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Temeritus Shanks was a naive wizard who was very interested in reading newspapers. In fact, he believed about every word he read in the newspapers. His favorite newspaper was the Daily Prophet. Even after death, Temeritus loves seeking out what he believes will be the next big scoop. He will stop students in the hallways to bring him newspapers or tell him the latest headlines. He is also very interested in the latest gossip and rumors floating about the castle. Though naive, Temeritus is brave. When Voldemort was out at large, he would say the Dark wizard's name out loud. He also helped students who he thought were on the path to a big scoop by giving out the passwords to his staff-only passageway.

There are a couple of portraits of Temeritus Shanks around Hogwarts Castle. One of them is hung in the Hogwarts library, which hides a staff-only passage to the fourth floor corridor. The following school year, the portrait was still in the same spot in the library but hid a completely different secret passage with a new password. This passage leads to both the Grand Staircase and the second floor corridor. He also hides another secret passage behind his portrait in the Grand Staircase. The passage leads to the Clock Tower Courtyard.