How Did Snape Know They Were in the Forest?
In the Harry Potter series, it is revealed that Professor Severus Snape had knowledge of Harry Potter and Hermione Granger’s whereabouts in the Forest of Dean. But how did he know they were there? The answer lies in the portrait of Phineas Nigellus Black that hangs in Snape’s office.
The Forest of Dean is a large area of woodland in Gloucestershire, England, spanning over 40 square miles. It is a place of great mystery and intrigue, and it is here that Harry and Hermione sought refuge in order to search for a Horcrux.
It was in the Forest of Dean that Harry and Hermione had a conversation about their mission, and this conversation was overheard by the portrait of Phineas Nigellus Black. Phineas Nigellus was a former Headmaster of Hogwarts, and his portrait hangs in Snape’s office. Phineas Nigellus heard the conversation and reported it to Snape, who then knew that Harry and Hermione were in the Forest of Dean, though he did not know exactly where.
Snape’s knowledge of Harry and Hermione’s whereabouts was instrumental in helping him to track them down and put a stop to their mission. He was able to use his knowledge of the Forest of Dean to narrow down their location and eventually find them.
It is clear that Snape’s knowledge of Harry and Hermione’s whereabouts in the Forest of Dean was due to the portrait of Phineas Nigellus Black. Without the portrait’s help, Snape would not have been able to locate them. The portrait of Phineas Nigellus Black was thus a key factor in Snape’s ability to track down Harry and Hermione in the Forest of Dean.
