Thoughts on Portraits

[krulwich]

No: HPFGUIDX 164913

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "Steve" <bboyminn at ...> wrote:
>
> People are discussing portraits in various threads. I
> don't have a specific reply to any of those threads, but
> I think there is an aspect of Portraits that people are
> overlooking and it is that aspect that I want to point
> out because I think it is important.
...
> JKR has said in an interview that the Headmaster Portraits
> are unique. The Headmasters leave an imprint of themselves
> on Hogwarts.
...
> So, after this long winded rant, all I am really saying is
> the we need to remember that Headmaster Portraits are MORE
> than normal magical portriats. They have greater dept, but
> none the less, there is a very real limit to their depth.



What about the fat lady portrait?  She did more than repeat phrases
from her life, she even was relied upon for memory of something that
happened to her picture.

The concept of "leaving an imprint" is from the conversation about
ghosts, and specifically refers to people who chose not to "go on,"
which presumably wouldn't apply to Hogwarts headmasters.

On the other hand, the reverse spell effect did seem to show an imprint of the actual souls of the people involved, since they seemed to act on their own accord, and Lily referred to James "wanting to see" Harry.  So the concept does exist.

--Dov

http://www.harrypottertorah.com/