Severus

Biodata

Feature	Value
Name	Severus Snape (西弗勒斯)
Alias(es)	Half-Blood Prince; “Snot” (derogatory nickname) 65 409
Species/Race	Half-blood wizard; last descendant of the Prince family through his mother, Eileen Prince 95
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Slytherin House; Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry; Death Eaters; Order of the Phoenix
Occupation/Role	Potions Professor; Head of Slytherin; Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor applicant; later Headmaster of Hogwarts 55 120 363
Status	Alive 53 304
First Appearance	Chapter 7

Background / History

Severus grew up in poverty at Spinner’s End with his mother, Eileen Prince, and his Muggle father, Tobias Snape. His difficult home life and fear for Eileen shaped his hatred of Tobias; as a youth, he killed Tobias with a dagger after Tobias tried to force Eileen from their home. Pomona later erased Severus’s memories of a violent magical outburst connected to that period. 56 126 409

At Hogwarts, Severus was sorted into Slytherin and quickly displayed exceptional aptitude for Potions, arranging to attend third-year Potions during his first year. He was isolated, bullied by James Potter and Sirius Black, and increasingly associated with young Death Eaters. 13 49 171

His friendship and unrequited love for Lily Evans remained central to his life, but his pursuit of Dark Magic and Death Eater connections drove them apart. After overhearing Trelawney’s prophecy, Severus reported it to Voldemort in pursuit of favor, indirectly placing Lily and her family in danger. 300 363

Following Lily’s death, Severus became a double agent under Albus Dumbledore’s protection. To preserve his value among the Death Eaters, he provided intelligence and committed acts that continued to haunt him, including betraying Emmeline Vance. 156 251 1898

At twenty-one, Severus defeated Horace Slughorn in a Potions duel using Explosive Liquid and became Hogwarts’ youngest Potions Professor and Head of Slytherin. 183 363

During the later war, Narcissa Malfoy made an Unbreakable Vow with Severus to protect Draco. Severus ultimately killed Dumbledore in Draco’s place, later explaining that he had acted to keep his vow and protect his godson. 193 242

Severus later served as Hogwarts Headmaster under Voldemort’s control, using Occlumency to endure Voldemort’s Legilimency while secretly pursuing his own objectives. He gave Harry Potter selected memories before his apparent death, though later events depict him alive. 120 304 1833

Appearance

Severus is thin and pale, with greasy black hair, dark eyes, and a severe preference for black robes. His appearance and manner often make him seem threatening or inhumanly cold. 13 19 633

• Thin, pale build; initially described as non-athletic 13
• Greasy black hair and a bitter smell associated with his clothing 19
• Black robes commonly fastened to the throat 873
• Dark eyes that may show a disturbing red light 149
• Can magically turn his hair white as a disguise 1735

Personality

Severus is intensely ambitious, private, sarcastic, and vindictive. Having grown up poor and socially marginalized, he treats power, knowledge, and self-control as means of survival rather than ideals. He distrusts easy kindness, resents public humiliation, and tends to view relationships through loyalty, debt, control, and betrayal. 56 1735 3356

Despite his cruelty and manipulation, Severus can be protective of those he considers his responsibility. He shields Draco, intervenes against Slytherin bullying, assists Hermione with defensive magic, and shows rare empathy toward vulnerable students such as Ben Cooper. His conscience remains conflicted by the consequences of his work as a spy. 163 2788 2851 1898

Abilities & Skills

Potions Mastery

Severus is an elite potion-maker and the heir to the Prince family’s Potions tradition. His work earns him recognition as a candidate for the Prince’s Prize.

• Developed the Wolfsbane Potion through extensive study and a controversial forbidden spell 95
• Defeated Slughorn in a Potions duel involving volatile Explosive Liquid 363
• Produced healing agents, sedatives, antidotes, and specialized pest-control potions 109 1841 2522
• Keeps his potion stores meticulously organized and can immediately notice missing ingredients 873

Legilimency and Occlumency

Severus is a skilled mind-magic practitioner whose work as a spy depends on controlling and concealing information.

• Demonstrated improving Legilimency against Pomona 48
• Received Occlumency training from Voldemort 360
• Resisted Voldemort’s Legilimency while serving as Headmaster 1833
• Selectively provided Harry with only the memories he considered useful 304

Dark Magic and Spellcraft

Severus is highly knowledgeable in Dark Magic and is capable of inventing or adapting spells.

• Created a Cutting Curse, later modifying it and giving it to Pomona 104
• Uses Dark Magic efficiently for containment and defense, including securing a Boggart in the Room of Requirement 2694
• Cast Arania Exumai to repel Acromantulas and taught the spell to Draco 304
• Can transform into black smoke for rapid flight 1833
• Uses memory alteration and obliviation as part of covert operations 126 276

Dueling and Combat

Severus is a formidable duelist whose combat strength exceeds that of most Hogwarts staff and Order members.

• Disarmed Pomona with Expelliarmus during an early confrontation 19
• Defeated Slughorn to claim the position of Head of Slytherin 183
• Could handle Minerva McGonagall and Filius Flitwick simultaneously without using his full strength 166
• Ranked second in the Order of the Phoenix behind Alastor Moody 103

Patronus Charm

Severus can produce a corporeal Doe Patronus.

• Reportedly the only Death Eater able to cast a Patronus 363 622
• His Doe Patronus resembles Lily Evans’s and is frequently associated with his loyalty to her memory 242

Equipment / Items

• Wand — used for dueling, Dark Magic, memory alteration, and potion-related work.
• Magical ring — given to him by Voldemort; connected to his ambitions for power and immortality 55
• Potion stores — includes rare ingredients and specialized brews 426
• Communication Crystal — carried for contact with allies 1791
• Anubis Holy Grail — transported to the Fountain of Innocence during his investigation in France 1694

Relationships

• Pomona Sprout — former mentor, lover, and later wife; their relationship is affectionate but marked by manipulation, possessiveness, guilt, and mutual distrust 126 314 465 1711.
• Lily Evans Potter — childhood friend and first love; her rejection and death define many of Severus’s choices, including his protection of Harry 363 622.
• Albus Dumbledore — protector, handler, and frequent source of resentment; Dumbledore gave Severus status at Hogwarts while directing him as a double agent 153 544.
• Voldemort — former master who trained Severus in Occlumency and relied on his intelligence; Severus maintained a dangerous façade of submission around him 360 1833.
• Draco Malfoy — godson; Severus protects Draco, disciplines him harshly, and fulfills an Unbreakable Vow made to Narcissa on Draco’s behalf 84 193 242.
• Narcissa Malfoy — Draco’s mother and an ally who trusted Severus to protect her son 193 1805.
• Lucius Malfoy — longtime associate, rival, and occasional partner in dangerous investigations; their relationship includes threats, duels, and mutual respect 63 1814.
• Sirius Black — longtime enemy whose school-era hostility developed into an irreconcilable feud 296 1712.
• James Potter — rival and former bully; Severus’s resentment toward James is intensified by Lily’s choice to marry him 49 363.
• Harry Potter — the son of Lily and James; Severus protects Harry under Dumbledore’s terms while openly resenting him 154 304.
• Hermione Granger — student and later ally; Severus taught her defensive spells that aided her Horcrux hunt 163.

Story Role / Major Arcs

Hogwarts Years

Severus enters Slytherin as a poor, gifted half-blood with a fierce desire to establish himself. His isolation, rivalry with the Marauders, attachment to Lily, and attraction to Dark Magic lay the foundations for his later choices. 13 49 171

Death Eater and Double Agent

After Lily’s death, Severus works between Voldemort and Dumbledore. His intelligence makes him valuable to both sides, but his survival depends on deception, betrayal, and Dumbledore’s protection. 156 544

Hogwarts Professor and Head of Slytherin

Severus defeats Slughorn, becomes the youngest Head of Slytherin, and builds authority through exceptional magical ability rather than popularity. He proves an exacting, feared, and often indifferent teacher. 183 363

Draco’s Protector

Narcissa’s Unbreakable Vow binds Severus to Draco’s survival. He takes responsibility for protecting Draco and kills Dumbledore rather than allow Draco to carry out Voldemort’s order. 193 242

Headmaster and War Survivor

As Headmaster, Severus operates under Voldemort’s scrutiny while maintaining Occlumency and working toward Harry’s survival. He eventually entrusts Harry with selected memories that reveal key parts of his role. 120 304 1833

Later Investigations

Later chapters place Severus in international investigations involving ancient tombs, magical artifacts, the Underworld, and French occult history. He relies on historical knowledge, coercion, and strategic planning while working with figures such as Gonsai, Lucius, and Felix. 1571 1642 1814 1932

Notable Quotes

“Always.” 1852

“We come from the mud, but we won't be trapped in the mud forever.” 1735

“I chose my destiny; it wasn't decided by some dirty, smelly hat.” 1874

Trivia

• Severus dislikes flying on a broom, calling it “too stupid.” 1738
• He was named by Eileen in the hope that he would not become like Tobias Snape. 147
• His childhood hedgehog was one of his only friends besides Lily and Pomona; its death as a prank deeply affected him. 147
• He never physically strikes Draco, instead relying on severe verbal humiliation and criticism. 196
• He briefly considered changing his name to Ophiuchus Sprout. 109