Snape Teaching Occlemency

[kiricat2001]

No: HPFGUIDX 73945

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, Buttercup <cathio2002 at y...> 
wrote:
> 
> --- bookraptor11 wrote:
> 
> > >...Harry is able to fight off the spell and
> > responds 
> > > with "Protego." The legilimens spell is reversed
> > and Harry is able 
> > to 
> > > see some of Snape's memories. Upon the next try,
> > Snape purposely 
> > > casts the spell before Harry is able to set up his
> > defenses. He 
> > > doesn't count to three (ooh!), but starts on two.
> > It's a small 
> > thing, 
> > > but I don't think he gave Harry a real chance and
> > he didn't want 
> > to. 
> > > That's petty. It's also petty to bring this up,
> > but only because 
> > it's 
> > > petty to disregard it. Punishment for doing a good
> > job...for once. 
> 
> Buttercup:
> 
> I never understood why Snape started on the count of
> three. The Dark Lord isn't going to say, "Okay Harry,
> one, two, three, I'm reading your thoughts." Snape
> should have taken Harry off guard every time. It would
> have been better practice for Harry.
> 
> 
> 
> =====
> Buttercup


As Harry is a novice at all of this, the "one, two, three.." I 
believe is used as a verbal cue to get ready.  Since the level of 
ability between Snape and Harry is, I presume, quite different, if 
Harry hasn't got those few seconds to mentally get himself on guard, 
he may never stand a chance to progress. He has to learn to walk 
before he can run. 

 I would also assume that, had the lessons continued, or indeed, if 
Harry receives additional lessons in 6th year, eventually his tutor 
will stop with this "ready, get set, go" routine, and just let fly.  

Marianne