Over the series, there have been many teachers who have taught at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Like Professor Minerva McGonnagall who took Transfiguration or Professor Filius Flitwick who was the Charms master. Most subjects have had one teacher teaching it through the series. The most notable exception to the rule is the subject Defence Against The Dark Arts, which has had a different teacher handling it each year. The first teacher that Harry meets in the series is one handling the subject.
When Harry is brought to London, and to the pub famously known to wizards as The Leaky Cauldron, the wizarding world is stunned and happy to see the return of The Boy Who Lived and who ended the darkness that had once been cast upon it by Lord Voldemort. Among those who meet Harry at the pub is a teacher who Hagrid introduces as the Defence Against The Dark Arts teacher. His name is Quirinus Quirrell, though his first name is not mentioned in the books. He is seen then as a stuttering, nervous teacher who has had bad experiences while battling the Dark Arts. Indeed, he looked to Harry as one who was terrified of the thought of buying a book on vampires. The students think that he has put garlic under his turban, which is always on his head. We later come to know that it was not garlic, but Lord Voldemort himself who was behind Quirrell’s head, sharing his body and controlling Quirrell.
Quirrell’s character is one that is quite true to life, I feel. It serves a purpose. It shows that there are people in the world who are two-faced, that what is portrayed may not be the true character of the person, that those who at first glance seem innocent and soft may be the most cunning. Quirrell is an expert at disguise too, for he tricks Hagrid into thinking he’s a stranger when he meets Hagrid at the Hog’s Head. Perhaps his character is also one that helps us to think that Severus Snape might not be the bad character he’s portrayed to be.
How fast time seems to fly by. I remember taking part in the first ever April A to Z Challenge, where for the month of April (except for Sundays) we write on themes around the 26 alphabets. This year marks the 7th Blogging from A to Z Challenge, and my 7th as well. I’ve successfully completed 4 of the 6 years before, so hoping for a fabulous 5th year of blogging success. You can go here if you want to know more about what the challenge is. My theme this year is ‘The World of Harry Potter’.
(© 20th April 2016)
Vinay Leo R.
Poetry & writing to me are to me, a breath of fresh air in a life that is sometimes covered by the smoke of sorrow or self doubt. They also become the sweets I share to celebrate when life offers me a reason to. But most of all, they are to me, my life. For each word I write is a piece of my heart, a thought that just had to find its way into the world.
Nicely written . Well done 🙂
Thank you, Deepan.
I think Quirrell was another genius idea by JK Rowling. His character shows that sometimes, the weaker one are the ones who succumb to the lure of fame and power easily. Don’t you think so? 🙂
Mithila Menezes @Fabulus1710 recently posted…Q for Qualtagh #AtoZChallenge
Yes. That’s another thing to learn from Quirrell’s character, I definitely think so. 🙂 Thank you, Mithila.
Ohh the nasty Quirell!!
Tina from
The Sunny Side of Life
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Tina Basu recently posted…Queen
Indeed. Thank you, Tina.
Reminded me of people whose thoughts and actions are controlled by others. Interesting character!
Sreedeep recently posted…#AtoZChallenge – Letter Q – Quid Pro Quo
Thank you, Sreedeep. 🙂 Yes. He is that!
I thought it would be q for Quidditch. But you always come up with what I don’t expect. Quirell was a brilliant idea from Rowling to show how evil people often work through the weak ones.
Beat About the Book recently posted…This is how I was kindled
Quidditch was an option, but I had two options that I felt not many would write on. 🙂 Quidditch is a popular option. 😀 Glad you were surprised, Tulika. Quirrell was indeed a brilliant character concocted by Rowling.
Oh Gosh!! You making me miss the adventure of Harry Potter. You’ve interpreted Quirell so well and nailed it!! So many in this world wear his cloak of disguise.
Vishal Bheeroo recently posted…A to Z Challenge: Salirophilia
Very true, Vishal. Sadly, that is the case in the world around us.
Quirell? I hated him! I thought you would write on Quidditch. Ya, ya…obvious one! I know!
Shalini R recently posted…The Voila Moment #AtoZChallenge
I wrote on Quidditch Through The Ages last year for book review, Shalzzz. 🙂 So no quidditch this year. 😀 I hated Quirrell, but he wasn’t the obvious choice to hate in the early part of the book, alle?
Ah, Quirrel! I think the series has many hidden gems as life lessons. But Quirrel tops them all. He is literally two faced, and also shows that the evil face is overpowering. While I am not exactly fond of his character, it evokes good emotion in me so I think it is well written. Starting at the point where Snape threatens him, (beautifully portrayed by Alan Rickman, that scene) I started doubting there was something wrong.
But my favorite Quirrel related memory to this date remains the realization that Fred and George actually did throw snowballs at Voldemort’s face. If we are to translate and read between the lines of the Queen’s words.
I guess so. His character is more miserable in the books than in the movies, Dhivya. 🙂