Legilimency in Book 4
In Order of the Pheonix (OOTP), JKR introduced Legilimency. Dumbledore said he and Snape were both accomplished at legilimency.
She was obviously setting up the plot in Goblet of Fire to lead up to the introduction of legilimency and Occlumency in book 5.
So here’s the question: Why didn’t Dumbledore or Snape realise that the person they thought was Alastor Moody was really an impostor?
This is a good question. Why didn’t they? Dumbledore and Snape seem to be able to tell when someone is or isn’t lieing just by looking at them. Their “victims” can’t really tell what’s happening either.
A few times throughout the series, Harry has “felt like he was being x-rayed” by Dumbledore. One such time was in Chamber of Secrets, not long after Harry found Mrs. Norris petrified.
Snape seems to be able to sense when Harry is lieing to him.
So why didn’t they realize that “Moody” was a fake. My best guess is Barty Crouch Jr. was employing the use of occlumency to block Dumbledore and Snape. But wouldn’t they have been suspicious when they were unable to penetrate his mind? Not necessarily. Mad-Eye was an Auror. He probably knew a lot about legilimency and occlumency. The real Moody would be afraid that dark wizards were everywhere trying to “read” his mind. So Snape and Dumbledore may not have thought it suspicious. They may not have even tried legilimency, even when things started to look suspicious.
Or JKR could have not developed legilimency at all(or not enough) until OOTP, so she didn’t think of that when writing GOF.
What do you think? If you have a theory, post it on the forums. If you want to give feedback on this article, send me a PM on the forums.
