THEORY: Unifying Occlumency Theory

[lupinlore]

No: HPFGUIDX 116391


--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, juli17 at a... wrote:
> 
> 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). 
> 
 <Big Snip>

Well, I think there is something else going on here.  I'm inclined to 
take Dumbledore at his word about Occlumency and his reasons.  He 
trusts Snape, and we now see that one of his weaknesses is his trust 
blinds him, at times, to unpleasant realities.  He also is desperate 
to protect Harry, and therefore probably is somewhat in denial as to 
the possibilities of Harry "opening up" and trusting Snape.

However, I also think he saw this as a chance to *finally* get them 
to see each other at least a little differently.  I'm not suggesting 
he manipulated the situation so that would occur, but given the 
necessity for Harry to learn Occlumency and his belief that Snape had 
to be the teacher, he probably thought that the deep visions of each 
other's minds would lead to a lessening of the tension between them.  
I think his desire to effect something like this contributed to his 
unrealistic hopes.

Lupinlore