I don't have HBP on me right now, but wasn't there some mention of how the gargoyle at the base of the stairwell leading up to the headmaster's study didn't recognize Umbridge as the rightful headmaster? For the same reason, I think Umbridge wouldn't have a portrait, and that Snape would, if he had died, of course.
Or not. I can imagine Snape refusing to have a portrait in the headmaster's study, too.
Well, he never really seemed to like teaching or students and probably wouldn't like to be bothered with anything related to Hogwarts anymore. After all, his worst memory happened there. As sad as it sounds, I think he's prefer not to have to live on as a portrait and just rest for eternity.... But that's just my humble opinion.
"He was not elected by the Board of Trustees (or whatever)"
We don't really know that. He may have been, considering he was 1) a Dumbledore's preferred predecessor (as seen in the memory, Albus not only expected it, but also seemed to have condoned it with all his "I leave YOU in charge" jabber), and 2) Now that there is a definite Dark Side takeover on the horizon, we can only have a haunch as to what kind of people joined that 'board'.
Just because a headmaster isn't popular, doesn't mean she/he's not legitimate. Case in point, Phineas Nigellus. I think the fact that he had full and complete access to the Headmaster's Office made it clear that Severus was legitimate. There could be many reasons why Harry didn't see his portrait. The portrait may have not yet been painted, there is no legal confirmation of his death (but that's another topic altogether *COUGH*BEZOAR*COUGH*), etc. .
Call my naive, but that's what I am holding out for.
But I wonder if Snape ever sat for a portrait. It just doesn't seem like something he would have had time to do in the last three years or, frankly, something he would do at all.
And insper_a_shen makes a good point that perhaps, living on in a portrait was of no interest to Snape.
I don't think the individuals sat for a portrait, nor was the portrait actually painted, even by magic. I think it is more of an imprint of the memories and attitudes the individual left behind. So a portrait is sort of like a ghost, but not as interactive, if that makes sense.
I think it's not a question of mandatoryness, exactly. I think it happens automatically, which is why the idea that Snape wouldn't want a portrait of him around. Would he even have a say in the matter?
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He was not elected by the Board of Trustees (or whatever), therefore Hogwarts may not recognize him as a rightful Headmaster, even though he was following Dumbledore's ordersHowever, in OotP, we learn that Umbridge cannot gain the Head's office because the office will only open to the RIGHTFUL Head, and is protected by many spells. Granted, Snape worked there for - what - fifteen years? Sixteen? I still doubt he could have gotten in if the school (which is a sentient being; again, see OotP) didn't consider him the rightful Head
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Another option is that Rowling simply disliked him so much that she decided he didn't deserve a portrait, which I would consider petty and small on her part.
Yeah . . . you know, I really think it's very unfair of her to be so nasty in regard to characters she simply doesn't like. I mean, when I write fanfiction all kinds of nasty things tend to happen to Malfoy, but on the one occasion that I killed him, he did get a funeral and people actually mourned (okay, his mum mourned, his dad was rotting away in Azkaban). It's not like I just left his body laying in the freakin' Shrieking Shack and forgot about him
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Wow, that's amazing that people are asking you to rewrite it. I'm not familiar with your writing, though, so that's not a judgment there. It's just amazing that the fandom is turning to each other for a suitable resolution.
I'm writing a novel (dunno if I'll ever finish) and I've been watching this whole situation develop over the years: the fandom and JK's relationship to it and so forth. It's been very educational to say the least.
Actually, it's entirely possible that he was appointed by the board of governors. Lucius Malfoy, at least, *WAS* on it, for some reason I think there were twelve of them (didn't Lucius say "all twelve signatures"?) and it's likely that a school that prestigious is governed by those with long standing in the community as well as money.
I think he doesn't have a portrait because Jo simply didn't think of it, to be perfectly honest.
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Or not. I can imagine Snape refusing to have a portrait in the headmaster's study, too.
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We don't really know that. He may have been, considering he was 1) a Dumbledore's preferred predecessor (as seen in the memory, Albus not only expected it, but also seemed to have condoned it with all his "I leave YOU in charge" jabber), and 2) Now that there is a definite Dark Side takeover on the horizon, we can only have a haunch as to what kind of people joined that 'board'.
Just because a headmaster isn't popular, doesn't mean she/he's not legitimate. Case in point, Phineas Nigellus. I think the fact that he had full and complete access to the Headmaster's Office made it clear that Severus was legitimate. There could be many reasons why Harry didn't see his portrait. The portrait may have not yet been painted, there is no legal confirmation of his death (but that's another topic altogether *COUGH*BEZOAR*COUGH*), etc. .
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Call my naive, but that's what I am holding out for.
But I wonder if Snape ever sat for a portrait. It just doesn't seem like something he would have had time to do in the last three years or, frankly, something he would do at all.
And insper_a_shen makes a good point that perhaps, living on in a portrait was of no interest to Snape.
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All my icons are up for grabs, just check my user pic page and credit the maker.
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That's probably the truth of the matter, alas.
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I'm writing a novel (dunno if I'll ever finish) and I've been watching this whole situation develop over the years: the fandom and JK's relationship to it and so forth. It's been very educational to say the least.
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I think he doesn't have a portrait because Jo simply didn't think of it, to be perfectly honest.
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