The way portraits talk. WAS: Re: Dumbledore's death

[mimbeltonia]

No: HPFGUIDX 139344

> Klodi now:
> I do not remember the exact interview but JKR said that the 
portraits
> just repeat some catch phrases and are not the real thing. Check the
> madamscoop.org website for it
> 
> Klodiana


Thanks, you are right, Klodiana:

>From  Edinburgh Book Festival, 2004:

"All the paintings we have seen at Hogwarts are of dead people. They 
seem to be living through their portraits. How is this so? If there 
was a painting of Harry's parents, would he be able to obtain advice 
from them?

That is a very good question. They are all of dead people; they are 
not as fully realised as ghosts, as you have probably noticed. The 
place where you see them really talk is in Dumbledore's office, 
primarily; the idea is that the previous headmasters and 
headmistresses leave behind a faint imprint of themselves. They leave 
their aura, almost, in the office and they can give some counsel to 
the present occupant, but it is not like being a ghost. They repeat 
catchphrases, almost. The portrait of Sirius' mother is not a very 3D 
personality; she is not very fully realised. She repeats catchphrases 
that she had when she was alive. If Harry had a portrait of his 
parents it would not help him a great deal. If he could meet them as 
ghosts, that would be a much more meaningful interaction, but as Nick 
explained at the end of Phoenix—I am straying into dangerous 
territory, but I think you probably know what he explained—there are 
some people who would not come back as ghosts because they are 
unafraid, or less afraid, of death."



Oh, well... wished I was wrong here, but... Maybe the dead wil come 
in dead useful in some other way, though ; )


-Mimbeltonia