Severus Snape

Severus Snape was a half-blood wizard who served as Potions Master, Defence Against the Dark Arts professor, and later Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. A man of profoundly complex and ambiguous loyalties, he was a member of the Death Eaters who secretly acted as a double agent for Albus Dumbledore and the Order of the Phoenix. His actions were driven by a deep, unrequited love for Lily Evans, Harry Potter's mother. For years, Snape played the role of a harsh and antagonistic figure to Harry, all while secretly protecting him, a truth that was only revealed upon his death. He is one of the most pivotal and morally complex characters in the entire series.

Severus Snape was born on 9 January to Tobias Snape, an abusive Muggle, and Eileen Prince, a pure-blood witch. He grew up in a derelict area of Cokeworth, near the home of Lily Evans and her sister Petunia. From a young age, Snape was neglected and lonely. He recognised Lily as a magical being like himself and befriended her, explaining the wizarding world to her before they attended Hogwarts.

At Hogwarts, Snape was sorted into Slytherin House, while Lily was placed in Gryffindor House. He excelled academically, particularly in Potions and the Dark Arts, and showed a prodigious talent for inventing spells. He developed a bitter rivalry with James Potter and Sirius Black, who frequently bullied him. Snape's friendship with Lily became strained due to his interest in the Dark Arts and his association with other Slytherins who would later become Death Eaters. The friendship ended permanently in their fifth year after Snape, humiliated by James Potter, called Lily a “Mudblood” in a moment of anger and shame. During his time as a student, he created an alias, “The Half-Blood Prince,” a name derived from his mother's maiden name and his half-blood status, and used it to sign his annotated Advanced Potion-Making textbook.

After graduating from Hogwarts, Snape joined Lord Voldemort and became a Death Eater. In 1980, he overheard a portion of a prophecy made by Sybill Trelawney to Albus Dumbledore, which foretold the birth of a child who would have the power to vanquish the Dark Lord. Snape relayed this information to Voldemort, who interpreted it as referring to the son of Lily and James Potter. Horrified that he had marked Lily for death, Snape begged Voldemort to spare her. He then went to Dumbledore, offering his unwavering loyalty in exchange for Lily's protection. Dumbledore agreed, and Snape became his spy within the Death Eaters' ranks. Despite his efforts, Lily was murdered by Voldemort. Devastated, Snape vowed to Dumbledore that he would protect her son, Harry Potter, to honour her memory, though he insisted his true motivations remain secret.

Snape spent the years between the wars as the Hogwarts Potions Master, treating Harry with consistent disdain due to the boy's resemblance to his father, James. When Voldemort returned, Snape resumed his dangerous role as a double agent. He was forced by Narcissa Malfoy to make an Unbreakable Vow to protect her son, Draco Malfoy, and to kill Albus Dumbledore if Draco failed in his mission. In a pre-arranged act of mercy, Snape killed Dumbledore at the top of the Astronomy Tower, solidifying his position as a trusted servant of Voldemort. Following Voldemort's takeover of the Ministry of Magic, Snape was appointed Headmaster of Hogwarts. He used his position to protect the students as best he could from the cruelty of the Carrows, Alecto and Amycus. He also secretly aided Harry's quest to destroy Voldemort's Horcruxes, guiding him to the Sword of Gryffindor with his Doe Patronus. During the Battle of Hogwarts, Voldemort, mistakenly believing Snape to be the master of the Elder Wand, had him killed by Nagini in the Shrieking Shack. Before dying, Snape gave Harry his memories, which revealed the full truth of his life, sacrifices, and unwavering love for Lily. In the end, Harry recognised Snape's bravery, naming his second son Albus Severus Potter in his honour.

Snape was a thin man with sallow skin, a large, hooked nose, and greasy, shoulder-length black hair. His eyes were black and described as cold and empty, but were revealed to be just like Lily Evans's. He almost exclusively wore flowing black robes, which enhanced his resemblance to an “overgrown bat.” His personality was defined by bitterness, sarcasm, and a cutting wit. As a teacher, he was exceptionally strict, biased, and often cruel, showing blatant favouritism towards Slytherin House and deep animosity towards Harry Potter and Gryffindors like Neville Longbottom. This harsh exterior was a meticulously crafted facade to mask his true allegiance and the profound pain and guilt he carried. Beneath it all, Snape was a man of immense courage, fierce loyalty, and a capacity for a love so powerful it dictated the entire course of his adult life. He was exceptionally intelligent, calculating, and brave.

• Potions: Snape was a true Potions master. Even as a student, he was able to improve upon the instructions in his official textbook. He was skilled enough to brew extremely complex potions such as Veritaserum and the Wolfsbane Potion.
• Dark Arts: He possessed a profound knowledge of the Dark Arts. As a student, he invented several spells, including the dark curse `Sectumsempra`. He was also one of the few known wizards capable of unsupported flight, a skill he learned from Lord Voldemort.
• Occlumency and Legilimency: Snape was a supremely accomplished Occlumens, capable of closing his mind to Lord Voldemort, the most powerful Legilimens known. He was also a skilled Legilimens himself.
• Dueling: He was a formidable and highly skilled duelist, capable of holding his own against powerful opponents like Minerva McGonagall and defending himself non-verbally against Harry's attacks.
• Patronus Charm: Snape's Patronus took the form of a Doe, the same as Lily Evans'. This was a symbol of his undying love for her and a testament to the purity of his deepest motivations. Dumbledore considered this a sign of the strength of Snape's feelings.
• Spell Creation: As “The Half-Blood Prince,” he invented numerous spells and jinxes, including `Levicorpus`, `Liberacorpus`, `Muffliato`, and `Sectumsempra`.

• Advanced Potion-Making Textbook: Snape's personal, heavily annotated copy of the Hogwarts textbook. It contained his improved potion-making instructions and invented spells. It was found by Harry Potter in his sixth year, who used its secrets with great success before learning its true origin.
• Wand: The composition of Snape's wand (wood, core, length) is unknown in the novels.

• Lily Evans: The single most important person in Snape's life. His childhood friend and the object of his unrequited, lifelong love. His decision to join the Death Eaters and his subsequent use of the slur “Mudblood” destroyed their friendship, a mistake he regretted for the rest of his life.
• Albus Dumbledore: The only person who knew Snape's true allegiance. Their relationship was one of deep, if difficult, trust. Snape was Dumbledore's most crucial spy, and he ultimately killed the Headmaster upon Dumbledore's own orders.
• Harry Potter: A deeply complicated and antagonistic relationship. Snape despised Harry for his resemblance to James Potter, his school tormentor, but was bound by his promise to Dumbledore and his love for Lily to protect him. He saved Harry's life multiple times while simultaneously treating him with cruelty and contempt.
• Lord Voldemort: As a double agent, Snape had to maintain the facade of being Voldemort's most loyal and useful Death Eater. He successfully deceived the Dark Lord for over a decade, an act that required extraordinary nerve and skill in Occlumency.
• James Potter: His school nemesis. James and the Marauders bullied Snape relentlessly, which fueled his enduring hatred for James and contributed to his prejudice against Harry.
• Draco Malfoy: Snape was Draco's Head of House and showed him considerable favouritism. He was bound by an Unbreakable Vow to protect Draco, mentoring him and shielding him from Voldemort's wrath.

• Severus: A Latin word meaning “stern,” “severe,” or “harsh.” This directly reflects his outward demeanor as a professor and his general personality.
• Snape: J.K. Rowling has stated that she took the name from the village of Snape in Suffolk, England. The name's sharp, clipped sound fits the character's abrasive nature.

• J.K. Rowling revealed key details of Snape's backstory and ultimate allegiance to actor Alan Rickman before the final books were published, allowing him to portray the character with the necessary depth and subtlety throughout the film series.
• The film adaptation of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 includes a scene, not present in the novel, where Snape goes to Godric's Hollow after the Potters' murder and cradles Lily's body. (film)
• In a 2007 interview, J.K. Rowling referred to Snape as a “very flawed hero” and stated that while he was vindictive and cruel, his love for Lily was his redeeming quality. (J.K. Rowling interview)
• The idea that Draco Malfoy is Snape's godson is a popular belief derived from the films, but it is not mentioned in the seven canonical books. (film)