GH re-re-revisited - Portrait Spy

[justcarol67]

No: HPFGUIDX 115738


Siriusly Snapey Susan wrote:
> I thought that there was only one of each "character" but I guess 
> now that you ask directly, I'm not sure.  I keep thinking of how 
> there was an *empty* frame in the bedroom where Harry was staying at 
> GP, and I took that to mean Phineas was absent, visiting one of his 
> other frames.  BUT there were also times when Harry heard sniggering 
> or other sounds, weren't there?  As if Phineas was actually there 
> but just didn't want to show himself, perhaps?  So I guess I don't 
> know!  

Carol responds: 

I think each portrait would be a kind of limited two-dimensional clone
of the person as he was when he was painted and each one has its own
consciousness (rather like the chocolate frog cards but able to
communicate with living wizards). So the portrait that hangs in DD's
office and the one at 12 GP could both be "working" (spying for
Dumbledore or whatever) at the same time and could visit with each
other as needed. Since Harry hears Phineas chuckling, even though he
doesn't see him, he's probably just slipped out of view inside his
frame (rather like Photo!Penelope Clearwater hiding after Ron gives
her a blemish by spilling water on the photo). So I think there are at
least two portraits of Phineas, made at different times and hung in
different places, both of which are occupied most of the time by two
different painted versions of Phineas.

Carol, who hopes that Mrs. Black doesn't have any other portraits