Understanding Hogwarts’ Staff and Students’ Lack of Suspicion Towards Quirrell After His Fainting Incident

Why weren't other Hogwarts staff or students suspicious of Quirrell after he fainted in the Great Hall because he was scared by a single troll? This article delves into the details surrounding this seemingly anomalous behavior and provides an explanation rooted in the established character of Quirrell, the nature of the incident, and the overall chaotic state of the school.

Established Character of Quirrell

Quirrell's character is well-established as timid and nervous. His reputation as a stuttering anxious professor made his reaction to a troll seem consistent with his character. The students and staff likely viewed his fainting as an expected response from someone who was already seen as weak and fearful. This established persona contributed to the general lack of suspicion directed towards him.

Nature of the Incident

The presence of a troll in the castle was a chaotic and alarming situation. In the heat of the moment, students and staff were likely more focused on the immediate danger and the actions of others, such as Harry, Ron, and Hermione, rather than analyzing Quirrell's behavior in detail. This distraction and panic allowed for Quirrell's fainting to be overlooked as everyone was preoccupied with the troll and ensuring the safety of the students.

Lack of Evidence

At that point in the story, there was no concrete evidence linking Quirrell to any nefarious activities. The staff had no reason to suspect him of anything beyond being a cowardly professor. Without any prior incidents to raise doubts, they would not have questioned his actions. The lack of any suspicious behavior prior to that moment further contributed to the general lack of suspicion.

Manipulation of Perception

Quirrell was ultimately under the influence of Voldemort, which may have affected his ability to manipulate how others perceived him. While he was scared, he was also cunning and aware of how to maintain his cover. His behavior was carefully orchestrated to appear as a nervous and cowardly professor, rather than an evil threat. This manipulation of perception allowed him to blend in and avoid suspicion.

The Nature of Quirrell's Timidity and Cynicism

Quirrell had never been a brave person. He was a meek and timid individual by nature. Even his attempts to portray bravery, such as claiming a panic attack while researching vampires, only solidified his image as a nervous and anxious professor. According to Hagrid, 'Poor bloke. Brilliant mind. He was fine while he was studying out of books but then he took a year off to get some firsthand experience... They say he met vampires in the Black Forest and there was a nasty bit of trouble with a hag -- never been the same of the students scared of his own subject now...'
> “Oh you know Quirrell already do you? No wonder he's looking so nervous...” – Percy Weasley, Prefect
Quirrell's class was often a joke. The class everyone had been looking forward to was Defense Against the Dark Arts, but Quirrell's lessons turned out to be a bit of a joke. His classroom smelled strongly of garlic, which everyone said was to ward off a vampire he had met in Romania and was afraid might come back to get him one day. His turban, which had been given to him by an African prince as a thank-you for getting rid of a troublesome zombie, was believed to be stuffed full of garlic. His stutter and nervousness further reinforced the image of a cowardly and incompetent professor.

The behavior of the Weasley twins is a testimony to others' impression about him. They were punished for bewitching several snowballs so that they followed Quirrell around bouncing off the back of his turban. Only the Golden Trio believed that Quirrell was a noble man striving for the goodwill of the whole wizarding world, bravely trying to save the stone from evil Snape and, by proxy, Voldemort. Quirrell, however, must have been braver than they thought, as he was privy to all the necessary knowledge, except for the spell and how to get past Fluffy.

Unfortunately, Quirrell's nervousness wasn't helpful. He knows everything except for the crucial knowledge of the spell and how to get past Fluffy. Interestingly, if a teacher is nervous enough to make a few first-year students believe that their nice gestures would make him feel more confident, it is usual that no one will have any positive opinion regarding his skills. This is another example of Quirrell's ineffective and anxious behavior, further undermining his credibility as a dark arts instructor.

Another such nervous, underconfident teacher is Hagrid for different reasons. He is open and affectionate with his students, whereas Quirrell is carefully guarded and manipulative. Also, Pottermore states that Quirrell's strength was in theoretical aspects of the dark arts, not practical, and everyone or at least the faculty knows it. Quirrell's behavior, therefore, was well within the established character and expectations of a timid, anxious, and ultimately ineffectual professor.