Snape the Occlumens

[sarcasticmuppet]

No: HPFGUIDX 79466

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "Wanda Sherratt" 
<wsherratt3338 at r...> wrote:
> When Harry had to learn Occlumency, it seems as if there were only 
> two choices when it came to a teacher:  Dumbledore and Snape.  It's 
> no surprise that Dumbledore would know Occlumency, but has it been 
> discussed just how Snape knows the skill and is so good at it?  Of 
> course, it's very useful for him, but where did HE learn it?  I 
> suspect that Dumbledore taught him himself, and AFTER Snape turned 
> against Voldemort.  I believe that Snape went to Dumbledore without 
> any guarantees of safety or protection, and then Dumbledore 
> undertook to teach him Occlumency, in order to keep his treachery 
> secret from Voldemort (for his own protection) and enable him to be 
> an effective spy.
> 
> Wanda

That's a good theory.  Both Sirius and Lupin admit that Snape is a 
top-rate Occlumens/Legilimens.  It would make sense that that skill 
would make him a usefull spy in Voldemort's inner circle.  The only 
thing I could possibly see wrong with it is this:  Would Voldemort 
know that his Legillimency is being blocked?  If he looked inside 
Snape's head and constantly found it empty, would he suspect 
Occlumency or stupidity?  If he knew Snape was hiding memories from 
him, would he suspect that Snape is a spy?  If so, what game was Mr. 
V. playing before his downfall?