Snape and Harry's first meeting

[David]

No: HPFGUIDX 29054

Confused of Canada wrote:

> When Snape looks 
> at Harry his scar begins to burn. I find this strange as in later 
> books it is established that this happens as Voldemort's power 
grows 
> stronger. I know that Quirrell is talking to Snape when this 
happens 
> and Voldemort is living in his turban, but it is implied that it is 
> only when Snape looks at him that his scar begins to burn. 

Ever since reading GOF, I have paticularly liked this passage, 
because it is one of the few red herrings known to run over more than 
one book. (IMO, nearly all the red herrings in HP are in-book 
devices - I would love to hear of other multi-book examples.  I don't 
mean mere foreshadowings, like talking to the snake at the zoo, but 
actually misleading incidents.)

I believe that as Snape catches Harry's eyes, Voldemort becomes aware 
of Harry.  It is specifically stated that Snape looks past the 
turban.   This might be because: Voldemort can sense something of 
Snape's thought, because Snape was a DE; or Quirrell notices Snape's 
gaze and follows it; or Voldemort senses Harry's gaze along the line-
of-sight between Snape and Harry (my preferred explanation).  Once 
Voldemort is aware of Harry, his strong emotions are picked up by 
Harry in the scar.  IIRC, all instances of the scar hurting plausibly 
involve Voldemort thinking about Harry (the doubtful case being the 
Divination dream).

David