I think this is right in broad strokes, but what you call “a few years” is ’73 to ’81, kind of a long time to “kick it” because your plan went astray.
Furthermore, Quiddle also often talks about his motives in terms of what he found “amusing,” “felt like,” or “pleasant” (in conversation with Hermione). Then there’s this:
“You know, Mr. Potter, if He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named had come to rule over magical Britain, and built such a place as Azkaban, he would have built it because he enjoyed seeing his enemies suffer. And if instead he began to find their suffering distasteful, why, he would order Azkaban torn down the next day. As for those who did make Azkaban, and those who do not tear it down, while preaching lofty sermons and imagining themselves not to be villains… well, Mr. Potter, I think if I had my choice of taking tea with them, or taking tea with You-Know-Who, I should find my sensibilities less offended by the Dark Lord.”
I think he’s not quite so given to long-term planning as you imagine.
So the quote is not the best illustration of Quiddle’s character. But does seem to have abandoned the “hero” plan (at least in its initial version) on the basis of what was “more pleasant.”
“So—” Hermione’s voice sounded strange in the night. “You left your friends behind where they’d be safe, and tried to attack the Dark Wizard all by yourself?”
“Why, no,” said Professor Quirrell. “I stopped trying to be a hero, and went off to do something else I found more pleasant.”
I can think of ways to be vanquished much quicker than he did, especially if he’s willing to be reverted to horcrux. Challenge Dumbledore to a duel and lose. Be seen doing some dark ritual, which then goes out of control, killing him. Hell, I’m sure someone as competent as Voldemort could have faked a prophecy about his doom. I don’t see why you think that Voldemort wasn’t willing to use villainhood to achieve total dominance - he was winning, he would have gotten what he wanted.
I can think of ways to be vanquished much quicker than he did, especially if he’s willing to be reverted to horcrux. Challenge Dumbledore to a duel and lose. Be seen doing some dark ritual, which then goes out of control, killing him. Hell, I’m sure someone as competent as Voldemort could have faked a prophecy about his doom.
I think this is right in broad strokes, but what you call “a few years” is ’73 to ’81, kind of a long time to “kick it” because your plan went astray.
Furthermore, Quiddle also often talks about his motives in terms of what he found “amusing,” “felt like,” or “pleasant” (in conversation with Hermione). Then there’s this:
I think he’s not quite so given to long-term planning as you imagine.
There’s a difference between using long term planning to develop a power base, and being willing to use your power base to indulge your desires.
So the quote is not the best illustration of Quiddle’s character. But does seem to have abandoned the “hero” plan (at least in its initial version) on the basis of what was “more pleasant.”
So you want this quote?
He had to wait for his exit. He could kill off the hero at any time, that’s easy. Heroes just die.
But villains need to be vanquished.
You think that someone as competent as Voldemort couldn’t have created a faster exit strategy?
The world was not offering him an opportunity to be vanquished in a fashion that would allow him to escape.
Moody and Dumbledore would be too thorough, and everyone else wasn’t good enough to touch him.
Or maybe he had reasons for staying Voldemort until he heard about the ‘prophesy’ and decided that was a good opportunity.
I can think of ways to be vanquished much quicker than he did, especially if he’s willing to be reverted to horcrux. Challenge Dumbledore to a duel and lose. Be seen doing some dark ritual, which then goes out of control, killing him. Hell, I’m sure someone as competent as Voldemort could have faked a prophecy about his doom. I don’t see why you think that Voldemort wasn’t willing to use villainhood to achieve total dominance - he was winning, he would have gotten what he wanted.
If I were Voldemort, I wouldn’t have waited on that prophesy until I needed to make an exit.
Love it!