This has been bothering me recently. In Philosphers Stone why dosent Snape tell Dumbledore or anyone else about Quirrle trying to get the stone?

Did he really want Voldemort to come back to power?

Or did he want to be the one who stopped him from getting it?

anyway what do you think?

I believe,that turelly Snape suspected him but to be honest I do think Snape really knew that long of a time. In the book you have to remember that he had suspected him because he wasn'tat the feast during Halloween. But to accuse Professor Quirell by saying that he is trying to steal the stone would be outragous and he really doesn't have any hard evidence.

That is why. I would wonder that to but you have to look in between the lines and truelly think if you was Snape would you accuse people.May Dumbledore knew to at the time.But I am sure Dumbledore was thinking. Things will show when it is Time.

I would have to agree with Raven4life over here.

I don't know what to think. All of these theories are possible.

I am glad some one agrees with me. But think about this:

Out of all characters till you get to the end of the book would you ever have suspected Quirell. Snape couldn't have known that Quirell was connected to Voldemort. Otherwise that would mean that they would have had better sense amd put it some where else. Plus, how does Dumbledore know everything. That pisses me off. He is just wiser but he could be a really good detective or lawyer because he reads between tehe lines good.

Probably Snape wouldn't have told anything unless having proof (in Lupin case it was a especial case, becuase Snape always hated the maraunders and he's way more impulsive when those are involved) and I believe that was exactly what he lacked. On the other hand, we know nothing of Snape and Dumbledore's interaction, so it would be safe to pressume Snape actually DID tell Dumbledore about Quirrell, but for some reason didn't take further actions. Maybe. All the same it would be a good question to ask Rowling herself, maybe you should send her a letter

Yes that could be a plan...to ask JK!

I think he didnt have enough proof and therefore didnt really wanted to go and tell anyone, because what if he were wrong -then everybody would be like: "Take it easy Severus you are..." well you get the point...

I think the true reason we don't know what Snape did with the information about Quirrell really lies in the fact that it's the first book. Nothing more. Remember, Rowling was a flinging writer and the PS/SS was her first go at it. Her focus group was late elementary students, plus she didn't know how big HP would be. Subplots and complex stories twists aren't all that common today in Kiddie Lit. Yet as her focus group grew she has grown as a writer with each following book. She left many things out of PS/SS and some of it on purpose like information about James and Lily, while some of it was just plain inexperience. The Snape/Quirrell thing is just an under developed subplot. It's clear that Dumbledore knew someone was trying to steal the stone by from the start of the book when Hagrid removes it from the care of the goblins.

That was off sortive. It is about why did Snape not tell. Dumbledore knew that someone was trying to steal it but he had no proof and that is the main focus. Behind the scense, he could have told Snape and Snape could have accused Quirrell. But there was never any proof. Hagrid out of anything had the slightes bit of proof which truely wasn't proof to begin with. The whole Egg think and dragon other than that Snape would most likely to be accused because how he presents himself.

I just realized that actually if Snape would have tried to take his accusation into public some may have thought it would be a diveration into hiding himself and giving some one else the punishment. The book was fine and that is problaly why Snape didn't go accusing. From the get go he never really knew but he accused.

Another exellent point.

I think it is because he thought he could handle Quirrel on his own.

Its the same reason Snape went after Prof Lupin & Sirius without getting backup. He wanted to do it himself because he 1) thought he could handle it 2) he wanted the press coverage and fame (well.. having more fame than Harry?)?

I also agree with the other theories mentioned

I think that Snape did tell Dumbledore. Dumbledore knew that Quirrel went down to get the Sorcer's/Philosopher's Stone. He also knew that Quirrel could nver actually get the stone, because Quirrel wanted to use it. I think that after Snape told Dumbledore, Dumbledore put the Mirror of Erised there so Quirrel wouldn't get it.

im still not sure hmmph

Yes me too, that is probably the most reasonable theory.
I dont think Snape really would have just kept it secret for the sake of trying to better his fame.

I always thought he may have just thought quirrel was after it...not voldermort. Well, he prolly knew voldermort was after it too, but he may not have known that quirrel was in line with voldermort. Therefore he might not have found quirrel a very profound threat and that he could deal with him.

I also thought that when he first suspected quirrel he decided to give him time to "decide where his loyalties lie" or something along those lines.

But i also agree that he may not have told due to a lack of evidence.

well snape wants to do everything himself. hes just not so modest. Besides nobody believed harry when he voldie returned so y would they believe snape? too bad tho, it bugs me too!

Snape had no proof. Even if he did tell Dumbledore about his suspicions, no one could do anything unless they had proof. Innocent until proven guilty.

Has anyone thought that maybe Snape could have told Dumledore about his suspisions of Quirrel and as such Dumbledore told Snape to keep an eye on Quirrel.

Afterall, Dumbledore has reason to trust Snape so why not use him as a "protector-aid" for the stone.

Also, all the books are written from the view of Harry, so when Dumbledore & Snape have discussions Harry won't know what they're talking about cos he isn't there.

Very good question. Never really thought about it until now.

i agree-lack of evidence

I agree with the lack of evidence in the case presented but also i dont think that Quirell would have actually have been able to get the stone considering that when he tried the first time he and snape both couldnt get by fulffy....*point proven by the bite on snapes leg afterwards* So i belive that Quirell didnt know the full extent of the charms put in place to protect the stone and after his first failure he didnt want to try again until he was absolutely sure that he was going to succede. So since he wasnt really doing anything then Snape had nothing to catch him on and nothing to accuse him of. But one question i do have is why Snape didnt somehow sense that Voldemort was nearby...Maybe Voldy only lets certain people know he's near or something but after finding out that Snape was a death eater that question has popped into my mind a few times.

well Snape was a former DE plus he never had actual proof just his instinct. Also if Snape grassed him in and they all arrested Quirrel etc. what sort of book would that be ?

plus, the otherbooks wouldnt be as good

see i think that he secretly knew quirrle was trying to get the stone but i dont think he knew about voldemort but he did know it was for something bad!

I can't believe your doubting Snape Kaz. OMG! Of course he wants the Dark Lord to come back to full power. He's evil isn't he? OMG!

He might have thought Quirrel wanted it for himself. And he probably wanted to get the credit. (Remember how angry he was when Sirius escaped)