Kevin's Watch

A Gunslinger wrote:I'm going to have to break open the books. I seem to recall when Harry first encounters the portraits, it is explained at that time.

I don't recall that. Please point me to it, if/when you find it so I can correct my impression if I'm wrong, as it's a pretty big thing to misinterpret (and wouldn't be the first time I misinterpretted something, LOL)

When they are on the train the first time, Ron finds it shocking that people don't move in muggle pics when Harry expresses shock that Dumbledore walked out of his chocolate frog card picture. It's not really explained but in I think book 2, Colin Creevey does indeed mention a development process that will make the pictures move. So far nothing about painted portraits that I can specifically recall. I haven't gotten far enough yet in my re-read but I seem to recall that in book 5, Dumbledore specifically says that people can move between their portraits which is why Phineas Nigelus was able to help as well as another headmaster which I can't recall the name of right now.

Cameraman Jenn wrote:When they are on the train the first time, Ron finds it shocking that people don't move in muggle pics when Harry expresses shock that Dumbledore walked out of his chocolate frog card picture. It's not really explained but in I think book 2, Colin Creevey does indeed mention a development process that will make the pictures move. So far nothing about painted portraits that I can specifically recall. I haven't gotten far enough yet in my re-read but I seem to recall that in book 5, Dumbledore specifically says that people can move between their portraits which is why Phineas Nigelus was able to help as well as another headmaster which I can't recall the name of right now.

I might crack them open tonight to see what I can find about the portraits in DD's office. S'funny how the memory works....

Cameraman Jenn wrote:When they are on the train the first time, Ron finds it shocking that people don't move in muggle pics when Harry expresses shock that Dumbledore walked out of his chocolate frog card picture. It's not really explained but in I think book 2, Colin Creevey does indeed mention a development process that will make the pictures move. So far nothing about painted portraits that I can specifically recall. I haven't gotten far enough yet in my re-read but I seem to recall that in book 5, Dumbledore specifically says that people can move between their portraits which is why Phineas Nigelus was able to help as well as another headmaster which I can't recall the name of right now.

I believe someone also mentioned the need for the paint to be enchanted, somewhere along the way, and Filch is the one who repairs the hallway portraits.

The hall portraits though are differnt from the headmaster portraits in the headmasters office. I strongly believe I recall reading that when a headmaser dies, he or she simply appears in a frame. This doesn't preclude one's ability to come back from the dead...only that when you die, you appear.

Filch can't enchant paint. He's a SQUIB.

Cameraman Jenn wrote:Filch can't enchant paint. He's a SQUIB.

LOL, never said Filch enchanted the paint himself. However, since enchanted paint seems more like a potion, I'm not sure he couldn't mix up enchanted paint. Have we been told that Squibs can't mix potions? (I know at one point we believed Harry's neighbor (Arabella Figg) brewed up Polyjuice Potion because of the smell of cabbage, but, not sure if it turned out she doesn't or if it's not possible for a squib to make poitions.)

That's a very good point Sin....however, I am not sure why but I think in order to mix magical potions you have to have at least some level of magical ability. He may be able to use potions mixed by others however, which seems very logical to me.

Cameraman Jenn wrote:That's a very good point Sin....however, I am not sure why but I think in order to mix magical potions you have to have at least some level of magical ability. He may be able to use potions mixed by others however, which seems very logical to me.

I do have to concede it would make more sense for Squibs not to be able to brew or use poitions, otherwise, you would think there would be less bigotry of them, as they could simply be relegated to those vocations involving potions making and usage.

Hrrmmm...I actually said it makes sense if Squibs can't brew potions but can use them. I don't see why Filch administering something like veritaserum that Snape made would render it unusable. I definitely think Filch can't brew veritaserum. That would neatly tie up Filch's ability to repair the fat lady's portrait, if he was using paints mixed or enchanted e by someone like Dumbledore or McGonagall.

Agreed, I was just saying due to the Predjudice it would make more sense if they couldn't even use them, or else why not keep them in vocations involving potions? Seems Snape is a rare breed that understands the importance of and enjoys the potions business

It's an interesting question isn't it. I wonder if Squibs could use some potions and not others. I wonder if some potions require not just a potion but a charm or incantation to use. Hrmm. I will pay close attention during my rereads.

Has anyone had any luck in looking for the skinny on the portraits in the Headmaster's office?


I looked through book 1....nothin'.

Unless I missed something I found nothing other than Dumbledore mentioning that Filch has taken the Fat Lady to be repaired.

Cameraman Jenn wrote:Unless I missed something I found nothing other than Dumbledore mentioning that Filch has taken the Fat Lady to be repaired.

I think that the headmaster portraits are different than the school's general portraits. I seem to recall (I can't recall which BOOK though) someone, possibly Dumbledore himself discussing the enchantment on the headmasters office which causes the headmansters to appear there when they are dead.

Maybe I'm dreamin'

Well, I am halfway through OOTP so I will keep looking.

Back to the Snape love interest theory. I found nothing at all in any of my reading so far to indicate that Snape had feelings for Lily, if anything he might have had feelings for Narcissa based on his gentle treatment of her in the beginning of HBP. He also has always favored Malfoy, maybe in part because he loves Narcissa? I don't know, I still think it's a weak theory and I think that JKR was referring to love from his mother when commenting that Snape had known love. Either that or there is someone yet to be introduced....

Well then, MS. Smartypants...why was Snape so broken up over the death of the Potters? Certainly he hated James.

hmph! I'll give you a weak theory!!! *shakes fist*

How do you KNOW he was broken up over the death's of the Potters. Just cuz Dumbledore said so? Snape is an accomplished Occlumens and Legilimens. Dumbledore himself admits that he makes mistakes. What if Snape was just scared s**tless over the fact that he gave Voldemort information that caused his downfall, decided that "turning over a new leaf" was his best protection and ran to Dumbledore because he knew Dumbledore had a history of giving people second chances? Hrmm? How do you like them apples(theories)?

Spoiler

If you are right I am so gonna have to post a Guns was right and Cam Jenn was wrong discussion thread.....

Cameraman Jenn wrote:Back to the Snape love interest theory. I found nothing at all in any of my reading so far to indicate that Snape had feelings for Lily, if anything her might have had feelings for Narcissa based on his gentle treatment of her in the beginning of HBP. He also has always favored Malfoy, maybe in part because he loves Narcissa? I don't know, I still think it's a weak theory and I think that JKR was referring to love from his mother when commenting that Snape had known love. Either that or there is someone yet to be introduced....

I agree, it was the love of his mother JKR was speaking of, I believe. This was in comparison to Voldemort, correct? Voldemort didn't know the love of a mother or father.

As to being in love with Lily, I've never totally dismissed the idea, but, I don't think it's neccessary for him to feel guilty or remorse for being responsible for James and Lily's deaths. Lily seems to have not hated him, and he was pretty much hated by everyone but his brethren.