Teaching Occlumency--was:Almost anyone & Rampant Ingratitude

[amiabledorsai]

No: HPFGUIDX 129527

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "Amanda Geist" <editor at t...> wrote:
> Amiable Dorsai:
> > 
> >  Well, I don't know who would be a better authority than the 
> >person it was actually happening to.
> 
> I have heard this argued as the Definitive And Discussion-Ending 
> Answer several times before, I *know* I have answered before, too, 
> but I can't remember which thread.
> 
> Basically, I totally disagree. Harry is a *terrible* judge of what's 
> going on, precisely because he cannot be an objective observer. In 
> fact, his subjectivity is what makes him unable to accept the 
> objectivity of others—whether he trusts them (Dumbledore, Hermione, 
> etc.) or not (Snape). No one who is under stress or pressure, or any 
> sort of influence, is a good judge of themselves.

<Snip thought-provoking, example-filled rebuttal of my point.  Go back
and read it if you missed it, it's worth the effort.>

>Carol adds (To a good point from Potioncat):
>Not to mention that on his first encounter with Snape, he thought it
>was Snape who was making his scar hurt. (Post hoc ergo propter hoc
>fallacy.) I think something similar but more complex is happening
>during the occlumency lessons. Harry's own desire to complete the
>dream opens him up to Voldemort.

You are, all of you, correct.  Correlation is not causation, and
Harry's opinion on this subject must be taken with a grain of salt. 
Thank you, you've opened up my thinking on the subject.

A question, then:  Suppose that Snape's method of teaching Occlumency
is the (or at least a) correct, accepted procedure.  Now suppose that
Harry's coach had been someone else, say, Flitwick, and he approached
teaching Harry the subject in precisely the same manner.

What result would you expect?

Amiable Dorsai