Phineas Nigellus: Witness for Snape?

[Miles]

No: HPFGUIDX 146172

krista7 wrote:
> Why is Phineas piping up in this scene, if not to establish:
> 1.) He knows *why* AD is loyal to Snape *and* shares
> his belief in Snape. He isn't saying, "Because headmasters
> don't listen to teenagers!" or "When I was alive, I wouldn't
> have sassed my headmaster!" or "Shut up, trying to sleep here!"
> He's making a specific comment to back up what AD said.
> 2.) Phineas listens in on things a lot, even if he's not making
> making comments. ("Only pretending to be asleep.")
> My suggestion: Ol' Phineas is going to have a lot to
> spill in Book 7.

Miles:
I think you mention a really interesting point hear. AFAIR, Phineas is the
only former headmaster we really come to know, all the others are only
mentioned as "hanging around" (most times).
And yes, the comment of Phineas you quoted is different from most of the
others, and it really sounds like he *knows* something rather then just
commenting about Harry's behaviour.
There was much consideration whether the portraits would tell e.g. McG about
Dumbledore's secrets. Maybe Phineas won't talk to McG - but Harry? Harry is
different. Harry is somehow the "heir of the Black's" - Sirius was the last
Black, so he owns the second portrait of Phineas - maybe he will see Harry
as part of the family, somehow.

Miles