I wish I could promise you that I would obtain one of those highly guarded tomes from the Department of Mysteries, and pass it to you beneath a disguised cover.
Estimate of the probability Quirrell is talking about Roger Bacon’s diary?
Slightly higher probability given that canon Harry (OOtP) has a known propensity for ignoring gifts that could have averted disaster until too late.
What he means is that he wishes that books on memory charms fit that description—but in fact they’re not guarded at all or even in the restricted section of the library.
That’s clearly the first level meaning. He’s wondering whether there’s a second meaning, which is a subtle hint that he has already done exactly that, maybe hoping that Harry will pick up on it and not saying it directly in case Dumbledore or someone else is listening, maybe just a private joke.
Interesting idea. However, given that Roger Bacon’s diary is of interest as a scientific rather than wizardly historical artefact, and wizards wouldn’t know an item of scientific value if it electrocuted them...
Of course, the probability is somewhat lowered, because Quirrell would want to disguise it, and I think that the diary of Roger Bacon would stand out… A little.
Estimate of the probability Quirrell is talking about Roger Bacon’s diary?
Slightly higher probability given that canon Harry (OOtP) has a known propensity for ignoring gifts that could have averted disaster until too late.
What he means is that he wishes that books on memory charms fit that description—but in fact they’re not guarded at all or even in the restricted section of the library.
That’s clearly the first level meaning. He’s wondering whether there’s a second meaning, which is a subtle hint that he has already done exactly that, maybe hoping that Harry will pick up on it and not saying it directly in case Dumbledore or someone else is listening, maybe just a private joke.
Interesting idea. However, given that Roger Bacon’s diary is of interest as a scientific rather than wizardly historical artefact, and wizards wouldn’t know an item of scientific value if it electrocuted them...
Er, I think he means that it looks like Bacon’s Diary but is actually something more precious.
Palm, meet face. This is what happens when you get too little sleep as a result of staying up waiting for the next chapter.
Thanks for the clarification.
Of course, the probability is somewhat lowered, because Quirrell would want to disguise it, and I think that the diary of Roger Bacon would stand out… A little.
There’s also his mothers Potions text. ETA: Which contains a secret that really is pretty terrible.