Local Harry Potter Fan Claims Brutus is his Patronus
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January 24, 2008
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By JARVIS SPIVEY
WESTERVILLE - A local Harry Potter geek, er fan, has claimed that Brutus Buckeye is his Patronus.

Kevin Knox, a 9th grader at Westerville South, says that he can conjur Brutus at will and that no one should therefore "mess with him."

As  all Harry Potter fans know, a Patronus is an animal protector conjured to protect the caster against Dementors and other dark creatures.   The magical animal is traditionally representative of one's innermost joy or hope.

Knox's case is unique because it is the first known instance of a university mascot appearing as a Patronus.
Bullies Beware.
Knox says that he first discovered his power while being attacked by bullies.

"I just went into the fetal position, like I always do, and tried to think happy thoughts.  Next thing I knew, there he was!  Brutus!  It was amazing!"

The bullies, however, tell a different story.  According to classmate Douglas Blatz, Knox may have just been hallucinating:

"We told him not to bring that stupid wand (to class) again.  The kid just doesn't listen.  So yeah we kicked him a few times.   Next thing we know he starts yelling 'Expecto Patronum!  Expecto Patronum!'  Over and over.  To be honest, it just made us kick him that much harder.  After that he just passed out."  

Expecto Patronum is Latin for "I await a protector."  The incantation is one of the requirements for conjuring the etheral, semi-transparent animal known as the Patronus.  Patronus' cannot feel despair and are usually associated with happy memories or pleasant wishes.

Some doubt Knox's claim because his Patronus took the form of something other than an animal.  Fellow geek, er Harry Potter enthusiast, known only as "The Pheonix of Azkaban" says that Brutus is not an animal, and therefore could not be Knox's Patronus.

"Brutus Buckeye is a nut.  He may be an enchanted nut, but that doesn't matter.  As a member of Dumbledore's Army, Columbus Chapter, I can tell you that Knox is full of Hippogriff dung.  His Petronus is probably something more like a do-do bird -- if he even has one.  What a squib."

Despite critics, Knox maintains that Brutus is his Patronus and that he can conjure him at any time. 

"He's strong like the Buckeyes and he loves me.  Stay away, I'm warning you."  Added Knox.