Occlumens



An Occlumens is a witch or wizard who is able to use occlumency. Occlumency is the act of magically closing one's mind against Legilimency. It can prevent a Legilimens from accessing one's thoughts and feelings, or influencing them.

Methods
"I told you to empty yourself of emotion! ... Fools who wear their hearts proudly on their sleeves, who cannot control their emotions, who wallow in sad memories and allow themselves to be provoked this easily — weak people, in other words — they stand no chance against his powers! He will penetrate your mind with absurd ease, Potter!"

- Severus Snape to Harry Potter on the difficulty of learning Occlumency

The most basic skill of an Occlumens, judging from Severus Snape's early lessons on the subject to Harry Potter, involves clearing one's mind — making it "blank and empty" — in order to prevent a Legilimens from perceiving one's emotions and thoughts. More advanced Occlumens are able to suppress only the thoughts, emotions, and memories that would contradict whatever it is an Occlumens wishes a Legilimens to believe; hence, it is not obvious that Occlumency is being used even if the person is lying. It requires a great deal of will power, as with resisting the Imperius Curse, as well as a high degree of mental and emotional discipline. It is also one method of resisting the influence of Veritaserum.

Education
Occlumency is not part of the normal curriculum taught at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry and appears to be a rare and difficult skill, which is why Occlumens are seen as very rare and talented.

Known Occlumens

 * Maxwell Barnett
 * Barty Crouch Jr.
 * Albus Dumbledore
 * Bellatrix Lestrange
 * Draco Malfoy
 * Severus Snape
 * Horace Slughorn
 * Lord Voldemort
 * Gellert Grindelwald (possibly)
 * Narcissa Malfoy (possibly)

Etymology
The word "occlumens" comes from the English word; occlude, "to conceal". The mens, comes from the Latin for "mind".