[HPforGrownups] Re: Hogwarts Portraits: a logistical question

[Diana Wisniewski]

No: HPFGUIDX 23627


>
> Indeed, it is a little weird.  But nevertheless, that does seem to be
> how it would work.  Unless they don't take on these extra capabilities
> until after you die, but I really don't think that's as likely and
> there's certainly no evidence of it in canon that I'm aware of.
>
We know that they can move even when the subject is still alive. In CoS
Lockhart has lots of portraits of himself  in his office and they all move.
In chapter 7, it talks about the "many moving faces of Lockhart watching
him". And in chapter 9, as Dumbledore, McGonagall,Snape, Filch, Harry, Ron
and Hermione enter Lockhart's office after Mrs. Norris is attacked "...there
was a flurry of movement across the walls; Harry saw several of the
Lockhart's in the pictures dodging out of site, their hair in rollers."  I
think there might have been another, but I can't find it right now. So
apparently death is not the cause.
    I know I'd like to have a few of those portraits to help keep an eye on
my five kids! Two parents are just not enough to watch 4 teenage boys!lol
Diana