We all know Snape is very skilled at Ligillimency and Occlumency. We know Snape always suspected Quirrel in the first book. I don't think Snape knew that Quirrell was walking around with Voldemort attached to the back of his skull, because I think he would have told Dumbledore. But he definitely knew there was something fishy going on.

So my question, simply is, how come Snape could not use Ligillimency on Quirrell? He should be able to find out if Quirrell lied - and most important of all - why he lied and what he was up to.

The only thing I can think of is, that Voldemort prevented him from doing so. Voldemort is skilled at Occlumency and Ligillimency too, as we learned in OotP, so maybe he shut Quirrells mind and thoughts.

But does it make sense? Did Voldemort have the power to do so. Because the body and the sould are two different things, and so are the thoughts, it doesn't make sense. Voldemort shoulnd't be able to have the power to shut Quirrells mind, because it isn't his soul. Indeed, he shared Quirrells body, but surely he didn't share his sould and his thoughts?

So, we come to another question, Was Voldemort able to work Occlumency against Snape?

Did Snape even try to Ligillimency on Quirrell?

And then, to my biggest question. If Voldemort really is so very skilled, and he must have heard Snape talking to his body-share, does he know Snape works for Dumbledore? Because IF Snape does, and he pretends to be a Death Eater, how come Voldemort didn't suspect anything? Because Snape and Quirrell DID have some chats. Voldemort should have heard, and understood. Snape probably did not suspect Quirrell to be walking around with Voldemort on the back of his head, so I don't think he was shutting his mind while talking to Quirrel, or maybe he was?

Still, the biggest question of them all remain. What about Voldemort finding out Snape's Secret? Does he know?

- fabulous!

Snape pushes all thoughts to the back of his mind,he only keeps the evil ones.
Maybe Snape didnt know Occlumency,or couldnt do it very well at the time.
Maybe he just thought that Quirrel wanted riches and fame.
But then again,Dumbledore should have been able to sense another power in the Castle...
Its all really confusing.
You have a good point though Reggie!*Snaps*

i have know i dead but maybe like sardine
said maybe snape wasn't good or didn't know but i think that he did know but he knew hwo to shut it down
i also think that snape knew voldi was there i don't know how to explain it but i think that it was all a plan a set up or trap to trap someon e i don't know who but maybe voldie? i'm sort of mumbling random right now cuz i had a huge party but anywayz if i'm not making any sense plz tell me! lol

Professor Rogue has a very valid point with this arguement, but the Dark Lord did share Quirrell's body, and anything that Snape would have senced he probably would have dismissed as being Quirrell. WHo Snape thought was undeserving of the stone so he tryed to stop him. I just don't think Snape expected there to be Volt on the back of Quirrel's head. He thought that he was destroyed.

yeah but i think he did and he had to stop him just to make it look to dd that he is still on their side

That makes sense to me...

I suppose that makes sense.
I guess....