"Legilimens!"

[Cindy]

No: HPFGUIDX 72053

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, IAmLordCassandra at a... wrote:
> 
> This caught my eye when I first read it, actually.  During all of the 
> Occulmency lessons in order to perform Legilimency on Harry, Snape
has to say 
> "Legilimens!", and is, at one point, seen muttering under his breath
(an 
> incantation?).   
> 
> Why? Would Lord Thingy have to look into Harry's eyes or one of the
Death 
> Eater's and say "Legilimens!"  in order to see their
memories/thoughts?  
> 
> I just find it odd one has to say "Legilimens!" to use Legilimency.
I half 
> expected Harry to say "Occlumens!" in order to fight off Snape
invading his 
> mind.  
> 
> ~Cassie~ 
> 
> 
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

now me (Cindy):

Many characters in the book state that Snape is a *superb* Occlumens,
but none of them say he is a superb legilimens. I suspect that Snape's
priority was to master Occlumency - the art of blocking, so that he
could spy and survive to tell. Though, naturally,  he learnt a little
legilimency along the way. It is still a very handy skill to have,
even if you have to mutter ;-)
-Cindy