Phineas Nigellus ch. 37

[Caius Marcius]

No: HPFGUIDX 109360


> > This is my first time posting.  In chapter 37 Phineas Nigellus is
> > told by DD that Sirius is dead (page 826). He says he doesn't 
> > believe it and leaves his portrait.  By page 828 it says that he 
> > had still not returned (to his portrait).  In fact it never 
> > mentions him returning.
> >  Does anyone have an opinion regarding why he does not return?
> .
> 
> I think he spent quite a bit of time moving around 12GP making sure
> Sirius wasn't there and then he stayed by himself to grieve for a
> while.  Despite his apparent put-downs of his descendent, I do
> believe he had some feeling for him. 

Additionally, Phineas' return would have distracted from the tense 
and highly-charged dialogue between Harry and Dumbledore. I don't 
see anyway that JKR could have effectively worked Phineas back into 
that scene.

   - CMC