Phineas Nigellus: Witness for Snape?

[gwen_of_the_oaks]

No: HPFGUIDX 146204

> Finwitch:
> 
> There's also the fact that where none would of told Phineas how the
> 'last of the Blacks', his own great-grandson - died - Harry did. 
Just because Harry figured it was *right*. (in the end of OOP)
> 
> Hermione's comment "maybe there was a reason they didn't" made Harry
> regret it a bit, but what if Dumbledore's reason for not telling
> Phineas was so that *Harry* would tell Phineas and thus have Phineas
> owe him a favour?
> 
> 

Gwen:

I'm sorry, but can you cite the page containing the conversation you 
are referring to?  Unless I'm misunderstanding (which is completely 
likey) - Harry *did not* tell Phineas anything about Sirius. In fact, 
(OOTP US Hardcover pg 821):  
quote
   " He [Phineas] gave another shuddering yawn. "Another message for 
my worthless great-great-grandson?"  Harry could not speak.  Phineas 
Nigellus did not know that Sirius was dead, but Harry could not tell 
him.  To say it aloud would be to make it final, absolute 
irretrievable "

  And then a few pages later, after AD has said "it is my fault 
Sirius died" and has calmed Harry down a bit....
quote
  "Am I to understand," said Phineas Nugellus slowly from Harry's 
left, "that my great-great-grandson - the last of the Blacks - is 
dead?"
  "Yes, Phineas," said Dumbledore.
  "I don't believe it," said Phineas brusquely.
endquote

So, Harry didnt tell Phineas anything about Sirius, and there wasn't 
any converstion with him at the end of OOTP, but perhaps what you are 
citing comes from the begining of HBP? I just cant remember him 
talking to Phineas or the comment of Hermione's you mention.(My HPB 
copy is still on loan - so I can't check). 

 I agree that Phineas seems to be more involved in general than the 
other portraits with what goes on in the Headmasters office, and is 
probably privy to quite a bit of *inside* information - some of which 
has to pertain to Regulus and the locket.  I also think he is more 
kindly disposed towards Harry than he lets on.  Although, I think if 
he divulges anything to Harry it will be from his portrait at 
Grimmauld Place, since it doesn't look like Harry will be spending 
much time at Hogwarts in book 7.

Gwen