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Expecto Patronum: Happy thought or happy memory?

In the 3rd Harry Potter book (and the Prisoner of Azkaban), Lupin explained to Harry that he needed to think of a happy 'memory'.

but then how was he able to produce a successful Patronus during the Quidditch match when he saw what he thought was a Dementor, but was actually Malfoy and his thugs, especially since "He didn't stop to think." (Bloomsbury version p. 194)

and also in the 5th book (Order of the Phoenix), during his OWL exams, he also did a Patronus...but by ***imagining*** Umbridge being sacked, which isn't a memory but just a thought. (Bloomsbury version p. 787)

??? Did Lupin tell Harry to think of a happy memory in order to have a happy mind? And as long as Harry is thinking of something that is happy, thought OR memory, he is able to do a Patronus?


Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: I think that Lupin telling Harry to focus on a happy memory was the best way to get Harry to get the workings of the spell "under his belt" so to speak. Then, after a lot of practice, Harry was able to use other positive thoughts to achieve the same result.

That's why practice (repetition) is so important. When you do something over and over again it becomes second nature. Not only do you improve as far as reaction time, accuracy, and speed, but you can potentially get to the point that you can do the activity on auto-pilot.