======Quirinus Quirrell======
=====Introduction=====
Professor Quirinus Quirrell was the [[Defence Against the Dark Arts]] professor at [[Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry]] during the 1991-1992 school year. Outwardly a timid, stuttering wizard, he was secretly a servant of [[Lord Voldemort]], who had possessed Quirrell's body and lived parasitically on the back of his head. As the primary antagonist in //Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone//, Quirrell's main goal was to steal the [[Philosopher's Stone]] to restore his master to a full body and power. His eventual defeat by [[Harry Potter]] marked Harry's first direct confrontation with the returned [[Dark Lord]].
=====Biography=====
====Early Life and Possession====
Little is known from the novels about Quirrell's life before his fateful final year at [[Hogwarts]]. He undertook a Grand Tour after his studies, ostensibly for educational experience. During his travels through the forests of [[Albania]], he sought out what remained of [[Lord Voldemort]], who had been in hiding since his defeat a decade earlier. Quirrell, ambitious and eager to gain power, believed he could control the weakened [[Dark Lord]], but he was easily overpowered. [[Voldemort]] possessed Quirrell, latching onto his body as a host and forcing him into servitude. (J.K. Rowling revealed on Pottermore that Quirrell had been a [[Ravenclaw]] student who was bullied for his timid nature, which fostered a desire to prove himself, leading him to seek out [[Voldemort]] (Pottermore)).
====Plot to Steal the Philosopher's Stone====
Upon his return to [[Hogwarts]] as the [[Defence Against the Dark Arts]] professor, Quirrell adopted the persona of a constantly terrified man with a pronounced stutter, a facade to divert suspicion. He wore a large purple [[turban]] at all times to conceal [[Voldemort]]'s face, which had sprouted on the back of his head. He claimed the [[turban]] was a gift from an African prince for dealing with a [[zombie]] and that it reeked of [[garlic]] to ward off a [[vampire]] he had supposedly met in Romania.
His mission for the year was to acquire the [[Philosopher's Stone]], which was hidden at [[Hogwarts]].
  * **[[Gringotts]] Break-In:** On 31 July 1991, Quirrell broke into Vault 713 at [[Gringotts Wizarding Bank]] on [[Voldemort]]'s orders, but found that [[Rubeus Hagrid]] had already emptied it earlier that day.
  * **The [[Troll]] Diversion:** During the [[Hallowe'en]] feast, Quirrell created a diversion by letting a [[Mountain Troll]] into the [[dungeons]]. While the school was in a panic, he attempted to get past the three-headed dog, [[Fluffy]], guarding the trapdoor to the [[Stone]]'s chambers, but was thwarted by [[Severus Snape]].
  * **[[Quidditch]] Match Sabotage:** During Harry's first [[Quidditch]] match, Quirrell attempted to kill him by performing a [[curse]] on his [[broomstick]]. His efforts were countered by [[Severus Snape]], who performed a [[counter-curse]]. [[Hermione Granger]], believing [[Snape]] to be the attacker, set fire to his robes, which broke Quirrell's eye contact and ended the [[curse]].
  * **Drinking [[Unicorn]] Blood:** To keep his master alive and strong, Quirrell began killing [[unicorns]] in the [[Forbidden Forest]] and drinking their blood, a monstrous act that sustains a life but leaves it cursed.
====Confrontation and Death====
Quirrell finally managed to get past the school's defences and reach the [[Mirror of Erised]], the final protection for the [[Stone]]. There, he was confronted by [[Harry Potter]]. Dropping his stammering act, Quirrell revealed his allegiance and unwrapped his [[turban]] to show [[Voldemort]]'s face. [[Voldemort]], speaking through Quirrell, attempted to persuade Harry to give him the [[Stone]], which had magically appeared in Harry's pocket.
When Harry refused, [[Voldemort]] ordered Quirrell to kill him. However, due to the lingering magical protection left by [[Lily Potter]]'s sacrificial death, Quirrell was unable to touch Harry's skin without suffering excruciating, burning pain. When Harry intentionally grabbed Quirrell's face and arm, Quirrell's body began to blister and burn uncontrollably. He was killed by this contact, and [[Voldemort]]'s spirit fled the body, leaving Quirrell's dead form on the floor.
=====Physical Appearance and Personality=====
Quirrell was described as a pale young man who appeared to be in a state of constant nervousness, characterized by a twitch and a stutter. His most notable feature was the large, purple [[turban]] he always wore. Underneath the [[turban]], the back of his head was horrifically disfigured by the parasitic face of [[Lord Voldemort]], which was chalky-white with glaring red eyes and snake-like slits for nostrils.
While he projected a timid and easily frightened personality, this was largely an act. In reality, Quirrell was cunning, ambitious, and capable of great cruelty, as evidenced by his murder of [[unicorns]]. His will was ultimately subjugated by [[Voldemort]], but he was a willing participant in the [[Dark Lord]]'s schemes until his own life was consumed by his master.
=====Magical Abilities and Skills=====
  * **[[Defence Against the Dark Arts]]:** Despite feigning incompetence, Quirrell possessed a strong theoretical knowledge of the subject and an academic interest in the [[Dark Arts]].
  * **[[Dark Arts]]:** He was proficient enough to perform complex dark curses. He jinxed Harry's [[broomstick]] non-verbally, a sign of considerable magical skill. His servitude to [[Voldemort]] undoubtedly expanded his knowledge and abilities in this area.
  * **Non-Verbal Magic:** He demonstrated the ability to cast spells without an incantation, as seen during the [[Quidditch]] match.
  * **Handling Magical Creatures:** He successfully smuggled a fully grown [[Mountain Troll]] into [[Hogwarts]] and was tasked by [[Voldemort]] with handling [[unicorns]] in the [[Forbidden Forest]].
=====Possessions=====
  * **[[Turban]]:** His most defining possession was a purple [[turban]], used to hide [[Voldemort]]'s face on the back of his head and to perpetuate his false narrative of being a fearful traveller.
  * **[[Wand]]:** Quirrell possessed a [[wand]], but its specific characteristics (wood, core, length) are not mentioned in the novels.
=====Relationships=====
  * **[[Lord Voldemort]]:** This was Quirrell's most significant relationship. Initially seeking power from [[Voldemort]], he became his master's unwilling host and puppet. [[Voldemort]] treated him as a disposable tool, a temporary vessel to be used and discarded in his quest to regain a body.
  * **[[Severus Snape]]:** [[Snape]] despised Quirrell, having suspected his true allegiance from the beginning of the school year. He actively worked against Quirrell, using intimidation, a [[counter-curse]], and his role as a protector of the [[Philosopher's Stone]] to thwart his plans.
  * **[[Harry Potter]]:** Harry was Quirrell's primary obstacle. While [[Voldemort]] was the true enemy, Quirrell was the physical antagonist Harry faced. Conversely, Harry became the instrument of Quirrell's death due to the powerful love-based magic protecting him.
  * **[[Albus Dumbledore]]:** [[Dumbledore]] suspected Quirrell's corruption and kept him at [[Hogwarts]] to monitor him and, by extension, [[Voldemort]]. He was the ultimate architect of the protections Quirrell failed to overcome.
=====Etymology=====
  * **Quirinus:** The name may be a reference to the Roman god of war, Quirinus. This serves as an ironic contrast to his timid facade but hints at his true, malevolent purpose. It may also allude to the two-faced Roman god Janus, reflecting the two faces on Quirrell's one head.
  * **Quirrell:** The surname sounds similar to "squirrel," fitting his nervous, twitchy persona. It also evokes "quiver" and "quarrel," suggesting both his feigned fear and the internal conflict of being possessed by [[Voldemort]].
=====Behind the Scenes=====
  * In the film adaptation of //Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone//, Quirrell's death is shown more graphically. Upon contact with Harry's hands, his body turns to stone and crumbles into dust. In the book, he blisters severely before Harry faints, and his death is confirmed later by [[Dumbledore]]. (film).
  * The film omits several of the teachers' enchantments protecting the [[Stone]], most notably [[Snape]]'s potion riddle, which Quirrell solves in the book to reach the final chamber. (film).
  * Quirrell was portrayed by British actor Ian Hart in the film adaptation. Hart also provided the voice for [[Voldemort]]'s face on the back of Quirrell's head. (film).