In an alternate universe that no longer exists. (That is, Ch. 109 is different now.) I do agree that a retcon is involved makes that less probable.
But in the intervening minutes I’ve thought of a better explanation: Voldemort is thinking about a new and difficult subject, and that’s consuming enough of his attention that he is making general errors.
Overall, the plausibility relative to the alternate theories—that Voldemort is pretending to lose—is indeed low. But given the fearsomeness of an intelligent Dark Lord, basically the only hope that Harry has is somehow surprising Voldemort, and this surprise seems more plausible than a partial transfiguration surprise.
In an alternate universe that no longer exists. (That is, Ch. 109 is different now.) I do agree that a retcon is involved makes that less probable.
But in the intervening minutes I’ve thought of a better explanation: Voldemort is thinking about a new and difficult subject, and that’s consuming enough of his attention that he is making general errors.
Overall, the plausibility relative to the alternate theories—that Voldemort is pretending to lose—is indeed low. But given the fearsomeness of an intelligent Dark Lord, basically the only hope that Harry has is somehow surprising Voldemort, and this surprise seems more plausible than a partial transfiguration surprise.