It would simply be bad writing to set up a mysterious and malevolent figure like Hat and Cloak and then reveal him as one of the story’s established villains.
Unless the reveal involved learning about the Voldemort-Quirrell symbiosis, or Voldemort-Hat-and-Cloak outsmarting Voldemort-Quirrell, or any of a dozen other dramatic reveals.
A point in favor of Hat and Cloak being Grindelwald: the playing card he chose to represent Dumbledore was the King of Hearts. ♥
At first I wanted to say “reading too deeply”, but you have a point: the choice of card was not a throwaway line, it was intended to be mysterious, so it should have some depth worth plumbing.
Unless the reveal involved learning about the Voldemort-Quirrell symbiosis, or Voldemort-Hat-and-Cloak outsmarting Voldemort-Quirrell, or any of a dozen other dramatic reveals.
You’re postulating increasingly complex (ie unlikely) explanations to defend your theory. Donny’s statement is strong evidence for H&C not being one of the existing villains.
Unless the reveal involved learning about the Voldemort-Quirrell symbiosis, or Voldemort-Hat-and-Cloak outsmarting Voldemort-Quirrell, or any of a dozen other dramatic reveals.
At first I wanted to say “reading too deeply”, but you have a point: the choice of card was not a throwaway line, it was intended to be mysterious, so it should have some depth worth plumbing.
I like it here! Everyone’s so gracious. Upvoted and thank you.
You’re postulating increasingly complex (ie unlikely) explanations to defend your theory. Donny’s statement is strong evidence for H&C not being one of the existing villains.
That’s a disjunction of several unlikely explanations; any one alone is enough to ‘defend’ my theory.