[HPforGrownups] Re: Who is the adult (Was: Who's to blame for Occlumency?)

[Lynx412 at AOL.com]

No: HPFGUIDX 100824

In a message dated 6/10/2004 10:00:08 PM Eastern Standard Time, 
dumbledore11214 at yahoo.com writes:

> "You don't get it!" Harry shouted at her. "I'm not having nightmares, I am 
> not just dreaming! What d'you think all the Occlumency was for, why d'you 
> think Dumbledore wanted me prevented from seeing those things? Because they are 
> REAL" -OOP, p.734
> 
> Nobody bothered to tell Harry that the main reason for occlumency was 
> to prevent Voldie from planting FALSE visions in his mind.
> 
> 
> And even though Hermione screaches that it could have been just a 
> dream, she does not say that it could have been a false vision. No 
> wonder that Harry is not prepared to listen.

       I think this bit is key. Harry's 'visions' from LV have NEVER been f
alse in the past. DD obliquely confirmed this when he mentioned the death of 
Frank Brice. Snape also confirmed it when he referenced the room where LV met 
with Rookwood. Snape tells Harry that LV might be able to get info from him, 
might be able to influence him. Harry, relieved that he's not being possessed, 
does ask if LV could influence him, but doesn't seem to put much credence into 
the theory. It is at this point that Snape fails, not later when he ends the 
classes. How? A quote:

       "But why does Professor Dumbledore want to stop it?" he asked 
abruptly. "I don't like it much, but it's been useful, hasn't it? I mean...I saw that 
snake attack Mr. Weasley and if I hadn't, Professor Dumbledore wouldn't have 
been able to save him, would he? Sir?"

       Snape then goes into an explanation of LV's discovery of the 
mind-link..and an argument about the proper term for LV. Why didn't he follow up with 
something like "Because, you arrogant idiot, he's skilled enough to send FALSE 
visions to lure you, your overly loyal friends, and the Order into a trap!" 
Then follow by demonstrating just HOW to send a false vision. I'm quite certain 
Snape could do that.

       Harry had NO idea that such false visions could have been sent, and 
neither did Hermione. She thinks it could have been a dream, but I think she 
does believe Harry's seen the truth, however odd the situation, or she would have 
said the vision might be fake.

       But, I'm not saying Snape was wholly to blame for what happened. I 
feel that the blame for the entire incident is quite evenly spread out amongst 
the whole crew. DD's misjudgments on the Snape/Harry relationship, Harry's total 
mistrust [and fear] of Snape, the stress of being thought a liar and madman, 
Snape's seeing James in Harry, all added up to disaster. 

       Cheryl


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