======Occlumens======
=====Spell Information=====
  * **Incantation:** None specified. An Occlumens practises [[Occlumency]], a non-verbal, purely mental discipline.
  * **Pronunciation:** Not applicable.
  * **Wand Movement:** None specified. The skill is performed without the use of a [[wand]].
  * **Light:** None.
  * **Effect:** An Occlumens is a witch or wizard skilled in the magical art of [[Occlumency]], which is the act of magically closing one's [[mind]] to prevent intrusion and influence from a practitioner of [[Legilimency]] (a [[Legilimens]]). A skilled Occlumens can prevent a [[Legilimens]] from accessing their thoughts and feelings, or viewing their [[memories]]. The process as taught by [[Severus Snape]] involves clearing the [[mind]] of all [[emotion]] and thought to become blank and empty. Advanced practitioners can go beyond merely blocking an attack and can instead offer false [[memories]] and [[emotion]] to deceive the attacker.
  * **Type:** Magical Discipline; [[Mind Magic]]; [[Defence Against the Dark Arts]].
=====History and Known Uses=====
[[Occlumency]] is a rare and difficult branch of [[magic]]. Those who master it are known as Occlumens.
  * **[[Severus Snape]]** was a master Occlumens. He claimed he could "shut out [[Voldemort]]" if the [[Dark Lord]] were to attempt to read his [[mind]], a skill vital to his role as a spy for the [[Order of the Phoenix]]. [[Albus Dumbledore]] tasked [[Snape]] with teaching [[Harry Potter]] [[Occlumency]] during his [[Fifth Year]] to protect him from [[Lord Voldemort]]'s mental invasions.
  * **[[Lord Voldemort]]** was the most accomplished [[Legilimens]] of his age, and it is implied that to defend against other practitioners, he would also need to be a highly skilled Occlumens.
  * **[[Albus Dumbledore]]** was also a powerful [[Legilimens]], and like [[Voldemort]], it is presumed he was an equally powerful Occlumens to protect the many secrets he kept.
  * **[[Draco Malfoy]]** became a proficient Occlumens during his [[Sixth Year]] at [[Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and wizardry]]. He was taught by his aunt, [[Bellatrix Lestrange]], and successfully used the skill to block [[Severus Snape]] from discovering his plan to assassinate [[Albus Dumbledore]].
  * **[[Horace Slughorn]]** demonstrated skill in [[Occlumency]] by successfully shielding his [[mind]] and altering a [[memory]] related to Tom Riddle's inquiry about the [[Horcrux]] spell. He was able to resist [[Albus Dumbledore]]'s attempts to extract the true [[memory]] for a considerable time.
  * **[[Bellatrix Lestrange]]** was a known practitioner, as she was the one who taught her nephew [[Draco Malfoy]] how to perform [[Occlumency]].
  * **[[Harry Potter]]** was taught [[Occlumency]] by [[Severus Snape]] but struggled greatly with the discipline. His strong [[emotions]] and the intrusive nature of [[Snape]]'s lessons made it nearly impossible for him to master closing his [[mind]].
=====Learning and Counter-Spells=====
Learning to become an Occlumens is exceptionally challenging and is not part of the standard [[Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and wizardry|Hogwarts]] curriculum. It requires immense self-control, discipline, and the ability to manage one's [[emotions]]. [[Severus Snape]] described the [[mind]] as a "complex and many-layered thing" and that only those who could master their [[emotions]] could hope to master [[Occlumency]].
The direct counter-art to [[Occlumency]] is **[[Legilimency]]**. While an Occlumens works to close and defend the [[mind]], a [[Legilimens]] actively works to penetrate it. A duel between an Occlumens and a [[Legilimens]] is a battle of mental fortitude and willpower.
=====Etymology=====
The term //Occlumens// is derived from two Latin words:
  * **//occludo//**, meaning "I close" or "I shut up."
  * **//mens//**, meaning "mind."
Together, an "Occlumens" is literally "one who closes the mind." The discipline itself, [[Occlumency]], combines //occludo// and //mens// with the standard suffix //-cy// to denote a skill or practice.
=====Behind the Scenes=====
In the film adaptation of //[[Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix]]//, the [[Occlumency]] lessons between [[Snape]] and [[Harry Potter|Harry]] are depicted as much more aggressive and dynamic. [[Snape]] actively probes [[Harry]]'s [[mind]], causing a rapid, forceful flashing of [[Harry]]'s [[memories]] to appear on screen. This visual representation differs from the book, where the intrusion is described as a painful piercing sensation followed by [[Snape]] commenting on the specific [[memories]] he has witnessed. (film)