[HPforGrownups] Re: Dumbledore's mistakes -Occlumency

Richelle Votaw rvotaw at i-55.com
Fri Aug 1 02:17:01 UTC 2003


No: HPFGUIDX 74534


bboy_mn:

> Actually, Snape did tell Harry exactly why he should study Occlumency,
> but Harry's emotions and intense dislike for Snape distracted him and
> it never really sunk in.

You're right of course.  But then, Harry could've said "so pigs are going to
fly in my dorm" and it wouldn't have sunk in any more in Snape's presence.
:)

> Conclusion: I agree that putting Snape and Harry together was asking
> for trouble, but what were the alternatives?

Good question.  Dumbledore said he should've done it himself, but I don't
quite understand how that would've worked.  Could he have taught Harry
without making eye contact?  I suppose.  It did seem to be the actual eye
contact that triggered Voldemort's rage in Harry against Voldemort.  Doesn't
seem very practical though, to weaken Harry's mind while he's with the one
person that can trigger such a reaction.  As it stands we don't know anyone
else capable, other than Snape and Dumbledore.  But surely Dumbledore
could've told Snape to chill out a little?  Snape still has no reason to
hate Harry.  Harry has done nothing (or hadn't until he stuck his nose where
it wasn't wanted in Snape's memories) to earn Snape's hatred.  James did,
yes.  Harry is not James.  Snape needs to get that through his head.  Sure,
Harry's a poor Potions student.  No reason to hate him.

Now, we are free to speculate who may be decent at Occlumancy.  As you said,
Moody may be.  Or someone else in the Order, another Auror perhaps.
Problem getting them to Hogwarts every week for lessons, though.  I suppose
there was no other choice than Snape.  But as far as we can tell Dumbledore
sees pretty much everything that goes on at Hogwarts.  Does that include
Harry's Occlumancy lessons?  And how little he was learning?  And how little
effort he was putting forth?  And, honestly, how little Snape was telling
him *how* to clear his mind?  What would happen if I were to stand over one
of my first grade students and say "Subtract!  Just do it!  Subtract!"
Nothing, probably.  They would cry sooner or later, I suppose.  Can't see
how Harry was supposed to know how to clear his mind and build his defenses
with nothing but Snape yelling at him.

Richelle






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