Snape and Occlumency

[severelysigune]

No: HPFGUIDX 121658


> > Inkling replies:
> > 
> > If so, it is the only spell in the WW that works that way.  All 
> the 
> > spells we have encountered require only a single incantation.
> > 
> > In this lesson, the incantation "Legilimens!" has already 
worked:  
> > Snape has access to Harry's mind.  So, what else does he want?
> 
> Potioncat:
> The spell Snape was using to de-hex the broom in SS/PS was a 
> repeated spell...and apparantly so was the hex Quirrell was using.

Sigune:
Warning: this is not canon but pure speculation, as we know so little 
about Occlumency ourselves -
but it seems to me that if all you do is just *break into* someone's 
mind using "Legilimens!", you are only inside, and still have to find 
your way to the information you actually want to access. The break-in 
apparently causes random memories to rush to the fore; but if someone 
like Voldie uses Legilimency, I'd say he would want specific 
information, which, I should say, he would drag out by asking 
specific questions. As the mind works via association, the 
question, "How's Dumbledore these days?" would conjure up a torrent 
of Dumbledore-related memories among which the interviewer might find 
the thing he needs.
So, what I mean to say, basically, is that a person doing Legilimency 
would be talking even after they have said the spell, just to find 
the information they were after.

As to all the Snape-doubting of late, whether or not related to 
Occlumency lessons:
If you ask me, Snape is not by far the powerful wizard many readers 
like to make him out. If he were, he might be his own evil overlord; 
he might not have been knocked out by three thirteen-year-old 
students in the Shack; he might not need Dumbledore's protection; he 
might not need a spell to perform Legilimency; he might not need to 
merge into the shadows if he doesn't want to be noticed as he would 
be able to make himself invisible like Dumbledore - and possibly, 
just possibly, he wouldn't be so frustrated and snarky and 
intolerable. 
Also, Snape is about the least perfect human being to walk the face 
of the series. He is cold, he enjoys hurting people, he is envious, 
he nurses petty grudges, he has still to grow up. What can we expect 
of such a man? Perfection in his actions? That would be most 
unrealistic. To me, all those elements that have been raised as 
evidence of Snape's unreliability amount to a catalogue of his 
failings, not to proof of his disloyalty. The point to consider in 
regard to Snape is whether or not he stands anything to gain from his 
association with Voldie. The answer seems to be no. Voldie has so far 
displayed disconcerting incompetence, which makes it hard to believe 
he could have been such a terror in the first war. Is this the man 
who will secure Snape an interesting future? I don't think so. 
Rather, it might be Albus Dumbledore, who is involved in every 
commission and organisation of import in the Wizarding World, runs 
the only wizarding school in Britain, and is at least equally 
powerful in terms of magic as Voldie is. Besides, where are Snape's 
old Slytherin gang? Rosier and Wilkes are dead; and does he really 
long for the company of Lucius Malfoy and Bellatrix Lestrange? I 
dunno, but it doesn't seem very likely.
No, I think Snape is very unlikely to defect from Dumbledore - but 
that doesn't mean I would put it past him to wait to see which way 
the wind blows. He'll go where there is something to gain. So far, I 
just don't see how that could be Voldie's side.

Yours severely,

Sigune