[HPforGrownups] The Mysteries of Occlumency - High and Low

[Kathy King]

No: HPFGUIDX 148500

Steve snipped:



Since we only have Harry's point of view about Occlumency, with that
limited information, I have to wonder how Voldemort is able to
functionally use it. When Harry block a thought, it is in direct
response to attempts to penetrate his mind, and he blocks the
thoughts, by refusing to allow them into his conscious self-aware mind.

But how can Voldemort do this? How can he plot and plan and scheme and
have internal thought processes if he has to deny them in order to
block his mind?

Snow:



I think I understand the dilemma that you propose and it really is a very
good question. The only counter that I can see is that the connection
between Harry and Voldemort appears to go above and beyond Occlumency and
Legilimency because they are already joined in a sense that overpowers these
effects. First off Harry doesn't use Legilimency to intrude on Voldemort's
thoughts, the thoughts or connection is a result of complete calm when Harry
doses or sleeps. Secondly, Dumbledore even states that it doesn't matter
that Harry could not master Occlumency because it was his heart (love) that
saved him. From this statement I take it that Occlumency is no longer a
factor (I personally don't feel it ever was).



If you look at what actually was happening to Harry, in OOP, from the
Voldemort effect, you would find that it was neither Occlumency nor
Legilimency that was involved; it was a sharing of minds but only from
Harry's perspective. Voldemort sensed that Harry had been capable of
intruding on his thoughts and presence so he implanted thoughts in his own
mind to allow Harry to be subjected to them. When Voldemort attempted to (by
possession) reverse the process, he failed miserably. Now that Voldemort has
been taught that this thing between Harry and himself is not a
two-way-street, he has protected his thoughts from Harry, but how? As you
say Occlumency would be of little use…as Voldemort would have to be in
constant Occlumency mode or else Harry could invade the territory. Therefore
we might conclude that Voldemort is securing and protecting the invasion of
his mind and its processes by something more, but what? How much does
Voldemort know from this entire experience? How is Voldemort capable of
excluding entrance to his mind from Harry, because as (I think) you surmise,
it would be a full time job?



Good question, Steve!


Snow


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