Legilimency and Occlumency

[Jade]

So I have a question, for those of you who were gracious enough to
support this crazy idea of a discussion group. =P Many of my reviewers
have commented about how much they like the idea of visualizing
thoughts and emotions, and the principle of Innate Occlumens. I myself
had a lot of reservations before publishing it, but now I'm glad I
did. So here's the question - are there things that you really liked/
didn't like about my visions of Occlumency/Legilimency, and are there
things that you wished I'd developed more on?

I'm just looking for people's opinions, as they could help me become a
better writer and explain things in future chapters - no right or
wrong answers, and certainly no pressure. =)

[Joel]

I liked the idea for a couple of reasons. First it was unique. I've
never seen the idea of Occlumency portrayed quite like that. Second
was it allows you as the author more latitude in describing any
potential conflict. The symbolism of Snape rooting through Harry's
mental dorm room makes it easier for readers to relate personally to
an otherwise fantastic concept. Legilimency is simple to understand
rationally, but the image of a ransacked room works on the emotional
level.

[Jade]

That was one of the things that I was trying to get across was the
emotional impact of Legilimency - in the books, it's just presented as
a big flash of images and the Legilimens rooting through the target's
mind with impunity. It's hard for a lot of people to visualize a
mental battle that really has no visualization at all, so that's what
I was trying to work around.

Another thing you might have noticed in chapter five is the difference
between Dumbledore's and Snape's Legilimency methods. I wanted to make
the distinction between the two, and show that Dumbledore was much
better intentioned than everyone's favorite Potions Master.

[wotsfreek]

I really liked the visualization, but I thought that Harry and Ginny
should have been able to just push the Legilimens out of their minds
instead of just hiding things from them. (I know Harry did, but he
passed out from the effort)

[Jade]

Perhaps they can - it may have been inexperience on Harry's part that
caused him to overextend himself.

More will be revealed on this in chapter 7, so hold tight. I'm
actually getting ready to write the scenes that I think will answer
any questions you might have.

[wotsfreek]

Can't wait for Chapter 7 then. With DWY I had the fortune of not
having to wait at all for the next chapter so this wait is killing me
(even though it's only been... ONE DAY) I guess it's your fault for
writing such a good story.

[Green Eyed Devil]

Defenatly like this visulisation of the mind and how with Legilimency
the person enters the mind & start rumaging through the memories &
how Occlumency envoles the person running round trying to hide all
the thing of corse i spose its also possable for the peron envolved to
delibratly show some on some of ther memories which could have
intresting consquences like showing harry showing dumbledoor what his
life was like before hogwarts or just what snape is like in class.

Iam also dying to know what hermiones, rons, Dumbledoors & even
snapes (though that could be a bit creepy) minds are like & how much
defrense ccan ginny actually make to her mind.

[Jade]

Devil: As much fun as seeing the insides of people's minds might be,
it would require either Ginny or Harry to use Legilimency on the
target, and being a natural Occlumens doesn't mean natural Legilimency
as well, as far as I've said in the story. So Harry/Ginny would have
to get past Snape/Dumbledore's Occlumency shields before we saw their
minds, which would be a tremendous accomplishment.

And I hope I've presented Legilimency in a way that shows its taboo in
normal society - people don't just read minds for the fun of it.