Severus Snape

Template:Current fiction Template:HP character Severus Snape is a fictional character in the Harry Potter book series written by J. K. Rowling. In the first novel, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, he is one of the primary antagonists. As the series continues, his true status as protagonist or antagonist becomes an issue of paramount importance, and his true allegiance is not revealed until the final instalment, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. Snape appears in all seven novels of the series.

Over the course of the series, as more is revealed about him, Snape evolves from a malicious teacher who issues detentions or insults to Harry Potter and other students he dislikes into a pivotal character of considerable complexity and moral ambiguity. Rowling has described him as "a gift of a character".

Creation and portrayal

Rowling stated in an interview that she drew inspiration for Snape's character from a disliked teacher in her own childhood. As with many of the characters and terms in Harry Potter, Snape's first name is derived from Latin. His name "Severus" is the Latin term for "strict" or "severe". Rowling has also implied that Snape's first name was derived from Emperor Lucius Septimus Severus, an emperor of the Imperial Roman Empire.

For Snape's surname, Rowling has stated that she borrowed the name 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." )

As of 2007, Severus Snape has appeared in all five Harry Potter films, portrayed by British actor Alan Rickman. Rickman is one of the few Harry Potter actors that Rowling spoke to prior to the completion of the series about the future direction of his character. In Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, the teenaged Snape, who makes a brief appearance in a flashback to Snape’s youth, is played by Alec Hopkins.

Character biography

Early life

Snape was born on January 9, 1960, to Tobias Snape, a Muggle, and Eileen Prince, a witch, making him a half-blood wizard. Snape was neglected during his childhood by his parents, who fought constantly, and did not have a loving relationship with his father. Being a half-blood wizard, Snape lived in a dwelling called Spinner's End with his parents. In Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, it is also implied that Spinner's End was near the Evans family, who were Muggles. Snape befriended Lily Evans, later known as Lily Potter, in childhood after informing Lily that she was a witch. Snape and Lily attended Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry from 1971 to 1978. It was on the train to Hogwarts that Snape met his rivals James Potter and Sirius Black. Upon arriving at Hogwarts, Snape was sorted into Slytherin House and Lily into Gryffindor House. He remained a close friend of Lily's for the next few years until his interest in the Dark Arts, the bigoted views of his regular companions, and finally an epithet he used toward the Muggle-born Lily in a moment of anger drove them apart.

Snape and the Marauders

Snape was prone to bullying by James Potter and Sirius Black during his time at Hogwarts, and even given the degrading nickname of "Snivellus". Snape is seen years later to still hold a grudge against James and Sirius, often referring to James' and Lily's son Harry to be "just like his father", despite accounts from other Hogwarts staff of Harry's humility. During Snape's time as a student at Hogwarts, Sirius coaxes him into going to the Shrieking Shack during one of Remus Lupin's transformations into a werewolf. James, knowing that Snape could've been killed, intervenes after Sirius told him of the prank. Snape believes that James intervines simply to save himself from expulsion, and even though Dumbledore stated years later that Snape was influenced by his debt to James for saving his life, they continued their enmity until they left Hogwarts.

File:Severus-snape-protecting.jpg

Severus Snape in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.

During his time at Hogwarts, Snape invents a number of spells, one or more of which James learns and uses to bully him during their fifth year. On one occasion, Snape was hung upside down in mid-air from his invented spell of Levicorpus and humiliated while students watch. Lily defends Snape from James' torment, however the enraged Snape calls her a "filthy little Mudblood". Lily flatly refused to forgive Snape for this, despite his subsequent apology.

Rowling revealed in an interview that Lily might have grown to love Severus romantically had he not been affiliated with Death Eaters and been drawn to the Dark Arts:

Given his time over again he would not have become a Death Eater, but like many insecure, vulnerable people (like Wormtail) he craved membership of something big and powerful, something impressive. He wanted Lily and he wanted Mulciber too. He never really understood Lily’s aversion; he was so blinded by his attraction to the dark side he thought she would find him impressive if he became a real Death Eater.

Snape as a Death Eater

Sirius tells Harry that during his Hogwarts years, Snape belonged to a gang of Slytherins that included Bellatrix Black (Later Lestrange), Rodolphus Lestrange, Avery, Wilkes, and Evan Rosier. The gang involved themselves in the Dark Arts and its members, Snape included, would later became Death Eaters.^[GF Ch.27]

Near the end of Voldemort's first reign of terror, Snape overheard part of Professor Trelawney's recitation of the prophecy about a child born in late July who would have power to challenge Voldemort. He later informed Voldemort of what he had heard. However, he was shocked to discover that his revelation had led Voldemort to believe the prophecy pointed to the Lily Potter's son Harry. After Voldemort denied his request that Lily be spared, Snape arranged a secret meeting with Dumbledore. He 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; mentioning that Harry had Lily's eyes proves to be the argument that finally wins Snape's wholehearted allegiance. Even though Snape hated Harry for what bits of James he saw in the child, Snape stayed true to his promise and become a member of the Order of the Phoenix. Barty Crouch, Sr. wanted to imprison Snape in Azkaban for being a Death Eater, but Dumbledore's testimony on Snape reforming protected Snape from the authorities.

The Potions Master

Snape took a position as an instructor at Hogwarts, having applied for the position of Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher in 1981; however, he was appointed Potions master instead. Snape becomes Head of Slytherin House sometime before the events of the first novel in the series, set in 1991.

There is mutual enmity between Snape and Harry almost from their first meeting in the first novel, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone. Despite this, and unbeknownst to Harry, Snape has diligently kept his promise to Dumbledore to protect Harry due to his love for Lily Potter and his remorse for his part in her death. In one instance, during a Quidditch game, Snape appears to be muttering a jinx which makes Harry's broom shake wildly when in actuality, Professor Quirrell, in league with Voldemort, is the one working the curse on Harry, while Snape is muttering a counter-jinx. Although Harry was mistaken in suspecting 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. Even though 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 the third novel, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, to brew Wolfsbane Potion for Remus Lupin. Snape attempts to apprehend Sirius Black, whom he believed responsible for betraying James and Lily's hiding place to Voldemort, and acts to defend Harry from the dangerous fugitive. When Black escapes, Snape rightly accuses Harry of aiding him, still believing that Black is a mass murderer.

At the end of the fourth novel, 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. This mission, as implied in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix and revealed in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, was to rejoin the Death Eaters and spy on Voldemort as a triple agent.

In the fifth novel, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, with Voldemort having returned to a fully corporeal body, Snape continues working as a triple agent for Dumbledore.^[HBP Ch.25] 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 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.

Dumbledore's plan

Before the opening of the sixth novel, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Dumbledore has been searching for Voldemort's Horcruxes and succeeds in finding the Peverell ring. It is revealed in the seventh novel that, recognizing that it is also the Resurrection Stone, Dumbledore succumbs to temptation and puts on the ring, thereby being inflicted with a powerful curse. Snape can do naught but slow the curse which will kill Dumbledore within a year. Dumbledore is also aware the Voldemort has ordered Draco Malfoy to kill him. Dumbledore decides that Snape should kill him instead, both as an act of euthanasia, as a testament of his apparent loyalty to Voldemort, and as a way to protect Draco. Although Snape is initially reluctant, Dumbledore points out the act will prevent a more unfortunate demise for the wizard from the curse or at the hands of others, and will save Draco Malfoy from tearing his own soul apart. Dumbledore points out to Snape that the act will not harm Snape's own soul, because it will not be murder at all, since he will just be helping an old man die.^[HP7]

Shortly thereafter,^[HP6] Bellatrix Lestrange and Narcissa Malfoy visit Snape at his terraced house on Spinner's End, located near the ruins of a wool or cotton mill. Voldermort's task for Draco and its obvious risks are a punishment to the Malfoys for their recent failures, and there is always the chance Draco might succeed. 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. Snape is also finally appointed Professor of Defence Against the Dark Arts.

Replacing Snape 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 scribbled notes 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 Lily's outstanding Potions ability. Whoever the Prince might be, Harry considers him a better teacher than either Snape or Slughorn.

Outraged by Harry's easy but 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.

Dumbledore keeps Snape in the dark about the tasks he has entrusted to Harry, while at the same time keeping Harry from knowing about Snape's role in the overall strategy. Dumbledore does tell Snape that when Voldemort stops sending Nagini on errands and instead keeps the snake close by and protected, that will be time to reveal to Harry both Snape's role, and the final task required of them. In order to defeat Voldemort, Harry, the unintended Horcrux, must die at Voldemort's hands.

Snape objects: he has risked his life in Dumbledore's service to protect Harry. Dumbledore mistakes the objection for affection, believing Snape has come to care for Harry after all. Snape, however, replies "For him?" and conjures his Patronus: a doe, the same as Lily Potter's. Snape's actions and loyalty to Dumbledore have been in the service of his undying love for Lily.

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. 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). During this confrontation, Snape reveals to Harry that he is the "Half-Blood Prince". Snape is injured by Buckbeak before disappearing into the Forbidden Forest with Draco and the Death Eaters.

As Hermione later surmises, the nickname "Half-Blood Prince" 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 to Voldemort, was Snape's own private joke.

Immediately following Dumbledore's death and before Mad-Eye Moody puts in place a series of jinxes on it, Snape returns to Grimmauld Place, where he finds Lily Potter's old letter and photograph.

The final year

Just before what would have been Harry's final year at Hogwarts, Snape sets off events that lead to a surprise Death Eater attack upon Harry's final journey from the safe haven of his aunt and uncle's house to Tonks's. Although Harry makes it to safety, George Weasley's ear is sliced off by a curse from Snape, later revealed to have been the result of a misfire that had been aimed at a Death Eater's wand hand. After the Ministry of Magic falls to the Death Eaters just prior to the school year, Snape is appointed Headmaster of Hogwarts. Snape uses his position to protect the students within from Death Eaters Amycus and Alecto Carrow, who are assigned to patrol the school. The leak of information to Voldemort was directed by Dumbledore from his headmaster's portrait. Dumbledore also ordered Snape to ensure that Harry would obtain Godric Gryffindor's sword. Snape devises a plan to lead Harry to the Sword without revealing his own involvement: a feat he managed by controlled use of his Patronus.

Towards the end of the school year, Snape flees the school when he is confronted by the other teachers, led by Professor McGonagall. He is then summoned by Voldemort. Believing that the powerful Elder Wand that he coveted from Dumbledore had been won by Snape, and would only work well for one who won it similarly from its current owner, Voldemort kills Snape by having his pet snake, Nagini, attack the new Hogwarts Headmaster. Ironically Voldemort's murder of Snape, meant to access the power of the Elder Wand and defeat Harry, actually helps to bring about his defeat. Since Voldemort has newfound confidence in the wand he uses it against Harry. These actions ultimately result in Voldemort dying from his own spell. Snape also provides critical information to Harry on how to defeat Voldemort: after Voldemort leaves the scene, Snape, in his last moments, causes his memories to exude from his mouth, ears, and eyes in the form of the silvery blue material used in pensieves. Harry collects them in a flask, and uses them to discover Snape's true allegiance and learn of the plan that he had been executing with Dumbledore all along, and that will require Harry to sacrifice himself.

Although not explicit in the novel, J.K. Rowling mentioned in a web chat that because he abandoned his post before dying, a portrait of his does not immediately appear in the Headmaster's office following his death, but that she imagines that Harry made Snape's true loyalty and heroism known in the Wizarding world, and that he lobbied to ensure that a portrait be installed in the office.

Legacy

Years after Harry defeated Voldemort, Harry's second born son receives the name Albus Severus Potter. Nineteen years after the final victory, Albus Severus is about to enter his first year at Hogwarts and is worried that he will be sorted into Slytherin. 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 I ever knew."

Character description

Snape is described as being hook-nosed, with pale skin, black eyes, and greasy, shoulder-length black hair. His build is described as small and thin, adorning black-robes; appearing "like an overgrown bat".^[HP1] In the chapter illustrations by Mary GrandPré in the American translation of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix , Snape is also depicted as balding with a goatee, but in the next novel, Half-Blood Prince, he is depicted with long black hair. 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".

Snape is generally depicted as thoroughly cruel, unpleasant, sarcastic, and bitter. Though usually calm and collected, his temper is sometimes short where Harry Potter and his friends are concerned, displaying a particularly strong dislike of him, often insulting him by attacking the memory of his 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; most of the others, however, strongly dislike him. 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. In Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Snape is shown to have the ability to fly without support.

File:Snapejinxingbroom.jpg

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 was one of the most significant issues in the series up until the end of the final instalment of the series, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. Because Snape left Harry his dying thoughts (to be viewed in the Pensieve), Snape ultimately revealed to Harry that he was always loyal to Albus Dumbledore, even though he had appeared to murder Dumbledore in the previous book. This depiction is later confirmed by the Dumbledore Harry meets in a limbo-like King's Cross station after being nearly killed by Voldemort. It was also revealed that Snape's loyalty to Dumbledore stemmed from his fierce devotion to his childhood friend, Lily Evans, who later had become his one true love. Snape ended his allegiance to Voldemort when he realised that it was her that Lord Voldemort was going to kill after overhearing a prophecy that predicted Voldemort's defeat. As a result, Snape vowed to assist Dumbledore in protecting Lily's surviving son, Harry.

External links

• Severus Snape on Harry Potter Wiki, an external wiki
• Snape Character profile from the Harry Potter Lexicon
• Interviews in which Rowling has given information about Snape from accio-quote.org