Snape as an Occlumens

[Adan]

No: HPFGUIDX 106227

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "Penny Brooks" 
<pennygbrooks at y...> wrote:
 
> In OooP, we learn that Snape is an occlumens, and presumably a 
> legilimens, when he has to teach Harry occlumency.  What I'm 
> wondering is:  why hasn't Snape used this skill before?  There are 
> many situations in the previous books where Snape has accused Harry 
> of doing things he did/didn't do, and if he were penetrate minds, 
as 
> he does in the occlumency lessons, why didn't he do so at those 
times 
> to learn the truth?  An example...in CoS, Hermione steals 
ingredients 
> from the potions cupboard, but Snape accuses Harry...all he'd have 
to 
> do is a little mind-reading, and he'd know it wasn't him.  It seems 
> that Snape's animosity for Harry would give him a propensity to do 
a 
> little mind-reading on Harry.

That is a good question.  My first thought is that using it on 
someone without their permission could be tantamount to assault, or 
worse.  Now certainly this skill would also come in quite useful for 
a spy, so I am assuming that he would use it IF the situation 
warranted it.  For someone as private as Snape, though, I imagine it 
would take a very good reason.

Adan, adding yet another element to the "how far would Snape go" 
debate