Portrait

Magical portraits are common in the Wizarding world. Some Pure-blood wizards think that Muggle portraits are weird, because they don't move.

Beings in painted portraits are capable of talking and providing advice. They are not sentient beings, however, more like an "echo" of the person they represent. The portraits of past Headmasters at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry are bound to help the current Headmaster. A portrait of a Headmaster appears in the office after their death.

Apparently, only a single portrait-being of an individual can exist, and they must spend turns among different framed portraits of themselves. They may also move into portrait frames of other portrait-beings. The limited distance is unknown, but it appears that the portraits must be hung adjacent on the same wall for this travelling to be possible.

Known Portraits

 * Barnabas the Barmy
 * Sir Cadogan
 * Fat Lady
 * Walburga Black

Headmaster portraits

 * Armando Dippet
 * Albus Dumbledore
 * Dilys Derwent
 * Everard
 * Phineas Nigellus Black
 * Severus Snape