THEORY: Unifying Occlumency Theory

[juli17 at aol.com]

No: HPFGUIDX 116382

Alla writes:
> 
> Seriously though, I think Dumbledore had too much faith in Snape's 
> decency and the ability to put aside his grudges,when he enters 
> Harry's mind and sees what Harry's life was before Hogwarts...
> 
> You know like in " who could not have sympathy for the boy". Alas.
> 

I do think Dumbledore had too much faith in Snape's ability to put
aside grudges, though I don't agree that Snape was lacking in 
decency during the Occlumency lessons. I also think Dumbledore
had too much faith in Harry being able to put aside Voldemort's
influence on his mind and devote himself to the Occlumency lessons
*just* on DD's say so (i.e., without being given sufficient information
on why the lessons were so critical). 

As for sympathy, I think Snape showed a glimmer of sympathy
for Harry during the lessons, if simply by keeping his comments to
a bare minimum. (From Snape, that's sympathy!). Given their past
relationship, sympathy and understanding between the two would
come in small steps and would take time to grow. Unfortunately,
it was Harry who undid any small progress in that area by invading 
Snape's privacy. 

I'm not blaming Harry for the failure of the lessons, but he does
bear a portion of the blame, along with Snape and Dumbledore. I 
also remain a little flummoxed that Dumbledore didn't bring that up
when he spoke with Harry after the MoM incident, but it may be
because Harry was already suffering enough self-recrimination
over the death of Sirius. Whatever Snape's failures during the 
Occlumency lessons, Harry had a few of his own. Deep inside he
knows that, but it's easier to blame Snape for it all than to heap 
any more pain upon himself at the moment.

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?

Julie 
 


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]