Occlumency is the defense of the mind. It is closing off your thoughts, feelings, memories, etc from unwanted intrusion of any kind. It revolves around control and steadiness of ones emotions, emptying your thoughts, and overall self control. The mental strength of occlumens is nothing to mock.
While it’s often seen as just magical defense, masters of occlumency are overall formidable when it comes to their mental defenses. This makes them naturals at resisting interrogation, makes them master deceivers, and impervious to all mental intrusion magic (unless stated otherwise.)
Occlumency is the opposite to Legilimency. They are yin and yang. Thus, it makes occlumency quite interesting when someone is attempting to penetrate their mind. (refer to the abilities below to see how.)
ABILITIES AND SKILLS
Since Occlumency is a learned ability people can have varying levels of control even when they are the same age or studied for the same amount of time. Members can choose their own experience for this magical branch unless there is some sort of noted restriction. So consider realistically where your character would be and go with that. Characters that have only been studying it a few years are obviously still learning and wouldn’t be able to do the more difficult abilities.
Listed below are the established forms of occlumency:
- Natural Mental Defense - Your mind can not be penetrated by the Legilimency spell or other mental intrusion magic unless you desire.
- Deception - Even the most skilled lie detectors can not catch a hint of deception from you.
- Lie Detection - Likewise, because they are naturally so good at deception it is very difficult to deceive them (other Legilimens can though.)
- Possession Resistance - Natural resistance to any sort of possession (even the Imperius curse).
- Detection - They are always aware of someone (and will know who specifically) trying to penetrate their mind, even by the most skilled of Legilimens. They can let a Legiilmens into their mind if they want.
- Mental Deception - If they let a legilimens into their mind the legilimens will only pick up what the occlumen wants them to, nothing more. The legilimens will be unaware that these are fake thoughts.
- Emotion Suppression - Occlumency depends on emotional control. So, likewise they are able to suppress their own emotions and ‘turn them off’ when needed.
STUDENTS
Occlumency is not taught at Hogwarts so it can be difficult for them to learn when they aren’t in the right circumstances. As such, students are NOT permitted to study Occlumency unless you have staff approval.