THEORY: Unifying Occlumency Theory

[justcarol67]

No: HPFGUIDX 116998


Julie wrote:
> > Here's an interesting question to consider: If Harry hadn't 
> > delved into Snape's private memories, how would the 
> > Occlumency lessons have eventually concluded?
> 
> 
> 
Alla responded:
> 
> Good question. Personally I think that Snape would have found one 
> reason or another to stop them.

Carol notes:
Quite possibly he had good reason to do so; either the lessons had
served their purpose, telling Snape and Dumbledore what was happening
in Harry's mind so that they more clearly understood the connection
between Harry and Voldemort, or the lessons were growing dangerous,
opening Harry's mind to Voldemort rather than closing it (in part
because Harry wanted to find out what was behind the door and found
reasons not to practice), or both. Snape may simply have realized that
Occlumency was not the right solution since Voldemort's invasion of
Harry's mind through the scar connection was not standard Legilimency
and therefore could not be blocked through Occlumency.

I think, though, that Harry could have blocked the dreams if he had
tried; he just didn't want to, and Snape found that stubborn
resistance extremely frustrating. I also think Snape realized that his
efforts to persuade Harry to control his emotions and block the dreams
were not only futile, they were making matters worse through Harry's
resentment and active resistance, and he used his own very real anger
at Harry for invading his privacy in the Pensieve as an excuse to end
the lessons. He could hardly say, "Look, Potter. This isn't working
out. Let's just stop these lessons, shall we? Our little secret from
Dumbledore." No, he had to report the Pensieve incident to Dumbledore,
who would agree that under the circumstances they should not be
resumed. (As usual, DD presents only part of the story to
Harry--Snape's inability to get past an old grudge. Convenient for
him, acceptable to Harry.)

It *seems* like an unfortunate incident, but I don't think it is. My
feeling is that the lessons had to end in some way or Harry would have
completed his dream and Voldemort would have found a way to lure him
to the MoM. I'll be surprised if Occlumency comes up again in HBP, at
least in relation to Harry. I do hope we see it again in relation to
Snape.

Carol