======Legilimens======
=====Spell Information=====
  * **Incantation:** [[Legilimens]]
  * **Pronunciation:** //le-JIL-i-menz//
  * **Wand Movement:** Not described; can be performed non-verbally and wandlessly by skilled practitioners.
  * **Light:** No specific light or color is described in the novels. The intrusion is portrayed as a mental, rather than a visual, force.
  * **Effect:** Allows the caster to penetrate a target's mind, giving them access to their thoughts, feelings, and memories. The magical art itself is known as [[Legilimency]], and a wizard or witch who practises it is called a [[Legilimens]].
  * **Type:** Spell, Mind-Affecting Magic
=====History and Known Uses=====
[[Legilimency]] is a difficult and obscure branch of magic that is not part of the standard curriculum at [[Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry]]. It requires making eye contact with the target, although a powerful enough [[Legilimens]] can overcome this limitation. Skilled users can perform it non-verbally to subtly read or forcefully invade a mind.
  * **[[Lord Voldemort]]:** Regarded as one of the most powerful and accomplished Legilimens in history. He used [[Legilimency]] as a primary tool for intimidation, interrogation, and control over his [[Death Eaters]]. He successfully extracted crucial information from [[Bertha Jorkins]] about the [[Triwizard Tournament]] and [[Barty Crouch Jr.]], and later located the [[Elder Wand]] by delving into the minds of [[Gregorovitch]] and [[Gellert Grindelwald]]. His soul-fragment connection to [[Harry Potter]] created a two-way link, allowing [[Voldemort]] to project visions and feel Harry's emotions, but also inadvertently giving Harry access to his own thoughts.
  * **[[Severus Snape]]:** An exceptionally skilled [[Legilimens]]. He was tasked by [[Albus Dumbledore]] to teach [[Harry Potter]] the defensive art of [[Occlumency]]. During these lessons, [[Snape]] repeatedly used the incantation //Legilimens!// to forcibly enter Harry's mind, causing Harry to relive painful and private memories. [[Snape]] also used his ability subtly to determine if students were being truthful, as seen when he questioned Harry about the [[Marauder's Map]].
  * **[[Albus Dumbledore]]:** Also a masterful [[Legilimens]], though he used the skill with far more subtlety and wisdom than [[Voldemort]]. [[Snape]] noted that [[Dumbledore]] was not a man to be easily fooled and could likely perceive the truth without resorting to [[Veritaserum]].
  * **[[Salazar Slytherin]]:** One of the four founders of [[Hogwarts]], he was reputed to be a powerful [[Legilimens]]. (Pottermore)
=====Learning and Counter-Spells=====
Learning [[Legilimency]] is a challenging process requiring considerable mental discipline. [[Severus Snape]] emphasized to Harry that it is not simple "mind-reading," but a complex and subtle art. He stated, //"The mind is not a book, to be opened at will and examined at leisure... It is the subtle art of penetrating the mind and interpreting its findings."// A true [[Legilimens]] must be able to navigate the complex layers of a person's consciousness to extract truth.
The primary and most effective defence against [[Legilimency]] is **[[Occlumency]]**, the magical art of closing one's mind to external intrusion.
  * **Blocking:** A practitioner of [[Occlumency]] can clear their mind of all emotion and thought, presenting a blank, impenetrable surface to an invading [[Legilimens]].
  * **Deception:** An advanced [[Occlumens]] can go beyond mere blocking and plant false thoughts or memories to actively mislead the attacker. This was a skill mastered by [[Severus Snape]], which allowed him to successfully act as a double agent and deceive [[Lord Voldemort]] for many years.
  * **Other practitioners** of [[Occlumency]] mentioned include [[Draco Malfoy]], who was taught by his aunt [[Bellatrix Lestrange]], and [[Harry Potter]], who struggled to master the discipline due to his emotional turmoil and the unique nature of his connection with [[Voldemort]].
=====Etymology=====
The term "Legilimens" is constructed from two Latin words: //legere//, which means "to read," and //mens//, which means "mind." The name literally translates to "mind-reader," a simple term for a highly complex magical skill.
=====Behind the Scenes=====
  * In the film adaptations, particularly ''[[Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix]]'', [[Legilimency]] is visually represented as a rapid, chaotic montage of memories flashing through the screen, often accompanied by loud whooshing sound effects to convey the violent mental intrusion. (film)
  * The ''[[Fantastic Beasts]]'' film series introduced [[Queenie Goldstein]], who is described as a natural [[Legilimens]]. Unlike other wizards who must learn and cast the spell, her ability is innate, allowing her to passively hear the surface thoughts of nearly everyone around her. (film)