Which one does ‘his’ indicate, Harry or Quirrell?

[eipjoo]

Harry sprang toward the flame door, but Voldemort screamed "SEIZE HIM!" and the next second, Harry felt Quirrell's hand close on his wrist. At once, a needle-sharp pain seared across Harry's scar; his head felt as though it was about to split in two; he yelled, struggling with all his might, and to his surprise, Quirrell let go of him. The pain in his head lessened -- he looked around wildly to see where Quirrell had gone, and saw him hunched in pain, looking at his fingers -- they were blistering before his eyes. (Harry Potter)

**
Which one does ‘his’ indicate, Harry or Quirrell?

[5jj]

It's not clear.

[BobK]

I don't expect to enhance my popularity much by saying that I find J.K. Rowling a very poor writer. I much prefer the films - I prefer CGI to her rather clunky prose, and her imagination is extraordinary. I've only read the first book, and I had a sinking feeling by the end of the first paragraph.

b

[5jj]

. I've only read the first book

I didn't even manage to get one third of the way through.

[englishhobby]

Though I am not a J.K. Rowling's fan either, I think it was Harry, because the story is told through the eyes of Harry Potter and the accent is put on his feelings and experiences.

[Barb_D]

Given that both Harry and Quirrell could see the hand, it doesn't really matter, does it?

I've said many times that there are outstanding writers who don't necessarily tell a great story, and great story tellers whose writing ranges from very good to absolutely awful. It's rare to find both in one person. JK is a great story teller, and I find her writing most adequate to tell her stories. I loved every book and every movie.

[BobK]

Well put.

b

[BobK]

For what it's worth, I think it's Quirrell.

The pain in his [H] head lessened -- he [H] looked around wildly to see where Quirrell had gone, and saw him [Q] hunched in pain, looking at his [Q's] fingers...

Thus far it's clear. And as it's Quirrell that has just been described as looking at his fingers, I guess 'before his eyes' refers to Quirrell's.

But as Barb says, it doesn't really matter.

b