If you’re a Harry Potter fan and you haven’t already, you should definitely hop onto Pottermore.com and take the quiz to discover the animal that represents you. There are about 150 animal choices ranging from the fuzzy rabbit to the ominous thestral.
For those who aren’t Harry Potter fans, it’s still enjoyable to discover your inner beast. A patronus is a spell that contains pure happiness and takes the form of the animal that embodies you. It’s one of the most important spells in the series and has revealed the obsessions and personal traits of many of the characters. For example, in the case of Severus Snape, a patronus revealed just how deep his obsession for Lily (his childhood crush) was when his patronus turned out to be a doe -- the same as Lily’s. They’re used to protect oneself from dark beings known as dementors and also to communicate with others.
The entire Pottermore site was carefully handcrafted by the author of the series: J.K. Rowling. Thus, the quality of the animal test did not disappoint. Intricate animations guide you through a dark forest as you answer each question before finally coming to a rest at the edge of a lake. There, you are told to drag and click your mouse (much like you would wave a wand) to reveal your patronus. Each patronus also has a unique set of animations whether that may be galloping around the lake or flying serenely across the sky, all beautifully executed with great attention to detail.
While some fans have been disappointed by seemingly “boring” or “weak” patronuses, J.K. Rowling has been quick to dispel any disappointments, stating that one of the most powerful patronuses known to date has in fact been a mouse and that in China, rats are considered lucky.
Along with a hundred or so “regular” patronuses, there are an assortment of “unusual” patronuses and a dusting of “very rare” patronuses. The unusual and very rare patronuses require extra questions to secure, but they are no indication of the skill or power of the witch or wizard to whom they belong. Instead, as J. K. Rowling states, they are an indication of the uniqueness of one’s personality.
Even though it has little true weight, it’s a fun test to take. You can compare your patronus with those of your friends and tease them about the animal that “they are on the inside.”
By Amy Z.