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

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eipjoo

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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)

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

5jj

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It's not clear.
 

BobK

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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

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englishhobby

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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.
 
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Barb_D

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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.
 

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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
 
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