Severus Snape

Template:HP character Severus Snape is a fictional character and one of the main protagonists in the Harry Potter book series written by J. K. Rowling. His first appearance was in the book Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, published in 1997, and he has continued to appear in all the books and film adaptations published to date.

Over the course of the series, Snape has evolved from a snide, unfair teacher who issues detentions or insults to pupils he least likes, into a pivotal character of considerable moral ambiguity. Rowling in an interview described him as "a gift of a character".

In the Harry Potter films, Snape is portrayed by British actor Alan Rickman.

Character origins

Rowling says that she borrowed his surname from the village of Snape in the English county of Suffolk. (In the real world, the surname is drawn from the Suffolk village, from another place named Snape in North Yorkshire, or from the Old English word snæpp, meaning "pasture." ) Severus is Latin for "strict", "harsh" or "severe", and the name may also have origins in the name of the Imperial Roman emperor (Lucius) Septimius Severus, who was known for ruling with both vigour and a calculated cruelty. Rowling has stated that the Snape character himself was inspired by a hated science teacher in her childhood.

In several foreign-language translations of the Harry Potter books, Snape's name is altered. In French, he is "Severus Rogue," in Italian "Severus Piton," in Romanian "Severus Plesneală," in Norwegian "Severus Slur," in Hungarian "Perselus Piton" (perzsel, singe/scorch), in Finnish "Severus Kalkaros" (kalkkaro, rattlesnake), in Dutch "Severus Sneep", in the Brazilian Portuguese version "Severo Snape", and in Russian "Северус Снегг" ("Severus Snegg", "снегг" being an alternation of "снег" - "snow").

Fictional character background

Snape was born on January 9, 1960, and attended Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry from 1971 to 1978. In 1981, he began teaching in Hogwarts as Professor of Potions and became Head of Slytherin House before the events of the first book, set in 1991. In 1996, Snape was appointed Professor of Defence Against the Dark Arts, and later to Headmaster the following year. He died in June 1998 at age 38, killed by Voldemort's snake, Nagini.

Severus Snape was born to Tobias Snape, a Muggle, and Eileen Prince, a witch, making him a half-blood wizard. The youthful Snape is described as having a "stringy, pallid look", being "round-shouldered yet angular", having a "twitchy" walk "like a spider" and "long oily hair that jumped about his face". According to Sirius Black, as a first-year student at Hogwarts, Snape knew more hexes and curses than most seventh-years, although his bookish demeanour and unattractive appearance made him an outsider and object of scorn. He also had a fascination with the Dark Arts. Snape's classmates included James Potter and Lily Evans (Harry's parents), Sirius Black, Remus Lupin, and Peter Pettigrew.

Harry glimpses three memories in Snape's mind during a botched Occlumency lesson, and sees that Snape witnessed his parents arguing and was deeply upset: "He was sure he had just broken into Snape's memories, that he had just seen scenes from Snape's childhood, and it was unnerving to think that the crying little boy who had watched his parents shouting was actually standing in front of him with such loathing in his eyes...."

Snape and the Marauders

Snape experienced bullying by James Potter and Sirius Black at Hogwarts, developing a rivalry much like Harry's with Draco Malfoy. Upon discovering this, Harry develops sympathy for Snape and questions his fond memories of his late father. In Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Harry learns that Sirius tricked Snape into going to the Shrieking Shack, where Lupin was confined during his transformations into a werewolf. Snape could have been killed had James not intervened, although the latter believed that James only warned him to avoid expulsion from Hogwarts. Nevertheless, Albus Dumbledore suggests that Snape is still influenced by this debt to James. Sirius tries to explain James's behaviour by claiming that Snape's interest in the Dark Arts naturally offended James, and although James acted idiotically at age 15, he grew out of his bullying ways. Remus concedes that although James may have stopped bullying others, he continued to fight with Snape during his final year at Hogwarts while dating Lily, even though she disapproved. However he does justify this by saying that Snape would antagonize James as well ("he never lost an opportunity to curse James, so you couldn't expect James to take that lying down, could you?").

File:Severus-snape-protecting.jpg

Severus Snape in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

Snape invented a number of spells, one or more of which James learns and uses against him in public during their fifth year. On one occasion, Snape was hung upside down in mid-air from a Levicorpus spell and humiliated while students watched. Lily defended Snape from James' torment, professing her distaste of James, whom she would later marry. Despite Lily's help, an angry and humiliated Snape insulted her, calling her a "filthy little Mudblood". Harry discovers this information by sneaking a look at some of Snape's own memories placed in the Pensieve during Occlumency lessons.

Snape as a Death Eater

Sirius tells Harry that Snape belonged to a gang of Slytherins, including Bellatrix Lestrange, Rodolphus Lestrange, Avery, Wilkes, and Evan Rosier, who involved themselves in the Dark Arts and became Death Eaters.^[GF Ch.25]

Snape eventually became a Death Eater himself. Near the end of Voldemort's reign of terror, he overheard part of Professor Trelawney's recitation of the prophecy concerning Harry Potter's role in his master's downfall. He later informed Voldemort of what he had heard. According to Dumbledore, he was shocked to discover that his revelation had led Voldemort to believe the prophecy pointed to the Potters. Supposedly, the horror at their deaths ultimately led to his becoming a member of the Order of the Phoenix, working inside Hogwarts as a triple agent for Dumbledore. ^[HBP Ch.25]

Barty Crouch, Sr. apparently wanted Snape in Azkaban for being a Death Eater, but Dumbledore's testimony on Snape switching sides protected Snape from the authorities.

Interviews with Rowling

In an interview, Rowling stated that Snape had been loved, but did not specify by whom, or the nature of the love.

Character description

Snape's physical appearance resembles that of the classic villain — an unpleasant teacher — of Western literature: "hook-nosed", pale skin and black eyes. He is also known for his greasy, shoulder-length black hair. Snape is described as tall, thin, and black-robed (In the films, in addition to robes Snape also wears a Nehru jacket; these are often associated with sophisticated villainy — especially in Britain, where the Doctor Who villain The Master is noted for wearing them); appearing "like an overgrown bat".^[HP1] In the drawings presented throughout the American translations of the Harry Potter books by Mary GrandPré, Snape is also depicted with a goatee.

Snape is generally depicted as thoroughly cruel, unpleasant, sarcastic, and bitter. His temper is sometimes short, but he is usually calm and collected. Snape displays a particularly strong dislike of Harry Potter, and often taunts Harry by insulting Harry's father, James Potter. It is suggested that his treatment of Harry stems from Snape's bitter rivalry with James when they were in school together.

Snape is shown to be a very powerful wizard, and to have been talented even while a student. He specialises in potion-making and has a talent and passion for the Dark Arts. As Head of Slytherin house, he is an icon for his own students; the rest of the school, however, strongly dislike him. He is rarely caught off guard by any comment or insult, and often leaves his verbal combatants with little to say. Skilful in the arts of Occlumency and Legilimency, Snape is able to both access the minds of others, and protect his own thoughts — indeed, though he does not care for the term himself, Harry forms the uncomfortable impression quite early on in the series that Snape is able to "read minds." He is also gifted in non-verbal spell casting and spell invention, and in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, he is shown to be a talented duellist.

Role in the series

There is mutual enmity between Snape and Harry almost from their first meeting. During Harry's first Potions class in his first year, Snape throws questions at him that most novices would be unable to answer, and mocks the "famous" Harry Potter for being unable to answer them. During a Quidditch game, Snape appears to be muttering a curse that wildly shakes Harry on his broom. It was actually Professor Quirrell (in league with Voldemort) working the curse on Harry, while Snape was attempting to protect him. Although Harry mistakenly suspected that Snape was trying to steal the Philosopher's Stone, he retains lingering feelings of suspicion even after Quirrell is revealed as the real culprit, and their relationship remains tense.

Snape relentlessly antagonises Harry, at one point calling him "a nasty little boy who considers rules to be beneath him".^[HP4] He taunts Harry during lessons, ridiculing his work and giving him frequent and (from Harry's perspective) often unjustified detentions and other penalties. Snape's harsh treatment is often extended to Harry's friends, while Slytherin students are treated more favourably. Although Snape has repeatedly tried to have Harry expelled, he has also saved Harry's life on several occasions.

Snape's expert skills are used in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban to brew Wolfsbane Potion for Remus Lupin, the Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher in the third book. Snape attempts to apprehend Sirius Black, whom he believes responsible for betraying James and Lily's hiding place to Voldemort, and thus responsible for theirs and Pettigrew's deaths, and acts to defend Harry from the dangerous fugitive. When Black escapes, Snape rightly accuses Harry of aiding him - although still mistakenly believes that Black is a mass murderer.

At the end of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Dumbledore attempts to convince a disbelieving Minister of Magic, Cornelius Fudge, that Voldemort has returned. As proof, Snape willingly shows Fudge the renewed Dark Mark on his arm. Dumbledore subsequently sends Snape on a secret mission. By the time of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Snape has rejoined the Death Eaters to spy on Voldemort.

In Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Dumbledore has Snape teach Harry Occlumency, the protection of one's mind from outside intrusion or influence. Snape is extremely skilled in both Occlumency and reasonably so in its companion art of Legilimency, the discerning of thoughts and feelings from another's mind; both proficiencies undoubtedly useful in his work as a spy. The sessions are made difficult by their mutual hostility and end permanently when an outraged Snape discovers Harry watching Snape's memories in the Pensieve.

The Half-Blood Prince

Main article: Half-Blood Prince (character)

In Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Bellatrix Lestrange and Draco's mother, Narcissa Malfoy, visit Snape at his terraced house on Spinner's End, located near the ruins of a wool or cotton mill (Probably somewhere in Lancashire or Yorkshire). Snape swears an Unbreakable Vow to Narcissa that he will protect Draco, help him complete Voldemort's task, and finish the task himself if Draco fails. At Hogwarts, Hagrid overhears Snape arguing with Dumbledore, saying that Dumbledore took "too much for granted", and that there was something that he was no longer willing to do. Dumbledore insists that it was agreed and must be done.

Meanwhile, Snape is finally appointed to his coveted teaching post, Defence Against the Dark Arts. Replacing him as Potions instructor is Horace Slughorn, a retired Hogwarts teacher who previously taught the subject. Slughorn lends Harry an old Potions textbook that is filled with the jottings of a highly talented former student. The notes include a variety of hexes and jinxes seemingly invented by the student, as well as substantial improvements to the book's standard potion-making instructions. It is signed, "Property of the Half-Blood Prince". The notes greatly bolster Harry's performance and impresses Slughorn, who declares he has inherited his mother Lily's outstanding Potions ability. Whoever the Prince might be, Harry believes he is a better teacher than either Snape or Slughorn.

Outraged by Harry's easy (yet fraudulent) success in the subject, Hermione investigates the possible identity of the Half-Blood Prince and suspects it may be former Hogwarts student Eileen Prince. Harry is ambivalent about the Prince's identity, although he is convinced that the student is male — albeit whilst accepting that he or she has a somewhat dark sense of humour. In a fight with Draco Malfoy, he uses the Prince's spell marked "For Enemies" and is horrified that it causes vicious slashing wounds. Snape arrives and heals Draco's wounds and then interrogates Harry about the source of the Sectumsempra spell (from Latin; meaning literally, "always cut").

Harry knows that at least two of the spells were used by Snape and his father during their fifth year, which is confirmed by Remus Lupin. Because the handwritten spells have numerous corrections, Harry is convinced the writer invented them. During his flight from Hogwarts, Snape confirms to Harry that he is the "Half-Blood Prince".

As Hermione later surmises, the nickname was derived from Snape's mother's maiden name of "Prince" and from his father having been a Muggle, making Snape a "half-blood". Some in the wizarding world, especially those among Voldemort's followers and in Snape's own Slytherin House, consider this to be a defect or inferiority. Harry suggests Snape chose this title to "play up the pure-blood side".

When questioned by Harry, Remus Lupin, Snape's classmate, says he knows nothing about the name, and it seems that it, like Tom Riddle's diary, was his own private joke. Returning to Hogwarts after a search for one of Voldemort's Horcruxes, Harry and Dumbledore see the Dark Mark in the sky over the astronomy tower. Dumbledore asks Harry to fetch Snape, when Draco Malfoy suddenly arrives. Harry is already concealed under his Invisibility Cloak, but Dumbledore immediately acts to prevent him taking any action, by paralysing him with a spell. Draco intends to carry out Voldemort's orders to kill Dumbledore, but Dumbledore manages to persuade him not to. They are interrupted again by the arrival of some Death Eaters and Snape. When it is clear that Malfoy will not kill Dumbledore, Snape uses the Avada Kedavra curse, killing Dumbledore and causing his body to fall from the tower. (Contrary to considerable fan speculation, Rowling has confirmed that Dumbledore is definitely 'dead'.) Snape, Malfoy, and the Death Eaters rush from the castle, pursued by Harry (released from his magical paralysis after Dumbledore's death). Harry's attempts to attack Snape are ineffective; Snape easily blocks every spell and even taunts Harry by pointing out the mistakes he makes when fighting with magic. However, he becomes enraged after Harry calls him a coward and attacks with spells Snape had created (just as Harry's father once did). Snape is injured by Buckbeak before disappearing into the Forbidden Forest with Draco and the Death Eaters.

Deathly Hallows

After Dumbledore's death, Snape assumes control as Headmaster of Hogwarts, mostly due to the control Voldemort and his Death Eaters have gained over the Ministry of Magic and, by extension, Britain's wizarding community. Towards the end of the book, Snape flees the school when he is confronted by the teachers, led by Professor McGonagall. Snape does not reappear until he is summoned by Voldemort, who murders him in an attempt to gain control over Dumbledore's wand.

At this point all but two of Voldemort's Horcruxes have been eliminated. The Horcruxes that are left are his snake (Nagini) and Harry Potter himself. Realizing that Dumbledore's Elder Wand won't recognize him as its rightful master until he has defeated the one who previously commanded it, Voldemort mistakes Snape as the wand's master and orders Nagini to eliminate him. Voldemort then leaves the Shrieking Shack, thinking that Snape was done for. In Snape's dying moments, he uses his wand to extract memories, which he gives to Harry (who had been concealed underneath his Invisibility Cloak) in a small jar.

Harry made his way to Snape's office where he viewed the memories in the Pensieve, where Harry discovered that Severus had met his mother, Lily, as children. Snape had grown quite fond of Lily, and they rode together for the first time to Hogwarts. Severus was Sorted to Slytherin, shortly after finding out that he would not be meeting Lily there, who had instead gone to Gryffindor. Years went by, and the conversation that followed the flashback sequence in Order Of The Phoenix revolved around Snape trying profusely to apologize for his derogatory outburst. Now teenagers, Lily was beginning to distance herself from Snape.

As a Death Eater, Snape had a sudden change of heart upon hearing that Voldemort was heading to Godric's Hollow, where he would kill Lily, and so pleaded with Dumbledore to protect Lily, offering anything asked of him in return. Upon the Potters' deaths, Dumbledore convinced Snape to protect Harry out of his love for Lily, and even though he hated Harry for what bits of James he saw in the child, Snape stayed true to his promise.

Eventually, due to his own momentary greed, Dumbledore was inflicted with a curse when he put on the Peverell ring, one of Voldemort's Horcruxes, that Dumbledore had taken from the Gaunts' home. The curse left him with less than a year to live, and upon finding this out, Dumbledore set into motion the series of actions Snape would take until his final days.

Snape was to kill Dumbledore to both prevent a more unfortunate demise for the wizard at the hands of others and to save Draco Malfoy from tearing his own soul apart (as would have happened to Draco, whose soul was still whole, unlike Snape's. Dumbledore even goes so far as to suggest to Snape that it wasn't murder at all, and that he would just be helping an old man die). Following Dumbledore's death, Snape was to use his sway to take control of Hogwarts, and with it, protect (as well as he could, given his circumstances) the students within from Amycus and Alecto Carrow. Snape set off the events that led to a surprise Death Eater attack upon Harry's final journey from the safe haven of his aunt's house to Tonks's, revealing that George's cursed-off ear had been the result of a misfire that had been aimed at a Death Eater's wand hand. The leak of information to Voldemort was directed by Dumbledore from his headmaster's portrait. Dumbledore also ordered Snape to ensure that Harry would attain Gryffindor's sword. Snape devised a plan to lead Harry to the Sword wihtout revealing his own involvement: a feat he managed by controlled use of his Patronus Charm, a doe like Lily's (the female counterpart to the stag, James' animagus form).

Snape's only objection to Dumbledore's plan came from finding out that at the end of this series of events, Harry, as the last Horcrux, would have to die at Voldemort's hands. When asked by Dumbledore if he cared for Harry, Snape replied, "For him?" and conjures his Patronus as proof that, even over fifteen years later, all of his actions were fueled by his love for Lily herself. Snape died with the belief, and possibly with regret, that for all his trouble, he was still sending Potter to his grave. Yet it was only Lily he has loved "all this time." Indeed, Snape's last request for Harry to look at him could have been for a final glimpse of Lily, as Harry had her green eyes.

Nineteen years after the events of Deathly Hallows, Harry's second born son would receive the name Albus Severus Potter. Albus Potter is worried that he will be Sorted into Slytherin, but Harry reassures him, and tells him that he was "named for two headmasters of Hogwarts. One of them was a Slytherin and he was probably the bravest man [he] knew."

Loyalty

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Snape performing a counter-jinx on Harry's broom while Quirrell (back, right) jinxes it in Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone

Snape's true loyalty is one of the most significant issues in the Harry Potter series, not truly resolved until nearly the end of Deathly Hallows, when it is revealed that he was, in fact, loyal to Dumbledore and even more loyal to the memory of Lily Potter. Snape is trusted by Voldemort and Narcissa Malfoy within the Death Eaters, but not by Bellatrix Lestrange, and although he does not hesitate at any point, he endures a thorough interrogation by her at the beginning of the sixth book as to why he has spared Harry for so long and is still accused of "slithering out of action" even after he has answered her sufficiently. She is described as "astounded" when he agrees to take the Unbreakable Vow apparently to kill Dumbledore and his enthusiasm to do so is complicated by an "unreadable" expression and an ambiguous "twitch" of his fingers as he holds Narcissa's hand. At the same time, he is a respected member of the Order of the Phoenix, trusted by everyone from Dumbledore downwards, with the exception of Harry and Sirius. By constantly saving Harry's life or otherwise helping him and because of Dumbledore's seemingly immense faith in him, Snape keeps giving Harry a reason to trust him. Even Sirius, though the effort on Dumbledore's part to make them put their respective differences in the past clearly fail, quite clearly gets angry on hearing that Snape has stopped helping Harry with Occlumency and wants him to continue. In Half-Blood Prince, Snape kills Dumbledore with Avada Kedavra, the Killing Curse, casting doubt in the minds of most of the Order of the Phoenix. However, it is later revealed that Dumbledore had explicitly instructed him to do so if that situation arose, for a variety of reasons.

Right up to the end, both the Order of the Phoenix and Lord Voldemort believe that Snape is working as a double agent on their side, the reason being that Snape's mastery of Occlumency allows him to lie undetectably. Dumbledore had stated numerous times that he trusted Snape completely, while Voldemort trusts him enough to include him in the task of killing Dumbledore. Both Dumbledore and Voldemort are extremely skilled in Legilimency and should therefore be especially adept at knowing when people are lying to them. As shown in the second chapter of book six, Snape's actions towards Harry (and towards the wizarding world in general) may be those of a dedicated enemy, but could also be interpreted as those of an ally. His ambiguous expression of "revulsion and hatred" on looking at Dumbledore before he kills him is a good example; to the Death Eaters it could be read as hatred of Dumbledore, but in fact it was the curse itself he found revolting. Another is shortly afterward, when he is escaping Hogwarts with Draco and the Death Eaters: in a confrontation with Harry, Snape easily blocks every spell Harry sends at him, yet refuses to send a killing blow. Indeed, when some of the Death Eaters attempt to harm Harry with a Cruciatus Curse, Snape blocked it promptly and tells them that "Potter belongs to the Dark Lord". Though his actions seem plausibly to be those of an enemy acting under orders, and while he does finally lose his temper and magically slaps Harry in the face, they can also be interpreted as those of an ally.

Snape also only inflicts non-fatal injuries on other people (not including Dumbledore) at Hogwarts when the Death Eaters invade. At one stage, Snape had the opportunity to kill Professor Flitwick but chose instead to knock him out.

According to Trelawney and then confirmed by Dumbledore in the sixth book of the series, it was Snape who eavesdropped at the Hog's Head while Sybill Trelawney was interviewed for Divination professor at Hogwarts. During the interview, she fell into a trance, delivering a prophecy regarding Voldemort and a foe that had "the power to vanquish him." Apparently, only the first half of the prophecy was heard by Snape and probably the barman at the Hog's Head, who caught him eavesdropping and interrupted the prophecy. However, Trelawney remembers Snape being caught eavesdropping, which would indicate that he heard the whole prophecy as she should be unable to remember delivering the prophecy.

Accordingly, Snape, alarmed at the potential importance of the prophecy, reported to Voldemort immediately. Although the prophecy could have been about either Harry or Neville Longbottom, Voldemort identified Harry as the subject and, seeking to kill him, murdered Lily and James Potter. Snape, who had loved Lily since they grew up together at Spinner's End, first asked Dumbledore to protect her, and then felt deep remorse at his role in the events, promising to protect Harry and effectively pledging his allegiance to Dumbledore. These facts are revealed to Harry only after Snape's death, prior to which he had been blaming Snape for his parents' deaths, amplifying his hatred and colouring his view of Snape's loyalties.

In Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, in the chapter "The Lost Prophecy," Dumbledore explains that Snape coordinated the rescue of Harry and his friends from the Ministry of Magic. This rescue was crucial to saving their lives during the fight there, where they were outnumbered by Death Eaters; although Sirius Black was killed, this orchestration confirmed Snape's loyalty in the eyes of the Order. However, Snape's delayed warning allowed the Death Eaters enough time to enter the Ministry and almost capture Harry before Order members arrived. Snape explained this delay by saying that he first searched for Harry at Hogwarts before realizing where he had gone.

In the chapter of Half-Blood Prince entitled "Spinner's End," Snape states to Bellatrix Lestrange, "I have done my utmost to have him thrown out of Hogwarts." In the chapter "The Rogue Bludger" in Chamber of Secrets, Hermione Granger needs a diversion in order to steal the necessary ingredients for the Polyjuice Potion from Snape's cupboard. When Harry tosses a firework into a cauldron, Snape is furious and threatens to expel the guilty person. Harry later tells his friends that he felt Snape somehow knew it was him (this could quite possibly be true, as Snape can perform Legillimency), and yet apparently takes no measures to find the perpetrator. Furthermore, when Harry almost kills Draco Malfoy with Sectumsempra, Snape merely cures Draco and assigns detentions as punishment, when Professor McGonagall tells Harry he deserved expulsion.

Dumbledore repeatedly makes it clear that Snape has his full confidence. At Igor Karkaroff's trial, Dumbledore testified that Snape spied on the Death Eaters "at great personal risk,"^[HP4] while Karkaroff insisted this was untrue and he was still working for Voldemort. In Half-Blood Prince, Remus Lupin tells Harry that though he and the Marauders (Lupin, James Potter, Sirius Black, and Peter Pettigrew) had a childhood rivalry with Snape, he trusted that Snape was on the right side. He later explains that this was because of Dumbledore's own belief. Minerva McGonagall also reveals that she had often "wondered" about Snape, although she adds that Dumbledore always implied he had good reason to trust him. Horace Slughorn also showed surprise that Snape acted as he did.

Snape had also said that he had given information that led to the death of Emmeline Vance. If he had indeed passed such information, it would have been highly unlikely that he did so on Dumbledore's orders. However, some believe that this claim was only one of the lies he told Narcissa and Bellatrix to strengthen his case, or that it was a rather drastic attempt on his part to make him seem more like a Death Eater, and therefore on Voldemort's side.

Throughout the series, Snape's sinister personality and antagonism towards Harry are in stark contrast with his apparently heroic actions in Harry's defense. Yet in Half-Blood Prince, Snape says to Bellatrix Lestrange and Narcissa Malfoy that his loyalty to Voldemort has never wavered. It is unclear whether his apparent attempts at trying to have Harry expelled are personal or a desire to make his nemesis more vulnerable outside of school, and easier prey for Voldemort, or an attempt (at least in the earlier books) to protect him from the yearly plots to kill him there. Behind the hostile words regarding Harry wandering around the school, for instance, some concern could be seen in Snape's part about Harry's safety.

In Deathly Hallows, Voldemort has Snape killed not because of a perception of treachery, but in an attempt to usurp the Elder Wand. He had not realized that Dumbledore's mastery of the Wand had not been taken by Snape, but rather by Draco Malfoy before Snape killed Dumbledore. By the time Snape was dead, the Wand's master was Harry Potter. Snape's final act in life was to transfer memories to Harry Potter that would assist in Voldemort's destruction, thus fulfilling the task beset upon him 15 years before by Dumbledore. Voldemort only discovered his true allegiance to Dumbledore after Snape's death, when informed by Harry Potter.

This history of divided allegiance to both the Death Eaters and the Order of the Phoenix, and his actions in apparent support of both sides, make him one of the most ambiguous and morally complex characters in the series, and, arguably because of his status as a triple agent for the Order, its only anti-hero.

Portrayal in the films

Severus Snape is portrayed by British actor Alan Rickman in all the Harry Potter films. Some fans have criticized his casting due to the fact that Alan Rickman was 55 years old when filming Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone whereas Severus Snape, according to the novel, would have been 31 at this time. Alan Rickman is one of the few actors that J.K. Rowling spoke to prior to the completion of the series about the future direction of his character, perhaps reflecting the importance of Snape's role in the series.

In the film Snape is shown clean-shaven, although he is shown having a greasy beard and a moustache in the original chapter illustrations. The chapter illustrations in the American book editions drawn by Mary GrandPré also show a goatee-like beard. The descriptions of his character in the books make no mention of facial hair.

Other media

In Neil Cicierega's popular "Potter Puppet Pals" flash production, Snape is the only other professor featured or mentioned aside from Dumbledore himself. In All That's parody of the series, called Harry Bladder, Snape is parodied as "Professor Chafe" and is depicted as a rather loud man plagued by a perpetual chafing in his pants.

Professor Snape also appears in the Robot Chicken episode "Password: Swordfish" voiced by Seth Green. When Hermione goes to him and asks him about the threat of the puberty creature Pubertus, Professor Snape tried to entice Hermione to his hot tub to discuss more about it followed by a game of Pin the Sorting Hat on the Slytherin. Hermione repells him with one of her charms ("Pedophilius Repellus").

External links

• Snape Character profile from the Harry Potter Lexicon
• Interviews in which Rowling has given information about Snape from accio-quote.org
• Dumbledore's part in his own death Dumbledore Is Not Dead Website
• Snape and the events surrounding Trelawney's prophecy editorial by MuggleNet
• Snape’s loyalties and Dumbledore's death from red hen
• The Lazy Man's Guide to Defending Snape from I trust Snape
• Snape and the Dark Arts from Slytherin Serpent
• Collected information about Snape Half-Blood Prince.org
• Severus Snape Fan Page Lots of theories about Snape, background information and interactive threads
• Dumbledore's Man Through and Through from Mugglenet