The Second Voldemort War, Stage II

[cubfanbudwoman]

No: HPFGUIDX 91096

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "pippin_999" <foxmoth at q...> 
wrote:
> Susan:
> > > I would submit, however, that Snape [purposely?] did nothing 
> to ASSIST Harry, either.  Neither did he DEMONSTRATE how to 
> block the  legilimens spell NOR did he help Harry or give him 
> time to clear  his  mind of thoughts/emotions. <<
> 
> *How*  would Snape demonstrate how to block legilimens? The 
> only mind Harry could see inside of was Voldemort's, so how 
> would Snape show Harry what he was doing? I don't think you 
> can learn occlumency by demonstration anyway-- it's probably 
> more like learning to ride a bicycle. You just have to keep 
> trying, and falling,  till you get it. Harry learned to fight off 
> the Dementors the same way. And Lupin wasn't much more 
> encouraging than Snape when you think about it; he kept telling 
> Harry it was much too difficult for a third year.
> 
> 
> Maybe you're thinking Harry should have been led through some 
> mental discipline exercises, but Lupin, whose technique as a 
> teacher is unassailable, doesn't take that approach to Harry's 
> anti-Dementor lessons either. And to the extent that forming a 
> pure intent is basic to all kinds of magic, shouldn't a fifth year 
> know how to do that anyway?
> 

Siriusly Snapey Susan:
I'm going to ponder this more, Pippin, but for now I really think 
I'm not going to "give" on this part of the argument at least.  What 
Snape could have done is DESCRIBE the process more fully and explain 
what KINDS of blocking techniques or spells Harry could try.  Snape 
doesn't have to understand what's IN Harry's memory to describe how 
the process works and give him some additional information on 
blocking.  

And, whether Lupin did things similarly or differently, I don't 
think is justification for this particular situation.  Why COULDN'T 
Snape have helped Harry settle down or have waited for him to calm 
down?  ONCE Harry had had some practice, I could see Snape not 
cutting him some slack because Voldy wouldn't cut him some slack.  
But I'm talking about his FIRST lesson here.  I believe the reason 
Snape "couldn't" wait for Harry or help Harry is that he doesn't 
WANT to help Harry.  He doesn't really give a rat's ass whether 
Harry is successful...at least not the way DD cares.

I will totally agree with you about what would have been best, 
though:  DD's teaching Harry Occlumency himself, BEFORE things got 
this far.

Respectfully,
Siriusly Snapey Susan