Can Occlumency be taught ?(was:Umbridge and Harry's Temptations)

[dumbledore11214]

No: HPFGUIDX 120072


Del replies :


> Could it be simply because Occlumency cannot be taught?
Snape describes it as "an obscure branch of magic, but a highly 
useful one". Useful indeed! In a world where wizards can use Imperio 
and Legilimency on each other, you'd think Occlumency would be a 
compulsory subject for all wizards to learn. But it's not. And why
would that be? I can think of only 2 reasons :
1. It's Dark Magic. But unless we haven't been told everything about 
it, I fail to see why it would be classified as such.
 2. It can't be taught. Just like resisting the Imperius Curse can't 
be taught. Maybe Occlumens are born, not made, just like 
Metamorphmagi.
Harry resisting the Imperius Curse the year before might have hinted 
at him being an Occlumens.
I would also like to repeat something that has been said over and 
over again, but that I find important : when teaching the kids to 
resist Imperio, Crouch!Moody didn't do anything but put them under 
the Curse.
Being put under the curse and shaking it seems to be the only way to
learn to resist it. Similarly, it could very well be that learning
Occlumency can be done only be clearing one's mind and shaking a
Legilimency curse.



Alla:


Well, sure our lack of knowledge is one of the main problems in 
evaluating whether Snape taught Occlumency correctly OR as you put 
the question "Whether it could be taught at all"

I tend to think  that it could be taught, because Dumbledore 
insisted that Snape TAUGHT Harry occlumency, but of course we don't 
know what conversation Dumbledore had with Snape prior to starting 
lessons.

It could be as well that Dumbledore told Snape "Just put Harry under 
Legilimens and see what happens next" :o)

I cannot say that it is impossible, but since I still believe in 
Dumbledore's good nature, I tend to disagree with it.

We don't know how real Moody would have taught Unforgivables in 
class. Who knows, maybe he would have given them some preparation 
exercises prior to Imperio the class.

What am I getting at? Oh, yes. This way of teaching smells TO ME of 
Voldemort's way of teaching and I hope that occlumency can be taught.