Occlumency, Narcissistic!Snape?

[Jen Reese]

No: HPFGUIDX 127538


Pippin:
> Possible answers [why we don't see Harry's memories of Snape in 
Occlumency]:
>  * The legilimens can't probe any memories regarding himself
> personally 
> 
> * Harry's memories of Snape aren't that traumatic
> 
> *  Harry's a much better occlumens than he thinks, and is able
> to unconsciously block memories of Snape
> 
> * Snape is deliberately avoiding those memories. That would really
> blow Narcissistic!Snape out of the water, wouldn't it? Could a 
> Narcissist really consistently avoid reliving his moments of triumph?

Jen: Good catch, Pippin! I wanted to add a possibility to the list. 

All of the memories Snape elicits from Harry have very vulnerable 
feelings attached to them: Fear of the dementors, Ripper the dog & 
being sorted into Slytherin; shock and grief over Cedric's death; 
jealousy of Dudley's bike; ambivalent feelings toward Cho.

The rage Harry feels almost constantly toward Snape may not be the 
kind of thing a Legilimens is skilled at retrieving. Like the 
Dementors not being able to suck Sirius dry because he held onto his 
obsession, perhaps a Legilimens cannot access memories attached to a 
powerful feeling like rage.

Or, they may be *harder* to access and those vulnerable memories are 
easier to get at. In that case, Harry could be a better Occlumens than 
Snape gives him credit for, like you said.

Jen