Summer Nights Author:lee_west Fandom: Harry Potter Word Count: 100 Characters: Ron, Kingsley, Snape, Luna, Arthur, Tonks, Cho, Aberforth, Albus, Ernie, Seamus, Umbridge, and an array of Patronuses Challenge: Twelfth Day of Christmas: Twelve Summer Nights Rating: PG Disclaimer: Me? Own any of this? Nah. I'm neither English nor rich. A/N: Yet another liberty taken: after the rainy days, the glorious nights of summer. And what can be produced with one's happiest thoughts?
Thanks to my friend Ceria for the beta.
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1. Ron – Jack Russel Terrier
A Jack Russel Terrier? He didn’t know much about dogs in general, but he knew that these were yapping, excitable little things. Annoying little things.
He couldn’t imagine why his Patronus would be one. He wasn’t that hyper, was he? He was sure he wasn't an annoying git, no matter what his brothers told him.
He was upset and hoped he didn't need to produce a Patronus, lest anyone saw it and made fun of him.
He learnt later that Jack Russel Terriers are very intelligent dogs, who can learn tricks easily.
And dogs are loyal animals, just like himself.
***
2. Kingsley – Lynx
The first time he produced a Patronus, in a Defense Against the Dark Arts class in his seventh year, he had no idea why it took the form of a cat. As he became more skilled during Auror training, and the corporeal Patronus was stronger and more delineated, he realized it was a lynx.
Lynxes were cool animals, and he was pleased, but still couldn't understand why.
Producing a Patronus as a grown man, he realized no other animal could be more fitting to protect him. The lynx, an elusive, cunning and solitary hunter, is just like a good Auror.
***
3. Snape – Doe
He saw the graceful form coming out of his wand and knew that it represented Lily. Even though she wasn't speaking to him any more, she was the only source of happiness that allowed him to conjure a Patronus.
As long as he could think of her green eyes and the good times they had together, he would be able to see the lovely doe in his path.
Her death made it impossible for him to conjure any happy thought, and he only produced a Patronus again during the second war, for the Order.
And when her son needed it.
***
4. Luna – Hare
She’s ecstatic to see that her Patronus is none other than the rare and elusive Long-Eared Lupus Hare. It’s an animal her father has been searching for a long time, and Luna can’t wait to get home to tell him about it.
A shy and normally reclusive animal, the Long-Eared Lupus Hare is, nevertheless, associated with moonlight dancing and, in some places, is the bringer of Spring, of life and hope. She’s eager to tell others about it.
She pretends she doesn’t hear when they murmur that her Patronus is actually the March hare. Just as mad as she is.
***
5. Arthur – Weasel
Arthur loves his Patronus, although he is as different from it as he could be. But a Weasley's protector would obviously be a weasel, wouldn't it?
He laughs at the pun, and then muses about his last name. His is an old family, and the name obviously came from an ancestor who must have embodied the characteristics of a weasel.
It's hard for Arthur to believe that someone in his family could be that cunning and devious. But then he remembers he is also related to the Blacks, albeit distantly.
It must have come from that side of the family.
***
6. Tonks – Wolf
A strong emotion can cause a change in Patronus. Tonks's changed to a wolf when she fell in love with Remus.
It was a feeling like none other; she sensed that the wolf would be her protector forever.
It hurts her when Snape derides her and says her Patronus is weak. She blanches and leaves him, lest she loses control and hexes him. The creep deserves it.
She's not upset because he mocked her ability to produce a Patronus. The real reason is that she is unsure Remus reciprocates her feelings.
And she has a hunch Snape knows that, too.
***
7. Cho – Swan
The first time she manages to produce a Patronus and sees the swan emerging from her wand, she isn't very surprised. It's a graceful animal and she has been told she's very graceful herself.
But maybe there's more to it. Being a good Ravenclaw, she decides to research more about swans, and realizes her Patronus is actually another beautiful person. Swans symbolize love and fidelity, monogamous creatures that they are.
With tears in her eyes, she thinks about her protector, who loved her dearly, and is still watching over her, wherever he is.
Cedric will be by her side forever.
***
8. Aberforth – Goat
His first goat was one milked to feed Ariana. He was put in charge to tend to it while his mother cared for the baby and developed a kinship with the animal.
His brother said he smelled like a goat. He didn’t care. The nanny was his friend. It never derided him about his slowness in learning.
It kept him company when he was lonely. He told it his problems, and it chewed grass placidly next to him while he complained about Albus making fun of him.
Nothing more logical than his Patronus being a representation of his best friend.
***
9. Albus – Phoenix
His first Patronus was some animal, but it was such a long time ago that he forgot about it.
It became a phoenix when he defeated Grindelwald. An emotion strong enough to cause a change in Patronus.
The phoenix regenerates when hurt by a foe. Nothing better to describe what Albus felt when he had to face the man who had hurt him so much. Who had almost made him do things he'd regret forever.
It took him a long time to be able to duel Grindelwald but finally, regenerated, he lifted his wand against the man he once loved.
***
10. Ernie - Boar
He had expected his Patronus to be something like a dog, symbolizing loyalty. Even something apparently innocuous, but feisty, like a badger, would be understandable. Anything Hufflepuff in essence.
But an animal that symbolizes courage and fierceness? A boar? Those were ferocious animals, and Ernie was a pacifist. He was learning to fight to defend himself, not to attack, not to ambush.
Ernie never thought he had it in himself, until he had to choose between what was right and what was easy and safe.
Tired and dirty, but victorious, Ernie produces a Patronus, just to see his valiant boar.
***
11. Seamus – Fox
He was worried his Patronus would be something his friends would make fun of – his first attempts had produced only a hairy form.
And if it was an ape? He was already considered a clumsy fellow, and an ape would make a lot of sense. But it would be a cause for ridicule, he thought.
He concentrated more on the Expecto Patronum, thinking about the last Quidditch World Cup and his excitement in watching Ireland being crowned the champion.
And that did it. He finally produced a nice corporeal Patronus. A fox. Cunning. With lovely red pelt.
That fit him!
***
12. Umbridge – Cat
There has never been any doubt in her mind that her Patronus would be a cat. Firstly, she loves them – and she identifies with them. She admires their intelligence and adaptability.
They are animals that know how to ingratiate them with humans to get what they want and, yet, maintain their aloofness and independence. They have no allegiance to anyone, and will shift sides as the situation warrants. Not to mention their amazing ability to survive falls and recover quickly from distress.
Mostly, they are ruthless hunters, mercilessly killing their foes.