I think we’re supposed to be able to figure this one out. My mental model of Eliezer says he thinks he’s given us more than enough hints, and we have a week to wait despite it being a short, high tension chapter. He makes a big deal out of how Harry only has thirty hours, which isn’t enough; he gives us a week, and a lot of information Harry doesn’t have.
Who benefits from isolating Harry from both of his friends, and/or making him do something stupid to protect Hermione in front of the most powerful people in the Wizarding World?
Evidence against Quirrell as Hat-and-Cloak: Apart from everything that’s already been discussed, he’s been trying to strengthen Harry. He chose Draco and Hermione for the armies knowing that the likely outcome would be them getting closer (especially when he set them up against Harry).
Evidence for Quirrell as Hat-and-Cloak: Apart from what has already been discussed, he seemed very interested when Harry mentioned Lucius’s threat to set aside everything to protect Draco. And there’s that line in the most recent author’s note:
anything you think won’t confuse the readers, will.
Which implies we’re overthinking this and the obvious answer is the right one.
Quirrell conveniently rescuing Draco after seven hours makes sense if we assume he’s also the one who almost killed him.
Evidence I can’t sort: Quirrell’s admission during interrogation can’t have been an accident, and doesn’t seem to serve his interests whether he’s Hat-and-Cloak or not. If he is, he presumable wants to isolate Harry so he can talk him into stage 2 of the plan—but for that, he needs to be at Hogwarts or otherwise have access to Harry. If he’s not Hat-and-Cloak, there’s not much reason for him to tie himself up in the Ministry.
Unless he doesn’t want Harry to be able to contact him and he wants to have a plausible reason for being unreachable?
I think this makes me update more toward “Quirrell is Hat-and-Cloak,” but I’m not convinced.
Harry isn’t stupid, he has to realize that getting Hermione and Draco out of the way obviously benefits the defense professor. And Quirrell would know this, and not want to make Harry think he’s someone who would ruin an innocent 12-year-old girl’s life. Their next conversation is going to be interesting.
Chapter 79:
I think we’re supposed to be able to figure this one out. My mental model of Eliezer says he thinks he’s given us more than enough hints, and we have a week to wait despite it being a short, high tension chapter. He makes a big deal out of how Harry only has thirty hours, which isn’t enough; he gives us a week, and a lot of information Harry doesn’t have.
Who benefits from isolating Harry from both of his friends, and/or making him do something stupid to protect Hermione in front of the most powerful people in the Wizarding World?
Evidence against Quirrell as Hat-and-Cloak: Apart from everything that’s already been discussed, he’s been trying to strengthen Harry. He chose Draco and Hermione for the armies knowing that the likely outcome would be them getting closer (especially when he set them up against Harry).
Evidence for Quirrell as Hat-and-Cloak: Apart from what has already been discussed, he seemed very interested when Harry mentioned Lucius’s threat to set aside everything to protect Draco. And there’s that line in the most recent author’s note:
Which implies we’re overthinking this and the obvious answer is the right one.
Quirrell conveniently rescuing Draco after seven hours makes sense if we assume he’s also the one who almost killed him.
Evidence I can’t sort: Quirrell’s admission during interrogation can’t have been an accident, and doesn’t seem to serve his interests whether he’s Hat-and-Cloak or not. If he is, he presumable wants to isolate Harry so he can talk him into stage 2 of the plan—but for that, he needs to be at Hogwarts or otherwise have access to Harry. If he’s not Hat-and-Cloak, there’s not much reason for him to tie himself up in the Ministry.
Unless he doesn’t want Harry to be able to contact him and he wants to have a plausible reason for being unreachable?
I think this makes me update more toward “Quirrell is Hat-and-Cloak,” but I’m not convinced.
Harry isn’t stupid, he has to realize that getting Hermione and Draco out of the way obviously benefits the defense professor. And Quirrell would know this, and not want to make Harry think he’s someone who would ruin an innocent 12-year-old girl’s life. Their next conversation is going to be interesting.