I read H&C’s frustration in 77 as genuine, which argues for genuine clumsiness. It does seem to have been decisive in getting Hermione to open up about her misgivings, which could argue back in the other direction, but that’s not the only place in the dialogue where H&C seems to fit poorly into their role, and the others are all dead ends. In any case, failing to consider surface appearances—when dealing with a twelve-year-old, however bright—is really a fairly basic mistake, and one that I’d consider out of character for both Quirrell (who has a fine grasp of psychology) and Dumbledore (who’s all about narrative conventions and would probably have gone straight to the fairy godmother guise).
I truly find it odd that no one considers that the evidence was given directly within the text.
“Because you look incredibly dark and scary and suspicious,” Hermione said, keeping her voice polite, as her wand stayed level on the towering black cloak and the faceless black mist.
“That’s all?” whispered the voice incredulously. Sadness seemed to infuse it. “I hoped for better from you, Hermione. Surely such a Ravenclaw as you, the most intelligent Ravenclaw to grace Hogwarts in a generation, knows that appearances can be misleading.”
“Oh, I know it,” said Hermione. She took another step back, her tired fingers tightening on the wand. “But the thing that people forget sometimes, is that even though appearances can be misleading, they’re usually not.”
It’s very possible that H&C thought that if ve showed up looking like a fairy godmother, Hermione would think that ve is trying to hide their true nature behind a pleasant mask. Harry certainly would. On the other hand, by openly appearing “incredibly suspicious,” Hermione might put aside her doubts with the thought that appearance are deceiving, perhaps in a manner similar to how Quirrell told Harry that as long as he appears ambiguous, people of every stripe will follow him. Ve was wrong in this case, obviously, but just because a choice is wrong doesn’t mean it was a stupid one, anymore than a choice being right means it was a smart one.
I read H&C’s frustration in 77 as genuine, which argues for genuine clumsiness. It does seem to have been decisive in getting Hermione to open up about her misgivings, which could argue back in the other direction, but that’s not the only place in the dialogue where H&C seems to fit poorly into their role, and the others are all dead ends. In any case, failing to consider surface appearances—when dealing with a twelve-year-old, however bright—is really a fairly basic mistake, and one that I’d consider out of character for both Quirrell (who has a fine grasp of psychology) and Dumbledore (who’s all about narrative conventions and would probably have gone straight to the fairy godmother guise).
I truly find it odd that no one considers that the evidence was given directly within the text.
It’s very possible that H&C thought that if ve showed up looking like a fairy godmother, Hermione would think that ve is trying to hide their true nature behind a pleasant mask. Harry certainly would. On the other hand, by openly appearing “incredibly suspicious,” Hermione might put aside her doubts with the thought that appearance are deceiving, perhaps in a manner similar to how Quirrell told Harry that as long as he appears ambiguous, people of every stripe will follow him. Ve was wrong in this case, obviously, but just because a choice is wrong doesn’t mean it was a stupid one, anymore than a choice being right means it was a smart one.