I still think the illness is faked to give everyone a ready suspicion as to the nature of his inevitable failure as defense professor at the end of the year, rather than the true reason.
Too much of the illness is verified by other people. Pomfrey, for example—I can’t imagine Dumbledore would leave Quirrell alone with Pomfrey and then not check her for mind magic.
“You are making highly questionable assumptions,” the Defense Professor said with an edged voice. “What makes you think I did not steal his body outright using incredibly Dark magic?”
I think this is what is atrophying Quirrell’s physical body.
WMG time:
Quirrell is dying because he’s Tranfigured himself. (I don’t know why at this point.)
I still think the illness is faked to give everyone a ready suspicion as to the nature of his inevitable failure as defense professor at the end of the year, rather than the true reason.
Well some of it is faked, but he didn’t intend to get caught drinking Unicorns.
Too much of the illness is verified by other people. Pomfrey, for example—I can’t imagine Dumbledore would leave Quirrell alone with Pomfrey and then not check her for mind magic.
In that case I don’t see the need for drinking unicorn blood.
Increasing the credibility of the fake, of course.
Only towards Harry who’s probably not in a good position to spot a fake illness anyway.
On the other hand it adds exposure. Even with Harry it lead to the episode with the centaur.
From Ch 79:
I think this is what is atrophying Quirrell’s physical body.