Is Lupin a Legilimens? Spell vs Skill

[sistermagpie]

No: HPFGUIDX 157317

> > bboyminn:
As it is, though Harry 
> > is actually capable of doing it, he sees the Occulmency 
> > classes and his efforts as a failure, and so he has written 
> > that skill off as a lost cause. Yet, we see that the skill 
> > is actually there, but Snape made the circumstances such 
> > that it was impossible to nuture and enhance that skill. 

> 
> Mike:
> Could you expand on Harry being able to do Occlumency? See I've 
> resigned myself to believing, like Harry does, that he can't do it 
> because he can't rein in his emotions. Have I been duped by that 
> *unreliable narrator* again?

Magpie:
Harry can't do Occlumency--according to JKR in interviews outside 
canon he's "too damaged," but I think also she implies it's just 
against his nature (I'd even suggest she thinks this reflects well 
on his character).  We don't ever see that the skill is there--on 
the contrary, he uses own natural impulse against Snape by throwing 
a Protego at him (something he's been working on in the DA) but 
never actually cloaks his mind, as far as I recall.  I think given 
what Rowling's said Occlumency is a skill to be learned by anyone, 
though some people are naturally better at it (Draco is a natural, 
though presumably a beginner who would still need to practice and 
study to get very good), just like most other skills.  But it's a 
skill Harry is particularly unsuited for and probably won't ever do 
it.

-m