Snape’s involvement with Quirrell can be traced back to the events surrounding the Philosopher’s Stone. It is important to note that Snape’s true allegiance was to Dumbledore, and he was working as a double agent within the Death Eater ranks. Thus, his actions and motivations may not always be what they seem at first glance.
In the first book, “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone,” it is revealed that Quirrell had been possessed by Lord Voldemort. However, Snape claimed to have no knowledge of this and only saw Quirrell as a greedy and unworthy individual attempting to steal the Philosopher’s Stone for personal gain. This explanation was given to the Death Eaters during their meeting at Malfoy Manor in “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.”
But what was Snape really doing with Quirrell? The answer lies in Dumbledore’s trust in Snape as his spy within Voldemort’s inner circle. Dumbledore had tasked Snape with keeping a close watch on Quirrell, who was suspected of having dark intentions. Snape’s role was to gather information and report back to Dumbledore, all while maintaining his cover as a loyal Death Eater.
Snape’s intimate knowledge of the Dark Arts and his skills as a Legilimens made him a valuable asset in this mission. He was able to monitor Quirrell’s actions and thoughts, providing valuable insight into his plans and motivations. Snape’s observations would have been crucial in helping Dumbledore understand the true nature of the threat posed by Quirrell and Voldemort.
It is worth mentioning that Snape’s relationship with Quirrell was likely strained, given that Quirrell had once been Snape’s colleague at Hogwarts. Snape, being a skilled Occlumens, would have known that Quirrell was not to be trusted. However, he had to maintain a façade of ignorance in order to protect his cover and ensure his continued access to valuable information.
Snape’s involvement with Quirrell also highlights the complexity of his character. While he appeared to be a loyal Death Eater in the eyes of Voldemort and his followers, his true loyalty lay with Dumbledore and the Order of the Phoenix. Snape’s actions were driven by his love for Lily Potter, Harry’s mother, and his desire to protect Harry from harm.
Snape’s role with Quirrell was that of a spy and informant. He was tasked by Dumbledore to keep a close watch on Quirrell and report back any valuable information. Snape’s knowledge of the Dark Arts and his ability to read minds made him an invaluable asset in this mission. While he claimed ignorance of Quirrell’s true intentions to the Death Eaters, his true loyalty was always with Dumbledore and the fight against Voldemort.