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When Harry was playing nice and clean with his new firebolt, Malfoy and his company tried to disturb Harry by scaring him. Malfoy, who dressed up as a Dementor, tried to scare Harry and knock him off from his broom.

With these circumstances, Harry managed to perform the Patronus Charm, a mist of silver cloud enlarged and hit Malfoy.

Was Malfoy affected by the spell? But a Patronus charm is specialized for Dementors.

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    For the record, it's not true that the Patronus is "specialized for Dementors". although it's the only thing that affects them, it is also used against other creatures, such as the Lethifold
    – Jason Baker
    Commented Dec 6, 2016 at 14:56

2 Answers 2

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They do not appear to have been harmed by Harry's Patronus:

"You gave Mr. Malfoy quite a fright," said Lupin.

Harry stared. Lying in a crumpled heap on the ground were Malfoy, Crabbe, Goyle, and Marcus Flint, the Slytherin team Captain, all struggling to remove themselves from long, black, hooded robes.

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban Chapter 13: "Gryffindor Versus Ravenclaw"

They do appear to have fallen over, but whether that was due to a direct impact with the Patronus, or whether they simply recoiled in fright and lost their balance is unclear. For whatever it's worth, Pottermore does suggest that corporeal Patronuses1 have some bodily substance (emphasis mine):

The incorporeal Patronus is not a true Patronus and while it will give limited protection, it cannot provide the defensive power of the corporeal Patronus, which has the form and substance of an animal.

Pottermore Patronus Charm

But it is of course not clear whether Harry managed a corporeal Patronus in this instance.

1 Patronii? Pantroneese?

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    In modern English, Patronuses. In old Latin, Patroni.
    – DisturbedNeo
    Commented Dec 6, 2016 at 15:03
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    @DisturbedNeo Isn't a "latin spelling" still generally acceptable in English? I mean, obviously "octopi" or "virii" are stupid, but "patroni" (or "patrona"?) should be just as valid as "radii"; of course, still implicitly assuming a latin-like lineage, which isn't really discernible for a work like this :) Unless Rowling used a plural form before, I guess we're on dry land here...
    – Luaan
    Commented Dec 6, 2016 at 17:56
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    @Luaan The Pottermore article I linked to repeatedly uses "Patronuses", so that's probably the correct plural; I just find alternate pluralizations funny, hence the footnote
    – Jason Baker
    Commented Dec 6, 2016 at 17:59
  • It is possible for a corporeal patronus to affect people, we have seen Ron's patronus dog knock him off in Order of the Phoenix movie. But in the match, I think Harry only perfomed a simple patronus.
    – HollyK
    Commented Dec 6, 2016 at 18:41
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    Yes, i don't think that the patronus was a corporeal stuff. Well, the corporeal was a full summoned patronus that requires deep happiness and focus, but I think Harry only managed to produce a simple patronus that time, the one with a dull silver vapor without the form of animal?
    – Invoker
    Commented Dec 17, 2016 at 11:44
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Nope

I got the impression that Malfoy was only startled by sight of the Patronus. It would have been very unusual for someone of Harry's age to be able to know how to perform that spell.

I don't believe that the Patronus has any affect on living people apart from the shock/awe factor.

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  • Possible. But I really don't know if a Patronus Charm can 'touch' or 'knock off' someone.
    – Invoker
    Commented Dec 7, 2016 at 9:03
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    @BookStriker - Malfoy is easily scared by the unexpected. Whether this Patronus was corporeal or not, Malfoy most probably fell off just out of pure fright.
    – user71418
    Commented Dec 7, 2016 at 9:08

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