Portraits' magic WAS: Re: Moody's death / Dumbledore's portrait

[dumbledore11214]

No: HPFGUIDX 179503

> zanooda:
<SNIP>
 The only idea that I 
> had was that, maybe a portrait's "liveliness" depends on how 
magically 
> powerful the wizard depicted in it used to be. 
> 
> For example, all Hogwarts' headmasters were supposed to be very able 
> wizards (I hope :-), and their portraits seem "smarter", in your 
words, 
> than others. At least Phinneas Nigellus definitely knows more 
> than "stuff before he died" :-). He seems perfectly aware of the 
> present situation, IMO.
><SNIP>


Alla:

Right, I really like your interpretation. But here is the quote I had 
in mind ( I could not find it right away) from Edinburg festival.

I mean I would not go as far as to call it direct contradiction to 
Dumbledore's portrait actions, since she does say that they can give 
some counsel, but she also says that they almost repeat catchphrases.

If that is correct as well, then DD portrait seemed to know an awful 
lot of those :)

"
Q:
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?

A:
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."


Alla