OOTP Chapter Discussions, Chapter 24: Occlumency

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No: HPFGUIDX 108960

Sigune wrote:
>>[edit] I suspect that the Dark Mark is a rather powerful link with
Voldemort, comparable in a way to Harry's scar; and old beliefs have
it that when you speak, for example, the Devil's name, he might just
come to you. So maybe, for DE's more than for others, speaking
Voldemort's name kind of activates their bond, drawing his attention
to them.[edit]<<

I concur that the fear of speaking Voldemort's name stems from the 
fear of attracting his attention (and incurring his wrath).

The powerful psychic connection between Harry and Voldemort, made 
more dangerous in OotP by Harry's inability and unwillingness to 
shield his mind, put the safety of the Order at greater risk of being 
compromised (as tragically came to pass in the demise of Sirius).

The LAST thing Snape needed was for Harry to needlessly risk 
attracting Voldemort's attention during Occlumency lessons 
(especially considering the great precautions Dumbledore himself took 
around Harry in normal circumstances).

When Harry managed to mentally push back and into Snape's mind (and 
when he pried into Snape's memories in the Pensieve, for that 
matter), Voldemort could very well have been lurking and witnessing 
the events.   

Had something of a highly sensitive nature been uncovered, the 
results could have been disastrous for Snape and the Order.
 
As it is, Harry may very well have handed Voldemort emotional weapons 
that he could potentially use to chip away at Snape's mental defenses 
in the future.


BM