How ?alive? are paintings?

[D.G.]

No: HPFGUIDX 69802

I think this is a very provocative question.  I'm not convinced (or 
even slightly hopeful) that Sirius will "return" as a painting or a 
photograph, but I think it may definitely be possible that paintings 
and/or photos will take a more active role in determining the outcome 
of events in the future.

One question might be whether visual representations of still-living 
people ([e.g., Dumbledore on the trading cards] are more imbued with 
free will, or at least with the facility of carrying out the will of 
the people they represent, than are photos or paintings of dead 
people.   

Another question might be whether the interaction between "living" 
people and figures in portraits or photos might be exploitable:  for 
instance -- would it be possible for some dashing young Wizard to 
talk sweet-talk to The Fat Lady and charm/con her into letting him 
past without knowing the password?  Or would it be possible for some 
seductive young female Wizard to work similar "magic" on one of the 
male subjects of portraits (or maybe even one of the suits of armor) 
in Hogwarts?  After all -- remember that Myrtle had quite a crush on 
Harry;  Harry didn't want to deal with her, but I got the distinct 
impression that he might have been able to enlist her on his side, if 
he'd wanted to.  Might the same not apply to portraits?

D.G. ("JazzmanChgo")

p.s.  I just thought of another possible "pun" clue about Harry's 
future occupation (despite my previous musings about his potential 
career as a Quidditch pro) -- Harry is an expert Quidditch "Seeker," 
right?  Well, think about it -- what does an Auror do, anyway?

Hmmm....