Occulmency with Snape

[Lizzy Bennet]

Something tells me we haven't seen the last of Harry and Professor Snape and occulmency lessons . . .

Then again, I could be wrong. Perhaps what's done is done and Harry sees that had he been more diligent with his lessons and/or had adults trusted him with the truth, perhaps the huge fallout at the MoM (namely, Sirius's death) could have been avoided. There's no doubting there's a 'connection' between Harry and Voldemort, and although one would presume Harry is 'wise' Voldemort using his (Harry's) own mind for his dastardly purposes, that isn't to say that Harry isn't going to need to really master occulmency.

Perhaps Harry didn't see the point (or didn't want to see the point, as he was so curious to know more about what he was seeing in his dreams and/or he resented/dreaded having to work with Snape) in 'clearing his mind' (think about it...for most of the books, Harry felt denied information, and here was his mind offering up information no one else seemed 'willing' to give him...), but certainly, I would imagine he does now. Will he continue with Snape? Why did Dumbledore choose Snape to teach Harry occulmency? Obviously, Snape isn't as cut-and-dry evil as Harry started to see when visiting Snape's memories, but it almost seems as though Dumbledore feels Snape and Harry will be useful and important to each other in the future.

Where do you see the occulmency lessons going? Will we learn more about Snape, and if so, how will this effect Harry? Will Snape agree to more lessons considering what Harry found out about him in book 5 ("Snape's Worst Memory")? Perhaps, when Harry starts thinking about what he learned about Snape, he will start to see Snape in a different light, and that there have been times where Snape has tried or has helped Harry...that he isn't out-and-out evil like Voldemort, or out-of-control like Umbridge, or even a loyal Death-Eater (like Bellatrix or Lucius). I mentioned it before...Snape didn't have to help Harry and crew when they were 'captured' by Umbridge, and if Snape hated Sirius so much (remember, Snape didn't know that Harry's vision wasn't real at that point), he didn't have to get right on notifying the OotP as to where Sirius might be and that he (Sirius) might be in trouble. What are your thoughts...about Snape, Harry, occulmency?


~ Lizzy

[Enchanter]

i really dont no. i got tje feeling they were done with

[June]

I was thinking about that too... but knowing Snape (or at least, what we know of him, so far...) he probably would not consent to teaching Harry Occlumency again. And at the end of OotP, Harry hated Snape more than ever... it doesn't bode well for future lessons with Snape. If Occlumency were to continue, it's probably Dumbledore who would teach Harry. It's rather important after all that Voldemort doesn't gain access to Harry's mind. But then maybe Harry would just practise by himself? Once he knows the importance of Occlumency, especially after being nearly possessed, he would know the importance of closing his mind to Voldemort... so maybe he'll master it on his own?

In any case, I don't think lessons with Snape or Dumbledore will play an important part in future books, since Rowling hardly ever repeat herself after introducing a new magical event/ lesson/ object etc... She's expounded enough on Occlumency... devoted one chapter to it, in fact. What I think will play a part is the use of it. Perhaps at a crucial point in the future, Occlumency will help Harry in some way... being able to lie to Voldemort must be useful in some way after all...

[zledm007]

i think that harry will continue w/ the lessons, although not w/ snape but w/ DD. after all DD did mention that he had made a huge mistake having snape teach the lessons in he first place and not doing them himself. having said that, i don't think the lessons themselves will play that big of a role in future books, but the oclumency (sp?) will as june has said.

branching off a little, i think a biproduct of the lessons harry had w/ snape and the recreation of the order will be harry learning to trust snape and allow him to help him through things, but only a little mind you. he's not going to become harry's new sirius by any means, but more of a mentor on the side. think about it, nobody knows the thinking of valdy better than snape, (well, except for maybe harry due to their apparent connection) and this could benefit harry greatly. and assuming that snape knows about the prophesy and that he is loyal to DD (to things that are still up for debate) he knows the importance of harry potter as the last weapon against voldemort, the only one who can get rid of him forever.

well, now i'm rambling, so i'll pass this on....

[Sacred Guardian]

i think that they are over with, but i do think that we will find out more about snape, and that he will play an extremely important role in later books, and get over the thing about james, and help harry very much in some way

[Meg Boyd]

perhaps Snape was choosen as Harry's occulmency (sp?) teacher because DD wanted Harry to see Snape's memories as to put an under standing between the to finally... but what I want to know is why Snape favors, crabbe, goyle, and malfoy...death eater's children...if snape was a member of the order (an anti DE group) why would he favor DE kids??????

[highsorcerer]

Oh, that's quite easy. Snape is working undercover, spying on Voldemort and the Death Eaters. To be nasty to Draco and company would give away his position as spy. So would being nice to Harry. Snape has a very difficult job, and what he's doing for the order is one of the things Harry and company have yet to appreciate.

[2F2Type_R]

perhaps Snape was choosen as Harry's occulmency (sp?) teacher because DD wanted Harry to see Snape's memories as to put an under standing between the to finally...

oH! that's an excellent theory Meg

i reckon his lessons will continue... he's paid the price from Sirius "dying" that he needs to be a lot more sensible bout protecting his mind

i mean, he's still linked to Voldemort, isn't he... and all the elite wizards (Voldemort, Dumbledore) are good at mind games.. Occlumency should stick i reckonz

[highsorcerer]

Harry should continue to study the subject, as it will be useful for his career as an Auror. Indeed, it also seems it's one branch of magic he can study over the summer, as he needs to try and clear his mind mentally, not with a wand.

However, it was pretty clear that Harry has found a way to kick Voldemort out of his mind any time he wants. Voldemort couldn't stay in Harry's mind or body when Harry was filled with the thought of joining his loved one (Sirius) in the afterlife. As long as Harry has love for somebody (the Weasleys , Hermoine, Dumbledore, any special girl in his life), he can concentrate on it and force Voldemort out. Dumbledore had to learn the hard way the really effective method Harry had to block his mind.