Is Snape really that good at Occlumency?

[lupinlore]

No: HPFGUIDX 120090


At several points in OOTP, we were told that Snape is a master 
Occlumens.  Yet, according to Snape Occlumency requires one to "clear 
your mind of all emotion."  Now, this is something that Snape seems 
singularly unable to do, particularly when dealing with Harry.  Yet, 
we are led to believe that, although he cannot clear his mind of 
emotion when dealing with a 15 year old student, he CAN do so when 
his life is on the line before the most evil and knowledgable wizard 
in the world.

Interesting.

What are the possibilities here?

1)  Snape really isn't nearly as good an Occlumens as he and everyone 
else thinks.  Which, of course, does not bode well.

2)  Snape was lying.  Occlumency really doesn't require you to clear 
your mind.  But why would he lie?

3)  Snape was mistaken.  Occlumency does not require clearing your 
mind, but blocking it with emotion.  After all, it is not a clear 
mind that saves Harry from Voldie, but his emotions.  Many people 
have commented on this seeming inconsistency, and speculated that 
occlumency was a waste of time if, in fact, what Harry needs to do to 
battle Voldemort is fill himself with emotion, not block it.  Thus, 
Snape is a good Occlumens but he really doesn't understand *why* he's 
a good Occlumens.  But wouldn't his own teacher have corrected this 
belief?  Or perhaps Snape is self-taught or a "natural" Occlumens.  
It's just that he has an unclear understanding of his own defenses.  
He can block Voldemort not because, as he thinks, he is clearing his 
mind, but because he's a perpetually seething cauldron of rage and 
bitterness.  And, in that case, Dumbledore might not realize that 
Snape can't teach Occlumency because Snape doesn't understand it 
correctly himself.

4)  Snape really is able to clear his mind in the presence of 
Voldemort but cannot in Harry's presence.  Now this would seem to 
stretch credulity, but I have a feeling this is what JKR is telling 
us.  Which means that Snape is even more childish and petty than he 
at first appears.  Once again, this does not bode well.


Lupinlore