Snape Survey, Snapeity, Dumbledore's sacrifice.

[justcarol67]

No: HPFGUIDX 149337

Adriana (Glykonix) wrote:
<snip>
> (Harry had just told DD about overhearing Snape and Malfoy after
Slughorns party) "'So, sir,' [] 'you definitely still trust him?'
(Harry referring to Snape)
> 'I have been tolerant enough to answer that question already,' []'my
answer has not changed. (DD who doesn't sound very tolerant)
> 'I should think not,' said a snide voice; Phineas Nigellus was
evidently only pretending to be asleep"

<snip the part about DD trusting Snape, which I agree with>
> 
> The snide comment of Phineas would imply that he also trust Snape.
That there are good reasons for which Snape is to be trusted. That it
couldn't be any other way. That there is no reason for which DD 
shouldn't trust him and probably there are reasons for which DD should
trust him more them at some point in the past.
> 
> At least that is what I read from the portrait's intervention. And 
that portrait certainly knows a lot off things, considering he is
always spying in both the headmasters office, in the Black house and
who knows where else a picture of him exists. 
> 
> And I seem to recall from the book (not to sure which one) that the
portraits of the former headmasters have to be loyal and obey the
current one. <snip>
 
>
Carol responds:
I agree with you completely, and IIRC there's a second instance of
Portrait!Phineas criticizing Harry for doubting Snape in HBP. (I don't
have time to look for it at the moment but maybe someone knows where
it is offhand and will supply it. ;-) ) Interesting that Phineas would
back up Snape, who was an enemy of his own great-great-grandson (whom
Phineas did genuinely care about, as indicated by his disappearance
near the end of OoP). Maybe he likes having a fellow Slytherin working
with and for Dumbledore, and I imagine he identifies with Snape in a
number of ways. 

At any rate, Phineas must have overheard the majority of DD's
conversations with Snape (not the argument in the forest,
unfortunately!) and would, I agree, have good reason to trust Snape if
that were the case. (Maybe Phineas will be the "person" to reveal DD's
reasons for trusting Snape, including DD's knowledge of the UV and its
implications. Or will he change his mind when he learns that Snape
killed DD? He didn't witness the events on the tower, so it's hard to
say how much he knows.)

And you're right that the portraits are bound by duty (and perhaps
some sort of oath, obviously not a UV) to obey the current headmaster.
I think that was in OoP (but again I don't have time to search for the
reference). But they can also disagree with him, as Phineas does on
occasion. I think in this instance he's supporting DD *and* expressing
his own opinion, which amounts to "I trust Severus Snape (and you
[Harry] should, too)."

Carol, expecting to see more of Phineas in Book 7, especially given
that he has portraits in two places and can act as a go-between for
McGonagall and, say, Lupin (my candidate for the new Order leader)