New thoughts on Occlumency

[potioncat]

No: HPFGUIDX 100648

I'm starting a new thread on Occlumency to get away from the blame 
game.  Two ideas crossed my mind as I was reading and responding to 
the other thread.

A cover story was made up to explain why Harry was meeting regularly 
with Snape: Remedial Potions.  It's a pretty good one actually, so 
long as no one walks in on the lessons.  But Malfoy did.  

I recall some time back, many of the group were laughing at Malfoy 
for falling for the explanation, but think of this.  Malfoy was 
rushing in to tell Snape that the missing Slytherin had been found 
and he was injured. His main thoughts were on getting help.  Draco 
wasn't thinking too deeply about an explantion that gave him 
something to gloat about. 

But Malfoy isn't stupid and if he thinks about it at all, he's bound 
to wonder.  And, worse, if he says something to Umbridge, she's 
bound to wonder. And the last thing Snape would want is Umbridge 
watching the remedial lessons.

It may well be that this possibility played into stopping the 
lessons.  Particularly as they didn't appear to be going well.


Next idea.  Occlumency is an obscure branch of magic.  You wouldn't 
advertise your abiltiy.  How does Lupin know that Snape is so good 
at it?  At least twice he's praised Snape to Harry.  Once when he 
talks about his Potion making skills and once with the comment about 
Occlumency.  Is this good Lupin trying to get Harry to see Snape 
differently?  Or is this ESE!Lupin up to no good?
Potioncat