Spoiler-Free Essay-Fic: The Patronus Method (Anonymous Death Eater, G)

[gehayi]

Title: The Patronus Method
Rating: G
Word Count: 826
Summary: An anonymous Death Eater gives us the lowdown on the way that the members of the Order of the Phoenix communicate.
Author's Note: Written because of this answer to a question on JKR's website-- How Do the Members of the Order Communicate? I'm focusing solely on JKR's website answer,

Comments

[ignipes]

Ahh, I love you, gehayi! That was exactly what I thought when I read that website update. "Patronus? You mean, that thing you can't conjure unless you're in a very specific happy mental state, is visible to anyone who cares to see it, and automatically gives away who's sending the message? Oh, that's a good idea."

[gehayi]

Thanks. Yeah, I just couldn't make sense of that at all. Personally, I think that the Order needs to invest in a means of sending messages that might work a bit better. Like mobile phones. (Which, if nothing else, don't require a fireplace, a fire, a hookup to the Ministry-controlled Floo Network, and Floo Powder to work. Plus you can actually use phones outside. Ooooh.)

[cloudofcalm]

Hee. Nice pun, there. Or not so pun. Yeah. *giggles*

[ani_bester]

I adore your icon ^__^

[knittinggoddess]

Bwahaha!

Lovely!

[phfa]

Hehe, nicely said.

I have a, somewhat random, question to which I thought you might know the answer. Just because you seem to be very good at knowing little details like this. Do you have any idea what Regulus's middle name was?

[gehayi]

It's never been mentioned in canon. My guess is either Arcturus or Alphard.

Arcturus is a star. It's in the constellation Bootes and is the fourth brightest star in the sky.

Alphard is also a star--the brightest star in the constellation Hydra. Alphard is also called "Cor Hydrae" or "heart of the hydra."

I think that either name is possible. Alphard is the name of the uncle who was left Sirius a generous inheritance (and who was so decent that he was blown off the family tapestry). Arcturus is an old form of the name "Arthur." Regulus means "little king." So Regulus Arcturus would mean "King Arthur."

In either case, positive overtones would exist within the name itself, telling the readers that Regulus was, indeed, one of the "good" Blacks.

[phfa]

Yes!! That's perfect! *dances in glee* I love knowing people who know things like this! I'm suddenly becoming a Regulus fan ^_^

[bastardsword]

Let me add to the chorus of 'brilliants'. :P