Why couldn't Quirrell touch Harry?

[kausarqadir]

Quirrell couldn't touch Harry because of the protection from Harry's mother - even though he was Quirrell, he still had Voldemort inside of him . . .

i have been thinking it to discuss it here since ages, keeps on forgetting it. :D
yes, we see, that Quirrell wasnt able to touch HP which helps Harry in the end. but when i was reading the part when he went to Leaky Couldron then their i noticed that it was mentioned Quirrell shook hands with Harry.
my question is how come he could in Leaky couldron but not in the end?

[Tinkerbell]

Perhaps at the time Quirrell met Harry at the Leaky Cauldron, he wasn't yet possessed by Voldemort?

[Hermione]

No, I think Quirrel was then posessed by Voldemort. Hagrid said Quirrell had been jumpy ever since he came back from his trip around the world, looking for the dark arts. It would make sense for Voldemort to be in his head for a number of years then.

I think since he was not trying to harm Harry, he was able to touch him. Or perhaps Quirrell was mentally stronger then, he was able to fight Voldemort better?

[Alz]

I thought this has been mentioned before and the conclusion was drawn that Quirrell wasnt possessed until later on?
I personally think he wasnt possessed at that time - it was before the school term if I remember right?
There can be no other answer to it - because the Voldemort inside Quirrell would have had to burn because of the protection from Lily - there is no way around it - the protection was only broke once Harry gave the blood to Voldemort.

[Hermione]

But if he wasn't possesed at that time, how would Voldemort have gotten inside of him?

In the span of a few short hours, Quirrell became possesed and tried to steal the Stone? It seems too far fetched to me.

I think he had the influence of Lord Voldemort inside him when he shook Harry's hand. My one theory is since he was not trying to harm him, the spell didn't kick in.

[Kingsley]

Are you talking about the book or the movie--because I remember in the book that it was talked about how he was possessed after that time period--there was a period of time between the Leaky Cauldron visit and the school season starting :cool:
But as far as your theory about not being able to touch Harry if you mean him harm only--I like it--but I cant remember any enemies ever touching Harry so I wouldnt know :o

[Hermione]

No I am talking about the book. And yes, there is a frame of time between the end of summer and begining of the school year, but where would Voldemort have come from? He can't just walk up to Quirrell and leap into the back of his head.

I don't know why Quirrell was able to touch Harry then. I think this is a question for the almighty JKR.

[kausarqadir]

yes, i know there was a time period b/w TLC and the school term. but if i am not wrong i remember that it has been told that at his trip in Africa or whatever place i dont remember exactly, he found V and then was possessed by him. and that was been proved by his stuttering. Y would he stutter then....
and king i dont remember about that part.......... because i am reading PS/SS nowadays and havent come to pass this.........

[Alz]

See it would have taken Voldemort long to possess Quirrell and as such it could have happened anywhen.
In fact I am not positive but I thought he got possessed in the Forbidden Forest?
The break in at Gringotts happened much later in the school year - so I am gonna go out on a limb and say he didnt get possessed until much later on - defo post LC!