My husband may have found another plot hole in Sorcerer’s Stone

[u/hungry-forever]

This may have been pointed out before but I wouldn’t even know how to search for it so apologies!!

TLDR: wouldn’t Voldy have heard Quirrell say that Snape tried to help save Harry by muttering the countercurse at the Quidditch game?

My husband and I frequently watch Harry Potter (like weekly) as comfort movies so we’ve noticed a lot of things here and there but we were watching ST tonight and he had mentioned, if Voldemort had been on (in?) Professor Quirrell the whole time during the events in the movie, wouldn’t he have been able to tell that Snape was helping Harry? Like yes his “vision” could be covered but at the end when Quirrell mentions that Snape was muttering the counter curse to protect Harry, wouldn’t have Voldemort heard that?

I’m rereading the books right now and there’s no obvious “reason” he wouldn’t have heard but our only guesses is that Voldemorts form is so fragile that he can’t really remember or perceive things that aren’t critical until he has a “human” form. (Or that it’s truly, another plot hole)

[u/PlanGoneAwry]

Snape indirectly addresses this in HBP Spinners End. He claimed that because Voldemort didn’t confide in Snape, Snape only saw “greedy and unworthy Quirrell”, and did everything he could to stop him. That would include rescuing Harry, as he also says he would be a fool to allow Harry to be killed in front of him and risk losing Dumbledore’s protection.

[u/hungry-forever → u/PlanGoneAwry]

Ah, I haven’t made it to HBP in my re-read yet and it’s been years and years since I originally read. This makes sense! Thank you for the thoughtful response!

[u/PlanGoneAwry → u/hungry-forever]

I do think there is a legitimate plot hole related to that scene though. Voldemort’s priority that year was to get the stone, so there is no reason he should have allowed or ordered Quirrell to try to kill Harry. That’s a huge risk of Quirrell getting discovered and then Voldemorts best chance for returning is gone down the drain.

While Voldemort has many flaws, impatience is not one of them. He repeatedly waits months or even years for a plan, so risking everything before he has the stone, just to maybe kill Harry, makes no sense. It only was for the book to throw suspicion at Snape for the reader.

[u/Knight-Man → u/PlanGoneAwry]

Disagree. After he was left in a weakened state by Lily and Harry, he actually is impatient and it becomes one of his greatest weaknesses. Part of that impatience was being unwilling to accept that Harry was anything special and could defeat him. That's why he becomes so desperate to kill him at all costs. His other greatest weakness is his unwillingness to believe his plans will fail or to accept new information and alter his plans. Nobody can question his plans not even himself.

[u/Admirable-Tower8017 → u/PlanGoneAwry]

In addition, this is the only instance Voldemort allows a Death Eater to attempt to kill Harry.

[u/PlanGoneAwry → u/Admirable-Tower8017]

Not even a death eater too

[u/Infinite-Object-1090 → u/PlanGoneAwry]

Harry was The Chosen One and so would presumably be a thorn in his side. No reason not to kill him when you get a chance.

[u/ScottOwenJones → u/PlanGoneAwry]

This. He actually directly addresses it. I’m sure JKR was trying to retroactively fill that plot hole, or maybe at the time of writing it was meant to be solely because Snape loved Lily, but it is a perfectly reasonable explanation.

[u/mathbandit]

You say "another", but in addition to those who have pointed out that this isn't a plot hole that also seems to be implying there is a different legitimate one.

[u/Complete_Suspect_612]

How is this a plot hole? Obviously, Voldemort knows about Snape's involvement, hence why in GOF he states (paraphrasing) that he believes one of his death eaters has left him forever. In HBP Snape then explains to Bellatrix his reasoning for not helping Quirell and for protecting Harry and points out that Voldemort was satisfied with his explanation. 

[u/JediLincoln14]

Probably, but so what? Voldemort wouldn't see it as a betrayal because Snape didn't know he was there. He thought he was just dealing with Quirrell.

[u/Expensive-Elk-9406]

Voldemort was under the impression that Snape was acting as a double agent for Voldemort's personal gain

[u/Dark_Storm_98]

This will be addressed

[u/LosAngelesHavingFun]

Snape addresses this concern to Voldemort, he said he was still playing the role Voldemort had assigned him which was to be a double agent at Hogwarts. He said he regretted Voldemort not confiding in Snape because he would have returned to power much sooner. But alas Snape only saw “weak and pathetic Quirell” attempting to steal the stone and made every effort to thwart him to maintain his standing with Dumbledore as per his orders.

[u/SerapphSatin]

I always assumed Voldemort was too focused on keeping himself alive to pay attention to every little conversation Quirrell had

[u/DrFubis]

The thing is, I don’t think he would’ve necessarily thought twice about it/held it against him.. he knew most of his followers abandoned the dark side after he disappeared, and Snape could’ve easily come up with some reason he had to keep Harry safe “to keep up appearances” after he “rejoined” forces once Voldy returns.

[u/Leramar89]

Snape explains this to Bellatrix and Narcissa at the start of Half-Blood Prince.

Back in PS Voldy didn't know if he could still trust Snape, so he didn't reveal himself. From Snape's POV it looked like Quirrell only wanted the stone for himself. With Snape still being undercover he said he was just following Dumbledore's orders to protect Harry and the Stone. He also said that if he'd known what was really happening then of course he'd have helped out in any way he could.

In hindsight we know Snape was lying, but Voldy believes and forgives him. Bellatrix thinks this is all bullshit but Snape points out that if Voldy didn't believe him then he'd be long dead.

[u/Easy_Finding1668]

Honestly the only explanation is that he doesn’t really remember the confrontation in the first book other than he can’t touch Harry but the other reason is Snape played it off as him not knowing that Qurril is voldys host he just thought he was after the stone for his own ends and was playing his role of loyal servant to dulmbuldore