Fri
Jun 17 2011 5:11pm
Watch Out Dementors, Tor.com Readers Pick Their Patronuses

The only way to beat a dementor is to either not have a soul in the first place or to lay down some serious Patronus smack. We know that a wizard’s Patronus isn’t necessarily one they would choose, as it resembles something of a spirit animal. Harry Potter’s was a stag, Hermione Granger’s was an otter, Luna Lovegood’s was a rabbit, and Tonks had a Patronus of a werewolf. But if you could pick your Patronus, what would it be?

On Tuesday and Wednesday we turned this question to our faithful Facebook friends and Twitter followers. Here’s a roundup of some of your answers.

On Facebook, we ran a proper poll where readers could add their options. Here with 16 votes, the notion of having one’s Patronus take the form of a dragon won the most soundly. Interesting entries here were the ED-209 (from Robocop!) with 2 votes as well as one vote a piece for Christopher Walken and Woody Allen shaped Patronuses.

Two different kinds of pandas made an appearance on Facebook, including a normal panda, giant panda, and a red panda. Oddly neglected on Facebook was a giraffe Patronus with zero votes.

However, over on Twitter, the giraffe Patronus was popular! @adenpenn said “A fox or a giraffe.” And @joshua_starr said “Giraffe! Most awkward Patronus ever.” We think he meant this as a good thing. In case you’re confused as to why giraffes are so formidable, we direct you to this video about giraffes.

Some of our other favorite Twitter answers were platypus, crocodile and wombat. We also liked this tweet from @braak who said “African Honey Badger. TOUGHEST ANIMAL POSSIBLE.” The only thing that might have beat this was the quietly confident response from @TimothyPhin who said “Definitely a sparrow.”

Dragons and pandas popped up on Twitter quite a bit too, but we have to give a few more shout outs. Tor.com’s own @jasonhenninger said “however impractical, I would choose a dolphin.” Bravo.

And finally, @lyssad87 gave the most appropriate response we found. “My Patronus would be a penguin, because they’re my favorite.”

Thanks as always to our Twitter and Facebook peeps for participating in our surveys! If you missed out, there’s still time to tell us your Patronus in the comments below!


Stubby the Rocket is the voice and mascot of Tor.com. Stubby’s Patronus is Stubby the Rocket.

This article is part of Potterpalooza on Tor.com: ‹ previous | index | next ›
43 comments
David Thomson
3. ZetaStriker
My friend insists of whale. Because size matters.
Spera
4. Spera
Cthulu-- because power matters
Adam Weber
6. SvelteDesert
Ocelot FTW

@Spera: Well played... Well played
Spera
7. Pattom
A secretary bird. They have a sort of awkward majesty about them, gangly but gallant.
Noneo Yourbusiness
8. Longtimefan
seriously, a cheetah,

comically, A lion, because only some people can tell if you are lion but cheetahs never prosper.
john massey
9. subwoofer
woofer. I'd go for a bulldog or a german sheppard. Something not a yorkie, or any of the "toy" breed, but definitely makes you say "woof" when you look at them.

Woof™.
Spera
10. mlabbe
I always wanted to say a phoenix. Then it was pointed out to me that there is only one of those, and I felt terribly narcissistic. But I've always felt a connection to them, and a fascination for them. My fiery hair matches their fire-y feathers.
Spera
11. katster
A bear, not only because it's the mascot of my alma mater, but because they're tough and ferocious when crossed, and grumpy when they're woken up, just like me.
Spera
12. Fledge
Moose, nobody messes with a moose!
Spera
13. Grey_Area
A staple gun.
Spera
15. OldReader
Jack Russell Terrier. They are rough, tough and terrific.
Jeremy Goff
17. JeremyM
I've always been curious whether or not it has to be an animal. If not, then Chuck Norris, because seriously there's nobody tougher. If it does, then I would have to go with the Chupacabra.
Kimani Rogers
18. KiManiak
longtimefan@8 – Nice!

If we’re allowed mythological creatures, then my first choice would be the Sphinx; I think she would confound the dementors to death (without the confundus charm even). “Riddle me this, Batman… er, Dementor.”

Alternate patronuses would be the Hydra or the Ouroboros/Jormungand.
Spera
19. Alexander K.
A very large tom turkey. Definitely.
Sydo Zandstra
21. Fiddler
@subwoofer: you would :D

I wonder how Dementors would react if your Patronus would be a turkey or a duck (which reminds me of the Long Distance Duck in 'Allo 'Allo and its sad and sudden demise).

My Patronus would be a big red-and-white cat though, and he is already with me... ;-)
Spera
22. PaulaRose
Tribbles. One to start with, obviously.Then millions quite soon after...
Fanie Coetzee
23. DJVriki
Boo, from Monsters inc. She scares the monsters.
Heidi Byrd
24. sweetlilflower
I'm going to secong the African Honey Badger... they were the featured animal a few days ago of the "Wild Kratts" cartoon my son loves... these guys pack some serious punch!
Spera
25. mordicai
Spider. Yes. Spiiiiiider.
Spera
26. Timmer Vogu
A bird and just fly.
Spera
28. vor0nwe
@Moridin: nice! (Even though I’d expect you with a rat, or some such).

I think I’d go for a Tsetse fly (do Dementors sleep?), or a bee hummingbird.
Spera
29. Pere
If I could choose, mine would be a peregrine.
Spera
30. AndrewB
A fox.

If I can have a mythological creature, I would choose a pegasus.
Alice A
31. Wetlandernw
Bald eagle.

Speed, size, strength, eyesight, accuracy, and really, really sharp claws.
Spera
32. ArtfulMagpie
A mongoose! They're tough little buggers, just like me.
Matthew Haase
33. Indagator
I feel awkward whenever I hear people talking about Patronuses (Patroni?), because of penultimate quote on this bash entry:
http://bash.org/?111338
john massey
34. subwoofer


For Wet... can't post the image, but its the thought that counts;)

Woof™.
Jenny Thrash
35. Sihaya
I'd choose a camel, though I'd not be picky about whether it was the Bactrian or Arabian species.
Scientist, Father
36. Silvertip
Grizzly bear. Old, male, solitary. Of course.

S
Paul Howard
37. DrakBibliophile
A Dragon of course, few mess around with them. [Very Big Dragon Grin]
Spera
38. Bluejay
Would the animal you pick for your Patronus be the same animal you pick for your daemon? Maybe you can kill two polls with one stone. :-)
Melissa
39. cherie_2137
if only i had seen this on facebook, i would definitely have picked a giraffe. they're the best. =D
Spera
40. Mama_K
Kestrel, of course. Though Selkie is appealing as well....
Spera
41. TheFifthMarauder
Tigress [: I asked my friends, and that's what they picked for me. I quite like it.
Spera
42. Ciel
Whomping Willow. Hands down.

Runners up include a koi, malamute, and death horse (a.k.a. Binky).
Spera
43. Rexx
I'd have a dementor patronus, that will definitely freak them out

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