
Then consider that the books take place from 1991 to 1998. Why would there be an internet? To begin with, we know that electronic devices like computers don't work well around magic and don't work at all at Hogwarts.But they could take care of that, if they can hide a big Quidditch ground, I'm sure they could hide a search engine from the wrong people, even Muggle computer technicians can do that.To keep the info out of the hands of the muggles?."Who's Nicholas Flamel""How do you make/buy Polyjuice Potion" "How do you survive underwater""What are Horcruxes" "Voldemort's favourite places".the list goes on. I know that everyone has thought of this but still, why is there no internet? Every book involves something which the Trio spends ages in the library figuring out which would take 5 seconds with internet.And more importantly, it would be a way to show respect for Snape's sacrifice by hanging it in Hogwarts. Creating a portrait of Snape after his death was possibly meant as a sort of memorial to someone Harry felt he had treated unfairly. Not the least being that a Portrait, while apparently alive and assuming the qualities of the subject, would not really be his parents. I think it's safe to say the thought occurred to him but Harry decided against it for a variety of reasons.


I think it's fairly clear that the Portraits are not means to communicated with the actual dead person, but merely portraits that gain limited sentience thanks to magic. I can buy that there might be arguments against it along the lines of "it wouldn't be real" or "it wouldn't do to live in the past" or whatever, but surely Harry would at least consider it? Why then, does Harry never even consider having pictures of his parents (or Sirius etc.) painted.

It's established that in the Potterverse, the dead can be spoken to if there are pictures of them.
